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Title: The Gardens of the Sun - A naturalist's journal on the mountains and in the forests - and swamps of Borneo and the Sulu Archipelago
Author: Burbidge, F. W. (Frederick William)
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Gardens of the Sun - A naturalist's journal on the mountains and in the forests - and swamps of Borneo and the Sulu Archipelago" ***
THE
GARDENS OF THE SUN:
A NATURALIST'S JOURNAL
ON THE MOUNTAINS AND IN THE FORESTS AND SWAMPS OF
BORNEO
AND THE
SULU ARCHIPELAGO.
By F. W. BURBIDGE,
TRINITY COLLEGE BOTANICAL GARDENS, DUBLIN, AND
FORMERLY OF THE ROYAL GARDENS, KEW.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1880.
I Dedicate this Work
TO
MY WIFE,
BECAUSE WHILE I WORKED ABROAD SHE WAITED AT HOME.
MOST OF US KNOW HOW EASY IT IS TO LABOUR--
ALL OF US KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO WAIT.
PREFACE.
This record of a time spent among the less well-known portions of
Malaysia may be interesting to those whom the goddess of travel has
wooed in vain, as perchance to some of those "birds of passage" to
whom the islands and continents of the world are as well known as the
church-spires and mile-stones of their own land. In the islands of the
Malay archipelago--the Gardens of the Sun--Nature is ever beautiful,
and man, although often strikingly primitive, is hospitable to the
stranger, and not often vile.
A voyage of a few weeks brings us to these beauty-spots of the Eastern
Seas--to an "always-afternoon" kind of climate--since they are blessed
with the heat and glory of eternal summer--to a place where winter is
unknown--monsoon-swept islands oasis-like basking in a warm and shallow
desert of sea. Warmed by perpetual sunshine, deluged by copious rains,
and thrilled by electricity, they are really enormous conservatories of
beautiful vegetation--great Zoological Gardens inhabited by rare birds
and curious animals. In these sunny garden scenes man is the Adam of a
modern Eden, primitive in habits and numerically insignificant; he has
scarcely begun his battle with things inanimate, or his struggle for
existence as it is known to us. At home we have man as in some sort
the master of Nature, but in the Bornean forests Nature still reigns
supreme. Here with us man wrests his sustenance from her--there she
is lavish in the bestowal of gifts unsought.
The immediate future of an island larger in area than Great Britain
cannot fail to be of interest to political thinkers, especially to
those who belong to the "scientific frontier" school. Malay Government
is weaker now than it was even at the time Sir James Brooke received
Sarawak, and the aid of our own Government is now being sought in
favour of the cession of the whole of Northern Borneo--from Gaya
Bay to Sabuco--to a public company! Unaided by England, Borneo seems
likely to suffer in two ways--either to be annexed by the Government
of Manilla, or else to fall into the hands of the promoters of public
companies. The Sulu Archipelago has already thus lost its independence;
and the question which now suggests itself is, What will England do
with her foster-colony, Borneo the Beautiful?
Borneo offers to the student of nature an ever-interesting field
for research and study. The local government is very peculiar and
interesting. Every village of any pretensions has its "Orang Kaya," or
head man, and his house is at the service of the passing stranger. In
any matter of dispute he may be referred to, and my own experience of
these petty rulers was on the whole very satisfactory. I found them
honest and just in their advice, although at times a little grasping
in their bargains.
The ease with which food is obtained in such a tropical land is of
course inimical to any great exertion or progress on the part of the
natives. That most generous of all food-giving plants, the Banana, is
everywhere naturalised in Borneo up to an altitude of 3000 feet. It
fruits all the year, its produce being to that of wheat as 133:1,
and to that of the potato as 44:1. With rice and a few esculent
roots, all easily grown, it gives a profusion of food at a slight
expenditure of labour--labour for the most part performed by the
women. The Malays of Borneo are morally far inferior to the inland
tribes; and, wherever it is possible to them, live in voluptuous ease.
Borneo is the home of the "Orang-utan," or "wild man of the woods," an
animal which, with its African relative, the "Gorilla," has occupied
the attention of so many of the first thinkers of our time. Here, in
its native forests, this large man-like ape lives in the great natural
orchards, swinging itself from bough to bough with its peculiarly long
arms, building its platform or nest of leafy branches, and eating its
meal of fruit in peace. "Let any naturalist," says a modern observer,
"who is prejudiced against the Darwinian views go to the forests of
Borneo. Let him there watch from day to day this strangely human form
in all its various phases of existence. Let him see it climb, walk,
build its nest, eat, and drink, and fight. Let him see the female
suckle her young and carry it astride her hip precisely as do the
Coolie women of Hindostan. Let him witness the human-like emotions
of affection, satisfaction, pain, and childish rage. Let him see all
this, and then he may feel how much more potent has been this lesson
than all he has read in pages of abstract ratiocination." After all,
the Orang-utan is a poor creature, with but an outer resemblance
to the human species. In intelligence he is not only far below the
lowest savage, but even inferior to the horse or the dog. No amount
of teaching will make the Orang-utan or any other ape practically
useful to man. Do all we can for them in a state of confinement,
they are simply big helpless monkeys to the last!
The avifauna of the island is very rich. Its pheasants rival those
of China in beauty. The great hornbills abound in the fruit groves,
and are giants in comparison with their representatives the toucans
of South America. Here the humming-birds of the new world are amply
represented by the sun-birds. Mound-building megapodia are common,
their earth-works rivalling those of the termites; and the edible
nest-making swallow works in its dark cave dwellings to satisfy the
epicurean tastes of those Eastern aldermen, the mandarins of the
Celestial Empire. One peculiar species of kingfisher always makes
its nest in company with that of a colony of wild bees. Its young may
be fed on the young larvae, or perchance the company of the bees may
be courted for the sake of their protection in the event of the nest
being attacked.
Amongst my own introductions to European gardens is a singular
species of pitcher plant or nepenthes, the urns of which are armed
with two sharp and strong spines (see p. 341). Its pitchers always
contain insects of various kinds, and I am convinced that the spines
are present to prevent birds and insect-hunting animals such as the
tarsier from removing these insects from the urns. The stalk of this
nepenthes is swollen quite near to the pitcher in a singular manner,
and is there punctured by a peculiar species of ant, but I could
never satisfactorily account for their presence, unless it be in
search of water.
Beccari, during his travels in Borneo, discovered a singular
plant--Myrmecodia--parasitic on low jungle trees. Its economy is most
interesting. The young seedlings, when about an inch in height, are
punctured or bitten by an ant, an operation which causes the stem to
become gouty and eventually hollow; in fact, a natural living hive
in which the ants then shelter themselves. This is their own gain,
and they in turn rush out to resent any attack which may be made on
their living nest. A case analogous to this of mutual protection is
recorded of an African species of acacia. The most singular thing in
connection with this co-operative affair is that unless the young
seedling plants are bitten in due course they are said by Beccari
to die. I saw this plant daily for a long period, and often amused
myself by attacking it in order to see how invariably the ants rushed
out in force to repel the intruder. I also noted many young seedlings
both living and dead, but of my own knowledge could scarcely venture
so far as to say that the dead ones had succumbed owing to the ants
having neglected to bite them!
An account of some of the more remarkable of my discoveries and
introductions may be found in the Appendix to this volume, p. 339.
In conclusion, I may be allowed to say that the far interior of
Borneo still remains to be explored. It is emphatically a wild land
without roads or bridges, and a march right across the island from the
north-east to the north-west coast, although a formidable undertaking,
would if accomplished reveal much that is at present unknown.
F. W. B.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
EASTWARD, HO!
PAGE
Gibraltar--Port Said--Suez Canal--Kantara--Aden--Life
Afloat--Floating Homes 1
CHAPTER II.
SINGAPORE.
Hotels--Singapore--An Eastern Port--A Tropical Island--Chinese
Settlers--Chinese Play--Tropical Night--Climate 14
CHAPTER III.
VISIT TO JAHORE--GUNONG PULOI.
On the way--Gambling--River-travel--In the forest--Vegetation--A
resting-place--Tropical fruits--Breed of dogs--On the summit--Wild
animals--Wild men--Sale of women 31
CHAPTER IV.
RIVER AND FOREST TRAVEL.
A Sea-snake--A dreary landing--Native dancing--Orchids at
home--Tropical flowers--The jungle leech--A bad dinner--Rough
paths--The blow-pipe--Head-hunting--A Murut reception 47
CHAPTER V.
KINA BALU, OR CHINESE WIDOW MOUNTAIN.
Journey to Kina Balu--Visit to Pangeran Rau--Agricultural
implements--Sea gipsies--Datu of the Badjows--Musa--Fertile
plain--River-side gardens--Women gardeners--Fording the
Tawaran--Bawang--Good scenery--Si Nilau--Kalawat--Rat-traps--A
wet journey--Bungol--Koung village--Native traders--Rice
culture--Kiau--Hiring of guides--Ascent of Kina Balu--A curious
breakfast--Rare plants en route--Mountain flowers--Large
pitcher plants--A cave dwelling--Scarcity of water--Mountain
orchids--Cool climate--Slippery descent--Lost in the forest--Return
to Kiau--Native produce--Journey to Marie Parie Spur--Return to the
coast--Native women of the interior--Hire of native boat--Return
to Labuan 77
CHAPTER VI.
LABUAN ISLAND.
Labuan--Inhabitants--Industries--Coal mines--Revenues and
acreage--Oil spring--Climate--Rare ferns--Tropical flowering
trees--Fruit culture--Birds--Pitcher plants--Snakes--Sun
birds--Large spiders--Ants--Salt making--Pratchan--Old
gardens--Lizards--Mason wasp--A favourite horse--Annual games on
the plain--Church--River travel 114
CHAPTER VII.
BEAUTIFUL BORNEO.
Borneo--Wild animals--The
Malays--Poetry--Romances--Dewa Indra--Native government--Pile
dwellings--Intermarriage--Language--Clothing--Courtship--Marriage
--Inland tribes--Land culture--Native villages--Food products--
Textile fabrics--Bark cloth--Native women--Climate--Native produce
--Kayan weapon--Rivers--Gambling--Opium smoking 139
CHAPTER VIII.
A CITY OF LAKE DWELLINGS.
Brunei the capital--Market Chinese traders--Gun foundry--The
Istana--Weak government--The Sultan Moumein--Native
jewellery--Native smithy--Public executions--Punishment
for robbery--Sago factories--Inter-marriage--Morality--Old
mission church--Boat journey inland--Murut hospitality--Canoe
travel--Forest travel--New aroids--Native insects--Day flying
moths--River travel by moonlight--Sago-washing station 161
CHAPTER IX.
A VOYAGE TO SULU.
Sulu Archipelago--Long drought--Jungle fires--Sandakan--Good
water supply--Insects and birds--How an alligator was
utilised--A boat excursion--Visit to the shore--A Chinese
trader--Chinese hospitality--Slavery--A walk by the river--Manilla
hemp--Native tombs--Frangipane, or the "dead man's flower"--Rough
walking--Interesting birds 183
CHAPTER X.
A ROYAL PIG HUNT.
A royal boar-hunt--The Sultan of the Sulus--Sultana and
ladies of the Court--Sulu costume and arms--Fine breed of
ponies--Rough ground--Pig-sticking--Food for the dogs--A
pleasing sight--Invitation to the Istana--Datu Mahomed--The
Sulu "Prince of Wales"--Curious saddles--Pony racing--Meimbong
stream--Pleasant evening light--Birds--Large bats--Abundance of
butterflies--Fine fish--Good angling--The "Hill of Tears"--Sugh,
the old capital--Market at Meimbong--Tobacco--Native produce--Chain
armour--Chinese settlers 193
CHAPTER XI.
THE SULTAN'S ISTANA AND THE "HILL OF TEARS."
A moonlight ride--A fragrant weed--The Istana--Modern
armament--"Gelah"--Royal hospitality--A social servant--The
Sultan--State sword or "Barong"--A Sulu dinner--A long
audience--Curiosity of the ladies--Departure to the
mountain--A newly-made grave--Orchids at home--A treat for
our cattle--Rough climbing--Ferns and mosses--The summit--Good
views--Old traditions of the mountain--A picnic under cocoanut
palms--"Gelah" v. Hennessy--Return to the Istana--Further
audience of the Sultan--Former civilisation--Carved wood-work--Old
manufactures--Old enemies--Physique of the Sulus--A pearl among
the swine--Market-people--Slavery--Language--Land culture--Native
food products--Domestic animals--Sea fruit 207
CHAPTER XII.
A ROYAL VISIT.
Exploring rides--A state visit--Culinary business--Arrival of
the Sultan and suite--Procession of boats--Armed attendants--A
royal salute--Visit to the ship--Use of dogs aboard--Amusements
ashore--Eastern singing--A royal interpreter--Dress of the
ladies--Influence of the women--An early rising Sultana--Marine
amusements--Departure--Journey to Bu'ut Dahau--Hospitality of
the mountaineers--Ascent--Fine views from the top--Flowers
and insects--A Hadji's tradition--Siassi Island--A horned
steed--Sandakan--Pulo Bahalatolois 223
CHAPTER XIII.
KINA BALU, viâ TAMPASSUK.
Preparations--"Salaamat jelan" or safe voyage--Contrary winds--A
total wreck--A sea bath--Making the best of it--Native
visitors from the Bornean shore--Drying stores--Pigeon
shooting--Foraging--Football--Tent life--A new boat--A marine
visitor--Pulo Tiga--A fish dinner--Shore plants--Big fish--
The Tampassuk--"The fatted calf"--Start for Kina Balu--Bare
hills--Land culture--Bad roads--Ghinambaur village--Textile
fibres--A chance shot--Thrifty natives--Buffalo riding--A
friendly chief--Sineroup--Native wealth--Charms--Crossing
swollen river--New orchids--Kambatuan--Rokos--Butterflies--Koung
Green--Aboriginals from the interior--Pretty weeds--Lemoung's
death--Native ornaments--Native cloth--Bee keeping--How to manage
"guides"--"Kurow"--Start for "Kina Balu"--Sleeping rock--Dusun
cookery!--New plants--More of the "guide" nuisance 239
CHAPTER XIV.
Plant collecting--Large Nepenthes--Sociable birds--Mountain
climbing--Cold nights--Descent--Safe return to Kiau--Old
skulls--Tree ferns--Fine climate--Land culture--Crossing
rivers--"Lapayang's" welcome--Tarippe fruit--"Beuhan"--Pleasant
evening at Kambatuan village--Graceful young girls--Bundoo--Little
gardens en route--Ghinambaur village--A hard day's walking--Return
to the Tampassuk--Short-tailed buffaloes--Two-horned
rhinoceros--Return to Labuan--Smith's illness--Success of the
expedition 278
CHAPTER XV.
TROPICAL FRUITS.
Tropical fruits--Culture of--Natural fruit orchards--The
Durian--A macédoine of fruits--The Mangosteen--"Prada
Prada"--Mango--The Rambutan or "hairy fruit"--Bread
fruit--Jack-fruit, or "Nangka"--"Champada"--Jintawan,
or Manoongan fruits (Willughbeia spp.)--Tampoe fruit--Red
"Bilimbing"--"Mandaroit"--"Rambeneer"--"Mambangan"--"Luing"--
"Langsat" or "Duku"--"Rambi"--"Mangalin"--"Jambosa," or
"Rose-apples"--Melons--Oranges--Pomoloes--Custard
apples--Cocoa-nut--Wild onion fruit--Banana, or "Pisang"
fruit 304
CHAPTER XVI.
NOTES ON TROPICAL TRAVEL.
Hints on travel--Food supplies--Bathing--Medicines--Modes
of travelling--Shelter--Resting-places--Barter--Articles for
exchange--Arms in a wild land--Products of the island--Prospects
of Borneo 323
APPENDIX.
List of Ferns collected in Borneo 345
Report on Burbidge's Ferns of the Sulu Archipelago 350
A Contribution to the Avifauna of the Sulu Islands 352
On Collections of Birds from Kina Balu Mountain in
North-Western Borneo 359
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
MALAY DANCING GIRL Frontispiece
EGYPTIAN WATER COOLER 5
SHE OF THE MARKET 7
ARAB DHOW 10
"KAYU KUTOH" 27
ORANG UTAN OR WILD MEN OF JAHORE (male and female) 44
GREATER MOTH ORCHID (PHALÆNOPSIS) AT HOME 52
PLAN OF A DUSUN COTTAGE, N.W. BORNEO 85
BAMBOO RAT-TRAP 87
PLAN OF LARGE DUSUN HOUSE, AT KIAU, N.W. BORNEO 96
TANYONG KUBONG, OR COAL POINT, LABUAN 114
ELK'S HORN FERN 119
MASON WASP 130
SECTION OF ITS NEST 131
COURTSHIP 147
MARRIAGE 148
KAYAN WAR KNIFE 158
CARVED WOODWORK OVER DOORS AND WINDOWS 216
DAPANG, OR OUTRIGGED BOAT, SULU ISLANDS 225
FORDING TAMPASSUK RIVER ON BUFFALOES 250
DUSUN BORNEANS AT A STREAM 264
RHODODENDRON STENOPHYLLUM 274
KINA BALU FROM GHINAMBAUR (EVENING) 298
ONION FRUIT 321
PINANGA VEITCHII 340
NEPENTHES BICALCARATA 341
THE GARDENS OF THE SUN.
CHAPTER I.
EASTWARD, HO!
Gibraltar--Port Said--Suez Canal--Kantara--Aden--Life
Afloat--Floating Homes.
When our ship had nearly reached the mouth of the Mersey, on her
outward voyage, the boatswain and his men were busily engaged in
lashing everything moveable in its place on deck. "We shall get
it to-night," said that man of the sea; but on the vessel went as
smoothly as ever, and everybody was merry at dinner-time, hours after
the "Bosun's" prophecy. We watched the setting sun, and a gorgeous
after-glow of purple, grey, and gold. Then came the twilight, and
a sense of chilliness. The land on the port-side was lost in a soft
grey mist; then it became colder and darker, and we went below. The
saloon looked bright and cheerful, with its sparkle of glasses in
the swinging racks, and the mellow light of the lamps.
I read for an hour or more, and then "turned in," heartily glad to
think we were having such a smooth and pleasant time, and that the
"Bosun's" prediction had not been verified. I was soon asleep. How long
I slept I do not quite remember, but I dreamed that I was falling
down a well, and the crash made when I reached the bottom awoke
me. I forgot for the moment where I was, but my first impressions
were that, Zazel-like, I had been shot out of a cannon, and that I
was whirling round chain-shot fashion. Instinctively stretching out
my hands, I found myself in my berth, but the ship was plunging and
rolling very much, and everything moveable was knocking about in
all directions. Another crash, similar to the one which awoke me,
told of loose crockery going to destruction in the steward's pantry.
I spent some time in trying to decide whether the ship was playing
at leapfrog, or trying to turn a somersault. A "sea change" put an
end to my deliberations. Sleep was impossible, and I was glad when
morning came, and I held on to the berth with one hand, and dressed
with the other. That man of the sea was right. We had "got" it, and
no mistake; and we continued to "get it" until off Cape St. Vincent,
when we regained smooth water.
Cape St. Vincent is a rocky bluff, crested with a ruined convent
and a lighthouse, the white walls of which gleam out brightly in the
sunshine, although we are fully ten miles away. After we have passed
it, and look back, it forms a much more picturesque object than when
seen directly opposite; and in front of the nearly perpendicular
cliffs is a curious cone-shaped rock, and through the narrow passage
between this and the mainland, tradition says an American skipper ran
his vessel for a wager, and got through safely. The whole coast here
is bold and rocky, but not dangerous. Large craft may ride close in
under the cliffs.
A few miles further along is Cape Sartenius, a rocky headland,
which rises perpendicularly from the sea, and is crowned with a
fort and lighthouse; and from this point the rugged coast-line falls
away towards Trafalgar Bay and Gibraltar, a distance of nearly two
hundred miles. We were fortunate in seeing the red honey-combed rock
at Gibraltar in the morning's sunshine, the pretty little town of
St. Roque lying behind across the neutral ground. To the left the
cork woods and Algesiraz. Exactly opposite "Gib," on the African
side, is Ceuta, with its lighthouse and fort on the hill, and square
flat-topped Moorish houses below; while Apes' Hill stands up clear
and dark against the masses of fleecy white clouds. The straits
here are about six miles wide, and it was near this point that the
Moors used to cross, Pict and Scot fashion, into Spain in the olden
time. Of course, like Mark Twain, we saw the "Queen of Spain's chair"
on the hill behind Gibraltar, and a naturalist friend reminds me
that the rock here is the only place in Europe where monkeys and
scorpions are naturalised. The wag meant "Rock Scorpions" I suppose,
but the monkeys are there all right enough. By the aid of a good
glass, we saw patches of cultivated crops on the low coast hills,
and whitewashed farm-houses were freely dotted amongst them. Now
we were fairly into the blue waters of the Mediterranean, and the
coast lines began to recede on either side. Here and there, however,
over the coast hills we obtained glimpses of the snow-peaked Sierra
Nevada mountains standing out clear and cool against the blue sky.
It was about the middle of June, and very hot during the day time,
but chilly at night. The sea is of the most emphatic blue when you
look down into it, but has a purplish glow towards the horizon. The
sunsets are occasionally very beautiful, with their tints of crimson,
salmon, grey, vermilion, and gold. It is pleasant at sunrise, after
a bracing salt-water bath under the hose-pipe, to watch the silvery
dolphin as they follow each other in line and play around the bows
of the ship, at times leaping clear out of the water. The velocity of
these creatures is wonderful; they gambol around a ship, and keep up
alongside without any apparent effort. A few black and white sea-gulls
are the only aërial visitors, except that now and then flying fish
are seen skimming the surface of the blue water with their glistening
wings. In some places they may be seen by the hundred, rising in flocks
from the water, to escape their enemies below. They fly for a distance
of two or three hundred yards, rising and falling in a sinuous manner;
and occasionally they dip into the crest of a wave for a moment, to
moisten their wings, which enables them to prolong their flight. Many
were washed or flew on board during the night, and were very delicate
in flavour. The sailors say they fly at the lights, and thus fall on
deck, which may be the fact, as it was only after dark that any were
caught in this manner. Some specimens were sixteen inches in length,
but about half that size appeared to be the average.
We caught a passing glimpse of Galita and Malta on our way. Both
were once little more than barren rocks; indeed, Galita is so
still; but Malta has been improved by cultivation, and now yields
much of the early vegetable produce brought to the Paris and London
markets. Tradition hath it that formerly vessels trading to Malta were
obliged to bring a certain quantity of earth with them, so anxious
were the Maltese to improve their tiny farms.
Port Said was our first stopping place; and, after a fortnight
afloat, we were glad to see the lighthouse, like a yellow speck on
the horizon. We went ashore, and saw the town, which stands close to
the sea-beach, and by the entrance to the canal, with which it is
contemporaneous. Behind, as far as one can see, stretches the arid
desert itself. The old Arab town of square, flat-topped houses,
is nearly a mile away to the right. The new town consists mainly
of shops and hotels, with the exception of the consular residences,
the hospital, and post-office.
I visited the hospital, with the young Irish ship's doctor as a
companion, and among the inmates saw an American suffering from fever
and chronic rheumatism. In one of the cells, guarded by a couple of
Arab sentries, we found a young, fair-haired, blue-eyed Greek sailor,
who had murdered an Arab girl through jealousy the night before. I
was struck by the gentle, inoffensive expression on his face; but I
suppose he did not deserve the pity I felt for him. A public square,
planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers, forms an oasis in the midst of
the desert of dusty streets, and white-washed or stucco houses. Most of
the houses are two-storied, and furnished with cool, shady verandahs;
and in some cases they are covered with the green drapery of a large
convolvulus, which adds much to the picturesque effect of walls and
fences throughout the place. In the gardens, bananas, date-palms,
bamboo, and other vegetation common to hothouses at home, here grow in
the open air, with no other protection than that afforded by a belt
of tall reeds. Nothing is produced here, even the necessary fruits
and culinary vegetables being brought from Malta, or the Mediterranean
ports. Soil and fresh water for the little gardens has to be procured
from Ismalia, fifty miles away.
In the markets we found plenty of ripe grapes, fine pomegranates,
water-melons, and great pithy-skinned oranges. Vegetables consisted of
lettuce, onions, beet, the Egyptian turnip-rooted kind, peas, okre,
and gourds. Most of the stands were attended by lazy Arab women,
of various ages, who sat cross-legged among their goods, and kept
off the flies with switches of horse-hair. A tight-fitting cap,
ornamented with little gold coins, covered their heads, and their
figures were enshrouded in great black cloaks, reaching to their heels.
We saw some old Arabs watering the hot and dusty streets with
sea-water, which they carried in large skin "bottles," slung behind
them, so that the march of modern progress has not yet obliterated all
the old customs and utensils of these singularly primitive people. We
took about a hundred tons of coal on board here. This was brought to
the side of the vessel in lighters, and carried up sloping planks by
some fifty or sixty swarthy fellows, who kept up a droning chant the
whole time. They each carried up about a hundred weight at once in a
basket; and the whole gang reminded one of a colony of black ants,
as they swarmed up one plank in quick succession, and trotted down
another, after disposing of their dirty load. Perhaps the Pyramids,
and other gigantic architectural erections, were reared by myriads
of ant-like workers, similar to these we now saw.
Two mail steamers entered the Canal before us, and it is a very
odd sight to see the masts of the first one gliding away to the
left, nothing else being visible but the flat sea of sand as
far as the eye can reach. Pilots are necessary for the Canal, and
notwithstanding their special knowledge and skill, vessels frequently
get aground. Coaling over, we get under way and enter the strip of
salt water which connects the Mediterranean with the Gulf of Suez,
passing through the flat desert, a distance of about eighty-seven
miles. The completion of this undertaking, apart from facilitating
European and Eastern commerce, has also, if local report speaks truly,
benefited the climate of the district as well; a current of cool
air is now attracted along its route, and the precious burden of
the rain-clouds has also been brought to this tract of arid sands,
which previously were almost entirely destitute of showers. Another
benefit to the dwellers on its shores is the fish which travel along
this strip of water-way and so are caught close to the doors of those
who live or who are employed along its banks. At five mile intervals
along the banks are stations for signalling purposes, and as the
strip of seaway is not broad enough for two vessels to pass each
other, the Canal is widened at each "gare," so that one vessel can
make fast while the other passes. The whole thing is regulated by a
simple telegraphic and signalling system. Nearly all these stations
have little gardens, but the prettiest of them all in this way is that
at the old Arab town and ferry station of Kantara, through which many
caravans pass on their way to and from Cairo. Here is a tiny hotel,
and several little whitewashed houses with shady verandahs laden with
climbing plants of various kinds. One of the houses is sheltered
by a row of poplars, and the colour and fragrance of the oleanders
were delightful. The Arabs call this flower the "Rose of the Desert,"
and certainly at this little oasis it might fairly be said that the
desert had been made "to blossom as the rose."
We reached here at sunset, and the air was deliciously cool and
fresh, and a sight of the dark green poplar trees was most cheering
and home-like. Crickets chirped in the sand, and the splashing of the
fish in the Canal was heard very frequently after we had made fast for
the night. The tints on the vegetation and sand-hills by the banks just
before sunset are most lovely, and the sunsets themselves very gorgeous
as seen through the clear dry air. Two of the firemen had to be placed
in irons soon after leaving Port Said, to prevent them from leaping
overboard or injuring themselves. They were literally maddened by some
villanous spirituous drink which had been smuggled on board during the
hurry and bustle of coaling in the morning. Here and there we passed
the bodies of dead camels, on which wolfish-looking dogs or vultures
regale themselves. Flocks of flamingoes were seen in the distance. As
the air becomes clearer after sunrise the distant sand-hills resemble
islands in a broad lake or sea, an effect due to mirage; indeed, the
semblance of a flat expanse of water lying in the full sunshine near
the horizon is so perfect as to deceive all but the experienced. The
hills of loose sand close to the banks of the Canal are swept quite
smooth by the winds in some places, while here and there the surface is
rippled like a snow-ruck, and the foot-prints on these "sands of time"
made by the passing Arab are singularly like those made in frozen snow.
At one of the stations an old Arab offered a basket of very fine fish
for sale which he had caught in the Canal the night before. We got
a view of the Khedive's Palace and M. F. de Lessep's residence at
Ismalia just before running through the "Bitter Lakes," and reached
Suez before sundown. The passage through the Canal takes about two
days, as the rate of progress is necessarily slow to avoid washing
down the banks, and there are frequent stoppages.
Suez is a larger town and much older than Port Said, but its
inhabitants depend almost entirely on the few residents connected with
the Canal and Railway to Alexandria, and the pilgrims who land here
on their way to Mecca and Medina, the birthplace and tomb of their
Prophet. After leaving Suez the climate becomes hotter every day. The
coast-line is backed by barren looking copper-coloured mountains,
and the air smells hot and dry, like that of the greenhouse devoted
to the cactus family at Kew. Two or three steamers with pilgrims on
board for Suez were seen.
Among the visitors from the coast were great brown locusts, a
humming-bird hawk moth, and one or two small birds. A quail flew on
board, and flitted about the deck for two or three days. Another little
bird, as elegantly shaped as a lark, stayed on board for several days;
it was brown in colour, with almost black wing-tips; it had a band
of white just above the tail, and this gave the bird a characteristic
appearance, especially during its jerky red-cap like flight.
We went into Aden, and I never felt the heat so much anywhere before
or since. It is a huge Dutch oven of sunburnt rocks without a sign of
vegetation as seen from the harbour. It is astonishing how soon one
begins to take a personal interest in a ship on which a long voyage
has to be made. The second mate was the skipper of a China trader,
and tells me of the palmy days before the Canal was opened, and when
freights were £12 a ton. One of the quartermasters was an ex-royal
yachtsman, a civil and obliging old fellow, with a sharp eye for
grog. One of the stewards has been a photographer, and another is
a hairdresser--rather a luxury to have aboard ship. The old Welsh
stewardess was a character, with nightly tendencies towards hot rum
and water and old superstitious stories of the sea. The captain is
a fat, red-whiskered old sea-dog, who knows all about everything,
but evidently never enjoyed an introduction to Mr. Lindley Murray
in his youth. His politics are peculiar, and his motto appears to be
that of the ultra radicals, "Down with everything what's up."
Penang was our next stopping-place, and we got ashore for two days,
and enjoyed a walk around the town and a ride to the "Falls" and the
"Hill." Two days afterwards we stepped on to the Pile wharf at Tanjong
Paggar or the "fenced cape" at Singapore, and our experiences of
the tropics really began. The voyage for two days down the Straits
of Malacca had been very pleasant, and we thoroughly enjoyed the
smooth blue sea and clear sky, flecked now and then by tiny fleets
of junks with their mat sails of a soft golden hue, reminding one
of cornstacks at home. Bukit-Jugra, Cape Rachardo, and Mount Ophir
towering up above the horizon behind the town of Malacca itself,
were distinctly seen ere we reached the numerous islets near the
entrance to the harbour and roads at Singapore.
A long sea voyage has its pleasures as well as its drawbacks; and in
travelling eastward, more especially, it is quite possible, after
crossing "the Bay," to get a smooth voyage all the way. There are
times when the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and the China Sea lie
sleeping in the sunshine, and a steamer runs as smoothly as a canal
boat. Of course a yachtsman of the old sea-dog school is disgusted
with this sort of fine weather sailing; but it is most pleasant to
passengers on board steamships who can lie and read under the cool side
of the awning, drinking in the fresh ozonised sea air, untroubled for
the nonce by the cares of business or the whirl and bustle of the town.
A curious feeling comes over one on viewing the boundless ocean for
the first time on a calm, cloudless day. It makes one feel extremely
small to gaze on what appears to be the eternity of sea around,
with not a speck or a sail to break the view on all sides. Then
when a breeze springs up a sense of freedom animates the breast
as the vessel rushes through the water and shakes the milk-white
foam from her bows, as though also glad to be free. The pleasure
is akin to that of the saddle. The exhilarating motion of the ship
stirs one's blood and sends it coursing through one's veins, as she
"walks the waters like a thing of life," and the strong pure breeze
fans our cheeks and the cool spray comes in our faces like a shower
of dew. Well might Ruskin give our English pastime of yachting the
first place amongst recreations. Nothing can be more refreshing than
to stand on board a tight little vessel when there is, according to
the poetry of youthful memory,
"A wet sheet and a flowing sea, and a wind that follows fast."
In the joy of the moment you do not wonder at the sea-fights, the
brave sailors, and the corsairs of old; the men who love the sea and
can struggle with it through all its moods and phases, will be brave
anywhere. If the sea does not nerve a man to brave actions, nothing
else ever will. Life on the sea is most refreshing to the average
landsman, and on board ship time flies more pleasantly perhaps than
anywhere else, if it be true that "sweet do nothing" is the acme of
enjoyment. What an appetite the sea-breezes give one for breakfast,
which is perhaps of all meals that least enjoyed by inland residents
on shore. Our floating cities are the triumphs of modern civilised
ingenuity; and during propitious weather in a warm climate, life afloat
possesses for the time a freshness and novelty unobtainable elsewhere.
CHAPTER II.
SINGAPORE.
Hotels--Singapore--An Eastern Port--A Tropical Island--Chinese
Settlers--Chinese Play--Tropical Night--Climate.
This port, which is also the seat of the government of the Straits
Settlements, has not inaptly been called the "Liverpool of the
East," and the applicability of that title soon becomes evident to
the stranger from "home," who finds himself on the landing-stage at
Tanjong Paggar for the first time. Here is a range of warehouses or
"godowns" for the storage of goods, and coaling sheds for the supply of
the mail and other steamers moored alongside. One is soon glad to get
away from the heat, the noise of the steam winch, and the coal-dust;
and a gharry or cab having been procured, the dusky Jehu springs to his
seat on the shaft, from which "coign of vantage" he uses both whip and
voice in urging on at a gallop a plucky little pony, scarcely larger
than a donkey, and most probably bred either in Sumatra or Pegu. You
meet other little ponies in other little gharries coming full tilt
down the road to the wharf, a string of buffalo-carts, or occasionally
a neat little private carriage, and you soon become aware of the fact
that Singapura, as it is still called, of the Malays is both hot and
dusty. On you go, and the stuffy little gharry, even if it has no
windows, soon becomes as hot as an oven, and the perspiration streams
from every pore. By the time you reach the hotels the chances are that
your shirt and collar are in the state best described as "pulpy;" and
if you are of a sanguine temperament, your face may be said to resemble
"the rising sun." Of course you have kept your eyes open as you came
along past the rough hedges on the right clothed with red lantanas,
the neat police-station on the bank to the left, with those beautiful
crimson and buff-flowered hibiscus bushes before the door. Then the
rows of Chinese houses and shops, an elaborate Hindoo temple or two
of white stone, and then street after street of whitewashed red tile
roofed shops, until you reach the square, where you meet your agent,
or to the hotels, nearly all of which are clustered around the tall
spire of the cathedral, which you will have seen as the ship steamed
slowly into harbour. The chances are you will have been recommended
to one or other of the hotels by some knowing friend.
The Hotel de l'Europe is the principal one; but at the time I
arrived in Singapore the chef-de-cuisine had such a bad name that I
was recommended elsewhere. One is sure to be comfortable at any of
the first-class houses at prices varying from two to five dollars
daily, or less by monthly arrangement. For this sum one may secure
a more or less comfortable bedroom or suite simply whitewashed,
the floor covered with yellow rattan matting, which is both cool and
clean. The walls, as a rule, do not boast of anything great in the
way of pictorial embellishment; at night, however, lively little
insect-eating lizards disport themselves thereon; and then, too,
the hum of the hungry mosquito is heard. In the morning you rise
soon after gun-fire (5 A.M.). It is daylight about 6 A.M.; and after
partaking of a cup of tea or coffee, and the inevitable two bits of
toast, you have a walk. Everybody nearly seems astir. While dressing,
the chances are you will hear a gentle tap at the door, or hearing
it opened very cautiously, you turn suddenly, and are startled by
a dusky apparition in an enormous white turban. It is an itinerant
Kling, or Hindoo Figaro, who seeing you are one of the new arrivals
by yesterday's mail, would like to shave you, or cut your hair,
at a charge of half a dollar.
Strolling outside into the main thoroughfares you see a strange motley
crowd. The markets are full to overflowing with edibles of all kinds;
meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit lie about in glorious profusion. Here
a heap of fresh fish of the most vivid colours, there a pile of yellow
pine-apples or bright scarlet chilies, oranges, pomoloes, mangosteen
and rambutan, Chinese long beans, fresh green lettuces and young
onions, tomatoes, and the hundred and one elements of native cookery,
which are perfectly unintelligible to any but native eyes. Chinese
coolies coming in from the interior of the island laden with fruit
and vegetables, or other commodities. Sleek fat-faced celestials in
black jackets, loose white trousers, and white European felt hats,
taking their morning's stroll, and in every doorway gaunt-featured
Chinese artizans of the tailor and shoemaker type sit or stand enjoying
the cool fresh air and their morning's whiff of tobacco at the same
time. The Chinese predominate, but you will find dusky spider-limbed
Klings and the more compact little brown Malays fairly represented. You
will notice gharries coming into town laden with Chinese traders, and
other vehicles bring in the European storekeepers, agents, clerks,
&c. You return about eight o'clock, and have a bath, and then dress
for breakfast.
As you sit in the verandah or open basement awaiting the gong for
breakfast being struck, various itinerant traders, generally Klings
or Chinese, try to tempt you with their wares, for which they ask
about five times as much as they are worth, or could be bought for
in London. Japanese and Chinese fans, slippers, cabinets, lacquer
ware, and carved ivory goods, all of second or third rate value,
form their stock in trade in general, while some offer gold brocade
worked for slippers or smoking-caps, crape handkerchiefs and shawls,
or Indian embroidery, and even socks and white handkerchiefs of cheap
European make.
Of course, to a new arrival, everything is strange, and not the least
perplexing is the Babel of language on all hands. English, Dutch,
German, Chinese, Javanese, Hindustani, Spanish, Portuguese, and Malay,
the latter by far the most general--the lingua franca which all use in
common. At last, bang! bang!! bang!!! goes the gong, and breakfast is
ready exactly at 9 A.M. There is no ceremony. A little regiment,--an
awkward squad rather,--of Chinese "boys" hand the dishes in turn. As
a rule, everything is well cooked, and there is variety enough for
everybody. Beef-steaks and mutton-chops, one or two well-made curries
and rice, eggs and bacon, cold ham, boiled eggs, salads, vegetables,
and plenty of fresh fruit. Coffee or tea is not so much in favour
here in the East as at home, bottled Bass, claret, or Norwegian beer,
being preferred instead. After a long morning's walk, however, scarcely
any beverage is so grateful as an accompaniment to the post-prandial
cigar as is a cup of freshly-roasted coffee. Breakfast over, the real
business of the day commences. All the large stores and godowns are
opened at 8.30 or 9.0 A.M., and from 10 until 12.30 everyone is alert
and busy. Gharries are whisking about in all directions. The fattest
and sleekest and richest of Chinese merchants arrive in their more or
less imposing carriages, boats and sampans are going to or returning
from the shipping in the roads, buffalo carts ply between the godowns
in town and those at the wharf, the sun pours down its heat and light
from the zenith, and everybody seems intent on making their hay while
it shines.
All the principal stores and shops are either in "the Square" or
its vicinity, and here you can procure home comforts of nearly every
description, together with the latest books and home papers. You will
procure the latest news at Little's Store, and will see many things
there to interest you. Sale & Co.'s, and Katz's Stores, are also well
worth a visit, and few of the Chinese shops will compare well with
that of the late Hon. C. Whampoa, C.M.G., who was a most influential
trader in the place. The "Square" is an oblong plot of turf planted
with various tropical trees, and one of these, although fast going
to decay, is well worthy of notice, being completely enshrouded with
rare orchids of various kinds. This stands immediately opposite the
Singapore Dispensary, and owes its interesting appearance to Mr. Jamie,
who first planted it with orchids some years ago. Amongst other plants
Aerides suavissimum is especially luxuriant, completely wreathing
some of the principal branches with its glossy green leaves, and
many seedlings of this species have germinated and are now promising
little plants. Vandas, Phalænopsis grandiflora, and P. amabilis also
grow and flower well here in close proximity to the dusty streets. In
Singaporean gardens the rarest of moth orchids are planted in cocoa-nut
shells and hung from the verandahs, or placed on the mango or orange
trees on the lawn, where they soon establish themselves. How many
English orchid amateurs would wish for such a genial clime.
A morning in the "Square" gives one a tolerably clear insight into
the enterprise and trade of Singapore. You hear a good deal about the
price of sago or gutta and rice, or about the chartering of steamers
or sailing craft, or the freight on home or export goods. You are
sure to meet two or three captains of trading steamers. Captain
Linguard, perhaps, after one of his trips to the Coti river away on
the south-east of Borneo, and then you will hear something of the
rubber-market, or of the pirates, of whom, perhaps, few men know more
than this energetic "Rajah Laut," or "Sea King," as he is called by
the natives.
Another maritime celebrity is Captain Ross, a genial sailor, who
owns the mail steamer "Cleator," which runs between Singapore,
Labuan, and Brunei, on the north-west Bornean coast. Captain Ross
is well acquainted with the principal places in the whole Malayan
Archipelago; and few residents have an equal colloquial knowledge of
their languages. He has been attacked by pirates more than once in the
old days, and is quite a nautical authority in every way. That tall,
dark young fellow yonder, with the heavy moustache, is Captain Cowie,
who ran the gauntlet of the Spanish gun-boats so successfully during
the Sulu war, carrying rice, powder, and arms for the Sultan's people;
and here one also meets "old sea dogs" of nearly every nationality,
but more especially English and Dutch.
One must of course look in at Emmerson's for tiffin, and a glance
at the home papers and telegrams. Tiffin is much like breakfast,
only nearly all the dishes are cold. The curries here are excellent;
and a well-made salad of fresh green vegetables is a treat, when the
temperature is 92° in the shade. The Raffles Institution is well worthy
of a visit--an interesting museum of native curiosities and natural
history specimens having recently been formed; and there is here an
excellent library of books, on nearly all subjects. A collection of
economic products is in course of formation, and if well carried out,
will add much to the interest of the place. The Botanical Gardens
are situated at Tanglin, a distance of about three miles from the
town of Singapore; and as the roads are smooth and level, it is a
very pleasant journey, either in the morning or evening. One night
each week the military band performs in the garden; and then a good
many of the residents ride or drive out to "eat the air," and hear the
music before dinner. Good collections of orchids, palms, and economic
plants, are here kept up, and the place forms an agreeable promenade
morning and evening. In addition to the plants, a small collection
of animals and birds, for the most part natives of the Archipelago,
may be seen here. The island itself is tolerably flat, the elevated
portions being in the form of low hills, or "bukits," the highest,
Bukit Timah, being about 400 feet above sea level. Many of the rare
plants, formerly found here, have died out since the destruction of the
old forest for cultivation. Wild pigs are plentiful; but the tigers do
not often repeat the predatory visits of twenty or thirty years ago,
when two or three hundred Chinamen were devoured every year. They now
very rarely cross the "Old Straits," a channel about half a mile wide,
which separates the island from the mainland of Jahore.
In the Singapore Times, however, for Feb. 1, 1879, the following
paragraph appeared, which shows that the brutes have not quite lost
their old-established man-eating desires:--
"Tigers, it would appear, are approaching Singapore town unpleasantly
close. On the 29th January a Chinaman was taken away by one on a
plantation only about four miles from town; and unpleasant rumours
are afloat that some have lately been seen in Sirangoon and Changhie."
Much fruit is grown; and there are cocoa-nut, gambir, pepper, indigo
and gamboge plantations on a small scale. Vegetable crops here, as in
San Francisco, are a monopoly of the thrifty Chinese gardeners. The
trade in economic products of the soil of the neighbouring islands
is an important one, and, ere long, when cultivation extends more
fully into Jahore and Perak, this will be much increased. Some of
the planters from Ceylon have already commenced extensive clearing
operations in Jahore; and if these succeed, the rest is but a question
of time. A few rare and interesting plants yet linger in the jungle,
notably, the curious pitcher plant (Nepenthes Rafflesiana), which,
singularly enough, is one of the first plants to spring up after a
jungle fire. Gleichenia dichotoma clothes some of the hill-sides here
as freely as the common brake-fern at home.
One of the most singular of native plants, however, is that known as
Amorphophallus campanulatus, a relative of the "Lords and Ladies" of
our English woods; but this tropical species is of Titanic dimensions,
producing a lurid spathe, nearly two feet in circumference, and
exhaling the most fetid and repulsive of odours.
In rambling about the island one comes across fertile little gardens
and groves of mangoes, mangosteen, and other fruit trees, the tenants
being generally Chinamen. The bye-streets of the town present some
novel sights to a stranger, being tenanted for the most part by Chinese
artizans and shopkeepers, the workshops being generally quite open
to the street. Blacksmiths, tin-workers, tailors and shoemakers,
carpenters, coopers, and basket-makers here ply their callings,
and turn out excellent work, although some of the tools used are
exceedingly clumsy in appearance from our own point of view.
Passing down some of the streets beneath the shade of the piazzas, one
meets with general stores of every description, each with its little
stall right outside the door close to the path. Here you can purchase
almost everything; tools, nails and screws, needles, pencils, cotton,
cutlery, ammunition, old Tower muskets--indeed nearly everything in
the way of hardware goods, whether Chinese or European. The European
goods are such as are especially made for this market, and the prices
are surprisingly low.
It is curious to observe how some industrial products are universally
used here to the exclusion of others. For example, "Bryant & May's"
matches, so common at home, are here supplanted by a neatly made
"Tändstickor," ten little boxes of which are made up into a packet,
which sells for as low as six cents, although ten cents is always
asked of strangers. In many Chinese and Kling shops European tinned
provisions and patent medicines may be obtained at a very slight
advance on home prices, as these petty traders watch the sales of
old ships' stores very closely, and are thus enabled to purchase
very cheaply.
The Chinese compete with all comers in cheap labour; and their innate
capacity for imitation enables them to do so very often with advantage
in the case of manufactures. If you can only give a Chinese workman a
pattern or sample of the goods you require--whether boots, clothing,
cabinet work, or jewellery, he may be trusted to imitate the same
even to a fault. They are most industrious, having apparently no
regular hours of labour, but often toiling from early morning until
far into the night for a scanty pittance; but no matter how small
their earnings, they generally contrive to save something. Indeed
it is difficult to say whether 'tis their industry or their thrift
which most deserves commendation. Of course they have their faults
as a people, and most serious some of them are; and wherever they are
admitted as emigrants, a strong hand is needed to keep them in order.
For opening up new trading enterprises or colonies in the East their
aid is invaluable, as they are most frugal, and possess a peculiar
habit of making the best of circumstances. In Sarawak, and also in
the British colony of Labuan, the money derived from the opium and
spirit farms form a main feature in the revenue, so that eastern
colonies, in favouring Chinese emigration, add to their revenue by
their expenditure as well as by their labour. Many, by thrift and
frugality, rise to positions of affluence, and then it is curious
to see how thoroughly they fall into the ways of the class to which
they reach. This makes a Chinese colony so prosperous as a rule;
for if a man has money he is sure to spend it either in trade, or
in a fine house, garden, servants, horses and carriages, and other
luxuries. As a rule they deal with their own class, but they take
to European luxuries very kindly. I was asked out to dine several
times at the houses of wealthy Chinese whilst in the East, and was at
first rather disappointed at the thorough European character of the
repast. Clean cloth, knives and forks of course; and every course
might have been prepared in Pall Mall, if we except the curries;
and it is but natural that the curries of the East are inimitable
elsewhere. You get most delicately prepared pastry, and ten to one,
roast beef and plum pudding, which are all the world over understood
to be our national dishes.
A gentleman told me that once when in Paris, just after the war, he was
conversing with a friend near the Tuileries, when a wicked-eyed young
gamin overhearing his bad French with an English accent, observed,
"Ah, M'sieu rost-bif, God-dam," as he rapidly vanished round the
corner. Many of the rich merchants speak English well; if not, then
Malay is the medium of conversation. And the wherewithal to wash
down your food is not forgotten: indeed, many of the rich "babas"
give excellent champagne breakfasts, and "Bass" and good Bordeaux
are as common as at European meals. However addicted to "samshu"
and "shandu,"--the baleful narcotic immortalised by De Quincey,--a
Chinaman may be privately, you will find him courteous, and eagerly
apprehensive as to the comfort and enjoyment of his guests on all
occasions when he entertains Europeans.
Sometimes you meet with a surprise at a Chinese dinner--a surprise
especially prepared for your benefit. I was present at one where we
had small dishes of rice and condiments set before us, with "chop
sticks" in lieu of knife and fork. Now a native to the manner born
will use his two chop sticks as cleverly as Mr. G. W. Moore handles
his bones; and as he leans over his dish you see a constant stream of
food running up to his mouth, while with your chop sticks awkwardly
held you simply demonstrate what "eating porridge with a knitting
pin" really means. Well, dish followed dish, and we began to think
the whole thing "awfully slow," when the host arose and requested us
to accompany him to the "dining-room."
Sure enough we found ourselves in a large and well lit interior. There
was a dinner-table laid in European style, the silver and glass
irreproachable, and floral decorations rather tastefully arranged
graced the board. Of course there was a good deal of laughter as
the neat Chinese "boys" handed round the sherry and bitters as we
stood in groups; and a few minutes afterwards the gong was beaten
for dinner in quite a homely fashion. A jolly old Spanish priest
was present, and our long-tailed host did not omit to ask him to say
grace, which he solemnly did, first in English, standing the while,
and then we were all surprised as the rubicund-cheeked friar rolled
out a Chinese prayer interlarded with choice maxims from Confucius,
and all in the Hokien dialect of Chinese. The whole thing was much
enjoyed. We had soup oxtail and "birds' nest," the latter extremely
good, but perhaps rather too sweet for European liking; fish of
several kinds, beef and mutton cooked in various ways, also pork
cutlets excellently cooked, as indeed only Chinese cooks can prepare
them; pastry, cheese, and such fruits for dessert as no money could
procure from Covent Garden. Fat juicy mangoes, delicate mangosteen,
rambutan, bananas, and other kinds, never eaten in perfection anywhere
but in the tropics--the gardens of the sun.
