COLLECTING AROUND SIMUJAN. 383 



and how we ever got through that narrow, zigzag tunnel in the 

 dark without going astray also passes my comprehension at this 

 time. In many places the channel was so filled with floating Pan- 

 danus stems as to be almost impassable, and many times oui' boat- 

 roof was caught by overhanging branches and neai'ly dragged off 

 Aided by the lightning flashes, and the slight reflection on the open 

 water, I was able to spy out the passage a few yards at a time and 

 give directions to the steersman. 



At last, to our inexpressible rehef, we emerged on the open 

 water of the lake, and headed north. By this time the clouds had 

 lifted a httle, and we were able to distinguish Gunong Popook. 

 After several trials we found the landing, and a few moments later 

 cUmbed the ladder of the ^-illage. Great was the astonishment of 

 the Dyaks when they saw a white man enter at the door, rifle in 

 hand, with a httle red-haired orang-utan clinging to his shu't. 

 There was a large pai-ty of -v-isitors in the village, and when we 

 told them from whence we came since nightfall their sui'prise was 

 jprofound. 



" And who showed you the way ? " they demanded. 



"The tuan" (mister). 



" Ah-doe ! Ah-doe ! Ah-doe ! " 



We were wet, cold, and hungry, but all these evils were speedily 

 corrected, and our enjoyment of them was intensified by the thought 

 of Lamudin and his companion in their- wet boat on the river, 

 plagued by darkness, rain, mosquitoes and hunger. 



