Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/199

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BAGNIO BIKO.
181

and the broad-leafed teak, the former reminding me of our stately elms.

The water, either from its clearness or buoyancy, gives a ludicrous appearance to the bathers; the boys who had jumped in for cents seeming unnaturally dwarfed in stature, while their limbs were apparently doubled in number, making them look like Indian deities. Many come here for weeks or months, for the benefit of pure country air and bathing. One great source of amusement to such visitors is that of feeding the monkeys which abound here, and, from a naturally wild state, have become so tame as to approach strangers, and in some cases even eat from their hands.

We were curious enough to pay them a visit, and ordered Drahman to purchase several bunches of Bananas. Our messenger returning shortly with the fruit, we held some of it temptingly in our hands, when down from numbers of trees came a troop of the animals, old and young, making