106 BORNEO. [chap. v. 



novel kind of concert. Some placed a leg across the knee, 

 and struck the fingers sharply on the ankle, others beat 

 their arms against their sides like a cock when he is going 

 to crow, thus making a great variety of clapping sounds, 

 while another with his hand under his armpit produced a 

 deep trumpet note ; and, as they all kept time very well, 

 the effect was by no means impleasing. This seemed quite 

 a favourite amusement with them, and they kept it up 

 with much spirit. 



The next morning we started in a boat about thirty feet 

 long, and only twenty- eight inches wide. The stream here 

 suddenly changes its character. Hitherto, though swift, it 

 had been deep and smooth, and confined by steep banks. 

 Now it rushed and rippled over a pebbly, sandy, or rocky 

 bed, occasionally forming miniature cascades and rapids, 

 and throwing up on one side or the other broad banks of 

 finely coloured pebbles. No paddling could make way 

 here, but the Dyaks with bamboo poles propelled lis along 

 with great dexterity and swiftness, never losing their 

 balance in such a narrow and unsteady vessel, though 

 standing up and exerting all their force. It was a brilliant 

 day, and the cheerful exertions of the men, the rushing of 

 the sparkling waters, with the bright and varied foliage 

 which from either bank stretched over our heads, produced 

 an exhilarating sensation which recalled my canoe voyages 

 on the grander waters of South America. 



