TO SEREKEI. 363 



constant habit of preparing and chewing sirih-leaves and 

 betel-nut. He has two or three long, ugly hairs growing 

 from his neck, much below his face, which he appears to 

 cultivate with great care. His conversation with Wil- 

 liamson was respecting his wish to govern the country 

 of Serekei as Mr. Brooke did that of Sarawak. 



He frequently expressed his anxiety to attempt a 

 reformation, but said that many things at present inter- 

 fered to prevent him, particularly the unsettled state of 

 the countries bordering on his province, and the fear in 

 which he and his people lived of the Dyaks of Sarebas ; 

 by whom, he told us, small parties were constantly cut 

 off, both in this and his other river of Kalekka. The 

 Dyaks are said to lie concealed in their boats in the 

 vegetation of the banks of the rivers, until the unsus- 

 pecting Malayan boat passes their hiding-place, when 

 they rush out, and without any parley, take the heads 

 from their victims, which they carry up the country in 

 triumph. 



This conversation lasted during two hours, at the 

 expiration of which time we rose to return. By some 

 mistake the Dattu fancied I was intending to leave the 

 boat without shaking hands with him, on which he 

 seized me by the left, and having hauled me towards 

 him, heartily shook my right hand. In this ceremony 

 he was imitated by all those whose consideration entitled 

 them to a seat in the boat. In the cabin kind of place 

 in which the Dattu sat, was behind him a curtain 

 drawn across : during our audience I had frequently 

 seen large black eyes peeping from behind it, which be- 



