'More than a thousand years ago,' the skipper said. 'It is indeed a wonderful piece of work, and must have employed vast numbers of people.'
'And yet not many visitors come to see it,' Mr. Sergeant added. 'Of course, that is wholly owing to the Dutch dislike of having strangers roaming about, and writing of what they have seen or heard.'
CHAPTER IX
TOWARD SINGAPORE
For nearly three days the party remained on the spot, closely examining the ancient Buddhist temples of Boro Boedoer, all three of them being fascinated by the extraordinary monument of bygone times, and, indeed, Mr. Sergeant could with difficulty bring himself to leave the neighbourhood.
'As I have told you,' he said, 'I have spent much leisure time here, and each visit finds something fresh to attract attention. There is something strange and mysterious about it all, and beside that I am a bit of an archæologist.'
With much regret Jack Clewlin packed his spare gear, and with the ponies homeward-bound soon left all trace of the temples far behind.
Considerable progress was made. At the old halting-places the animals were changed, and without further incident Mr. Sergeant and his guests arrived at Batavia, a memorable excursion of slightly over three weeks' duration thus coming to a close.
'I do not know how to thank you sufficiently, sir,' Jack exclaimed, as his host took final leave of him; 'but I never enjoyed anything so splendid.'
'You are heartily welcome, my boy,' Mr. Sergeant replied. 'I only wish the trip could have been prolonged, but business is business, you understand, and I expect that your sailing orders have by this time arrived. When you see your father, mention me. Years ago, Jack, he did me a great service that can never be forgotten, and I should be only too pleased to see you again, whenever you visit these parts.'