302 SEA dYak RELIGION. 



the first district of the land of the dead; but Kadawa knew 

 it not for it had nothing to remind him of death ; the people 

 moved about, spoke and had the same form and feature as his 

 own neighbours : moreover they recognized and called him by 

 name. They offered to give him a hiring grunggang, 

 which he gladly accepted. Having now obtained his object, 

 he was happy, and finding the people sociable and hospitable, 

 he was in no hurry to return, but remained with his new- 

 found friends more than a year, oblivious of home and its 

 duties. 



But what of his wife and child whom he had left behind 

 in his house ? She was grieved at his long absence, and at 

 last resolved that he must be dead and she wept and bewailed 

 him ; and at length she died of sorrow. 



The time came when the relations made the Gawei 

 antu for her ; and the wailer was bringing the company 

 of guests from Hades to the feast. Just at that time Kadawa 

 had determined upon returning, and was securing his fighting 

 cock and buckling on his sword, when some one called to him 

 to go on the platform in front of the house, and pointed out 

 to him a procession marching along the hill opposite the house. 

 Kadawa looked and saw in the middle of the long train his 

 own wife ; and it flashed upon him that his wife was dead and 

 he himself within the confines of deathland. Without speak- 

 ing a word he caught up his fighting cock, sword and spear 

 and rushed to join his wife. She repelled him, but in vain. 

 At length they came to the stygian lake and found a boat 

 lying on the shore, into which they all hurried, trying to keep 

 Kadawa out ; but he vigorously persisted, and was allowed 

 to embark. After paddling several hours the boat struck up- 

 on a rock, and would not move : all except Kadawa jumped 

 out to pull her off, but she would not budge an inch. Kadawa 

 was called upon hy his wife to help ; but he refused for fear 

 of being left, behind — says his wife : " Do you not know I am 

 *• dead ? What is the use of trying to follow me ? " " Let me 

 " die also, I will not leave you/' " Yery well/'' replied his wife, 

 " since you are resolved to come with me, when we get to the 

 " house, you will find some dried sugar cane over the fire 

 " place : eat that, and you will be able to bear me company. 



