392 



TWO YEARS IN THE JUNGLE. 



with an intelligent, even handsome face, a beautifully-moulded form, 

 erect carriage, and easy, graceful movement. On the score of good 

 looks and general physique he could discount nine-tenths of all the 

 white boys I ever saw. 



The two were dressed alike, in decidedly picturesque cos- 

 tumes. The head-dress was a clean turban of bright scarlet cloth, 

 neatly wound around the head, with a loose end falling over the 

 left ear. The crown of the head was wholly uncovered, and a pro- 

 fusion of jet black locks feU over the top of the turban. The 

 " chawat," or loin-cloth, was also scarlet cloth disposed in ample 

 folds, fringed at both ends, one of which hung down apronlike in 

 front, and the other at the back. 



Each of the Dyaks wore behind him, suspended by a cord around 

 the waist, a shield-shaped mat of many colors, which quite covered 

 the body from the loins half way down to the thighs, and was evi- 

 dently worn to sit upon. One of these protectors was ornamented 

 by a border of cowries sewn on close together all the way round. 



Their parong sheaths were each bedecked at the end with a 

 bunch of the most showy wing and tail feathers of the argus pheas- 

 ant. The persons of my guides were further ornamented by several 

 copper rings worn in each ear, which proclaimed them to be Seri- 

 bas men, bracelets and armlets of finely-plaited rattan, and leglets 

 of beaded rattan worn just below the knee. Taken altogether they 

 were as handsome savages as one could wish to see. 



On reaching the lake, which was about a mile from the house, the 

 Dyaks found two paddles that had been hidden in the grass, dipped 

 the water out of a sunken canoe, and, getting into it, we set off just 

 as it grew dark. As we neared the Popook village we heard jDeople 

 caUing for me far up the side of the moimtain, but I was not able 

 to make them hear my answeiing shout. As soon as we reached 

 the village the gong was beaten and several shots fired to call back 

 the four Dyaks and Dobah, who were then far beyond the clearing. 

 I was very well pleased to find that they had turned out so prompt- 

 ly to look for me ; going, as they did, naked and barefooted, in 

 the dai-k, into thick jungle among rocks and thorns. As they were 

 returning, one of the Dyaks was charged upon by some large ani- 

 mal, presumably a deer, knocked down, considerably bruised and 

 dreadfully scratched, besides receiving a cut on his leg and another 

 on his ear. The suddenness of the assault and its mysterious nat- 

 ure caused great excitement and a volume of loud talk. I served 

 out tobacco to the crowd and dressed the wounds of the injured 



