io6 TIIROrCH (TNTRAI. BORNEO 



rubber they made even more a day. At that rate It would 

 have cost me a hundred florins a day, besides their food, 

 with the prospects of liaving strikes for higher pay all 

 tlie way, according to the Malay custom. 



Luckily the Selatan had delayed its departure until 

 next morning, so I was not yet at the mercy of the 

 greedy natives. The kapala seemed to have as little in- 

 fluence with the people as the mantri, who plainly was 

 afraid of them. I got a prahu and w cat out to the cap- 

 tain, who arranged to take us back next day, away from 

 these inhospitable shores. At dusk he accompanied me 

 ashore, and In a refreshingly courageous manner read 

 them the text, telling them that I, who came recommended 

 from the Governor-General, was entitled to consideration; 

 that it was a disgrace to the Malay name to behave as 

 they had done, etc. While I was eating my evening meal 

 two long rows of men were sitting outside on the ground, 

 watching the performance with close attention. 



Next morning the Selatan s boat came to assist In 

 bringing us on board again. After the captain's se- 

 vere arraignment last night the mantri seemed to have 

 spurred up his courage. He said that two rupla would 

 be sufficient to pay for our luggage. I gave one ringit 

 (f. 2.50), which the captain said was ample. 1 he ka- 

 pala, who had exerted himself to get our things on board 

 again, thanked me for the visit and we steamed away, 

 arriving safely in Sampii a couple of days later. 



