Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/270

252 natives are very fond, frequently sitting up several hours after midnight to listen to the improvised tales of the fantoccini manager, as they consider it very unlucky to break the thread of a story, never by any chance doing so when they can possibly avoid it.

As Drahman could not speak a word of English, I have been obliged to translate his wonderful narrative from the Malay, endeavouring to convey the sense as he told it.

The Passangrahan at Batoe is situated in a neat plantation of fruit-trees, to the right of the road. On entering we found attendants ready for orders, and apparently anxious to serve us. The bungalow had a very unpretending appearance, but was much more comfortable than many larger ones in which we had been. Beyond the hedge which surrounded the compound, several temporary sheds and huts were erected for a fair which had lately been held there for the sale of ponies, fowls,