Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/215

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THE LAMONGAN.
197

the native labourers, who this time helped us all the way to the Passangrahan. I could not resist the temptation of giving them each something for their work, as, in addition to the labour, they were exposed to the rain, which was now pouring down in torrents, and the evening was dark and miserable.

The Mandor soon appeared, and before long we were made as comfortable as we could reasonably expect to be. After partaking of tea, we walked out on the back verandah, to have a night view of the volcano.

The rain had ceased, but the night was dark and gloomy. On looking to the summit of the mountain, we saw a red flame of light issuing from the Lamongan, vividly illuminating the sky immediately over the crater, and reflected again on the placid waters of the lake. The sight was a most striking one, such as, once seen, could never be effaced from the memory—so grand, so beautiful,