Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/161

Rh to the young wives and daughters, whom they intended to appropriate to themselves.

The night fixed upon was one of gaiety. The Dutch, ignorant of any approaching danger, were enjoying themselves at a grand ball given by the Resident. The pleasure of the evening was at its height, when an old lady, seated in the verandah of her house, which was close to that of the Residency, and listening to the music, was suddenly startled by the unexpected appearance of a soldier, who, apparently much excited, addressed her, to her great alarm, in a whisper.

"Madame, I am so glad to have seen some one." Said he. "For God's sake send somebody to warn all who are at the Residency of the approaching danger; tell them to leave the house at once, or they will all be murdered. I belong to the party, but I cannot do if, I cannot bear to think of it, now the time has come."

The lady, to whom this incoherent speech ap-