HIKAYAT SERI RAMA, 17 
seven half-formed cocoa-nuts fell to the ground; and all 
the women who were three months gone with child mis- 
carried. ”’ 
On the advice of his Chiefs, he again sent for his elder 
brother, Raja Laksamana, to ask for his counsel and assis- 
tance, and after consultation with him, in spite of the entreaties 
of the people, it was decided that the two brothers should set 
off to recover the missing Princess, leaving the Téménggong in 
charge of the kingdom. For three months and ten days they 
travelled through forests and across plains, until they reached 
an enormous twalang tree, the branches of which reached the 
clouds and the stem of which it took them seven days and 
nights to skirt. Thence, striking off eastward, they came to 
an immense plain on the shores of the ocean, and, still travell- 
ing on, they arrived at last at the foot of Mount Inggil- 
béringgil. Some days were spent in a vain search for a way 
to ascend the precipitous sides of the mountain, and one day 
Sér1 Rama was astonished at hearing extraordinary cries and 
noises which seemed to come from wild animals. — Raja 
Laksamana explained that these proceeded from the monkey 
tribes, the subjects of the monkey-prince, Séri Rama’s own son. 
Following the sounds, they reached an extensive plain, where 
they found the monkey hosts assembled. The throng parted 
right and left to let the two brothers pass through, and they 
made their way to a large bérangin tree, where they found the 
monkey-prince seated in state. The latter rose and received 
them with the utmost respect, and asked what had brought 
them to that remote spot. The unfortunate Séri Rama was 
quite unable to reply, but Raja Laksamana explained the situa- 
tion shortly, and stated their desire to ascend Mount Inggil- 
béringgil in order to fix from its summit the exact whereabouts 
of Kachapuri, which tradition said could be seen thence, look- 
ing no larger than a dove’s nest. The monkey-prince assured 
them that he could do all that was necessary, and Séri Rama 
then found his voice and addressed his son promising him any- 
thing that he might wish for, if he could only accomplish the 
deliverance of the Princess. The monkey said that the wish 
R. A. Soc., No. 55, 1909, #9 
