may be of any kind of wood except bamboo; so when you have found a suitable
tree, take hold of it with the left hand and chop at it thrice with the right, saying a
charm as you do so—
“Peace be with you, O Prophet Tĕtap, in whose charge is the earth,
Peace be with you, O Prophet Noah, Planter of Trees,
I petition for this tree to serve as a mooring-post for my crocodile-trap;
If it is to kill him (the crocodile), do you fall supine,
If it is not to kill him, do you fall prone.”^295These last two lines refer to the omens which are taken from the way the tree
falls; the “supine” position being that of a crocodile which has “turned turtle,”
whereas the prone position would be its natural attitude as it swims.
Then start making the floating platform or raft (rakit) by chopping a plantain
stem (any kind will do) into three lengths (di-k’ratkan tiga), and then skewering
these lengths together at their ends so as to form a triangle.
Into the apex of this triangle firmly plant the lower end of a strong and springy
rod, making the upper end curve over slightly in a forward direction (di-pasang-
nya kayu mĕlentor ka-atas) and securing it in its position by two lashings, which
are carried down from its tip and fastened to the two front corners of the triangle.
Then utter the charm and plant the pole by the river-side in the spot you have
selected, holding your breath and making believe that you are King Solomon (di-
sifatkan kita Raja Suleiman) as it sinks into the ground. The charm consists of
these lines:—
“Peace be with you, O Prophet Khailir,
In whose charge is the water;
Peace be with you, O Prophet Tĕtap,
In whose charge is the earth;
Pardon, King of the Sea, Deity of Mid-currents,
I ask only for the ‘guilty’ (crocodiles),
The innocent do you assist me to let go,
And drive out only the guilty which devoured So-and-so.
If you do not do so, you shall die,” etc.Now prepare the bait. To do this you must kill a fowl (in the orthodox way), cut