Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/276

258 perceiving which, I asked him what it was that thus occupied his mind.

"Sir," he said, "before my father died, he had a presentiment that I should some day see this place. He had one of Supo's krisses, he told me, but unfortunately lost it on some mountain where he went to gather wood. How I wish I had his kriss now, sir! The blow given by one of these is unerring, and possesses a powerful charm in parrying the thrust of an adversary."'

I could not help smiling at the credulity and superstition displayed in the simple speech of the man. He saw it, but only remarked, "Ini soongoo skali, Tuan." "This is a fact, sir."

That evening we made preparations for our intended excursion to Ngantang, or Antang, next day, as the limited "extension of leave" granted by the Resident obliged us to economise time. The Man dor declared it to be thirty-six miles there and back, which, in his opinion, was far too long