ii8 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



and women. The latter, most of them stocky and some- 

 what coarse-looking, danced uith surprising excellence. 

 Though children of nature may be without good looks, 

 there is decided attraction in their grace and easy move- 

 ments. 



It did not look difficult, so I joined in the dancing, as 

 I have done many times among other races. Greatly to 

 the amusement of the natives I demonstrated that I had 

 caught the right steps, and then seated myself in a chair 

 which was the pride of the kapala and which had been 

 brought out for my benefit. While watching the per- 

 formance I was surprised to see two of the women, about 

 the only ones who possessed any charm of appearance, 

 coming toward me, singing as they advanced. Each 

 took me by a hand and, still singing, led me forward to 

 the dancing circle, where a man who had been offering 

 rice brandy to the people from a huge horn of the water- 

 buffalo adorned with wood shavings, stepped forward 

 and offered it to me. Lifting it I aj)plied my face to the 

 wide opening as if drinking. Twice I i)retended to 

 drink, and after participating a while longer in the activi- 

 ties I retired to my place of observation. 



No doubt the Dayaks had gladly acceded to my wishes 

 in making the feast, because dancing and sacrifice arc 

 believed to attract good spirits which may be of assistance 

 to them. In the evening there was a banquet with the 

 pig as the piece de resistance; and a young fowl was sent 

 to me as a present. 



