ON" THE PATANI. 127 



find anyone who can talk Malay. 



The traffic on the Pataui is principally carried on by means of 

 long flat prahus, chiefly made in Kelantan ; they are decked right 

 over the gunwale, and, fore and aft, two broad stages extend be- 

 yond the stern and bow respectively, whilst the centre is covered 

 by a low deck-house about five feet in height at the ridge. This 

 deck house is often about 20 feet long and is divided into two 

 compartments, one for the men and the other for the master or 

 nakhoda, the latter facing the forepart of the prahu; the entire 

 length of these boats from the extreme end of one stage to that of 

 the other is sometimes about sixty feet, and the width about seven ; 

 the fore stage is used as a platform for the boatmen or polers, and 

 that at the stern for the steersman and also for cooking operations. 



To a novice, the poling is a very interesting as well as a pecu- 

 liar performance, and it is conducted on this river in a very ener- 

 getic and systematic manner; there are generally four men 

 employed, but, if speed is wanted, two extra are put on. The poles 

 are from twelve to fourteen feet in length, and for deeper portions 

 of the river even longer ones are used, the point is sheathed with 

 a strong sharp iron ferule, which enables it more easily to dig into 

 the gravelly beds of the river and also protects the wood from 

 wearing. At the head of the pole a small block of wood is fixed 

 in which is hollowed a slight curve so as to fit the breast of the 

 poler ; when* the start is made, the first two men proceed to the 

 bow end of the stage and digging their poles into the bed of the 

 river, one on either side, place the block against the hollow of the 

 chest just above the armpit, right or left according to the side on 

 which the man is working ; each then pushes with might and main 

 walking aft as the prahu is propelled along until he reaches 

 the deck-house, then each lifts his pole out of the water. Mean- 

 time the other two couples have followed suit and are close upon 

 the heels of those in front of them, each of whom deftly poises 

 his pole so that the lower half passes over the heads of his followers 

 whilst the upper portion crosses that of his opposite neighbour 

 without clashing and in this manner the two walk sharply back 

 to the bow and again take hold of ground, pushing as before; six 

 men, three on each side of the comparatively narrow stage, going 



