Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/263

Rh 'Some day, when you feel the safest, mind what I say, you'll sink. Give them to me, and I will let you have in exchange my Baju-unta-kasuma, with which you can fly in safety over land and sea, you can skim over the water like a swallow, or soar up into the very clouds like the strong-winged kite.'

"'Very well,' replied the anxious boy, 'give me the Baju, and here are my shoes.'

"So the bargain was struck, and Aruman, clad with the garment of volition, darted through the air like Icarus, but without incurring the fate which so soon brought that daring adventurer's flight to an end. Nakoda fared differently with his acquisition. In attempting to walk on the sur- face of the water he sank, and, had he not been an expert swimmer, must have been drowned. As it was he was nearly exhausted when he reached his own ship, and was helped upon deck by the crew.

"Aruman, perceiving the sad condition of the captain, approached the vessel, and looked down