A "wyong" or Chinese play had been organised by our host, one portion
of his house being fitted up as a private theatre, and to this we
adjourned after dinner. The performers were a celebrated troupe
just arrived from China, and very clever they were, especially in
pantomime. Of course we understood not a word of what was spoken;
and yet so expressive were the actions that the plot and motive
of the play was perfectly comprehended even in detail. The music
of shrieking two-stringed violins, and the rattle of gongs and
tom-toms which accompanied them, however, might fairly be added to
Mr. Sothern's list of things which "no fellah can understand." The
plot was of an undutiful daughter of poor parents who was beloved of
a youth of her own age and station. A rich mandarin, however, loves
and marries her. Her young lover is the most dutiful of sons, and
a good spirit helps him on; while at the same time a bad one causes
the mandarin heavy losses by sea and land. The undutiful daughter has
her parents driven from her husband's gates, where they had come to
beg, while her former lover succours them, and they ultimately die,
blessing him. Eventually the mandarin is degraded, and the dutiful
youth is elevated to his place for some service he has rendered to
one of the emperor's favourite ministers. He then makes a speech,
telling how good and clever he has been, and ultimately marries the
tiny-footed daughter of the minister who has befriended him. Nor does
the play finish until his "poor, but honest parents" and the audience
are convinced by ocular proof that a son and heir has been born of
the union, a piece of good fortune for which the rich but wicked
mandarin before him had hoped in vain. The character of the youth was
excellently played throughout by a young Chinese lady from Hong Kong,
and I do not remember to have seen a male part acted much better by a
female actress anywhere. So that the Lottie Venns and Kate Vaughans of
our own stage must look to their laurels, as ere long they may possibly
have to compete with the "cheap Chinese labour" of the Eastern mimes.
It was late that night as we drove back to our hotel, and such a night
as one can see only in the tropics, where the moonlight is bright
enough to read by, and streams down like a gloriously brilliant bridal
veil over sweet-scented blossoms wet with dew, and the most elegant
of palm-trees, over the gorgeous floral treasures of eastern gardens,
and over the homes of thousands of dusky brides. The sounds heard
during the otherwise still hours of evening or night are peculiar,
the clucking sound of a lizard in the tree overhead is quite bird-like,
you hear some frog-like croaking in the wet ditch beside the road, the
subdued humming of distant tomtoms reaches you from the hut of a Hindoo
Syce, and the almost mournful cadences of a Javanese prayer chanted by
a party of labourers in a garden-house or field-hut reach you on the
cool breeze. Then comes the boom of the "Kayu Kutoh," [1] or wooden
gong on which the Malay "mata mata," literally "man with eyes," or
watchman, beats the hour at one of the outlying police-stations. Fires
are not at all uncommon, and then you are roused out of a sound sleep
by a couple of shots from the signal battery, which shake the whole
place. As you lean from your window enjoying just the last sweet whiff
ere turning in for the night you may, perchance, hear the silence
broken by snatches of song familiar to your ears--the songsters being
a party of rowdy sailors returning to the ship after a "wet night"
on shore. I am sadly afraid that the low grog-shops monopolise much of
"Jack's" time and money when ashore, notwithstanding that there is here
an excellent "Sailor's Home," furnished with many conveniences, and
supplying the comforts of an hotel at a cheap rate. Towards morning
the chattering of sparrows and the shouting of rival roosters are
among the most familiar of sounds which remind one of home.
The society of Singapore will compare favourably with that of any
British Colony, and for genial hospitality its residents cannot well
be surpassed. As in India, new comers are expected to call upon the
residents first. In my own case I brought letters of introduction
to some of the older inhabitants, and I must here acknowledge how
handsomely those cheques were honoured by them. One scarcely knows
how valuable genial hospitality really is at home, but far away it
is pleasant to find how thoroughly English--British, one ought to
say--is the welcome extended to strangers. Government House is the
Court, of course, and it is needless to say, that all courtesies
essential are there extended to both residents and others. Of course,
in a community formed of many nationalities, and of people whose
trade and other interests are liable to clash with those of their
neighbours, there are sure to be little murmurings and bickerings,
together with petty jealousies of various kinds. This is so, more
or less, everywhere, but in the Colonies there are few, if any, old
titled families to balance the commercial interest. One may see some
bonny English faces in the carriages which are here driven around the
Esplanade just as along the "Lady's Mile" at home; or one evening a
week are gathered around the band-stand at the gardens. The climate,
however, is not well suited to the development of the rosy cheeks we
see at home; the peach-like bloom too soon gives place to the soft
purity of the lily, and it often becomes necessary for the wife and
children to return to a cooler climate, in order to regain somewhat of
the health and strength of which a lovely but debilitating climate has
robbed them for a time. Here, as in India, this is a serious drawback
to many residents. Here, too, there are no hill stations sufficiently
near, or, as yet, adapted to serve as Sanatoriums. Now that Jahore
is being opened up, however, it is to be hoped that a few bungalows
may be erected on Gunong Puloi, on the summit of which the air is
comparatively cool and bracing, much more so than on Penang Hill,
and it may be readily reached from Singapore in two days. The cost
of living here, even in proportion to the large salaries received,
is far in excess of that at home, and the mode of life itself is
different. Here, one must have a large house, and if there is a
family, five or six servants at least are needed. The wages paid to
these appear small when compared with the cost of English servants,
but at least three times as many are required. The master must have
his "boy," the mistress her "ayah," then the cook, water-carrier,
grooms, gardener, must be provided, to say nothing of nursery
attendance. Native provisions are tolerably cheap, but many things
essential must be imported from home at an advanced rate. Furniture
is dear, and pianos, and many other necessities, to say nothing of
luxuries, must also be brought from the old country, and freight,
if not commission, has to be added to the cost. The very nature of
the currency used adds to other expenses. Many things purchasable at
home for a shilling, here cost a dollar, at the least a rupee or two
shillings, and the result of all this is that with an annual income
of five hundred pounds in England, one must think twice ere a jump
is made at what appears a tempting bait, namely, "a thousand a year"
in the East.
The progress and importance of Singapore, commercially and politically,
have never ceased to increase since 1819, when the British flag was
first raised on the island by Sir Stamford Baffles.
CHAPTER III.
VISIT TO JAHORE--GUNONG PULOI.
On the way--Gambling--River-travel--In the Forest--Vegetation--A
Resting-place--Tropical Fruits--Breed of Dogs--On the summit--Wild
Animals--Wild Men--Sale of Women.
This mountain lies about twenty-five miles north-west of the native
town of Jahore, and is a trifle over 2,000 feet in height. To reach
it from Singapore, one must take post-horses or the coach which runs
daily to Krangi, a police-station on the margin of the "Old Strait,"
and thence little steam ferry-boats carry one on to Jahore, from which
place the mountain is reached partly in boats viâ the Scudai river,
and partly on foot through the forest.
I had agreed to visit the Puloi mountain in company with the government
botanist, and leaving Singapore early, we reached Jahore about 3 P.M.,
after several little stoppages on the way. The ride from Singapore
to Krangi was a very pleasant one to me, fresh as I was from the
"old country." The roads are remarkably smooth, and of a bright red
colour, their margins fringed with orchards of tropical fruits or rows
of betel-nut palms. Here and there are patches of sugar-cane, tapioca,
or indigo, little plots of great-leaved bananas, while at intervals one
catches passing glimpses of neat white bungalows nestling amid tall
cocoa-nut groves. Arriving at Krangi, hot and dusty, we rested some
time in a clean bungalow or rest-house, built for the convenience of
travellers by the Government. The native police were very attentive,
and we took our luncheon here and strolled around the station, and
saw abundant evidence of the wild pigs, which are said to be very
plentiful. While we waited, the Maharajah drove up in a neat little
carriage drawn by a pair of ponies. This was just before his visit
to England, and we obtained a good view of him. He is a fine manly
fellow, with a bushy moustache, and was dressed in white trousers and
jacket, with a white sun-hat, and wore a coloured "sarong" around
his waist. We informed him of our intended visit to the mountain,
and he promised us that Mr. Hole, his secretary, should furnish us
with guides and boatmen.
We had arranged with a Chinese sampan man to ferry ourselves and
baggage over, but just as we were about starting one of the little
steam ferry-boats came over, and leaving "Johnnie" to bring on our
things and a Chinese "boy" in charge, we crossed in the steamboat. We
took up our quarters with Mr. Boultbee, with whom we were to stay
the night. Jahore itself we found to be a straggling place built
along the margin of the strait, and consisting of the Istana and a
mosque, together with a few whitewashed houses roofed with red tiles,
and native palm-thatched cottages. The best of the tiled houses are
occupied by Chinese shopkeepers, the principal wares being rice, fruit,
fish, coopery, boxes, baskets, and miscellaneous stores. The principal
industry of the place is the timber trade. Extensive steam saw-mills,
fitted with good machinery, are here worked by the Maharajah, a good
many natives being employed in the trade, while the timber finds a
market in Singapore, where a depôt exists for business purposes. A
railway was projected to the forest near Gunong Puloi some years ago,
and several miles of wooden tramways were actually laid down, but the
work is now suspended. Were such a roadway completed, it would do much
to open up a fertile country especially rich in fine timber, rattans,
and other jungle produce. The culture of gambier (Uncaria Gambir,
Roxb.), pepper and other products now cultivated by the Chinese
settlers would also be facilitated. As it is, the timber is cut as
near to the streams as is possible, and is then dragged by buffaloes
through the jungle and floated down to the town, several logs being
lashed together so as to form rafts, on which a man stands to steer
it clear of snags and other obstacles.
Gambling is one of the curses of this place, and is publicly carried
on in some large buildings near the saw-mills. As the Maharajah
derives a percentage from the tables, gambling is not likely to be
suppressed here, as it has been at Singapore. Mr. Boultbee's house,
where we stayed, is a large and comfortable one of wood, and it stands
on an eminence at the north-east end of the town. From the verandah
a beautiful view of the old strait is obtained, reminding one of
Windermere, only that the vegetation is more luxuriant, brightened as
it is by a tropic sun. We walked in the garden and forest behind at
sunrise, when every flower and leaf was bathed in dew, and were much
pleased with the vegetation. The elk's-horn fern (Platycerium biforme)
grew on the stems of several of the trees, and we saw it high up in the
branches of the forest trees behind the house. Nepenthes ampullaria,
and the noblest of all ferns, Dipteris Horsfieldii, were also abundant
in the jungle quite close to the sea-beach, and tall gleichenias
clambered up the bushes to a height of at least twenty feet.
Birds and butterflies were alike plentiful in the jungle, and some
of the latter were very gorgeous in colour. After our morning walk
we looked over the saw-mills, and then returned with the manager to
breakfast. We afterwards visited Mr. Hole at the Istana, and found
that he had already obtained guides and boatmen, so that we at once
had our baggage transferred to the boats, and prepared to start on our
journey. Some delay arose, however, owing to the man having to purchase
stores, and so it was after four o'clock before we bade Mr. Hole adieu
on the steps of the Istana jetty and got fairly off. All our heavy
baggage was stowed in a native boat, manned by four Malays, while
we ourselves and our stores occupied a Chinese sampan. Our craft was
pulled, or rather pushed, by its owner, a stalwart celestial; and as he
had never been up the Scudai river before, we had an old Malay sitting
on the prow to act as pilot, the stream being very narrow in places,
with numerous snags and shoals. Notwithstanding this precaution,
however, we were aground twice, and the boat heeled over in the
current rather uncomfortably. "Johnnie" had to plunge out into the
mud of this alligator's paradise to push our craft into deep water
again. These were trifling discomforts, however, not worth a thought
amid much that was novel and interesting. We ate our dinners in the
boat just at dusk, and enjoyed the cool breeze which swept over the
water as we glided up stream.
The silence of the night was unbroken, save by the regular dip of
the oars; and as darkness increased, the tiny lamps of the fire-flies
became visible here and there among the vegetation on the banks. As
we glided onwards their numbers increased, until we came upon them
in thousands, evidently attracted by some particular kind of low
tree, around which they flashed simultaneously, their scintillating
brilliancy being far beyond what I could have imagined to be
possible. During my whole sojourn in the East I never saw them again
in anything like such numbers. The moon arose about eight o'clock,
revealing more distinctly the gradual narrowing of the river, the
vegetation of which appeared to be very luxuriant, towering far above
our heads. We could recognise the tufted leaves and tall stems of a
slender-growing pandan, standing out clear and dark against the sky,
and here and there the tall dead trunk of a giant tree added to the
weird beauty of a scene, in which the lack of accurate knowledge left
much to the imagination.
Our solitary Chinese boatman dipped his oars with the same easy swing
as at starting; and about nine o'clock he finished a stiff pull of
nine or ten miles by running our boat into the little creek at Kanka
Kaladi, he having kept ahead of the Malays, who paddled the other boat,
all the way. On our arrival, all the Chinese who live here were abed;
so we hauled our craft up to a boat-house at the head of the creek,
and got all our things into the loft overhead, and having spread our
rugs, and lighted our lamp, we turned in for the night. Before we fell
asleep some of the people, who had been disturbed by our arrival,
came to have a look at us, and did their best to keep us awake by
talking most of the night.
We awoke the next morning just before sunrise, and soon prepared our
breakfast of soup and biscuit. We had a stroll around the village,
which was entirely occupied by Chinese settlers. The houses were of
wood, thatched with palm-leaves, and most of them were surrounded
with fruit-trees and cocoa-nut palms. We tried to hire coolies,
to carry some of our luggage on to the next village, Kanka Ah
Tong, where we were to rest for the night, starting for the summit
to-morrow. Unfortunately, the head man was away at Jahore; and some
coolies, who expressed their willingness to accompany us, demanded
a sum equivalent to five shillings per day for their services,
so we decided to do without them; indeed, the Malays we had with us
protested against this extortion on the part of the Chinese settlers,
and said they would endeavour to carry all themselves.
We pulled out of the creek, and proceeded further up the river,
finally landing at a place where there is an excellent road, leading
through the forest to Kanka Ah Tong. Here we landed all our things;
and our men were fortunate to secure a couple of Javanese woodcutters,
who were fishing, and who were willing to carry part of our gear for
a fair payment. We rested a little in a hut beside the road, in which
were two men suffering from fever, and another, who had dysentery. We
gave them medicine, and pushed onwards. Monkeys were very plentiful
on the tall trees beside our path; and we saw several grey squirrels,
and a few birds, including a curious shrike, and a barbet, which I
had never seen before. The trees around us were very tall, and in many
cases festooned with rattans, and other climbing-plants. Flowers were
not plentiful; and although we made several détours in the forest,
nothing of interest was seen.
It was very hot in the middle of the day. Our thermometer stood at 93°
in the shade; and nearly all the way our path lay in the open, the sun
being very hot overhead. After the first few miles we came to several
open plots of land, under cultivation, gambier and pepper being the
principal crops. We stayed at one place, where the raw gambier, or
"terre japonica," was being prepared in a low shed. There were several
low brick fire-places, over which shallow iron pans were placed;
and in these the leaves and young stems are boiled. The product,
when finished, looks like wet red clay, and is packed in coarse bags,
and sent to Singapore, where it realises about five dollars per picul
of 133 lbs. Gambier is a very exhausting crop, literally ruining the
land on which it is grown.
The Chinese whom we found here were very much interested and surprised
at our visit, and gave us a supply of cocoa-nuts, oranges, and papaw
fruit from their garden. The latter fruit are as large as a small
Cadiz melon, with delicate red flesh, when perfectly ripe. They are
not much esteemed; but I thought these very nice, having a flavour
resembling that of apricots. The colourless milk of the young
cocoa-nuts, fortified by just a soupçon of brandy, tasted really
delicious, after our tramp under a hot sun. These thrifty Chinese
had a fine flourishing plantation of bananas, but no ripe fruit; and
clumps of yellow sugar-cane here and there attracted the attention of
our followers, who helped themselves to the natural "sugar-sticks,"
without any compunction whatever.
Refreshed by a short rest, and a cooling draught, we pushed onwards,
and reached Kanka Ah Tong about three o'clock. We sought out the old
Chinese headman, and through him obtained the loan of a new house,
just erected in the centre of the village, so that we were soon
established in quarters, and the "boy" then began to cook our evening
meal. We were of course soon surrounded by a crowd of villagers;
and a paraffin cooking apparatus, which the "boy" had in working
order before the door, interested them very much.
I noticed an excellent breed of black and white dogs at this village,
in build not unlike a fox-terrier, but larger. These people evidently
desired to keep the breed pure; for I noticed that all the dogs in the
place were the same. A clear stream ran past the front of our house,
and we were glad to get a bath before dinner. In this stream were at
least two species of little fish, the largest rarely exceeding three
inches in length, being beautifully spotted with dark brown on their
sides. We felt deliciously cool after bathing, and ate our dinner
comfortably, on seats we extemporised just outside our door.
After a smoke, in the cool of the evening, we prepared our sleeping
gear, and turned in for the night. We were up at sunrise, and bathed
in the little stream, while my friend's servant and our men prepared
breakfast. We left some of our less needful gear in charge of the
headman, and then shouldering our guns, we set out for the mountain,
a good ten mile walk, over bad roads, and the last three or four
miles is stiff climbing most of the way. Altogether it took us about
six hours to accomplish, as we started at about seven o'clock in the
morning, and reached the hut at the top a little after one P.M.
The first mile or two the path lies through gambier patches; and at
one of the clearings we flushed a couple of fire-back pheasants,
but we were too far off to get a shot at them. Their plumage
shone resplendently in the morning sunlight, as they rose with the
"whir-r-r," so familiar to sportsmen nearer home. A tolerably level
jungle path succeeds the gambier patches for two or three miles
further, and then the path commences, leading up the mountain-side.
Our first stopping place was at some distance up the base of the rise,
where a bit of folded paper in a split stick directed us to the "Lady
Jervoise Falls;" and, as we stood quietly, the sound of the falling
water fell on our ears from the left-hand side of the path. We soon
plunged down the slope, and reached them, but were rather disappointed,
as all the water visible was a brook rushing down a rocky gully, and
falling a distance of five or six feet over into a water-worn basin
below. The water was clear and cool, and we took advantage of it
to secure a bath in the shade of the tall trees overhead. The rocks
were beautifully draped with ferns and mosses; and a small species
of anæctochilus grew here and there on the mossy rocks. Its leaves
were of a rich velvety-green colour, netted with golden veins.
We sat here, and rested awhile, the cool splash of the water sounding
pleasantly as it fell into the spreading limpid pool at our feet. Here,
for the first time, I made the acquaintance of the jungle leech,
a most energetic thing, which neglects no opportunity of taking its
sanguinary toll from the passing traveller. Several of them fixed
themselves on our legs, the first notice of their unwelcome presence
being the oozing of our blood through our white trowsers. Their
first bite is rarely felt; and very often, as I afterwards found,
it is only by their gorged bodies feeling cold to the skin, that
their presence becomes known.
The road from the falls to the summit is in places very steep,
and the muscles of one's legs feel it ere the end of the journey is
reached. Many of those who read of jungle travel at home will be sure
to imagine it very pleasant to explore a tropical forest, accompanied
by a posse of native guides and carriers--with gun on shoulder,
and luxuriant vegetation on all sides, and an occasional shot at a
big monkey or a beautiful bird overhead. So of a truth it is, but
in common with all other pleasures it has its drawbacks. After three
or four hours hard walking, varied by a rest now and then, and a few
stumbles, we reached the summit, and we luckily were rewarded by a most
beautiful view. The atmosphere was clear, and in all directions a vast
billowy sea of jungle stretched below us--foam-like flecks of white
cloud being visible here and there on the top of the low coast hills.
We found the little hut on the summit rather out of repair, but a
little labour in strengthening the principal supports of the roof, and
the addition of a little palm-leaf thatch, made it more comfortable. We
enjoyed a magnificent sunset, and lit our lamps just at dusk, nor
were we loath to make a hearty meal of warm soup, rice and tea, which
had been prepared while we looked around our camping ground. After a
smoke and a chat we wrapped our rugs around us and were soon asleep on
the side benches of sticks covered with freshly-cut palm-leaves. We
were awoke during the night by the rain dripping through the roof,
but managed to keep ourselves dry by suspending our waterproof sheets
overhead. We awoke at daybreak, but could see nothing but a mass of
snow-white clouds below us on all sides. After breakfast we started
on a collecting tour down the mountain side, and soon struck a deep
gully, through which a streamlet washed over the water-worn stones
and pebbles.
Here we found one or two very interesting aroids (Schismatoglottis),
and ferns were abundant, notably two or three species of lindsayas,
their bold fronds being of a rich green colour, shot with
steel-blue. Dipteris Horsfieldii clothed the rocky declivities of
the gorge here and there, and a large-urned variety of Nepenthes
ampullaria was strikingly luxuriant, growing along the edges of wet
mossy rocks. Tiny plants only three or four inches in height and
half buried in wet moss, decayed leaves, and other forest débris,
bore eight or ten pitchers four inches in height and three inches
in diameter. N. Rafflesiana, an allied species, we saw clambering
up the thick undergrowth to a height of twenty or thirty feet, but
the pitchers were not larger than ordinarily are produced by the
plant when grown in our hothouses at home. A large branching species
of gleichenia grows luxuriantly near the top of this mountain, and
seems to replace G. dichotoma, which is so common in Singapore and
Pulo Penang. Orchids were sparingly represented by a coelogyne, and
one or two other genera, but nothing of interest was observable. A
form of our own Pteris aquilina grew luxuriantly around the hut where
the forest had been cleared. A dracæna, with green undulate foliage,
almost grassy in its tenuity, and the variegated Cissus porphyrophyllus
were plentiful, and a red-veined echites covered mossy trunks beside
the stream.
We returned from our collecting about 5 o'clock, tired and wet
through--a very common thing indeed in a tropical forest, so that we
were glad to strip to the skin and have a bath, followed by a rub dry
with coarse towels, and dry clothes. Our dinner of tinned soup and
boiled beef was very acceptable, and our cook made a very appetising
curry of dried fish and a few chilies collected from bushes which
grew in the clearing around our hut, seeds having been sown either
designedly or accidentally by former visitors. A cup of tea and a cigar
were deliciously soothing after the rough falls and scrambling of the
day. We were disappointed with the place as a collecting ground, and
resolved to return to the richer forest of the lower slopes near Kanka
Ah Tong on the morrow. Our guides gave us an account of this mountain,
and assured us that tigers were not uncommon, and that the Chinamen
were frequently carried off by them when working in clearings near
the forest. Wild pigs, monkeys, and deer, are plentiful. The Argus
and fire-back pheasant are found here, and alligators of enormous
size are reported as frequenting the rivers further inland.
After dinner we made up a large fire outside the hut, dragging all
the fallen trunks in the vicinity to it, for we scarcely relished the
idea of a "man-eater" lurking in the neighbourhood, who might wish to
vary his diet. These burned brightly all through the night, although
at times it rained heavily, and served for cooking purposes in the
morning. We descended about eight o'clock, staying here and there to
collect plants and flowers on the way. We reached the "Falls" about
10 o'clock, and I looked around for plants, while my friend bathed,
and the men rested themselves awhile. "Shall you not bathe?" he
asked me. I replied, "I'll just wash my face and hands presently,
and let that suffice until we reach Ah Tong." We were just about
to return to the path when a pretty fern I had not before observed
attracted my attention, growing on a bit of jutting rock overhanging
the Falls. I borrowed a chopper from one of the men, and clambered
up the rocks, but to reach it I had to stride across the stream
just where it falls over the boulders. I had secured my prize and
was turning to leap back when slip! bump! splash! I went, plants,
chopper, and all, into the water-worn basin below. When I regained
the surface I was washed down again like a cork by the weight of
water pouring down from above, but the next time I struck out for
the side and crawled out like a half-drowned rat. My friend and our
Malays had a hearty laugh over my misadventure, and I was fortunately
not injured in any way. I took off my clothes and wrung them as near
dry as possible and then put them on again, and it is astonishing
what an excellent substitute wet clothes so treated are when dry ones
are not procurable, especially if they can be dipped in sea water and
again wrung dry. We walked on rapidly, staying here and there in open
places where the vegetation was especially luxuriant to collect such
plants as interested us. About 1 o'clock we reached Kanka Ah Tong,
and I took the opportunity of at once having another bath--not an
accidental one this time--and of getting into dry clothes. I also
took a dose of quinine in a glass of brandy-and-water, and felt no
ill effects from my accident and long walk in wet clothing.
We stayed here for the night, and the next day we returned to Jahore,
and crossing the straits reached Singapore about 6 o'clock. In
returning down the Scudai river we saw a slender habited pandanus
bearing its crimson fruit in clusters among its long glaucus leaves,
and in places on the margins of the stream the beautiful red-sheathed
areca palm was very beautiful. Although this journey was a singularly
unproductive one so far as the discovery of new plants of horticultural
or botanical interest were concerned, yet it had taught me much in
other ways, and gave me an insight into the habits and customs of the
Malays, whose language I had commenced to learn as soon as I landed
in Singapore for the first time.
It is unfortunate that this Puloi mountain is not more readily
accessible, seeing that at its summit the air is deliciously fresh
and cool, and beautiful views are obtainable. A good road thither,
and a bungalow or two, are all that are needed in order to make this a
valuable sanatorium for residents in Singapore, who are worse off in
this respect than the Penang people, who have a cool health station,
with bungalows, &c., on the "Hill," which is only a pleasant pony-ride
from the town.
Apart from the Malay and Chinese inhabitants of Jahore, there are
tribes of wild men or Jakuns, who are believed to be the descendants
of the aboriginal population. These reside in the interior of the
country, some of the tribes even construct their rude dwellings in
the trees, and wherever land culture is by them adopted it is of
the most rude and primitive description. As a rule, their life is
nomadic. Dr. Maclay visited these people in 1875, and the following
are some of his observations respecting them:-- [2]
"These people are thoroughly disinclined to improvement of any kind
in their mode of life, intellectually or otherwise, although it is
not occasioned by want of opportunity nor from want of brain.
"3. That these tribes are gradually becoming extinct not only the
Malays, but also they themselves are fully aware.
"This process of extinction is due mainly to the following causes:--
"a. The constant advance into the jungle of the Malay and Chinese
population displaces the original occupiers of the soil, who
retire into greater solitude.
"b. Owing to frequent intermarriages between the Malays and the
'utan' women, the latter race is becoming intermixed into the
former, and this mixed race is fast increasing.
"In spite of the almost foregone conclusion with which I set out
upon my journey, and after severely criticising upon my return the
observations I made, I cannot doubt the fact of the existence of an
aboriginal non-Malayan population. Furthermore, previous experience
and intimate knowledge of the Papuan race lead me to the conviction
that this aboriginal population is not only not of Malay origin,
but probably related to the Papuans. Here and there I came across
individuals whom I could not consider otherwise than as retrogrades
to the main aboriginal type. In most of these cases the hair, though
not absolutely identical with that of the pure Papuan type, resembled
in texture and in growth that of the Papua-Malay (mixed race) of
the west coast of New Guinea, who are by no means inconsiderable in
number. In these individual cases the hair was quite different from
the curled hair of the other orang-utans.
"My chief reasons for my decision on this point, are deduced from
the existence of these retrograde instances from the present to
the aboriginal type: the fact that the orang-utans are not easily
distinguishable from the Malays inhabiting the interior of Jahore,
does not diminish this decision, because these Malays gradually
by intermarriages have partly inherited the orang-utan type. This
intermarriage has been in practice for centuries, and is likely to
have been occasioned by the flight into the interior of those of the
Coast-Malays, who preferred retirement in the jungle to embracing
the doctrines of Islam at the time of the Mahomedan conquest in these
parts. To such causes are mainly attributable the variations in the
type, and the diversity in the skull formations which I met with in my
journey. In size the "orang-utan" are strikingly diminutive. The men
rarely exceed four feet eight inches in height, whilst I came across
many instances of women, mothers of several children, whose stature
was about four feet two inches. Some allowance in these cases must be
made consequent on the early marriages, and the defective nourishment
at all times.
"Some of the 'orang-utan' whilst preserving their traditional habits
and mode of existence, continue to dwell in the neighbourhood of the
Malay population, selling to them the best-looking and strongest
of their daughters. It is rare for the 'orang-utan' to change to
Islamism or to adopt the Malay habits of life. In these cases their
aboriginal language has yielded to the Malay and become entirely
forgotten as if it had never existed. Such are the conclusions arrived
at after wandering in Jahore, which I traversed from the Straits of
Malacca to the China Sea. In the study of these people I felt as if
I were commencing the perusal of an interesting old work, of whose
semi-effaced pages some were missing." [3]
CHAPTER IV.
RIVER AND FOREST TRAVEL.
A Sea-snake--A dreary landing--Native dancing--Orchids at
home--Tropical flowers--The jungle leech--A bad dinner--Rough
paths--The blow-pipe--Head-hunting--A Murut reception.
Setting forth for the first time in a new country, of which but little
is generally known, is always exciting work, and as a rule things turn
out to be very different to what one had imagined they would be. I had
pictured to myself landing in Borneo beneath a hot sun, and at one
of the trading stations; but, on the contrary, it was a dark stormy
night when I reached its shores amid a perfect deluge of cold rain;
the thunder and lightning was more impressive than I ever saw it before
or since, and the place where I landed was an obscure little village
of scarcely a dozen palm-leaf huts, and up a river nearly twenty miles
from the coast. It came about in this way. The Hon. W. H. Treacher, of
Labuan, very kindly undertook to introduce me to the Bornean Kadyans
and Muruts--the last a head-hunting tribe--who had settlements near
the head of the Lawas and Meropok rivers a little to the northward of
the capital. We crossed in a small open boat pulled by eight Brunei
men with paddles, which is here the usual and best way of making short
sea or river journeys. We started from the fishmarket pier, Labuan,
about 9 P.M. on September 7th, and soon after turned into our rugs
beneath the awning and slept until morning. We awoke about daybreak,
and found ourselves some miles distant from the mouth of the river;
but the heavy swell we had had all night had now subsided, and the men
were making headway fast. About 7.30 they stopped pulling suddenly,
and pointed to a large sea-snake lying full length on the surface of
the water in the sun. It was about eight feet in length, and of a
blue-black colour, barred with rich golden-yellow, the belly being
dull white. Mr. Treacher fired at it with a shot-gun, striking it
about the centre of its body; and we could see quite plainly where
the shot had ripped the skin. As it lay quite motionless after the
shot for several seconds, we imagined it to be dead, but on the men
paddling the boat towards it it dived quite suddenly; and as the water
was clear and still, we could distinguish it at a great depth below
the surface. A week or two before, during my voyage from Singapore
to Labuan, we had noticed a good many of these snakes on the surface
of the sea, but none so large as the one seen here. The natives say
it is a very dangerous kind, and some strange tales are told of their
hiding themselves in boats and huts near the shore. About ten o'clock
we entered the mouth of the Lawas, the well-wooded banks of which
formed a beautiful foreground to the picturesque mountains behind,
which rise higher and higher right away into the interior. We soon
reached the first cluster of huts on the right bank, and it is here
that one of the Sultan's relatives, Pangeran Bazar, resides. His house
is built on nebong piles over the water, from which you climb up a rude
ladder on to a spacious platform, on which are half-a-dozen or more
brass swivel guns of native manufacture. This platform is roofed over,
and an immense wooden drum hangs over the entrance. This is formed
of a hollow tree trunk, over one end of which a deer or goat skin is
stretched lightly by means of a rattan ring and wooden wedges. It is
beaten in the evening after the old Pangeran has read from the Koran,
and sometimes on the arrival of strangers. Beyond the platform is a
large public hall, wherein strangers may rest, and where the natives
meet to hear the Koran read, or to talk.
The Pangeran's private residence is behind, and differs but little
from the other half-dozen palm-leaf houses around it, being merely
a superior sort of shed, with mats in place of doors. Duties to the
amount of ten per cent. are collected from the natives who bring gutta,
rice, or other produce down the river; but by many this tax is evaded,
as they drop down the river on a dark night in a prahu, and creep out
along the coast, lying up some creek until a favourable breeze enables
them to hoist sail for Labuan. I have stayed several times at this
place, and always found this river chief obliging and hospitable, but
a chronic deafness on his part makes a conversation with him anything
but easy. He read from the Koran most evenings when I was there, the
choruses or responses being chanted--I ought to say yelled--by five
or six wicked young Malay boys, who amused themselves by laughing
and talking, except just when their vocal powers were needed.
Two or three hundred yards further up the river is the residence of
Pangeran Tanga, and here we went ashore to eat our breakfast of cold
fowl and rice, eggs and fruit, followed by coffee and a weed. We bought
a dozen new-laid eggs here, also some freshly-plucked bananas, and a
splendid durian fruit, nearly as large as a child's head. We noticed
a half-finished prahu, or native boat, under one of the sheds, the
timbers of which were well modelled, being fastened together with stout
wooden pegs. After our men had cooked their rice and fish, we again
started up the river for Meringit, a Kadyan settlement at the head
of the Meropok branch; but owing to the strong current coming down,
we did not reach the place until after dark, and, as before remarked,
in a drenching thunder-storm. It was so dark that our men could not
find the proper landing-place, and having ourselves just left a fairly
lighted boat, we could not see a yard ahead in the blinding rain, and
so we were soon drenched as we floundered along up to our knees in the
soft mud of the river bank. At last two boys came down from the houses
in answer to the shouts of our boatmen, and under their guidance we
reached dry quarters after a few stumbles over logs and through the
long grass. Our first care was to throw off our wet things and get on
dry ones, after a rub with a dry towel, and we then ate our dinner,
surrounded by most of the swarthy-skinned villagers, who flocked in
to look at us. Afterwards it cleared up a bit, and hearing music in a
neighbouring house, we adjourned thereto, and found a few of the young
men and women enjoying themselves. Their instruments consisted of a
native-made violin on a European model, a curious kind of native banjo
made of a single joint of a large bamboo, a triangle, or its music
rather, being represented by two or three steel hatchet heads, which
were laid across laths on the floor, and beaten in time with a bit of
iron. The music so produced was of a rather melancholy description,
and one or two of the girls and boys danced a little, a mat being
spread for the purpose; but their dancing is merely shuffling about
in a more or less slow and stately manner, a singular effect being
produced by the graceful way in which the arms are waved about in
all directions. This was particularly noticeable in the case of one
of the performers, who waved a handkerchief about during the dance,
changing it from one hand to the other, until eventually it vanished
from sight altogether; still the arms waved, and the fingers, in their
ever slow changing movement, resembled tentaculæ groping for their prey
as they were slowly waved through the air in every possible direction,
presumably in quest of the lost article, the ultimate recovery of
which terminated the dance. The only light in the apartment was the
lurid flickering of a dammar torch, and its reflections on the faces
and slightly-draped forms of the performers and lookers-on produced
a weird effect, which was intensified by the silence of all present.
The next day "Bongsur," a well-known bird-hunter of the district,
and a party of natives, undertook to guide us to the forest we wished
to explore, and we set off up one of the largest creeks in a canoe,
followed by two or three others containing our men and guides. After
paddling about a mile we landed, and after walking through several
clearings in the hot sun, the primæval forest was at length reached,
where it was much cooler and more pleasant, the sun's rays being
screened from us by the masses of leaves, epiphytes, and flowers
overhead. After mountain climbing, and the wonders of the sea,
perhaps nothing suggests one's own littleness more forcibly than a
walk through the old forests which exist in tropical lowlands. There
is a comparative dearth of undergrowth,--but a hundred feet or more
overhead the birds, insects, and flowers enjoy the bright light and
warmth denied to all below. The monkeys and birds too find their
favourite fruits aloft, and fling the husks below at your feet.
Nothing can possibly be of more interest to lovers of exotic plants
generally, than to be able to form some idea of their native homes,
so far as description can possibly supply the place of travel. The
earth's surface is like the sea, inasmuch as it is pretty nearly the
same all the world over, but in countries where the mean temperature
is thirty or forty degrees higher than in England, the clothing of
the earth, so far as represented by vegetation, is of a luxuriance
we can scarcely imagine, and the variety caused by the addition of
such distinct types as tall palms, bananas, grasses, or bamboos and
tree ferns to the more ordinary kinds of tree beauty, and the further
clothing of these with epiphytes and parasites of the most singular
or beautiful description, makes up a scene of immense interest.
Epiphytal orchids are essentially heat-lovers--like palms they are
children of the sun. One may often travel a long way in the islands
where these plants are most abundant without catching a glimpse
of them; and this is especially true of Phalænopsis grandiflora,
which is of all orchids perhaps the least obtrusive in its native
habitats. This trait is, however, the unobtrusiveness of high birth,
they do not care to touch the ground, but rather prefer a sphere of
their own high up in the trees overhead. The plants have a charming
freedom of aspect, as thus seen naturally high up in mid-air, screened
from the sun by a leafy canopy, deluged with rains for half the year
or more at least, and fanned by the cool sea-breezes or monsoons, which
doubtless exercise some potent influence on their health--an influence
which we can but rarely apply to them artificially, and the greatly
modified conditions under which we must perforce cultivate them may
not render this one so desirable as it sometimes appears to be abroad.
In the lowland forests near the equator a peculiar phase of vegetation
is not unfrequently seen. Trees one hundred feet to two hundred feet in
height tower upwards on all sides; and one walks in the shade--diffused
light is perhaps the more correct expression--the tree trunks being the
pillars of Nature's cathedral, and the leafy branches high up above
represent the roof. All the vegetation you see around you on earth,
rocks or fallen trunks, is represented by a few ferns, lindsayas,
with bright steel-blue fronds a yard high, broad-leaved aroids, or
ginger-worts; but epiphytes of all kinds seem totally absent: and the
truth is, that, like lovable "Tom Bowling," of Dibdin's minstrelsy,
they, too, have "gone aloft." Above you is a world of light and air
and sunshine which birds, insects, and flowers alike enjoy. You feel
very small and helpless as you try to catch a glimpse of the plants
and flowers so high above you, and almost envy the long-armed red
monkeys that swing themselves so easily from bough to bough. The
monkey, however, has a rival in the human natives of these forest
wilds, and it would be extremely puzzling to find a tree so thick,
or tall, or otherwise so difficult to climb, that the lithe and dusky
native would fail to reach its summit. The chances are that he will
literally walk up a slender tree in the neighbourhood with the aid
of hands and feet, and then find a route to the one you wish him to
explore by way of the interlaced branches so high above you. If any
sufficiently stout lianas are dangling near, he ascends hand-over-hand
in a way that would delight the most accomplished gymnast; and if
the tree so stood that the ascent could only be accomplished by the
direct way of its own gigantic trunk, then the chances are that a
stair of bamboo pegs would enable the ingenious savage to effect his
object of scouring the branches, and sending the epiphytes in showers
to your feet. Nor does he neglect to glean such other jungle produce
as comes in his way, such as gutta or indiarubber, camphor, dammar,
or forest fruits for food or medicine.
This is in the forest primæval, but near clearings, or on the skirts of
the forest near rivers, which let in the light and air, the phalænopsis
and other epiphytes are less ambitious, and they may then be found
in positions but little above the more plebeian terrestrial kinds of
vegetation. This is also the case when, as sometimes happens, they
are found on the trees which fringe little islands; and then not only
do the plants receive a good deal of sunshine as it streams through
the leafy twigs of the branches to which they cling, but it is also
reflected back again from the glistening sea. The intense light in
which they thus exist, added to the fervent heat and the deluge of
rain which falls during six or seven months of the year, accounts
for the enormous leaf and root growth made by these plants in their
native habitats. The flowering of the plants is not so extraordinary,
indeed rather disappointing, after the results which may be seen in
English gardens. It is not so much the paucity of flowers produced,
however, as their early destruction caused by the "unbidden guests"
the orchids are made to entertain.
High up overhead the most lovely orchids hold their court in the
sunshine: here they are really "at home" to their winged visitors. Now
and then, however, you come across a newly-fallen tree--a very monarch
of the woods--which has succumbed to old age and rude weather at last,
and has sunk to the earth from which it sprang a seedling generations
ago; its branches laden with everything inanimate, which had made a
home in its branches. Some of these ruined trunks are perfect gardens
of beauty, wreathed with graceful climbing plants, and gay with flowers
and foliage. The fall of a large tree, and its smaller dependents,
lets in the sun, and so the epiphytes do not suffer much for a time;
and one may thus observe them in all their beauty.
Here, right in the collar of the tree, is a plant of the
grammatophyllum orchid, big enough to fill a Pickford's van, and just
now opening its golden-brown spotted flowers on stout spikes two yards
long. There, on that topmost branch, is a mass of the moth orchid,
or phalænopsis, bearing a hundred snowy flowers at least; and in such
healthy vigour is it, that lovers of orchids at home--supposing it
could be flashed direct to "Stevens's" in its present state--would
outbid each other for such a glorious prize, until the hammer would
fall at a price near on a hundred guineas, as it has done before for
exceptional specimens of these lovely flowers.
There, gleaming in the sunlight, like a scarlet jewel, beneath those
great leathery aroid leaves, is a cluster of tubular æschynanthus
flowers; and here is another wee orchid, a tiny pink-blossomed
cirrhopetalum, whose flowers and leaves scarcely rise above the
bright carpet of velvety moss among which it grows. But what is
that attractive gleam of gold and green swaying to and fro in the
sunshine? Ah! that is a beauty of another kind! And a native, to
whom it is pointed out, ejaculates, "Chalaka! ular Tuan!"--a wicked
snake, sir; and we are content to move on, and leave him alone in
his glory. We tramp on for an hour longer, without even the glimpse
of a flower being visible, except here and there a few fragments on
the ground, the remnant spolia of the flower world which exists on
the roof of this grand cathedral of trees.
Half an hour further, and the increasing numbers of ferns and
selaginella mosses suggest the presence of water in the neighbourhood,
while the patches of graceful seedling calami or rattan palms increase
at every step, the stones and trunks become moss-covered, and then at
last the "sound of many waters" breaks on our ears with a cool and
welcome noise, and a few minutes later we have "struck" the stream,
as it rushes and sparkles amongst mossy and water-worn boulders down
an open and sunny ravine. Some of the larger rocks are covered with a
palm-like fern (Polypodium bifurcatum); and filmy ferns, of the most
delicate form and texture, abound on the dripping stones.
As we sit down on the rocks, a small flock of gigantic hornbills
"saw the air" with their great wings far above us, making a noise
almost like a locomotive engine in their flight. Butterflies come with
wobbling motion down the sunny clearing, formed by the shallow stream;
and, as we are intent on the cold fowl and coffee, which forms our
breakfast, the sanguinary stains on our white trousers prove that the
wily jungle-leech has not been unmindful of his morning meal. How this
little slimy monster loves to gorge himself with gore! The wonder,
however, is how they exist when men are absent from the jungle they
infest, as often happens. I suspect that human blood forms simply
an accidental part of their supply. I know they exact all they can
from the water buffaloes; and perhaps even the astute monkey is made
to pay toll by these blood-suckers as often as may be. I have often
watched them, when aroused by footsteps, as attached to a stick,
or stone, or leaf, they wave their bodies about, or walk towards you
with a caterpillar-like motion, in quest of happier hunting-grounds. A
squeeze of wet tobacco juice is the best plan of dislodging them from
your skin; for if pulled off, however deftly it be done, there is a
chance of a bit of their sucker apparatus remaining in the wound,
which will often cause it to become inflamed, and to fester in a
troublesome manner.
We suffered a good deal from mosquitoes during the night; indeed sleep
was nearly impossible, and in very shaded parts of the forest to-day
the little pests fixed on our hands and faces with a persistency
that was very annoying. We saw very few birds. A gorgeously attired
bee-eater was secured by Mr. Treacher as we paddled up the creek; and
"Bongsur," who used an old Tower musket as a fowling-piece, secured
a tiny spotted owl and one or two other small birds common to this
district. We distinctly heard the whoops and yells of the Muruts,
who were out pig-hunting, as we came along, but did not fall in with
them. Just as we crossed the stream one of the men picked up a fruit of
one of the several varieties of durian, which are here indigenous. It
was about the size of a cricket-ball, and only contained two of
its chestnut-like, pulp-covered seeds. The seeds were very large in
proportion to the quantity of pulp, but the flavour was very delicious.
We had a long walk back to the creek where we had left our canoes, and
reached the village about three o'clock, just before the commencement
of a heavy shower. As it cleared up a little about five o'clock
we took our guns and had a stroll across the padi fields behind the
houses, returning to dinner about sunset. I shall not soon forget that
dinner. Mr. Treacher had brought his Chinese "boy" who had cooked the
previous day. My "boy" was a Madras Telinga to whom, of course, the
lard or pork fat which the Chinese use in cooking is an abomination,
so that my ingenious fellow, as it was his turn to prepare dinner,
made us a fowl curry, using rancid cocoa-nut lamp oil in which to cook
the fowl. We were rather hungry, and tried to get the stuff down, but
had to give it up as a bad job. The nasty taste was most persistent,
however; and for several days coffee, biscuit, rice, and even fresh
fruit, seemed to have somewhat of the offensive cocoa-nut oil flavour
about it. I remonstrated with my "boy" about the matter, with the
usual result. "Yes, sah, that China boy bad man, sah; he tell me oil
very good for curry, sah!" I have no doubt, but that the "China boy"
enjoyed the joke with "a smile that was childlike and bland," and
doubtless he related the story to his pretty Malay wife on his return,
with many "Ah yahs" and inward chuckling. We made shift with biscuit
and coffee, and a smoke destroyed the bad taste for the time being.
This was the evening preceding the commencement of Ramadan, the
"fast month" observed by all Mahomedans, and there was a great
burning of gunpowder in the village. Muskets and small cannon were
being discharged all over the place in honour of the event. Salutes
of this kind, and the festive firing of shot-guns, however harmless
it may seem in print, is in reality sometimes a little alarming. The
powder used in charging may possibly be bad in quality; but as a
great noise is thought to be the thing, any defect in its quality is
pretty well made up for by the quantity used. I am not a very nervous
person, but I once or twice felt just a little anxious as the natives
amused themselves by firing a charge of five or six inches of powder
from a seven-and-sixpenny German gun. I once saw some Sulus firing
a salute from some old dismounted brass guns which were lashed on
the floor of the wharf at Sandakan. They coolly sat down beside the
ordnance, waved a bit of rope-yarn until the smouldering fire at one
end brightened up into a glowing spark, and then plunged it into the
touch-hole; nor did they seem in the least disconcerted as the guns
sprang a yard into the air dragging up the nebong planks with them,
the whole returning with a crash by reason of their elasticity.
In the morning, after breakfast, Mr. Treacher returned down the
river, but could not cross to Labuan until next day, as a heavy sea
was running with much wind and rain, so he had to put back to Pulo
Sirra until morning. After his departure I had a consultation with
"Bongsur" about the country, and eventually decided to shift my
quarters from his father's house to that of his brother, from which
the forests and hills of the district could be more readily reached. A
party of natives and one or two Muruts who had come to the Kadyan's
village to trade, soon got all my traps stowed into the canoes, and
half an hour's pull brought us to the clearing in which my future
head-quarters were situated. I found here half-a-dozen palm-leaf
houses built on piles six feet high, a notched tree trunk serving
as a ladder by which to enter. The largest house was forty or fifty
yards long by eighteen or twenty feet wide, and being nearly new,
it was clean and in good condition. It was occupied by "Bongsur's"
brother, a lithe and intelligent young fellow named "Moumein," and
three or four other families.
Within, it was simply one large room open to the roof, and divided in
half by the central path, communicating with doors at either end. On
the right were the hearths for cooking, water-jars, bamboos, baskets,
and other simple tools or utensils, the left-hand side being covered
with the sleeping-mats of the separate families. Two or three mosquito
nets hung over the mats, and at the head of each hung the parong,
spear, musket, or other arms of the men, other spears, shields,
blowpipes, &c., being laid across the timbers overhead. The floor was
of open lattice-work, or rather parallel nebong laths an inch apart,
so that perfect ventilation is obtained; and these houses are always
cool. The owner was not at home, but his wife brought a board and
desired "Bongsur" to partition off one of the corner compartments for
me, which was soon done; and getting up the boxes, hammock-sleeping
gear, &c., the place soon assumed a more comfortable appearance.
As it was a beautiful clear afternoon I left my "boy" to prepare
dinner, and started off to the forest with half-a-dozen of the
native boys who had followed from the village. I shot a pretty
scarlet-breasted trogan with beautifully pencilled wings, in a large
fig tree near the houses. We had a rather rough walk through long
grass, in which ugly concealed logs were plentiful; and the only
bridges across the streams were formed of a single tree-trunk, often
a very slender one not perfectly straight, so that when a particular
part of it was reached in one's journey across, it had a treacherous
knack of turning round and landing one in muddy water up to the
neck. The natives are used to such slender makeshifts for bridges,
and, being barefoot, are as sure-footed as goats.
We followed one little stream for about two miles, and reached a rocky
hill about five hundred feet high, where rhododendrons (R. javanicum)
were flowering freely. Hoyas and various orchids were in bloom on
the lowest trees; and it was on bare tree-trunks on this hill that
I saw the Veitchian pitcher-plant (Nepenthes Veitchii) wild for the
first time. It has a singular habit of clasping the trunks on which
it is epiphytal with its leaves, and many which bear pitchers have
the blade of the leaf much reduced. Four other pitcher-plants grew
on this hill, namely, N. gracilis, N. hirsuta, N. Rafflesiana, and
the large-urned variety of the last named, known as "glaberrima." A
dendrobium bearing clusters of milk-white flowers was common, as also
were bolbophyllums and several greenish-flowered coelogynes.
The ground in some places was matted with a very pretty terrestrial
orchid (Bromheadia Finlaysoniana) which has leafy stems two to
three feet in height, terminated by a zig-zag flattened spike of
white-petalled flowers as large as those of the "Spotted Indian Crocus"
(Pleione maculata), and having a blotch of lemon-yellow on the lip
and some bright amethystine veins or streaks. We loaded the men with
roots and specimens, and then returned to the houses just before
nightfall. It was during the wet season, and after dark each evening
the mosquitoes were most ravenous. As a remedy for this annoyance
the women lighted fires beneath the house, on which cocoa-nut husks
were placed and made to smoulder gradually. This certainly kept
the little pests at bay, but the smoke brought tears to one's eyes,
and was almost as bad to bear as the mosquito bites.
