TWO SEA-DYAK LEGENDS. 1 9 



basket of birds which he had killed in the jungle, and that he 

 had hidden them with his blow-pipe and quiver containing" poi- 

 soned darts, in the brushwood near the well. He determined 

 to say nothing about the matter, as probably some of her 

 friends or relations were among the birds that were killed by him. 



So Siu married Bunsu Burong and continued to live in the 

 house for several weeks. 



One day he said to his wife : — " I have been here a long time. 

 My people must surely be wondering where I am, and whether 

 I am still alive. My mother too must be very anxious about me. 

 I should like to return to my people, and I want you to accom- 

 pany me. My mother and my friends are sure to welcome you 

 as my wife." 



" Oh yes : I will gladly accompany you back to your home. 

 But you must remember and say nothing of the things you have 

 seen in this house. When shall we start ?" 



" We can start early to-morrow morning, soon after break- 

 fast," answered Siu. 



They started early the next day, taking with them food 

 enough for four days, as they expected the journey would last 

 as long as that. Sius wife seemed to know the way, and after 

 journeying for three days, they came to the stream near the 

 house, and they stopped to have a bath. Some of the children 

 of the house saw them there, and ran up to the house and 

 said: — " Siu has come back, and with him is a beautiful woman, 

 who seems to be his wife." 



Some of the older people checked the children, saying : — 

 " It cannot be Siu : he has been dead for a long time. Don't 

 mention his name, for if his mother hears you talk of him, it will 

 make her very unhappy." 



But the children persisted in saying that it was indeed Siu 

 that they had seen. Just then Siu and his wife appeared, and 

 walked up to the house. 



Siu said to his wife :— "The door before which I hang up 

 my sword is the door of my room. Walk straight in. You 

 will find my mother there, and she will be sure to be glad to 

 welcome you as her daughter-in-law. " 



When they came into the house, all the inmates rushed out 

 to meet them, and to congratulate Siu on his safe return. 



R. A. Soc, No. 41, 1903. 



