FIVE DAYS IN NANl'NG. 
39 
near it, could be seen from Gunorig Datu, a fact which they 
seemed to regard with great wonder. There were also 
stones larger than houses and many other strange things on 
the mountain, but it was not every one who could approach 
it, as it was guarded by supernatural powers and the forest 
was full of tigers. I could not learn with certainty whe¬ 
ther their aversion to my ascending it was political or su¬ 
perstitious, but it seemed to be partly both.* Although in 
conversing with me they endiavoured to conceal their real 
objections and avoid a positive refusal, they hinted that only 
Mahomedans could visit the kramat. In their conversa¬ 
tion with my companions they insisted on this, but also 
declared with some warmth, that no European had yet 
ascended their mountain, nor had Rambsiu ever been sub¬ 
ject to Europeans, like the countries betwixt it and the 
sea. The European governments at Malacca have been so 
frequently at strife with the internal states that the fact of 
Rambau being now the border independent one, must neces¬ 
sarily render its inhabitants very jealous of the British, and 
uurse in them the fear that their country is marked for 
conquest. They are also probably unable to appreciate 
any motives founded merely in curiosity or a desire of 
knowledge for exploring their country. Finding that there 
was no hope of being able to procure a guide, and as I could 
not wait without deranging my Ndnitig plans, I was re¬ 
luctantly compelled to turn my back on Gunong Datu. 
Abdulrahman was highly indignant, and offered to lead me 
by night or day over any of the mountains within our own 
territory, tigers or no tigers, and my Malacca friend was so 
full of ire that he would not remain in the village to eat his 
dinner. For myself I must admit that I did not leave the 
place in the most charitable humour with its inhabitants, 
but when the lofty mountain peak with the tantalizing rock 
on its summit was out of sight, I became more reasonable, 
and consoled myself with the reflection that my six hours 
walk in the heat of the sun had purchased for future explo¬ 
rers who may chance to read these notes, the knowledge 
that they must procure a guide before they enter Rambau, 
or, what would be better still, obtain permission to ascend 
the mountain through the good offices of the Malacca au¬ 
thorities. To incite those who may have an opportunity 
of visiting the mountain, I may mention that in addition to 
the other supernatural objects to be found on the summit, 
* I suspected that they had some ill will towards my guide. 
