I50 THROrCII CENTRAL BORNEO 



of gibbon that we heart! ahnost ilaily on the other side 

 of the river, emitting a loud cry Init ditlcrent from that 

 of the ordinary wah-wah. Rajiniin described it as being 

 white about tlie head and liavini^ a jironounced kind of 

 topknot. 



As far as we had advanced up the Barito River, Malay 

 influence was found to be supreme. The majority of the 

 kampongs are peopled by Malays, Dayaks at times liv- 

 ing in a separate section. This relation may continue at 

 the lower courses of the tributaries, yielding to a Dayak 

 population at the upper portions. In the kampongs, from 

 our present camp, Poru, up to the Busang tributary, the 

 population continues to be subject to strong Malay in- 

 fluence, the native tribes gradually relinquishing their 

 customs, beliefs, and vernacular. But back from the 

 river on either side the Dayak still easily holds his own. 



The old kapala of Poru had an attractive eight-year- 

 old granddaughter, ot a singularly active and enterprising 

 disposition, who always accompanied him. He called 

 my attention to the fact that she wore a solid-looking 

 gold bracelet around each wrist, a product of the country. 

 In the dry season when the river is low two or three 

 hundred Dayaks and Malays gather here to wash gold, 

 coming even as far as from Muara Tewe. The gold 

 mixed with silver is made into bracelets, wristlets, or 

 breastplates by these natives. 



The lieutenant had been unable to secure more than 

 sixteen men, all Malays, which was insuflicient for the 

 ^ix prahus we had bought. Therefore it became neces- 

 sary to travel in relays, the lieutenant waiting in Poru 



