with the performance of its ceremonies, while the
upper orders especially are very lax in their principles. Most of them,
in spite of the law of their prophet prohibiting the use of wine and
spirits, drink them whenever they can be procured. The rich have as
many wives as they can support, but the poor are obliged to content
themselves with one. I should say that my host, when I returned him the
jar of arrack, deprived of very little of its contents, gave a grunt of
satisfaction, from which I inferred that his supply had run short, and
that he was thankful that I had not taken more. I kept anxiously
waiting all the time for the arrival of an interpreter, for whom I was
convinced the chief had sent. After we lost Captain O'Carroll we
returned to our original intention of procuring one at Batavia. This
must account for my being at present without one. I had come on shore
in the hope that I might make myself sufficiently understood to carry on
a trade by means of signs, as I knew was often done. As, however, my
new friends would not make the attempt to talk by signs or in any other
way, I had to wait patiently till somebody should arrive to help us out
of our dilemma.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

A PRISONER OF WAR.

I at length lost all patience at the non-arrival of the expected
interpreter, and, rising, made a profound salaam to the chief, which
was, I saw, accurately imitated by Jack, who was at my side with a
comical expression of countenance not indicative of much respect for the
great man. The chief said something which I understood to mean that he
hoped I would remain longer, but as I really was anxious to return on
board, I only bowed again lower than before, and pointed towards the
harbour, continuing to move in the direction of the entrance. He did
not attempt to stop me, and the people who had come with me were, I saw,
prepared to accompany me back.

I had just reached the outside, when I saw approaching an individual
dressed in the native shirt and _sarong_, or kilt, whom I naturally took
to be a Javanese.

He stopped and looked at me attentively, saying in Dutch, "I was sent
for by the chief to come and interpret for a French gentleman who has
arrived here on some diplomatic business of importance. I shall be
happy to do my best, but you are aware that some of the troops of your
countrymen will be here soon, and that then there will be no lack of
people better able to interpret for you than I am.