Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/90

72 sarong reaching to the ankles, heel-less slippers on their naked feet, and the never-forgotten head kerchief, constituted their new attire, in which, to say the least, they looked remarkably cool.

I succeeded, without any difficulty, in introducing myself to Raden Rio, whom I found so agreeable, that before long we became quite friendly. He repeated to me some pantuns, native verses, in Javanese, which, when I told him they were quite unintelligible to me, he at once translated into Malay. They were mostly in a very amorous strain, like all Eastern compositions of the kind, and flowed in graceful melody. I also spoke to Raden Mas, but he being of a taciturn disposition, only few words passed between us.

Raden Rio introduced me to the assistant resident of Djodjokerta, who, with his youthful daughter, had accompanied the princes on their visit to Batavia. We had good reason to feel thankful for this opportune introduction, for, on learning