90 ESCORTED TO BATHE. 



had observed on coming in. No sooner was our in- 

 tention perceived, however, by our walking down 

 the court-yard with towels in our hands, than a 

 messenger was sent into the house to the Widono, 

 and out he came after us with two spearmen and a 

 troop of attendants, who took our towels, and then 

 posted themselves behind us, and followed all our 

 movements with the greatest gravity as we went 

 along looking for a convenient spot to bathe in. At 

 last they begged us to go towards a bridge as the 

 best place, and the Widono sent half a dozen men 

 into the water to clear away the weeds, while the 

 others stood by us ready to take each article of 

 clothing as we pulled it off, and hold it for us, the 

 Widono and his spearmen being posted on the bank 

 to superintend operations. We found the water 

 rather shallow and muddy, but as I caught sight of 

 some freshwater shells, I waded about to collect 

 them, and got several kinds belonging to the genera 

 paludina, lymnsea, planorbis, cyrena, and cyclas. 

 During all this time there stood the Widono and his 

 spearmen and servitors, waiting patiently on the 

 bank, a man stepping forward to receive the shells 

 wheneverl got my hands full, till I pleased to come 

 out and dress again, and then we all marched back 

 in solemn procession. We could not induce even 

 the Widono to walk in line with us, and whenever 

 we turned to address him in our imperfect Malay, 

 he bowed with a grave and deferential air, till at 

 length I could hardly refrain from laughing in his 



