486 Messrs. Burton and Ward's Journey into the Batah Country. 



led mankind to regard these people with sentiments of aversion and 

 terror. 



Being informed that the mountains at the back of old Tappanooly 

 were easier of ascent than those in other parts, we proceeded by water, and 

 reached the river of that name at 11 a. m. of the same day. Here we 

 arranged the party, which consisted of sixteen coolies or porters, two servants, 

 and ourselves, altogether making twenty. AVe carried with us a musket, a 

 fowling-piece, a sabre, and two pairs of pocket-pistols ; the latter intended 

 as presents, should occasion require any to be made. Our baggage consist- 

 ed of provisions and cooking utensils, clean clothes, bedding, and a small 

 quantity of cloth and tobacco for barter and presents. Thus equipped and 

 laden, an old union-jack closed the rear of our train. 



For two hours the path lay over a grassy plain or valley, having at inter- 

 vals patches of cultivation, and intersected by mountain streams, which 

 uniting at the distance of two miles from the bay, form the river of Tappa- 

 nooly. We observed a herd of small black cattle in excellent condition, 

 pasturing in the vicinity of half a dozen Batak villages, from which supplies 

 are occasionally afforded to the shipping which visit the bay. At one 

 o'clock we began to ascend the first range of mountains, and reached a 

 village named Parik Debdta, situated on the opposite side, about half-past 

 five. The road lay over an assemblage of hills so irregularly clustered, as 

 to afford but a faint resemblance of the distinct ranges in the southern parts 

 of the island. At the foot of the hills upon which Parik Debdta was 

 situated the fire-arms were discharged — a useful practice of the Bataks, to 

 signify the peaceable approach of travellers and persons of distinction. The 

 salute was returned by the chief and several of his people, who met us in a 

 friendly manner at a short distance from the top of the hill, and conducted 

 us to the principal house in the village. Here we spent the night with much 

 comfort, and the next morning received the same marks of respect as are 

 paid to the most distinguised visitors. After partaking of a meal in the 

 house of the chief, as a token of friendship, and mutually exchanging 

 civilities, he conducted us himself over the next stage of our journey. 



Parik Debdta commands an extensive view of the district of Pagaran 

 Lambung, which occupies a space bounded by a prolongation of the first 

 and second great ranges of mountains, and contains ten or twelve villages, 

 averaging from two hundred and fifty to three hundred souls. The surface 

 of this tract of country consisted almost exclusively of hills of various 



