4(i0 



SUMATRA'S WEST COAST 



SUMATKAN MESSIGIT OR TEMPLE, NEAR PAJO K.OMBO 



From a photograph by David G. Fairchild 



head-dresses, cooking utensils, cloths of bright but tastefully 

 blended colors, and a whole host of light refreshments — palm 

 wines, peanut cheeses covered with heavy growths of green and 

 yellow molds, pineapple sauces, inviting-looking curries, and 

 cooling drinks innumerable. The live-stock market near by 

 showed that the resources of the island in this direction were 

 excellent, as cattle after the Alderney type, and hogs, tough little 

 ponies, goats, and Indian buffalo were exhibited in profusion. 



One visits Pajo Komho because it is the nearest point to the 

 klof or gorge of Harau and the waterfalls of Batang-Harau, 

 called by the Dutch the Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach respect- 

 ively of their Indies. It is curious to note how the Dutch com- 

 pare scenes in Sumatra with noted points of interest in Switzer- 

 land, whereas in fact there is little comparison and absolutely 

 no similarity, the rugged grandeur of Switzerland in no sense 

 recalling the foliage-softened outlines of Sumatra. An hour's 

 ride in an uncomfortable native cart brought us to the entrance 

 of this little-known but certainl} 7 most wonderful gorge. As we 



