412 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



They both went into the room, which was fine, made 

 of stone; the roof was of gold, and there were many gongs 

 and much goods there. Crocodile cooked rice, but as he 

 wanted to try the stranger he took one man from those 

 outside, cut him into many pieces, and made a stew. He 

 then told him to eat, and being afraid to do otherwise, 

 Batangnorang ate it. Crocodile then said: "Truly you 

 are my child. Another man would not have eaten this 

 stew." 



After the meal Crocodile put the remainder of the 

 food away, with a tiny key opened a small steel trunk, 

 took out the gold ornament, and gave it to Batangnorang. 

 "Give this to your mother, Crocodile. When she wants 

 to use it, hang it up and place a beautiful mat under- 

 neath. Then strike it one time with the first finger. 

 Whatever you ask for must come.' , 



Batangnorang took the hair ornament and placed it 

 in the pocket of his shirt, put on his parang, and took 

 his spear and shield. He then said farewell, and as he 

 walked away he suddenly turned and thrust his spear 

 into Crocodile's breast and killed him. Batangnorang 

 carried away all that he desired, diamonds as large as 

 hens' eggs, and much gold. He then went home, ascended 

 to the room where his wife sat, and laid his weapons 

 away. 



He seated himself near his wife and produced the 

 ornament. "I got this," and handed it to her. "How 

 do you use it ?" she asked. He hung it up by a string 

 and placed a fine rattan mat underneath. All the people 

 in the kampong gathered to see this, women, men, and 



