AN UNPLEASANT AFFAIR 145 



they are asked to sell. They have, if you like, a childish 

 greed, which, however, is curbed by the influence of their 

 religious belief before it has carried them to the point 

 of stealing. Under continued Malay influence the in- 

 nate longing for the possession of things very much de- 

 sired overwhelms them and conquers their scruples. 



We afterward discovered that several things were 

 missing, of no great importance except a round black tin 

 case containing thermometers and small instruments, 

 which without doubt had been appropriated by the owner 

 of the house where we had been staying. Two or three 

 weeks previously he had begged me to let him have it, 

 as he liked it much and needed it. I said that was im- 

 possible, but evidently he thought otherwise. Perhaps 

 the Murungs are more avaricious than other tribes. I 

 was told in Puruk Tjahu that they were greedy, and it 

 seems also as if their scruples about stealing are less 

 acute than elsewhere in Borneo. The reputation of the 

 Dayaks for honesty is great among all who know them. 

 As far as my knowledge goes the Murungs are mild- 

 mannered and polite, but not particularly intelligent. 

 The higher-class people, however, are intelligent and alert, 

 manifesting firmness and strength of mind. 



It was one o'clock before we were able to start, but 

 circumstances favoured us, and after dark we reached the 

 kampong at the mouth of the Laong River, where we 

 made ourselves quite comfortable on the landing float, 

 and I rejoiced at our recent escape from an unpleasant 

 situation. The following day we arrived at Puruk 

 Tjahu. After a few days' stay it was found expedient to 