The wild forest fruits were now plentiful in this district, and,
as a natural consequence, birds and monkeys were abundant also, for
they migrate to different places as the fruits begin to ripen. The
bird-hunters were busy, and rarely a day passed but I was gladdened
with the sight of some bird or other animal that was novel to
me. Argus, Bulwer, and Fireback pheasants and other large ground birds
were caught in snares or springes, while hornbills, owls, eagles, or
hawks, and large birds generally were killed with shot, or very often
small gravel discharged from an old Tower musket. The smallest birds,
especially the brilliant little sweets or sunbirds, were killed with
small arrows from the blow-pipe or "sumpitan," in the use of which some
of the Muruts and Kadyans are especially expert. Even large game was
formerly obtained in this way, poisoned arrows being used, in which
case the harmless-looking blow-pipe becomes one of the most subtle and
deadly of weapons. The slightest puncture with one of these poisoned
darts is as certain to terminate fatally as is the bite of the cobra;
and this, added to the possibility of the arrow being propelled on its
journey with lightning-like speed, without the least sound being heard,
will give an idea of its deadly power in the skilful hands of savages,
to whose ambition the death of an enemy and the possession of his
bleached skull for the decoration of their dwellings on feast days,
was the all-important feature of their social existence.
I have seen a Murut strike fish after fish with unerring certainty with
arrows from a sumpitan, even at more than a foot below the surface of
the stream; a much more difficult thing to do than one might suppose,
since allowance has to be made for the deviation from a right line
which the arrow takes on touching the water. The springes in which
pheasants are caught are set in artificial fences half a mile or
more in length, and are simply nooses of rattan, although rarely thin
brass wire is used. A bent sapling is attached to the noose in such
a manner that when the bird runs against a twig in passing through
the opening in the fence it becomes disengaged, and flying upwards,
draws the noose tightly around the creature's neck.
A device similar in principle, but much more dangerous, is used by
the Muruts for capturing the wild pigs. In this case a stout spear
of bamboo is made to pass through guiding loops of rattan attached
to trees or stakes, so that by the aid of a stout sapling drawn back
to its fullest tension it can be hurled right through the body of
any passing animal, which unconsciously disengages the apparatus
by pressing against or treading on a branch across its track. These
pig-sticking contrivances are very dangerous to strangers, and even
the Muruts themselves are sometimes injured by them.
One of the Lawas Muruts showed me where the bamboo spear belonging to
one of these pig or deer-traps had been driven right through his leg
near the knee. His bronzed features underwent the most extraordinary
and suggestive of contortions as he explained how it had taken the
strength of five or six men to hold him against a tree while others
tugged at the bamboo shaft until they succeeded in withdrawing it from
the injured limb. In some districts these pig-traps are very numerous,
and one has to be continually on the look-out for them. I visited the
Lawas district several times, and had good opportunities of seeing
the Muruts, and noting many of their peculiarities. Their houses
are similar to those of the Dusun, but instead of living in separate
houses, one enormous house is built sufficiently large to accommodate
from twenty to fifty families. These houses vary from thirty to one
hundred yards in length, and, like those of the Kadyans, are built on
piles. As the different tribes are continually at variance with each
other, and knowing each other's affection for crania, they congregate
in one large dwelling so as to be better prepared for resistance in
case of a sudden attack. These people, and the Kayans who live in
the vicinity of the Baram river, and one or two other tribes of the
aboriginal Borneans, still continue the practice of head-hunting,
although the custom is now fast dying out here, as it has in the
case of the Dyaks of Sarawak, and other places further south. Only a
few years back a youth was not allowed to marry until he had taken
the head of an enemy, and if any ill-luck or death occurred in the
tribe these head-hunting raids were indulged in at once to appease
the malignant spirits which were believed to have been the cause;
or if a chief's favourite wife or child died, he at once took to
head-hunting in a bloodthirsty spirit of revenge.
The desire to shed blood seems inherent in all savage natures, and
is adhered to tenaciously even after civilisation has reached them,
and so it happens that human heads or skulls are considered the
most valuable property of these wild Borneans, just as the Sioux and
other Indians of North America still attach a peculiar value to the
scalp locks of their foes. Even although head-hunting is gradually
becoming a thing of the past in Borneo, still so highly are the old
skulls valued even by the now peaceable tribes who have not taken a
head for years, that they can rarely be induced to part with them,
no matter how much may be offered in exchange. In several Murut
houses I visited near the Lawas large baskets full of human crania
were preserved as trophies of the prowess of the tribe.
It is very rare that anything like general open fighting now takes
place between the native tribes, as was formerly the case, when a
party of fighting men would, after marching at night only through
the forests for days together, steal up to the house of their foes
just before daylight and endeavour to set fire to it, after which
the place was surrounded and the men killed as they attempted to
escape, the women and children being made prisoners and carried off
as additions to the wealth of the victors. Sometimes, however, the
besieged were too wary for their foes, and either boldly rushed out
and drove them off with loss, or formed ambuscades, into which they
unwittingly fell and were annihilated, or perhaps a few would break
through and escape to tell the tale. In this way a good many heads and
slaves were obtained, but at present the additions to the baskets are
more rare, and principally obtained by stealthy murders rather than in
warfare. The Muruts and other aboriginals are great believers in omens,
and whether on head-hunting or pig-killing expeditions they pay great
regard to the cries of birds and animals; and if they meet an alligator
or a snake, they at once return and wait for a more propitious season.
In travelling with these natives as guides, their careful attention
to omens becomes exceedingly trying to one's temper, as they will
stop immediately if the omens seen or heard be not good ones,
and if anything more than ordinary duties are required of them it
is astonishing how soon a bad omen will put an end to all further
progress for the day. One place where I stayed for several weeks was
within half a mile of a large Murut house, and their gongs could be
heard very plainly sometimes all night when they were feasting and
drinking a peculiar spirit, which is made of rice and tampoe fruit
mixed with water and strained off for use after fermentation. These
feasts seemed to be held on the occasion of any good fortune befalling
the tribe, such as success in hunting pigs or deer. One night they were
gong-beating and shouting louder than usual. I asked the native in
whose house I slept the reason of this, and he told me that they had
been out head-hunting for a fortnight, but had failed to pounce upon
any Murut of another tribe; so to end the suspense they had seized
one of their own slaves, who had in some way offended them, and had
made a scapegoat of him. I visited this house some days afterwards,
and smoked a "roko" with the "Orang Capella," or chief, while three
of his lusty followers kept up an incessant din on five gongs which
were suspended in the centre of the public apartment. I asked to see
his collection of heads, and after a good deal of talking, a few dry
old examples were brought; but after we left I was told that they had
many more, including the one so recently taken, but that they were
afraid to let the fact be known. This tribe had good reasons for
secrecy in the matter, since one man had been hung at Labuan for a
head-hunting murder a year or two previous to my visit, and another
would have suffered the same fate had he not died in jail. They had
actually crossed over to the English colony to look out for heads,
and ascending a little river on the western side, had shot a man who
was coming down in a canoe. The shot, an old nail, struck the shaft
of the paddle, and passing through, entered the man's body, after
which they made off, but were captured by the Government and tried
for the murder. This identical paddle was one of the first things I
saw when I paid my respects to His Excellency the Governor of Labuan,
and when the story was narrated to me it did not sound very cheering,
seeing that I expected to live among these tribes for some months
at least. However, I could never hear of a white man being killed,
except by the pirates from Tawi Tawi and Sulu, with one exception,
which was of a man who is supposed to have been poisoned by his native
mistress. St. John mentions one tribe, however, who are peculiarly
addicted to poisoning anyone who may be disliked by them. The nature
of the poison used is not exactly known, but it is very generally
supposed to be a peculiarly irritating fibre or spiculæ derived from
some species of bamboo, the effect of which is to cause a chronic state
of sickness and depression, followed by death. Whatever it may be,
it is a mechanical rather than a chemical irritant. When one travels
in such a lovely island, however, as Borneo undoubtedly is, it is
extremely difficult to believe half the tales told of the native
tribes, and altogether the proportionate number of robberies and
murders is not more than takes place in the most enlightened centre
of civilisation in the world. The total population of the island is
supposed to be from 3,000,000 to 4,000,000, and when we consider that
all these unchristianised natives (excepting those in Sarawak and
the Dutch territory) live together with no law--nothing in fact but
their own sense of right and wrong, and public opinion to keep them
in order--the wonder is that, even according to our own standard,
crime is so seldom heard of.
The Kadyans are a tribe of peaceable and well-disposed aboriginals,
who, living along the coast near to the capital, have mixed a good
deal with the Malays and speak their language. It is not uncommon,
however, to find the older and more intelligent men of this tribe well
acquainted with several dialects of the interior, such as Murut, Dusun,
and the Brunei dialect, used by the common natives of the capital. They
are mostly Mahomedans, and so are more respected by their Malay rulers
than are other of the aboriginals. They form thrifty little colonies
on most of the rivers near Brunei, and many have settled in Labuan,
where they cultivate their rice fields, and occasionally bring fruit
or fish to the markets. They are for the most part a clean and healthy
race, and form a great contrast with their neighbours who live in a
more irregular manner, and are often troubled with skin diseases,
this being in a measure owing to the want of cleanliness and of a
regular diet. There cannot be any doubt but that Islam is a great
blessing to many Eastern races, especially so far as cleanliness and
temperance are concerned.
The Kadyans are very quick in selecting rich bits of forest and in
raising fine crops of rice, which forms the main portion of their
food. Rice and fish from the river or sea, fruits from their gardens
or the forest, and a few simple vegetables are all the food they
require. They also collect gutta and caoutchouc, camphor and rattans,
from the forest, and the sale of these in Labuan, or to the Chinese
traders who visit the coast, enables them to obtain cloth, muskets
and ammunition, tobacco, and any other little necessaries or luxuries
of Chinese or European manufacture which they may require. Although
less active than the Muruts, yet there are some fine men among
them, and their women, as a class, are perhaps the most refined and
intelligent of all the aboriginals, some, when young, being singularly
attractive. The boys are also bright fellows, with a keener sense of
humour than is common in other tribes. They live a free and easy life,
contented and happy, and I could not help contrasting the peace and
plenty enjoyed by these people with the squalor and misery in which
the poor of civilised lands are often plunged. Here, in these sunny
wilds, an all-bounteous Nature, with a minimum of labour, supplies
their every want, and it would be difficult to find another country
where man is more truly the "monarch of all he surveys"--more truly
independent on his fellow-man than here in Borneo. Although these
people are nominally Mahomedans, still their women enjoy the greatest
freedom and are never secluded, as is the custom of the Malays of
the coast, indeed, many Kadyan houses consist of one very large
room only, there being no private apartment of any kind. This is a
rather singular trait of these people, since even the Muruts and the
Dusan have one side of their houses partitioned off so as to allow
of a separate private room for each family, the other half being open
from end to end and free to guests or strangers. The Kadyans take but
one wife, and are apparently good husbands and affectionate parents;
large families, however, are exceptional. This question of increase of
population in the island is one I could not profess to explain. Here
is a rich and fertile island larger than Great Britain and Ireland,
with an entire population scarcely exceeding that of London. In
the old times inter-tribal warfare may have operated as a check,
and even now whole villages are sometimes carried off by epidemics,
such as cholera or small-pox, yet when we consider that there are
practically none of the checks on marriage itself as with us, and
the readiness with which food is obtainable in plenty, the easy and
natural way, indeed, in which these people live, it is a puzzle that
they seem scarcely able to hold their own.
In the case of the North American Indians or the Maories of New
Zealand, there is the competition of the white races, but here they
are not crowded out by a stronger type, nevertheless, the population
is supposed to be less than was formerly the case. If a Kadyan youth
wishes to marry, he has only to select a site for his house, and
clear the ground around it for a garden. He may take an unoccupied
plot anywhere, and there is no ground-rent to pay, it is freehold
so soon as he has in a manner "staked his claim," by cutting down
the brush and burning the trees, in which the other "lads of the
village" will assist him. The ground is cleared towards the end of
the dry season, and with the commencement of the first rains a few
seeds of Indian corn, cucumbers, betel pepper, &c., are sown, and
yams, kaladi, sweet potatoes, together with cocoa-nuts, and banana
suckers from his father's or a friend's garden, are planted. Then
timbers, rattans, and nipa leaves for thatch are obtained, and, with
the assistance of his friends, a good roomy house will spring up,
if not quite mushroom-like in a night, at the least in a week or
ten days. A dollar or two, or the jungle produce he could collect
in less than a month, will enable him to obtain the few articles
of furniture, cooking utensils, &c., which he requires, together
with a new "sarong" or two for himself and his bride. And she, the
dusky beauty, will have made a few neatly worked palm-leaf sleeping
mats and other needful trifles, and doubtless looks forward to her
wedding with as much pleasure as her fairer sister of the West. The
actual ceremony of marriage is here very simple. A payment has to
be made by the bridegroom to his father-in-law, and this varies in
proportion to the charms or other good marketable qualities of the
girl--an ordinary girl being worth as much as a good buffalo, or say,
£4; as much as £20, however, is sometimes demanded for the "belle
of the village," but in addition to the first cost such beauties are
apt to give their husbands a good deal of trouble afterwards, unless,
indeed, they be of Cato-like temperament. Marriages may be dissolved
for the merest trifles by either party, but if by the woman herself,
part of the money or goods paid to her parents is refunded. In the
case of the Mahomedans, a woman retains all her real and personal
property after divorcement. A native, in whose house I stayed several
weeks, told me that his wife had been married to another Kadyan before
he married her. "And did her husband die?" I enquired. "Oh, no," he
answered. "Then why did she leave him?" "She did not like him," was the
rejoinder. And such cases of mutual separation are far from uncommon.
These people, unlike the Muruts of the Limbang, had plenty of rice
and other food, the produce of their padi fields and gardens. In
some parts of the island it is extremely difficult to purchase food
of any kind, the natives possessing only barely enough for their
own wants. Here, however, one could obtain fowls, eggs, rice, and
vegetables in abundance. The prices may be interesting. For excellent
fowls, from fivepence to eightpence was charged; eggs fivepence per
dozen; vegetables enough for two or three days' supply for twopence;
while lodging, fire-wood, and plenty of jungle fruit in season, may
be had for nothing. Dollars and cents were current here, but cloth,
especially grey shirting and a stout black fabric, were also readily
received in exchange at a slight advance on Labuan prices. The men
here were willing to act either as guides or carriers for tenpence
to a shilling per diem.
When I returned to the house at night from the forest, I generally
found a liberal share of the jungle fruit which had been brought
home by the men laid on my mats; and after dinner my own men and the
villagers would drop in for a chat by the light of a flickering dammar
torch. Twenty or thirty dusky figures smoking or eating betel-nut
had a curious effect in the badly lighted hut.
All through the fast month these people never eat or drink anything
between sunrise and sunset, but they make up for this between sunset
and sunrise, the women being busy cooking rice and fish nearly all
night. At the end of the month, too, a great feast was held, at
which all in the village and neighbourhood met and smoked the "roko"
of peace, all old feuds and wrongs being for the nonce forgiven
or forgotten. Everyone came dressed in their best head-cloths and
sarongs, being armed with their war parangs, and altogether forming
an animated and brightly coloured assemblage. This feast was held at
night, and for several days previous the women had been busy bringing
in fire-wood and cleaning rice. On the day on which this gathering
was held the culinary operations were on an extended scale, and,
at the appointed meal time, great heaps of rice, vegetables, fish,
and fruit, were piled on fresh banana leaves right down the centre
of the house. A dignified green-coated old hadji graced the repast
with his presence, and he was pleased to kill the fowl for my own
dinner, according to native rite, and evidently liked being noticed
as a traveller, for his dark eyes sparkled with pleasure when I asked
him of his voyage to Mecca. He complained very much of the insults,
losses, and hardships, to which pilgrims were exposed, but his appetite
was evidently as good as ever, since the clearance of rice and fish
he made around him at dinner was something startling to see.
These people had but few domesticated animals. The Muruts had
plenty of dirty, half-starved black pigs running about the jungle
near their house, and a few goats. They had also a peculiar race
of small, brown dogs, resembling terriers, which are very useful in
pig hunting. The Kadyans had cats wonderfully like our own, but with
abnormal tails. Poultry are represented only by cocks and hens. Some
of the wild birds of the forests are domesticated as pets, the most
common being Java and little red sparrows; a beautiful little green
ground pigeon; paroquets of two kinds, one very small like a love-bird,
the other having two long blue attenuated feathers in its tail. Mino
birds are not unfrequently tamed, and they may be taught to speak
words or phrases quite readily. Some of the larger hornbills, the
"rhinoceros" variety especially, are also tamed, and are most amusing
creatures. There was one in a house where I stayed a week or two,
and a more voracious bird I never saw. At night it would perch
itself on a stick below the house and croak for hours together,
but with daylight in the morning it would enter the house to beg
for food, and the quantities it could consume during the day were
surprisingly large. Everything edible seemed equally welcome--rice,
fruit, vegetables, and even the entire bodies of small birds which
my boy had been skinning as specimens were gulped down with apparent
relish. Any trifles thrown towards it were sure of being caught in
its great bill, and then thrown again in the air and caught previous
to their being swallowed.
The Kadyans have an ingenious way of capturing the little green or
puni pigeons (Chalcophaps indica) with a bamboo call, by which their
soft cooing notes are exactly imitated. These birds are gregarious,
and just before breeding-time they arrive in large quantities.
"The call is formed of two pieces of bamboo, a slender tube, a short
piece 3''--4'' in diameter, and a connecting piece of wood. In the
short piece is a hole similar to the embouchure of a flute; and the
lower end of the blow-tube is fitted to this in such a manner that,
on blowing, a soft, low, flute-like 'cooing' is easily producible;
and this can be readily modulated so as to be heard either at
a long distance or near at hand. This instrument is figured in
Proc. Zool. Soc. 1879, Part II., p. 346. The native, who has taken
up his position in the forest or jungle where these little birds are
found, blows very softly at first; but if there be no answering call
from the birds he blows louder and louder, thus increasing the radius
of sound. If there really be any pigeons of this kind within hearing,
they are sure to answer; and then the hunter blows softer and softer
until they are enticed into the 'wigwam' of leafy branches which
he has erected in order to conceal himself from sight. The door or
entrance to these 'wigwams' is partially closed by a screen of palm
(Nipa fruticans) leaves. This is elevated a little to allow the
pigeons to enter, after which it is allowed to fall, portcullis-like,
entirely, so as to close the entrance; and the bird is then easily
secured. Above the entrance two holes are made, so that the hunter
can look out without being seen. These huts are formed of a few poles
or sticks, rudely thatched with twigs and palm-leaves, and vary from
four to six feet in height.
"This pigeon is migratory, and arrives in Labuan and on the opposite
Bornean coast with the change of the monsoon, about April. Many
hundreds are then caught by means of this 'dakut,' or 'bamboo call,'
and are offered for sale by their captors for a cent or two each. They
are also kept by the natives as domestic pets, along with young
hornbills, the 'Mino' bird or 'Grackle,' a small species of paroquet,
and Java sparrows."
At this season little huts are built in the forest, and the hunter,
ensconced within, blows his call, and they will actually run inside
the hut, where they are caught. The Kadyans and their Murut neighbours
collect a good deal of gutta and caoutchouc in the surrounding forests,
which is afterwards manufactured into lumps or balls, and taken over
to Labuan for sale. The gutta is obtained from four or five kinds
of large forest trees, belonging to the genus isonandra, by felling
the trees and girdling or ringing their bark at intervals of every
two feet, the milky juice or sap being caught in vessels fashioned
of leaves or cocoa-nut shells. The crude sap is hardened into slabs
or bricks by boiling, and is generally adulterated with twenty per
cent. of scraped bark--indeed, the Chinese traders who purchase the
gutta from the collectors, would refuse the pure article in favour of
that adulterated with bark, and to which its red colour is mainly due.
Caoutchouc or rubber is in the N.W. districts of Borneo the produce of
three species of climbing plants, known to the natives as "Manoongan,"
"Manoongan putih," and "Manoongan manga." Their stems are fifty to one
hundred feet in length, and rarely more than six inches in diameter,
the bark corrugated, and of a grey or reddish-brown colour; leaves
oblong, and of a glossy green colour; the flowers are borne in axillary
clusters, and are succeeded by yellow fruits, the size of an orange,
and containing seeds as large as beans, each enclosed in a section
of apricot-coloured fruit. These fruits are of a delicious flavour,
and are highly valued by the natives. Here, again, the stems are
cut down to facilitate the collection of the creamy sap, which is
afterwards coagulated into rough balls by the addition of nipa salt.
It is most deplorable to see the fallen gutta trees lying about in all
directions in the forest, and the rubber-yielding willughbeias are
also gradually, but none the less surely, being exterminated by the
collectors here in Borneo, as, indeed, throughout the other islands
and on the Peninsula, where they also abound.
It was formerly thought that gutta was the produce of one particular
species of tree--Isonandra gutta--but that from the Lawas district is
formed of the mixed sap of at least five species, the juice of ficus
and one or two species of artocarpeæ being not unfrequently used
in addition as adulterants. The Bornean "gutta soosoo," or rubber,
again, is the mixed sap of three species of willughbeias, and here,
again, the milk of two or three other plants is added surreptitiously
to augment the quantity collected. The gutta trees are a long time
in attaining to maturity, and are not easy to propagate, except by
seeds. The willughbeias, on the other hand, grow quickly, and may be
easily and rapidly increased by vegetative as well as by seminal modes
of propagation, hence the latter are more especially deserving of the
attention of our Government in India, where they might reasonably be
expected to thrive.
No doubt there are yet many thousands of tons of these products
existing in Bornean woods, but as the trees are killed by the
collectors without a thought of replacement, the supply will recede
further and further from the markets, and so prices must of necessity
rise as the supply fails, or as the collection of it becomes more
laborious.
The demand for caoutchouc from Borneo is a very recent one, yet in
many districts the supply is practically exhausted. In Assam, Java,
and also in Australia, rubber is supplied by Ficus elastica, which is
cultivated for the purpose. There are many milk-yielding species of
ficus in the Bornean forests which might possibly afford a supply in
remunerative quantities as the result of careful experiments. The
Malayan representatives of the bread-fruit family also deserve
examination, as excellent rubber is yielded by Castilloa elastica,
a South-American plant of this order.
CHAPTER V.
KINA BALU, OR CHINESE WIDOW MOUNTAIN.
Journey to Kina Balu--Visit to Pangeran Rau--Agricultural
implements--Sea Gipsies--Datu of the Badjows--Musa--Fertile
plain--River-side gardens--Women gardeners--Fording the
Tawaran--Bawang--Good scenery--Si Nilau--Kalawat--Rat-traps--A
wet journey--Bungol--Koung village--Native traders--Rice
culture--Kiau--Hiring of guides--Ascent of Kina Balu--A curious
breakfast--Rare plants en route--Mountain flowers--Large
pitcher plants--A cave dwelling--Scarcity of water--Mountain
orchids--Cool climate--Slippery descent--Lost in the forest--Return
to Kiau--Native produce--Journey to Marie Parie Spur--Return to the
coast--Native women of the interior--Hire of native boat--Return
to Labuan.
On the 29th of November, just as the dry season was commencing in
Labuan, Mr. Peter Veitch (who had a few days before joined me after
his travels in Australia and the Fiji Islands) and myself started off
on a journey to Kina Balu, which we intended to reach by way of the
Tawaran river. We had with us twenty-six men and two bird-hunters,
so that we formed a rather imposing party of thirty, all told. The men
were armed with native parangs or swords; some had krisses, and eight
or ten carried muskets with which we had provided them. We embarked
our men, stores, and travelling gear on board a little coast-steamer
bound for Sulu, and the following morning we arrived at Pulo Gaya,
and the captain lowered another boat in addition to the one we had
brought with us, and put us all safely ashore near Gantisan in Gaya
Bay. We waited here at a Roman Catholic Catechist's Station for
some time, and I ascended to the summit of the grass-covered hills
northwards. These are forest-covered below, the nebong palm being
very abundant, and attaining large dimensions.
The hill-tops above, which look so smooth and green when seen from
the sea, are found to be clad with coarse "lallang" grass a yard
high, among which the men who accompanied me pointed out several
deer lairs. Fresh green tufts of Cheilanthes tenuifolia grew in the
crevices of the decomposed sandstone, and among the clumps of nebong
palm; a singular fern, Schizæa digitata, was very plentiful.
Returning, we re-arranged our baggage, and sending our boat round
to Pangeran Rau's place at Kalombini, by sea, we and the majority of
the men started over the ridge of the wooded hill on foot. It was a
stiff climb in the hot sun, the path being both steep and rough. In
descending to the plain on the other side we shot three large swallows
and a crimson and blue-painted barbet; we were also fortunate in
finding a pretty pink-flowered zingiberad in bloom. The flat plain
into which we descended was partly cultivated, and the rice especially
looked strong and healthy. Fine buffaloes were also grazing here.
We reached Pangeran Rau's house at three o'clock, and had the usual
bichari or talk, arm-chairs and mats being at once brought into the
head-house on our arrival. Some of the women were busy pounding the
rice to separate it from the husk; and one or two ran away shrieking at
our approach--it was simply affectation, and not fright. We found the
Pangeran rather reserved, but hospitably inclined. He was a gray-haired
old fellow of over sixty, and spoke but little, asked no questions,
and spent most of his time sitting cross-legged on a mat drinking tea,
chewing limed "sirra" leaf and betel, or smoking long cigarettes of
tobacco rolled in nipa leaf, all being brought to him from time to
time by little Malay boys. The head-house was soon filled with men
from the other houses, who flocked in to see us and to hear the news
from Labuan of our followers. We rested a little, and then walked out
to obtain a bath before dinner. Some natives directed us to a spring
about half a mile off across the plain, which here, near the houses,
is of sand covered with coarse sedges and scrub. We passed two or
three palm-leaf cottages on our way; and here I noticed the first
implement of agriculture I saw in Borneo. It was a wooden harrow;
and a native seeing me interested in it, pointed to a rude iron-shod
plough which hung in a large mango tree near one of the huts.
A good many of the people who live here are Badjows or "sea gipsies,"
so called from their habit of wandering about from place to place in
boats, in which they seem more thoroughly at home than in the wretched
huts they now and then build on shore. They are essentially lazy,
and will not walk a yard if they can get a buffalo or anything having
four legs to carry them. We saw two Badjow boys going to the spring for
water, and they both rode on a buffalo calf, which seemed used to its
mischievous load. We returned to dinner at dusk, and managed to get
a good night's rest here, as the houses were cool, being built over
the water, and the mosquitoes were not nearly so bloodthirsty as usual.
Our boat did not come round until nearly ten the following morning. We
had been up since sunrise, and had our breakfast; so, when our craft
appeared, we borrowed a boat and a couple of men from the Pangeran,
and left for the Badjow village on the Menkabong. We reached that
place about noon in a drenching shower, and our guides assured us
that further progress that day was impossible. We therefore had
our things brought up into the head-house and soon made ourselves
comfortable. We had brought two dozen fine pomoloes with us from
Labuan, and the ripe ones were now really excellent in flavour; and
we thoroughly enjoyed this delicious fruit for dessert after a frugal
luncheon of bread and dried fish. About four o'clock the rain ceased,
and the sun shone beautifully, so we took our guns, and went ashore for
an hour to shoot. We secured a few pigeons and other birds, returning
to dinner at sunset. Mr. Veitch lost his watch among the long grass,
but was fortunate enough to find it on retracing his steps.
We arose at day-break the following morning, and started off, reaching
the market-place on the Tamparulie plain about seven o'clock. A large
market of fruit, fish, vegetables, rice, and other native produce,
was being held, and on landing we met with the Datu in whose village
we had remained last night. We told him the object of our presence
in his territory, and found him agreeable, although not nearly so
dignified as Pangeran Rau. He sent off one of his men to fetch us
some fruit, and he soon returned with a basket of fine langsat, in
return for which we gave him a couple of pomoloes, and we afterwards
smoked a cigar together while our men unloaded the boats. We tried
to hire two or three men from him; but as he was very extortionate
in his demands as to payment for them and a buffalo-sledge which we
wished to load with rice for our men, we cut the matter short by
refusing his assistance at any price. We sent back the Pangeran's
boat, and giving our men as much rice each as they could carry, we
returned the rest to the other boat and left two men in charge until
our return. I am inclined to think his greed was excited by seeing
the cloth and goods we had as the men unloaded the boat.
We now found out the value of the man "Musa," whom we had engaged to
superintend our men. He was an old man, but still powerful and active,
and he possessed the secret of persuasion to the utmost degree. Under
his direction the men were all loaded equally, and to their individual
satisfaction, and we set off towards Tamparulie. We saw a pretty
white-flowered cucurbit growing over bushes here and there, and
bearing spindle-shaped fruits of a scarlet colour and about two inches
long. Here and there also the red-berried spikes of an amorphophallus
were seen among the tall grass. I and Veitch shouldered our guns,
and pushed on across a low grassy plain inhabited for the time by a
few black water buffaloes, and then came a long march in single file
across a series of wet rice or padi fields, the paths through which
were scarcely a foot broad, very uneven, and being of pure clay, the
last night's rain had made them as slippery as wet soap. We who had
only our guns to carry found it rather hard work floundering about
on the greasy tracks; but the men were in good spirits, and a march
of about two hours brought us to the Tawaran, close to the village
of Tamparulie which stands on its banks.
The plain we had just traversed was well cultivated, and very fertile,
rice, bananas, cocoa-nut trees, and other vegetation being most
luxuriant. Buffaloes were employed to draw the rude ploughs through
the rich, moist earth. We saw immense flocks of white "padi birds,"
and here and there a crane, majestically stalking among the crops. At
our halting-place the river is very shallow, its high banks being
fringed with groves of cocoa-nuts and bananas; and in one or two
places I noted neatly-fenced and well-kept gardens descending nearly
to the water's edge. In these were sweet potatoes, cucumbers, maize,
and "kaladi," or Caladium esculentum. The women seemed to be the
principal cultivators of these little plots, and we could see them
at work among the garden crops here and there as we passed along.
Here we noticed a lovely palm for the first time--a caryota--having
dark green plumose foliage, the pinnæ abruptly jagged, and notched
along its margins. As we partook of our luncheon, an intelligent old
native came along, and sent our men to his garden, which he pointed
out to us, for some green cocoa-nuts, so that we obtained a delicious
draught, which we found very refreshing after our hot walk. He was very
talkative, and begged a little brandy; and he also gladly accepted the
seeds of a fine pomolo (Citrus decumana), to plant in his garden. We
did not cross the stream here, but plunged on beside the river,
following a narrow, muddy buffalo track, which in places resembled a
tunnel, being completely embowered with tall grasses, bound together
with large convolvuli and other creeping and climbing plants.
A heavy walk of a couple of hours brought us to the first group of
Dusun houses, which stood on a bit of rising ground close beside
the stream, being surrounded by a grove of cocoa-nut palms and other
fruit-trees. We stayed here to rest our followers, and while waiting
shot several birds on the surrounding trees. Let not the gentle reader
blame us for wanton destruction! There was "method in our madness;"
we did not "kill for sport," but only for the advancement of learning,
or for food.
About half a mile beyond we came to a fording-place in the stream,
and descending the slippery clay banks, we crossed the river, which
in places reached up to our waists; and in one place the current
was rather too strong to be pleasant. Beaching the other side, our
way lay along an abandoned bed of the stream for some distance. The
old shingly bed was in some places quite thickly covered with Celosia
argentea, forming compact little bushes, two feet high, every branchlet
terminated by a rose-tipped spike of silvery bracts, forming, as seen
here, a very pretty object.
We reached the Dusan village of Bawang (bawang, in the Dusun dialect
= river) about four o'clock, after fording a creek up to our necks,
and indeed we were both tired and hungry. We took refuge in a house,
which stood on the bank, quite close to the river, and our men soon
had several fires ablaze on the pebbly beach below. We pulled off
our wet things, and enjoyed a bath in the bubbling stream, and then a
nice rub, dry and clean clothes, made us quite comfortable by dinner
time. "Bongsur," one of the bird hunters, brought in two or three very
pretty birds here; and Mr. Veitch added a black, red-bellied squirrel
("basing") to our collection.
We slept the sleep of the weary; and the following morning pushed on
up the slope beyond the village. The shady jungle through which we
passed ere we began to ascend was thickly carpeted with selaginellas,
S. Wallichii being especially luxuriant. S. caulescens drooped from
the moist rocks here and there very gracefully. We found the climbing
rather arduous work, and but for the shade of the overhanging bamboo,
which grows here plentifully, we should have fared worse.
On reaching the crest of the hill, an altitude of say 800 feet,
we got along better. At this height we found our first nepenthes,
a pretty green-pitchered form, swollen below, and having a broad,
flattened red rim to its mouth (N. Phyllamphora). We rested an hour
on the top, but could procure no water, excepting a few drops from
the cut end of a climbing plant, which the natives call "kalobit,"
and of which they sometimes form rough cordage, by rending it into
long strips. The juice of this plant is intensely bitter; but the
water which distilled itself slowly from the cut end was quite pure
and tasteless.
We ascended about 1500 feet to-day, and the views from the summit of
the range between Bawang and Si Nilau were very satisfying, all the
intervening country to the sea being plainly visible, as well as the
whole coast-line, as far as Gaya Bay. We walked along quicker than
usual, for the sky became very black, and it was evident that we
should soon have a drenching shower. Our guides had forgotten the
way to Si Nilau, and so there was nothing for it but to push on,
in the hopes of meeting with a shelter by the way.
At length we suddenly came upon the site of a deserted village,
and took shelter in a hut--a little better in repair than the
rest--while from the trees near both langsat fruit and cocoa-nuts
were procurable. Here we waited until the rain abated, when we took
up our quarters in the house of a Dusun man, near the site of the old
village, which had, as we afterwards heard, been deserted on account
of the death of the headman.
We had previously met our Dusun landlord about two miles from this
village, in some patches of rice and gourds, but he had been too
frightened to answer our inquiries as to the route, and rushed
down the hill just as the first few drops--big, heavy, solitary
drops--fell from the black rain-clouds over head. Fortunately, I had
struck the right road a few yards further on, and followed it up,
when in turning a rocky corner, where two roads merged into one,
I came across the man again face to face. He was so surprised at my
sudden reappearance, that he fairly shook with terror, and he rushed
down the rocky ledge, which served as a path around the hill-top,
with the speed of a startled deer. I had yelled after him to stop,
but he ran all the faster; and when afterwards we entered his house,
our men had a little trouble to reassure him that we meant him no harm.
We soon put the old boy at his ease, however; and then a fowl for our
dinner was caught and killed. For this and the fruit we had stolen
we paid him a fathom and a half of grey shirting, with which he was
very pleased. His house was a very neat one, having a large public
room in front, with a stove, hearth, or fire-place opposite the door,
and two little sleeping rooms behind. Like all Dusun houses the floor
was elevated four feet from the ground, level on piles, so that the
pigs and fowls had shelter beneath. The side walls and floors were
of bamboo, beaten or pressed out flat, like boards, and being of a
clear, yellow colour, they had a warm and comfortable appearance as
the fire glowed on the hearth, above which was a rack for the storage
of fire-wood, or on which clothes could be dried.
After dinner we lit our lamp, and made ourselves as cosy as possible
over our post-prandial cigar, after which we were not loath to turn
in. Up by daybreak, and snatching our morning meal, we were soon en
route for Kalawat Peak, and thence we descended to Kalawat village
by a rocky mountain-path, fringed with bamboos, large ginger-worts,
and ferns of various kinds.
A strong growing species of bauhinia was very showy here, overrunning
the branches of bushes and low trees beside the path, and bearing its
pale, yellow flowers in large clusters very profusely. As seen at
a distance it has a pleasing effect in the landscape--a rare thing
with Bornean flowers; and a nearer sight of it is suggestive of our
native woodbine.
Selaginellas were plentiful near the streams, and near the crest of
the Peak (alt. 2000 feet) we saw a dainty little bertolonia, rarely
exceeding two inches in height, having pearly-spotted leaves, and
terminal clusters of rosy-pink flowers. A stately habited nephrodium,
with gracefully arching light-green fronds, nearly a yard long, a
zingiberad, with richly barred foliage (Alpinia sp.), two or three
species of gleichenia, and now and then an inconspicuous epiphyte,
orchid, or fern occurred, to add variety to our route.
We were puzzled to-day by seeing horizontal bamboo-stems fixed in
the trees over our path, but we eventually discovered that they were
intended to serve as bridges or paths to rats or other animals, traps
being set to catch those who were unwary enough to avail themselves
of the convenient crossing.
A curious custom of the Dusun is to entrap and eat the common field
rats, wild cats, &c., of the country. Beside all the little paths
through the forest, near Kina Balu, wooden rat-traps (see Fig.) are
set in the herbage through which the animals have made their tracks. A
form of this trap, slightly modified, is hung on the branches of
trees for the capture of squirrels and other fruit-eating rodents. I
asked Kurow how long the Dusun had eaten rats? His reply was that,
"Once upon a time," a horde of rats, far more than ever followed
the 'Pied Piper,' I should judge by his adjectives, came and ate up
all the rice and kaladi. A conference was held by the then reigning
chief in the head house, and his advice was of the stern, practical
kind. "Talking is of no use," said he; "the rats have eaten all our
rice: we have no other food left to us; ergo, we must eat up the
rats!" "And so it was, and is to this day," said Kurow; but I fancied
I could see a sly twinkle in his bright eyes--just the same merry
twinkle one expects to see in anyone's face, after having related a
palpably improbable story with all due solemnity!
We pass several very pretty little rills, at which drinking or washing
was facilitated by spouts, made of the leaf-stalk of the sago palm,
and placed so as to conduct the cool sparkling water on a level with
one's face. Flourishing rice and kaladi fields became more plentiful;
and the tree ferns, which we had first sighted after leaving Si Nilau,
now became more numerous. Just ere we reached Kalawat, we noticed
some splendid specimens in the jungle; and now and then even out in
the clearings their great crowns of fresh green plumose fronds being
fully exposed to the sun, and in some cases borne aloft on slender
black trunks, 20 feet or more in height. At the village of Kalawat the
houses are in one place backed by an immense grove of these feathery
plumed tall tree ferns, above which the white stemmed betel-nut palm
towers aloft, its dark green foliage and pendent clusters of bright
orange fruit standing out clear and bright against the cool blue sky.
At Kalawat we rested awhile. The straggling dwellings were built on
piles over the muddy ground, and a few ill-fed black pigs were rooting
up turf in all directions in quest of food. Here, for the first time,
along this route, we were pleased to see tame bees hived in sections
of hollow tree trunks, about two feet in length, the top and bottom
being stopped up, and a hole burnt in the centre as an entrance
for the busy workers. In one or two cases separate little huts were
erected especially for the bees, but as a rule the hives were placed
on a board beneath the overhanging eaves of the houses. The kind of
bee kept is very small, much smaller than that common in England,
and I was struck at the peculiar manner in which they wriggled their
bodies simultaneously as they congregated in groups on the hive near
the entrance. These tame bees, as well as their wild brethren, who
nest in the tall forest trees, make but little honey in proportion
to that of our northern kinds, and are especially kept for the wax
they yield, this being used occasionally by the natives in the form
of rude candles, and it is also an article of export from Borneo.
Being in advance of our followers we waited here an hour. It is a
singular trait of the Borneans to show no curiosity when strangers pass
through their villages. We sat here on a rock for some considerable
time, and yet, not even the children came out to look at us. Two
men sitting outside on a verandah, basket-making, and an old woman,
were all the inhabitants we saw, but doubtless many a pair of bright
eyes watched us secretly through the cracks of the bamboo houses. As
it came on to rain, however, we entered one of the houses, in which
were seven or eight young men and several women. We tried to get
some fruit here, but the langsat were not ripe, and cocoa-nuts were
scarce owing to the flowering stems being cut off and the exuding sap
collected in a bamboo vessel to be made into toddy, a drink of which
the hill villagers are very fond. At last a couple of young nuts were
forthcoming, and a dash of brandy in each gave us a most refreshing
draught. As the rain ceased, we decided to proceed to Bungol, the
next village along our route. To this one of our guides, Pangeran
Raman of Labuan,--an artful old sweep--loudly objected, urging that
the Tawaran would be flooded--that we should not reach Bungol at all
that night, as it would be dark long ere we could do so--adding, that
there was no intervening resting-place. I was used to these excuses,
and determined to go on, to which Mr. Veitch also agreed. Our guides,
who had come here from Si Nilau, refused to go further, nor would any
of the Kalawat people go to Bungol with us as guides, but at last one
of them pointed out the right road for us to take, and I and Mr. Veitch
set out along the rocky path alone. We rested on the hill above the
village, and then Pangeran Raman and our two servants, or "boys,"
joined us, and said the men refused to come on. This did not deter us,
and we plunged down the hill-path and through one or two clearings,
in which sweet potatoes, maize, and tobacco grew luxuriantly. Then
down a greasy clay path, embowered with bamboos, tall canes and
jungle, until at last the Tawaran was reached in the valley below,
rushing and boiling among the smooth boulders in its bed.
We sat on the banks of the stream to rest. Here a pretty little palm
about a yard high formed strong tufts and patches, its roots being
laved by the stream below. Its pinnate leaves were graceful, and had
a distinct grassy appearance. Draping trees close by the river we
also found a species of vanilla in bloom. It had large waxy flowers
of a creamy white colour, the lip having a five-lobed hairy crest
of a dark purple-brown colour. As many as twenty buds were counted
in a cluster, but the flowers expanded one at a time. We crossed the
river, which nowhere exceeded our knees in height, and pushed on up
the next hill. The mist was gathering thick and white in the valleys,
and it began to rain in torrents. In a very few minutes the path
up the hill-side became a brook, and the rain beat in our faces so
that we could scarcely see our way. Added to this inconvenience was
the thought that we might not be in the right track, and of this our
worthy "guide," Pangeran Raman, could tell us nothing. He was a very
good fair-weather traveller, and the biggest man in our party when
all was well around a good camp fire! At a pinch, when most wanted,
he was perfectly useless--indeed, in the way. I am afraid I did not
pity him as he stood shivering in the cold, and begging piteously
of us to return to a miserable little hut beside the river for the
night. This was out of the question, as we had not a dry thread on
us and no food, so I pushed up the hill to reconnoitre. Just at the
top I met a Dusun man who had come from Bungol, and who was going
to Kalawat, and when Mr. Veitch and the old Pangeran came up, we
induced the native to return with us to Bungol. We now felt more at
ease, and splashed down the hill-side merrily, and after crossing the
Tawaran four times, in one place nearly to our necks, we reached the
cocoanut-crested hill on which the village of Bungol stands. Our "boys"
had lagged behind and only reached the houses just before night-fall,
having been mainly guided by the accidental discharge of our guns,
which we had let off in order to dry them soon after our arrival. Our
guide had brought us to his own house, and we soon had a good fire,
and took off our wet clothes, after which we sat by the fire clad in
native sarongs which our host lent us. We soon wrung out our clothes,
and hung them on a beam over the blazing fire to dry, and then came
the question of dinner. At last we procured a fowl and a bowl of rice,
and my Chinese "boy," Kimjeck, who was a good cook, soon had these
on the fire.
After it was dark we heard shouting, and soon after six of our men who
carried the food, clothes, and sleeping gear came in, being afraid,
as they said, that we should want food. We were soon all as jolly
as sandboys. The fowl was cut up and boiled with a tin of julienne
soup and three or four chilies, and this and a nice white bowl of
steaming rice formed a dish which to us, tired and hungry as we were,
seemed "fit for a king." A cup of chocolate and a cigar followed by
way of dessert, and all our troubles for the time being vanished in
smoke! We paid our guide a fathom of grey shirting, and gave him
a looking-glass for our night's lodging. The fowl and a couple of
cocoanuts also were paid for with a fathom of shirting, and everybody
was thus easily satisfied.
Having only a sleeping-rug each, we found it rather chilly, and I
could not sleep well. I rose about 11 o'clock, however, and made
up a good fire, and then lay down beside it and slept well until
daybreak. We had breakfasted in the morning and were outside ready
to start, when our laggards of yesterday came in, and they looked
sheepish and crestfallen when they found that we were really about
to start on and had not intended to have awaited their coming. Two
Dusun men now accompanied us as guides, and after crossing the Tawaran
several times, we mounted the hill to the left, crossing the ridge and
descending towards Koung. The way to the village was down rocky gutters
seemingly worn by heavy rains, and the hill-side paths in the kaladi
gardens were very bad to traverse, and we were thoroughly tired out ere
we reached the grassy flat on which Koung is built, indeed, this was
the most toilsome day's work we had hitherto had, although, perhaps,
our long tramp yesterday had something to do with its being so.
We found the Koung people peaceably inclined, although we did not
forget that it was here that Mr. Low and St. John had some difficulty
with the natives the first time they came this way. We slept well,
and in the morning after breakfast we retraced our steps by the
river to examine a scarlet flower which we had seen from the opposite
bank yesterday. It turned out to be Bauhinia Kochiana, or an allied
species. Mr. Veitch shot a fine white-headed hawk, which was on the
look out for a breakfast of fresh fish from the river. We also secured
several other birds we had not before seen. The red-fruited Rubus
rosæfolius was very pretty here among the rocks, and we observed one
or two orchids of interest on the trees overhanging the stream. The
river is very pretty as it passes the village, and as the water comes
from the hills above, it is deliciously clear and cool, quite a luxury,
in fact, either for drinking or bathing. We enjoyed our morning ramble,
and on returning to the house wherein we had slept we found all the
men ready to start for Kiau. On our crossing the ford at the end of
the village we met a large party of natives laden with baskets of
tobacco and a little beeswax, going on a trading expedition. There
were some women among them, who, of course, carried the heaviest
loads. Several of the men were tattooed on the breast and arms,
and all were armed with brass-handled parongs and slender-shafted
spears. They showed no surprise at seeing us, and passed on apparently
unconcerned as to our object. Our way now lay up the valley, first on
the right and then on the left of the river, but there was no great
difficulty in crossing, the water being rarely as high as the hips. We
passed huts here and there, and irrigated patches of rice. Maize and
sweet potatoes grew around the houses, and almost all had a clump of
big-leaved bananas near the door. The rice land was irrigated by a
ditch cut from the river, a little dam being made so as to direct the
water into it as required. We noticed several fish-traps set in the
river to-day. These are made of a bamboo stem six feet long, split
lengthwise and made into a long basket-like shape with rattans, so
that it is wide at top and narrow at the other end. In order to set
them effectively, an oblique dam of stones and earth is made so as
to direct a large body of water through an aperture, and in this the
basket is placed. A fish once washed into it has no chance of escape,
and large quantities are caught at times, especially after the river
is freshened by rains. Occasionally we saw men or women working on the
rice-land, and I was very much struck at the care taken in planting
and cultivating the crop, not a weed being anywhere visible in the
rice-patches. The planting was extremely regular, each tuft or stool
being about eight inches from its neighbours, so that all obtained
their due amount of earth, light, and air, a lesson indeed for some
of our own cultivators of cereals here at home.
We passed immense clumps of bamboo, the feathery wands rising in masses
to a height of fifty or sixty feet. From one of these clumps our men
secured some of the young crowns, which are white and tender, and by no
means despisable as a vegetable when boiled with salt. At Bawang I had
noticed them eating boiled fern-tops with their rice, and on asking for
a little I was surprised at its delicate spinach-like flavour. We met
a boy at one of the crossings with a basket of fine langsat fruit, some
of which we purchased, giving him a Chinese looking-glass in exchange.
At length, crossing the river for the last time, we rested in the shade
of a huge sandstone rock for a luncheon of cold rice and fruit. Our
path then lay to the left through low jungle, and on one or two of the
old remaining trees we noticed masses of Grammatophyllum speciosum
with stems eight feet in length--each plant a good cartload, and
evidently in the most luxuriant health, with foliage fresh and green,
although fully exposed to the hot sun. Coelogynes were plentiful on the
lower trees and rocks by the river. One sandstone boulder was entirely
covered with Davallia ciliata, and some fine tall grasses grew among
the pebbles of the old river bed. The rocks bordering the river are of
sandstone, and yet at Koung and along our route to-day we continually
met with boulders of granite sometimes in the present river bed,
sometimes on the old dry bed, and sometimes, as on the green Koung,
immense pieces, a hundred tons weight, lie isolated on the plain. Half
an hour's walk from our resting-place by the river brought us to the
clearings and the hill or dry rice-fields of the Kiau villagers. The
crop was ripening fast, and the whole hill-side, as well as the one
opposite beyond the river, looked very flourishing. Here and there
were green patches of kaladi, and around the field-huts of bamboo,
cucumbers clustered, and sweet potatoes, maize, and occasionally
bananas, looked prosperous. We followed a narrow footpath through
the rice, which was kept from injury by a little fence of bamboo,
and in places the earth was prevented from washing down by a few
large stones laid in line. We reached the village about two o'clock,
the journey from Koung having taken us about five hours. The people
here did seem to feel more interest than ordinary, and we soon had
a tolerably good audience around us. One by one our followers came
in, and we soon availed ourselves of the comfort of a rub over with
a towel and dry clothes, after which we arranged the various plants
collected during the day, and continued our journals. "Bongsur" brought
in a fine brown owl and a pretty scarlet bird with black wing-tips,
neither of which we had seen before. For dinner we had boiled fowl and
rice, followed by coffee and a cigarette of native tobacco wrapped in
maize-husk. We lay on our mats and rugs at one end of the large public
room, all our men being cooking and jabbering away to their hearts'
content, the Babel of sounds, partly Malay and partly Dusun, being
deafening. Tobacco was brought in for sale soon after our arrival,
and one man brought a fowl, but as he asked double its value we
refused to buy it.
The greatest interest was shown in all we did, more especially by the
boys and young girls who crowded on the pathway just in front of where
we lay. When we extinguished our lamp and turned into our blankets they
soon became quiet, the people of the house retiring to their private
apartments, and the others to their houses in the village. It was a
wet night, and we felt chilly, but slept well. Our first task after
breakfast in the morning was to overhaul all our stores, arranging
those we wanted on the mountain so that they could be easily carried,
and packing the rest so that they could be left with safety. Our
stock of rice was so low that we were rather alarmed, but "Musa"
assured us that he should be able to buy some in the village. After
re-arranging all our things, we took our guns and walked over the
hill. We saw very few birds, nor were the plants we discovered of any
particular interest, with the exception of a large white-flowered
arundina, having a rich amethyst-coloured lip. We saw some immense
ginger-worts, having leafy stems ten or twelve feet in height; also
large ferns of the angiopteris type, while Mikania volubilis overran
the bushes along our route.
