494 Messrs. Burton and Ward's Journey into the Batak Country. 



return to the coast, and arrived at Huta Tinggi at four in the afternoon. 

 After partaking of a hearty meal, we were amused for a couple of hours 

 with ■pantuns, or provincial songs, by a company of women forming a circle 

 in front of our abode, who for that space of time continued to sing or chaunt 

 them, almost without intermission, to a motion of the hands and feet. 

 We left this kampung, or enclosed village, at seven o'clock the following 

 morning, and at half past three in the afternoon took up our lodgings for 

 the night at a village on the western range of mountains, named Naga 

 Timbal. Here we slept within a couple of yards of the skull of a man who 

 had been eaten, which was suspended as a trophy in a public building. 

 The next morning at eight o'clock we resumed our journey, and reached 

 Sibolga, on the shores of the bay, at two o'clock, having performed the 

 journey from the plain of Silindung to this spot in twenty-three hours and 

 a half, including about six hours consumed in occasional rests on the way. 

 Nothing seemed worthy of observation on our return, except that between the 

 first and second ranges we struck off into the road leading directly to Sibolga, 

 which we found in every respect preferable to that leading to Tappanooly. 



To the above memoranda of our journey we subjoin a few observations on 

 the countiy, the character, the institutions, and the language of the Bataks, 

 partly derived from the journey itself, and partly the result of previous 

 acquaintance with these subjects. 



Situation of the Country. 



Tlie country known by the name of the Batak^ country may be described 

 generally as comprising the whole of that part of Sumatra which is situated 

 between the Equator and 2^° north latitude, with the exception of a few 

 Malay settlements at the mouths of the rivers on either coast. On the north- 

 west it is bounded by Acheen, and on the south-east by the Malay countries of 

 Rawa and Manayjg/cabaxv. It is divided into numerous districts, the prin- 

 cipal of which are Toba, Mandeling, Angkola, Humbang, and Si Nambila. 

 The district of Toba, which is the largest of these, is again subdivided into 

 Toba Silindung, Toba Hblbang, and Toba Linton. 



Proceeding in a north-easterly direction across the island from Ayir Bangi, 

 we meet with the Batak districts o{ Lubu and Maiiambin. Proceeding in the 

 same direction from Nattal, we meet with the districts of Palampungan and 

 Mandeling. Going from Batang Tara, we meet with those of Angkola, Baru- 

 mint, and Sama Janibu ; from Tappanooly, with those of Pagaran Lambung, 



