The Whole Matter Was Explained In
Such A Straightforward Manner That I Have No Doubt The Process
Described To Me
Was that actually used; although, when examining
one of the handsome, well-finished, and serviceable guns, it was
very hard
To realize the fact that they had been made from first
to last with tools hardly sufficient for an English blacksmith to
make a horseshoe.
The day after we returned from our excursion, the Rajah came to
Ampanam to a feast given by Gusti Gadioca, who resides there; and
soon after his arrival we went to have an audience. We found him
in a large courtyard sitting on a mat under a shady tree; and all
his followers, to the number of three or four hundred, squatting
on the ground in a large circle round him. He wore a sarong or
Malay petticoat and a green jacket. He was a man about thirty-
five years of age, and of a pleasing countenance, with some
appearance of intellect combined with indecision. We bowed, and
took our seats on the ground near some chiefs we were acquainted
with, for while the Rajah sits no one can stand or sit higher. He
just inquired who I was, and what I was doing in Lombock, and
then requested to see some of my birds. I accordingly sent for
one of my boxes of bird-skins and one of insects, which he
examined carefully, and seemed much surprised that they could be
so well preserved. We then had a little conversation about Europe
and the Russian war, in which all natives take an interest.
Having heard much of a country-seat of the Rajah's called Gunong
Sari, I took the opportunity to ask permission to visit it and
shoot a few birds there which he immediately granted. I then
thanked him, and we took our leave.
An hour after, his son came to visit Mr. Carter accompanied by
about a hundred followers, who all sat on the ground while he
came into the open shed where Manuel was skinning birds. After
some time he went into the house, had a bed arranged to sleep a
little, then drank some wine, and after an hour or two had dinner
brought him from the Gusti's house, which he ate with eight of
the principal priests and princes, he pronounced a blessing over
the rice and commenced eating first, after which the rest fell
to. They rolled up balls of rice in their hands, dipped them in
the gravy and swallowed them rapidly, with little pieces of meat
and fowl cooked in a variety of ways. A boy fanned the young
Rajah while eating. He was a youth of about fifteen, and had
already three wives. All wore the kris, or Malay crooked dagger,
on the beauty and value of which they greatly pride themselves. A
companion of the Rajah's had one with a golden handle, in which
were set twenty-eight diamonds and several other jewels. He said
it had cost him £700.
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