HUMAN TREE-DWELLERS 121 



by which I learned I had indeed fallen in with the 

 tree-dwelling aborigines of Malaya. 



Some long-range conversation was now begun 

 between my Malays and the heads, and finally, with 

 evident hesitation, a man stepped from behind one 

 of the trees, and in the course of a few minutes was 

 joined by others, until there were eight of them 

 grouped fifty or sixty feet away, regarding us with 

 very apparent suspicion. Except for a small loin 

 covering they were naked, and some of them 

 were painted in fantastic figures. More long range 

 talk followed, and the strangers' voices sounded 

 curiously high and nasal. Several minutes more 

 of jabber, and my men started toward the Sakais, 

 who immediately darted back in trepidation, and 

 would have fled had not the Malays stopped, and, 

 I judge, shouted friendly messages to them. Back 

 and forth, with long intervals, this shouting con- 

 tinued for fully an hour. Meantime, as it was im- 

 possible for me to hold conversation with any one, 

 I, of course, had no actual knowledge of what they 

 were saying; but I surmised that the strangers 

 feared us, and that the Malays were endeavoring 

 to pacify them. 



By this time the remainder of my party had 

 arrived, and a general babel ensued. Finally, with 

 one accord, the Sakais disappeared, and one of my 

 men went forward, carrying rice, which he depos- 



