TUBA FISHING. 259 



number of crocodiles find their way up to the higher 

 reaches of the rivers, but they even dare to leave for 

 miles the safety of the water to seek a way through 

 pathless forests. It may be that the motive is one 

 of direct pressure : or may it be that this chill and 

 repellent saurian is animated by the instinct of the 

 English younger brother, and wanders forth in quest 

 of adventures ? 



The crocodile is only a small one, some four feet 

 long, and manages to escape unharmed after having 

 caused a ripple of excitement down the length of the 

 river by the mere terror of its dreaded name. 



All day long there is nothing to break the continu- 

 ity of the great virgin forest that clothes either bank. 

 But not for a moment of the long day could one find 

 any degree of monotony in its endless lines and masses. 

 Though the general aspect of the forest is that of great 

 dark-foliaged trees, every turn of the river affords a 

 view that has something in it of individuality, and 

 the variety in the endless succession of views is as 

 delicately marked as their general similarity is broadly 

 outlined. Added to the charm of the beauty of the 

 forest is the charm of its mystery. For mile upon 

 mile, hundreds of miles upon hundreds of miles, it 

 extends north and south and west. All that it holds 

 of life is hidden from our eyes under the heavy screen 

 of foliage. Under any tree that lines the bank a tiger 

 might be lying, or perhaps some shy naked aboriginal, 

 armed with a blow-pipe and poisoned darts, might be 

 peeping to see the passing throng of Malays. But 

 however close we might be to tigers or to Semangs, we 

 should no more see them than we should see the fish 



