Ch. XIV.] BEELIDAH. 235 



whether anything was huried in the mass of alluvium de- 

 posited; its extent and position would render it a costly 

 and difficult enterprise. Many similar caves are known to 

 exist in the limestone hills upon the Sarawak river, but this 

 particular cavern was unknown even to the Datu, who had 

 lived all his days in the neighboiKhood. . 



On reaching the west branch of the river we parted com- 

 pany with the Datu, and pursued our way towards Berlidah, 

 a bungalow belonging to the Eajah, and beautifully situated 

 at the foot of Mount Peninjau. As we were approaching 

 it we were overtaken by a most tremendous tropical storm, 

 such as often comes on early in the afternoon at this season. 

 The most vivid lightning was accompanied by the heaviest 

 rain I ever beheld, in the face of which our unprotected 

 rowers sat plying their paddles, while the great drops pelted 

 mercilessly upon their bare skins. As for ourselves, drawing 

 the attaps close over us, and covering ourselves with coats 

 and blankets, we contrived to keep tolerably dry through 

 this deluge. 



Having arrived at Berlidah, as though not wet enough, 

 our men plunged at once into the water, while we disem- 

 barked and soon were estabUshed in the bungalow. It was 

 too wet to do more than sit in the verandah, and see the 

 Dyaks returning in their canoes to the foot of Mount Pe- 

 ninjau, at the top of which more than one of their villages 

 was situated, or to listen to the Wou-wou (Hylobates), a 

 small and pretty species of Gibbon, so called from the 

 peculiar noise it makes, like that produced by pouring water 

 from a narrow-mouthed bpttle ; or to watch the fire-flies 

 when the darkness of night had supervened, flashing inter- 

 mittently at the edge of the dense jungle which covered the 

 mountain. 



