2o6 TIIROIT.il (TNTRAI. BORNEO 



of the course, but had I desired to do so there was no time 

 to stop my prahu. That miglit have meant calamity, for 

 we were already within a few seconds of the rushing, 

 turbulent waters. So down we went, with a delightful 

 sensation of dancing, falling water, strong sunlight, and 

 the indescribable freshness and swiftness of it all. The 

 Penihing at the bow looked back at me and nodded with 

 a satisfied expression on his countenance, as if to say: 

 "That was well done." 



There were kihams after kihams to be passed; at one 

 place where the rapids were long, from twelve to eighteen 

 men helped to direct each prahu with rattan ropes, pre- 

 venting it from g(Mng where the water was deep and the 

 waves ran high. But my men, who appeared to be skil- 

 ful, evidently decided not to depend on the rattan but 

 steered deliberately out into the deep water; the prahu 

 began to move swiftly, and, tossed by the big waves, the 

 large tins and boxes were shaken about and threatened 

 to fall overboard. The bundle of one of the Dayaks 

 actually dropped into the water. There were only four 

 men in the prahu, and the one at the bow, on whom so 

 much depends for safety, seeing that it was his bundle, 

 immediately jumped after it, leaving the boat to its fate. 

 Luckily there was no reason for the others to do like- 

 wise, and I escaped with drenched legs and a wet kodak. 



New kihams soon compelled us to take out half the 

 load and make double trips, which proved slow and tedi- 

 ous work. I sat on the rocks waiting, and arc luncheon, 

 which consisted of one small rin of macquerel in oil, put up 

 in France, very convenient for travelling. In front of me 



