Page 174 - Malay sketches

MALAY SKETCHES
ticular and the Sultan, supported by many
shape),
attendants, was brought out and sat upon it.
A veil was placed on his head, the various vessels
were put in his hands, he spread the rice round the
the and received
taper, sprinkled perfume, having
into his hand an enormous chddak of grass, calmly
awaited the coming of the Jin Ka-rdja-an, while the
minstrels shouted for him with all their might.
The Sultan sat there for some time, occasionally
a convulsive shudder, and when this
giving taper
had duly flared up and all the rites had been per-
formed, His Highness was conducted back again to
his couch, and the Pdwang continued her minis-
trations alone.
Whilst
striding across the floor, she suddenly fell
down as though shot, and it was explained to me
that Israng, the spirit by whom she was possessed,
had seen a dish-cover, and that the sight always
frightened him to such an extent that his Pdwang
fell down. The cause of offence was removed, and
the performance continued.
There are other spirits who cannot bear the
of a of a and so on.
barking dog, the mewing cat,
Just before dawn there was a sudden confusion
within the curtains which hid the Sultan's couch ;
they were thrown aside, and there lay the King, to