Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/39

 DANGEROUS SrORT. 23

the neighbouring forests, and, with the wild buf- falo, were to form the ehief amusement at the coming election of his Excellency the young Regent, to whom we had been introduced at the auction. The natives are very fond of the sports in which these dangerous animals are introduced, and it is the custom of the chiefs to preserve tigers, &c., for occasions of rejoicing. As their festa hasars (great feasts) are more frequently held on the iustallatiou of a new IJegent than on any other ocea>i(iii, I will attempt to describe the cere- monies by which an event so important to the na- tives is solemnised. u the day a])poiiite(l, ])lat- forms, erected on the alnini aloirn^ art' covered with matting, biuitiiig, and calicoes of various colours. 'I'lh'se ai'e for the liesident and his suite, and to!' till' iii'giiit with his friends and followers. Multitudi'S ot natix'es, crowding the (i/mni tilmrn^ listen to the <onnd of the gamalan, and of many other stringed instruments.

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