Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/315

Rh In one of the caverns is a large cavity, said to be the opening to a tunnel which extends far into the bowels of the Klotau mountains. I felt a great inclination to penetrate this mysterious place, thinking I might meet some more remains of Buddhism; but the guide persuading me not to attempt it, on the ground of its being considered a tiger haunt, I gave up the idea.

On our way back I asked the juru coonchee, who I found spoke Malay well, if he himself had ever seen a tiger in the temple. His reply was,

"Oh! yes, sir; one morning in particular, I remember, I was ascending the steps, when an enormous one suddenly rushed out of the opening to the left, and stood looking at me; before, however, I could take a good aim at him he made a speedy retreat down the side, a few yards from me, and was soon lost to sight. But," he added, "when the paddy is sown, one always sleeps in this temple the first Tuesday in the month, to propitiate the