SEA TRAGEDY OF THE JUNGLE FOLK 139 



and legs wrapped around each other, completely 

 terrified. 



The natives danced and yelled. Through the 

 clouds of smoke that drifted over us, I could see 

 their black bodies flashing, arms waving, and lips, 

 stained crimson with betel-nut, wide open. The din 

 was terrific. For several minutes I just stood there, 

 unable to move. 



The orang-outangs, high up in the tree, were 

 huddled together, swaying back and forth. Omar 

 came with the message that the space was cleared 

 for the tree to fall; I ordered the net carried to 

 position and sent the two headmen to place the 

 natives at their posts. 



Dense clouds of smoke rolled up from the 

 smudges, enveloping the tree completely and hid- 

 ing the orang-outangs, who perched aloft, scream- 

 ing and coughing. I could get occasional glimpses 

 of them, as they sat there, hugging each other. 



The big rattan nets were in place, with the men 

 holding them ready to cast when the tree came 

 down. Other men, armed with sharp-pointed poles, 

 stood behind, to pin the beasts down if the nets did 

 not fall in the proper position. They were so ex- 

 cited that I spent several minutes in casually walk- 

 ing about, talking with them and calming them. Ali 

 trudged a few feet behind me, carrying my express 

 rifle. 



We cleared away the litter of tree trunks and 

 creepers from the spot where the big tree was to 



