On the Wallaby

a, Bui

x hours to repair. What its nature was we were unable to discover, but from all I saw of their engineering, it is more than likely that some of that gold lace

nd general air of cholera and sudden death, produced a picture that was the reverse of inspiriting. Moreover, there were Malay boys on the wharf, and as we have said before, we dislike Malays intensely. These particular specimens were not a cheerful gang; they were ill dressed and half fed, some of them wore scarecrow uniforms, while others had only loin cloths and brass badges of gorgeous lettering and dimensions to signify that they were hotel touts. Every mother's son h

, nay, even ostentatiously anxious, to have our things examined, and to receive praise for our enforced honesty. I notice this is often the way with f

tch character. That's just the sort of occupation to suit a Java Dutchman: he'll keep up his dignity when everything else is gone. What I want to know is what he does with it wh

ur baggage and convinced the authorities that shaving soap was not dynamite, nor a collar box an infernal machine, we wandered through the gates to the railway station, whence a train runs at long intervals to Batavia. For the benefit of future travel

erk, with a quickness that betrayed continual practice of the little game, took our measures, and pushed the money back, signifying on his fingers that it was not enough, that he wanted a whole guilder apiece, or in other words, twice the proper fare; and this, for the reason that we were Englishmen or foreigners. We remonstrated, point

o camp where we were till morning. Eventually, with a hurricane of grumbling and ill-humour, to which we added our prayers for the welfa

eresting. The road lies through green, slimy swamps, unwholesome native villages, and eye-wearing

alled two small dos-a-dos carts (one for ourselves and one for our luggage) we started. These conveyances are drawn by ponies about the size of She

and spotless pith helmets, and were conscious that our arrival at the H6tel des Indes would provoke excitement, we told our dr

in upon us, under and over, round every corner, and through every crevice, until we were 'covered and exasperated from head to foot. Then a thunderstorm took a hand in the game, and in three minutes we were drenched through and through. Being decently brought up young men, with Christian tempers, we restrained ourselves; but when the mud, rain, perspiration, and annoyance got

sittingrooms and bedrooms. The main street forms the third side, while an imposing marble dining saloon, with the servants' offices, kitchens and stables, makes up the fourth. The whole effect is curious, but b

s and customs of the regions into which we drift in true British fashion, finding fault with what does n

doings of the day and to whet the appetite with small drinks, composed of gin and a sort of Angostura bi

tainments were free) we decided to attend it. Accordingly, about nine o'clock, having suitably attired ourselves, we called a gharry, and desired to be driven to the festive sce

e entrance to lamplit gardens of fairy-like beauty. In the centre of these g

d our neighbours with considerable point and freedom in the security of our own language. When we had seen and heard enough, we departed, convinced that we had conferred an honour upon the Dutch nation, of which it (the Dutch nation) might justly be proud. It was not until next day that we learnt that nine out of every ten Java Dutchmen have a perfect knowledge of English, and that while we, thinking ourselves so om

ding at the Government office, and answering any questions that might be put to us. What was worse we should be compelled to pay dearly for the privilege conceded. Should we desire to remain for more than one month, we must be prepared to serve a lengthy period in the black and tan militia regiments of the island. This be

irty hole, and the official i

houted something incomprehensible at him for fully five minutes, in a voice like a saw sharpener crossed with a steam fog-horn, that he began to acquire some distant gli

sentence hopeless

heaving! Have another try! Put your helm ov

onger sentence deli

eckon I've located him now - wants to know your names,

ion and the official begins again

t a tongue like a blank paddle boat. Le

work and saying twice a

ged), 'Back her! Back her all you

dly, and throwing away his greasy specta

going to let me have a deal. Want all the talking to yerself, do yer? (Goes at it himself for a space; then with an air o

n the negative. Evidently somethi

imes you've been married. No? Wants certificate of your births. No? Wants to see your vaccination marks. No? You

led in less than two minutes. Next time we want papers taken out we'll deny ourselves the luxury of an interpreter. I'm not saying

bia, somewhat resembling a small English smock-frock, a pair of gaily patterned trousers (or a sarong) and Chinese grass slippers. The Dutch lady, if she desires to be in the fashion, lets her hair down, wears a short lawn peignoir, a sarong (sheet of native cloth) loosely wound round the hips and tucked in at the side, thrusts her bare

