1845.] SAGAI CHIEF. 231 



formed of deer bone, and very neatly carved, the blade runs 

 broad and thick at its point, to which, in giving a blow, 

 it carries its whole weight, it is slightly hollowed on one 

 side, and bevelled like a chisel on the opposite, by which it 

 becomes useful in felling trees or obstacles in the way of 

 advance, it seldom exceeds two feet in length. The scab- 

 bard, which is of red wood, is very tastefully carved, and has 

 a small knife attached to it, similar to the Scottish knife 

 and fork. With the chief of this tribe, an intelligent, 

 although compact little fellow, very similar to our friend 

 Meta, of the Serambo Dyaks, I established a friendship, 

 which lasted during the whole period of our stay ; he 

 frequented my house daily, apparently from no other motive 

 than that arising out of a certain degree of attachment, 

 as he did not appear either to desire or covet anything 

 we possessed, whilst his anxiety to procure wild Hogs 

 for our men, as well as Fowls for our mess, always 

 afforded sufficient proof of his disinterestedness. On 

 one occasion having to complain to him of a theft com- 

 mitted by some of his people, he exhibited great firmness 

 on the subject, gave his orders, and those orders were 

 effectual. I observed that our having witnessed any 

 crime committed by his people pained him much; it 

 depressed his spirits for the day ; he went home earlier 

 that evening, and his return the day following was, on 

 the other hand, as much delayed. It is by these traits 

 that we can properly estimate the character of these peo- 

 ple ; they reminded me more of the original characters 

 of Tahiti, on Cook's visit, where each man selected his 

 Taio, or friend, and devoted himself to him. 



He gave me much interesting information relative to 



