Next, you take a piece of the bottommost rung of a house-ladder (anak tangga bongsu), and sharpen it to a point at both ends, so as to form a cross-piece (palang) such as will be likely to stick in the crocodile's throat. Having fastened one end of the "gut" round the middle of the cross-piece, and the other to your rattan line, the length of which may be from ten to fifteen fathoms or so, according to the depth of the river at the spot where the crocodile is supposed to lie, you must next cut down a young tree to serve as the pole (chanchang) to which the floating platform and bait may be subsequently attached. This pole 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 Tetap, 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." [504] These 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 melentor 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 Tetap, 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.