Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/208

 192 LIFE IN JAVA.

idea was a novel one, and far from pleasing to us. Loyalty will sometimes lead subjects to yoke themselves to the carriages of monarchs, but I am sure even the greatest enthusiasm would require horse flesh to aid human power, if eighteen miles of hilly road were to be traversed with a heavy car- riage, rightly termed a Wagen.

Next morning by half -past six, twenty-five coolies, headed by a mandoer, lashed themselves with ropes, made from the plantain tree and rattan, to the car- riage, and with loud shouts of ayu ! ayu ! set off with a run, which, before long, degenerated into a quick march, and gradually dwindled down to a walk, the poor men all the time good-humouredly talking, laughing, and singing snatches of native melodies.

About half a mile from Tumungong, we passed the gates of the town limits, surmounted with battle- axes, which are the arms of the place. Beyond these, we had on all sides extensive fields undergo-

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