Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/70

 54 LIFE IN JAVA.

Dutch, therefore, seeing the necessity of checking this growing evil, made representations regarding it to the Susuhunan, requesting him to make more stringent laws for the safety of the inhabitants. These representations had the desired effect. Strict watch was set upon certain suspected parties, who were finally caught, proved guilty, and sentenced to death. The execution of these criminals proved a salutary lesson, as the amount of crime committed began from that time to lessen; and at the present day there is not in the whole of J a va a more peaceful town than Soerakarta.

The gamson is composed of Dutch, Swiss, and African soldiers. The latter are mostly tall, stout, and sinewy men, and generally make hard-work- ing, patient, and enduring soldiers. After serving twenty years they receive a pension, and are allowed either to remain in the island, or to return to their native land.

As our host and hostess could not speak French

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