TWO SEA-DYAK LEGENDS. 1 1 



make you invisible to the enemy, when you are on the warpath. 

 Lastly, I advise you and your people, never to eat or to take 

 away any fruit you may find lying- about in the jungle, on the 

 stump of a tree, or on a rock, without knowing for certain who 

 put it there and to whom it belongs, or making sure that it has 

 fallen from some tree near. This must be remembered from 

 generation to generation. Whoever disobeys this advice will 

 be punished either by death, as in the case of your wife, or in 

 some other dreadful way. You may now have the head of your 

 wife to take back to your country ; and as you may have for- 

 gotten the way, I will send one of my slaves with you, to show 

 you in what direction you are to go." 



As she finished speaking, she handed him his wife's head, 

 and Danjai started off at once for he was anxious to get back. 



He reached his house late that same evening. A 11 his friends 

 were glad to see him come back safe and sound. They had 

 given up all hope of seeing him again. They were also pleased 

 to see he had been successful in bringing back the head of his 

 dead wife. 



Soon after Danjai s return from the Were-Tiger's country 

 he gathered all his followers together and told them that he in- 

 tended going on the war-path. As soon as they were able to get 

 everything ready, they started for the enemy's country. They 

 were very successful and succeeded in taking many heads ; but 

 Danjai, protected as he was by the charm which he had received 

 from the Were-Tiger's sister, was more successful than the 

 others. They returned with much rejoicing, and a great feast 

 was held in honor of their victory. The human heads were 

 placed on a costly dish, and the women carried them into the 

 house, with dancing and singing. 



A few days after, Danjai started to fulfil his promise to the 

 Were-Tiger's sister. He brought her back with him as his wife, 

 and they lived very happily together for many years. 



This story explains why the Dyaks, even at the present 

 day, dare not eat any fruit thpy may find lying on the stump 

 of a tree, or on a rock in the jungle. They fear that evil will 

 happen to them, as it did to Danjai s wife. 



R. A. Soc, No. 40, 1903. 



