170 



A VISIT TO THE INDIAN AtlCEJIPELAGO. 



them of higls rank, took advanti^e of the confusion that 

 occurred to effect their escape, Thcj had been captured 

 at ^adong, and made slaves : tliey succeeded in seiiiing a. 

 small canoe ^ and, hiding themselves by da}% and 

 cautiously paddling down in the dark, after enduring 

 many priyations they reached Linga in an exhausted 

 state : here they were among fiiendsj and within easy 

 distance of their homes. 



The object of the espedition was ny w to be followed up 

 m another direction ; and, on the 9 th August, the steamer 

 and boats reached Hcjang. 



Tkis town Is ijahabited by a tribe of MiUanows, who 

 differ from both Makys and Dyaks more in habits and 

 customs than in appearance. It is raised some forty feet 

 from the ground on huge piles, and has been frequently 

 described. Kothing but insecurity and habitual plunder 

 could have originated the erection of such an uncomfort- 

 able kind of dwclhng. The people here were found well 

 prepared for a siege, Independently of lelas (small brass 

 guns), they had piles of large stones, and hot oil with 

 wMch to anoint the heads of unwelcome visitors : the 

 surrounding grounds were studded with ranjows and 

 cmmingly-contrired pitfaUs. It is from this place that an 

 attempt lias more than once been made to carry on 

 a trade in sago with Sincaporc, wMch, but for the barass- 

 ing interference of the pirates, would have become very 

 important. Boino of their trading prahua measured sixty 

 leet in length, by seventeen beam. 



