THE ANAK GADIS. 507 



ity of Bencoolen. Tlie men always carry a kris or 

 a lance when they go from one kampong to an- 

 other. The same laws and customs prevail here as 

 in the vicinity of Bencoolen, except that the jugur, 

 or price of a bride, is considerably higher. The anak 

 gadis here also wear many rings of large silver wire 

 on the forearm, and gold beads on the wrist, in 

 token of their vii'ginity. The Resident states to me 

 that the native population does not appear to in- 

 crease in this region, and that the high price of the 

 brides is the chief reason. As the price is paid to the 

 girl's parents, and not to herself, she has less induce- 

 ment to conduct herself in accordance with their 

 wishes ; and, to avoid the natural consequences of 

 their habits, the anak gadis are accustomed to take 

 veiy large doses of pepper, which is mixed with 

 salt, in order to be swallowed more easily. Many 

 are never married, and most of those w^ho are, bear 

 but two or three childi-en, after they have subjected 

 themselves to such severe treatment in their youth. 



April 2^ til. — Rode five or six paals up the Musi, 

 and then crossed it at the foot of a rapid on a 

 " racket," or raft of bamboo, the usual mode of fer- 

 rying in this island. In the centre of the raft is 

 a kind of platform, where the passenger sits. One 

 native stands at the bow, and one at the stern, each 

 having a long bamboo. The racket is then drawn 

 up close to the foot of the rapids, and a man keeps 

 her head to the stream, while the other pushes her 

 over. As soon as she leaves the bank, away she 

 shoots down the current, despite the shouts and ex- 

 ertions of both. We were carried down so swiftly, 



