202 THROLGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



tool, using a loose axe-head with sure hand, two or three 

 times. The supporting board was removed and a bam- 

 boo cyHnder of exactly the same size as the empty car- 

 tridge, which was held in readiness, was immediately put 

 into the hole. The round piece of cartilage which had 

 been cut out was taken care of, lest it be eaten by a 

 dog and cause illness. Blood streamed profusely from 

 the ear, and, strange to tell, the robust man looked as if 

 he were going to faint. The four assistants closed round 

 him, stroking his arms, and he attempted to rise, but had 

 to resume his seat. 



Usually nothing untoward happens at such operations, 

 but in this case an evil antoh had taken possession of 

 the kapala and was eating blood from the wound. The 

 principal blian was hastily sent for, and arriving promptly, 

 proceeded to relieve the suffering kapala. He clapped his 

 hands over the ear, and, withdrawing, opened them twice 

 in quick succession, then, after a similar third effort, a 

 fair-sized stone (less than a centimetre in diameter) was 

 produced and thrown into the river. Slight rain began 

 to fall, and the scene was brought to a dramatic conclu- 

 sion by the exhausted chief being ignominiously carried 

 away on the back of a strong young man. At the house 

 another stone was produced by the same sleight-of-hand, 

 but more strenuous measures had to be adopted in order 

 to remedy the uncanny incident. 



A pig was brought uj) into the room, where blood from 

 its throat was collected. Part of it was smeared on the 

 kapala, and part was mixed with uncooked rice as a 

 sacrifice to some good antoh, who is called upon to 



