OF THE SARAWAK RIVER. 401 



fern, which is plentiful on the loamy banks where 

 the limestone does not prevail, we cooked our break- 

 fast on the sandy beach, and had, in addition to our 

 usual fare, an omelet made of eggs we had obtained at 

 Si-bungoh. 'Whilst waiting here, a boat, which had 

 been sent after us by Mr. Williamson, reached us, with 

 a letter for me, requesting me to assist the bearer in 

 collecting a debt for the Tuan-Ku Sireib Hussin of 

 Sarawak, from the Tumma Dyaks. I had promised to 

 assist him, if he obtained Mr. Brooke's permission ; and 

 this was contained in Williamson's note. Accordingly, 

 having breakfasted, we pulled up against the stream 

 for about six miles in a heavy rain to the Rheum 

 Ledong, a rapid formed by limestone banks, which 

 contracts the stream, leaving a narrow passage for the 

 water, which rushes through with great velocity and a 

 boiling torrent-like appearance. It is rendered dangerous 

 to boats descending the river by a large rock just under 

 water, directly opposite to the passage, so that to avoid 

 it, boats must turn suddenly to the left while shooting 

 the rapid, and again to the right, to avoid the rocky 

 bank. This requires considerable practice and dex- 

 terity ; and Chinamen, who visit the Dyaks in search of 

 pigs, have frequently lost their porkers, and sometimes 

 themselves, by their boat splitting on the centre rock, 

 or filling, in the strong ripple occasioned by the velocity 

 of the current over its rocky bed. A mile above this 

 rheum, is the Pinkallan Ampat, at a point of land where 

 a torrent from the Tabiah country falls in from the 

 westward. 



D D 



