SLADANG. 105 



tries. An insect that crawled along the folded leaf 

 from its stem to its tip would find itself, at the end 

 of the journey, no farther than it had been at the 

 beginning. In the same way the animal against 

 which the charm is directed is supposed to be unable 

 to advance, and to be forced to retire by the way 

 that it had come. The shape of a horse-shoe conveys 

 the same idea. The shoe that is so often nailed to 

 the stable or the dairy door in English farmyards is 

 placed there to turn back any fairies and sprites that 

 might cause mischief among the horses or cows. The 

 superstructure of a Chinese grave is built in the 

 shape of a contracted crescent, in order to repel any 

 evil spirits that may attempt to enter the tomb. 

 And the folded leaves are supposed to prevent the 

 big game of the Malay forests from charging its 

 pursuers. We followed the tracks for some little 

 distance, going slowly and carefully through the thick 

 undergrowth, for we knew that we should probably 

 be charged. On every side, where the thickets spread 

 a leafy covering over the darkness that they enclosed, 

 and the tree-trunks massed closely one behind the 

 other to intercept the line of vision, we tried to make 

 out, pausing between each step, the form of the great 

 animal we sought. At last I heard its heavy laboured 

 breathing. I crept up cautiously, and saw it lying 

 down. As it leapt to its feet I fired, and it fell, 

 struggling in the convulsions of death. The Malays 

 saw that it' was helpless, and rushed upon it to cut 

 its throat before the breath of life should have 

 departed. 



When this was done, and the sting of the " might- 



