UXPEDITION INTO INTERIOR OF SUMATRA. 55 
We came down the mountain much more slowly than 
we had gone up. Still the rate at which we were going pre- 
vented us from bestowing sufficient attention on the natural 
features by which we were surrounded, and on the peculiari- 
lies of the mysterious forests in which the struggle for 
existence 1s ceaselessly gcing on—a struggle which man is 
often unable to explain. 
What a delightful feeling it is to reach, at the close of 
day, an open space where one can give oneself who'ly over to 
the repose and comfort of a bivouac. Many of these places 
will remain indelibly in our memories. Thus on the evening 
of the Sth October, we arrived at Sunzei Sapi, a most pic- 
turesque spot. Our ous were already busy putting up a 
shelter for us under the river bank. The banks rose sheer up 
both sides, leaving only a Be view of the water up and down 
stream. Our hut was quickly built on the stony soil of 
the upper part of the river-b< ed, which was then dry. Soon the 
lire for preparing our repast was lit, whilst near at hand 
resounded the axes engaged in felling the trees destined for 
building our pondok or but. All around is movement, nob, 
however, to be of long durat tion, for as soon as the strictly 
necessary labour is over, everyone makes himself as com- 
fortable as es in order to inake the most of this charm- 
ing resting-place. 
Let us take the trouble to more minutely examine the 
eround around us. By the path leading to the river, and 
at a short distance from if, we notice coffee-bushes, durians, 
mangosteens, and ja nbu-trees, I$ is evident that these are 
not forest trees, but are the hving remains of a village, which, 
like so many others, has disvppeared, Not a house whose 
inhabitants might have told us their story has been left 
standing ; nothing has survived but these few fruit trees 
which nature will reclaim in like manner, So as to completely 
Wipe out every vestige of the past. 
To our left, the river flows slowly over a bed of stones, 
and not far away is hidden trom us by a bend. 
On our right hand the scene is very different. The 
water flows impetuously and dashes itself down from a high 
rock into a deep basin, falling in a bread shect with a con- 
tinual rear, like an avalanche gf pearls, and bringing with 
