Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalof192018871889roya).pdf/147

 : Hujan panas pun turun memenchar-menchar
 * Palangi pun turun minum di pangkal dahan tua-nia,
 * Dan di puchuk-nia langsuyar mengarak mengilai.

all kinds of evil beings sat in the branches of the merbau tree, and made unearthly noises, but as night advanced they grew quieter, and in the morning the seven carpenters got up and proceeded to work. A stage was soon erected round the tree, and three men mounted on it to commence chopping, while four remained below to take their places in turn. Then all at once the howling of the evil spirits recommenced, hujan panas descended like water poured out from a bucket, the bola chattered, the jin prayed, the langsuyar shrieked, the palangi came down to drink, and amid a chorus of unearthly noises, the unfortunate carpenters fell dead at their work, three on the staging and four below.

When three days and nights had passed, and no sound of axes chopping or tree falling had been heard, the Raja despatched an attendant to see how the work was getting on. The latter discovered the seven corpses covered with flies, and ran back to the palace in alarm. Then the Raja, having given orders for the proper burial of the dead men, ordered the Tumunggong to fetch of Linggi, who lived at Kuala Sungei Limau Purut. For seven days did the Tumonggong journey before he reached his destination and delivered his message. received him politely and prepared at once to obey the Raja's commands and to procure the services of the famous Tukang. Leaving the Tumonggong to return alone by sea, of Linggi set out for Raja 's capital overland, after having been careful to observe the proper omens (langkah) to secure a fortunate journey, he crossed the great lake (laut tawar) after quitting Tanjong Bima, and in due time arrived at the house of the crooked carpenter, whose legs were shorter than his arms. In front of the house was the carpenter's wife, busy winnowing rice. "Where is Tukang (the "crooked carpenter")? said . "He is asleep in bed," said the woman, "and he left word that he intended to sleep for seven days and nights, and so far he has