Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/191

Rh hurled them down the crater, repeating, as they did so, some prayer or wish. Cocoa-nuts produced a faint boom, boom, as they came in contact with the shelving sides, and were lost for ever. Plantains, rice, and cakes were thrown down in baskets, sending back columns of dust as they gradually disappeared. Our hostess threw down a number of coins, and several small pieces of muslin. On my remarking this afterwards to Van Rhée, he laughed heartily, and replied, " Oh! she wishes for a child; but she need not be in a hurry, she will have one in time, without doubt; but you see, sir, she is superstitious—and no wonder, she is but a child yet in years;'

Some live fowls were thrown in, one or two of which, I was very glad to see, flew on some of the ridges not far from the top, from whence, doubtless, their next flight would be to a place of greater safety.

On descending the volcano several games were