Returning to the house, we engaged Boloung and Kurow, the acting
head men of the village, and six of their followers, to take us up
the mountain on the morrow. "Musa" and Pangeran Raman did most of the
bargaining on our side, and at length concluded the matter by paying
over the amount of cloth and brass wire as agreed. Next morning we
selected sixteen of our men and started for the mountain. In a rich
bit of shady forest on the other side of the Kiau ridge we found
the evergreen Calanthe macroloba, bearing spikes of white flowers
much larger individually than those of C. veratrifolia. A foliage
plant marked with silvery blotches above and crimson beneath was
also collected. Our road was a rough and tiring one of sloping
hill-side paths very wet and slippery, and in places blocked by
fallen trees. About one o'clock we reached a rushing stream, and our
guides brought us to a large overhanging rock, where they said we
must pass the night. It now began to rain heavily, so we at once told
the men to cut sticks and palm-leaves to lay on the ground where we
were to sleep, and over which we could spread our waterproof sheets
and rugs. This was soon done, and meanwhile our "boys" prepared
luncheon. We were disgusted at stopping thus early in the day, and
wished our guides to proceed when the rain abated, which however
they determinedly refused to do. To make the best of a bad bargain,
I and Mr. Veitch explored the forest above our camp, where we found
a pretty aroid with white blotched leaves, and another marbled with
silvery grey; also a variegated plant resembling an anæctochilus,
but which Professor Reichenbach tells me is the Cystorchis variegata
of Blume. This plant I had previously gathered in another locality
further south; indeed, it seems pretty generally distributed along the
north-west coast. Specimens of two or three delicate filmy ferns were
found near the streams; and at our camping-place, which we named the
"Sleeping Rock," the pretty little Adiantum diaphanum was plentiful,
and living plants were brought to England from this habitat.
About seven o'clock next morning we started on our upward journey. It
was hot work at first, but we could feel it perceptibly get cooler
after the first two or three thousand feet. At about four thousand
feet mosses are very plentiful, the finest species gathered being
Dawsonia superba, which fringed the path, but nowhere in great
plenty. A new white-flowered species of burmannia was also gathered,
and small-flowered orchids were seen. In one place a shower of
small scarlet rhododendron flowers covered the ground at our feet,
the plant being epiphytal in the trees overhead. It was very misty,
and the moss which covered every rotten stick, and the vegetation
generally, was dripping with moisture, and every sapling we grasped in
climbing upwards was the means of shaking a shower-bath on us from the
trees above. At about five thousand feet a dead and broken pitcher of
Nepenthes Lowi lying in the path led to the discovery of the plant
itself scrambling among the mossy branches overhead, its singular
flagon-shaped ascidia hanging from the point of every leaf. It is
a vigorous-habited plant, with bright green leathery leaves, the
petioles of which clasp the stem in a peculiar manner. The only
plants we saw were epiphytal on mossy trunks and branches, and we
searched for young plants diligently, but without success. All the
pitchers hitherto seen are cauline ones, and as the plant has never
yet been seen in a young state, it is an open question as to whether
the radical pitchers differ in shape or size, as is the case with most
other species. As we ascended higher, epiphytal orchids, especially
erias, dendrochilia, and coelogynes became more plentiful, and we
came upon a large-flowered rhododendron, bearing rich orange flowers
two inches in diameter, and twenty flowers in a cluster! It grew on
a dangerous declivity, and not one of our lazy men would venture to
get it for us. Such a prize, however, was too lovely to forego, and
after a wet scramble among the surrounding bushes, I secured it in
good condition. Two or three other species were seen in flower, but
none equal to it in its golden beauty. Casuarina trees became common,
and higher up these were joined by two or three species of gleichenias,
and a distinct form of dipteris. Phyllocladus also appeared, and a
glaucus-leaved dianella (D. javanica). Here also were two of the most
distinct of all rhododendrons, R. ericifolium and R. stenophyllum. On
open spaces among rocks and sedges, the giant Nepenthes Rajah began
to appear, the plants being of all sizes, and in the most luxuriant
health and beauty. The soil in which they grew was a stiff yellow
loam, surfaced with sandstone-grit, and around the larger plants
a good deal of rich humus and leaf débris had collected. The long
red-pitchered N. Edwardsiana was seen in two places. This plant,
like N. Lowii, is epiphytal in its perfect state, and is of a
slender rambling habit. Highest of all in the great nepenthes zone
came N. villosa, a beautiful plant, having rounded pitchers of the
softest pink colour, with a crimson frilled orifice, similar to that
of N. Edwardsiana. All thoughts of fatigue and discomfort vanished
as we gazed on these living wonders of the Bornean Andes! Here,
on this cloud-girt mountain side, were vegetable treasures which
Imperial Kew had longed for in vain. Discovered by Mr. Low in 1851,
dried specimens had been transmitted by him to Europe, and Dr. (now Sir
Joseph) Hooker had described and illustrated them in the Transactions
of the Linnæan Society, but all attempts to introduce them alive into
European gardens had failed. To see these plants in all their health
and vigour was a sensation I shall never forget--one of those which
we experience but rarely in a whole lifetime!
We reached the cave (altitude 9,000 feet) about three o'clock, wet
and hungry, but far from unhappy. Our first care was to light a fire,
which was not at all easy to do, since everything was dripping wet. We
secured a bit of dry wood at last, however, and by whittling thin
shavings from it with a knife, we managed to start a good fire, and
some of the men were directed to cut firewood; but so paralysed were
they by the wet and cold, that it was with the greatest difficulty that
we could persuade them to do this. Poor old "Musa" cut some wood and
made a floor to the cave, after which some brushwood and leaves formed
a substitute for a mattress. The next difficulty was to obtain water,
since the men we had sent to search for it returned empty handed,
having failed to find any. As a last resort I had to undertake this
duty myself, and, descending the hill-side, I found a tiny pool in
a gully, from which I procured a little in our cook-pots. It was not
near enough, however; and in wandering in search of more, I came upon
a patch of the large nepenthes, from the old pitchers of which I was
able to augment my supply by carefully pouring off the rain water
from a rather liberal under stratum of flies, ants, and other insect
débris. Our guides slept under a rock a little further on and higher
up the mountain side, and they found a stream from which good water
was procured by our men in the morning and during our stay here.
It commenced to rain heavily at nightfall, and we found it very cold,
although we kept a good fire burning nearly all night, one of the
results being that we were nearly blinded by the smoke, there being
a draught towards an opening at the hinder part of the cave. The wet
dripped from the roof all night, and the walls were also wet and
slimy; indeed our quarters were neither extensive nor luxurious;
still we made the best of them, and, after all, were rather sorry
to leave them at last. We arose at daybreak to collect plants and
roots, in the which we were tolerably successful; and before night
we had secured all our collections in baskets and bundles ready for
the men to carry down. It was very cool and misty in the morning,
but about noon it became clearer, and it was hot indeed, the rocks
and old trunks reeked in the sunshine. A slender-growing species
of calamus was very common in the low forest below the cave, and it
supplied "rattans" of excellent quality for tying up our plants. At
least three showy species of coelogyne grow on the rocks and mossy
banks here, at 9,000 feet elevation; and a dainty little plant with
reddish pseudo-bulbs in clusters, each bearing a single spathulate
dark green leaf, is common. This last has erect spikes of pure white
flowers and buds, reminding one of the lily of the valley in cool,
fresh purity, an effect partly due to its column being of a soft green
tint, like a speck in the interior of the blossom. The coelogynes
are very distinct and beautiful as seen here blooming among the
coarse sedges and shrubs. One has white flowers with a blotch of
gold on the lip, eight or ten of its waxy flowers being borne on an
erect scape. Another has yellow sepals and petals, and a white lip
corrugated with brown warts. Another, not so showy, has a nodding
spike of white and brown flowers.
We ascended about 9,000 feet, and were delighted with the charming
views obtainable during clear weather. The whole upper portion of the
mountain along the south and south-eastern slopes is nearly devoid of
vegetation, except where there are streams and rather sheltered gullies
up which the stunted trees and a few other plants struggle up near to
the summit. On the north-western side the rocks rise very precipitous;
and here vegetation fails to gain foothold. Looking upwards in the
early sunlight, we had clear views of the shelving granite slopes, on
which are numerous shallow channels down which streams of water pour
during misty and rainy weather. When we gained the top of the great
spur the morning after our arrival at the cave, we were delighted at
the immense panorama which lay at our feet as we looked back. Looking
away south-west we beheld the coast-line from the mouth of what our
guides said was the Tampassuk river right down to Gaya Bay and Pulo
Tiga, which was distinctly visible, the many-mouthed Menkabong river
glistening like a silver net quite close to the coast-line.
Looking south-east over a billowy sea of silvery clouds we saw
a gigantic range of mountains, and from this the conical peak of
Tilong rises through strata after strata of cloud, or stands out
on a clear blue background of pure sky, according to the state of
the atmosphere. This claims our interest as the beacon of a land
unknown; and this magnificent peak, Tilong, is by repute as high,
or even higher, than Kina Balu itself. Altogether we spent three
days on the sides of Kina Balu collecting plants, flowers, and seeds;
and after a life on the plains and among the coast mountains--hills
compared with this grisly giant--we found the climate most deliciously
cool and invigorating. Rain generally commenced about 3 P.M., and
continued until eight, the remainder of the night being clear, bright
if moonlight, and cool--so cool, indeed, as to make a good camp fire
and woollen shirts two or three-fold and blankets very desirable. The
mornings were generally misty, every leaf and branch dripping with
the rain and heavy dews common here at night, especially during the
wet season. About noon the sun was warm, and the temperature at 9,000
feet rises to 75° if the day is fine and dry.
As I have elsewhere said, our Malay followers suffered much from
what to them was bitter cold; indeed they seemed perfectly helpless,
with scarcely energy to make a fire and cook their food. They have no
notion of actively bestirring themselves in order to keep warm. Our
food supply, too,--that is, the rice--ran short, and so the men were
reduced to live on kaladi and sweet potatoes roasted in the embers and
eaten with a little salt. Our Dusan guides also complained of the cold,
and tried to hurry us in our descent; indeed at last they would wait
no longer, and they slipped away, leaving us to reach their village
alone as best we could. We were fully determined not to be defeated
in our object, however, and keeping ahead of our own men we descended
leisurely so as to gather plants by the way, until all had as much as
they could possibly carry down. I carried my servant's load in order
that he might carry a lot of rare specimens which I had secured for him
in a handkerchief. The descent after the rain of the night before was
difficult and dangerous, and we had a good many falls. Once I fell
down a steep place a depth of about twenty feet, among shrubs and
creepers, which saved me from serious injury. Mr. Veitch and myself,
my "boy," and a solitary Labuan man, went on a-head of our main party,
and just at nightfall discovered that we had lost our way. The right
path lay across a clearing down which we turned instead of pushing
across and striking the path beyond.
We floundered along in the gloaming down several dangerous steeps
and across a rocky stream, in crossing which I stepped incautiously
on a slippery water-worn boulder, and became thoroughly submerged
in the water, which being from the heights above is icy cold,
at least it seems so after one has been used to the heat of the
tropics. This increased my discomfort, and poor Mr. Veitch was but
little better. Here we were at dark lost and benighted beside the
rocky declivities of this mountain stream; but there was no help
for it; and after vainly trying to strike a path, we gave up at the
base of a large tree, and putting down our burdens, we resolved to
pass the night here. To mend matters, it commenced to rain heavily
about seven o'clock, and I am afraid we were not so happy as the mere
possession of health and strength ought to have made us. We had no
food except a couple of wet biscuits and about half a glass of brandy
in a flask. These we shared, and perhaps they were sweeter than the
choicest viands would have tasted had we been in dress clothes and in
comfortable quarters. Then Mr. Veitch had a great find in his bag--a
couple of cigars and a box of matches. Sitting in the smoking-room
of a comfortable club, or in the billiard-room at home, one may smile
at such a discovery; but, situated as we were, cold and wet, a cigar
added much to our comfort. Our two followers tried to make a little
shelter from the rain for themselves, but failed miserably.
About ten o'clock the rain ceased, and we then tried to improve our
position; for hitherto all we could do was to walk about around a
large tree--a distance of a few yards only; for in the darkness we
knew not what ugly falls might not await us if we strayed from our
wretched camping-ground, which was wet and spongy under foot; and the
leeches crawled up our legs and bled us to their hearts' content. We
noticed luminous fungi on the rotten sticks at our feet glowing quite
brightly, and the effect was weird and ghostly in the extreme. My
"boy," quite by accident, had placed a couple of dry flannel shirts,
a pair of trowsers, and a blanket, in the other man's basket, and
so, after the rain ceased, I was able to put on a dry warm shirt and
trowsers, a luxury I had not expected, and also to give Mr. Veitch a
dry shirt and a share of my rug. We now sat down on some brushwood,
and leaning back against the tree, fell asleep, and we did not wake
until near sunrise. Thus ended one of the most dreary nights I ever
spent in the Bornean woods.
In the morning we retraced our steps across the rocky stream,
and soon struck the right path for Kiau, but we had not gone far
before we met "Kurow," the chief of our runaway guides, in a great
state of excitement, coming in search of us. He brought us some fine
langsat fruit in his bag--presumably a peace offering--and seemed
rather surprised that we did not chide him for his desertion of the
day before. As we arrived nearer the village we came across our men,
armed with muskets, also in search of us, and the hilltop was covered
with Kiau people, who appeared greatly concerned, and doubtless glad
to see us safe and well.
When we reached the house, everybody seemed glad to see our safe
return, and sweet potatoes, maize, rice, and kaladi, were readily
brought in by the villagers for ourselves and our men. "Musa" and the
rest of our followers had arrived at Kiau soon after dark the night
before. One man brought a basket of excellent langsat fruit, and a
woman gave us two beautiful oranges from a tree near her door. They
were quite yellow, with tender skins and sweet pulp, similar to those
of the south of Europe, not green skinned, with tough desepiments,
as are those of Labuan. I was much surprised at the oranges having
grass-green skins when perfectly ripe in Singapore, and even the
brittle skinned Mandarin variety had this peculiarity.
Our guide, "Kurow," was twitted pretty much by his neighbours for
having left us the day before, and at last he retired to his house
evidently not well pleased with himself, and, I believe, not a little
surprised at our treating the matter so lightly.
We went out to a shady spot near the house to examine our plants and
see that they were in good order, and we then rested all day. We were
not altogether satisfied with our trip to the mountain, and resolved
to start off to it again in the morning, but this time taking another
path so as to reach the "Marie Parie" spur. We sent off for "Kurow,"
and, telling him our intentions, asked him to collect his followers
and be in readiness to accompany us. The poor fellow was delighted at
this sign of our confidence in him, and helped us zealously, enduring
cold, rain, and waiting--to him meaningless, weary waiting--without
a murmur. In the morning we crossed the hill behind the village, and
fording the "Haya-Haya," "Dahombang," "Pino-Kok," and "Kina Takie"
streams, we reached the foot of the "Marie Parie" spur.
Now came a climb up a rocky pathway, besides which we noticed
fine plants of Cypripedium Petreianum, Cystorchis variegata, and a
lovely yellow flowered terrestrial orchid belonging to the genus
Spathoglottis, but quite distinct from S. aurea. As we ascended,
our path lay up through a belt of tall bamboos, and here two species
of nepenthes were seen. One was the long, green pitchered kind,
covered with purple blotches (N. Boschiana var. Lowii), and the
other a tall growing species, bearing beautiful white pitchers,
elegantly ewer-shaped, diaphanous like "egg shell" porcelain, and
most daintily blotched with reddish crimson in a way quite unlike
any other variety. This grew on both sides of the path, and climbed
the trees to a height of forty or fifty feet. We reached the crest
of the ridge about three o'clock, in a heavy drenching shower,
the climate being similar to that of a warm autumn evening in a
Devonshire wood. We slept under some overhanging rocks at an elevation
of about 4,000 feet, having an under stratum of sticks and brushwood
to keep our water-proof sheets off the wet ground. The air, even at
this low elevation, was chilly during the night, and we found a fire
and blankets acceptable comforts. Melastoma macrocarpa, bearing its
large, rosy flowers, formed a large proportion of the brush around
our camping ground. Here the large nepenthes were very fine; and a
beautiful white flowered dendrobium grows among the bushes. It belongs
to the nigro hirsute section, and has pseudo-bulbs five or six feet
high. The blossoms are described by Mr. Low as being similar to those
of D. formosum giganteum, but with a deep orange red blotch on the lip.
Just above our camping ground, the long, red, pitchered Nepenthes
Edwardsiana was very beautiful, growing up through the low jungle,
its pitchers contrasting with the tufts of rich green moss which
draped trunks and branches everywhere. N. Rajah was also abundant;
and we noticed some immense urns depending from its great broad
leaves, far finer, indeed, than those found at 9,000 feet elevation,
on the more southern spur. That distinct and curious fern, Lindsaya
Jamesonioides, grew here and there in the chinks of the serpentine
rock, and a long-leaved insect-catching sundew (Drosera) was common
in most places among the stones and herbage.
After collecting what plants we desired, we had breakfast, and then
commenced our return. We reached Kiau in about five hours, but some
of our men did not come in until long after our arrival, as they had
heavy loads to carry, and the clay paths were very slippery. At Kiau
village, and on the slopes of the mountain itself, we spent eight
days, and then came the weary march back to Gaya Bay, which, however,
we accomplished in six days. When we reached the Datu's village, he
gave us a fine goat, which our "boys" promptly slew for dinner, and,
being young, it had a delicate mutton-like flavour, and we thought
it a great treat after our hard fare.
A present of a revolver and some cartridges delighted our host; and
the next morning, having obtained another boat, and loaded the one
we had, we pulled to Pangeran Rau's place, where we hired a prahu,
and two days afterwards reached Labuan safely.
During our journey to and from the mountain, we met occasional
parties of natives from the far interior on their trading excursions,
the women, as a matter of course, carrying the heaviest loads, while
the men carried nothing, save a little food in a bag behind them, and
their arms. Some had buffaloes with them. The women, as a class, are
strong and healthy, with small hands and feet, and well-proportioned
features--indeed, in many cases, the young girls are very pleasing
in face and figure, and have lovely black hair, and the brightest of
expressive black eyes. Early marriages, childbearing, hard labour, and
exposure in the fields, however, soon make shrivelled leather-skinned
old hags of them. Their drapery is nothing worth mentioning, and
in such a climate but little is required. Their manners are gentle
and dignified--often when we met them quite suddenly they showed no
surprise, even though they had never seen a white man before. They
make affectionate wives, and tender mothers--indeed, I never saw a
child beaten or chided roughly during my stay in the island.
In the capital and elsewhere on the coast, young Malay women are
almost invariably kept secluded from the gaze of strangers; but here
among these hills inland, as elsewhere among the aboriginals proper,
we found the women enjoying perfect freedom with the men.
While staying at these villages, all the women and girls flocked to
see us, and watched us eat and drink with evident interest. The young
girls were especially confident, and formed laughing groups around
us, chatting to each other in low, modulated tones, and evidently
comparing notes on their observations. They frequently brought us
little presents of fruit, and eggs, or fowls, and were delighted with
the needles and thread, looking-glasses, and white cloth which we
gave them in return. Some of the younger girls were much handsomer
than the Malays, and stood lovingly together as they quizzed us,
often resting their plump little arms or their cheeks on each other's
necks or shoulders as they watched our every movement.
Looking-glasses were considered fashionable at the time of our visit,
and we could have disposed of many more with advantage had we had them
with us. Combs were not so desirable, since these are made by their
husbands or sweethearts; and they are often very prettily decorated
with carved work.
Some of the men seem "thoroughly domesticated," and I saw them
affectionately nursing their naked little babies at night, or in the
daytime, while mamma had gone to the field for food, or the forest for
fuel. I particularly noticed the younger married men standing behind
their nice little wives at night when we were at dinner. They folded
their brown arms around their necks, and whispered loving gossip into
their ears, evidently well contented with themselves and with each
other; and, perhaps, their love is as real and as ardent and as true
here as it is in high places where dress clothes are worn. The farther
one travels, the more plainly does one see how deep rooted and how
world-wide are all the springs of human feeling, whether of love and
joy, or death and sadness; in every land and in every breast is written
the great truth, "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
One night after dinner a bevy of dusky beauties had gathered around
our mats, and to afford some amusement, I showed them several carte de
visite portraits of friends which I had with me. They were particularly
interested in that of one lady, and examined it very attentively;
not a bead or button escaped their quick eyes; but they soon began
asking questions. Was she married? How many children had she? Was she
a good wife? I asked what they meant by the last question. "Well,"
they answered, "did she bring plenty of firewood and kaladi in? and
could she clean padi (rice) well?" Thus a woman among these thrifty
villagers earns her good name as a wife by her capacity for physical
labour. This is also so among other savage races. The Indian girls
on the north-west coast of North America in like manner endeavour
to excel each other in the quantity of quamash (Camassia esculenta)
roots they collect, their fame as future good wives depending on
their activity in the Quamash plains. They were much interested in
all particulars of dress as shown by the carte; but one girl regretted
the absence of rattan coils around the stomach and "chawats" of thick
brass wire on the wrists, and more to the like effect, all from the
Kiau standpoint--for Kiau and its simple fashions are held to be
inviolable. Kiau is all the world to them!
The morning we left, I believe all were sorry to part with us, and
they came to the top of the hill to see us off. On loading our men, we
found that we had four men's loads of plants more than our men could
carry, and so we engaged some of the Kiau villagers to carry them
for us as far as Bawang. We had a good deal of talking, and a grand
display of red cloth and brass wire on the hillside, but eventually
"Musa" concluded the bargain, and paid over the goods in advance,
as is the general custom here.
After receiving the goods, they coolly told us they should not go on
with us, as we walked very slow, but that they would start next day,
adding, that they should reach Bawang before we did. We showed no
signs of wishing otherwise, but passed on with our followers, after
having told the Kiau men to water the plants well as they crossed the
streams, and to protect them from the sun by means of large leaves,
all of which they did; and when we reached Bawang, there, sure enough,
were our plants, all safe and in good condition.
After reaching Labuan, both Mr. Veitch and myself had bad attacks
of intermittent fever, the result of chilling exposure in wet
clothes, and ill-cooked food, accompanied by more than ordinary
exertions. Fortunately our long and difficult journey had been
interrupted by nothing serious, and we were glad to see our native
followers safe home again. Certainly one of them had a nasty fall
from a rocky path near Bawang and cut his head badly, but he was
a plucky Brunei man, and soon overgot his trouble. Another of our
fellows who had been trusted with a musket tried to fire it off
after he had blocked up the barrel by pushing it into the ground
accidentally! He succeeded in exploding the thing, and one of the
fragments cut open his forehead, while another piece struck one of
the bird-hunters on the arm. No serious damage was done. The road
from Gaya Bay to Koung is so hilly and difficult for loaded men to
traverse, that I determined that if ever I went to Kina Balu again I
would take the Tampassuk route. This I did on a subsequent occasion,
but during the wet season, when fording, the swollen rivers presented
great difficulties and dangers. During the dry season, or say, in
January or February, this route would be by far the best to follow.
CHAPTER VI.
LABUAN ISLAND.
Labuan--Inhabitants--Industries--Coal mines--Revenues and
acreage--Oil spring--Climate--Rare ferns--Tropical flowering
trees--Fruit culture--Birds--Pitcher-plants--Snakes--Sun
birds--Large spiders--Ants--Salt making--Pratchan--Old
gardens--Lizards--Mason wasp--A favourite horse--Annual games on
the plain--Church--River travel.
Labuan is one of the smallest and least well known of all British
Colonies.
This island was ceded to Great Britain by the Sultan of Borneo in
1847, and the year afterwards a settlement was established here,
the late Sir James Brooke, K.C.B., being the first governor. Its
area is 19,350 acres, and it is situated in lat. 5° 20' N., being
about six miles off the nearest point of Borneo, and about 700 miles
from Singapore. When ceded it was uninhabited and very unhealthy,
but now contains about 5,000 inhabitants, mostly Kadyans and Malays,
and by clearing and draining the climate is improved. The principal
traders and artificers are Chinese. Chinese coolies are imported
as labourers. A few Klings or Bengalees also live here. The main
object of the colony was the suppression of piracy once rife along
the coast, and the working of the coal measures which exist at the
northern point of the island. The quality of the coal obtainable here
is very good, but the output hitherto has been comparatively small,
owing to a series of adverse circumstances. At present the mines are
deserted, the company having discontinued mining operations. There
is a good harbour at the only town, Victoria, and this place forms a
convenient coaling station for H.M. gunboats on the China station,
which cruise in these seas. The trade is mainly in the hands of
the Chinese, who purchase the native products of Borneo, Palawan,
and the Sulu Archipelago, which is brought hither in native prahus or
boats. Some of the traders also make voyages to different parts of the
Bornean coast to collect sago, gutta, beeswax, edible swallows' nests,
camphor, trepang or beche de mer, mother-o'-pearl shell, and other
produce, in return for which they barter cloth or cotton goods, opium
and tobacco, muskets, ammunition, gongs, and crockeryware, spirits,
tea and provisions, mostly derived from Singapore. The ss. "Cleator"
carries the mails and most of the imports and exports between Singapore
and this port, and affords the only regular means of transport. This
vessel makes the voyage between Labuan and Singapore every twenty-one
days, calling at this port on her way to Brunei.
The main industries of the colony are the coal-mines, sago-washing
factories, and the culture of rice, fruit, and other food products. The
mines were leased by the Government to the Oriental Coal Company of
London and Leith, at a yearly rental of £1000 a year for mining
privileges and the right of cutting timber free of duty. £50
annually was also paid for a wharf and store sheds at the harbour,
a distance of nine miles from the mines. The coal was brought down
in large sailing boats or lighters, manned by Malays. In 1876 only
5824 tons were obtained, but additional workings have been opened
and alterations were made by the Company's manager, Mr. A. Boosie,
which it was thought would have facilitated a much larger output. The
greatest drawbacks to successful mining operations were the enormous
rainfall and its effects on the workings, and the inefficiency of
native labour. Chinese coolies have now, however, been to a great
extent substituted for the Malays previously employed. The ships of
H.M. Navy have a prior claim to coal at £1 0s. 6d. per ton, ordinary
trading vessels pay a trifle more. The revenues of the Colony are
derived from various monopolies, such as the sale of opium, tobacco,
spirits, fish, arms, and ammunition, the rental or sale of lands,
and a per centage on all timber cut in the Colony.
In 1876 the opium farmer paid £2,687 10s. for the exclusive
right of importing, preparing, selling, or exporting opium in the
island. Tobacco produced £750; spirits, £300; fishmarket, £550;
pawnbroking, £112 10s.; licences to sell arms and ammunition, £65. A
duty of ten per cent. is payable on the value of all timber cut on
crown lands, except by the Coal Company, who, as already stated,
have the right, free. The estimated acreage of the colony is 19,350
acres, of which 1,738 acres are supposed to be cultivatable, and
17,612 uncultivatable. Field labour, the felling of timber, &c.,
is carried on by Chinese and Malays, who receive 25 to 30 cents per
day; carpenters, 50 cents; blacksmiths, 60 cents. The land under
padi (rice) cultivation is about 11,000 acres, and consists of well
watered alluvial plains near the centre of the island. Cocoanut palms
and other fruit trees, 550 acres; sugarcane and vegetable gardens,
about 50 acres. The Chinese here, as elsewhere eastward, monopolize
the vegetable-growing industry. The largest cocoanut plantation and
oil factory is on Pulu Daát, a large islet lying between Labuan and
the Bornean coast. The total number of cocoanut trees in the colony
is estimated at 200,000. The nuts, retail, either green or ripe,
fetch two or three cents each, and the oil obtained from them fetches
the uniform price of £33 per ton. A young plantation of the African
oil-palm (Elæis guineensis) has been established on Pulu Daát, and
the experiment promises to be a successful one. The little coarse
uncrystallised sugar made in the colony fetches about 50 cents per
gantang, a measure holding about 7lb. Padi, or rice in husk, fetches
about £1 10s. per 100 gantangs (6 cwts.). There are three sago washing
works near Victoria Harbour, where the raw pulp, as brought from the
Bornean coast, is hand-washed and sifted into the dry sago-flour of
commerce. Some of the low-lying well watered or marsh-land has been
planted with the sago-palm.
A new fishmarket has been erected, and this building, together with
the right of buying and selling all the fish caught, is let annually
to the highest bidder with the other farms. No regular fisheries are
organised, nor is any record kept of the quantity and description of
fish supplied. It is estimated at about 1000 piculs. In the capture
of fish along the coast, seine nets and "kelongs" or bamboo traps
are used. In deep water a baited hook and line.
An oil-spring exists in the forest, near the mines, at an elevation
of 130 feet above the sea, the yield during wet season being about
12 gallons of petroleum every twenty-four hours. The highest land
in the island is Bukit Kalám, 280 feet above sea level. The total
area in scrubs and fern is 1000 acres, timber or forest about 300
acres. The quit-rents on lands sold for 999 years produce about £230
annually. It not being considered advisable to alienate any further
crown lands at present on account of the low prices obtainable,
the Government rice lands are let annually for prices varying from
two to four shillings per acre. The edible fruits cultivated are
fine oranges of several kinds, excellent pomoloes, Durian, mangoes,
tarippe, rambutan, jack-fruit and champada, rose apples (jambosa),
cocoanuts, mangosteen, rambi, bananas in variety, limes, guava, papaw,
cashew nut, and several others, including the bread-fruit, baloonas,
mambangan. The total revenue in 1877 was £7,490, the expenditure being
£7,995. Imports, total value, £126,594, exports £112,996. Cattle and
ponies are cheap--thus, good cows are worth £2 to £4 each; Shanghai
sheep, £1 to £2; goats, 10s. each; ponies, £4 to £10. These last are
imported from the Sulu Islands. Water buffaloes are generally used
as draught animals, and are worth from £4 to £6 each.
The whole island is tolerably flat, and at one time was entirely
covered with forests, yielding fine timber. Of late years, however,
jungle fires have been frequent during the dry season; and at the
present time but little old forest remains. The climate is now
generally supposed to be drier and more healthy than formerly; but
the flora has suffered much, many orchids and other rare plants,
formerly found here in abundance, being now quite extinct. After
the rains a lovely little blue burmannia (B. coelestis), and a tiny
sundew become very pretty on the plains. Yellow flowered xyrids
and eriocaulons grace the wet ditches, and the orange orchards are
redolent with perfume, the trees being then in bloom, and at night
the gardens are illuminated with fire-flies.
I resided for some time in a house which had been occupied by Mr. Hugh
Low, the garden and fruit orchard of which afforded the most delightful
walks morning and evening. I never saw the elk's-horn fern (Platycerium
grande) so luxuriant anywhere as it was on the boles of some large
orange-trees here. The barren fronds were broad, like the horns of
the giant Irish elk; and the more slender fertile ones drooped on all
sides from the base of the nest formed by the leafy expansions. I
measured some of these fertile fronds, and found them fully seven
feet in length. These splendid ferns (one of which is here represented
in my sketch), and the choicest of epiphytal orchids, which had been
planted among the branches of the trees, made a walk amongst them most
enjoyable. I thought at the time I should never like to see orchids,
and other rare exotics stewed up in a glass shed again, after seeing
them thus luxuriant in the open air.
The flowering trees, many of which have been introduced into the
gardens, are very lovely a week or two after the rains. Poinciana
regia, two or three species of cassia, and Lagerstroemia regina, and
L. indica, with white lilac or rosy flowers, are common. Different
kinds of jasmines, ixoras, and hibiscus flower freely nearly all the
year, as also does Thunbergia laurifolia, which drapes trees, and
fences, the fire-blossomed pomegranate, the fragrant oleander; there
are also pools filled with the sunshade-like leaves and rosy flowers of
the Sacred Lotus, the beauty of which rivals even the celebrated Lotus
pools of Japan. One or two honey-suckles and Jasminum grandiflorum
form tangled masses in the hedges, the pearly flowers of Pancratium
zeylanicum spring up from the grass, sheltered here and there by
caladium leaves, and a scarlet hippeastrum forms glowing masses in
old gardens, and on waste places where houses have once been situated.
Where many indigenous plants have died out, this hippeastrum has
become naturalised: the light sandy soil and hot sun seem to suit
its requirements; and it increases so freely, that a barrow-load of
bulbs might be dug from a square yard of earth. Another introduced
plant, perfectly naturalised here, as also in Penang and Singapore,
is the dwarf and acrid Isotoma longiflora, which bears snowy-white
long-tubed flowers. The purple-flowered "Mudar" (Calotropis gigantea),
and the glorious mauve wreaths of Bougainvillea spectabilis, are in
places very beautiful. The climate is hot, especially during the dry
season; but about five o'clock P.M., when the land breeze sets in,
it is cool and agreeable.
Mangoes, especially the fine Manilla varieties, and pomoloes, grow well
in the gardens and orchards, as also do oranges of various kinds. The
soil is so poor, however, that in order to obtain fine fruit, it is
necessary to keep a herd of cattle, and to fold them at night, for
the sake of a good supply of manure. Where the trees are planted on
the grass, a circle beneath each is cultivated with the "chunkal,"
or heavy iron hoe; and this is regularly manured and watered. It
is quite usual to see the boles of mango and some other fruit trees
gashed with blows from a chopper at intervals, an operation analogous
to the ringing or strangulation formerly practised in English gardens
before root-pruning came into fashion. This is done to induce the
trees to bear fruit earlier, and more abundantly.
There is only one species of bird endemic, a lively black and white one
(Copsychus amoenus), which frequents gardens near the bungalows, and
sings very sweetly during wet weather; indeed, it was the only Eastern
song bird which reminded me of our dappled thrush at home. Of eagles
and fish hawks there are several species. Tern are seen in flocks on
neighbouring sand-banks. Golden plover and snipe abound on the plain
near the shore, and there two or three sand pipers and rails. The
white crane, or "padi bird," is common; and the long-pinioned frigate
bird wheels overhead, far out of gun-shot, diving now and then into
the sea after food with wonderful velocity. The mellow whistle of
the mino bird is one of the most familiar sounds of the forest,
especially when the fruit of the wild figs ripen, and then white,
large blue, and pretty little green tree pigeons of many kinds appear,
attended by flocks of glossy, red-eyed starlings.
The "chuck, chuck" of the goat-sucker (Caprimulgus macrurus) is one
of the most familiar sounds during moonlight nights. At daybreak the
chatter of the Java sparrows assures one of its being high time to
rise. Cuming's mound bird (Megapodius Cumingi) is found in Labuan,
but is more common on the islets of Kuraman, where its nests are met
with in mounds of earth, three to four feet in height, and twelve
feet in circumference.
Even the Nicobar pigeon visits this island; and a solitary
hoopoo was shot there during my visit. Two species of great beaked
hornbills inhabit the forest; and there are three or four species of
swallows. One of the prettiest of all the small birds is a long-tailed
green and brown fly-catcher, which might easily be mistaken for a
swallow, so swift and graceful is its flight. A large red kingfisher
(Halcyon caromanda), found here, builds its nest in a peculiar manner,
as described by Mr. Sharpe, in Proc. Zool. Soc., 1879, part ii.,
p. 331:--
"The nest is said to be pendulous, and invariably to be accompanied
in the same mass by a bee, which is peculiarly vicious, so that the
nest can only be robbed after destroying the bees."
The interior of the island is flat and marshy; and here the soil
being deep and alluvial, it is well adapted for rice; and the wet
patches beside the streams suit the sago palm well. In the patches of
low jungle beside the roads three or four species of pitcher plants
abound, rooting into the wet, sandy peat earth, and climbing up the
shrubby undergrowth in the most luxuriant and graceful manner. These
nepenthes stems are wonderfully tough, and are used as withes, and
as a substitute for rattan cane in tying fence timbers together. More
rarely they are used in basket-work. The kinds most common in Labuan
are N. gracilis, several varieties, N. nivea, and N. ampullaria. There
are five or six species of terrestrial orchids; and from trees on
Dr. Ley's estate plants of the new genus astrostruma (A. spartiodes,
Benth.) were gathered for the first time.
Alligators infest the streams, and shallow sea, near the town of
Victoria; and now and then a native is carried off. One of these
large brutes actually tried to carry off a pony one night during my
stay. Snakes are plentiful. A deadly green snake is common on the Bird
Island, just off the mouth of the harbour, and great brown rock snakes
abound. One night a Kling man brought a black snake, six feet long,
tied to a stick, which he said he had caught up a cocoa-nut tree,
and added that it had just swallowed a bird. It was purchased;
and in the morning, when it was being skinned, the "boy" came to
say that it had young ones inside it. This we did not believe; and,
on going to see it, we found that the "young one" was a snake, two
feet long, of another species, very common in the island, which had
been swallowed head foremost, as usual, and was in part digested. The
large snake was so fat, that hunger could not have prompted it to
swallow a smaller brother; and so I more than suspect that Malaysia
can now boast of a snake-eating snake, as well as British India,
whence one of these cannibals, the ophiophagus, was introduced to
the Zoological Gardens a few years ago.
A large boa, ten to twenty feet long, and as thick as one's arm,
is common in the jungle, and often commits depredations amongst
badly-housed poultry, as also does the iguana. A singular sluggishness
characterised all the snakes I saw; and as many of those said to be
deadly by the natives rest on the trees, rather than on the ground,
this may account for the extreme rarity of death from snake-bites
in this part of the East. A slender green species, nearly six feet
in length, infests the fig-trees when in fruit; and, twisting its
tail around a branch, it coils itself up ready to spring at any bird
unwary enough to venture sufficiently close. One of these I saw shot;
and it had a double row of hooked fangs in its wide set jaws, admirably
adapted to hold anything once within its grasp.
Perhaps the most lovely and interesting of all, however, are the
sun-birds, which are here in the East the representatives of the
true humming-birds of the Western tropics. "They are ethereal, gay,
and sprightly in their movements, flitting briskly from flower to
flower, and assuming a thousand lovely and agreeable attitudes. As the
sunbeams glitter on their bodies, they sparkle like so many precious
stones, and exhibit at every turn a variety of bright and evanescent
hues. As they hover around the honey-laden blossoms, they vibrate
their tiny pinions so rapidly, as to cause a slight whirring sound,
but not so loud as the humming noise produced by the true humming
birds. Occasionally they may be seen clinging by their feet and tail
busily engaged in rifling the blossoms of the trees. I well remember
a certain dark-leaved tree with scarlet flowers, that especially
courted the attention of the sun-birds; and about its blossoms they
continually darted with eager and vivacious movements. With this tree
they seemed particularly delighted, clinging to the slender twigs, and
coquetting with the flowers, thrusting in their slender curved beaks,
and probing with their brush-like tongues for insects and nectar,
hanging suspended by their feet, throwing back their little glossy
heads, chasing each other on giddy wing, and flirting and twittering,
the gayest of the gay. Some were emerald-green, some vivid violet,
and others yellow, with a crimson wing."
Sir Jas. Emerson Tennent describes them as being common in Ceylon,
where they frequent the gardens, and rifle the blossoms of the
passifloras, and other flowers; at other times searching for small
insects and spiders, and again pluming themselves, and warbling their
pleasing songs on the pomegranate-trees. "If two happened to come to
the same flower--and from their numbers this has often occurred--a
battle always ensued, which ended in the vanquished bird retreating
from the spot with shrill piping cries, while the conqueror would take
up his position upon a flower or stem, and swinging his little body
to and fro, till his coat of burnished steel gleamed and glistened
in the sun, pour out his song of triumph." The rich plumage of the
dainty little male birds is only seen during the breeding season,
after which they moult, and are as unattractive as their mates. Two
tiny eggs are laid in a wee nest, which is suspended from a twig,
or sometimes the stout web of a large spider is made to bear the
little shelter for eggs and young.
The spiders in the jungle, and old buildings of the East, are numerous;
and some are of an alarming size, but of beautiful colours. One
large, black, yellow-spotted species measures six or eight inches
across its extended legs, and its web is held in position by grey
lines, almost as stout as fine sewing-cotton, and strong enough to
pull one's hat off. It is a very disagreeable sensation to feel them
across one's face, as often happens in a little used jungle-path. Ants
are particularly plentiful; and the white termites throw up mounds
of red earth, five or six feet in height, and often do much damage
by burrowing into the piles of houses, and other buildings. The
species of ants vary much in size. One is a tiny red fellow, but
little larger than a cheese-mite, and scarcely visible; others are
black, their bodies being an inch in length. Some species bite very
sharp if disturbed, as I found to my cost, when scrambling about over
the branches of trees after orchids, and other plants. There is one
species of nepenthes (N. bicalcarata), having large red urns, the
stalks of which are invariably perforated by a species of ant; and
I found a flowering shrub on the Tawaran river, the stems of which
were swollen and hollow just below the flower-heads, this being due
to the punctures of ants; a remarkably curious gouty-stemmed plant,
parasitical on low jungle-trees in Labuan--myrmecodia--actually depends
for its existence on the bite of a species of ant. The seed germinates
on the bark of the foster-tree; and when the seedling has attained
a certain height, the growth ceases, and it remains stationary,
until the necessary bite is given, when the stem swells out at the
base, and leaves and flowers are produced in due course. If not thus
punctured, the young plant dies. The gouty or swollen stem is hollow,
and forms a refuge for the ants, which in their turn may afford it some
needful protection, since they rush out boldly to attack trespassers
who disturb the tree on which their fostered-shelter plant grows.
One day, as I emerged from the forest on the western shore of the
island, I came across a young Kadyan engaged in making salt. The
process, as carried out by him, was very simple. A heap of drift
wood is collected, and of this a fire is made, so as to secure
a good supply of ashes. The ashes are placed in a small tub, and
sea-water is filtered through them, so as to catch up whatever salt
they contain. It now remains for the water to be evaporated, so as to
leave the salt. To this end evaporating-pans, or rather receptacles,
are neatly made from the sheaths of the nebong palm, fastened into
shape by slender wooden skewers. Two logs are then laid parallel to
each other, and a foot or fifteen inches apart, and over these the
pans are placed close together, so as to form a rude kind of flue,
in the which a fire of light brushwood is lighted, and very soon
afterwards the salt may be observed falling to the bottom of the
evaporators. It was a very hot morning, and the heat in the close
forest where I had been exploring was so intense, that I was thankful
to reach the coast and feel the delicious breezes which came from
the open sea. The beach to the westward of the island is mainly of
firm yellow sand, but here and there paved more or less thickly with
honey-combed coral rocks and pebbles. The outer edge of the old forest
nearest the shore is fringed with tall casuarina trees, here called
"Kayu Aru." The Malays have some legends connected with this tree,
and can rarely be induced to cut it down, although the tough light
timber is well suited for some particular purposes.
Under a group of these trees a large company of Kadyans were encamped,
and busily engaged making "Pratchan." This is a reddish product
made of prawns. Some of the men were out in canoes just beyond the
shallow reefs catching the tiny fish, while others and the women and
girls were preparing them on shore. The fish are jammed up in troughs
formed of hollow trunks of trees by beating wooden pestles, and when
finished resembles a stiff red paste, which is afterwards packed in
circular palm-leaf bags or baskets for the Chinese markets. Some
of the fish were being dried by being spread out in the sun on
mats. They were bright as burnished silver, and in flavour reminded
one of whitebait. The price of the red paste, or prepared "Pratchan,"
is about three dollars per picul, and the dried article fetches ten
or twelve cents per gantang. Their encampment of yellow palm-leaf
mats and bamboo poles formed a pretty rural scene beneath the tall
trees which overhung the yellow sands, and the dusky limbs and
faces, and the bright-coloured "sarongs" worn by the women of the
party, added much to the picturesque view as seen beneath a blue and
cloudless sky. I and Mr. A. Cook visited the oil springs, which are
situated in a shady glade in the forest two or three miles from the
coal-mines. All the evidence of the old borings we saw was an old
door and a rude trough, into which the oil-surfaced water rises as it
wells up slowly from the rocks below. No use is now made of this oil,
except by the Kadyans and other natives, who utilise it now and then
in the manufacture of torches. The odour of the oil is distinctly
perceptible near the spring, and the oil itself covers the surface
of the little stream as it flows seawards. Before the spring was
reached we passed through an open clearing of a hundred of acres
or more covered with grass, on which a few milch cattle belonging
to some of the Kling residents were grazing. We were surprised in
one place to come across an old garden, of several acres in extent,
containing mango, banana, and other fruit trees, with here and there
native huts, houses, and rice-barns all going to decay. A Kadyan,
who overtook us just before we entered the forest, told us it was an
old village belonging to his tribe, adding that they had abandoned it
after their headman had died there. It is by no means unusual to find
localities abandoned in this way in Borneo owing to the death of the
principal man in the village, and when the rotten old palm-thatched
houses have been eaten up by the luxuriant jungle which springs up
around, the fruit-trees prosper and serve to mark the localities of
former villages long after they themselves have vanished for ever.
Here, as elsewhere in warm climates, the mosquito is of all animals
the smallest and most troublesome to the weary traveller. Large
moths flutter about the ceilings, especially on cold wet nights,
and insect life of many kinds is attracted to the lamplight. In every
house there is a colony of lively little drab-coloured lizards. They
run very nimbly up the sides of the room and on the ceiling, keeping
a sharp look-out the while for their supper of moths and flies. The
Malays have a proverb, "That even a lizard gives the fly time to
pray." This has been derived from the peculiar manner in which this
tiny Saurian "goes for" its quarry. On seeing a fly it darts at it
swiftly, but when within an inch or two of it suddenly stops itself
and pauses several seconds ere the fatal spring is made and the fly
seized. Now and then the lizards lose their hold of the ceiling and
come on the table with a "flop," but this is a rare occurrence. One
of the most common and interesting of the domestic insects is the
"mason wasp," a large yellow species which constructs a series of
mud cells or a gallery of earth against the woodwork of the verandah
or roof. In each cell, as completed, an egg is deposited, and ere
closing up the cavity it is stuffed full of green caterpillars, which
are then sealed up alive to serve as food for her larva when hatched
out. The big black carpenter bees are also often seen examining
the woodwork of the house or verandah, and on finding a piece in
suitable condition they bore a clean hole into it in which to deposit
their eggs. These two insects are highly interesting--a mason and a
carpenter--and both do "worke moste excellently well." Native houses
and gardens are dotted pretty freely about the island, and there are
some interesting walks. I was enabled to explore the island pretty
well, in which work the Hon. Dr. Leys very kindly assisted me by
the loan of his favourite horse "Joseph." This animal was the most
gentle and tractable creature imaginable, and admirably accustomed to
jungle travelling, since he would go anywhere among trees or bushes,
and might be trusted to stand quietly if tied; or he would follow one
like a dog if loose. He was of Australian breed, and had his faults
too. At the "whisk" of a whip or stick he was inclined to bolt, and
once threw me pretty heavily when frightened in that way. Another
trick he had was to stop suddenly at any place where he had turned
off the road, or had been tied before, and as he would stop short or
turn off thus suddenly when at full gallop, the consequences which
sometimes resulted from such freaks may be readily imagined. With
all his vagaries, however, he was a sleek and loveable creature;
and I once saw the little daughter of the Doctor's Malay syce or
groom lift up one of his hind legs when in the stable, at the same
time telling her little group of dusky playfellows how very vicious
he was (eine kudah jahat--jahat banyiak skali, etu lah!). "Joseph"
was the swiftest animal in the island, and rigorously excluded from
competing at the races held on the plain by the shore every New
Year's Day. These annual races and sports are much appreciated both
by Europeans and natives, and they afford the only general holiday
in which both natives and Europeans mingle during the year.
The native canoe races in the harbour are a speciality, the Malays
and Brunei men being here seen in their native element. The "tug of
war" between Malays and Chinese is also an amusing feature, while all
are interested in the performance of the ponies and in the European
athletic sports. A palm-thatched erection beneath the casuarina trees,
near Ramsay Point, does duty as a grand stand and refreshment bar,
and from the slight elevation, it affords an excellent view of the
dusky but smiling faces and parti-coloured costumes of the natives
and Chinese. All the native beauties are present, and glimpses of
bright expressive eyes, coal-black hair secured with silver pins,
and brilliant sarongs beneath neat cool-looking sacques meet one at
every turn. Here and there the sparkle of jewellery and the glitter
of bangles meet the eye, and on all sides the lavish display of pearly
teeth and the ripple of merry laughter is seen and heard. A dinner at
Government House, to which almost all the Europeans in the island,
or from the gunboat which may happen to be in harbour, are invited,
winds up this gala day of the opening year.
There is a neat little wooden church here on the hill behind Government
House, and there is a service once or twice every third year, when the
Lord Bishop of Sarawak visits this part of his diocese. From some of
the elevated portions of the island beautiful views are obtainable,
with the blue mountains of Borneo towering skywards in the distance;
and from the verandah of the manager's house at the coal-mines at
the northern end of the island, Kina Balu may be seen quite plainly
at sunrise and sunset during clear weather; and although more than
a hundred miles away, its topmost crags stand out clear and sharp,
and are tinged with the most beautiful tints of purple and gold by
the rising or the setting sun.
It was from Labuan that my visits to the Bornean coast and to Sulu
were made. Some of these adventurous wanderings were pleasant, others
the reverse. The following is a short account of a boat journey made
by myself and Mr. Peter Veitch, its object being to obtain pitcher
plants (Nepenthes bicalcarata), Burbidgea nitida, Pinanga Veitchii,
Cypripedium Lawrenceanum, and other beautiful fine-foliaged plants
and orchids:--
"Towards the noon of a hot day in January 1878--a day hot even for the
tropics--two Veitchian travellers in North-western Borneo, with their
native contingent of guides, boatmen, and carriers, were descending
one of the most lovely of all the rivers in the island. The water
was clear and smooth--so clear and so smooth that the great nipa
leaves, which arched gracefully out from the banks and laved their
ends in the stream, were reflected in the water as clearly as if in
a mirror. The boatmen were in good spirits, for there was but little
work for their paddles, so they chewed their betel-nut and limed pepper
leaves contentedly, or rolled up a little tobacco, cigarette-like,
in wrappers made of the young leaves of Nipa fruticans, and smoked
in a silence only broken by low laughter and sentences murmured in
the most musical of tongues. The river banks were clothed with forest
trees, as also was the rising ground behind, and where the river was
shallow mangrove trees, thickly interlaced, took the place of the
big fruited nipa. On the lower trees near the fringe of the forest
coelogynes, dendrobes, bolbophyllums, and other orchids--not often
beautiful as that word is too often understood--clothed the branches;
the tiny Davallia parvula, D. heterophylla, and D. pedata--all modest
little species of ferns--were also seen on tree trunks or on rocks,
and on the outer branches far overhead Platycerium biforme made
itself a home, its fertile fronds drooping four or five feet below
the cluster of barren ones. For company, but never at so great a
height, varieties of Neottopteris nidus avis, or an allied species,
were seen forming nests of glossy broadly strap-shaped fronds often of
great length. Of palms the 'Nebong' (Oncosperma filamentosum) and the
unique red-stemmed 'Malawarin' (which long defied Eastern collectors
who wished to introduce it to Europe) were most beautiful. The former
produces an excellent 'cabbage,' as good as seakale when well cooked,
and its old stems are generally employed as piles by the Malays,
who almost always erect their palm-thatched 'atap' houses over the
water of river or sea.
