IN THE EYE OF DAY 191 



life runs smoothly day by day along its monoto- 

 nous course ; for Malay is at peace and industrious. 

 But as the durian ripens his days grow strenuous 

 with throbbing life; the padi field is neglected, 

 peace is broken, and the Resident becomes a peri- 

 patetic Lord High Chancellor, whose waking hours 

 are filled with civil suits, and whose nights are 

 made sleepless by the howlings of quarrelling men. 

 For be it known that the durian is the wondrous 

 fruit that brings great joy or the madness of con- 

 flict upon those that taste of its passion-stirring 

 flavor. Had the original apple been a durian, Eve 

 never would have saved a bite for Adam— and 

 man been spared the time-honored and sneering 

 accusation of laying the blame for his fall upon 

 tempting woman. 



My introduction to the durian was character- 

 istic. It came early in the morning after my ar- 

 rival at Jelebu. Strolling contentedly around 

 Scott's hilltop, enjoying the view and the fra- 

 grance of foliage under the first sun rays, I was 

 startled by hair raising shrieks as though the 

 victim were being boiled in oil or undergoing tor- 

 ture equally agonizing. Hastening to the scene of 

 commotion I came upon an enlivening fight that 

 had been waged all over a padi field but, at the 

 moment of my approach, was being finished at a 

 corner fence, through which the vanquished com- 



