LUBU SIKfiPING. 411 



the transverse ranges in which the Merapi and the 

 Sago rise. This appears to be naturally as fruitful a 

 region as the Menangkabau country proper, and 

 was undoubtedly included within the limits of 

 that empire during its most flourishing period. This 

 valley is generally very poorly cultivated, on account 

 of the small numbers of its population. By the way- 

 side were a number of coffee-gardens. The trees 

 were well filled with fruit, but they had been great- 

 ly neglected, and the tall grass was rapidly choking 

 them. 



A fe^v miles farther on I came to Lubu Sikeping, 

 where we were to rest until the next day. A native 

 opziener^ or " overseer," was stationed here to receive 

 the coffee from the adjoining plantations. He had 

 not heard of our coming, and was quite surprised to 

 see a stranger here in such a remote spot among the 

 mountains, and not the less so when I informed him 

 that the inspector was just behind me, and that I 

 only chanced to be in advance because, from what I 

 had heard of the road in the gorge, I had no fancy to 

 ride through it in a wide carriage. He received us, 

 however, like all the other officials, in the most polite 

 manner, and was evidently glad that something had 

 occurred to break up tlie dull routine of such a life of 

 exile. It was market-day here, and, as soon as I met 

 some of the natives returning to their homes, I saw 

 that they were a different people from those of the 

 Menangkabau country, and the overseer told me that 

 they are not natives of this particular region, l)ut 

 belong to the wild tribe of Lubus, which I should 

 see farther up the valley, and that it is for this reason 



