OBSEQUIOUSNESS OF PEOPLE. 91 



face. At dinner, which was as abounding and well 

 cooked as usual, we sent to request his company and 

 assistance to dispatch his own entertainment, but 

 he sat like Baillie Macwheeble, in Waverley, on the 

 edge of his chair, half a yard from the table, and 

 seemed overpowered by our condescension, while 

 we were equally oppressed with our own greatness. 

 Just before sunset, w T hen the clouds cleared off, I 

 strolled out to look at the surrounding country, 

 which we could not see from the house for the 

 groves of cocoa-nuts and areca-palms, and other 

 trees. I thought I had succeeded in making my 

 exit unperceived, but though I dodged the spear- 

 men, I had soon four other fellows at my heels, 

 with a " where shall I go —what shall I do for you" 

 expression of countenance that capsized my equani- 

 mity. Under a pandopo outside the gate 1 found 

 the worthy Widono standing, and giving orders to 

 half a dozen petty chiefs who were squatting before 

 him, and as soon as he caught sight of me, he caused 

 them to shift their places, and squat down on the 

 other side, apparently that they might not have 

 their backs towards me as I passed. * I soon tired 

 of walking with four people at my back, and felt as 

 if under espionage, which at one time I was half 

 inclined to suspect must be the real object of all this 

 attendance, but, I believe, quite unjustly, and that 

 it was merely a mark of respect, for on pulling out 

 a cigar, one of them rushed into a neighbouring 

 house, and brought a burning stick to light it with, 



