Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/210

192 they added, rising to take leave, 'rest assured full vengeance shall be taken upon the offender.' Saguntang, Sachupa, and Samati accordingly wended their way to the river side; on reaching which they stopped at the spot where they were accustomed to feed the alligators. As these immense reptiles were called by name, they responded to the summons in such numbers that the water, far and near, seemed covered with them. Although they looked like beams of wood closely packed together, the sharp-eyed keepers perceived the absence of one of them. 'There is one missing,—Bassar, where is he?' said Samati. A slight movement of the water was seen, and the culprit rose abashed, and timidly took his place. 'You—it is who are guilty,' said Sachupa, 'come forth and receive the due punishment for thy crime. You have killed one of the king' sown subjects; and therefore here, in the sight of thy brothers and sisters, thou must expiate this dire offence. Hast thou