Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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 horse-shoe.
The day after we returned from our excursion, the Rajah came to Ampanam to a feast giv-
en by Gusti Gadioca, who resides there; and soon after his arrival we went to have an audi-
ence. We found him in a large courtyard sitting on a mat under a shady tree; and all his fol-
lowers, 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 first in-
quired 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 ex-
amined 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 in-
terest. 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.