ibed, and with much fluttering of fans and clattering of tiny shoe heels, proceeded past our chairs on their way to the bath. We were filled with admiration, and on the strength of their appearances purchase

it from every person I had seen wearing one, 1 felt sure I could manage it. I did not know that it is

this time I had it too much on one side, and it would not tuck in. I sat down to think it over. Of course in a second I saw my mistake and began a

d then tucked it in. I tried and failed. In front it was excellent, but behind it was impossible; my legs were exposed to the vulgar gaze. Six times I

a fairly successful garment. Thrusting my feet into a pair of slippers, I sought the Long'un. I found him standing in the centre of his

d a crumpled dish-clout in my face

and tried, this way and that, till I'm just black in the face. Do you believe I can get it ri

urn this over - so! Then that over - so. No! that's not right either. Ah! I see - this back, so! No! Confound the thing - this wa

s just sulphurous. I say sulphurous, because it's the only term that expresses it. When we did get them right we were hot an

e-headed. The cool of the evening is delightful, and when the band plays on the King's Plain, the scene is not only animated but roost enjoyable. The elegant landaus of the elite, drawn by diminutive ponies and driven by Malays, parade up an

railways are well built, somewhat after the Yankee fashion, but the pace of the train was, if anything, slower than that of our Kandyan journey. However, we did not mind that much, the prospect from the carriage windows compensated for everything. Continually coming into view were mountain peaks and gently swelling hills, tiny waterfalls and crystal rivulets, w

t they are the finest in the world. Even those of Peredenya sink into insignificance beside them. Surely", never save in the garden of Eden could vegetation flourish as it does here. The sights, the sounds, and the perfumes, are lovely beyond compare. Beautiful vistas, seemingly endless, lead the visitor down to t

nor, who died in Buitenzorg in 1814. I doubt if a more peaceful spot for a resting place, coul

a, bidding a reluctant farewell to sweet Buitenzorg and

ist line.) For instance, there are quarters in the Calli Bazaar which would well repay the trouble of a visit; quarters where few Englishmen have been, and where men live who have endless stories of life and d

ving the island. How to raise this amount is a reflection which causes us ever increasing concern. There is only one way. All things negotiable must be put into the common pool - watches, chains, jewellery, and clothes; and whatever is saleable must be sold. But who will buy? This is another puzzle, but eventually we solve it. Chinese hawkers are continually peddling their wares up and down t

What use they can be to him, seeing he doesn't wear trousers, I cannot understand. A shooting coat follows, with a silk handkerchief thrown in to make a bargain. A whole suit succeeds the shooting coat, and a nearly new Invernes

ast and furious, and after haggling like old Jew tradesmen for nearly two hours, at closing time we have disposed of two

lly returning with another offer, which, however, we decline. All this time, among the bidders, is one little pock-marked Celestial, who has been suffering agonies of desire for it. A look of intense longing is in his eyes, and marking this, we bring all our powers of persuasion to bear upon him. At last he can resist no longer, and rises like a greedy trout to the price we want, stipulating that he must first be allowed to take it down to some superior Chinaman in the town, in order that its metal may be tested. This at first

nceive. The house, from garret to cellar, is alive with Chinamen, each of whom seems to be filled with an intense desire to know what I am doing there. They interrogate my companion, but he is a man of business, and has no time to waste on idle gossip. Beckoning me to fo

weighs the chain, and evidently gives my companion considerable advice thereon. At the end of his harangue I am allowed to understand that the bargain is completed. The old fellow, who is undoubtedly a man of considerable importance, c

, we are the richer by four pounds five shillings, making a total sum of ten pounds thirteen. Next day, our studs and rings bri

route for Thursday Island. We book passages by her, and be

ay servants. I give it now, and in the giving beg to

ns on the pavement, to earning any number of guilders by honest labour. His duties as chambermaid are insults to your common sense. He doesn't make your bed because your bed doesn't require making: he simply punches the pillow into shape, and slaps the mattress; then he empties your basi

had no desire to run the risk of missing her. Accordingly, paying our bill, and collecting what was left of our baggage, we hired two carts and proceeded to the railway