Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/78

60 who gave up office during the time we were in Java.

During our short sojourn, the Dutch authorities had become possessed of all the knowledge they required respecting our position, "profession," and destination; all of which proving satisfactory, our consul, without difficulty, obtained for us a pass to enable us to leave Batavia, promising to forward the permission to visit the Vorsten Landen, or land of the native princes, as soon as my request to that effect—then under the consideration of the governor—should be granted.

Being informed that the hire of government carriages was very exorbitant, and the discomforts many and various, I was glad to hear of an opportunity of purchasing the very kind of vehicle we needed; and, accompanied by a friend, we went to an auction, where I became the purchaser of a cumbrous-looking but comfortable carriage, known in that country as a Rees-Wagen. It stood about