Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/190

172 The oldest of the priests next rose up, followed by all the others, repeating words which sounded like " Ayo ! Ayo ! Bromok !" probably meaning "Forward, forward, to the Bromok!" This was the signal anxiously expected. The mass of human beings now made a tremendous rush for the volcano, the first who succeeded in gaining the ridge believing himself favoured by fortune, and certain of future good luck. Some of the old priests would stop every now and then, bid their followers spread the mat, and prostrate themselves in prayer for fully five or ten minutes, a proceeding which struck me as savouring strongly of sham, for no doubt they were fatigued, and made a virtue of necessity. The roaring of the Bromok seemed greater than it was yesterday, a fact most probably attributable to the lightness of the atmosphere.

The various families and individuals then handed their offerings to the priests, who again mumbled a few words over them, after which their owners