Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/55

 JAVANESE COOLIES. 39

who, an inveterate enemy to the Dutch, could ill brook their possession of the island.

The descent to the river's edge is very precipi- tous; and, as the stream is here both broad and deep, our vehicle and horses were ferried over on bamboo rafts. After we had crossed we con- tinued our journey rapidly, and soon approached the capital of the Susuhunan, or Emperor of Java.

The coolies who were in waiting to push and pull uj) the carriage, appeared to me to be men of larger stature than the Javanese in general prouder in their demeanour and bearing than their gentle and submissive-looking brethren with whom we had hitherto come in contact.

The entrance into Soerakarta is very pretty. For a mill' or so before reacliiug it the road lies between native campongs, not ([uite so neat and clean-looking as those in Batavia, where they are regularly whitewashed once a year, but shaded by

�� �