202 LIFE IN JAVA.
descended so abruptly, that horses were dispensed with, and, to prevent our too rapid progress, ropes were attached to the back of the carriage, which were held by coolies, who gradually let it wheel down for some distance. On approaching the foot of the hill, they raised a loud shout, and our vehicle, being allowed to take its course, dashed on at a tremendous rate, until, after a sharp and sudden turn, we found ourselves brought to a pause in safety on a bridge spanning the Gitarang river. The pushing and hauling our llees-Wagen up the opposite side was not so rapidly accomplished.
Continuing our journey, we passed through scenery wild and romantic beyond description. Tjandjor, like Bandong, abounds in native and Chinese houses, but possesses few of those beauti- ful Euro])ean mansions and seats which make the former one of the prettiest inland towns of Java.
Here we were again annoyed about post-horses, which we found it impossible to obtain. " The
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