rrflT OF A PAIVTY OF OHANG MINTIRA TO ftlNGAPOtUB, 333* 
«d. Nothing being left in the kampong, I took them, next evening, 
along the Garden road, but they did not succeed in getting any birds, 
and this made them think Singapore a poor country. Some clumps 
of jungle on the hills beyond Mr. Caldwell’s villa redeemed it a lit* 
tie in their-eyes, and they were anxious to reach them, but disliked 
having to cross any swamps. I offered to give them a small planta¬ 
tion if they would remain in Singapore, pointing to the sugar canes 
and fine fruit trees in the Chinese plantations on the side of the road. 
They said they could not live where there was so little forest, and as 
for plantations they could make ladangs of their own in Malacca. 
They pointed to Syed Omar’s and Mr. Dyce’s hill, and asked what was 
the value of such a house with the hill and trees around it. When 
told that it might sell for 3000 dollars, they expressed the live¬ 
liest astonishment. Shortly afterwards, when Pawang was describ¬ 
ing the mountains of his country, I asked him for what price the 
Mintira would sell Gunong Bermun. He hesitated, looked at Mr. 
Dyce’s hill, and at last said, “ sapulo gidong, ” ten godownS. 
Of all the sights which they saw in Singapore, the Chinese Temple 
pleased them most. But after having visited the Town, Telloh 
Blangfi, Seglap, and some other parts of the island, they declared that 
Malacca was a much finer place. 
The three men differed considerably in disposition. The most re¬ 
markable was Pawang, who displayed much sense and firmness in his 
character, and a slight degree of pride and reserve in his manner. He 
was looked up to by his companions as a man of superiour ability and 
knowledge, and his reputed skill in natural and supernatural mede- 
cines made him an object of much attention to the Malays in the 
neighbourhood, who invited him to their houses and visited him, to so¬ 
licit herbs and charms. The women, in particular, regarded him 
as a magician of undoubted art, and many, on first approaching him, 
threw themselves at his feet. His head was decidedly intellectual in 
its formation. 
Parut was a picture of indolence, good nature and content. He 
seemed to enjoy what the passing moment brought, without any hitru- 
£1011 of thought or care. 
