y. It will be
remembered that so nearly under the equator as we were the days and
nights are of equal length all the year round; we therefore did not
enjoy the delightful twilight of a northern clime.

Notice had been given of our proposed visit to the chief, or prince, who
was, I was told, of Malay descent. Preparations were therefore made for
our reception, and very handsome they were. Though a prisoner, I was
treated like the rest of the guests. The house was much in the style of
those I have before described. But I was not prepared to find a table
elegantly set out and spread with fine linen and beautiful silver plate.
It was lighted by four large wax flambeaux in massive silver
candlesticks. The provisions were dressed in the Malay fashion, many of
the dishes being very palatable, and toasts were drunk with three times
three, the Malays of inferior rank, who sat round the room on the ground
against the walls to the number of thirty, joining in the huzzas. It
was altogether a curious scene of barbaric splendour. The prince
escorted us to our rooms, where we found capital beds, beautiful linen,
and very fine mosquito-nets, ornamented with fringe. The Malay servants
slept under the beds on mats, or in the corners of the rooms, to be in
readiness if required. Breakfast was prepared at daybreak, that we
might continue our journey in the cool of the morning.

We rested under the shade of some trees during the day, the soldiers
keeping up a fearful din to scare away any wild beast who might chance
to be prowling about in search of a dinner. The young officer had
fortunately a French cook among his men, who very soon contrived to
place before us a capital dinner, though of what it was composed I could
not discover. I rather think that hashed monkey formed one of the
dishes. As, towards night, we approached Cheribon, my kind Dutch friend
did his best to keep up my spirits, assuring me that he would spare no
pains to prove that I was not a spy. He was not quite sure that the
accounts received of the defeat of the English were correct; and the
French commandant would scarcely venture to hang me without very strong
proofs of my guilt, and with the possibility of being made a prisoner
himself by my countrymen ere long, should they have been victorious.
Still it was with no very pleasant feelings that I was formally
conducted into the fort as a prisoner.

The forts of Cheribon had been allowed to fall into decay