182 4 JOURNEY 



the Jeilabu river; but the journey could 

 not be effected in a shorter time lliaii twelve 

 days, viz. from Malacca to Sungey Lijong 

 six days walk , from Sungey Ljong to Jeilabu 

 two days, and from Jeilabu to Paliangfour 

 or five days; but it is to be remarked that 

 the mountains which separate Jeilabu from 

 Sungey Ujong render the communication 

 between these tw o states vei^ ditficult, and 

 I dare say dangerous, on account botli of 

 the steepness of tlie mountains and meet- 

 ing with numerous precipices. 



The dull sight of tlie road which pre- 

 sents itself to the traveller when journeying 

 upon these mountains, seems to announce 

 before hand the melancholy prospect of 

 the country which lies behind. The soil of 

 Jeilabu is one of the poorest 1 have met with 

 in the Malayan Peninsula; the valley I liave 

 before mentioned is itself barren in many 

 places, and by no means presents an 

 agreeable look. The difficulty of commu- 



