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The southern slope of the divide appeared to be much more thickly peopled than the northern, for, as we sped down the steep grades with brakes a-squeal, villages of mud-walled, straw-thatched huts became increasingly frequent, nor did the natives appear to be observing Menjepee as strictly as in the vicinity of Boeleleng, for they stood in the gateways of their kampongs and waved at us as we whirled past, and more than once we saw groups of them squatting in a circle beside the road, engaged in the national pastime of cock-fighting.
Yet, as I strolled along its waterfront, I had the uncomfortable feeling that I was being watched by many pairs of unseen eyes. "Where has everyone gone?" I demanded of the impassive Chinese steward who served me liquid refreshment at the Concordia Club. "Menjepee," he answered mystically, shrugging his shoulders. "Evlyone stay in house." "Menjepee, eh?" I repeated. "Never heard of it.
Some sort of disease, I suppose, like cholera or plague. If that's why everyone has run away I think that I'd better be leaving." A ghost of a smile flitted across the Celestial's impassive countenance. "No clolra. No pleg," he assured me. "Menjepee make by pliest."
"They call it Menjepee, which, literally translated, means 'silence. The Balinese are Hindus, you know about the only ones left in the Islands and they observe the Hindu festivals very strictly. Their priests raise the very devil with them if they don't.
But you can't go today." "Why not?" "Menjepee," was the laconic answer. "You won't be able to get anyone to take you. There are only four or five motor cars in Boeleleng and their drivers are all Hindus." I smothered an expletive of annoyance, for my time was limited and the Negros had already sailed.
At first he was dubious whether anything could be done for me, explaining that Menjepee is as devoutly observed by the Hindus of Bali as the fasting month of Ramadan is by the Mohammedans of Turkey, and that the Dutch officials make it a rule never to interfere with the religious observances of the natives.
During Menjepee, which lasts twenty-four hours, no native is permitted to set foot outside the wall of his kampong except for the most urgent reasons, and even then he has to get permission from his priest. If he is caught outside his kampong without permission he is heavily fined, to say nothing of being given the cold shoulder by his neighbors."
"Surely you don't mean to tell me that there is no way in which I can get across the island today?" I demanded. "This Menjepee business is as infernal a nuisance as a taxicab strike in New York." "Perhaps the Resident might be able to do something for you," my acquaintance suggested after a moment's consideration. "He's a good sort and he's always glad to meet visitors.
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