26 TWO SEA-DYAK LEGENDS. 



consented even to such an unfair ordeal as that. He called to 

 him an old sickly looking dog, and gently stroked it. At once 

 it became young and strong ! While the others went forth 

 into the jungle with a pack of hounds, Serag anting was only 

 accompanied by one dog. In the evening Katupong, Beragai, 

 Bejampong and the others all returned unsuccessful. Soon 

 after. Seragunting' s dog appeared chasing a huge boar which 

 made a stand at the foot of the ladder of the house. Seragunting 

 asked the others to kill the beast if they dared. The spears 

 cast at it glided off, and lelt the beast unharmed. Some of 

 those who were rash enough to go near the animal, had a close 

 escape from being torn in pieces by its tusks. 



Seragunting armed with nothing better than a little knife 

 belonging to his mother, walked up to the infuriated animal, 

 and stabbed it in a vital part, and it fell down dead at his feet. 



After these marvellous feats, all were compelled to admit 

 that Seragunting was a true grandson of the great Singalang 

 Burong. They all acknowledged him as such, and he was taken 

 to his grand-father, who was pleased to see the lad and promised 

 to help him throughout his life. 



But Siu was unhappy in his new home. He could not help 

 thinking of his mother whom he had left alone, and he was 

 anxious to return to his own people. He begged his wife to 

 accompany him back to his old home, but she refused to do so. 

 It was decided that Siu and his son should stay in the house of 

 Singalang Burong till they had obtained such knowledge as 

 would be useful to them in the future, and that then they were 

 to return to the lower world, bringing with them the secrets 

 they had learnt from those wiser and more powerful than them- 

 selves. 



All the people of the house were now most kind to Siu and his 

 son, and were most anxious to teach them all they could. They 

 were taken on a war expedition against the enemy, so they 

 micht learn the science and art of Dyak warfare. They were 

 taught how to set traps to catch deer and wild pig. They 

 were shown the different methods of catching fish, and learnt 

 to make the different kinds of fish-trap used by the Dyaks 

 of the present day. They remained in Singalang Burong' 's 

 house that whole year, so that they might have a complete 



Jour. Straits Branch 



