226 LIFE IX JAVA.
risk to their own lives, succeeded in doing so, and conveyed him immediately to the hospital of Wonosobo, where the wretched sufferer lingered in great agony for a few hours, and expired, the lower portion of his person having been literally boiled. When his boots were drawn off, the flesh fell off with them, leaving only the bare bones, so complete had been the work of destruction in so short a space of time.
On our return we took a hasty lunch, and started for Wonosobo. As we had not provided ourselves with any waterproof clothing, a most essential de- sideratum for Oriental excursions, we followed the example of our attendants, and borrowed blankets from the villagers. These we wore doubled in two, a handkerchief being passed between the folds, the ends of which served as strings by which to tie them round the neck. Thus each blan- ket was converted into an admirable cloak, and proved almost as impervious to the wet as a
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