"Bird-life generally was dozing--the birds were enjoying their
noontide siesta in the shady trees. The handsome Bornean pheasants,
the 'Argus,' the 'Fireback,' and the 'Bulwer' with its pure snowy
tail of blackcock-like shape, were alike unseen and unheard. Now and
then the deep rich and mellow whistle of the 'Mino' bird or Javanese
'Grackle' reached us, and a whole colony of large blue, and of pretty
little greyish green, yellow-winged pigeons--Carpophagi--were surprised
on a fig tree in fruit as the canoe shot around a sudden bend in the
stream. Of the seven or eight species of hornbills known to inhabit
these groves we saw not one--indeed our view of the birds would have
been but meagre but for the apparition of a black darter with only
its head or neck above the water, in which attitude its resemblance
to a snake is well nigh perfect. A few kingfishers braved the sun
and flitted alongside the nipa leaves, or flew rapidly across stream
like clusters of jewels endowed with life and motion. Scarcely a
sound disturbed the quietude and beauty of such a tropical scene,
except that now and then for no very apparent reason the boatmen
made a spurt with their paddles, any little extra exertion in this
way being often accompanied by a plaintive song in chorus--melody
in perfect keeping with a wildly natural albeit lovely spot. At one
well-remembered bend of the glassy stream the men had been directed to
stop awhile, and a few dexterous strokes of the paddle on the part of
a handsome young Kadyan man named 'Moumein,' who acted as steersman,
sent the canoe beneath the arching nipa plumes to a bare spot where
it was possible to land. The wet branches of a low mossy tree were
covered with the elegant little Davallia parvula, among which grew
a cirrhopetalum only about two inches in height, and bearing little
purple flowers in semi-circular whorl-like tufts at the apices of
tiny scapes. On sandstone rocks near at hand the handsome Dipteris
Horsfieldii was abundant, its stout rhizomes creeping over the nearly
bare wet rock, and adhering so firmly by its tiny rootlets that it
was difficult to displace. [4] Above one's head grew the great glossy
green umbrella-like fronds, borne aloft on stipes varying from two
to eight feet in length. Truly a noble fern--alas! how difficult to
cultivate. At the time I lived in the locality in which it is found
in the utmost luxuriance, I read of the plant being exhibited in
London and elsewhere, but each successive report of it unfortunately
recorded its decadence. This and the glorious Matonia pectinata--also
Bornean, although first found together with our old friends Cypripedium
barbatum, Nepenthes sanguinea, and Rhododendron jasminiflorum, on
Mount Ophir, in Malacca--are two of the most noble of all ferns,
rivalling the palms indeed in stately beauty and substance of
frond-tissue. How unfortunate, then, is it that both so persistently
resist the efforts alike of collectors and cultivators. As one of
the two travellers before-mentioned I had previously visited the
spot where we had now landed, and after a long walk through the tall
forests, which are carpeted in moist places and near streams by lovely
steel-blue aspleniums and lindsayas, and also by the freshest and
most luxuriant of selaginellas, had, after ascending a sloping and
rather dry hill-side, come upon a plant which I saw at a glance was
zingiberaceous, but it was so distinct in port and flower to anything
that I had previously seen that I sent roots of it to Chelsea, and
a few of these fortunately survived. Its fate was not known to us
at the time we again visited the spot, and so the object in again
running the canoe among the nipa plumes at this place was to obtain
a fresh supply. I shall long remember this second journey to collect
Burbidgea nitida, since I was ill with fever at the time, and on
Mr. Peter Veitch devolved the duty of a long tramp through the tall
forest; past numerous felled gutta-yielding trees (Isonandra sp.?),
and up the hill slope beyond, until just below the rocky summit, this
plant is found at a place called the 'Devil's House' ('Satan punya
ruma') where are some dark deep holes in the face of perpendicular
rocks, frequented by the swallows which build the edible nests so
highly valued by the rich Chinese. The burbidgea grows on low wet
sandstone boulders, on which their rhizomes and roots form a perfect
mat, and among the plants as thus elevated decayed leaves and other
forest débris is blown by winds or washed by rains. Although growing
in rich shady forest, and subjected to a heavy rainfall, and high,
albeit fresh and often windy atmosphere, the plants rarely exceed a
yard in height. To this place Mr. Veitch went with a body of trusty
natives, and many bundles of the plants were brought back, some of
them fine masses of twenty or thirty stems, each having recently
borne a large cluster of its rich, orange-coloured flowers.
"While Mr. Veitch was away, my Chinese boy, 'Kimjeck,' got out the
cooking utensils to prepare dinner on the shore, and the men who stayed
behind amused themselves by looking for flowers ('cheri bunga') in
the low forest and on the sandstone rock near our landing-place. I had
to lie in the boat beneath the awning, feeling very sick, and with a
splitting headache--feverish symptoms which all travellers in tropical
forests alike must suffer. I was just dozing off to sleep when I heard
much yelling, and my boy, who had joined the men, returned down the
jungle path at full speed, shouting 'Ular! Ular! Tuan! Sayah mow etu
snapang lakas skali!' 'Trima kasi!' he ejaculated, as he snatched my
gun and disappeared with the agility of a young goat. The gist of
the matter was, he had seen a snake and was off to shoot it. After
listening for ten minutes to the most deafening shouts and yells,
mingled with many ejaculations of advice and caution, and the reports
of both barrels echoing through the forest, I was rather disappointed
to see them return with a small snake, not larger than the English
viper. On my expressing my surprise, and observing that, by the noise,
I thought it was a snake big enough to swallow a buffalo, the men all
agreed that what it lacked in size was amply compensated for by its
fatal bite--or, as they expressed it, 'if that snake bit a man he need
not trouble about food any more, as he would have no time to pray.'
"The Muruts have a great love for gong music; and now and then a
cheap German gun, or old Tower musket, is obtained from Chinese
traders. Spears, blow-pipes, krisses or parongs (swords), and
their ghastly baskets of human skulls, form their only accumulated
wealth. These heads are used to ornament their dwellings at their
periodical seasons of feasting, and when illuminated by the flickering
glare of 'dammar' gum torches the effect is melodramatic in the
extreme. It was rather difficult to make any use of these Muruts
as collectors--they showed no powers of discrimination whatever,
while the Kadyans, on the other hand--who are also aboriginals, but
have mixed much with the dominant Malays, by whom they were years ago
converted to the faith of Islam--showed great aptitude, and were of
real service; and I shall long retain pleasant memories of some of
the Kadyan villagers, especially 'Moumein,' of Meringit, who received
me into the little village he had founded with every demonstration
of friendship, and rendered me much intelligent assistance for many
weeks. Of Malays generally one may say that they live by lying and
thieving in one form or another, but the aboriginal races of Borneo,
like the Papuans whom Goldie met inland in New Guinea, are gentle
and hospitable to peaceably disposed strangers, and it will be a
great pity to see them exterminated in the way their prototypes,
the Incas of Peru, and the Red Men of the West, have been."
CHAPTER VII.
BEAUTIFUL BORNEO.
Borneo--Wild animals--the Malays--Poetry--Romances--Dewa Indra
--Native government--Pile dwellings--Intermarriage--Language--
Clothing--Courtship--Marriage--Inland tribes--Land culture--
Native villages--Food products--Textile fabrics--Bark cloth
--Native women--Climate--Native produce--Kayan weapon--Rivers
--Gambling--Opium smoking.
Borneo, the beautiful--the "garden of the sun"--is the third
largest island in the world, and boasts a much larger area than
that occupied by the British Isles. The equator divides it, and
the climate is, perhaps, that most suitable for vegetation of any
other, being uniformly hot and humid all the year round. There are
no volcanoes, the tiger is unknown, and it is the only habitat of the
wild elephant in the Malay Archipelago. It is also remarkable as being
the home of the wild man of the forests, or the "orang utan" of the
Malays. Alligators abound in the rivers, and are the most dangerous
of the wild animals. Snakes exist plentifully, and in great variety,
but death from snake-bites is very rare. The two-horned rhinoceros,
wild cattle, pigs in abundance, and several species of deer are known.
The human inhabitants may be roughly divided into two races, the
Malays and the Borneans, or aboriginals. The origin of both types
is obscure. The Malays, however, are immigrants who inhabit the
coasts of all the large Malay islands where, as here in Borneo,
they have long held the dominant power. Some believe them to have
originally been the descendants of Arabs who settled in the Celebes
long before the Dutch became rulers in these seas, and this view
gains some support from the fact of the Arabic character being used
in writing, and their titles as Sultan, hadji, and sherrif, are of
Arabic origin. They all profess Islam. The Bornean Malays may be said
to have but little literature: the Koran, a few MS. poems, prayers,
and tales are the only books generally seen in the island; but the
people possess a vast amount of traditional lore, and many of their
songs refer to the history of the country, the beauty of their women,
or to the personal attributes and prowess of their former rulers.
The following may be taken as a fair sample of Malayan poetry, and
was originally published in the Asiatic Journal. Many of the tales and
legends of the Malays are in blank verse, with a good many repetitions;
and choruses are extremely popular, as also are extemporaneous vocal
performances:--
"Cold is the wind, the rain falls fast,
I linger, though the hour is past.
Why come you not? whence this delay!
Have I offended--say?
"My heart is sad and sinking too;
Oh! break it not! it loves but you!
Come, then, and end this long delay,
Why keep you thus away?
"The wind is cold, fast falls the rain,
Yet weeping, chiding, I remain,
You come not still--you still delay!
Oh, wherefore can you stay!"
Malayan romances and minstrelsy are alike rich in imagery, as the
following examples from Marsden's Malay Grammar will suffice to show:--
PASSAGES EXTRACTED FROM A ROMANCE, CONTAINING THE ADVENTURES OF INDRA
LAKSANA, MAHADEWA, AND DEWA INDRA.
"The prince then smiling (at the defiance sent by the enemy) went
to soothe the affliction of his wife, and addressed her thus:
'O my love, thou who art to me the soul of my body, farewell! If
perchance it should be thy husband's doom to fall (in the approaching
battle), wilt thou cherish the memory of him with some degree of fond
concern? Wilt thou wrap him in the scarf that binds thy waist? Wilt
thou bathe his corpse with thy tears pure as the dew that hangs at
the extremity of the grass? Wilt thou bestrew it with the flowers
which now adorn the folds of thy hair?' The princess upon this wept
the more abundantly, and embraced the neck of Indra Laksana, her arm
enfolding it as the muskscented epidendrum entwines the angsuka tree
(Pavetta indica). Such was the picture she exhibited, whilst Indra
wiped away the tears from her eyes."
"Upon the arrival of Indra Mahadewa at the palace, he seated himself
by the side of the princess (his bride) and said to her, smiling, 'My
love, my soul, what manner is it your intention to dispose of yourself,
as I am obliged to proceed in the search of my brother? If it be your
design to accompany me, you should lose no time in giving orders for
the necessary preparations, as my departure must be immediate.' When
the princess Seganda Ratna heard these words, she held down her head,
and with glances sweet as the blue lotos flower in the sea of honey,
replied, 'What plans, my love, am I, a young female, to pursue
but those of my lord alone? For is not a wife under the guidance
of her husband?' Indra Mahadewa showed his satisfaction at hearing
these expressions from the princess, embraced and kissed her saying,
'Thy good sense adds grace to thy lovely features; thou shalt be the
soother of my cares, my comforter, my companion.'"
"Having spoken thus, Indra Mahadewa bent his course wherever his
uncertain steps might lead. With an anxious heart and suffering from
hunger and thirst, he penetrated into forests of great extent, ascended
high mountains, and crossed wide plains. The sun was now set, and the
moon rose in all her splendour as if to serve him for a torch. The
prince, although fatigued, proceeded towards the hills of Indra Kila,
and as he passed, the tender branches of the climbing plants waved with
the wind and seemed inclined to follow the beautiful youth. As the dawn
gradually arose, the clouds in the border of the sky assumed a variety
of shapes, some having the form of trees, and some resembling animals;
but the trees of the forest were still obscured from sight by the dense
vapour rising from the dew. The light of the sun now began to appear,
glancing from the interstices of the mountains like the countenance
of a lovely virgin, whilst its beams shooting upwards exhibited the
appearance of flags and banners waving in front of an army marching
to battle."
"The king was highly pleased with the manners and disposition
of Dewa Indra, as well as with his graceful person and superior
understanding. He said to him, 'Partake of betel, my son.' Dewa Indra
having accordingly partaken, returned the betel-stand to the king,
who thus addressed him: 'I have sent for you, my son, in order to
make known to you a resolution taken by me some time since; that to
the person who having counted out ten large measures of sesame seed
and as many measures of sand, thoroughly blended together, should
be able to separate the grains of the one from the grains of the
other, and to complete the performance of the task in the course of
a day; to such person alone should I give the hand of my daughter in
marriage.' Dewa Indra smiled on hearing the king's words, knowing them
to proceed from the artful suggestion of the princes (his rivals),
and bowing replied, 'whatever may be your majesty's injunctions,
your servant is ready to execute them.' The sand and the sesame seed
being then provided and mixed together in the court before the palace,
Dewa Indra made his obeisance, descended to the spot, and as he stood
beside the heap, silently wished for aid from the king of the ants;
when instantly the monarch made his appearance, followed by his whole
army, consisting of the population of nine hillocks. Upon receiving
the directions of Dewa Indra for separating the grains, each individual
ant took one seed in his mouth, and in this manner the separation was
presently effected and the grains laid in distinct heaps, not one being
wanting. This done, the king of the ants and all his train disappeared,
and returned to the place from whence they came. Dewa Indra reascended
the steps of the palace, and having taken his seat and made obeisance,
said, 'Your Majesty's commands for the separation of the sand and the
sesame seed have been obeyed by your mean and humble slave.' The king
expressed his amazement, and all the ministers of state, the warriors,
and the people in general were astonished at witnessing this proof of
the supernatural power of Dewa Indra; but with respect to the princes,
some of them shook their heads, some bent them down, and others turned
them aside, being unable to support his looks."
PUNGUTIB SAGALA REMAH DERIPADA HIKAYAT INDRA LAKSANA, DAN INDRA
MAHADEWA DAN DEWA INDRA.
"Maka baginda pun tursunyum suraya purgi mumbujok istrinya itu,
katanya, 'adoh adinda tinggallah tuan nyawa dan badan kakunda, jikalau
kakunda mati kulak, maka tuan kunangkanlah kasih sayang kakunda yang
sudikit itu, dan tuan slimutilah kakunda dungan kain yang dipinggang
tuan itu, dan tuan mandikanlah mayat kakunda dungan ayer mata tuan
yang sa'purti umbon yang dihujong rumpot juga adanya. Dan taborilah
mayat kakunda dungan bunga yang dalam sangol tuan itu.' Maka tuan
putri itupon makin sangatalah iya munangis suraya mumulok leher Indra
Laksana. Adapun tangan tuan putri mumulok itu sapurti gadong kasturi
yang mulilit pohon angsuka itu dumkianlah rupanya, maka sugralah
disapunya ulih Indra Laksana ayer matanya tuan putri itu."
"Adapun Indra Mahadewa sutlah iya datang kamahligie itu, maka lalu
iya dudok dukat tuan putri suraya tursunyum katanya, 'ya adinda tuan
nyawa kakunda, apatah bichari tuan skarang ini, kurna kakunda ini akau
purgi munchari saudara kakunda? Dan jikalau tuan akan purgi bursama
sama dungan kakunda, maka baiklah tuan munyurohkan orang bursimpan
simpan, skarang ini juga kakunda ini akan burjalan.' Sutlah tuan
putri Seganda Ratna munung ar kata Indra Mahadewa itu, maka tuan putri
itupon tundok, maka ekor matanya spurti sruja biru yang didalam laut
mudu, rupanya manis bukan barang barang, suraya burkata, 'ya kakunda
apatah bichara kapada anak prumpuan, mulainkan lebih bichara kakunda
juga? Kurna prumpuan itu didalam maalum lakinya?' Maka Indra Mahadewa
pun tursunyum munungar kata tuan putri itu, maka lalu dipulok dan
chiyumnya sluroh tubohnya, suraya katanya, 'Pandienya orang yang baik
paras ini burkata kata,' dan tuanlah akan pumadam hati kakunda yang
mushgol dan yang munjadi panglipur lara hati, dan tuman kakunda."
"Sutlah sudah iya burkata dumkian itu, maka Indra Mahadewa itupun
burjalanlah dungan sapambawa kakinya, dungan rawan hatinya, dungan
lapar dahaganya, masok hutan rimba yang busar busar, dan mulalui
gunong yang tinggi tinggi, dan masok padang yang luas luas. Maka mata
hari pun masoklah, maka bulan pun turbitlah spurti orang munyulohkan
Indra Mahadewa itu, chayanya pun turlalu trang tumarang. Maka baginda
pun lalu munuju gunong Indra Kila dungan lulahnya, maka sagala puchok
kayu yang mulata ditiup angin mulambie rupanya, spurti handak mungikot
orang baik paras lakunya. Maka fajar pun munyensenglah burpangkat
pangkat, maka awan ditupi langit itu burbagie rupanya, ada yang spurti
pohon kayu, dan ada yang spurti binatang rupanya, maka sagala pohon
rimba itu pun tiadalah klihatan kurna kabot ulih umbun. Maka chaya
matahari pun turbitlah mumanchar manchar deri chulah chulah gunong,
spurti muka anak darah yang elok rupanya, dan rupa sinarnya yang
mumanchar kaatas spurti tunggol dan mega dihadapan lawan akan prang."
"Maka baginda pun turlalu sangat burkunan mulihat lakunya dan
pukurtinya Dewa Indra itu, tambahan pula dungan baik rupanya, dungan
arif bijaksananya. Suraya katanya, 'Makanlah sireh, ya anakku.' Maka
Dewa Indra itupun lalu makan sireh sa'kapor, maka dipursumbahkaneya
kapada Dewa Indra, katanya: 'hie anakku, adapun ayahanda munyuroh
mumanggil tuan kamari ini, kurna ayahanda ini sudah burtitah dahulu;
shahadan barang siapa dapat mumbilang biji lang yang sa'puloh koyan,
dan pasir sapuloh koyan juga, maka dichamporkan antara kaduanya
itu, kumdian maka dipilehnya pasir dan biji lang itu, shahadan maka
habislah dungan sa 'hari itu juga, atau kapada malam, maka iyalah
akan suami tuan putri.' Maka Dewa Indra Kayangan itupun tursunyum,
dan taulah iya akan tipu itu deripada anak rajah rajah itu juga, maka
Dewa Indra itupun munyumbah suraya kaatanya, 'mana titah deri bawa duli
tuanku, patik junjong.' Maka pasir dan biji lang itupun sudah sudialah
dichamporkan orang ditungah miedan itu dibalerong itu, maka Dewa Indra
itupun munyumbah, lalu turon burdiri dihampir lang dan pasir itu,
maka dichitanya rajah sumut; maka dungan skutika itu juga rajah sumut
itupun datang dungan sagala blantuntaranya, yang sambilan timbunan
itu. Maka disurohnya ulih Dewa Indra mumilih pasir dan biji lang itu,
maka ulih sagala tuntara sumut lalu digigitnyalah sa'orang satu biji
lang, itupun dilainkannya, maka dungan skutika itu juga pasir dan
biji lang itupun masing masing dungan timbunannya, maka barang sa'biji
juga pun tiadalah kurang. Maka rajah sumut dan sagala blantuntaranya
itupun raiblah kumbali katumpatnya, maka Dewa Indra itupun naiklah
ka'atas balerong itu lalu dudok munyumbah baginda suraya katanya,
'Sudah tuanku turpilih biji lang dan pasir itu ulih patik yang
hina papa ini.' Maka baginda pun hieran dan turchungang chungang,
turmangau mangau dungan sagala purmantri, hulubalang, pahlauan dan
rayat skalian, itupun hieranlah iya mulihat kasaktian itu, maka akan
anak rajah itu ada yang munggrakkan kapalanya dan ada yang tundok,
dan ada yang burpaling, tiada mau mulihat muka Dewa Indra kayangan."
The Malays of Borneo acknowledge the rule of a Sultan, who is
assisted by various Ministers of State, who are principally his own
relations. The Court at Brunei is kept up by taxes imposed on the few
Chinese merchants, and on the native Borneans who live inland beside
the rivers on the north-west coast from the Baram to Kimanis. A yearly
payment is also made to the Sultan by the Rajah of Sarawak. Many of
the Malays are traders. The poorer classes are sailors, fishermen,
or engaged in simple domestic industries.
The true bred Malay has a penchant for building his pile dwelling
over the shallow water near the mouth of or beside a river wherever
such a site is procurable. The Borneans, on the other hand, prefer
a clearing near the streams, and some tribes, especially the Dusan,
build their huts high up in the hills.
Intermarriages with native women have helped to identify the Malays
with the Borneans, and especially with the Kadyans, a tribe who live
near the capital, and who long ago embraced the faith of Mahomet. The
language of the Malays is soft and pleasing in sound--the "Italian of
the East"--and very expressive. It is readily acquired by strangers,
and forms the medium of commercial communication throughout the
Straits Settlements and Malay Archipelago. Like our own tongue,
Malay seems to be a conventional blending of several other languages,
Arabic, Sanscrit, and the languages of the aboriginals with whom
the Malays were first thrown into contact. At the present day many
English and Portuguese words find their way into it but little
disguised by pronunciation. Malay is the Court language at Brunei,
but the inhabitants generally use a dialect similar to that of the
aboriginals who live near the capital.
The clothing of the Malays of high rank is often very lavish and
showy, consisting of fancy head-cloths and short jackets, often highly
embroidered with gold buttons and wire or lace. White trowsers, similar
to those worn by Europeans, and patent leather slippers are also
affected by the rich Malays, and all, rich or poor, wear the national
"sarong," a sort of chequered petticoat wound around the waist, and
allowed to fall to the feet in graceful folds. When trowsers are worn
a shorter "sarong" is worn kilt-fashion, barely reaching as low as
the knees. The Malay Hadjis or priests wear long green Arab coats,
and green or white turbans around their shaven heads. The women
when engaged in their household duties wear nothing but a "sarong"
reaching from the breasts to the feet. When abroad, however, neat
print sacques reaching as low as the knees are worn, having long and
tight sleeves. This dress opens in front, and is fastened by a set of
three silver or gold brooches. Below this a chequered, or Javanese
sarong reaches from the waist to the ankles. Beautiful sarongs are
made by the Brunei ladies. They are richly embroidered with gold wire,
and are worn by the well-to-do women along the coast.
Slippers of European or Chinese manufacture are sometimes worn. Their
black hair is oiled profusely, and secured behind with silver pins. It
is often perfumed by tying up in it flowers of the champaca, jasmine,
gardenia, or other scented blossoms over night. Both men and women
bathe at least twice daily, morning and evening, and the women dye
their nails with a mixture made of the red stems of a common balsam,
mixed with lime juice, as a substitute for the henna so largely used
in Persia and Egypt.
There are some very singular liberties allowed to loving swains in out
of the way places in Wales and Cornwall, but those allowed by the Malay
and native girls of Borneo to their favourite lovers are of a yet more
faithful kind. A Bornean youth may enter the house of his loved one's
parents and awaken her if she be really sleeping, to sit and talk with
him in the dark, or to eat betel-nut and the finest of sirih-leaves
from his garden. A similar custom, so far as nocturnal visits are
concerned, formerly existed in the country districts of Scotland. It
is but seldom that immorality results from this custom in Borneo, even
according to European ideas on the subject, and the parents think no
more of putting a stop to these nightly meetings than do those of our
own fair daughters in the case of the "morning call" of an eligible
suitor at home. There was a grand wedding at the capital during one
of my visits there, the bride being a relation of his Highness the
Sultan. There was a grand procession of boats on the river, and a large
lighter had been decorated with parti-coloured flags and streamers,
and in the centre a raised daïs and a canopy overhead of red cloth
had been erected for the parties mainly concerned. In the case of the
Malays there is the usual religious ceremony, at which the "hadjis"
appear and chant the prayers in gorgeous apparel of green Arabic coat
and ample turban. There was much firing of cannon throughout the town,
the whole event lasting nearly a week, and there was a grand reception,
the bride and bridegroom being seated in state on a raised daïs,
and covered with finery and gold ornaments, mostly borrowed for the
occasion. In the interior, where nearly all enjoy "liberty, equality,
and fraternity," in a way one can only dream of in civilised "society,"
marriage is very simple, and monogamy the rule. The celebration of a
marriage consists of a notification of the fact, and it is acknowledged
by all in the village, who meet for feasting. A couple of fowls or
a goat is killed, and the appearances presented by these after death
furnish auguries of good or ill fortune for the newly married pair.
The native Borneans proper are sparsely scattered over the whole
country, and are divided into various tribes, each inhabiting a
particular district, and speaking a dialect peculiar to itself. These
tribes have been compared with the natives of our English counties,
but they are much more distinct, each having its own customs, dress,
mode of life, weapons, and in many cases a language unknown to the
tribes only a few miles distant. The Dyaks, Kayans, Muruts, Kadyans,
Dusun, and Lanun, are a few only of these tribes. Another peculiar race
are the Badjows, or "Sea Gipsies," common to all the islands of these
seas. They are nomadic--water rovers--and engaged in diving for pearls,
or pearl shell, fishing, or in petty trade. They rarely settle down on
shore, or remain long in one place, but live in their boats. Indeed
they are the gipsies of the sea in every sense of the word, and
given to pilfering like their namesakes on shore. The Badjows, Lanun,
Balagnini, and Sulus, who inhabit the north of Borneo and the islands
to the north-east are an adventurous people given to piracy, and,
of course, excellent sailors. The Muruts are the only existing race
of head-hunters north of the capital. The Dusun and Kadyans, although
formerly head-hunters, have now taken to agricultural pursuits, and
are well fed and prosperous compared to the Muruts, who, although they
clear and plant the land around their immensely long pile dwellings,
still depend much on their skill in hunting wild pig, deer, and other
game for food. The Dyaks of Sarawak, although formerly fierce and
warlike, are now peaceful and industriously engaged in seafaring or
agricultural pursuits. The Kayans are still warlike, and a fine race
of straight-limbed powerful people. They formerly inhabited the country
inland near the Limbang and used to plunder the villages of the Muruts
and Sabayans, killing the men, and taking the women and children into
slavery. Of late years, however, they have migrated further south, and
their head-quarters are now on the Baram river. The Lanuns live on the
coasts north of Menkabong, and are petty traders or cultivators. Like
the Badjows, however, they have a lingering affection for the sea. The
Dusun, who live in the hills further from the coast, give them a bad
character and assert that formerly they used to steal their children.
Land culture is becoming much more general among the natives
inland than formerly, security of life and property having also
increased. Rice, kaladi, sweet potatoes, and Indian corn and sago are
the principal food products cultivated. Tobacco, cotton, sugar-cane,
tapioca, and fruit are also grown here.
The implements used for purposes of land culture in the island
are of the most rude description. On the plains of Menkabong,
Tawaran, and Tampassuk, near the coast, ploughs and harrows drawn
by buffaloes are employed, and their produce is carried to market in
light bamboo sledges. Further inland, however, the implements are yet
more primitive, nearly all the necessary labour of cultivation being
performed with a blunt-pointed iron chopper, or a sharp-pointed bamboo.
The hoe, another implement used, may be taken as the type of that
adopted by the Chinese emigrants in the Straits Settlements and Eastern
Archipelago generally; indeed, wherever a Chinaman sets his foot in
a new locality for cultural purposes, a chopper and a blade or two
of his national "chunkal" or spade-hoe are sure to form a part of
his extremely small belonging. He sets to work cutting the brushwood
and small timber on his future clearing, and piling this at the base
of the large trees, he fires the whole until only a few great black
stumps, and here and there a gaunt leafless durian or dryobalanops
remains of the old forest. Now, the "chunkal" is used to stir the
virgin soil by chopping it up, a much quicker process than digging;
indeed, a spade would have no chance in a competition where, as in
this case, the soil is full of roots. If desirable, the soil can be
thus chopped up to a depth of 12 in. or 14 in., the only drawback
being that the operator stands on the freshly cultivated land. Armed
with a chopper and one of these spade-hoes, a solitary Chinaman
will not unfrequently build a miserable little palm-leaf hut on a
well-watered bit of forest near a river, and in a month or two he
will have cleared several acres, to which, when planted with gambier
or pepper, he looks for a fair return. Here, alone in the forest,
or at the best with a companion or two equally poor as himself, he
subsists on a little boiled rice, until his crops of sweet potatoes,
bananas, sugar-cane, egg fruit, maize, and yams, are fit for use; for
one of his first cares has been to clear the bit of land around his
hut, on which to plant the few roots and seeds which he has brought
with him, most probably the gift of one of his richer countrymen,
perchance of the trader of whom he bought the bag of rice, which with
a little freshly caught fish from the river, are the only "stores"
which stand between him and starvation, until his garden produce is
available. I have often come across these clearings right in the
heart of the forest, miles away from any other human habitation,
and have been as much astonished at the amount of labour performed
with such a simple tool, as the thrifty labourer himself was to see me.
The Dusun villagers keep bees and export wax in quantity, and most
of the tribes collect the varied natural products of the sea or
of the forests in their respective districts. The Sulus were until
quite recently a warlike race inhabiting the large island of Sulu,
between Borneo and the Philippines. They were independent and ruled
by a Sultan, who held Sulu, Tawi Tawi, and the north of Borneo,
including the fine harbour of Sandakan. The Sulus, however, are now
practically under the Manilla Government. Slavery, although not yet
abolished in Borneo, is not nearly so common as was formerly the
case. The native government at Brunei is practically under the eye
of the British governor of Labuan, and thus many former abuses have
become mitigated merely by the moral influence of a British colony
being located thus near to the capital.
It must not be imagined that either the Malays or the native Borneans
are the bloodthirsty savages they are sometimes made out to be. The
Malays generally are courteous, dignified, and hospitable. Many
of them have made long journeys for purposes of trade, and have a
tolerably good idea of the manners and customs of Europeans. Others
have taken to the use of European commodities after observing them
used by the Chinese traders and settlers, and one can rarely visit
a native of any consideration without finding him the hospitable
possessor of a chair or two, plates, dishes, water bottles and glasses,
and very often of excellent brandy and cigars. They are most sensitive,
innately polite and gentle in manners, and very quick to understand and
appreciate any little courtesies or civilities one may offer them. All
but the poorest carry their national weapon, "the murderous crease,"
a sort of long sinuous-edged dagger, generally as sharp as a razor,
and most deadly when wielded by a skilful hand. In many cases where
the owners are rich or of high rank these weapons are beautifully
finished--rarely damascened--and the handles of ivory or gold set
with pearls, diamonds, and other precious stones. The running "amok,"
so often cited as an instance of their savage bloodthirsty nature
is really a very rare occurrence, and is generally attributed to the
excessive use of opium, or to some great disappointment or dishonour
having befallen the frantic creature who, drawing his kriss, rushes
at friend and foe alike until either shot down like a mad dog or
run through the body with a spear. Jealousy is the main cause of
all the bloodshed of which the Malays are guilty. The co-respondent
in Borneo must either have a tacit understanding with the husband
or rather proprietor of the frail one, or his adventures may end
very suddenly. I saw one man in the hospital at Labuan who paid the
penalty of his indiscretion. One night a kriss or spear had been driven
into his thigh through the interstices of the floor of the house in
which he was sleeping with his Helen, and with such force that the
bone was completely severed. It is possible the weapon was poisoned,
at any rate he died some little time afterwards, notwithstanding all
that surgical skill could suggest. In the case of the Malays their
women are, as a rule, secluded from the gaze of strangers in private
apartments, but in the interior the women of the aboriginal tribes
enjoy equal freedom with the men, and often join in discussions and
trading difficulties with great tact. Monogamy is the rule with the
Borneans and polygamy with the Malays. In Borneo, as in Europe, the
female exceeds the male population, and here, too, the women do a large
proportion of the field labour in addition to their domestic duties.
Some of the little villages of the native tribes inland present a
pleasant and prosperous exterior. Little palm-leaf houses stand here
and there beneath groves of cocoa-nut trees, betel-palms, tree-ferns,
or graceful willow-like bamboo. Breadths of fresh greensward occur
among the clumps of low brush or scrubby vegetations, the remains
of the old jungle, and here buffaloes or goats, and occasionally
other cattle, browse around the houses. Pigs, bees, and poultry are
domesticated, and are often very abundant. The houses are built on
piles, and a sloping hill-side or knoll is generally selected as a
site, so that all superfluous surface water may readily escape. The
fowls are caught every evening and placed in open-work baskets
of either rattan or bamboo, suspended beneath the eaves of the
houses. This care is essential in order to guard them from the attacks
of large snakes and iguanas, or other poultry-stealing saurians.
The main food product is rice, of which two distinct races are
grown. One kind only prospers in the rich alluvial deposits of the
valleys near the streams, where it can be irrigated at particular
stages of its growth. The other kind, or "hill-rice," will grow on the
hills up to 3000 feet elevation, and prospers in dry red earth, and
when growing it closely resembles a barley-field at home. One of the
most important of the women's duties is to clean and prepare daily the
"padi" or rice in the husk, which, with fish and fruit, forms the main
food supply of these islanders. The "padi" is placed in large wooden
mortars and beaten with wooden pestles a yard or more in length. This
beating or pounding separates the husk from the white grain within. It
is a very pretty sight to see the girls of the villages inland thus
engaged. As many as three may sometimes be seen beating the rice in
one of these large wooden mortars. With one hand they grasp the pestle
about the centre, while the other hand is rested on the hip. One woman
commences to beat the rice with a steady, regular stroke, then another
one joins her, and then a third. Of course, the most exact time has to
be observed, and the graceful motions of their slightly-draped figures,
the dancing pestles, and the regular thudding sounds produced, are
very interesting to a stranger. After the rice has been sufficiently
beaten, one of the girls scoops it out of the mortar with her little
hands into a shallow tray of closely-woven rattan work of circular
form and about two feet in diameter. Standing on the verandah or
platform between the houses so as to catch the breeze, the rice is
sifted, and now and then dexterously thrown up into the air so that
the chaff and refuse is blown away, but the rice falls back into
the tray. When finished the rice is as clean and as white as that
dressed by the finest machinery in England. Two or three girls will
soon clean the day's supply, and by the laughing and gossip indulged
in one may infer that the task is not a very unpleasant one to them.
The farther one proceeds inland the more extensive are the clearings
devoted to rice culture. This is accounted for by the fact that near
the coast rice is often imported in exchange for jungle produce, but
far inland the natives are obliged to grow all the food they require,
and in some cases as in the district to the south of Kina Balu most
of the hills up to 3000 feet are either under rice culture, or are
lying fallow, covered with low brushwood or jungle. Virgin land or
old forests are rare here, unless on the slopes of the great mountain
itself. The clothing of the aboriginals is in most cases very scanty,
now and then "sarongs" and white calico are obtained from the coast
in return for wax, gutta, tobacco, or other produce of the hills,
but, as a rule, the clothing of the native tribes of the north of
Borneo inland is a short "sarong" made of a strong indigo-dyed cloth,
which is woven by the women from the strong fibres of the "Lamba"
(Curculigo latifolia), a yellow-flowered broad-leaved weed, often
seen in great abundance on old cultivated plots near the houses. Many
of the men, especially those of the Murut tribes, who are perhaps
the most primitive of all the northern Borneans, wear nothing but a
strip of bark-cloth or "chawat" around the loins, and I have no doubt
but that this was the first clothing ever worn by the natives of the
island. This bark-cloth is the produce of Artocarpus elastica, a tall
tree with a trunk two feet in diameter, and leaves closely resembling
those of the bread-fruit, but rough instead of glossy. The inner bark
is stripped off and soaked in water, being afterwards beaten to render
it soft and pliable. Of this "chawats" or loin-cloths and jackets
are commonly made by the Muruts on the Lawas and the Limbang rivers,
and it is also still used by the Dusan villagers on the Tampassuk,
notwithstanding their skill in preparing, weaving, and dyeing the
"Lamba" fibre.
The native women inland wear short "sarongs" of "Lamba" cloth reaching
from the waist nearly to their knees, and a profusion of stained
rattan coils, brass wire, coloured beads, and other trinkets around
their waists, and heavy rings of brass on their legs, or coils of
brass wire on their plump and dusky arms. The younger ones wear a
strip of dark cloth across the breast. All have glossy black hair and
dark eyes. Some of the Murut women are fine muscular creatures, and
either in boats or afield they appear to be as strong and active as the
men. Their hair is often very gracefully wreathed up with a string of
red or amber-coloured beads, sometimes with a strip of the pale yellow
nipa leaf in its young state, and the colour contrast is then very
effective. The physique of the inland tribes, especially of the Dyaks,
Kayans, and Muruts, is superior to that of the Malays. The Kayans
and Muruts are especially lithe and active--bronzy, straight-limbed,
and statuesque. This is the result of an active life spent hunting in
the forest, climbing after gutta, rubber, jungle-fruit, or beeswax,
or in cultivating the clearings around their dwellings, or in fishing
in the rivers. The aboriginals are active, while, as a class, the
Malays are lethargic and luxurious, and rarely exert themselves or
make long foot journeys unless actually compelled to do so, and the
richer ones spend much of their time in opium smoking or with their
women instead of trying to ameliorate the condition of their poorer
neighbours, who in one way or another have to "pay the piper."
It is sad to see such a lovely and fertile island impoverished to
a great extent by the avaricious Malays, who ought to encourage
the natives to improve themselves and the country in which they
live, instead of which they wring their property from them whenever
possible under all manner of pretences. The harsh treatment to which
the aboriginals, and even the poorer of the Malays, were formerly
subjected by the petty chiefs and Pangerans, is now much moderated,
as many natives have visited Labuan, and it has now become known as
a sanctuary from their unjust oppressors.
The climate of Borneo although hot and wet, is fairly healthy,
especially on the hills inland, where the air is much fresher and
cooler than on the lowlands near the coast; the mean annual temperature
is about 84°. The hot and dry monsoon lasts from December to May,
and the cool and wet one from June to November; the rainfall is very
heavy, especially on the hills. The economic products for which the
soil and climate are suitable are coffee, cinchona, cocoa, cotton,
tobacco, sugar-cane, indigo, gambier, cocoa-nuts for oil, and manilla
hemp. Fine timber, gutta, caoutchouc, rattans, and camphor, are the
indigenous products of the forests primæval. Among the introduced
fruits which succeed well are oranges, limes, pomoloes, mangoes,
pine-apples, and bananas. The animal products are edible swallows'
nests, ivory, sea-slug or beche de mer, (Holothuria), fine fish of
many kinds, pearls, and pearl-shell. Among minerals, coal, antimony,
cinnabar, and gold seem the most promising; diamonds, tin, copper,
plumbago, and iron are reported; and if one may judge of the iron by
the old weapons, such as krisses, parongs, and spears as made by the
Bruneis and the Kayans, it must be of excellent quality.
I made a pen and ink sketch of a Kayan war knife which I saw in
the collection of native weapons in the possession of Mr. Treacher
at Government House, Labuan. Of this sketch Mr. Cooper has made me
this careful fac-simile on wood. It had a finely-tempered blade,
ornamented along the back for about half its length. One side of
the blade was flat, the other rounded; the sheath was elaborately
carved and, as is generally the case in Borneo, made of two flat
pieces of wood bound tightly together by neatly worked rattan cane;
the hilt was ornamented with tufts of red and black hair, and it was
furnished with a girdle of rattan plaited--altogether a most handy
and formidable implement in the paw of a lusty naked savage.
Gold, diamonds, and antimony have been obtained in remunerative
quantities at the Sarawak mines, which were originally worked by
the Chinese settlers, but are now in the hands of a company. Mining
operations are very difficult owing to the enormous rainfall; and it
is only the abundance of cheap Chinese or native labour which renders
it possible in such a climate. Coolies from Hong Kong may be obtained
for seven to eight dollars per month, or for less if their food is
provided; and natives will work sometimes for five to seven dollars
per month. A good Chinaman as a labourer, is however worth two Malays.
The largest rivers in the island are supposed to be the Kinabatangan
and the Pontianak; the former is said to be navigable over two hundred
miles from its mouth, and at the farthest point reached it was fifty
yards wide, and there was seven fathoms of water. Dutch steamers
have ascended a long way inland up the Pontianak which lies south of
Sarawak. Most of the rivers on the north-west coast are very shallow,
having dangerous bars at their mouths; and that at the mouth of the
Brunei was partly blocked by large rocks about the time of the siege
of that city by the English.
Gambling and opium smoking are the bane of the Chinese settlers and
of many of the well-to-do Malays; and of all forms of intemperance
surely this last must be the most degrading and otherwise hurtful
in its effects. The manufactured drug as imported from Benares and
other opium producing districts, is in the form of balls six inches in
diameter, covered with the dried petals of poppy flowers. This product
is the inspissated juice of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum),
and is of a dark brown or black colour. Before it is used for smoking,
however, it has to be still further prepared by boiling and stirring
in shallow pans over a bright fire; and as the pure product is very
high in price, it is often subjected to adulteration. In our eastern
colonies it is usual to let or farm out the right to prepare and
sell or export opium to an enterprising native or Chinese merchant,
and the revenue thus obtained is often enormous as compared with that
on spirits and tobacco, or other duty-paying goods.
An opium-smoking establishment consists of a few gloomy rooms furnished
with cane-bottomed couches, and on little stands are the pipes,
tiny lamps, and other implements used by the smokers. The smell is
generally sufficient to deter Europeans entering an opium-smoker's
haunt from motives of curiosity; or if under guidance one does venture
into the ill-ventilated and malodorous apartments behind, it is with
feelings of relief that the sweet outer air is again gained. The
smokers lie on the bamboo couches, and a little stand is brought, on
which are one or two flute-like pipes, a pill or two of the drug, and
a little glass lamp. In some cases an attendant manipulates the drug
and fills the pipes; as a rule, however, this is done by the smokers
themselves. There is no mistaking an habitual opium smoker; his eyes
are dull, his complexion sallow, and in general a listless bearing,
with a frame more or less emaciated, betokens his being a degraded
victim. Without a supply of his favourite drug he is miserable;
and when under its influence he is useless. Here he lies holding
a morsel of the black drug on a needle over the flame of the lamp,
twirling it round and round, and toasting it in the flame until the
proper consistence is attained. It is then introduced into the pipe,
and the needle, on being withdrawn, leaves a tiny air-hole through
the mass as it fits like a plug in the bowl. The smoker now holds the
bowl to the lamp, and obtains a light, and then he draws a long whiff
or two as the burning morsel of opium rapidly decreases in the bowl.
CHAPTER VIII.
A CITY OF LAKE DWELLINGS.
Brunei the Capital--Market Chinese traders--Gun foundry--The
Istana--Weak government--The Sultan Moumein--Native jewelry--Native
smithy--Public executions--Punishment for robbery--Sago
factories--Inter-marriage--Morality--Old Mission Church--Boat
journey inland--Murut hospitality--Canoe travel--Forest travel--New
aroids--Native insects--Day flying Moths--River travel by
moonlight--Sago-washing station.
Brunei, the capital of Borneo and the seat of the government, is a
water-city of about twenty thousand inhabitants. The palm-thatched
houses of which it for the most part consists, are built on piles so as
to be above the river at high tide. From one of the adjacent low hills
the view of this "Venice of the East" is a most novel one--indeed,
unique in its way; and although the town is nearly fifteen miles from
the mouth of the river, yet a moderate-sized gunboat can anchor in
the broad water-way in the very centre of the city, and within a few
yards of the Sultan's Istana. There is a rather awkward bar at the
entrance to the river. A trading steamer from Singapore calls here once
a month to bring letters and goods for the Sultan and a few Chinese
merchants, and to take back sago, which is the main export. In some
cases the blocks of houses are connected by bridges formed of long
palm stems lashed together with rattans; but, as a rule, all general
communication must be carried on by boats. Some of the inhabitants
grow a few flowers and herbs in boxes of earth; and occasionally papaw
trees and gourds of different kinds are thus cultivated. Little rafts,
or floating tree-trunks, are moored to the piles which support the
houses for the accommodation of ducks and fowls.
The market held on the river every morning is one of the most singular
sights of the place. Here you may see a hundred or more little
boats containing fruit, fish, rice, and other produce, for sale or
barter. Among the petty traders the Brunei women are most prominent,
and many of them present a most singular appearance, the hats they
wear being made of neatly plaited Nipa leaves, and being from two to
three feet in diameter, they serve the purpose of both head covering
and umbrella, and they screen the whole body of the wearer from the
hot sun. Most of the women to be seen in the market are old and coarse
featured--in many cases positively ugly--reminding one of the orang
utan as they glance at you from beneath their wrinkled foreheads,
their mouths overflowing with betel-nut juice the while, their
repulsive black teeth being worn off level with their gums; their more
beautiful sisters are secluded according to the etiquette of Islam;
the nobles and richer Malays have wives and slaves in abundance. A
European lady who visited the court here and was admitted into the
women's apartments, tells me that some are passing fair, with tiny
hands and feet, straight noses and liquid eyes, prototypes of those
black-eyed damsels who are to attend all true believers of the Prophet
in the gardens of Paradise.
The principal traders are Chinamen, who have floating warehouses
singularly like the Noah's arks of early memory. Brunei is the
Sheffield of north-west Borneo, the manufacture of knives, parongs and
krisses being largely carried on; and on one of the little islands
is a primitive foundry where gongs, brass guns, cooking-pots, betel
boxes, &c., are cast. Some of these articles are ornamented with
well-designed figures in relief, and would not be any disgrace to a
European manufacturer. The models and methods of casting are singularly
like those of our own artizans. I visited one rude armourer's shop,
and much admired the exquisite finish of some weapons he had made. The
peculiar long swivel guns or small cannon cast here are now rarely
used, except as currency, being valued at about thirty dollars per
cwt. In the good old times slaves could be purchased here at thirty
dollars, or a picul of gun-metal each; but at the present time the
Malays complain of the low purchasing power of money--i.e. of brass
guns--just as do most people nearer home.
The Sultan's palace or Istana, like nearly all the other dwellings
here, is built on piles over the water, and is a shabby, tumble-down
looking establishment. In front is a large audience chamber, containing
a few old gilt framed mirrors and silvered globes, and there are, on
occasion, a round table and a few rickety chairs. The Sultan himself
is now an old man, over eighty, and so avaricious that he will do
anything for the sake of a few dollars.
The Government here is corrupt, and, indeed, but little more than
nominal; and if his people of the outlying districts refuse to pay
tribute, or to obey his mandates, he has no means of enforcing his
demands. He has a good many wives, and female slaves or concubines,
but no children. I visited the palace in company with Mr. Peter Veitch
and Inche Mahomed, the British Consular agent at this port. We were
honoured with an audience by His Highness. His two nephews, Pangeran
Matassan and Pangeran Anak Bazar, were present, and welcomed us before
the Sultan appeared. They were intelligent men, and it was a pleasure
to hear Malay spoken by them in all its purity. Tea was offered us,
together with the long Nipa leaf cheroots so largely smoked by Malays
and Borneans of all grades.
In about five minutes His Highness appeared, dressed in a long Arab
coat, a sarong, and having a small black cap on his head. That the
portraits of Pope Pius IX. resemble him very much has repeatedly been
observed by visitors here. He walked slowly, bearing rather heavily,
as I thought, on a long staff, which had two short prongs at the
lower extremity. He came forward, and we shook hands, after which
he sat down in an arm-chair on the opposite side of the table. He
told us that he was now a very old man, and that every day found
him weaker. I thanked him for a passport he had given me some months
before for the journey inland to Kina Balu.
He seemed interested in hearing of the great mountain, and asked
several questions. He appeared astonished to hear it was so cold there;
and inquired as to the tobacco and rice crops. He also expressed
his regret that being now old and infirm, he could not undertake a
journey to the mountain himself, of which, he observed, he had heard
several accounts derived from natives who had accompanied Mr. Low
and Mr. St. John.
On leaving the Sultan's, we visited a foundry situated near the
house of the minister of war or the Tumongong; also the house of a
gold worker, who made most of the trinkets, rings, and ear ornaments
worn by the Brunei ladies. The proprietor, an old man, showed us some
prettily designed specimens of native gold work, the ear ornaments
being especially singular. It is the fashion for many of the ladies of
Brunei and the interior to cut a large gash in the lobe of each ear,
and in these holes are inserted gold or silver ornaments, as large
as a wine cork. If of gold, they are mostly made of beaten work;
the highly decorated convex ends, however, are generally cast in
little moulds formed of clay and wax, or dammar. The crucibles used
for melting the metal are of the size and shape of half a hen's egg,
being formed of fine porous clay. These are heated over tiny charcoal
fires, the heat being augmented with a blow-pipe.
In some of the ornaments we observed rudely cut rock crystals, or
Bornean diamonds; and part of a waist-belt contained a dozen fine
pearls, but most of their beauty was lost by bad setting. The stock
in trade of a gold-worker here is of the most simple description. A
rough block of hard wood serves as a bench or anvil, and is perforated
with large and small holes, into which iron pins of various sizes are
inserted for various uses. Hammers of iron and wood, a chisel or two,
a pair of shears, wax and clay for models, or matrices and earthen
crucibles for melting up the Spanish gold pieces, are all the plant
he deems necessary.
