RAJA AMBONG. 57 
flujan panas pun turun memenchar-menchar 
Palang?t pun turun minum di pangkal dahan tua-nia, 
Dan dt puchuk-nia langsuvar mengarak mengilat. 
all kinds of evil beings sat in the branches of the merdau tree, 
and made unearthly noises, but as night advanced they grew 
quieter, and in the morning the seven carpenters got up and 
proceeded to work. A stage was soon erected round the 
tree, and three men mounted on it to commence chopping, 
while four remained below to take their places in turn. 
Then all at once the howling of the evil spirits recommenced, 
hujan panas descended like water poured out from a bucket, 
the dota chattered, the jzz prayed, the /angsuyar shrieked, 
the falangi came down to drink, and amid a chorus of un- 
earthly noises, the unfortunate carpenters fell dead at their 
work, three on the staging and four below. 
When three days and nights had passed, and no sound 
of axes chopping or tree falling had been heard, the Raja 
despatched an attendant to see how the work was getting on. 
The latter discovered the seven corpses covered with flies, 
and ran back to the palace in alarm. ‘Then the Raja, having 
given orders for the proper burial of the dead men, ordered 
the Tumunggong to fetch CHE ALANG of Linggi, who lived 
at Kuala Sungei Limau Purut. For seven days did the 
Tumonggong journey before he reached his destination and 
delivered his message. CHE ALANG received him politely 
and prepared at once to obey the Raja’s commands and to 
procure the services of the famous Tukang BONGKOK BONG- 
SU BANGSAWAN. Leaving the Tumonggong to return alone 
by sea, CHE ALANG of Linggi set out for Raja AMBONG’S 
capital overland, after having been careful to observe the 
proper omens (/angkah) to secure a fortunate journey, he 
crossed the great lake (/aut tawar) after quitting Tanjong 
Bima, and in due time arrived at the house of the crooked 
carpenter BONGSU BANGSAWAN, whose legs were shorter 
than his arms. In front of the house was the carpenter’s 
wife, busy winnowing rice. ‘Where is Tukang BONGKOK 
(Cem crooked earpenter:,))c) said) CHE ALONG, “He is 
asleep in bed,” said the woman, ‘and he left word that he 
intended to sleep for seven days and nights, and so far he has 
