2 TWO SEA-DYAK LEGENDS. 



I. 



Danjai and the Were-Tiger's Sister. 



Once upon a time there lived a great Chief named Danjai. 

 He was the head of one of the longest Dyak houses that were 

 ever built. It was situated on a hill in the midst of a large 

 plantation of fruit trees. Danjai was said to be very rich indeed. 

 He possessed much farming land, many fruit trees, many Tapang 

 trees, where the wild bees make their abode, and from which 

 the sweet honey is obtained, and in his room there were many 

 valuable jars of various kinds, and also a large number of brass 

 vessels ; for the Dyaks convert their wealth into jars and brass- 

 ware to hand down to posterity. Every year he obtained a 

 plentiful harvest of paddy much more than he and his family 

 could consume and he had always much paddy for sale, so much so 

 that the news of his wealth travelled to distant lands, and many 

 from afar off would come and buy paddy from him. Danjai 

 also possessed many slaves who were ready to help him in his 

 work. All the people in his house had a very high opinion of 

 his judgment, and were ready to obey his decisions, whenever 

 he settled any of their disputes. So great indeed was his re- 

 putation for wisdom, that men from distant villages would often 

 consult him and ask his advice when in any difficulty. He had 

 also great fame as a brave warrior, and during expeditions 

 against the enemy, he was the leader of the men of his own 

 village and of many villages around, for all liked to follow such 

 a brave man as Danjai, who was sure to lead them to victory. 

 Over the fireplace in his verandah he had, hanging together in 

 a bunch, the dried heads of the enemies whom he himself had 

 killed. 



Now this man Danjai had a very pretty wife whom he had 

 recently married, but the marriage feast had not been held, be- 

 cause he had not yet obtained a human head from the enemy as a 

 token of his love for her : for this girl was of a good birth and a 

 Chief's daughter and wanted the whole world to learn, when they 

 attended her marriage feast, what a brave man her husband was. 



Danjai said to his young wife, "I will hold a meeting of 

 the Chiefs around, and tell them that we must all get our war- 

 boats ready, as I intend leading an expedition against the enemy. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