There is not much originality in the designs used. Some of the Brunei
ladies must have fingers of the most delicate proportions to be able
to wear some of the rings I saw here for repair. Smiths' shops are
pretty much the same all over the world. We visited one here, and
except that iron and tools were less plentiful, it was pretty much
like a village smithy in England. Sheffield files and rasps are used
even in this out-of-the-way part of the East. Most other tools were
of Brunei make. Choppers, knives, parongs, and krisses represent
the manufactures. A Bornean bellows is peculiar, being made of two
upright wooden cylinders four or five feet high, and connected at the
bottom with the iron pipe which enters the fuel. In each cylinder is
a wooden disk edged with soft feathers stuck on with glue, and to each
a piston rod of wood is attached. A man standing behind the cylinders
works them up and down alternately, and in this way a constant current
of air is supplied to the fire. The old smith was much struck with
a breech-loading Reilly shot gun Mr. Veitch had with him, and he
took the trouble to go across a rickety bridge of bamboo into his
dwelling-house to fetch a parong, or Brunei sword, of which he asked
our opinion. Considering the rude appliances of this primitive smithy,
the sword, in fine damascene work and finish, was perhaps as wonderful
in its way as the gun. On returning to the ship, which was anchored
in the river below the town, we saw a gathering of natives on a grassy
knoll a little above the old ruined Consulate, and were informed that
a public execution was going on. It appears a China trader had been
murdered and robbed on the Trusan river, and two of the Trusan Muruts
had been arrested, and were being executed for the crime, although
it was by some thought that the murder had actually been committed by
Brunei men. At any rate, of these poor Muruts scapegoats were made. A
grave was dug beneath a tree, and a noose connected with a bit of
board was passed over their heads. A stout stick was now inserted in
the rope, and two or three turns--Spanish winch fashion--finished the
poor fellows' existence, whether innocent or guilty. We did not land,
but watched the proceedings as well as we could from the bridge of
the vessel with glasses. Summary justice is the rule here.
Just afterwards a ship came here and anchored in the river. It
was very hot, and at night the ports were left open to secure
ample ventilation. In the morning a gold watch and a revolver were
missing. The thieves had dropped down the river silently in a boat
and taken advantage of the darkness to put their hands in at the
ports and take all they could reach. A complaint was made to the
Sultan at once. In a few days the goods were recovered, and word
was also brought to the effect that each of the offenders had lost
one of their hands for the offence. Of course nothing so severe
as this was anticipated when the charge was made, and no one more
regretted the cruelty than those who were so near being losers by
the dishonesty of the maimed sufferers. The principal export product
is sago, of which large quantities are brought down from the Limbang
and other rivers in the interior. There are two large sago-washing
establishments in the town, both the property of intelligent and
hospitable Chinamen. Gutta-percha, caoutchouc, edible birds'-nests,
camphor, rattans, and fine timber are also obtained in small quantities
from the forests of the country behind. Fine fish is obtained from the
river by the natives, and fruit is very plentiful in season. Excellent
drinking-water is obtained from some rocks beside the river between
the town and the old Consulate. It is pure, cool, fresh, and abundant,
inestimable qualities in such a hot and thirst-producing climate.
We visited one of the sago factories, and found their water remarkably
good; and when I and Mr. Veitch went out one evening snipe and
pigeon-shooting on a plain behind we came across an aqueduct formed
of large bamboo stems, in which this water was conveyed from a spring
nearly a mile away. I was very much interested in the old Chinaman's
garden, which contained a fair assortment of fruits and flowers. The
lively white-flowered Pancratium zeylanicum was blooming beautifully
in one of the well-watered beds. The mangoes were large, and of
excellent flavour. In exploring the garden behind the house I came
across our host's coffin standing on supports in one of the sheds. It
was large and curiously shaped, and made of some dark durable wood
highly valued by the wealthy Chinese. Most Chinese settlers here,
when sufficiently wealthy, send to China for one of these coffins,
which is preserved until their death. Nearly all the Chinese settlers
here in the capital are married to Malay women, and healthy children
generally result from these unions. On the other hand, the Malay or
Bornean women rarely bear children when married to Europeans, and if
so, the children are generally unhealthy, and they themselves rarely
have offspring. No doubt the Malays of the capital are gradually
becoming absorbed by intermarrying with the native Bornean women
of the Murut, Kadyan, and other inland tribes. Many of the Malays,
so called, closely resemble the aboriginals in physiognomy, and the
common people or Bruneis may be characterised as an ugly and immoral
lot of mongrels. Now and then traces of African blood are seen.
Nowhere else in Borneo are the men such liars and thieves as here,
and the Brunei women have been described by a former writer as
being perhaps "the most immoral in the whole world." Of classical
celebrities, Cato and Phryne are certainly well represented in this
great water city of the far East. The climate is sultry. A large
upas tree is pointed out to all comers, and it is a fine specimen,
standing on the right bank of the river, just below the town, near
some ancient tombs. A burial-ground, indeed, occupies nearly the whole
right bank of the river from just beyond the Consulate as far as the
sago factory. One or two of the tombs are large, and built of stone,
with entrance gates; but most are small, with perhaps only a large
stone to mark the spot.
The capital, as also the towns all along the coast, suffers now
and then from epidemic diseases, cholera and small-pox being the
most common. Senõr Quateron, the old padre, now resident in Labuan,
formerly had a mission here, and the remains of his chapel still stand
on the left bank of the Brunei river, a little below the town. As
seen coming down the stream, it forms a picturesque object, a white
campanile standing on a grassy knoll, the blue peaks of Molu towering
up into the sky behind. I should think that Brunei, of all other places
in Borneo, is the last at which missionaries of any denomination would
be likely to succeed. Their sphere is not with Mahomedans, whose faith
is good, so far as it teaches cleanliness and temperance; but with the
aboriginals of the interior, who are thrifty, honest, and truthful
to a fault, and who have no systematic faith unless their belief in
the cries and motions of birds and animals, and other omens can be so
called. With these people missionaries would doubtless be successful,
but they must be hard-working men who could teach these gentle savages
the benefits of civilisation without introducing its vices.
A missionary has thus recorded his impressions of life among the
natives near Sarawak:--"A message came to me from one of the Christians
on the Kabo, asking me to go up and see them. Accordingly, as soon as
I could get a boat ready we were on our way down the Sebetan river
.... the wild, sombre, solitary feeling of the primæval forest,
the easy motion of the boat, the cheeriness of the paddling Dyaks,
united to produce a sensation of repose and awe..... Next morning
we soon came to the first waterfall rushing and roaring over the
rocks. Here we had to halt and stow away the palm-leaf awnings,
and pull the boat over the fall. Then one could not help feeling the
charms of tropical scenery,--the clear stream running over a pebbly
bottom, rocks here and there with occasional tufts of vegetation
forming little islets in mid river, hills on each bank running down
perpendicularly to the water's edge and covered with creepers, moss,
wild palms, and ferns, magnificent trees on either side stretching
their branches into triumphal arches overhead. Soon the whole scene
was changed, clouds gathered, and thunder rumbled, and down came
the rain in a continuous torrent. Towards evening we arrived at our
destination like so many drowned rats. In the evening I held service
under difficulties, there being no prayer-house, and the long public
verandah of the house being the only available place. The dignity of
worship suffers terribly in such circumstances. No sooner do we begin
than dogs begin to fight, or a child to cry, or an unsympathetic
heathen at the other end of the house to make some discordant row,
or a fighting cock will fly right into the midst of the kneeling
assembly, and distract everyone's attention."
The condition of the natives near the capital is not nearly so good
as at Kina Balu, a hundred and fifty miles away, if we except the
Kadyans, who being Mahomedans, and having powerful friends in Brunei,
are able to resist many of the taxes which the Muruts of the Limbang
and elsewhere are called upon to pay. I made two visits here to
the capital, and made a boat journey up the Limbang and Pandarowan
rivers as far as Bukit Sagan. This trip was made in the wet season,
and took twelve men three days, owing to the heavy freshes against
which they had to pull. The Pandarowan river is small compared with
the Limbang, of which it is a tributary; but it is, without exception,
the loveliest river I ever saw. At the end of the second day after
leaving the capital we reached a large house belonging to the Muruts of
this district. It stood in a little clearing close beside the stream,
and was nearly a hundred yards in length. A rude pathway of tree
trunks lay on the muddy shore reaching to one end of the building. We
landed here to cook our dinner, and clambered up into the house by a
rude stair formed of a notched tree trunk. The Muruts looked rather
surprised to see such visitors, but spread mats for us, and gave us
some firewood and water. After dinner we had a smoke with the head-man,
a fine muscular old fellow, nearly six feet high. About fifty men,
women, and children swarmed round the circle, of which a wood fire was
the centre, to get a peep at us. The head-man's wife was a young and
rather handsome girl, having a fine dusky little baby swung behind
her, and several other of the younger married women and girls were
comely, with dark eyes and luxuriant hair. Others, however, were less
attractive, and many of both sexes were troubled with peculiar skin
diseases. We engaged two men of this tribe to go with us as far as
Bukit Sagan, as our men did not exactly know the best place at which
to land. We slept by the fire until about two o'clock, when the rain,
which had been coming down heavily all day, ceased, and the silver
moon being nearly at the full, it quite illumined the stream as it
sped past the house. The mosquitoes became very troublesome, and so
I called the men and went down to the boat. After shouting for about
half an hour, the Muruts came down and took their places; and pulling
across the current, we crept up stream beneath the arching plumes
of the Nipa palm, which is here abundant. It was hard work for the
men, although we had now fourteen paddles. A sharp look-out had to
be kept for snags and floating trunks of trees, several of which we
saw shooting past us mid stream. Our Labuan men were rather afraid,
and several times wanted to make fast until daybreak. At one place the
boat struck heavily and keeled over in an alarming way, but we found
the obstruction was a raft of the stems of the sago palm, which some
Muruts had felled and lashed near the bank ready for floating down
to their rude washing-sheds below. This heavy bump woke up our men,
several of whom had previously been dozing, although paddling the
while, and we got along for a mile or two in first-rate style. Then,
in crossing the current, at an awkward bend we were well-nigh washed
away; indeed, had it not been for the silent but strenuous exertions of
our Murut guides, the alligators would possibly have had a feed. The
stream for the moment got the better of our men, but by a clever
touch of the paddle our guides steered us through safely, and a steady
pull for an hour longer brought us to the foot of the hill where we
were to land. We made our rattan-rope fast to a tree, and slept until
nearly daybreak. One man told us in the morning that he had not slept
a wink all night, as he was afraid our "painter" would part; but it
stood the strain well, although the boat had swung about and tugged
a good deal, owing to the swift current running down. The scene at
sunrise was lovely; every stem and leaf was covered with dew-drops,
and the hazy golden mist, through which palms, tree-ferns, and
curious leafage of all descriptions loomed out more and more plainly
until we saw everything in the foreground quite distinctly. It was
a transformation scene on a gigantic scale, and its loveliness was
such as only Turner at his best could have portrayed. The delicate
arching outline of the nebong palms was sharply defined against the
sky overhead, and large masses of a wild musa fringed both banks with
immense leaves and clusters of delicate rosy bracts.
How comes it that none of our good landscape-painters ever visit the
tropics, where the beauty of form and colour in the landscapes is more
glorious than anywhere else, and yet nearly all the tropical pictures
one sees remind one of the daubs of a bad scene-painter? Here and
there clumps of bamboo reminded one of the early summer freshness of
the weeping willow beside the silvery trout streams at home. A gorgeous
scarlet-flowered climbing bauhinia draped some of the low trees which
nestled down near the water. We turned out for a ramble with our guns
while our people cooked breakfast. I never saw birds so numerous in
Borneo before. The first shot brought down a little green tree-pigeon,
with a magenta stain on its white breast and on its head. A Kadyan boy
we had with us blazed away with an old Tower musket to his heart's
content, and surprised us by bringing in a long-tailed rufous-brown
species of pigeon, which we had first secured in the Sulu Islands. Two
or three other rare Bornean birds were obtained. Breakfast over, we set
about climbing. Our path lay through the tall forest, and in places the
undergrowth was so thick that our guides and men had to cut us a path
with their parongs. For the first mile or two vegetation was scanty,
but as we ascended ferns and selaginellas became more plentiful. We
stayed here and there to examine fallen trees for epiphytal orchids,
which however were far from abundant. About half way up the hill we
came to a gorge, down which a considerable body of water flows, but
it is screened from sight by huge boulders, which lie near together,
forming a sort of "giant's causeway," across which we picked our
way. We peered down the chasms, but could not catch a glimpse of the
stream, although we could hear it quite plainly as it forced its way
among the stones far below. In one wet spot several species of aroids
formed a little colony all to themselves. Of those collected in flower,
one proved distinct enough to be made the type of a new genus when
submitted to the botanical authorities at Kew. It grew in tufts on
wet mossy stones, forming rather compact plants a foot in height. The
spathe is of a bright rose colour, borne on a scape nearly as long
as the leaves. I was especially interested in this plant, as I had
seen a species singularly like it beside the Haya Haya stream at the
foot of Kina Balu. As we approached the summit, we were stopped at
one place by a perpendicular wall of sandstone rock, and we had to
make a wearisome detour in order to gain the crest. I had been led
to explore this hill at all risks, having been told by natives that
a golden large-flowered phalænopsis was here to be found, but after a
hot and weary search on rock and tree alike, no trace of any species of
this genus could be found; and as I afterwards offered my informants a
month's wages if they would bring me a flower of it without any result,
I am inclined to think the thing a myth, like its "bright scarlet"
congener. The only thing which consoled me for my disappointment was
a beautiful golden-blossomed dendrobium, which has always been rare in
our gardens; and I was also enabled to collect a large number of Vanda
Hookeri. This last is the "Golden Duck" orchid of the Brunei Malays,
and exists in quantity in the marshes near the river, and always,
so far as I saw it, epiphytal, on a slender-stemmed red-fruited pandan.
This hill is not above five or six hundred feet above the sea, and yet
on its crest the air was quite fresh and cool. We obtained extensive
views from the top over a well-wooded country. Neither pitcher plants
nor rhododendrons were seen, although both exist abundantly on the
Lawas hills, only a few miles away. In descending a wide detour was
made through the forest in search of plants, but distinct forms were
rare. On reaching the boat we bathed, and changed our clothes, which
was necessary, as we were drenched to the skin, and covered with dirt
from the half-rotten tree-trunks, over which we had scrambled. It
was about three o'clock, of course very hot; and our boat formed
quite an attraction to the bees, butterflies, and some lovely blue
day-flying moths, which fluttered in the sunshine. The wild bees were
indeed rather troublesome; and some of the men who were nervous at
their proximity, and began to buffet them, were stung. As we ate our
luncheon of boiled rice and jam, they frequently settled on our plates,
but they did not attack us.
The journey down the river was an easy and pleasant one. The water,
which had been so high and turbid the night before, had now regained
its proper level, and except exactly amid stream the surface was as
smooth as a mirror. The curving nipa leaves and other vegetation were
most sharply reflected from the placid surface, so clearly indeed,
that one could scarcely see where reality ended, and the shadow
began. The presence of the nipa palm beside the banks of eastern
rivers, is almost always evidence of deep water. In the shallow
parts the pink-blossomed banana and bauhinia-draped trees were most
beautiful, here and there varied by elegant groups of pandanus. We
stayed at intervals to examine the vegetation more closely, and did
not reach the Murut settlement before nightfall.
We paid off our guides, and stayed here an hour or two to rest
our men. We slept in the boat, and found the mosquitoes very
voracious. When the moon rose we continued our journey. In Bornean
travel, near the coast, boats form the best conveyance. There are
no horses, nor indeed roads suitable for them; so that all journeys
inland must be performed on foot. Buffaloes may in some places be
obtained. If no heavy loads have to be carried, however, one may
travel quicker without them, except where deep and rapid flowing
streams have to be forded, and there they are most useful.
We stayed at one little sago station, where the natives were preparing
the raw product. The process is very simple. The trees are cut down
just as they attain maturity, the time being known by the production
of the branched inflorescence. The leaves are removed, and then the
trunks, which are ten to fifteen feet long, and as thick as a man's
body, are split longitudinally into two halves. A man then cuts out
the pith, with which the whole centre of the trunk is filled. This
requires some skill. The implement employed for the purpose is an axe,
formed of a bamboo-stem, fixed in a stout wooden handle, and lashed
with rattan. By repeated strokes of this instrument the pith and fibres
are scooped out in thin layers, care being taken to cut it out as free
from lumps as possible. The pulped pith is then carried in baskets
to a washing apparatus. This consists of a rudely-constructed vat,
elevated on piles, beside a river or brook, whence fresh and clean
water is plentifully obtainable.
From the vat a spout conducts the water into a trough below. The
bottom of the vat is covered with a mat or bark-strainer. The pith is
now placed in the vat, and trodden, water being occasionally poured
over it during the progress, and the result is that the fine sago
starch is washed through, and settles in the bottom of the trough
below, the coarse particles and other impurities being retained by
the strainers, at the bottom of the treading-vat. After the fine
sago has been allowed time to settle in the trough, the water is run
off, and the white putty-looking mass below is packed up in bags,
and sold to the Chinamen, by whom it is again washed and dried,
previous to its being shipped to the Singapore market. Two species
of sago palm grow here, forming stout-stemmed trees, thirty or forty
feet in height. They are readily distinguished by the one having
smooth bases to the sheathing leaf-stalks, while the other has the
leaf-sheaths set with stout black spines. The smooth variety is most
abundant. The dried leaf-sheaths of this palm are utilised in the
manufacture of neat baskets, being neatly sown together with strips of
rattan, and fitted with lids. Rattans are much used in house building,
the largest timbers being secured by their aid only.
It is singular that pegs or nails are never used by the Malays, except
in boat-building; and the neatness and ingenuity with which rattan
is used by these people is wonderful. In one of the Kadyan villages,
on the Lawas, I saw a violin, the back, front, and sides of which
were actually stitched together with slender strips of rattan. It
had been copied from a European model, and had a much better tone
than one would expect to find under the circumstances.
The musical instruments made and used by the Malays and aboriginal
Borneans are inferior to those of Burmah and Siam, or even to those
used by the Javanese. The pentatonic scale is employed, and the music
is monotonous and plaintive in its character. This is especially true
of the women's songs, which are mostly of a dirge-like kind. I remember
a Kadyan girl used to sing sometimes during my first visit to the
Lawas, and the effect at night more especially was extremely weird and
melancholy. She had a rich mellow voice, rising and falling in minor
cadences, and dying away sweetly tremulous as a silver bell. This poor
girl's life, however, ended suddenly. She usually walked through the
clearing every day into the forest beyond to fetch in fire-wood. One
day she did not return as usual, and a search was made for her along
the paths in the neighbourhood without success. Some men who were
returning from gutta collecting, however, found her lying beneath a
large tree, and beside her was a large branch, recently broken off. It
was supposed that this branch had accidentally fallen, and struck her,
so causing her death.
Modifications of the "cheng," or calabash pipes, are made both by the
Kayans, on the Baram river, and also by the Dusun villagers, near
Kina Balu. There are distinct differences between the instruments
as made by each tribe. That from the Baram consists of seven pipes;
six arranged in a circle around a long central one, all seven being
furnished with a free reed at the base, where they are inserted in a
calabash-gourd. Holes are cut in the six outer pipes for fingering;
the central pipe is, however, an open or drone-pipe, the tone being
intensified by fixing a loose cap of bamboo on the upper end. It is
played by blowing air into the neck of the gourd, or by drawing the
breath according to the effects desired. The Dusun pipes are formed
of eight pipes, four short, and equal in length, and four long and
unequal. Reeds are cut at the lower end in all the pipes, but the
fingering is performed on the ends of the four equal short pipes,
there being no holes cut in the pipes for this purpose, as in the
Kayan instrument.
I brought home examples of both varieties; and these are now in
the Veitchian Museum at Chelsea. Two or three varieties of flutes
are made, also an instrument resembling the old wooden flageolet,
so common in England before the advent of the tin whistle.
McNair, in his work on Perak, mentions a curiosity, in the shape of an
aëolian flute, formed of a bamboo, in which holes are cut, so as to
produce musical sounds when acted on by the wind. An instrument like
the Jew's harp is made of a single strip of bamboo; and a curious
stringed instrument is made of a joint of large yellow bamboo, the
nine or ten open strings of which produce notes similar to those of a
banjo, when twanged with the fingers. A specimen of this instrument
may be seen in the Veitchian Museum at Chelsea, together with one
of similar design but of much more complicated and finer make from
Madagascar. Wooden drums, formed of hollow tree-trunks, and having
goat or deer-skin tightly stretched over the ends, are common, and of
various sizes. The old war-drums were made thus; but this instrument
is now nearly obsolete, being to a great extent replaced by metal
gongs, of native manufacture certainly; but doubtless the idea was
copied from the Chinese.
Nearly every trading prahu or boat carries one of these gongs; and
the Muruts are very fond of such music, and keep up an incessant din
on these instruments at their festivals. Sets of eight or ten small
such are often fixed in a rattan and bamboo frame, and beaten with
two sticks, dulcimer fashion; and I have seen similar contrivances
formed of iron bars; and even strips of dry hard bamboo wood in the
Sulu isles, the scale in this case being similar to our own.
It is very uncommon to hear performers playing in concert, unless in
the case of gong-beating; indeed, music is at a low ebb throughout
the island. The songs of the boatman, on the other hand, are often
pleasing and melodious. A good many of their songs are Mahomedan
prayers, or chants; but occasionally the theme is on secular, and often
very amusing subjects. It is common for one man to strike up a song,
improvising his subject as he sings, and then all the crew laughingly
join in the chorus. They keep time to the music in paddling; and I
always encouraged my boatmen to sing, as it relieves the monotony of
the bump, bump of the paddles against the side of the vessel, which
becomes very tedious after the first hour or two. One always has to
be prepared for squalls when on the sea. They are especially common
at night, after very hot days. You see a black cloud lowering on the
horizon. Then a cool breeze fans your cheek. You at once strike all
sail. The breeze gets stronger and stronger, until you find yourself
rocking about on a rough "choppy" sea, amid a hurricane of wind
and rain.
Thunder and lightning are especially common during the wet monsoon. The
mountains behind "Thunder and Lightning Bay," to the north of the
capital, are often perfectly illuminated by lightning flashes; and at
times the thunder is deafening to hear. As to the lightning latent
flashes of electricity are visible most nights throughout the year;
and it is not uncommon to see a continuous play of lightning on the
horizon, especially after very sultry days. At times the sea is so
highly phosphorescent, that the boat leaves a wake of bright light in
the water, and the paddles look as though moving through a caldron
of molten silver. This phenomenon is most commonly observable after
calm sultry weather.
The sudden manner in which the rivers rise after heavy rain is
wonderful; and the flat forests beside or near the rivers often
become flooded. You may go to bed at night, and awake to find the
native house in which you slept surrounded by acres of water a yard
deep in the morning. This is especially true of flat tracts, through
which streams flow near the great water-sheds inland. Considerable
damage results to the cultivated patches on the hills from these
sudden rains; and formidable land-slips not unfrequently take place
on the steep hills near the rivers. Cultivation near the capital is,
however, of a poor description, compared with the plains of Menkabong,
Tawaran, and Tampassuk, or the hills further inland.
A lover of nature who sees a tropical country for the first time,
cannot help but enjoy the bright light and heat, the vegetable glories
of flower, fruit, and leaf, called forth by the rain and sunshine--of
a clime where winter is unknown. And yet, with all the sunshine and
showers, the tropical blossoms are in a way aristocratic and exclusive,
and never mingle socially in bosky masses, as do our own wildings;
and it is not possible to name half-a-dozen of them that could at all
compare with the blue-bells, or heather, the buttercups, primroses,
forget-me-nots, anemones, violets, and rosy lychnis of our own cool
moist woods and pastures.
During a year's rambles in one of the richest and most fertile of
tropical islands, I saw nothing really fresh and spring-like; nothing
like the "green and gold" of daffodils, and the tender young grass
of April, or the royal glory of a summer iris, or an autumnal crocus
on its mossy bed. This much is ever lacking in the forest primæval;
and even in gardens--Eastern gardens--beautiful as they undoubtedly
are in many ways, the sameness, the cloying degree of permanency
observable in the forests, becomes intensified, and so still more
unsatisfying. The plants seem always to present the same aspect; and
although most of them are at their best when revived by the rains,
just after the dry season, yet the charm of freshness is destroyed
by the number of evergreens everywhere, and the driblets of bloom
kept up by them nearly all the year round.
Still the beauty of tropical gardens is lovely of its kind. You have,
or may have, all the tropical treasures of Kew--palms, ferns, and
orchids--around you in the open air; but all this is as the beauty of
a lovely woman, jaded by over-enjoyment, the whirl of a whole season's
gaieties! There is elegance of form, and charm of colour, all the
refinement of cultured beauty, sure enough. Victoria water-lilies,
and dainty nymphæas in open air pools, the flesh-tinted blooms, and
umbrageous leafage of the sacred lotus also; the noble amherstia, with
its pendants of crimson and gold,--groves of feathery-leaved palms--all
this, and very much more, is common; but it is astonishing how soon
one tires of this plethora of floral charms, and how eager becomes
the longing to sniff the homely fragrance of pinks and wall-flowers;
to stoop for a violet from a mossy hedge-bank, or a snow-drop even from
a cotter's garden. Indeed, there is no gainsaying the fact, as has been
pointed out by Wallace and others, that the most lovely and satisfying,
the most sociable of all flowers, are those of temperate climates.
CHAPTER IX.
A VOYAGE TO SULU.
Sulu Archipelago--Long drought--Jungle fires--Sandakan--Good
water supply--Insects and birds--How an alligator was
utilised--A boat excursion--Visit to the shore--A Chinese
trader--Chinese hospitality--Slavery--A walk by the river--Manilla
hemp--Native tombs--Frangipane--or the "dead man's flower"--Rough
walking--Interesting birds.
After having spent some time on the north-west coast of Borneo, varied
by collecting expeditions further in the interior of the Murut and
Dusun countries, I took a passage on the small trading steamer Far
East, bound for Sandakan and the Sulu Archipelago. An intelligent
young Scotchman, Mr. W. C. Cowie, part owner and engineer, was on
board, and enlivened the voyage with a fund of information relating
to the habits, customs, and trade of the natives among whom we were
going. We were accompanied by his brother, who was going to reside
in Sulu for trading purposes, and several Chinese and Malay traders
also had taken deck passages. We sailed about 7 A.M. on April 5th,
and the weather being fine we obtained capital views of the Bornean
coast as we steamed along.
This was the greatest season of drought which had been known here
for some time, nearly five months without rain, and this under a
tropical sun, and in several places we could see jungle fires raging
along the coast. The monsoon was dead against us, and we met numerous
native boats flying down to Labuan before the wind. These were laden
with pearl-shell, trepang, etc., and were mostly from the islands
of Balabac and Palawan; some, however, had come round from the
north-east coast of Borneo, and even from the Sulu isles. In about
a fortnight the monsoon is expected to change, when they will find
no difficulty in returning safely. At sunset, and again at sunrise,
we saw "Kina Balu" towering up into the clouds, and apparently very
near to the coast, but the distance is very deceptive. It was dark
when we entered Sandakan Bay, and about three o'clock on the morning
of the 8th, I was awakened by the rattling of the anchor-chains,
and found we were at Sandakan itself. It is merely a small trading
station consisting of about a dozen "ataps," or palm thatched houses
built over the water, and a long "jimbatan," or jetty, also on piles,
serves as a roadway and a landing stage for produce.
At the time of my visit the only European residents were
Mr. W. B. Pryer, who acted as agent and resident for the company,
who had just obtained cessions of territory from the Sultans of
Brunei and Sulu respectively, and Mr. Martin, a trader. There was
formerly a depôt here belonging to the "Labuan Trading Company,"
managed by a Mr. Sachze, who died rather suddenly, as is believed by
poison administered by his wife, a beautiful native woman given to
intrigue. We landed at daybreak, and Mr. Cowie and myself took our guns
and went for a walk in the forest behind the little group of houses. We
followed a path which had been recently cut, and which led us in a
northerly direction for about half a mile until we came to a stream
descending the steep hill-side in a series of little falls. Pigeons
were plentiful here, but the trees were too high to allow of our
shooting them. We also disturbed a colony of large red monkeys, who
were breakfasting on a tall fig-tree in fruit. We clambered up the
hill-side and walked along the ridge for some distance. The surface
vegetation was very meagre, only a few ferns being obtained, all of
which I had seen before, with the exception of a bipinnate form of
Blechnum orientalis, having fronds five feet in length.
We retraced our steps along the ridge and descended near the
houses, following for some distance the little stream which supplies
beautifully clear and cool water to the houses, and ships which call
in here occasionally. This stream falls over the sandstone rocks
about a hundred yards from the houses, to which it is conveyed by
a large bamboo aqueduct. Quite near to the rocks a neat little bath
house has been erected, and through the upper part of this structure
the bamboo water-pipe is carried, and by blocking it up with a plug
a delicious shower-bath is obtainable. We sent for our towels and
clean clothes from the ship, and enjoyed our morning ablutions very
much. The noble Dipteris Horsfieldii was luxuriant on the rocks here,
and a fine scarlet ixora was a perfect mass of bloom. While searching
for plants on the wet rocks near the bath-house, I was startled by a
snake popping its head out of a bunch of herbage just level with my
face! I struck at it with a stick I had in my hand, but it made its
escape apparently unhurt, and perhaps more frightened than I was,
although I entertain a horror of these creatures. Returning to the
ship I shot a fine fish hawk as it flew overhead on its way to the
forest. After breakfast we paid Mr. Pryer a visit, and enjoyed looking
over splendid collections of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera which he had
made here. Some of the butterflies and beetles were especially fine,
and several were supposed to be new to science. He had also a small
collection of bird skins made here, but I noted nothing among them
different to those of the north-west coast.
When Mr. Pryer first came to live here the natives had annoyed
him a good deal by coming below the house at night and stealing
rice. This they did by making a hole through the bags with a spear,
so that the rice ran through the interstices of the lath floor, and
was caught in a vessel held below for that purpose. One day, however,
a tolerably large and healthy alligator was brought in for sale, and
with the eye of a naturalist, Mr. Pryer at once saw his chance. The
ugly creature was purchased and confined beneath the house, and it
is needless to add that the nocturnal pilfering in that direction was
immediately discontinued. Alligators of enormous dimensions are said
to be very common here, but we had to be satisfied with a glimpse of
a shark in the bay. Elephants are said to come down to the banks of
the Sagaliad river, and a young rhinoceros was actually shot there a
few months only after the time of our visit. Having borrowed a boat
and obtained a native crew we landed on two of the islands in the bay,
and found them equally barren. The only plants of interest we noticed
were one or two species of palms, which I had not seen elsewhere, and
of one of these I obtained a large quantity of seeds. We saw plenty of
curlew, and large flocks of milk white cranes or "padi birds," rested
on the trees near the shore. It was nearly dusk when we returned to
the ship, and being wet and dirty, as one almost invariably is on
exploring tours in the forest and jungle, we were glad to visit the
little bath-house once more, and change our clothes before dinner on
the cool upper deck of the little steamer.
At daybreak I was awoke by the rattling of the chains as the anchor
was weighed, and in a few minutes afterwards Sandakan was behind us
as we steamed away to the Sulu Archipelago. We reached Meimbong on
the evening of the 10th, and anchored just off the traders' houses,
which, as is usual here, are built on piles far enough out from the
shore for vessels to anchor at the little jetty before the doors. Sulu
is about thirty-six hours steaming from Sandakan, but in this case we
were longer. We reached the islands at the entrance to the harbour of
Meimbong just at sundown, and were much impressed by the indications
of cultivation and fertility which they presented. We could also
see the cultivated patches and the fruit groves on the Sulu hills
quite plainly, while the cool fresh evening air was deliciously
perfumed, with what we afterwards found to be a mint-like plant
(Hyptis suaveolens), very common throughout the island, especially
in waste places and cornfields.
After dinner we went ashore to see an old Chinaman named "Peah," one
of the principal traders in the place. His house was half house and
half warehouse, consisting of a large front room the entire length
of the house with some private apartments behind, the kitchen, as is
usual, being a separate structure at the end of the dwelling. Half
the large front room consisted of a raised platform about four feet
in height, carpeted with finely-worked pandan mats, and covered
with a fancy chintz canopy, fringed in front. Cushions were piled
up on the parti-coloured mats, and between these and the partition
behind fancy coloured boxes were piled ostentatiously, each secured
by a brass lock of Chinese manufacture. On entering we found "Peah"
sitting on the platform talking to some Sulu traders, his wife, a
neat little Chinese woman, and about a dozen slaves and attendants,
mostly Sulu girls. The room was but dimly illuminated with cocoa-nut
oil lamps, but a couple of composite candles were brought on our
arrival, and installed in two fancy glass holders. The girls ran away
to the kitchen to prepare chocolate, which, together with biscuits,
was soon handed round, after which one of the dusky belles brought
us nipa leaf cigarettes very deftly made.
A long "bichara," or talk on trading and other topics now took place,
gin and water being handed round at intervals. We afterwards had
some music on a kind of harmonica, formed of about a dozen small
gongs of graded sizes, arranged in a bamboo frame, these being beaten
dulcimer-like by two sticks to an accompaniment of five or six larger
gongs and of some Malay drums. The whole made a deafening noise as I
thought, but at a distance some very pleasant effects are produced,
the smaller gongs sounding quite sweet and bell-like in tone.
It is not an uncommon practice for Sulu parents to sell their
children, or for them to be taken into slavery, as payment for some
debt previously contracted by their parents or guardians. It is a kind
of slavery, however, like that in Borneo, which is not so objectionable
as it sounds, since they enjoy pretty much liberty, and are often far
better off in the way of food and clothing than if they were free;
nor are they torn from their home and friends as in the case of the
poor African of years ago. As I have said they are well treated and are
rarely chastised, but we had one instance of this being done during the
time we lay in harbour here. A well-known Chinese trader from Labuan
"Cheng Ting" had brought with him a young Chinese servant, or "boy"
about twenty years of age, and for a Chinaman remarkably handsome,
with a jet black pig-tail hanging nearly as low as his heels. This
"boy" was a great favourite with "Peah's" Sulu girls, especially
with one whom we, not knowing by name, had christened the "gipsy," a
remarkably well made girl with expressive eyes, high cheek-bones, and
luxuriant hair, all of which was, doubtless, altogether too much for
the tender susceptibilities of a young oriental. We lay close alongside
the pile wharf, and one night were awoke by a woman's piercing shrieks,
and the loud voices of several men, and on our going to see the cause
we found the youthful oriental in the hands of a couple of "Peah's"
coolies, who stripped this celestial Adonis, and tying him to a post
by his queue, they gave him a dozen or so with a rattan, at which he
did bawl most lustily, much to the amusement of his captors. And she,
the dusky Venus, was handed over to Mrs. "Peah," who corrected her
privately in the women's apartment, and afterwards chained the erring
damsel in a space below her own bed, so as to prevent her stealing
out to midnight meetings again during our stay. I do not think either
of the culprits were hurt much, and despite the yells of the "boy,"
the rascal was jolly enough and full of bravado when he came on board
in the morning.
The first morning after our arrival I and Mr. Cowie took a boat
at sunrise and pulled down to the market place. Leaving our boat
at the Orang Kayu's house we walked through the narrow gateway,
and crossing the place where the market is held, just outside the
barricade, we followed the course of the river for some distance,
and obtained capital shooting at the large blue pigeons, evidently
the same species as that so common in Borneo. We should have had much
better sport, only that about a dozen of the "lads of the village"
followed like curs at our heels, and they ran riot as soon as ever
they saw a bird fall, and in their eagerness to clutch it they did
a good deal of damage to a long-tailed rufous brown pigeon which I
shot here for the first time and wished to preserve. Their frantic
leaping, splashing and yelling in the little stream and on its
banks also frightened away many birds before we could get within
range, while anything like remonstrance was so much labour thrown
away. White and green paroquets flew screaming overhead as they left
the tall trees near the coast, where they had evidently roosted for
the night, and were now most probably on their way to their feeding
grounds, the fruit trees in the forest further inland. We crossed
several cultivated patches, and growing in clumps near the native
houses we saw quantities of Musa textilis cultivated here, and also
in the Philippines, the fibre being used for cordage, and it is also
largely imported into this country under the name of "manilla hemp." On
waste places beside the river, Quisqualis indica was very abundant,
forming bushes about four feet in height, its slender branches being
literally borne down to the ground by the weight of its flowers,
which hung in immense clusters from the points of its branches.
On our return we made a detour to the right and came upon several
graves, a few of which were fenced in with bushes and had rude
headstones, or a post to mark the spot. Other graves were neglected and
overgrown with weeds. Here a variety of the "Frangipane" (Plumieria
acuminata), was very lovely, bearing immense clusters of its waxy
flowers which exhale a most delicious odour. These flowers are white
with a yellow centre, and are flushed with purple behind. This plant,
or, as seen here in Sulu, small tree, is common throughout the Malay
region, and is by the natives esteemed as a suitable decoration for
the graves of their friends. Its Malay name of "Bunga orang sudah
mati," meaning literally, "Dead man's flower." We returned to the
river near the market-place and obtained a nice cool bath previous to
returning for breakfast on board. About two o'clock we all returned,
and leaving the boat in a creek a little beyond the headman's house,
we bore across the plain to the right through an orchard-like grove of
teak-trees. I had stopped to load my gun before starting, and when I
hastened on to rejoin my friends, I found them at the foot of a dead
teak-tree, where they had kindly awaited my coming to point out a
pretty pink-flowered orchid which was clinging to the naked branches
right in the blazing sunshine, and flowering most profusely.
We at last came to an undulating plain of coarse "lallang" grass
four feet in height, while the soil at our feet was thickly paved
with vitrified slag or scoriæ, the product of the island during its
volcanic epoch. It was very hot, and the walking over the sharp stones,
hidden as they were in the tall grass, was, to say the least of it,
very troublesome. We had expected to find deer or wild pig in the
patches of thick jungle which occur here and there, but the dogs
were too wild and did not hunt the ground well. Along the edge of a
bit of old forest we obtained an occasional shot at a bird or two,
and amongst others we secured a golden oriole with black wing, tips
and tail, a small hawk, and a large greenish paroquet, together with
several pigeons. The black and white and large blue pigeons were
extremely plentiful here, as also were white paroquets, but these
last were too wary to allow us within range.
I made several dips into the patches of old forest in search of plants,
but nothing of interest was seen. Orchids appeared to be very rare, and
with the exception of a dingy yellow-flowered cleisostoma which grew
rather plentifully on the teak-trees, nothing more was seen. We had had
a long and wearying walk, and it was about half-an-hour before sundown
when we returned to the boat and pulled to the ship for dinner. I
was very tired, but altogether pleased at having secured at least one
new species of orchid as well as two or three birds that I had never
seen before. After dinner I occupied myself in sketching my new pink
orchid and in helping my "boy" skin the birds I wished to preserve.
I was happy in the labour, and no description could possibly convey
any idea of that delight which fills one when new and beautiful
objects of natural history are discovered for the first time.
CHAPTER X.
A ROYAL PIG-HUNT.
A royal boar hunt--The Sultan of the Sulus--Sultana and
ladies of the court--Sulu costume and arms--Fine breed of
ponies--Rough ground--Pig sticking--Food for the dogs--A
pleasing sight--Invitation to the Istana--Datu Mahomed--The
Sulu "Prince of Wales"--Curious saddles--Pony racing--Meimbong
stream--Pleasant evening light--Birds--Large bats--Abundance of
butterflies--Fine fish--Good angling--The "Hill of Tears"--Sugh,
the old capital--Market at Meimbong--Tobacco--Native produce--Chain
armour--Chinese settlers.
Soon after dinner one of the Sultan's "ministers" came on board to
tell us that a grand pig-hunt was to be held on the morrow, at which
the Sultan and suite were to be present, and as royal boar-hunts are
not every-day affairs, we all made up our minds to get ponies and go
to see the sport. These pig-hunting forays are as popular in Sulu as
a royal stag-hunt at home, only that the Sulus have perhaps a better
reason to hunt their wild pigs, since they do a deal of damage to the
growing crops. About 9 o'clock in the morning we went down to the
headman's house at Meimbong and got our ponies saddled, and after
a ride of about half-an-hour through long grass and bushes we came
upon the beaters and dogs in a strip of low jungle at the foot of a
little hill. The men were yelling and shouting so as to frighten the
pigs from their covert out into the grassy plain, where horsemen,
each armed with a long slender-shafted hunting-spear, were waiting
in readiness to give chase and dispatch them. We, too, waited here a
little while, but finding no signs of sport we rode on to a clump of
low trees on the hill-side where we were told the Sultan and his people
were waiting. We found His Highness had dismounted, and was sitting on
the trunk of a fallen tree, smoking and watching for signs of sport. He
looked pleased to see us, and after he had shaken hands with Mr. Cowie,
whom he had long known, I was introduced to him. Mr. Cowie told him I
had come to explore the island for natural history purposes, and that
I particularly wished to ascend the two highest mountains. He seemed
rather amused to hear of a traveller looking for flowers and birds,
but graciously replied that I could go where I liked and he would
tell his people to help me, adding, that the best way of reaching
the highest mountain would be to come to his Istana and sleep there,
after which the mountain could be ascended in a day from that place. I
had previously been recommended to his good offices by the government
at Labuan through their consular agent, Inche Mahomed, of Brunei,
who had landed here in Sulu a day or two previously in H.M. gunboat
"Fly," Capt. McNeil. As I saw His Highness here seated on a fallen
tree I could not help noticing how emblematical the position was,
since at the best his position here as Sultan is but nominal, so fallen
are the fortunes of his house. Only two months after my visit, i.e.,
in July, 1878, the Spaniards, after nibbling like timid mice at the
Sulu cheese for centuries took formal possession of the whole island
by hoisting their flag in the Sultan's capital of Meimbong.
Behind him the Sultana and the ladies of her Court were mounted on
ponies, one or two scarlet and gold coloured umbrellas being held
over them. Altogether there were ten or twelve mounted ladies and
several female attendants, betel-box carriers, &c., on foot. The
Sultan himself had forty or fifty followers standing around in a
broken circle. He is about thirty-five years of age, and has a bright
and intelligent countenance. His dress consisted of an embroidered
silk kerchief tied turban fashion on his head, a dark close-fitting
jacket of semi-transparent material, embroidered with red and yellow
flowers, and having tight sleeves. Under this he wore a white merino
vest. Like most of his followers he wore breeches which fit very tight
below the knee, and are wide and baggy in the seat. These were black
and beautifully embroidered with flowers just below the knee. White
socks and elastic-sided boots of European manufacture completed
what my sailor friends called "his queer rig." His eldest son, an
"awful young sweep," of about twenty years of age, was much more gaily
attired in a white striped blue vest and trowsers, and a bright buff
head-dress, while, like his father, he wore the short heavy Sulu sword
or "barong." The Sultana and her suite kept in the background, of
course, but were evidently much interested at our visit. I noted that
she wore full Turkish trowsers of blue silk richly embroidered, and
a blue vest fitting very tight and ornamented with gold buttons, lace
in front, using the universal sarong as a covering for her shoulders;
around her head a clear buff kerchief was tied turban fashion; white
cotton stockings and a pair of Chinese slippers completed her outward
visibilities. Nearly all the Sulu women wear a deal of yellow, which
contrasts vividly with their luxuriant black hair, and like the men
they ride well and also in the same style,--exactly, fair reader,--à
la fourchette!
We also had dismounted, of course, and had stood talking and looking
on the particoloured scene and swarthy faces around us, when suddenly
a cry from the jungle below, a regular chorus of men and dogs,
told us that the bristly boar had at last been driven into the open
grass to run for his life. Everybody, Sultan and all, scrambled to
their ponies and away we all went, a gay cavalcade truly, down the
hill-side. Presently the pig came in sight, followed by one or two
miserable-looking curs and half-a-dozen men and boys on horseback, each
armed with the long light-shafted spear. We now saw of what sterling
metal the Sulu ponies are made. On they came with dilated nostrils
and widely-spread forefeet, scarcely requiring a touch of the reins to
guide them as they avoided a jutting rock here or a half-hidden "snag"
there, and all the time turned and wheeled as quickly as the hunted
pig itself. No European horse would have kept its legs ten minutes on
this uneven ground, paved as it was with immense blocks of volcanic
scoriæ. These intelligent little beasts seemed actually to understand
and enjoy the sport. One young fellow, mounted on a shapely little
grey, at length came up alongside the pig. Throwing his hempen bridle
on the pony's neck, and deftly handling his long spear, he wounded
the boar in the side, at which it turned and rushed at the horse,
its long white curved tusks gleaming beside its open jaws. Quick as
thought the pony avoided him, and ere the pig could stay its impetuous
rush the rider's spear was struck right through its body at a thrust,
the gleaming blade having entered the soil to a depth of several
inches. It was killed on the spot. The rider unfastened a length of
slender manilla rope from his saddle and threw it to a man on foot,
who slipped a noose over the body of the pig and afterwards tied the
other end of the rope to the horse's tail, and thus it was dragged
away to the heap of slain porkers some distance off. Seeing a couple
of horsemen galloping in another direction we concluded they had a
pig in chase, and so it proved. We headed the game and they soon came
up to it, and a thrust or two with the deadly spear and all was over
with poor piggie. This was a small black fellow about half the size
of an English boar. Not entertaining the prejudices of our Mahomedan
friends we begged the body of this last pig, and when the captors
asked for what purpose we required it, we discreetly replied that
we wanted it for our dogs. This was satisfactory, and one of the men
volunteered to drag it down to the boat at his pony's tail.
I shall not forget the Royal Pig Hunt in Sulu for some time. There we
were among the tall grass and jungle, and the ever changing position
of the numerous gaily attired horsemen was a beautiful sight to see. A
group of fox-hunters at home by a covert side is a pleasing sight,
but here in the region of perpetual sunshine and palm-leaves--in this
"beautiful isle of the sea"--the sight was not only pleasing but
quite a novelty to us--a thing seen for the first time, and perchance
an experience never to be enjoyed again. Down below us we could see
long files of horsemen wending their way to another piece of covert
which the men on foot and dogs were now beating, while, on the little
rounded hill above, the Sultana and her ladies formed a bright and
picturesque group on horseback, their large vividly-coloured umbrellas
standing out clear and sharp against the cloudless sky.
We saw the Sultan again towards the close of the day, and had a further
chat with him, in which he much regretted that the English would not
help him to resist the aggressions of his neighbours, the Spaniards,
whom the Sultan detests, and perhaps not without reason. He sent a man
to see how many pigs had been killed, and on being told seventeen,
he observed, that they had sometimes killed as many as fifty in one
day's hunting.
Thanking him for his invitation to us to visit him at the Istana,
which he had again repeated, we bade him adieu, and returned towards
Meimbong, well pleased with our day's adventures. The Sultan and
his suite rode towards the Istana, but his son, before alluded to,
accompanied us with a posse of his young followers. When we reached
the arable plain near the market-place, we came upon another group
of hunters, and nothing would please the young rascal but that I and
Mr. Cowie should try some of his father's horses. They are beautiful
creatures of the Sulu breed, but with a little of the Arab blood
added. They are never shod, and in picking their way among rocks or
fallen trunks of trees they are as sure-footed as a goat. We had some
capital racing. The Sulu saddles are of wood, very small, with high
wooden pommels, resembling those of a cavalry saddle. The stirrups
are represented by a woven hemp riband four feet long and about an
inch wide, with a loop at each end, through which the big toe of the
rider is inserted. This riband passes through an opening over the top
of the saddle, and is not fixed, but slides backwards and forwards
according to the pressure brought to bear on it by the rider. Of
course, I could not ride on one of these little saddles with sliding
stirrups, so I had them taken off and returned to my boyish practice
of bare-backed riding. These ponies had been out hunting all day and
yet showed no traces of fatigue, indeed they flew over the dry clods
at full speed and evidently were quite used to racing--appearing to
enjoy it as much as we did ourselves.
After this sport was concluded we returned on board to dinner, after
having stopped for a few minutes at the ford near the market to
get a bath in the stream, which is here as clear and sparkling as a
Derbyshire brook. This day's public amusement taking place as it did
so soon after my arrival was a most fortunate thing for me, since I
thus obtained an introduction to the Sultan and most of his people,
and wherever I wandered in the island afterwards I was always well
received, which was lucky, since the Sulus are not noted for their
civility to strangers. Even the small cotters who cultivate their
little farms and fruit groves up on the hills had heard of me, and
were very hospitable when, as happened soon afterwards, I found my
way up amongst them. The Sulu hills are especially beautiful.
Nearly every day, morning and evening, we used to go down to the little
Meimbong river near the Orang Kayu's house to bathe; and in the evening
especially the tops of the highest hills were lovely, glowing with
warmth in the golden light; now clear, now hazy, the last tremulous
kisses of the lingering sun. I used to walk a mile or two up the left
bank of the winding river nearly every evening before I had my bath,
and I nearly always took my gun, as the birds here were tolerably
plentiful, and in some cases very beautiful or interesting. There
are at least a dozen kinds of pigeons and doves; and three of the
species I shot, I had never seen before. Paroquets are common, and
fly shrieking overhead morning and evening. I shot four kinds in all,
two large green ones, a white one, and a small green one having a blue
head, and a pair of long-shafted, racquet-shaped feathers in its tail.
One of the most conspicuous of the birds here is the gold and black
oriole before mentioned, and a blackbird having a grey back and immense
flesh-coloured orbits is not uncommon on trees beside the river. Two
species of kingfisher were seen; one the common blue kind, with a
white ring around its neck, and a discordant, laughing note: white
padi birds, curlew, sandpipers, and a crow, are also quite common;
eagles, ospreys, and hawks also abound; and I especially noticed an
eagle or harrier circling over the grassy plains, regularly hunting
the ground, and occasionally stooping as if to secure its prey. This
bird is pure white, with black wing tips and tail. A water-rail was
seen beside the river near the town, and night-flying birds of the
owl tribe were also observed; but the familiar "chuck-chuck" note of
the "night-jar," so common on moonlight nights in Labuan, we never
once heard here. I saw one large owl dead, and much regret that I
did not skin and preserve it, badly as the thing was mutilated. It
resembled our native "barn owl" in general appearance and colour,
but was much larger, the spread of its soft fledged wings being over
four feet. I saw one species of hornbill on the hills and a pheasant,
which, from the momentary glimpse I caught of it, I took to belong
to the "fireback" species, so common in some parts of Borneo.
