152 The Gardens of the Sun. [ch. vn. 



It' must not be imagined that either the Malays or the 

 native Borneans are the bloodthirsty savages they are 

 sometimes made out to be. The Malays generally are 

 courteous, dignified, and hospitable. Many of them have 

 made long journeys for purposes of trade, and have a 

 tolerably good idea of the manners and customs of Euro- 

 peans. Others have taken to the use of European com- 

 modities after observing them used by the Chinese 

 traders and settlers, and one can rarely visit a native of 

 any consideration without finding him the hospitable 

 possessor of a chair or two, plates, dishes, water bottles 

 and glasses, and very often of excellent brandy and 

 cigars. They are most sensitive, innately polite and gentle 

 in manners, and very quick to understand and appreciate 

 any little courtesies or civilities one may offer them. All 

 but the poorest carry their national weapon, "the mur- 

 derous crease," a sort of long sinuous-edged dagger, 

 generally as sharp as a razor, and most deadly when 

 wielded by a skilful hand. In many cases where the 

 owners are rich or of high rank these weapons are beauti- 

 fully finished — rarely damascened — and the handles of 

 ivory or gold set with pearls, diamonds, and other pre- 

 cious stones. The running "amok," so often cited as an 

 instance of their savage bloodthirsty nature is really a 

 very rare occurrence, and is generally attributed to the 

 excessive use of opium, or to some great disappointment 

 or dishonour having befallen the frantic creature who, 

 drawing his kriss, rushes at friend and foe alike until either 

 shot down like a mad dog or run through the body with 

 a spear. Jealousy is the main cause of all the bloodshed 

 of which the Malays are guilt}-. The co-respondent in 

 Borneo must either have a tacit understanding with the 

 husband or rather proprietor of the frail one, or his 

 adventures may end very suddenly. I saw one man in 



