Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

314 NA TURAL RELIGION AND FOLK-LORE part m
The party now arrives at a place where there are
five cross-roads/ one of which leads to the Garden of
Flowers, and another to the Island of Fruit (the Jakun
Paradise). Opposite the house of the aged Jukrah
they find two different species of lime-trees growing,
and " by the hot ashes lies a savage dog," which for
the time (like the dog on the road to Paradise) effec-
tually bars further progress.^ They escape from their
dilemma, however, by requesting the Mantri to give
them some " medicine " to harden the skin of their
hands, by which means they think to grasp the glow-
ing embers, and throw them at the dog so as to drive
it away. Their request is granted, the Mantri pro-
viding them with certain stones called "dew-stones"
(probably hail, which is occasionally, though rarely,
seen in the country), by using which they are able to
pick up the embers and dispose of their adversary.
In this way they get to the house of the "ancient
Jukrah " and sleep there, Nibong-palm pairing off with
Princess Rice-flour, and Bujang Simangan presumably
with Princess Rice-flour's younger sister.
Next morning, however, desolation reigns supreme,
^ In the usual version there are only ing to the Island of Fruits and the
two, or at the most three, cross-roads, Island of Flowers ; it shows the way
and it would be interesting to ascertain to the souls of the pious ("kramat"),
whither these five roads were supposed but bites the wicked, who in trying
to lead. Moreover, the first part of to escape from it fall into the boiling
the road takes the form of a bridge or water in the great copper beneath
fallen log, which is said to be called and are killed (according to some
Batang Kelandan. accounts). I was told by a Malay
I may add that this reference to the who knew the Besisi remarkably well,
Garden (lit. compound) of Flowers that on this account, whenever one of
occurs elsewhere, and may point to their dogs dies, they wrap him in a
some further subdivisions of the Jakun shroud and bury him in a grave like a
" Eden," as in some Irish myths human being, and also that when
the '* Island of Fruits," " Island of people are dying all their dogs are
Flowers," etc., of Tennyson's poem, collected and brought close to the sick
the " Vogage of Maeldune." man, and are requested to assist him
'•^ There
appears to be an allusion to recover. I have not, however, had
here to the dog which is believed to any chance either of confirming this or
sit at the parting of the ways lead- otherwise.