FEASTS AT SAHAWAK. 



men had to taka tlieir hats, in nddition to the regtilar 

 balers, to keep the boat free ; the viriU f1a.s1ics of light- 

 ning, followed by intense darkness and crashing peals of 

 thunder, dazzled, blinded, and confused ; and when the 

 men recovered tbeii^ oars after baling the water out, we 

 knew not which way to steer. Wo were, however, 

 fortunate in reaching Kudiing before dayliglit 



Among other interesting events whicli we witnessed 

 during our sliort stay were two feasts, — one given by the 

 Eajah to the chiefs and people, the other by the Datns to 

 Sir James. At the Datus' wo were received by the still 

 pretty and graceful Inda, mother of Fatima, the youthful 

 lioiress to all the Datii Gapoor's property, whose beauty 

 bas now attained for iier a wide celebrity thi-oughout the 

 Malayan Ai*chipolago. She bcsj)njiklcd us with coloured 

 rice and gold-dust, to which was added a gentle shower 

 of rose-water from an utensil, the commoner use of which 

 was yet unknown among tlieso kind and simple people. 

 After we hail taken our seats* verses from tlic Koran were 

 chaunted, the book being handed from one to another, 

 but without any regard to precedence or sanctity, the 

 man with the strongest lungs taking the longest pull 

 at it; then came feasting, with the most undeniably 

 esoellent curries. 



On the 21st September, a Bcchara (talk) held at the 

 Rajalr s house was the principal and most important event. 

 Every part of the audience-chamber was crowded ; light 

 and air were ahnost excluded by the multitude of e^^er 



