IN SEARCH OF BIG GAME. 
19 
was being paid at the rate of $/2 a tnvnih nui! his food. The 
real reasoii was that he heard when he returned to Guai that 
fabulous sums could be made by working on the Railway 
construction, and I suppose he thought also that he could get 
an easier job. I sent Mat Linggi and Juansa back to Kuala 
Jerang with the boat that I had brought down from there, with 
instructions to return overland to Kuala Semantan, where I 
would meet them in about a week's time. Juanasa now 
disappears from the story* When he arrived at Kuala Jerang 
he coolly informed Mat Linggi that he did not intend to go 
back to Kuala Semantan, shouldered his pack and departed to 
Pertang, I have never seen him from that day to this. 
When I returned to Pertang he was there, but he had not the 
hardihood to come and ask for the balance of his wages. He 
• had had most of them in advance, I arrived at Kuala 
Semantan next day, and as I Mas still seedy I stopped there 
with Mr. P., the District Officer, who showed me every kindness. 
I had a week of low fever which kept me to the house, but the 
rest did me good, and I am glad to say that I w as not troubled 
with any sickness afterwards on this expedition. 
CHAPTER in. 
The Krau River. 
Allowing my men six days to take the boat back up 
the Triang and return overland to Kuala Semantan, I 
■expected that they wottld arrive at the latest on Saturday 
morning, but when Monday morning arrived and there was 
still no sign of them I decided to continue my journey minus 
the Pirate and Juanasa* 
I was able to engage four Malays from the district 
who were willing to go with me up the Tembeling and 
back to Pertang, and I also took with me a large supply 
of rice, because I heard that there was a great scarcity 
of that necessary commodity in the Ulu Tembeling and I was 
not sure whether I should be able to replenish my stock 
on mv journey or not- 
We left Kuala Semantan about 10 a.m., and poling 
up the river fairly quickly arrived at Kuala Tekal about 
four o'clock. I tied my boat up there and camped at the 
house of Syed Mahomet who kindly put his verandah at 
my disposal. I had availed myself of his courtesy on a 
previous occasion, and in the evening I met several 
Malays from the kampon^ whom I knew, and we had a long 
<:hat on matters connected with sport. Amongst other 
