366 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



by Mariahs, the wild tribes that people the uplands of 

 Mardidn across the river, and were entirely novel. Well- 

 built thatched cottages, each separated from its fellow, 

 stockaded compounds, and very neat bamboo fencing 

 enclosing each little establishment. On our arrival at our 

 half-way place, by name Vayanar, we were escorted to a 

 little building in the centre of the village, and prayed to 

 seat ourselves, while one well-built young Mariah beat 

 ferociously on a large tom-tom suspended from the rafters. 

 This little house, open on all sides, was evidently the 

 Town Hall and Theatre of Varieties combined. Weird- 

 looking carved wood maces and clubs for dancing purposes, 

 so we were told, reposed among the rafters. Besides this, 

 we heard later on that these "Town Halls" are considered 

 by the young Mariahs of both sexes as the "abode of 

 love" places where /# Robert Burns the youthful, 

 modest, loving Mariahs 



"In other's arms breathe out the tender tale, 

 Beneath the big tom-tom that scents the evening gale.' 1 



The Mciriah language is very pleasing to the ear, being 

 very liquid, with curious soft gutturals and clicks of the 

 tongue. 



The men wear very little clothing, a thin strip of cloth, 

 suspended from a string tied round the waist, passing 

 between the legs from front to back, and a kind of 

 kamarband wrapped round and round the waist, with the 

 end hanging down in front. The rich Mciriah does not 

 sink his treasure in more clothes than these ; but he goes 

 in for a large and varied assortment of beads, and has the 

 lobes and outer edges of his ears perforated to an alarm- 

 ing extent, and hung all round with a perfect bushel of 

 brass rings. 



A small-sized postage stamp would be a most effective 

 substitute for the clothing of many of these weird people, 

 but rings and beads they must have. A really "rich" 