Deer are said to be plentiful; but we did not catch a glimpse of them,
although when riding in the interior I have often disturbed the wild
pigs among the long-matted grass near the river. An enormous species
of day-flying bat was quite common here near the Sultan's palace,
and most weird and supernatural did they appear on dull days, solemnly
flying from one tree to another, their great wings distended against
the leaden sky overhead. As far as I could see they were feeding on
the durian trees which surround the Istana, and probably sipping the
nectar from the large white flowers. I shot one which measured four
feet six inches across its outspread wings, and its head was as large
as that of a little terrier dog, and of a similar shape, being of a
dark foxey brown colour. Its eyes were of a sickly pale brown tint,
with a small black pupil, and its entire body in the warm limpness
of death exhaled such a repulsive musky odour, far worse than any
downright stink I ever experienced, and so penetrating and adhesive,
that my hands smelt of it for days, in spite of carbolic soap and
repeated washings. I had no means of ascertaining whether this is
really a distinct species, or whether it is conspecific with the large
nocturnal fruit-bat of Borneo, immense flocks of which may be seen
passing overhead at dusk to their feeding-grounds, the fruit orchards.
Of all the smaller forms of animal life in temperate countries the
butterflies are the most absolutely beautiful. In the tropics they
are especially so, being there found of the largest size and most
lovely hues. In the rice fields and by the open pathways, lively
little golden-winged kinds flutter in the sunshine. Some are quite
wholly golden, others amber, with black fringes to their wings;
many varieties enliven the river margins, and others sail aloft
around the tops of the great forest trees. The nearly dry bed of a
forest stream is an attractive spot to many of the finest tropical
butterflies, especially if it be chequered with shade and sunshine. In
such a place they may be seen by the hundred, flitting, fluttering,
skimming or wobbling to and fro, enlivening the cool greenery with
their colour, beauty, and variety of motion. Here you see them at home
and happy. Their colours defy description, so variable do they appear
as seen in the sunlight; sulphur and black, amber and blue, velvety
bands, purple shot with bronze, wings of blue, inclining to green, and
of green inclining to blue, and of velvety blackness banded with pea
or apple-green, are only a few of their combinations. Their beauty of
presence is so satisfying, that we almost forget their life history,
the egg so dainty in form, and often so beautiful in sculpture,
the caterpillar, attractive in its way, and chiefly remarkable for
its leaf-eating powers; then the long sleep in a silken hammock, and
finally a sunny awakening into life and beauty as a daintily painted
butterfly. There must be something in the climate or vegetation of
the Sulu islands especially favourable to insect life, and nowhere
else did I see butterflies so plentiful as here, not only in the
forest and by the river, but around the houses of Meimbong itself.
The site of the market being littered with fragments of fruit and
other débris, was especially attractive to them; on being disturbed
they fluttered away in crowds, only to return almost immediately
to feast on the wasted sweets, and to open and close their gorgeous
wings in the sunshine.
We were fortunate in obtaining plenty of fresh fish while lying
in harbour here, and there were many kinds, some being strikingly
beautiful in colour. Herrings and mackerel--or fish which so closely
resemble them in size, colour, and flavour, that we did not distinguish
the difference, were often brought on board. A singular white "ink
fish," having large dark eyes and long tentacles, is eaten both by
natives and Chinese. A large fish of a vermilion colour, in shape like
a large carp, is plentiful and nice eating, as also is a similarly
shaped species of an ashy grey colour, its sides delicately banded with
blue and yellow. In the river are freshwater fish a couple of pounds or
more in weight, and good angling is obtainable. Captain McNeil caught
a nice basketful or two with rod and line by whipping down stream in
the true Devonshire style. One of the fish he captured would weigh
nearly two pounds, and had a sharp spined dorsal fin like an English
perch. Mr. Cowie maintains that he has seen real spotted trout taken
out of this water; but I think some other kind must be meant, although
the water is quite pure enough for that gentlemanly little fish.
From what I have written it will be seen that although Sulu cannot
now afford elephant or tiger hunting like Malacca, India, or Ceylon,
there is plenty of sport obtainable here nevertheless; indeed there are
few countries eastward where better hunting, shooting, and rod-fishing
can be obtained. Sulu as seen from a distance on board a ship out at
sea, appears to be nearly all under cultivation; but on riding into
the interior a good deal of uncultivated land and jungle is seen. The
jungle portion has mostly been under cultivation in former years, and
is now lying fallow previous to its vegetation being again cleared off
by fire ready for the rude plough-culture here adopted. As approached
from the westward the island is really very picturesque, two or three
of its peaks rising from two to three thousand feet above sea level;
these are separated from the coast by gentle undulating hills or
flattish plains. One or two of the high hills are quite denuded of
the old forest, and cultivation extends to their summits. The two
highest peaks, however, are still clothed with the forest primæval,
and it was these two that I so much wished to explore. The highest
is Bu'at Timantangis, or "Hill of Tears."
I was curious to know why such a poetic title had been applied to
the highest of the Sulu peaks, and so I made inquiries. In all cases
the natives agreed as to the "reason why," which is this. When the
Sulu boats sail away towards the horizon on their trading excursions,
this peak is the last bit of their native land which is visible; it
is the "white cliffs of old England" to them; and the wanderers being
accustomed to remember their peaceful sunlit homes and their friends,
drop a tear as the last glimpse of their native earth fades from sight,
perhaps for months, or even years; hence the name Bu'at Timantangis,
or the "Hill of Tears." Bu'at Dahau is, however, but little less in
altitude; and it is doubtless at its apex that the last crater in the
island existed, although of course it has long been extinct; yet the
course of the débris thrown out can be seen down its sides, which are
scarred or furrowed by volcanic action in a very marked manner. Sugh,
the ancient capital,--or Banawa as the place is now called--is in
the hands of the Spaniards, and pretty regular communication is
kept up from thence to Manilla and the Philippine group. One of the
Chinese traders who came with us visited the place and brought back
several jars of excellent biscuits and a few boxes of fine Manilla
cigars. There are two market-places in Meimbong, and there are three
markets during the week; and as very few places afford a better epitome
of the thrift of a people or the produce of a country than a market,
I will briefly allude to what I saw of these held here.
We went to bathe early one morning, and saw the market-people
coming in from all directions and bringing produce of the most varied
character. Most of them--both men and women--were mounted on ponies or
buffaloes; some indeed ride their cows to market as being preferable
to walking, their produce being slung across the saddle before or
behind. Every man carried a spear, and a couple of hours later the
space beneath the clumps of bamboo just to the left of the market
gate, was crowded with people, the women trading, and the men standing
talking in groups, all the business of the day being done amid a forest
of spears. The country people from the hills were very much interested
in us as we moved about amongst them and their goods. Sweet potatoes,
mangoes, bananas, yams and corn cobs, were offered for sale in neatly
woven baskets made of cocoa-nut leaves. The leaves of piper betel made
up into little packets, and lime beautifully fine and white (made by
burning coral limestone and shells) were offered to betel-chewers; nor
was a good supply of the betel-nuts themselves wanting. We especially
noticed a very large fruited variety of Areca catechu here, which I
had never before seen, the individual fruits being as large as a hen's
egg, and of a clear bright yellow colour. The typical form so common
in Singapore and Labuan, has fruits the size of a pigeon's egg only,
and of a clear orange-red colour.
Tobacco leaves of native growth and manufacture were exposed for sale
in bundles, and some of it is made up into balls as large as a man's
head, and several pounds in weight. Although tobacco can be easily
grown here, it is but little valued, owing to faulty preparation; and
the inferior Chinese tobacco is preferred by the Sulus to their own
produce, and is a regular kind of currency in which almost all small
payments may be made. Thus, the hire of a pony for a day is about
two bundles; a day's wage for a man about the same. The wholesale
price in Singapore is about sixpence a bundle, or even less. At
the time of our visit rice was very scarce and dear in Sulu; indeed
as much as ten dollars per picul was paid, while horses and cattle
were relatively very cheap. Thus good buffaloes could be bought for
eight or ten dollars each; cattle at six to fifteen dollars a head,
and ponies at ten to twenty dollars; indeed many of the people were
well nigh starving owing to the last war and the dry season combined;
and in many cases they were glad to sell their cattle for rice, or the
means of obtaining it. Among the few articles of native manufacture
offered for sale, I noticed embroidered kerchiefs and sarongs,
also rope of good quality. Fish, eggs, cocoa-nuts, jack-fruit, and
cucumbers, were exceedingly plentiful.
It is not uncommon to see some few of the Sulus from the hills wearing
tunics of chain armour, having brass plates on the breast and down the
back, all the rest being fine chain-work. At the time of our visit
Mr. Cowie bought one of these tunics for about two pounds, which he
paid in rice. The Sulus themselves say that these were formerly made
in the island, but I think this is extremely doubtful; and it is far
more probable that this armour formerly belonged to their old enemies
the Spaniards, from whom they have obtained it during the numerous
wars between them. The most singular thing is that the comparatively
few Sulus who possess these tunics should continue to wear them,
as they most assuredly do.
There are a good few Chinese settlers here in Meimbong who have stalls
on which to expose their goods in the markets. They supply needles,
thread, betel-nut knives, cheap calico and print goods, handkerchiefs,
and occasionally blades of the choppers generally used in Sulu,
and other common cutlery, looking-glasses, boxes, &c. The currency
here is now the Chinese brass "cash," the rate of exchange at the
time of my visit being 900 to the dollar. Payments of small amounts
however, say up to twenty dollars, can always be made in white or
"grey shirting." The packets of Chinese tobacco before alluded to,
serve for small change.
CHAPTER XI.
THE SULTAN'S ISTANA AND THE "HILL OF TEARS."
A moonlight ride--A fragrant weed--The Istana--Modern
armament--"Gelah"--Royal hospitality--A social servant--The
Sultan--State sword or "Barong"--A Sulu dinner--A long
audience--Curiosity of the ladies--Departure to the
mountain--A newly-made grave--Orchids at home--A treat for
our cattle--Rough climbing--Ferns and mosses--The summit--Good
views--Old traditions of the mountain--A picnic under cocoa-nut
palms--"Gelah" v. Hennessy--Return to the Istana--Further
audience of the Sultan--Former civilisation--Carved wood-work--Old
manufactures--Old enemies--Physique of the Sulus--A pearl among
the swine--Market-people--Slavery--Language--Land culture--Native
food products--Domestic animals--Sea fruit.
One evening about sundown, immediately after an early dinner on board,
we set off to the Sultan's Istana, which is situated just at the foot
of Bu'at Timantangis, the highest mountain in the island. The distance
from the harbour at Meimbong is seven or eight miles, a pleasant ride
indeed across an undulating and tolerably well cultivated plain. We
had ordered our ponies to be in readiness at the Orang Kayu's house,
and the boatmen who accompanied us from the ship soon saddled them for
us and made all ready. Mr. Anson Cowie accompanied me. We had three
ponies, two for ourselves, and one for a Sulu lad who had charge
of our stores, guns, &c., and who came to attend to the ponies and
accompany us up the mountain, to ascend which was the main object of
our journey. All the little details requisite at starting attended to,
it was nearly seven o'clock as we rode through the market gate, just
opposite the headman's house--a veritable needle's eye--there being
barely room for a slim Sulu pony and its rider to squeeze through. The
moon was in the full, and rose as we started over the plain. We had
a delightful gallop, and had no need of a guide, as the horses knew
the way perfectly well. It had been a remarkably hot day, but it was
now deliciously cool, the soft air being gratefully redolent with the
odour of a mint-like plant (Hyptis) before mentioned. We laughed and
sang to our heart's content, and doubtless much to the surprise of
the few Sulus we met hurrying homewards.
It seems strange that these beautiful and well cultivated islands
should be still the last great stronghold of piracy in the eastern
seas. This has been the great blot on the Sulu character for centuries;
and they are also credited with having poisoned many of the traders
who formerly visited the island, and to whom they had become largely
indebted for goods. We reached the Istana soon after eight o'clock, and
tying our ponies to the verandah we ascended to the audience-chamber
above. Here, in this chamber, we noticed two small Armstrong guns
mounted on low carriages, and a Gatling gun or mitrailleuse was also
conspicuous. The presence of the modern armament here would have
been rather puzzling had we not known that the Sultan had obtained
these guns from the steam-ship America, as the first instalment of
the rental or payment which has to be made annually to the Sultan
on account of his having ceded Sandakan and his territory in North
Borneo to Baron Overbeck's Company.
Velvet-lined armchairs were immediately placed for us at a round
table below the raised platform, and refreshments consisting of
excellent chocolate and sweet biscuits were brought in. The Sultan's
own servant or "boy," "Gelah," a most amusing fellow, saw that
we were properly attended to, and told us that His Highness would
soon be in to welcome us. After the chocolate, brandy and excellent
Manilla cigars appeared under the direction of "Gelah," who seemed
to know the habits of Englishmen tolerably well. He spoke Malay
better than most of the others, and this language formed the only
means of communication we had. The attendants not having brought a
corkscrew, he sent off to fetch one, and then poured us out a glass
each. It was Three Star Hennessy, and very good. After helping us,
the imp took up one of the chocolate cups, poured a little water
into it to rinse it, and then slung it out at the open door. He then
very coolly nearly filled the cup with brandy and tossed it off neat
without wincing; he also helped himself to the cigars as though to
the manner born. As soon as we entered several boys, superintended
by an old woman, had brought in a lot of cushions and arranged them
on the platform near us. A lamp, and fancy betel and cigarette boxes
were next brought and arranged. The Sultan himself appeared on the
platform soon after we had finished eating, and shook hands with
us very affably before he reclined on the cushions which had been
placed for him. He came in with a dignified step and reclined very
gracefully; but as conversation warmed up he sat upright on the edge
of the platform with his legs dangling down in front, apparently as
free and easy as a schoolboy on a rail fence. A good many Sulus came
in during the evening, so that at ten o'clock the space between the
platform and the door was pretty well filled. Some of his people had
evidently told him of my propensity for sketching, and he asked to see
my sketch-book. Amongst other things therein was a rough sketch of a
"barong" or sword, and its carved sheath belonging to the old Orang
Kayu at Meimbong, which His Highness at once recognised, and he sent
off "Gelah" to fetch a valuable one of his own, which was, as he told
me, of Sulu manufacture. The blade was beautifully finished, having
an inlaid representation of a scorpion on one side and a centipede on
the other, together with some Arabic dates of important events. The
handle was of ivory, carved and mounted in chased gold and pearls. I
made a sketch of this weapon, at which he was greatly pleased, and
he watched every line and touch with great interest.
We had dined previous to our leaving the ship, and I had congratulated
myself earlier in the evening at having been lucky enough to escape
eating more than a biscuit with my cup of chocolate; but even after ten
o'clock our table was loaded with more edibles. There were dishes of
snowy rice, biscuits, excellent fish, curried fowl, eggs boiled, and
some bananas and other fruit. The whole was daintily cooked and well
served. With a graceful wave of the hand he requested us to satisfy
the hunger which, as he said, he felt sure had been occasioned by
the long ride we had been so good as to undergo in order to visit
him. Of course there was nothing for it but to fall to; and I must
say that we both enjoyed the fresh fish and rice, and the well-made
curry very much. Clean water and glasses were placed on the table,
and chocolate was again brought in. After this meal more brandy and
water and cigars were introduced to our notice by "Gelah," and we
kept up a conversation with His Highness until after twelve o'clock,
when he withdrew after having had a peep to see that our sleeping
apartment was in good order. As soon as his back was turned towards
us--almost before, "Gelah" pocketed all the surplus cigars and took
another cup of neat brandy,--his example being followed by one or
two of the other attendants.
We retired to our room for the night; and then the Sultan's son,
Datu Mahomed, and "Bottelah," the Sultan's secretary, together with
two or three others, including "Gelah," came in for a chat, so that we
did not get a chance of sleeping a wink until after two o'clock. Even
when we were alone in our sleeping apartment, and had reclined just
as we were in our clothes on the cushions and finely worked mats
spread out for us, I somehow felt conscious that we were watched;
and once I caught a glimpse of a dark figure gliding past a square
opening in the wall above. Our room communicated with the audience
chamber which we had just left, by a window-like opening about two
feet square. The lights in the large chamber had been extinguished,
while we, as is customary in the East, had a glimmering oil lamp in our
room, so that any one in the audience chamber could see us plainly,
without being themselves seen. We had no fear of treachery, and yet
could not help feeling a creeping sensation of uneasiness as shadow
after shadow passed the opening to the right of which we lay. At
length a shadow lingering longer than usual, I sprang to my feet and
put my head through the opening. A little suppressed scream, and the
patter of bare feet on the platform on the other side, followed by
muffled titters and whispering, told the tale.
The ladies of the court, debarred by etiquette from seeing us publicly,
had taken advantage of the darkness to obtain a peep at us. Barefooted,
they had moved more silently than mice on the platform in the
next room, and had satisfied their curiosity by stealing to the
opening one after another, and looking down on us to their hearts'
content. After this we got an hour or two of rest, and awoke at
daybreak, when everybody was astir. We found our breakfast ready,
and our ponies were saddled and at the door.
The men whom the Sultan had promised us as guides, and a buffalo
to carry down plants, were also waiting, and "Gelah" was eager to
accompany us by order of his royal master. Breakfast over, we started
off in excellent spirits up a gently rising path leading past a burial
ground, and beneath some of the finest Durian trees in the island. A
newly made grave ornamented with flowers and the young flower-stems
of the betel-nut palm, was pointed out to us as being that of a man
who had been shot at the Istana in a squabble about one of the ladies
of the court. It appears that the man's wife having died he wanted to
carry off a relation of his who now belonged to the Sultana's suite,
and in the row which followed he met with his death.
Our ride was a very pleasant one, and led us up through several
cultivated patches with here and there a belt of jungle. Soon after
leaving the Istana an aerides was seen flowering very freely on the
trees, also the ubiquitous Dendrobium crumenatum, with pseudo bulbs
four feet in length, the flowers much larger than usual. Cymbidium
aloifolium was everywhere plentiful, clustering in large masses on
the boles of large trees in the clearings. At an elevation of about
1000 feet we came to a village and fruit grove, and here we stayed
to rest awhile as the sun was now very hot overhead, and a drink of
cocoa-nut milk proved very grateful. On the trees here I obtained
a greenish yellow flowered dendrobium, which proved to be a new
species very similar to the D. d'Albertisii of New Guinea. At about
1500 feet we reached the skirt of the old forest, and had to dismount
and do the rest of the ascent on foot. We had brought ropes with us,
and removing the saddles and other gear we tethered the horses and
buffalo to bushes in a little natural meadow where they could make
a good meal off the fresh mountain grass. This was a great treat to
them, as the coarse herbage of the plains was at this season very dry,
and the horses in Meimbong were being fed on cocoa-nut leaves owing
to the dearth of other fodder. We descended a gully, and crossing
a little stream commenced the ascent on foot, leaving a Sulu lad
in charge of our goods and animals. We had at first a rough climb
over tree roots and loose stones. In one place the ascent was nearly
vertical, and the boulders being easily detached from the dry soil,
it was dangerous for our followers below. An areca palm bearing
large clusters of small scarlet fruit below a spreading crown of
dark green leaves was very handsome, and both ferns and selaginellas
were luxuriant in the shade. I collected specimens of all I saw for
scientific purposes. Pigeons and paroquets and other birds were seen
here on the trees overhead, but although we shot at several and saw
them fall, the branches overhead were so dense that they lodged there,
and we could not induce any of our followers to climb for them on
account of the deadly tree snakes, which are said to infest the place.
Our guides did not like the ascent, and tried to make us believe that
the point of the ridge was the top of the mountain, but we insisted in
pushing further up the ridge and at length were rewarded by reaching
the summit. The air was very fresh and cool here, and by climbing
a low-branched tree we obtained splendid views of the surrounding
plains and hill-tops and of the sea. We rested here for some time. A
strong-growing species of pentaphragma, bearing pure white flowers
in the axils of its oblong fleshy leaves grew here plentifully,
and an aucuba-like shrub bore clusters of red berries as large
as peas. Tree ferns also grew up to the top, and their stems were
draped with long green moss, which looked very fresh and pretty. Two
or three species of anæctochilus also grew here, their rich velvety
leaves being illuminated with gold and silvery veins. From one spot
in the descent we could see the coast and the outlying islets very
plainly, also more newly-formed coral islets inlaid with lagoons. We
saw abundant evidence of wild pigs and deer up this mountain, but the
wild cattle which formerly existed plentifully are now quite extinct.
During our conversation about this mountain last night the Sultan
told us some wonderful stories of birds' nest caves, and of a cavity
or hole at the top lined with mother of pearl (tepoy) large enough
for several men to bathe in at the same time, also of the wild men
who lived in the forest, making their habitations in the trees,
and of other wonderful things, all of which he discreetly added we
should not be able to see without we had supernatural assistance. The
gods truly were unpropitious, for we saw none of the mysteries of the
mountain to which he had referred. Wild men may formerly have inhabited
the trees of the forest here, as the "jakuns" still do in Jahore,
and what he told us may have been a well-worn old tradition handed
down for many generations. It is not improbable that his reference
to the crater at the top was the remains of an old tradition of the
volcanoes which once, without a doubt, did exist here in the island.
We descended to the village, leaving the men to bring on the horses
and gear, and here "Gelah" procured us some hot water, and we sat
down under the shady trees and enjoyed our lunch of chocolate and
biscuit. "Gelah" told us he did not care for chocolate and asked
for some brandy. I gave him half a tumblerful, which he drank and
became very communicative. He lighted one of the cigars he had
appropriated last night--indeed he had been smoking them all the
morning--and then he told us that many of the Sulus were bad men
and great thieves, adding that he was a good man himself, and that
was why the Sultan liked him. He then helped himself to more brandy,
tossing it off undiluted as before. He then launched out into a long
story of a pirate fleet having left Tawi-Tawi about a year before,
and remarked that they had but just returned with a good deal of
plunder. Wallace mentions [5] that these Sulu pirates sometimes
visit the Aru islands near New Guinea and Ceram on their predatory
expeditions. They only attack small trading prahus now, but in former
times even large sailing vessels were not safe from their attacks.
We now mounted our ponies and retraced our steps to the Istana,
which we reached at dusk pretty well tired. We rested some time and
gave the Sultan an account of our ascent. He pressed us to remain
all night, but this we did not care to do, and thanking him for his
hospitality and assistance, we mounted our ponies once more and rode
back to Meimbong in the moonlight. Arriving at the Orang Kayu's house
we found the boat there to meet us and take us on board, but it was
then low water in the river, and we had to wait some hours, so we went
into the headman's house, and lying down, slept until near midnight,
when our men awoke us and rowed us up the river and across to the
ship. It is a common opinion, and in the main I believe a correct one,
that the Sulus are great thieves. I never lost anything among them,
and a small bag I left accidentally at the headman's house containing
two or three dollars, a knife, ammunition, and other trifles, was
handed on board in the morning untouched. From what I saw of Sulu and
the inhabitants it appeared to me very evident that civilisation had
formerly been much higher than it is at present. This is especially
to be seen in their old buildings and manufactures. Thus the oldest
of the dwellings had beautifully carved woodwork over the windows
and doors, and had been erected of wood and with much more careful
taste and labour than is now devoted to the same kind of work.
Nowhere else in the East did I see more evidence of tasteful purpose
in design than here in Sulu. Here is a little sketch I made of
a carved wood heading to the door of the Sultan's Istana. Motive
two conventional alligators holding a disc on which is written a
Malay inscription in Arabic characters, the whole surrounded by
open work. Some old knives were also most beautifully decorated,
the blades being of splendid finish, and the hilts and sheaths of
hard wood, carved very artistically. In Brunei city I had noted a few
lattice windows in the older pile dwellings rather pretty in design,
but not at all equal to the free and vigorous carving of the Sulus.
The older manufactures again, such as krisses, barongs, spear-heads,
betel-boxes, indeed metal work generally, and particularly the
artistic element, were formerly much finer than is now the case. The
Sulus themselves, a well-built and originally a brave race, have
deteriorated, and after resisting the incursion of their old enemies,
the Spaniards, for generations, indeed centuries, are now utterly
dispirited. Some of their chiefs indeed have intrigued with their old
foes, and the result is that their country, and probably the last of
her Sultans, is virtually under Spanish rule. The Sultan himself is
a bright and intelligent man, but given to opium smoking, and some of
his headmen and Datus composing the "ruma bichara," a council chamber
by which the Sulu has long been governed, taking advantage of his
ease-loving nature have beguiled him with flattery, and advised him
to sign one treaty after another until the entire Sulu Archipelago may
now be considered as virtually belonging to the Philippine government.
As a race the Sulus are well developed, taller, and paler in colour
than the Malays generally. The women are often very pleasing, with
luxuriant hair and bright expressive eyes. Some of them, notably the
wives and daughters of the chief men, are very pale, white almost in
comparison with the women of the island, who are more often exposed
to the effects of climate and labour. Several ladies of the court
were pale in colour, with regular Italian-like features, and one of
the wives of Datu Haroun--a sweet gentle creature--might readily have
been mistaken for a European. She was essentially lady-like in voice
and manner, and deserved a far better fate than that of nominal wife,
but virtually slave of a crafty and cruel traitor to his country. Upon
the women here, as throughout Borneo, devolves a large share of
the everyday labour, and nearly all the trading in the markets is
conducted by them, while their lords and masters stand listlessly by
spear in hand, or gather in little groups to talk. Everywhere we saw
them at work making mats or baskets, or met them in dug-out canoes
and outriggers going to or coming from market, or from the place where
the fresh water is daily obtained, below the Orang Kayu's house. The
women of the better class spend much of their time in embroidery and
in cooking, indeed we were assured that the food set before us at the
Istana had been prepared under the Sultana's personal supervision,
which I can well believe, and I do not think English ladies could have
prepared such a repast as it was in a better way; indeed the snowy bowl
of rice would, I think, prove inimitable to most of our lady cooks at
home. Riding is fashionable in Sulu, and none but the very poorest walk
far. Anything seems acceptable as a steed, and if the aristocratic grey
pony with somewhat of Arab fleetness and gentleness is not obtainable,
buffaloes, and even the cows, are taken as substitutes.
It is really a very pretty sight to see the market people coming
to market from the hills, men and women alike, mounted on ponies
or cattle with their baskets, bags, and bundles of produce flung
across the saddle before and behind. The men, especially, mounted on
their high wooden saddles, armed with the national spear, and clad in
chain armour tunic, forcibly reminded one of the illustrations of Don
Quixote, a resemblance considerably heightened by the gaunt leanness
of their steeds. A plurality of wives is general with the Datus, and
others who have means to keep up an establishment, and these women are
for the most part purchased from their parents, although formerly they
were not unfrequently captured during piratical excursions. St. John
[6] mentions an instance where a pirate chief from Tawi-Tawi captured a
Spanish schooner in 1859, and finding the captain's daughter on board,
he made her his principal wife and treated her with every attention;
she subsequently bore him a child, the Spanish authorities having
failed in their attempts to recover her.
As I have before intimated slavery is still common in Sulu, although
there is no regular great slave mart such as existed only a few years
ago at Sugh, the former capital. It is no uncommon occurrence for
parents to sell their daughters, and visitors to Sulu are solicited
even now to purchase wives at prices varying from fifty to two
hundred dollars. I knew of one instance in which a trading captain
presented his native wife, a Sulu girl, to the captain of another
steamer, and the officers of Dutch vessels trading here in the Malay
Archipelago nearly always keep native wives on board, and as a rule
I believe these women are kindly treated. Throughout Malasia woman's
position is unfortunately a very low one. If possessed of personal
attractions she is directly or indirectly sold to the highest bidder,
and while her youthful charms last she may be spared actual toil,
while her less attractive sister labours daily in house or field,
but eventually a younger, fairer wife supplants her, and during her
declining years she is--
"In daily labours of the loom employed,
Or doom'd to deck the bed she once enjoyed."
All this is, of course, a very unsatisfactory state of things here as
in other nations eastward, nor is it likely to be much improved under
Spanish rule. And yet we must never forget that it is a time-honoured
institution, and is not, to say the least, more objectionable than
polyandry as practised among the tribes who live on the banks of the
Upper Jumna and Upper Ganges. Polygamy is sanctioned by custom, and
"custom is religion in the East." Each Mahomedan is permitted to have
four wives. Before we blame a religion so wide spread and powerful,
however, we must not forget that it is a religion which practically
preserves its millions of followers from other forms of intemperance,
and notably from the use of intoxicating liquors, that great bane of
many Englishmen everywhere, and especially of many of those who live
in the Eastern tropics.
The language spoken in Sulu, notwithstanding that it contains many
Malay words and others of Arabic origin, is yet practically very
distinct, approaching much more nearly that spoken by the inland tribes
of Northern Borneo. In physique and bold fearless bearing there is
also a striking resemblance between the north Borneans and the Sulus,
while both races display the same acuteness, mingled with suspicion,
in all matters of trade. So striking is the resemblance in physique,
language, and conduct, as to suggest the possibility of their having
originally descended from one common stock, and I am inclined to
think that the same language was used by them before the advent of
the now dominant Malays, who had Arabic blood in their veins, and to
whom is doubtless due the introduction of the Arabic character and
Islamism, and whose language is now the lingua franca of Malasia. The
government of the island, although in a great measure in the hands
of the Sultan, can scarcely be called despotic, since the people are
represented in the council chamber, or "ruma bichari," by their Datus
or headmen, and but few if any important matters were decided by the
Sultan personally, without the opinion of the native chiefs. During
our visit to the Istana His Highness regretted very much that he had
not power to drive out the Spaniards.
The cultural capabilities of the island are considerable, and
in the hands of the Spaniards they are likely to be still better
developed. The principal cultivated crops are rice, maize, coffee,
manilla hemp, cocoa (Theobroma Cacao), tobacco, and tapioca. During
the rides I took in the island I had good opportunities of seeing the
arable land, and I was much impressed with the produce obtainable
from the soil at a slight expenditure of labour. The deep soil is
loosened by a rude plough, drawn by a single buffalo. This is done
in the dry season, and seed sowing and planting commence with the
rainy weather. I saw coffee bushes growing apparently wild around the
little farm-houses on the cool hill-sides, especially on Bu'at Dahau,
which I ascended a few days after our return from Bu'at Timantangis,
and every leaf was fresh and green without a trace of the leaf fungus
which of late years has proved so hurtful in Ceylon. The cocoa-yielding
Theobroma does equally well and fruits freely, forming indeed what may
be called the national beverage in Sulu. Excellent tobacco is grown
here, and this, if skilfully prepared, would furnish cigars equal to
those of Manilla. Cotton would do well, and the highest red land on
the mountains, rich as it is with ages of forest débris, might be
advantageously planted with coffee or other crops. Rice, tapioca,
tobacco, and sugar cane would do best on the plains. An immense
quantity of fruit is produced in the island, especially mangoes and
bananas. The fragrant durian is also plentiful, together with langsat,
and several other kinds. I noticed two distinct varieties of cocoa-nut
cultivated here, one bearing small oblong fruits of a bright orange
yellow colour, the milk of which was delicious in flavour, and another,
the outer husk of which could be eaten in its young state, it being
white as ivory, and very sweet and tender.
I have already alluded to a breed of ponies as being peculiar to
the island. These are larger and in every way better than the Deli
breed, imported to Singapore from Sumatra. They are never shod,
nor is emasculation ever resorted to. Goats and poultry are very
abundant. Of the former, a dark brown race resembling deer in
gracefulness and activity, are kept by the hill people. The fowls
of Sulu are distinct from those of Borneo, and are believed not to
be many degrees removed from their wild prototypes. Of the other
natural produce of the island the frutto del mare deserves notice,
being especially valuable, worth, indeed, many thousands of dollars
yearly. Pearls of all colours in quantity and of excellent quality,
are obtained here yearly by the divers, most of whom are of the
ubiquitous Badjow or Sea gipsy race. Tons of pearl shell (tepoy)
and sea slug or beche de mer (Holothuria), of different kinds, are
also exported annually.
This last repulsive-looking product is picked off the coral reefs
at low water, and after being dried is esteemed a great delicacy by
the Chinese, to whom it is sold. The pearl-shell obtained here is of
fine quality, each valve being frequently as large as an ordinary
dinner-plate, and an inch in thickness. At least a dozen kinds of
salt-water fish are obtainable, and I frequently saw the fishing-boats
off the town at night, each with a light gleaming over the water,
and I noticed that they all seemed to have secured a fair supply of
fish when they came alongside in the morning.
CHAPTER XII.
A ROYAL VISIT.
Exploring rides--A state visit--Culinary business--Arrival of
the Sultan and suite--Procession of boats--Armed attendants--A
royal salute--Visit to the ship--Use of dogs aboard--Amusements
ashore--Eastern singing--A royal interpreter--Dress of the
ladies--Influence of the women--An early rising Sultana--Marine
amusements--Departure--Journey to Bu'ut Dahau--Hospitality of
the mountaineers--Ascent--Fine views from the top--Flowers
and insects--A Hadji's tradition--Siassi Island--A Horned
Steed--Sandakan--Pulo Bahalatolois.
When we started from Labuan it was expected that the whole voyage to
and from Sulu would be made in fifteen days. On our arrival here,
however, the expected cargo was not ready, and it was found that
another fortnight must elapse ere we could leave. This extra time
I spent in riding over the island in every direction, and I was
rewarded by specimens of plants and birds which had never reached
Europe before. One night on my return to the ship for dinner, I was
delighted to hear that the Sultan had arranged to pay a State visit to
Meimbong, and that he had signified his intention of coming on board,
this being indeed one of the principal reasons of his visit. It had
been arranged that he and his suite would remain in the harbour for one
night, sleeping in "Peah's" house, the largest and most comfortable
in the place. Mr. Cowie at once resolved to decorate the ship, and
also to fire a salute from the guns on board, as he had an Armstrong
amidships and two iron muzzle-loaders forward. The visit was to be made
in two days' time, and so there was plenty of time for preparations,
and the little wharf assumed an appearance of bustle and activity I
had never seen there before. A fine young bullock was slaughtered
by "Peah," and his slave girls were as busy as bees in the little
kitchen on the end of the pile jetty, preparing food and sweetmeats
for the visitors. Edible swallows' nests, and the finest and fattest
of sea-slugs were placed in bowls of water to soak, while rice was
cleaned in large quantities, and freshly-caught fish were brought in
alive and retained in tubs of sea-water until required. Enormous brass
betel-boxes were cleaned and replenished with fresh lime and nuts,
and the mountaineers brought down the largest and freshest of pepper
or sirri leaves and fruits on the morning of the visit. Inside the
private apartments finely-worked mats and embroidered cushions were
placed for the royal guests. Business seemed entirely suspended for
the time, and both Chinese and Sulus were evidently looking forward
to a general holiday. On board, the sailors had made the little Far
East nice and tidy, the bunting of all colours and signal halyards
were got into order, and the mate sacrificed his old flannel shirts
to make bags for the powder with which the salute was to be fired.
About eight o'clock on the appointed day a shot was fired from
the Armstrong, and we were all surprised at the long rolling echo
and reverberation it made among the hills. About ten the Sultan and
Sultana with their entire suite and numbers of Sulus who formed a sort
of irregular guard of honour, arrived at Meimbong a gay cavalcade,
the brightly-embroidered jackets of the nobles, and the crimson, blue,
and yellow petticoats of the ladies being very effective in the bright
sunshine, the whole effect being again heightened by the flashing
of numerous spears. Filing through the narrow gate in the stockade,
they waited for some minutes ere the boats were quite ready, and then
embarked, a movement which occupied nearly half an hour. Knowing that
the boats would block up the river when they eventually started, we
returned to the ship, from which an excellent view of the procession
of boats was obtained as they crossed the harbour to reach the houses
on the wharf. The sight was extremely bright and pretty as the boats,
with their gaily attired occupants, emerged from the mouth of the
river and came across the bay. The Sultan's boat was first, and the
fat old Commander-in-Chief of the forces sat on the prow, paddle in
hand, to steer clear of all impediments. Next came the Sultana and
her chief ladies in a larger boat, two or three richly embroidered
umbrellas being held aloft, while her infant son and nurse came
along in a third boat with numerous attendants, and overshadowed
by a splendid yellow silk three storied umbrella, decorated with
streamers to steady it, each of these last being in the hands of a
dusky slave. The following boats, of which there were about a dozen,
carried the attendant nobles, headmen, minor ladies of the harem, and
the necessary attendants or slaves. Besides these there was, of course,
quite a crowd of natives in outrigged boats and canoes of all sizes.
His Highness landed on the "jimbatan," and stood to watch the landing
of the Sultana and her suite. He was surrounded by his people, all
being, as is usual here always, armed. One man carried a heavy Lanun
sword, while two others carried loaded revolvers in a very awkward
manner. His son, Datu Mahomed, came on board as soon as he landed, and
asked Mr. Cowie not to fire the salute until the ladies had retired
indoors. He had several young followers with him all smartly dressed
in embroidered jackets and breeches, with gaudy kerchiefs wound around
their heads. He stayed on board while the salute was being fired, and
although it shook the little vessel a good deal, and did some damage
to the skylights and crockery, he did not seem to mind it much. The
guns were fired with great regularity, and the reverberation among the
hills was grand. After the firing was concluded His Highness came on
board and went over the whole ship. He was particularly interested in
the little Armstrong breech-loading gun, and examined its mechanism
very closely, he also ventured down into the engine-room, and was
evidently astonished at the machinery therein. After looking round
the vessel he sat under the awning on the saloon-deck smoking and
talking until we had finished dinner, and was very much interested in
our European style of eating. He has repeatedly been invited on board
English gun-boats which call in here occasionally, but this was the
first time he had ever ventured to set his foot on board a foreign
vessel. Mr. Cowie was very anxious that all should pass off well, as
it was very evident that His Highness was very nervous, and foreseeing
this possibility, the vessel had been laid alongside the "jimbatan,"
or wharf, so that he could step on board and leave without any trouble.
He left just at sundown, appearing very pleased with his visit, and
he expressed his intention of again coming on board in the morning,
bringing the Sultana with him. The houses on the wharf were crowded
towards night with Sulus from all the neighbouring islets, and when the
lamps were alight presented a very animated sight to a stranger. The
common Sulus are rather intrusive, and the native boatswain would have
had much trouble to have kept the ship clear of them had it not been
for the dogs on board, four splendid creatures. They were a retriever,
two small terriers, and a formidable bull-dog, which Mr. Cowie told
me was the best safeguard from the pilfering of natives he had ever
invested in during some years of Eastern cruising and coast trade. This
hint may be of some service to future explorers--a good bull-dog or a
terrier or two would, indeed, be the best of guards to have at one's
camping ground, since it is next to impossible for anyone to approach
without their giving due loud-voiced warning.
We went ashore after dinner and found "Peah's" house filled
to overflowing with guests. Room, however, was made for us, and
chocolate, biscuits, cigarettes, and gin offered in turn. Incessant
talking, varied by gong music, and now and then a melancholy song by
one of the court ladies, together with food and drink to all comers,
seemed to be the programme. The singing, to our ears, sounded like a
dirge--the pentatonic scale being used by these people as by the Malays
and Chinese. One young girl after singing part of a ballad relating
how a beautiful princess was stolen by pirates and eventually became
a Sultan's bride, "her skin being pale as the jasmine flower, her
breath sweet as the areca bloom," eventually went off in a fainting
fit, and had to be carried out into the fresh air. Her place and
legend was immediately taken up by another girl, and I was told that
the thread of it was so long that several days would be occupied by
anyone who should attempt to sing the whole story. Our interpreter,
for the nonce, was Datu Mahomed, who is very fond of Europeans. He
introduced us to several people of note in the island, and gave us
much information which otherwise we could not have obtained. Men and
women here met pretty much on a common ground, and were apparently
untrammelled by that strict and exclusive etiquette so characteristic
of the Bornean Malays. Some of the ladies were very comely and richly
dressed, notably the court ladies and the pretty wife of Datu Haroun,
the former Sulu governor of Sandakan. This lady spoke Malay well,
an accomplishment which few of the Sulu women possess, and we spent
a very pleasant quarter of an hour in her company.
The dress of the Sulu women consists of a pair of loose trowsers
of white cloth generally, but for holiday times often red, yellow,
magenta, or blue silk, and a loose jacket ("baju") also of silk,
often braided down the front, and ornamented with large gold or silver
buttons. Over these a long sarong, or petticoat, is worn as a sash,
cloak, skirt, or petticoat and belt combined, according to the fancy
of its wearer at the time, for to the Sulus and Malays the sarong
supplies the place of the dress and bonnet of civilised society
here at home. Most of the "sarongs" worn by the ladies I saw to-day
were of silk, very richly embroidered with flowers, butterflies, or
complicated designs of a foliated pattern, the same on both sides the
material, and really producing a beautiful effect. The colours were
mainly gaudy and barbaric in splendour, but here and there real taste
was evident. One lady wore a buff sarong of very rich texture, with
a neatly-worked border in black, while another, in a green and black
check or tartan, was especially noticeable. Rings of gold and silver,
often richly set with stones and pearls, are worn on the left hand as
a rule, but ladies of the highest class have both hands studded with
jewelry. Ear ornaments are not so much affected as by the Malays,
and although most of the girls have apertures slit in their pretty
little ears, these are rarely used for earrings, being, indeed, as
often made receptacles for cigarettes as anything else. Ornate cloth
or silk kerchiefs and head-dresses of black, yellow, or red, set off
their raven tresses to advantage on high days and holidays, and among
an assemblage of fully two hundred women, such as we saw here to-day,
not two were dressed alike. Yellow is the colour which predominates
most, and the amount of chrome which would render a European lady
most conspicuous and vulgar, seems only to enhance the dusky charms,
bright eyes, and luxuriant hair of these Sulu belles. Only the Sultana
and one or two others wore stockings, and slippers were only used by
the elite, and to these they seemed a superfluity, since they mostly
carried them in their hands. The abundance of hair possessed by these
women is a noticeable feature, and they do not dress it so neatly as
the Malays, but merely comb it out straight, after which it is loosely
knotted up so as to form a mass on the top or one side of the head.
From the opportunities I had of seeing the Sulu women generally, I
should say that they are far superior to the men, and evidently have,
as has been before noticed, great influence with their husbands. A
present to the Sultana and one or two of the Datu's wives, would be
amply sufficient to ensure the safety and popularity of a traveller
here, a secret well known to the rich Chinese traders, who make
visits hither occasionally during the year. Wishing to pay our
respects to the Sultan ere leaving for the night, we sought His
Highness in vain for some time, but at last found him with one of
our Chinese friends, smoking opium in a gloomy little compartment,
from the close, penetrating odour of which we were glad to escape
as quickly as possible. We went on board, but did not sleep much,
owing to the talking and gong-beating, which continued almost all
night. We awoke at sunrise to find nearly every one astir on the wharf,
the Sultana and her suite having thus early seated themselves outside
the houses to take the air.
Much amusement was caused by a large retriever dog, "Neptune," which
Mr. Cowie had on board, and which delighted to plunge after any trifle
flung into the water. In about half-an-hour the boats were brought,
and Her Highness and about fifty ladies went off to a sandy shoal
in the bay to bathe. We could see them quite plainly from the ship
flopping over the sides of the boats into the sea, and floundering
about like fat seals. They evidently enjoyed themselves; and after a
quarter-of-an-hour's racing and splashing, they returned to the boats,
and then proceeded about a mile out to sea, where some Badjows amused
them by diving for pearl-shells and coral.
Returning to the wharf, the Sultan and Sultana came on board; and
after Her Highness, who was only attended by two of her ladies, had
looked over the ship, he bade us adieu. The boats were then brought
alongside the wharf; the ladies embarked first, then the Sultan
and his suite. Splash went the polished paddles; a wave of the hand
from His Highness, a dip of the flag at the mast-head of the little
steamer, and the first royal visit paid by a Sultan of Sulu on board
a steam-ship was over. Both before and after this visit we saw a good
deal of the Sulus; not only the traders, but the nobles and officers
themselves often came on board on business, or to take a cup of tea and
have a chat. One or two of them had a weakness for gin "cocktails,"
but their general beverage was tea or lemonade. All were armed with
straight knives; but most had the short heavy Sulu knife or sword
stuck in a silk sash or waist-cloth. Much of the conversation was
on the subject of market prices for pearl shell, trepang, and birds'
nests, varied by inquiries as to the object and operations of the new
Borneo Company, to whom their Sultan had quite recently ceded Sandakan,
and the east and north part of Borneo which belonged to him.
During all the time we had lain in harbour here, the weather had been
dry, not a drop of rain having fallen for nearly four months. The
plains were very dry and parched, and jungle fires were not unfrequent
as the dry grass caught fire and sprang into a blaze very quickly. It
is owing to these fires in jungle and forest that teak of large size is
now so rare; since at one time the island must have been one immense
forest of this valuable wood.
After the ascent of Bu'at Timantangis I had often longed to explore
Bu'at Dahau, the next highest of the two peaks of Sulu, both of which
are visible for a long way out at sea. We could see the mountain quite
clearly at sunrise every morning, from our anchorage at Meimbong;
and one fine morning I set off, accompanied by Mr. Anson Cowie,
who proved himself to be a most intelligent and genial companion. As
guide, I had been so fortunate as to obtain the services of one of
the Sultan's officers who lived at a village half way up the mountain
side, and at whose house we were to leave our ponies and undertake the
climbing on foot. We bore to the right on leaving Meimbong, and had
a pleasant ride of seven or eight miles across the fragrant mint and
grass-covered plains; but by reason of my dismounting here and there
to gather a curious orchid or fern, or perchance to get a shot at a
beautiful bird, it was nearly noon ere we drew rein at the door of our
guide's house. Our way at first had lain through the undulating plain;
then the Meimbong river was crossed under some fine-spreading trees, on
which white, blue, and green pigeons fluttered in plenty. Then we rode
up a narrow path fringed with tall overhanging jungle on either side,
leaving only bare space for our ponies to pass in Indian file. Then
came a rounded hill-side, and numerous cultivated patches--little
farms with palm-thatched houses sheltered in groves of durian,
cocoa-nut, mango, and other fruit trees. Here coffee and cocoa-trees
were noticed in vigorous health and fruitfulness; and along the edges
of the arable patches a very pretty species of curcuma was blooming
freely among the grass and verdure. The leaves had a purple stain along
the mid-rib. The flowers were white, with a blotch of lemon-yellow on
the lip, the inflorescence being white, suffused with bright amethyst,
purple at its apex. We noticed tame paroquets hanging outside several
of the dwellings we passed on our way.
At one point near the foot of the mountain, we came upon a party of
thirty or forty men accompanied by dogs, and armed with long spears;
they were going to hunt some wild pigs which had done damage to a
plantation of sweet potatoes and yams the night previous. Our way now
lay up the clearings on the mountain side. I dismounted and led my
pony; and on my shooting at a pigeon, it became restive, and broke
away. It was luckily met and caught by a Sulu man who had followed
us, in the hope of earning a little tobacco. Arriving at last at the
mountain village, we entered our guide's house, after having tethered
our horses and given them some cut grass on which to feed. The sun
was now very hot, and we were glad to rest; we were hungry, too,
and thoroughly enjoyed some fish and rice, which, together with some
chocolate, was soon set before us by these hospitable people. Pigeons,
paroquets, and large hornbills, were here plentiful, and came to feed
on some large trees which were in fruit near the village.
After our luncheon I started with our guides to ascend the mountain,
leaving Mr. Cowie, who had a lame foot, to shoot around the village
until my return. We reached the summit in about an hour, but were much
disappointed, as the vegetation was not nearly so luxuriant as that
on Timantangis. Orchids were scarce, and ferns wanting in variety and
beauty, although several were new to science. Near the summit I heard a
little song-bird singing very sweetly; and although I did not see it,
I am convinced it was the same species I had previously heard with so
much pleasure on "Kina Balu," at a much higher altitude. This mountain
is well wooded at the top, but not so densely as is Timantangis; nor
is the undergrowth so rich in variety. The views from the top are
simply lovely--a panorama of fertile farm-dotted hills and golden
plains, stretching away to the blue sea, where the main island is
fringed by coral islets. A native pointed out the harbour to us, and
the peak of Pulo Siassi was plainly visible. In the descent I made
a detour from the little spring or watering-place near the village,
and passing through clumps of coffee-bushes, with here and there ripe
fruit in plenty, we came beneath a grove of large durian trees which
were in bloom, the ground beneath being covered with their fallen
blossoms. Here I shot several pigeons and paroquets; and in returning
to the village we repeatedly saw a large amorphophallus bearing foetid
flowers as large as a sugar basin, and of a dark maroon colour. On
cutting open a flower I found its basin half full of ants of two kinds
and numerous small black coleoptera were running about in the spathe. I
may say that I have rarely ever examined tubular flowers here in the
tropics without finding insects of some kind engaged within, and in
the case of aroids particularly, their spathes are generally full
of such tiny guests, whether "unbidden" or not I cannot say, but it
is probable certain kinds are attracted by foetid odours as others
are by sweet ones, while in many cases nectar or pollen supply the
little visitors with food. The bright scarlet flowers of the erythrina
trees in Labuan sheltered myriads of tiny flies and beetles which,
in their turn, afforded food to large flocks of starlings and other
birds which were always attracted to these trees when they were in
bloom. Quite accidentally I came across the evidence of a celebrated
traveller in South America, Waterton, who at p. 98 of his Wanderings,
says "almost every flower of the tropical climates contains insects
of one kind or other," thus bearing out what I have observed to be
universally the case in the eastern jungles and gardens.
On returning to the house I found Mr. Cowie had shot a beautiful
paroquet and two pigeons I had never seen before, and he had directed
his men to bring all the ferns and plants he had met with on his way
around the jungle patches near the houses. Our birds and flowers
securely packed, we walked around the village and paid a visit to
a hospitable old hadji who lived here, apparently prosperous and
happy. He told us that many of the women had been much frightened
on hearing that a white man was coming to their village, adding
that he had had great difficulty in assuring them that we were
not Spaniards. He had erected a neat little musjid, and his son,
a tall well-favoured youth, who had accompanied his sire to Mecca,
had just been married to a very comely Sulu girl. This hadji had a
tradition that the aboriginals of the island had been driven out by
the Chinese emigrants many years ago, even before the Arab Sultans
and Datus became the dominant party here. He may be right, since
it is a well known fact that the Chinese had extensive settlements
in the northern portion of Borneo, as in part attested by the native
names of the places in which their settlements were made, as Kina Balu
(Chinese widow mountain), Kina Batangan (Chinese river), Kina Tanah,
Kina Taki, and others. There is one tribe of Dusun who wear pigtails,
and although they use the Dusun vernacular, yet they converse in
very fair Chinese after a little practice, having never quite lost
the tongue of their Chinese ancestors, of whom these are the lineal
descendants by Bornean women. This peculiar tribe inhabit the Bundu
country, but St. John mentions Muruts from the Limbang, who spoke
Hokien Chinese on their being confronted with Chinese in Brunei,
the capital, although they failed to express themselves in the Malay
language of the coast!
