THE FOREST. 11 



repeat to this day when they enter the forest, one 

 may have some perception of the sentiment that 

 inspires them. A rattan - cutter, though he may 

 find plenty of canes within easy call of his 

 home, repeats this invocation to the spirits of the 

 forest 



" Peace unto ye all ! 

 I come as a friend, not as an enemy. 

 I come to seek my living, not to make war. 

 May no harm come to me, nor mine, 

 To my wife, my children, or my home. 

 Because I intend no harm, nor evil, 

 I ask that I may come, and go, in peace." 



It is worthy of notice that, though the Malays 

 have been staunch Muhammadans for centuries, their 

 aboriginal fear of the forest is so deeply rooted that 

 it is to the spirits and not to Allah that they apply 

 for protection. 



Similarly, when a party of Malays sets out to drive 

 deer, the commonest of all game, they may go no 

 more than a few hundred yards away from the 

 village; but none the less the leader of the party 

 will utter this preface to his prayer to the 

 spirits 



" Hail ! All hail ! 



We crave permission to enter on this domain 

 And to tie our nooses to these trees." 



