32 MACPHERSON STRAIT 



undisturbed, except for the few moments during which they 

 were measured. To a second bucket of rice, offered before 

 they left, they failed to do proper justice, but took what 

 remained ashore, where the women probably had their 

 share. 



We ran across the strait under canvas, before a light breeze, 

 and the sail was a source of huge amusement to all but the 

 youngest of the party, who was intermittently busied in return- 

 ing to daylight all the food he had previously consumed. 



Following what seems a wide-spread custom, the ladies 

 ashore, had, to some extent, got themselves up for the reception 

 of visitors. Although the previous dress — a small bunch of grass 

 slung from the waist by a cord — fulfilled all requirements, 

 they were now further decorated with an almost complete coat- 

 ing of ochreous clay, through which black eyes, nose, and lips 

 showed below a bald pate with ludicrous effect. The babies, 

 too, had been glorified in the same manner, and we felt quite 

 bashful and shabby in our old pyjamas. 



So absurdly comical did they appear, that it was only by 

 much perseverance I was able to photograph them again, for 

 whenever I attempted to adjust the focus, the picture on the 

 screen gave rise to such fits of laughter that the camera was 

 in danger of being upset. Even the boat's crew, unemotional 

 Malays as they were, lay about, doubled up in paroxysms of 

 laughter, which, increased by the looks of wonder and the 

 ingenuous smiles with which my subjects persisted in regarding 

 us, continued until the point of sheer exhaustion was reached. 

 The old lady of the party and myself became great friends, and 

 when on our departure I presented her with my handkerchief 

 (all that I then had left) as a souvenir of our visit — as I 

 gravely tied it about her head, I am sure we made an impres- 

 sive picture. 



The huts, or chdng, were four in number, and stood side 

 by side just within the jungle, with the fronts facing inland. 

 On a sloping framework of thin branches, raised about 4 feet 

 at the upper edge, and covering a piece of ground 6 feet square, 



