126 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



hand-rail on each side, but so sHght that he perceived it could 

 not be meant for a support. Moreover, Tuzzadeen warned 

 him earnestly, before leading the way, that he must not 

 grasp the hand-rail — it must be touched only, to assist the 

 balance. 



Then the Malay went across. At a yard out the bridge 

 began to shiver, and when he reached the middle, which 

 dipped many feet, it was swinging to and fro like a 

 pendulum. If Baker had not drunk just enough to make 

 him reckless he would have turned back. A couple of the 

 men refused. That was another prick of the spur. He 

 followed Tuzzadeen, with his heart in his mouth, and 

 arrived safely. Guess how deep was the refresher after 



that. 



Tuzzadeen pushed on, and returned presently^ with an 

 invitation from the chief^the Orang kaya, as his^ title goes. 

 I can fancy Baker's astonishment when he came in sight of 

 the village. It was one house, perhaps three hundred feet 

 long, raised thirty feet in the air on posts. They climbed a 

 notched log to the entrance, where the chief was waiting 

 with his councillors. He had sent for young men, readily 

 spared at this season, and meantime he asked the Tuan to 



rest. 



Baker perceived that the house was open from end to 

 end in front and on his left hand as he entered ; on the 

 right, however, stretched a wooden party wall, with many 

 doors. He rightly concluded that the open space was 

 common and each family occupied one chamber. Hundreds 

 of people crowded round, especially children. 



Then he lunched, the chief looking on, and in due time 

 a score of stalwart young Dyaks arrived. After resting he 

 started again with them. 



What with drink and interest Baker was now jovially 

 excited. In passing through the house he noticed a door 



