In 'spick-and-span' trim Jack presently stood beside the gangway; but, truth to say, his brass-buttoned uniform was fast becoming too small for its owner, who had now been nearly twelve months at sea, and was fast filling out in breadth of shoulder and length of limb.
The captain's 'clew-to-earing' glance, as sailors say, proved satisfactory, and tumbling over the side with his small bundle Jack presently found himself passing along a narrow canal, beloved of the Dutch who govern the island.
In the early part of the sixteenth century the Portuguese discovered the country, and some seventy years later it was occupied by the Dutch, after considerable opposition. Later on they were driven out by the French, who, in their turn, surrendered to the English, and the latter finally exchanged the possession with the Hollanders for other islands in those seas.
The Island of Java is six hundred miles long, by from twenty to forty-five miles wide, and is considered the 'Paradise of the East.' Batavia, the capital, was built by the Dutch not far from Sunda Strait, which lies between it and the opposite coast of Sumatra.
The climate generally is healthy, if somewhat oppressive for Europeans; but the elevated country of the interior enjoys a cool temperature, and there most of the officials reside. The soil is extraordinarily fertile, and all the fruits and commercial exports indigenous to the Far East are freely raised. The natives are highly intelligent, friendly, and gentle-mannered, but they were not permitted to acquire the Dutch language, and were compelled to sell their produce at fixed rates to their masters. Competition with outsiders was rigorously prohibited. Strangers might procure passports when visiting the country, yet their presence was not sought, nor by any means desired.
Captain Thorne and his young companion presently reached the principal hotel, and there Jack was temporarily left to study the manners and customs of the people.
The houses were not lofty, but that was owing to the fear of sudden collapse, since the whole of Java is peculiarly subject to violent volcanic disturbances. Many Europeans appeared about the town, and their strange and decidedly 'airy' attire during the first part of each day much astonished young Jack. The gentlemen strolled about in straw hats, pyjamas, and grass slippers, while the ladies appeared, even in the streets, without stockings, and wearing only a light kind of blouse, with a light dress of native material and simple design.
'I am glad they are all foreigners,' Jack mused. 'I cannot recognise an English face among the crowd.'
At noon the customary 'rice-table' was announced, and beside Captain Thorne Jack took his place. Each of the guests was supplied with a large soup-plate containing a quantity of cooked rice. From dishes handed round by servants, portions of fish, fowl, meat, and several kinds of vegetables, were selected and placed on the rice. Over all curry, chutney, and other condiments were poured, the combination being then well mixed and consumed.
To the watchful and imitative youngster such a meal seemed more than sufficient; but when a second course of roast meat, vegetables, and quantities of delicious fruit were washed down by excellent coffee, he concluded that Dutch men and women were blessed with enormous appetites. He was not greatly surprised to find that all of them soon retired to enjoy a nap; but Captain Thorne hastened off to visit his agent.