chap, iv] BANTENG 



succession of big waves, which advance with extraordinary velocity 

 up the river, carrying all before them. This phenomenon is most 

 marked when the tide is strongest ; thus during full moon and new 

 moon the bore is at its maximum, and at such times woe betide 

 those who are unfortunate enough to be caught by it on the river. 

 The bore-wave, which is about six feet high, advances with a foaming 

 crest across the entire width of the river with a velocity of several 

 miles per hour. It is felt about ten miles inside the mouth of the 

 river, and penetrates also the Lingga, which is the first affluent of 

 the Batang-Lupar, continuing up the main stream for about thirty 

 miles, a loud roar announcing its advent. The singular width of 

 the first part of the Batang-Lupar, quite out of proportion to the 

 length of the stream, is, perhaps, an effect of the bore, which has 

 carried away the banks and thus widened the bed of the river. 



For the safe navigation of the river, exact information regarding 

 the season of the stronger tides and the time at which they flow is' 

 essential. It is also necessary to take a local pilot who knows the 

 places uninfluenced by the bore, or so protected that a boat can safely 

 wait until it has passed. But., notwithstanding these precautions, 

 fatal accidents frequently occur. 



On the morning of September 3rd we ascended the river as far as 

 the mouth of the Lingga, an affluent on the left bank at about twenty 

 miles from the sea. We entered the latter and proceeded up stream 

 for about ten miles, when we sighted Banteng, a hill which looks as 

 if it blocked up the river. On its summit we could make out the 

 mission house, the residence of the missionary, Mr. Chambers. The 

 villages of the Balu — for such is the name of this tribe of Sea- 

 Dyaks — are clustered around on the hill at its feet, and on the river 

 bank. 



The mission house is a wooden structure, very comfortable, and 

 in a lovely position. Shaded by gigantic durian trees, its verandah 

 overlooks the river, for on that side the hill is steep-to. The view 

 over the distant plain and the winding stream, with a high isolated 

 mountain, Gunong Lingga, rising in the foreground, is magnifi- 

 cent. The summit of the Banteiig hill is flat and somewhat ex- 

 tended ; along it is a kind of avenue formed by huge durians and other 

 fruit-bearing trees, at the end of which is the mission church. Most 

 of the day passed in religious services, the church being crowded 

 with converted Dyaks and catechumens. The converts dress differ- 

 ently from the other Dyaks, wearing trousers and shirt, but I cannot 

 say that it improved them in looks. The native costume shows to 

 singular advantage their statuesque and well-modelled figures, and 

 though scant, is much more healthy in a climate where dress is a 

 superfluity. The exaggerated sense of shame which leads to the 

 clothing of every part of the body is a product of the inclement 

 North, and is a result of the real need of defence against cold ; and 



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