chap. iv.] A MTAS HUNT. 73 



without descending to cross the road or ascending to get 

 round the clearings. We walked cautiously along, not 

 making the least noise, and listening attentively for any 

 sound which might betray the presence of the Mias, 

 stopping at intervals to gaze upwards. Charley soon 

 joined us at the place where he had seen the creature, and 

 having taken the ammunition and put a bullet in the 

 other barrel we dispersed a little, feeling sure that it must 

 be somewhere near, as it had probably descended the hill, 

 and would not be likely to return again. After a short 

 time I heard a very slight rustling sound overhead, but on 

 gazing up could see nothing. I moved about in every 

 direction to get a full view into every part of the tree 

 under which I had been standing, when I again heard the 

 same noise but louder, and saw the leaves shaking as if 

 caused by the motion of some heavy animal which moved 

 off to an adjoining tree. I immediately shouted for all of 

 them to come up and try and get a view, so as to allow me 

 to have a shot. This was not an easy matter, as the Mias 

 had a knack of selecting places with dense foliage beneath. 

 Very soon, however, one of the Dyaks called me and 

 pointed upwards, and on looking I saw a great red hairy 

 body and a huge black face gazing down from a great 

 height, as if wanting to know what was making such a 

 disturbance below. I instantly fired, and he made off at 

 once, so that I could not then tell whether I had hit him. 



