animals were at large. And when the King wished to hunt, or catch elephants in
the snare, he went to this forest. When the town was completed the King called it
after himself, Souran-Bidgi-Nagara, and this town still exists in the province of
Kling.
In short, if one wished to relate all the rest of King Souran's history he would
find it as long as that of Sidi Hanza.
THE ADVENTURES OF BADANG
It is related that there once lived at Salouang a husbandman who owned a slave
named Badang, whom he employed in clearing forest-land. It happened one day
that Badang spread his nets in the river; but on the following morning he found
his net quite empty, and by its side some fish-scales and fish-bones. The same
thing took place for some days following. Badang flung the fish-scales (sisik)
into the river; from which circumstance was derived the river's name, Besisik.
Meanwhile the slave said to himself: "Who is it who eats the fish caught in my
net? I must watch and find out."
With this intention he hid one day behind some trees and saw a hantou, or evil
genius, or monster, who was eating the fish taken in his net. This hantou had
eyes red as fire, his hair was like woven osiers, and his beard fell down to his
waist. Badang drew his knife, and, screwing up his courage, rushed up to the
hantou and seized him.
"Every day," he said, "you eat up my fish. But this time you shall die at my
hands."
On hearing these words, the hantou was afraid, and slipped aside, wishing to
avoid the hands of his adversary; but failing to do so, he said to him: "Do not kill
me; I will give you what you wish, on condition that you spare my life."
Badang thought: "If I ask for riches, my master will claim them. If I ask the
power to become invisible, they will put me to death as a sorcerer. Therefore it is
best for me to ask for the gift of physical strength, in order that I may do the
work of my master."