56 P^BAK TO SLIM. 



10th February. 



This morning we agreed to go up the river as far as the begin- 

 ning of the Slim road, and, as our boat was too big for the shallow 

 water, Toh Muda got us a smaller one, and we started up the river 

 at 8 a.m., and it will be a wonder if we reach our destination to- 

 night. 



The travelling was much better to-day. The river open, and 

 we had the kajang on all the day. The only drawback was the 

 snags, and they were not very bad. My own crew were abomina- 

 bly lazy ; but I had four men from Songkei who worked very well, 

 and we reached the Toh Dagang's house at 2.45 p.m., and he has 

 engaged that I shall start first thing to-morrow. The Toh Dagang 

 was very polite, and he sent for the Pengulu of Songkei, one Toh 

 Bikas, a very pleasant looking old fellow, who told me he had never 

 seen a white man before, but he does not regard me with much 

 curiosity. He and the Toh Dagang agreed to furnish men to carry 

 my things. 



The Toh Dagang considers it a matter of honour to sit up all 

 night and watch me, so he amused himself by playing cards until 

 day dawned. 



llth February. 



I did not get away till 8.15 a.m., five men carrying my effects. 

 The road goes straight across the Songkei river and then direct for 

 the hills. 



At first the path was very bad, a regular slough of despond, 

 but after two or three miles it got much better, and altogether I 

 could not complain of it. 



We walked for two hours, and then stopped for half an hour, 

 and then on again walking and resting over a slightly hilly country 

 until we reached Trolah at 3.30 p.m., having walked five hours and 

 rested two and-a-quarter. 



