Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalof192018871889roya).pdf/146

 directions to the Chiefs to fetch down seven ship-builders, all brothers, who lived up the country. "If," added the old man, "the seven ship-builders cannot do the work, you must direct the Tumonggong to fetch your Cousin CHE ALANG, a native of Linggi, who lives at the mouth of the River Limau Purut. He is your cousin on your mother's side, and you can require him to fetch the workman called Tukang BONGKOK BONGSU BANGSAWAN


 * Pandak kaki deri tangan
 * Tukang ter-pechat di negri Jawa
 * Bukan pechat sebab ta'tukang,
 * Tukang terlampau deripada tukang yang baniak,
 * Itu-lah sebab di-buang Raja ka-saběrang laut tawar,
 * Iya-lah yang bulik ber-bahan kayu merbau itu.

("whose legs are shorter than his arms; banished formerly from the kingdom of Java, not because he was wanting in skill, but because he exceeded all other craftsmen in his handiwork. This was why the Raja banished him to the other side of the lake. He it is who can fell the merbau tree.")

At the end of this speech, Raja awoke with a start, and, remembering distinctly all that had passed in his dream, went out into the balei and sounded the alarm gong, which soon brought the Chiefs and people to him. He then related his dream, and his audience bowed their heads till they touched the floor, so great was their satisfaction at the recital. The Tumonggong was then directed to summon the seven brother shipbuilders, and to direct them to build a prahu to be called Batara Saludang Mayang, and in course of time. they duly arrived. On being brought before the Raja, they said that the omens which they had consulted before leaving home were unpropitious, and they asked for leave to return once more and make a fresh start. This the Raja would not hear of, and the seven brothers set out, prophesying that harm would happen to them; they travelled inland till they found the merbau tree, and they built themselves a little hut near it. Evening closed in:—


 * Maka hari-pun sudah-lah merimbang petang,
 * Bota pun ber-suara mengakak di-panggil-nia.