Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/160

142 our journey. Our ears were charmed with the songs of the forest minstrels, and our eyes pleased with their bright, many-tinted plumage. At length we arrived at another small station, called Keng-kin, the few villagers inhabiting which left their various occupations on our arrival, and stared at us most perseveringly while we rested our horses, which, as we were still a considerable distance from our destination, required a little repose to refresh them for the labour still awaiting them.

When we once more proceeded onward, we were surprised at the change we observed in the scenery, which now commenced to be wilder in character, and very romantic. Here were deep ravines, the sides of which were clothed with verdant foliage, mountain torrents rushing impetuously down their rocky channels. Lofty trees, such as the Chantigy, with broad leaves like huge fans waving in the breeze, or the tall bamboo, whose bright emerald leaves glittered in the