116 HUMAN TEEE-DWELLEES 



leeches from getting in at the ankle and at the 

 neck. Every now and again, we halted to pick off 

 those we could reach ; and then you could see them 

 on all sides making slow but persistent way toward 

 you, in alternate stretchings and humpings. 



This was not ideal country for camping, as may 

 be imagined. Dry ground, even a dry log to rest 

 upon, was not to be found; but the shelter the 

 Malays built each night at least protected us from 

 the unceasing rain. These were simply made, ser- 

 viceable little sheds, constructed of the always at 

 hand bamboo and attap leaves in no longer time 

 than it takes to pitch a tent. Here was the one 

 occasion when the mud seemed a blessing, for it 

 proved a yielding, yet firm setting for the four 

 sticks which served as corner posts and the two 

 longer ones placed at each end to support a ridge 

 pole. Smaller bamboo and, as often as not, rattan, 

 placed at the sides, and bent and secured across 

 the ridge pole, completed the frame, over which 

 were stretched the large and useful leaves of the 

 attap palm. Inside, again, corner posts with slats 

 of bamboo laid lengthways made very comfortable 

 beds; and, with crossway slats, stout benches for 

 our provisions and general camp impedimenta: 

 for, of course it was necessary to raise everything 

 damageable above the mud. 



So we travelled on and on, looking for tracks, 



