X WAR 179 



it is supported and some six to eight feet in height. 

 This fence is rendered unclimbable by a frieze 

 consisting of a multitude of slips of bamboo ; each 

 of these is sharpened at both ends, bent upon itself, 

 and thrust between the poles of the palisade so 

 that its sharp points (PI. 100) are directed out- 

 wards. This dense jungle of loosely attached spikes 

 constitutes an obstacle not easily overcome by the 

 enemy ; for the loosely fitting bamboo slips can 

 neither be hacked away nor removed individually 

 without considerable expenditure of time, during 

 which the attackers are exposed to a shower of 

 missiles from the house. A double ladder in the 

 form of a stile is placed across the fence to permit 

 the passage of the people of the house. If there 

 is any definite pathway leading to the house, a log 

 is sometimes suspended above it by a rattan passing 

 over a branch of a tree and carried to the house. 

 This can be allowed to fall upon the approaching 

 enemy by severing the rattan where it is tied within 

 the house (Klemantan). 



A further precaution is to stick into the ground 

 round about the house a large number of slips of 

 bamboo. Each slip is some six inches in length, 

 and its sharp, fire-hardened point projects upwards 

 and a little outwards. 



If the attacking party is likely to approach by 

 the river, a trap may be arranged at some point 

 where, by reason of rapids or rocks, the boats are 

 likely to be delayed. Here a large tree overhanging 

 the river is chosen for the trap. Stout rattans are 

 made fast to its branches, brought over the branches 

 of a neighbouring tree, and made fast in some spot 

 within reach of a hidden watcher. The stem of 

 the overhanging tree is then cut almost through, so 

 that a few blows of a sword, severing the supporting 

 rattans, may cause the tree to fall upon the passing 

 boat. 



