84 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



attraction of yellow hair. Roebelin noticed a few, however, 

 worthy to be helpmates of those superb animals ; one girl in 

 especial, nearly six feet high, whose figure was a model, face 

 pleasing and expressive, full of character. 



These people live in trees like the Subanos of Mindanao. 

 As soon as his baggage had been taken to the public hall, 

 Roebelin got out beads, wire, and Brummagem jewellery. 

 The glimpse of that Aerides and the assurance of a red 

 Phalaenopsis made him impatient. But even Sam Choon 

 found difficulty in identifying the chiefs, to whom of course 

 presents must be made before business can open. However, 

 the point interesting to Roebelin was settled in an instant. 

 The Phalaenopsis, they said, abounded within a few hundred 

 yards, and the Aerides was common enough. The white 

 man wanted them for medicine ? He might have as many 

 as he liked — on due payment. To-morrow the chief would 

 show him, and then a price must be fixed. 



He slept in the hall, and at dawn he was more than 

 ready. But early rising is not a virtue of savages. To 

 explore without permission would be dangerous. Gradually 

 the village woke to life. Men descended from their quarters 

 high in air, bathed, made their toilettes, and lounged about, 

 waiting for breakfast. Girls came down for water and 

 returned, whilst their mothers tidied the house. Smoke 

 arose. In due time the men mounted, ate, climbed down, 

 and gathered in the public hall, where Sam Choon was 

 setting out a sample of his wares. Hours passed. But the 

 chief's door remained shut. No one passed out or in. 



Roebelin saw people glance upwards with a grave air ; 

 but they showed no surprise. He consulted Sam Choon, 

 who had been too busy to notice. 



All he said v/as, ' 'Spect chief get bad bird ! Dam ! All 

 up this day ! ' And he stopped his preparations. 



So it proved to be — a fowl of black plumage had flown 



