Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/148

 132 LIFE IN JAVA.

From anotlier source I was informed that Daendels actually dragged him out of bed, in order to compel him to fulfil his promise. The bed the very one we saw was ever after consi- dered unlucky by the Javanese, and consequently never used. If this be true, it accounts for its being left in its present position, when every other moveable article was removed.

I cannot say which of these accounts is the true one, but there is no doubt whatever that Daendels entered the castle in the manner I have related, and forced the slippery Sultan to sign the treaty. The incident has been handed down by tradition even amongst the natives, by whom Daendels is still spoken of as a most daring man.

The spring tank of Siraman is about a mile from the town, and belongs to one of the present Sultan's ministers. It is situated in a beautiful garden, and fed by two running streams. In the centre stands a fountain with quaint relievos. A

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