Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/256

238 number of spurs which proceed from it, and the lesser hills which rise in its neighbourhood.

We had several stoppages en route, in consequence of the sudden and numerous steep ascents. The horses, accustomed to be assisted in these parts, made an obstinate stand, their nostrils distended, and snorting as though they were invoking the aid of Simbrani; nor would they " budge one inch" until the men from the neighbourhood arrived, and put their shoulders to the wheels. We had frequent occurrences of the same kind, which exercised our patience in no small degree, but as nothing we could do or say helped us, we determined to take these little inconveniences as philosophically as possible.

The first station we arrived at was Amman. Here we had no sooner left the shed than Drahman, throwing away his roko, or cigaret—which, as it was not offensive to my wife, I had given him leave to smoke whenever he felt inclined—and