WAR 



^72, 



lame for some time. It usually happens that the 

 greater part of the fugitives escape into the jungle ; 

 and they are not pursued far, if the victors have 

 secured a few heads and a few prisoners. The 

 head is hacked off at once from the body of any one 

 of the foe who falls in the fight ; the trunk is left 

 lying where it fell. If any of the assailants are 

 killed in the course of the fray, their heads are not 

 taken by their friends, and their corpses are left 

 upon the field covered with boughs, or at most, in 

 the case of chiefs, are dragged into the jungle and 

 covered up with boughs and twigs, in order to 

 prevent their heads being taken by the enemy. If 

 any of the enemy remain so badly wounded that 

 they are not likely to recover, their heads are taken ; 

 and if no other heads have been secured, the head 

 of one of the more seriously wounded captives is 

 taken, or of one who is deformed or incapacitated 

 in any way. If a captive dies of his wounds his 

 head is taken ; but it is a rare exception for Kayans 

 to kill any of their captives after the short excite- 

 ment of the battle is over. The attacking party, 

 even though it has gained a decisive victory, usually 

 returns with all speed, but in good order, to its 

 boats, carrying with it through the jungle all the 

 loot that is not too cumbersome for rapid portage, 

 especially old beads, gongs, and brass- ware ; for 

 they are always in danger of being cut off by a 

 party of their enemies, rallied and reinforced by 

 parties from neighbouring friendly villages. Still 

 more are they liable to be pursued and cut off, if 

 the attack on the village has failed through the 

 defenders having been warned ; for an attack upon 

 a strong house or village has little chance of 

 success if the defenders are prepared for and 

 expecting it. The pursuit of the retreating party 

 may be kept up throughout one or two days, and, 

 if the pursuers come up with them, a brisk and 



