TWO SEA-DYAK LEGENDS. 17 



form. When going* forth on an expedition against the enemy, 

 he would transform himself and his followers into birds, so that 

 they might travel more quickly. Over the high trees of the 

 jungle, over the broad rivers, sometimes even across the sea 

 Sing alang Bur ong and his flock would fly. There was no trouble 

 about food, for in the forests there were always some wild 

 trees in fruit, and while assuming the form of birds, they lived 

 on the food of birds. In his own house and among his own 

 people Singalang Barong appeared as a man. He had eight 

 daughters, and the girl who was cooking food for Siu was the 

 youngest of them. 



The reason why the people of the house were so quiet, and 

 did not make their appearance, was because they were all in 

 mourning for many of their relatives who had been killed some 

 time back. Only the women and children were at home, be- 

 cause that same morning all the men had gone forth to make a 

 raid upon some neighbouring tribe, so that they might bring 

 home some human heads to enable them to end their mourning. 

 For it was the custom that the people of a house continued to 

 be in mourning for dead relatives, until one or more human heads 

 were brought to the house. Then a feast was held, and all 

 mourning was at an end. 



After Siu had been in the house seven days, he thought he 

 ought to think of returning to his own people. By this time 

 he was very much in love with the girl who had been so kind 

 to him, and he wished above all things to marry her, and take 

 her back with him to his own country. 



" I have been here a whole week," he said to her, "and 

 though you have not told me your name, still I seem to know 

 you very well. I have a request to make and 1 hope you will 

 not be angry at what I say." 



" Speak on ; I promise I will not be angry whatever you 

 may say." 



"I have learnt to love you very much," said Siu, "and 

 I would like to marry you if you will consent, so that I shall 

 not leave you but take you with me, when I return to my 

 own land. Also I wish you to tell me your name, and why 

 this house is so silent, and where all the people belonging to 

 it are." 



R. A.Soc, No. 4X, 1903 #2 



