Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/140

124 LIFE IN JAVA. cupied it for some time was the possessor of no less than two hundred concubines; and I think it is not improbable that the same personage ordered and planned the erection, as the great number of small rooms would seem to favour the idea that the building, when inhabited, was occupied by an unusually numerous household.

On our return to the house of Mr. Z, I found that the old woman had brought the turtles, and consigned them to the keeping of Drahman, who, on seeing me, said,

"It is quite useless, sir, attempting to keep these."

" Why?" replied I; "won't they stand the journey?"

"Oh, yes," he answered, looking very grave; "that would not signify; but what I mean, sir, is, they will not stay —it is their habit always to return to the place they are taken from."

Thinking the man was only trying to dissuade