AN ATTACK OF DYAKS. 341 



numerous and the dwelling, individually, very much 

 larger, though not divided into rooms, as are the larger 

 houses of the Malays. They affirm that these high posts 

 of hard wood are necessary for their protection against 

 the Kenawit and Sarebas Dyaks, by whom they have 

 been repeatedly attacked, and who recently burnt and 

 destroyed the settlement of these people, on the Palo 

 mouth of the Rejang river, situated a little to the east- 

 ward of Tangong Jereji, its most western mouth. The 

 method of attack pursued by the Dyaks on this occa- 

 sion, who were very numerous, was, with their large 

 shields placed over their backs, to work steadily at the 

 posts of the houses, notwithstanding the spears, boiling 

 water, stones, &c., which were showered down upon 

 them by the besieged. Two or three being employed at 

 each post with their hatchets, the houses soon fell, and 

 the Rejangs were murdered, or carried into captivity by 

 the Dyaks : their houses were plundered and burnt. 



The few who escaped came to Mr. Brooke for his 

 assistance, which, as far as it was possible, was given to 

 them, and a letter was despatched to the Patingi Abdul- 

 rahman, in whose territory the Kenawit Dyaks live, but 

 over whom he is supposed to have but very little power, 

 representing their conduct to him , and requesting him at 

 his own peril, to use his best endeavours for the suppres- 

 sion of their piratical habits, though it is probable that 

 the attack was made at the suggestion of this chief 

 himself, who wished the Rejangs to leave their settle- 

 ment at Palo, to swell the numbers of the inhabitants 

 of Serekei, the town at which he resides, and where, 



