214 THROrCH CENTRAL BORNEO 



called benting (fortress). Even the striking of a hell 

 every half-hour seemed acceptahle as a reminder of civ- 

 ilisation. The soldiers were natives, mostly Javanese. 

 The lieutenant, Th. F. J. Metsers, was an amiable and 

 courteous man who loaned me Dutch newspapers, which, 

 though naturally months out of date, nevertheless were 

 much appreciated. We were about i° north of equator 

 and usually had beautiful, clear nights in the month of 

 May. The Great Bear of the northern hemisphere was 

 visible above the horizon and the planet Venus looked 

 large and impressive. There were no mosquitoes and 

 the air was fine, but at times the heat of the day was 

 considerable, especially before showers. After two days 

 of very warm weather without rain ominous dark clouds 

 gathered in the west, and half an hour later we were in the 

 thick of a downpour and mist which looked as if it might 

 continue for days. But in inland Borneo one knows a 

 rainstorm will soon belong to the past. Two hours later 

 the storm abated and before sunset all was over, and the 

 night came again clear and glorious. 



One afternoon seven prahus with thirty-odd Dayaks 

 were seen to arrive from down the river, pohng their 

 way. They were Kayans from Long Blu, en route for 

 the Upper Kasao to gather rattan. Some of them called 

 on me and evidently already knew of the expedition. 

 They carried only rice as provisions and told me they 

 intended to be away three months. On the Upper 

 Kasao there is no more rubber to he found, and, accord- 

 ing to them, on the upper part of Mahakam there is no 

 more rattan. 



