The Javanese, however, when their hostile passions are aroused, are not less ferocious than their neighbors. In the last great war in Java, Mangkunâgoro, having gained an advantage over the Dutch and the Susunan, announced his success to his coadjutor, Mankubumi, by letter, transmitting to him at the same time the ears of the enemy killed or taken in action. The latter prince, having read the letter, applauded the chief for the victory he had gained and for the ears he had transmitted, which he forthwith directed to be sliced, and stewed along with the flesh of buffaloes, and with spices. This mixture he gave to his people, directing them to eat it with rice; he did this, he said, because his followers were not present in the fight, and had not obtained the ears of an enemy in battle, and that, by thus partaking of them as food, they might not be put to shame because they were absent from the fight: he wished to inspire his army with the same feelings as if they had been actually engaged. The people ate, one and all, and bowed in respectful silence.
But whatever we may think of the savages, what can be said in defense of the civilized Hollanders, who not only, as we have seen on another occasion, remained quiet spectators of the horrors perpetrated amongst the contending princes, but were themselves in the habit of receiving basketfuls of their enemies’ heads as valuable gifts! Imagine, O my reader, an American official keeping such a diary as the following, which is a literal transcript:—
“Thursday, January 29th.—In the morning the Boni interpreter came to the castle, accompanied by a messenger from Datu Baringang, who presented to his Excellency, in a basket, four enemies’ heads, said to be the heads of Kraing Borisala and of three galarangs” (a rajah and three inferior chiefs).
“Friday, 30th.—Five heads more were brought to his Excellency this morning, reported to be those of some chiefs of the enemy, taken prisoners in the action at Tikere yesterday, when they were defeated, and pursued, with the loss of fifty men, by Arung Panchana.”
CHAPTER XIX.
WE VISIT THE CAPITAL OF BLILLING, AND WITNESS SOME WIDOW-BURNING.
The tragic end of the late Chief delayed us more than a week, for, as a matter of courtesy, we were obliged to remain till after the funeral. As, however, like his ancestors, he had died a Mahomedan, his obsequies—very different from others we were shortly to witness—were performed, after the manner of that religion, without ostentation. About the eighth day, when the new Chief considered it decent to admit strangers to his presence, he sent for Prabu.
“O servant of the patriot Pangeran,” he said, “it is thy most earnest desire to proceed to the palace of our royal master, the Rajah?”
“It is the command of my master, and if I live I must obey,” replied Prabu.
“Know then,” said the Chief, “it is the duty of the vassal to notify to his prince the death of his predecessor and his own accession: for this purpose, two of my principal chiefs proceed in my state-prahu with presents to the Rajah. Wilt thou accompany them?”
“Generous and gracious is thy offer, O Chief, and many are the thanks of thy servant,” replied Prabu; and so the next morning, horses being brought to our lodgings, we—at least all but Kati—had mounted and were about to set forth for the river, which led to the capital of the Rajah’s dominions, when Kati, after looking at his steed for a minute, drew his creese, and rolled his eyes about very fiercely.