Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/207

Rh us under our misfortune, "Many, sir, stop for hours, and leave without even seeing the nose of one."

"Ah," replied I, in Malay, as I handed him a rupee for the ducks, and a present for himself, "you are the lucky man, I think—you have not only got a good price for your ducks, but also, when we are gone, will take them home again to serve for a future occasion."

"Oh no, no, Tuan, never!" said he, looking very grave, "we dare not take what has been given to the Bajuls, it would bring great misfortune upon us."

We smiled and looked incredulous; on seeing which, Drahman, with true native ardour for anything of a superstitious tendency, took the part of the boatman, and seemed to think we were tempting the alligators by laughing at them, A gentleman has since told me that he was present when an alligator seized one of the ducks sent by him on the lake, and he declared it to be a fine sight.