Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/50

 34 LIFE IN JAVA..

is confined for the night. The opening or entrance shuts with a heavy shding door, attached by a rope to the end of a ponderous beam. This beam rests on the top of a pole, and its op]:)Osite end is kept down by a large stone connected with a spring in the interior of the trap, which is no sooner touched, than the weight flies up, causing the door to fall and debar the exit of the intruder. If the tiger is not recpiired by the Regent for galas or festas, a few poles are taken away from the roof, and the poor brute is umnercif ully assailed with spears, swoixls, &c. This steeping of the steel's point in the hot blood of their victim is considered by the natives as a potent charm to insure a deadly thrust with their weapons, or to parry that of an adver- sary. The mangled carcase is then placed on all -fours upon a frame, and taken to the Kesident of the district, Avho rewards the men with a small lonation; after which it is sold to the Chinamen, who give from ten cents to one dollar for a pound

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