Just as the sun was sinking behind the trees we mounted our ponies
and started for Meimbong. The air was now cool and fresh, and a
pleasant ride of two hours brought us to Meimbong. This was my last
ride in the island. All the cargo had been stowed below, the hatches
closed, and early in the morning we were to leave. We were awoke at
daybreak by the steam-whistle, and just as the sun tinted the peaks
of Timantangis and Dahau we steamed slowly out of the harbour for the
Island of Siassi, one of the Tapal group, where more cargo awaited
us. We arrived at Siassi about noon, but the cargo could not be put on
board until the next morning. We stayed at Siassi all the following
day, and I took the opportunity of riding inland, and to the peak,
which I found capped with old forest; but owing to the extreme drought,
everything here was parched and dry, and but few plants of interest
were seen. As most of this island is entirely denuded of old forest,
of course birds are scarce; indeed, I saw enough of it to convince
me that it was a bad collecting ground generally. The only steed I
could obtain was a large black bull, which I hired for a bundle of
tobacco. He was all right when I had fairly mounted, but whenever I
got off to shoot at a bird, or gather plants, he became exceedingly
restive, and the only way to mount him again was to put the rope
(by which I steered him, and which was fastened to a twisted ring
of rattan cane in his nose) round the trunk or branch of a tree,
and then to pull his nose up to it by sheer force, holding it firmly
with one hand while I sprang on his back. The few country people I
met appeared rather surprised, but I expect the bull was well known,
and so that served as a passport to me. Near the houses on the shore
a bushy euphorbia, with candelabra-like branches, and a clump of
yuccas were seen, both doubtless introductions. I returned about three
o'clock. After dinner I and Captain Cowie visited one or two of the
traders' houses, which resemble those of Sulu in internal arrangement,
large beds or platforms occupying the principal apartment, covered
with fine mats and pillows, the valuables in boxes being piled up
behind. In the morning we bore away for Sandakan, which we reached
ere daybreak the next day. The steam-ship America was in the bay,
having Baron de Overbeck on board. We stayed here one day for cargo
of trepang, rattan, pearl-shell, and birds'-nests. These edible
swallows'-nests are highly valued by the rich Chinese, and it is from
a cave on the face of the sandstone rock on Pulo Bahalatolois, at the
mouth of this bay, that the finest white nests are obtained. These
rocks rise nearly perpendicularly from the sea, and to reach the
entrance to the cave a man has to descend a distance of a hundred
or more feet with the aid of a rattan rope tied to a tree on the
slope above. It is dangerous work, as the least slip, and the man
would be dashed to pieces on the rock-strewn shore below. The nests
thus obtained fetch as much as eighteen dollars per catty, a weight
equalling 1-1/3 lb. English. The finest birds'-nests are clean and
white, as if made of isinglass; the worst resemble dirty glue, to
which feathers and other impurities are attached, and between these
extremes there are all sorts of intermediate qualities. These nests
are obtained in rocky caves throughout Borneo, Java, and Sumatra, but
nowhere are they obtainable finer in quality than here, at Sandakan
Head. Large quantities of small or seed pearls are obtained here,
also Bornean camphor, the produce of Dryobalanops camphora, a large
tree often one hundred to a hundred and fifty feet in height. As a
product, it is quite distinct from the common camphor of commerce,
which is obtained from Laurus camphora by the Chinese of Hong Kong,
who send nearly all of it to our markets, while they, in their turn,
highly esteem the Bornean produce, and pay high prices for it. It is
obtained in the form of tears and crystallised lumps from the trunk
of the tree, and in general appearance is so like the finer kinds
of "dammar" gum, that this latter is often used by the collectors
as an adulterant. The Chinese traders, however, are rarely imposed
upon. The camphor, in its pure state, resembles solidified spirit,
and being extremely volatile, it burns with a clear light flame. To
detect adulteration, the Chinese are said to spread a little on a
white cloth and set it on fire; the pure camphor burns cleanly, and
does not soil the cloth, whereas the dammar, if such is mixed with it,
melts and sets the cloth on fire. The people from the Teutong river,
and the Kayans on the Baram, collect large quantities of camphor and
caoutchouc, and prahus with a cargo of these products, worth from
one to two thousand dollars, visit Labuan, Sarawak, and other ports
during the season. On our leaving Sandakan, on our return voyage to
Labuan, we obtained a capital view of Pulo Bahalatolois, and on our
rounding the point, the rattan rope dangling down the rocks to the dark
entrance to the swallows' cave was plainly visible. This island has a
very commanding position, and a battery here would sweep the entrance
to this fine bay. We were four days in reaching Labuan, there being
a thick fog along the north-west coast, and we were aground twice,
although fortunately we got off again without injury.
CHAPTER XIII.
KINA BALU, viâ TAMPASSUK.
Preparations--"Salaamat jelan," or safe voyage--Contrary
winds--A total wreck--A sea bath--Making the best of it--Native
visitors from the Bornean shore--Drying stores--Pigeon
shooting--Foraging--Football--Tent life--A new boat--A marine
visitor--Pulo Tiga--A fish dinner--Shore plants--Big fish--The
Tampassuk--"The Fatted Calf"--Start for Kina Balu--Bare
hills--Land culture--Bad roads--Ghinambaur village--Textile
fibres--A chance shot--Thrifty natives--Buffalo riding--A
friendly chief--Sineroup--Native wealth--Charms--Crossing
swollen river--New Orchids--Kambatuan--Rokos--Butterflies--Koung
Green--Aboriginals from the interior--Pretty weeds--Lemoung's
death--Native ornaments--Native cloth--Bee keeping--How to manage
"guides"--"Kurow"--Start for "Kina Balu"--Sleeping rock--Dusun
cookery!--New plants--More of the "guide" nuisance.
It was now the end of July, and I had been waiting four or five days,
expecting the arrival of the steam-ship Far East, in which I had hoped
to have again taken a passage, with my friend, Captain W. C. Cowie; but
as his vessel was now overdue, and my own time was limited, I resolved
to leave in a native boat at all hazards. I soon chartered a prahu,
large enough to carry twenty men, and our stores; and on July 31st I
was ready to start. I had given my Chinese "boy," Kimjeck, and the men
orders to have all in readiness; but when I reached the little jetty,
at two P.M., I found only half the men there, the remainder being as
busy as bees on shore, running in and out of the Chinese shops, buying
betel-nut, salt, dried fish, onions, and other private stores for the
voyage. As soon as they saw me, however, they came running down, and we
all went on board. Altogether our craft was heavily laden; but as these
native boats are generally carefully built, we saw nothing to fear.
At 3.30 we bade our friends, who had kindly come down to see us start,
"good-bye;" and, amid the cries of "Salaamat jelan!" from the men's
friends on shore, we hove anchor, and sheered off with a tolerably
good wind. We soon got our large mat-sail hauled up, and with the
Union Jack astern (we carried the "mails" for Tampassuk by the way),
glided out of the harbour, and, rounding the old flagstaff-point,
steered nearly due north. We did this, intending to stand out, and make
"Pulo Tiga," an island lying about forty miles northward of Labuan,
by the morning. In this, however, we were doomed to disappointment;
for after an hour or two of indifferent sailing, a bit of a squall
arose, and the wind having changed, we hove in shore, towards Lumbedan,
intending to anchor under the shelter of a little islet of the same
name for the night, and start away in the early morning.
This was now the only judicious course left us, since we were close
in-shore, on a dangerous coast, and the squall of wind and rain
was coming down on us like a hurricane. Our men pulled in around the
island, and were approaching the shore, to enable us to land, when the
boat rose a little on the surf, and the next moment her bows came down
on a rock, and this knocked a large hole in her bottom. We subsequently
found out that all her lower timbers were rotten. Happily we were
not far from the land, and could make ashore, or the consequences
might have been serious. As it was we suffered enough, being drenched
with rain and surf; and as the boat rolled about, and filled rapidly,
most of our things got drenched likewise. As is usual with Malays on
such occasions, there was a great deal of excitement, and everybody
shouted orders or instructions to his neighbour.
However, Smith, an excellent fellow Mr. Boosie had allowed to accompany
me, and one or two natives, handed out our clothes and personal
effects, which others carried ashore, after which we got out the bags
of rice, and other stores all safely, and having emptied the craft
of all her loose gear, we hauled her up on the smooth sandy beach,
and then, as it was getting dusk, set about preparing ourselves a
habitation for the night. Some of the men were sent to cut firewood,
others to cut timbers for our hut; others went to search for water,
while my "boy," hastily securing a few dry sticks, lighted a fire,
and began preparing our evening meal.
We had with us plenty of the common "kajang" mats, which may be
purchased in Labuan for a few pence each, and serve admirably for
roofing boats, or the little jungle-houses, for which a Malay will
cut and fix timbers in a few minutes. We had also a good oil-cloth,
twelve feet square; and in less than an hour after our shipwreck
we had a roomy tent erected in which to eat and sleep. We soon got
on some dry clothes, and then had our bedding placed at one end,
with our baggage piled up behind, and at the other end our rice and
dried fish, goods for barter with the natives, and other stores,
were arranged. The guns, rifle, and the tower-muskets, carried by
the men, together with our revolvers, &c., were cleaned, and oiled,
and suspended overhead; and the lamp being lighted, and hung in the
centre, we began to look quite cheerful.
We had our dinner about seven o'clock, and then a smoke and a chat
over our misadventure. Several men came over from the opposite coast
of Lumbedan, where there are a few native houses, to look at us; and I
asked them to bring over a boat in the morning, which they very civilly
promised to do. About nine o'clock we sought our blankets, and turned
in for the night, and slept well, notwithstanding our recent mishap.
August 1st.--We were all astir by daybreak this morning; and, after
having had our customary cup of coffee and dry toast, we set our
followers to work to spread out the wet rice on mats in the sun, and
to rearrange all our stores. Some of the men were sent to cut down
"nebong" palms, the young tops of which form a delicious vegetable
when boiled, and others were employed in cleaning our arms, cutting
fire-wood, and other necessary work. While this was going on, I
took my gun, and went out on a stroll around our little island. The
vegetation I found was rather dense, and the whole surface rocky. I
noticed several species of palms, and an epiphytal fern or two,
and plants of the white-flowered Dendrobium crumenatum hung here and
there on the trees.
I shot two of the beautiful white island pigeon (Carpophaga bicolor),
called "Pragam pulo" by the natives, and a larger species, of an ash
colour (C. ænea), the wings and neck being shot with purple and bronze
tints. This is a very large and handsome bird, common in Borneo,
and when cooked, is very good eating. On my return to the tent I
found the man from the coast had brought over his boat, as promised,
and I at once sent it off, with eleven of my men, with a letter to
Mr. A. Boosie, the manager of the coal mines in Labuan, asking him
to lend me one of his boats, in which to continue my journey.
It is a lovely day to-day, and our rice and clothes are getting
dry again. "Kimjeck," after he had done his work this morning,
started off on a collecting excursion, and has just returned, with a
couple of broad-tailed, dusky-coloured rock-snakes, one a very fine
specimen. Beetles and butterflies, he tells me, are alike unobtainable,
and he can find no flowers, so that we can do no collecting on the
island. Knowing that it will be night at the earliest ere our own men
can possibly return with the boat, I and Smith went over to Lumbedan
with some natives, who had come in a boat to look at us, and had a
walk in the tall forest, which forms a back-ground to the houses near
the shore. Here we found the "nebong" palm attaining to a large size;
and some woodcutters promised to cut us a few young tops by the time
of our return.
This forest, although originally rich in plants, like that of
Labuan, has suffered severely during recent years from the now ever
recurring jungle-fires of the dry monsoon. We could find nothing of
interest. A large-leaved crinum grows in the sand by the shore; and a
scarlet-flowered ixora with narrow foliage, was blooming here and there
in patches. We shot a long-tailed paroquet, and a blue kingfisher,
the only birds we saw, and retraced our steps to the village just
before sunset. We were thoroughly tired, and rested here some time,
watching the young Kadyans playing at football on the beach. The
players stand in a circle, three or four yards in diameter, and the
ball is kicked in the air by the player to whom it falls nearest. To
do this properly requires great dexterity, as the ball is struck
with the sole of the foot; and a party of good players will thus
keep a ball in the air for several minutes by each kicking it upwards
just as it is about to fall. The ball itself is a light hollow one,
of rattan open-work, about the size of an ordinary cricket-ball;
and the game closely resembles shuttlecock, as played in China.
Having obtained our palm-tops, we purchased some eggs, cucumbers,
and fine ripe water-melons from the woodcutters, whom we had passed
in the forest in the morning, and then waded across to our quarters
on the island, which we could now do, as it was low water. It was
becoming dusk, and we were glad to throw ourselves down on our rugs,
and rest a little before we ate our frugal repast. During our absence
my "boy" has "tidied up" the tent, and it now looks quite cosy and
comfortable, being dry and sheltered, although on two sides the sea
washes up to within a few feet of us at high water. The soft yellow
mats are pleasantly enlivened with our rugs and scarlet blankets, the
rifle-barrels glisten above our heads, and the smoke curls gracefully
upwards from our cooking-fires on the beach. Just as it was dark
we heard our men shouting; and soon after six of them came in with
the borrowed prahu, and told us that their companions were following
them in the large boat, which Mr. Boosie had kindly lent to us. This
was good news; and we ate our dinner in high spirits. In about an
hour's time the men came in with the boat, and we hauled her up high
and dry on the sandy shore before retiring for the night. With the
boat I was cheered by letters from several of my friends in Labuan,
all of whom were sorry to hear of our disaster.
August 2nd.--A lovely morning. We were up before daybreak, and soon
had our boat launched, and all our goods and stores safely stowed away,
ready for starting. About seven o'clock we got away, with a good breeze
behind us, and then we took our breakfast in a little deck-cabin,
which our men had cleverly rigged up for us with a few crooked sticks,
tied firmly with rattans, and covered with kajang mats, thus forming a
capital shelter from sun and rain. Not feeling very well, I lay down,
and fell asleep, but was soon awakened by a consternation among the
men, and much shouting. A refractory fish was the cause of all the
noise, the steersman having hooked him; but the fish was large, and
objected to come on board. After much trouble they hauled in their
capture, and a fine fellow it was, fully thirty pounds weight.
We were very comfortable in our new craft, which sailed well; and
although the wind slackened considerably about noon, we reached Pulo
Tiga before sunset, and went ashore to cook our dinner and lay in
a fresh stock of firewood and water. Half-a-dozen fires were soon
alight, and we took our guns, and went for a walk, but failed to get
a shot. We caught sight of some large hornbills; they were, however,
too wary to allow us within range.
This island is a large one, without any inhabitants, except now and
then a few Chinese woodcutters, or native fishermen. Native boats from
Sulu or Palawan frequently call for wood and water; and the remains of
numerous fires occur among the drift wood along the beach. Wild pigs
are very plentiful, and turtle are also found here. From a distance the
island is seen to consist of three rounded hills, covered with forest;
hence its native name "tiga," or "teega," signifying three in the Malay
language. We returned to dinner with hearty appetites, and thoroughly
enjoyed a portion of the fish we had captured in the morning. My "boy,"
who acted as cook, had forgotten to inquire how he should prepare it;
and so, to make sure, he had divided our share, boiling one-half,
and the other he cleverly roasted over the clean embers of a wood-fire.
Hungry as we were, salmon from an Irish stream, cooked fresh over a
fire of strawberry-tree wood (Arbutus), could not have tasted more
delicious. The wind had now completely died away, and the current
setting in strong against us, we anchored in a sheltered bay until
the morning.
August 3rd.--Awoke about three A.M., and finding a fresh breeze
springing up, we aroused our men, and got up sail. In about an hour,
however, the wind dropped, and the men had to take to their paddles. We
had a nice view of the coast just after sunrise, and we also saw Kina
Balu very distinctly. We had changeable winds all day, but managed
to reach Gaya Bay about five o'clock; and, as wind and current were
now against us, and the men were tired with paddling most of the day,
we went ashore on one of the islands to cook, and resolved to remain
here all night, or until a favourable breeze sprang up, which we
might expect at any time after sunset. Here, as at Pulo Tiga, the
beach is sandy, and is fringed with tall casuarina trees, through
which the winds sigh as mournfully as they do through the leaves of
a pine forest here at home.
The broad-leaved pandan (Pandanus dubius) is common here, having a
tall, cylindrical trunk, like a cocoa-nut palm, and bearing a branched
crown of dark-green leaves. Here also we could obtain plenty of nebong
tops; and on waste patches, near the shore, Tacca pinnatifida grew
abundantly. This plant is interesting, as affording a kind of starch,
much used as food by the South Sea Islanders, but not valued here,
where rice is plentiful. Here we found plenty of the large blue pigeon;
and although they were very wild, we managed to shoot two or three;
and these, with the fresh palm-tops, were a great gain to our culinary
department.
August 4th.--Again a beautiful sunrise. We pulled from under the lee
of the island about six o'clock, and stood out on our course, with
a slight breeze. Off the mouth of the Menkabong river we came upon a
tiny fleet of native boats, the owners of which were fishing with hook
and line. We found out that they were some of Pangeran Rau's people,
a chief who holds the country around Qualla Menkabong, and at whose
house I had stayed on a former journey into the interior. We were
glad to purchase some freshly-caught fish from these people, which
we afterwards enjoyed for breakfast. Fried in a little pure oil,
and sprinkled with a little oatmeal, they were very nice. Palm-tops
boiled formed a delicate vegetable accompaniment to them.
We are five days out to-day; and as our bread, which we of course
brought with us, is beginning to turn mouldy, my "boy" has dipped
each of the remaining little loaves in water, and is busy baking it
afresh on a tin plate over the embers. Treated in this way, our old
bread is really very nice; indeed, not a bad substitute for hot rolls.
One of our men had a line out astern all the morning as usual, but
never perceived a nibble until about 1.30 P.M., when there was a
sudden commotion, owing to his being nearly jerked out of the boat by
a large fish, which had taken his bait. The fish was fairly hooked,
but the men had a good deal of trouble to haul him in. He was a
splendid capture, fully fifty pounds or more in weight; and it took
two men all their time to lift him into the boat, even after a spear
had been driven through him. We all admired him very much as he lay
on deck; indeed, half a hundred weight of good fresh fish would be
welcome anywhere. It was of a variety, called "Linko" by the Malays,
and in general appearance reminded one of a fine salmon.
A little later in the day another kind, about half the size of the
last, was caught, this being called "Tingerie." We reached the mouth
of the Abai about 5.30 P.M., and tried hard to make the mouth of the
Tampassuk ere dark, in which we failed; and after being tossed about
for an hour in vainly endeavouring to get over the bar, our men were
glad to pull back to a little island, near Qualla Abai, where we could
land to cook, and anchor for the night. It was a lovely, moonlight
night, and very quiet in our snug little anchorage. We dined and slept
on board, and so escaped the myriads of mosquitoes on the grassy shore.
August 5th.--Awoke at sunrise, the air being deliriously fresh and
cool, and the sky clear. We were glad to get a very good view of Kina
Balu this morning, the long rocky ridge standing out first purple,
and then blue, against the sky, while fleecy masses of silvery clouds
were ever changing their position on its rugged sides.
After a delicious bath in a little fresh-water pool near the shore,
and breakfast, we pulled to the Qualla Tampassuk, and found a strong
current coming over the bar. Our men pulled over, however, all right;
and then came a good five hours' pull up the river before we reached
the old quarters of Rajah Muda, now occupied by Mr. Pretyman, who had
come to live here a month or two ago, and for whom we had brought
on the mails from Labuan. The whole distance from the bar is only
about five miles; but the river winds much: and, as it was the wet
season, a deal of water coming from the ranges inland had swelled
the river beyond its usual limits, and the men had to pull against
a heavy stream.
The vegetation of the banks is luxuriant; and after pulling a
mile or two, native dwellings, and cultivated patches of bananas,
cocoa-nut trees, tapioca, maize, and other products appear. We
reached Mr. Pretyman's residence about 1.30 P.M., and found him and
his people tolerably well in health and spirits. He was surprised
and pleased at our unexpected visit, and promptly ordered his men to
kill a fine young bullock for ourselves and men. After luncheon we
crossed the river and walked to the top of the adjacent coast-hills,
from whence a good view of the winding stream and surrounding country
is obtainable. These bare grassy hills rise out of the plain, which
serves as pasturage for a few buffaloes, and here and there patches
are irrigated for rice culture. I made a small collection of the
herbaceous plants, annuals, and grasses of the hill we ascended; and
on the top we found a round-headed tree, which bore edible fruits,
remarkably like walnuts in form and flavour.
In descending, we came across plants of a very lovely gardenia,
forming bushes, varying from a foot to two feet in height, and
bearing large white flowers in the axils of its glossy leaves. A
gentle spring-like shower was falling in the last rays of sunlight,
and the perfume of this dainty flower was most balmy and delicious,
quite unlike the odour of any other plant I ever saw. On my return
from the mountain I was careful to secure plants of this species,
and they reached London quite safely three months afterwards. As it
was now dusk we returned to dinner, and spent a very pleasant evening,
talking over home news, and our plans for reaching Kina Balu.
August 6th.--We were up at sunrise and set to work in packing our
stores into suitable parcels for each man to carry, and we hired two
buffaloes so as to be able to carry an extra supply of rice. These
details took time, and it was fully noon ere we bade our host farewell
and were fairly started on our journey. Our guide and buffalo driver
was an intelligent Malay, named Abdul Rathman, who knew the country
well. Our first stopping place was to have been Ghinambaur, but as we
were late in starting we failed to reach that village before dark,
and had to stay at some Dusun huts by the way. At first our way lay
through the plain, and here the roads, or rather tracks, through
the tall coarse grass were frequently knee deep in mud and water;
then we crossed some low hills of red sandstone which were nearly
destitute of herbage, owing to the earth being washed off the rock
by heavy rains. In places the tracks over these hills were more like
drains than anything, and during a heavy shower the water rushes down
these water-worn runnels carrying every atom of soil or pulverised
rock into the plains below, so that these last consist of a rich
alluvial deposit, well adapted for rice and tapioca culture.
On the second range of these low hills is a Badjow village, most of the
houses being much exposed, without a tree or any kind of shelter. The
rain came down in torrents as we passed this place, and some of our
Labuan men took shelter from the cold rain and wind which was indeed
very piercing. We had to cross some rice fields, in one of which
a man was ploughing. The plough was of wood, shaped something like
an old English plough in the beam, but with only one handle, and no
coulter, wheel, or share-board. This was drawn by a solitary water
buffalo, and rooted up the greasy black earth to a depth of five or
six inches. At one side of the field we saw a rude harrow formed of
bamboo stems lashed together, the side shoots being cut at about six
inches from the stem, and these act as prongs to scarify the soil. The
whole system of land culture here is very rude, and yet it is far
in advance of that practised by natives anywhere else in Borneo, if
we except the plain near the banks of the Tawaran river, a few miles
further to the south. Passing the last group of Badjow houses we came
to the river again and found it running rather high, the water being
much discoloured by the earthy matter washed down from the hills during
rains. This was the beginning of difficulties, for we had to unload the
buffaloes in order to prevent our rice from being wetted, and then we
rode them across, while the men carried the packages on their heads,
and held on by the saddle-gear or tails of the animals. After piloting
across one detachment in this way we returned for the others, and so
managed to get all the men over safely, and keep the goods dry. Our
road got worse and worse, now through tall coarse grasses which,
arching overhead, nearly excluded daylight, then through bits of forest
where one's face was in danger from overhanging boughs and creepers,
crossing dirty streamlets, and clambering over roots and stones,
while in places the path suddenly dropped downwards into a sort of
slimy trough or drain, the sides of which were as high as the saddle,
and down which one's buffalo slided rather than walked. Of course we
were drenched to the skin, and our clothes, which were nice and white
at starting, were covered with mud, but there was nothing for it but
to keep on, which we did until nightfall, when, finding it impossible
to reach the village of Ghinambaur, we "put up" at some field huts,
and in the absence of mosquitoes, passed a comfortable night on the
floor of one of the huts warmed by a cheerful wood fire.
August 7th.--Arose at 5 A.M. and took breakfast. We had simmered a
piece of beef in a pot over the fire all night with onions, two or
three chilies, a bit of fresh ginger, and just a handful of rice for
thickening, and the result was a very palatable soup; boiled beef
and biscuit completed our meal. We "squared up" with our landlord by
paying a fathom of grey shirting and two black Chinese looking-glasses
for our house (which we had all to ourselves), firewood, and a nice
young fowl for our dinner. About six o'clock I mounted my steed, and
a ride of about two hours brought us to the luxuriant fruit groves
which surround Ghinambaur. We found a scattered village close beside
the river, each house having its own clump of cocoa-nut and other
fruit trees. A mottled-leaved alpinia was common beside our route,
and a pretty climbing plant with opposite leaves, each bearing a
thunbergia-like white flower, was not unfrequently observed among the
grass and low shrubs. A rynchospermum and two species of mussænda
were very conspicuous. One of the last-named was a bushy plant two
to four feet in height, bearing bright orange-scarlet flowers among
its dark glossy foliage, each flower being set off by a pure white
bract nearly as large as one's hand. As seen among the grass this
plant was very distinct and effective. Its congener is a climbing
species not nearly so showy.
We rested in a Dusun house for an hour awaiting our stragglers, two of
whom were sick. Whilst waiting we spread out our rice to dry, as it had
become damp, doubtless owing to the drenching rain of yesterday. Our
hostess was a rather attractive Dusun girl, whose husband was away
on a hunting excursion. She was very obliging, and seemed quite
pleased at our visit. The house was small but very neat and clean,
having, moreover, an air of comfort about it not often seen in Dusun
dwellings. Among other goods we noticed netting needles of wood,
similar in principle to our own, together with excellent fishing nets,
weaving instruments, by means of which a strong and durable cloth
is made from the macerated fibre of a species of curculigo called
"lamba" by the natives. This is afterwards dyed with native grown
indigo. Water bottles of bamboo, sieves and fans of different kinds
used in cleaning rice, well made baskets of rattan-cane, knives and
choppers were also represented, and we especially noted an excellent
adze lashed to its shaft by neat rattan work. This implement is used
in cutting and trimming planks from the large forest trees, saws being
unknown here. I noticed a small basket of true cotton of excellent
staple, but it is not much used, "lamba" fibre being obtainable in
any quantity from the jungle without any trouble, and its fibre is
more readily worked with the help of rude implements. For sewing
thread we found our hostess using the fibre of pine-apple leaves
(Ananassa sativa), which serves the purpose well. This plant must
have been introduced to Borneo many years ago, for it has become
thoroughly naturalised, apparently wild, indeed, and not even jungle
fires seem able to destroy it. In the Philippine Islands the plant
is common, although the dainty manufactures of "pina" fibre formerly
made there are now to a great extent discontinued. As examples of
skilful handweaving, these "pina" fabrics are even superior to the
celebrated hats of Panama, and a dress made in the best manner would
cost from a hundred to three hundred guineas.
The villagers who accompanied the "Orang Kaya," or headman, on his
visit to us a short time after our arrival, were very much interested
in our firearms, and begged of me to "shoot something." To please
them, I took a chance shot with a Snider rifle belonging to Smith,
and brought down a couple of cocoa-nuts which hung on a tree about
one hundred yards off. There was a general rush to pick up the fallen
nuts, and the blackened place where the ball had struck was examined
with much astonishment.
We now marshalled our followers and again made a start on our way. We
found the roads awfully wet and slippery, and in about half an hour's
time it rained in torrents, and the river being now so swollen and
turbulent that there was no hope of our being able to cross it to-day
we had to pull up at a little village called Buramhangan. The house
where we stayed was about one hundred feet above the river, which we
could hear rushing and roaring all night. We were soon surrounded by
the villagers, most of them young people, and remarkably handsome. The
men, especially, had very regular features, dark expressive eyes,
and their jet black hair when free from the loose coil in which it is
generally worn hung down as low as the waist in lustrous masses which
a woman might envy. They appeared to be very thrifty, and had abundance
of poultry, swine, and buffaloes. Their manufactures seem to be cloth,
baskets, hats, and mats of various kinds, together with fishing nets
(made in exactly the same manner as our own), and household utensils
of bamboo and cocoanut shells.
August 8th.--We awoke just before sunrise. A lovely morning, and
the river has fallen much during the night. We tried to hire another
buffalo from these people, but as they would not come to terms quickly
we had to push on without it, having fully made up our minds to reach
the village of Sineroup ere nightfall. Our path lay up the hill for
about half a mile, and then we bore down hill to the left. The path
was like a drain, and awfully dirty. Smith's buffalo made a bit of a
start, and its girths being loose he and the baggage toppled over into
the long grass and brushwood beside the path. A little further on I
had the same luck, although fortunately for the rice and sleeping-gear
which my beast carried it happened in a dry place. The roads were very
bad, and also the fords, but we plodded steadily onwards, and by four
o'clock P.M. we climbed the hill and were safe at Sineroup. The last
ford but one was rather turbulent, and our men being a long way behind
we did not wait for them, and they did not get in until night-fall. We
stayed here in the headman's house, and found him a jolly fellow
with a striking Chinese physiognomy and vivacious manner. He and
his family gave us a hearty welcome, spread mats for us on a little
raised platform near the window, and gave us a fowl and some rice,
so that we had satisfied our hunger before our men arrived.
We were now fairly into the country of the "Dusun," or "Piasau
Id'an," the meaning of this last literally being "Cocoanut
Villagers." Generally they are a clean-skinned and handsome race, far
superior to their neighbours the "Muruts," who live farther south,
and whose land-culture is but indifferent. So far as I could learn,
polygamy is not practised by these aboriginals, and they always
appear contented and happy. The dwellings which, near the coast,
are generally of "atap," or thatch made from the leaves of the "nipa"
palm (Nipa fruticans), are here nearly entirely of bamboo, the roof
being thatched with "atap" of cocoanut or the sago palm. Here at
Sineroup the headman has a very clean and convenient bamboo-house,
and a good deal of wealth in the shape of brass gongs, large ornamental
water-jars, cooking pots of brass and earthenware, finely worked mats,
&c., while half a dozen sturdy buffaloes are contentedly grazing on
the green below the house. Of pigs, poultry, and domesticated bees,
he has plenty. I had placed my dirty boots outside the house on a
little verandah, and during the night they were either knocked down
by visitors or else fell through below the house. When I asked my
boy for them in the morning, we found that the pigs had eaten up
all but the soles. Luckily I had others, or the loss would have been
one of the worst that could have befallen me, since in all long foot
journeys, and especially in mountain climbing, good boots are of the
first importance.
In the tarippe trees (Artocarpus Blumei) here, we noticed very
ingenious traps of bamboo, set to catch the "basing," a sort
of squirrel or tree-climbing rodent, which plays havoc with this
delicious fruit just as it approaches maturity. At this village
our guide thus far, Abdul Rathman, is to return, so we have engaged
the headman here, "Gantang," to accompany us on our next two days'
journey as far as Kiau, which is the last village on the way to
the mountain. The scarcity of birds and animals is very marked as
we proceed inland. One reason for this may possibly be the absence
of virgin forest, nearly all the country bordering on the Tampassuk
river having been by some means--possibly former cultivation, aided
by jungle fires--stripped of all its primæval forest.
August 9th.--We were up at daybreak, and at once ate our breakfast. As
usual, we had to await the coming of our guides, and it was fully
nine o'clock ere we got fairly started. I notice that many of the
natives here wear semi-circular betel-boxes tied around them, and
charms are very commonly worn. These last are seemingly of the most
varied description, anything seems to do for a charm--shells, teeth,
and bones of animals, seeds, stones, and bits of rock, tiny bells, and
especially a kind of fossil wood called "kayu lagundi," or, "tree of
youth." These are enclosed in the folds of an old kerchief and are tied
around the body. Great confidence is felt by the wearers of certain
good charms, and they are very popular among the Sulu pirates, who
will fight like demons, believing themselves to be invulnerable. All
the villagers had come down to see us start, and they followed us down
to the river, which is not far from the houses. Rain during the night
had caused the current to run strong and high, and none of our men dare
venture across. We had a rope for such emergencies, and my interpreter,
a lusty Badjow, named Suong, swam across and tied it fast to a tree. It
was now easy for our men to cross, and we all got over safely. A little
higher up we had to recross again, but the current here was stronger,
and all the goods had to be carried across by our Dusun followers,
who had accompanied "Gantang," the headman of Sineroup. Fortunately
nobody was drowned, but the time occupied in crossing was so long
and we were all so tired with our exertions that we were glad to
stay at a wayside village instead of going on to Kambatuan as we had
desired. We saw a good many attractive plants to-day, but unfortunately
the dangerous difficulties of our journey left us but little time for
collecting. And yet, although hungry and fatigued to a degree which no
one can imagine who has not travelled in a tropical land without roads
or bridges, one could but feel enthusiasm as ferns of filmy beauty,
orchids of curious structure and vivid colours, graceful glumales,
flowering shrubs and palms, met our eager eyes for the first time.
One of my first "finds" this morning was a singular bolbophyllum,
which grew on the branch of a tree over a stream, and which,
as I had from the first suspected, has turned out to be "quite
new." It has been named, in gratitude to the Hon. P. Leys, M.B.,
Colonial Surgeon of Labuan, B. Leysianum, Rchb. f. Its structure is
so very extraordinary that nothing but an engraving could give any
adequate idea of its characteristics. A creamy flowered dendrobium
(D. cerinum, Rchb. f.), grew on trees here and there, bearing its
flowers in clusters, and a dwarf cymbidium (C. Spinksianum, Rchb. f.),
was also met with in bloom, as also was a white-blossomed ixora,
bearing pendulous compound clusters of fragrant blossoms. A curious
strong-growing vanilla draped trees in most places, and on some wet
mossy rocks beside a rushing torrent, a glossy-leaved phalænopsis
(P. luteola) displayed its golden blossoms, each sepal and petal
mottled with cinnabar. Coelogynes were everywhere abundant on trees
and rocks alike, and on the latter overhanging the streams hung masses
of a waxy-leaved æschynanthus, bearing axillary clusters of crimson,
black-striped flowers, each standing erect from a gracefully modelled
purple chalice. Ferns and mosses hung on the dripping river rocks in
glorious profusion. Numerous, indeed, were fair Flora's temptations
to lingering dalliance on our way, but we had an ulterior object
in this journey which nothing must interfere with. Our mission was
to push onward, letting nothing hinder our march--difficulties and
inclinations must alike be conquered if we would that our journey be
crowned with success!
Kambatuan reached, wet and fagged, we were glad of a change of
clothing, preceded by a brisk rub with a dry towel, ere we thought
of food. Our guides had selected a roomy house, and we soon had a
cheerful wood fire ablaze on the hearth, which, as is usual here,
was in the centre of the large public apartment occupied by ourselves
and our retainers. A fowl and some eggs were soon purchased, and our
whilom host was very hospitable, having spread some nicely-worked
mats near the fire, and instructed his daughters to make cigarettes
for us, which, with the kindness which clings to their sex all the
world over, they, seeing that we were strangers, wet and tired, were
nothing loth to do. These cigarettes, under the native name of "rokos,"
were always forthcoming, and are made of tobacco (segope), both grown
and manufactured by these inland people. It is cut very neatly, and
is made up for sale into ropes or rolls a yard or more in length,
these being folded so as to make convenient bundles about nine inches
long. Although not given to trickery, it is customary for these people
to make the rope "core" of refuse tobacco, or of the leaves of kaladi,
or other plants, and over this the really good manufactured tobacco
is wound. The result of this is that the useable produce is not above
one-fourth of the apparent bulk, and although all are well aware of the
subterfuge, and carefully examine every roll of this tobacco before
they purchase it, yet the practice continues year after year. For
smoking, this dark shaggy tobacco is carefully unwound from the "core"
(or "prot," literally stomach), and enfolded in a neat wrapper formed
of the young leaf of the nipa palm, or occasionally in the thin husk of
the maize cobs, both of which serve the purpose of cigarette paper by
burning slowly but freely, producing neither flame nor flavour. There
is scarcely a more national trait observable among Borneans than the
smoking of the "roko." It is the one luxury common to all. From the
Sultan to his meanest subject--male or female--everyone indulges in
smoking them; indeed I have repeatedly seen unweaned infants partaking
of the solace of the breast and of their tiny "rokos" alternately,
both the gift of indulgent Bornean mammas.
August 10th.--All night we could hear the rain pouring down in
torrents, but it cleared up towards morning, and at sunrise all was
beautifully clear and bright. This is the view we obtained of the
mountain as seen this morning at 7 a.m., all the lower part being
obscured by the trees in the foreground. By 7.30 we had breakfasted,
and were on our way. Yesterday had been a most unfortunate day so far
as real progress towards the mountain was concerned, and although all
our guides were loud in their protests that it would be impossible
to cross the streams after the late heavy rain, we were doggedly
determined to go on. We crossed the river twice, and now, at 8.30,
all further progress seems impossible, since we have to cross again,
and this at a place where the river is a boiling torrent nearly five
feet deep. The Dusun themselves seem to have no great difficulty in
crossing, but our Labuan men are afraid. The great difficulty is to
keep one's legs under one in the strong current, and to facilitate
this being done the Dusun often take up a heavy stone and carry
it on one shoulder. Our men bathed here whilst waiting, and most
of them took up a stone and cast it into the water ere they flung
themselves in. This they do to propitiate the "antu," or river god,
who they tell me might otherwise be offended, and afflict them with
sickness. As we sit beside this rushing river, the most gorgeous
butterflies flit here in the chequered shade afforded by overhanging
branches. Yellow, white, and brown species vie with each other in
activity. Now and then the most splendid ornithoptera are seen, their
strong and swift flight resembling that of a bird. One lovely fellow,
fully six inches across the wings, settled on my boot as I remained
motionless watching it. It was of a velvety blackness, with a bold
band of pea-green across the wings. Another species rather smaller has
a band of metallic blue. These delicate insects are generally most
numerous by rivers, or in sunny places by the dry beds of streams,
and, singularly enough, are most abundant during the cool wet monsoon.
August 11th.--A lovely morning, and at sunrise we obtained charming
views of "Kina Balu." The rugged top crags were especially well
defined, as also the sloping plateau, which seemingly forms the
watershed for one of the highest falls. Apparently we are quite near
to the mountain, and the waterfall is distinctly audible, which does
much to increase the delusion. As the sun's power increased, however,
the view lost its distinctness, and in half an hour's time heavy white
mist clouds had swept around its summit, and all its beauty of tint
and shadow was lost to view. We ate a hurried breakfast, and started
for Koung, a large and prosperous village situated a little to the
south-east of Saduc-Saduc, the mountain ascended by Mr. Thomas Lobb
in 1856. Our way lay diagonally down a hillside drain until we came
to the river, which we forded, and then bore to the left across level
rice-fields and patches of luxuriant kaladi (Caladium esculentum)
and Indian corn, both of which evidently succeed best on these rich
low lying alluvial plains. We crossed the river four or five times
ere we at last found ourselves on the splendid village green of
Koung. This green is a mile or more in length, lying at the foot of
a range of sandstone hills which shelter it from the north, while the
river skirts its southern side, and another hill rises from the river
banks still further southward. It is, in fact, a well watered grassy
plain between two sheltering parallel hill ranges, and affords the
best pasturage for cattle that I have seen anywhere in the East. Of
this the villagers take every advantage, for nowhere have I seen
finer kine and buffaloes than here. We reached the headman's house at
Koung about four o'clock in a drenching downpour of rain. Some trees
beside the stream were draped with a glorious climber, having scarlet
flowers (Bauhinia kochiana), and a glaucous climbing plant, having
lilac flowers, had completely overrun some of the forest trees on the
opposite bank. We took up our quarters in the house of the headman,
"Lapayang," to whom Mr. Veitch and myself had given a Tower musket
on the last journey I made in this direction. I notice that such of
my men as speak the Brunei language can converse with the Dusun very
readily after a few days' residence amongst them. This fact was noted
by Mr. St. John, and from what I know of the language myself after
a year's residence, and aided by vocabularies carefully collected,
I believe the language of these people is intermediate between that
spoken in the capital, Brunei, and that of the Sulus. Bees-wax
and caoutchouc or rubber are frequently offered for barter as we
pass through the villages. "Lapayang" welcomed us in his own way by
firing a salute, and a gong was beaten to announce our arrival. I was
sorry to find that his father had died since my last visit, when he
had received us with many expressions of good-will, and told us of
Mr. Low's first visit to the mountain, which he remembered well. As
we had arrived before our supplies, "Lapayang" brought us some rice
and a fowl as a present, and one of his sisters gave us some eggs and
a fine cluster of bananas. I felt thankful when we arrived at Koung,
since I knew the way from this place to the mountain quite well, and
had not to trust to lazy guides, who have not the slightest idea of
time or its value to the traveller. My buffalo also had reason to be
glad, for here the plucky little beast had the luxury of good herbage
on which to feed, a much better thing for him than the miscellaneous
browsing afforded by our former halting places. The river runs about
fifty yards from our quarters, and is very much swollen, having in
many places overflowed its banks. Capital shooting may be had here
at the large blue pigeons which roost in the trees beside the river,
quite close to the houses.
August 12th.--Again a lovely morning as we crossed the ford just at
the end of the village and pushed on for Kiau. The road lies by the
sides of the river most of the way until the turn to the left is taken
up the open rice-fields, which lie below the last-named village. We
crossed this river thirteen times to-day, and some of the crossings
were deep and rapid. Met troops of natives--male and female--mostly
laden with large baskets of tobacco, which they were taking down to
the villages nearer the coast to barter for cloth, knives, and other
goods, as no traders appear to venture further inland than the first
Dusun villages. Most of the men were armed with a long slender-shafted
spear, which is especially useful to them in fording the streams. In
addition they had the "parang," a sort of scimetar-shaped sword,
having a good keen edge. This is slung to a broad belt worn sash-wise
over one shoulder, the part which crosses the breast being ornamented
with cowrie shells sewn on very thickly. I was very glad when we
reached the little farms of the Kiau villagers, and could see their
dwellings and palm-trees in the distance. In some of the clearings the
crimson-leaved dracæna (D. terminalis) was conspicuous. It has here
slender stems five or six feet in height, each terminated by a tuft
of bright coloured leaves. Going up the hill slowly, I made a little
collection of the weeds found among the rice and kaladi crops. Among
these were two pretty little plants of the daisy family (Compositæ),
the one with purple and the other with yellow florets. A tiny species
of torenia formed spreading tufts of purplish leaves and stems,
and bore rather pretty purple and white flowers. A woolly-leaved
gnaphalium attaining a foot in height, and bearing dense clusters of
yellow immortelle-like flowers, was especially noticeable. There are
numerous springs of cool water, clear as crystal, in this hillside,
and these are brought down to the path in tiny troughs or aqueducts
of bamboo, so that one has only to stoop very slightly to drink, and
water-vessels are readily replenished. The whole hillside is dotted
with flat-roofed field-huts of clean yellow bamboo. These afford
shelter during the mid-day siesta enjoyed by the workers in the field,
who are for the most part women and children. Tiny streamlets are met
with now and then, and in favourable spots the most graceful tree-ferns
of the primæval jungle still linger, although fully exposed to the
hot sun. The lower parts of their black trunks, however, are shaded
by coarse herbage, and their roots revel among the earth, débris, and
wet stones below. In some places the wet earth and stones beside these
streams were carpeted with lovely mosses, and of these several rare
kinds in good condition were obtained. We met one of my old guides,
"Kurow" (see p. 97), this morning as we came along. He came up to me
laughing and vociferating loudly. "Soung," who interprets Dusun for me,
says that he wants me to understand that he, "Kurow," is glad to see
me again, and that he will do all he can to help me. We reached the
village about three o'clock in a dense white mist, and it commenced
raining heavily a few minutes after our arrival. Among the plants we
saw to-day was a splendid large bolbophyllum (B. petreianum). A vanda
grew on the trees overhanging the river, but was not in bloom. The
deliciously-perfumed snow-white flowers of Dendrobium crumenatum,
which were especially beautiful on the immense boulders of granite on
the green at Koung, was also often met with to-day, and at one of the
fords a large-growing coelogyne (C. racemosa) bore drooping spikes
of yellow and white flowers, the entire inflorescence being nearly a
yard in length. While my boy was cooking dinner I made sketches of
the most peculiar plants of botanical interest met with en route,
much to the surprise--I might almost say awe--of the natives,
who crowded around me and watched every line--and especially the
colouring--with great interest. I was surprised at the small number
of women who came to see us in comparison with those who flocked into
the house when we were last here. I found, however, that this was
owing to their being away engaged in rice planting and other field
labour. The headman of this village, named "Lemoung," had died since
my last visit, and we saw his grave on the little hill just as we
entered the village. A little hut had been erected over it, and this
was decorated with eight little streamers of white cloth. His son,
"Boloung," now "reigns in his stead." When we took our evening meal
most of the women had returned from work, and the house was crowded,
and the greatest curiosity was evinced as our plates, knives, forks,
and glasses were spread out glitteringly in the lamplight. These people
are very different from the Malays of the coast, and never tired of
laughing and talking about ourselves and our goods. The women are not
in the least secluded, and are far better proportioned, as well as
more amiable and industrious, than are their Malayan sisters. Their
clothes consist of a "sarong," or short petticoat, fastened around
the waist, and reaching to the knees, and a strip of black cloth is
bound over the breast. Their ornaments consist of brass wristlets and
anklets. Necklets of beads or brass wire are also worn, and over the
breasts, as also around the waist, coils of rattan cane dyed black
or red are worn. Ferrule-like pieces of tin are often strung on these
rattan coils, and strings of beads are also worn around the waist. Ear
ornaments are generally of wood, and as large as a wine-cork. Both
men and women have holes pierced in their ears, but these are not
unfrequently utilised as cigarette-holders, much in the same way as the
Zulu Kaffirs at the Cape carry snuff-boxes in their ears. Everywhere
here inland we find the native cloth is made from the "lamba" fibre
dyed a deep blue-black with native indigo. I procured specimens of
this fibre-weaving apparatus, and prepared cloth, and these may now be
seen in the large Economic Museum at Kew. After dinner "Kurow," our
old guide, and "Boloung," the headman of this village, came in with
the avowed purpose of having a chat. They were particularly anxious
to hear about the white man who had come to live on the Tampassuk
river (Mr. Pretyman), who they had been told intended to make them
all pay tribute, which was evidently unpleasant news to them. They
also wanted to know where I had been since I left their village,
and were very much interested in all I told them about the Sultan of
Sulu. The house was full of people of all ages, who had come to see
us, and among them were a party from a village three days' journey
inland. These were on their way to the coast villages to trade. The
produce they had with them was tobacco, bees-wax, india-rubber, and
a little "lamba" cloth and raw cotton. These people had never seen a
white man before, and seemed rather interested in all we did; and in
the accounts their Dusun neighbours gave them of us and our doings,
the gist of which was that we came from a large prahu, or ship,
to dig up grass and shoot birds, that we ate and drank all sorts of
curious things, but singularly enough, as they thought, would not
eat rats or tiger-cats, these being esteemed great delicacies here
by the native trappers. Here, at Kiau, as at all the Dusun villages
along our way, we noticed large quantities of tame or domesticated
bees. These are kept in cylindrical hives formed of a hollow tree
trunk, and are placed on a shelf fixed under the overhanging eaves
of the houses. In several instances the hives were on shelves inside
the houses, a hole being made through the "ataps" corresponding with
the hole in the hive, so as to allow of egress and ingress, a plan
similar to that adopted by the bee-keeping natives of Kashmir.
August 13th.--I and Smith have been busy all morning, overhauling
our stores and goods, and getting ready for our going up the mountain
to-morrow. Our rice had suffered from damp, but as we find we can buy
some here, it does not matter so much. Several fowls were also brought
in for sale this morning, so that we are not likely to starve. Having
put all our gear into order after our seven days' march, we took our
guns and a couple of men, and took the path leading eastward, which led
us across one or two rice and vegetable plots, in which tobacco plants
were growing freely, and at last we crossed a recent clearing and
reached the forest, which crests the spur or hill range on which the
village of Kiau stands. We turned northwards and climbed the hillside,
which was stiff work, being in places nearly perpendicular. Here I
found a pretty foliage plant, having strap-shaped leaves six inches
in length, glossy green, boldly variegated with silver-white above,
while the underside of the leaves was of a deep blood colour. Of this
I gathered as much as I desired, and a wild plantain or banana growing
near, I cut one down, and packing my plants close together in damp
moss and earth, I enveloped them in the cool moist sheathing layers of
the banana stem. Thus packed, they occupy but little space, and are
easily carried without risk of damage by drought or friction. Saw
several coelogynes in flower on the surrounding trees, but other
orchids seemed scarce. I made a collection of ferns, mosses, &c.,
for drying, but nothing striking from a horticultural point of view
was seen. We gained the crest of the ridge after an hour's hard work,
and followed it eastward for two or three miles, but without any change
in the vegetation. On returning, we did not descend the way we came,
but followed the crest in a westward direction, and from one point we
got a capital view of one of the waterfalls on the mountain. It was
now becoming misty, however, and we returned to the village, which we
reached just in time to avoid a drenching, for the rain came down in
torrents. I sent one of my men to fetch "Kurow," and when he came I
told him I wanted to bargain with him to take me to the mountain in
the morning. He at first said he couldn't bargain, because "Boloung,"
the headman, was out. He had scarcely spoken, however, before "Boloung"
himself entered from the other end of the house. Finding this loophole
closed, he said he could not bargain to-day, because it was an unlucky
day to him. He had visited all his traps and snares this morning, he
said, and there was nothing caught, adding that he knew it before he
started; this was his bad day. "Boloung" said they would come in and
bargain in the morning. Fortunately I was not entirely dependent on
them, and could have found the way myself, intricate as it is. Anyone
who had not travelled here before, however, is entirely dependent on
these people as guides, and their utter disregard of the value of time
is perplexing enough to a stranger with limited supplies of food for
himself and followers. It was these people who turned back Mr. Thomas
Lobb when he attempted to ascend Kina Balu from this village in 1856,
and the moral force of a well-armed and rather imposing party is
still necessary in order to keep their avarice within moderate bounds,
and to obtain from them the little assistance necessary. When Mr. Low
ascended the mountain in 1851, he gave many presents to these people,
and even now the wealth the village obtained through his visit is
much talked of among the hill villagers. When Mr. Lobb was there,
five years later, he had but a small party of followers, and not being
prepared to pay in cloth and other goods so liberally as Mr. Low had
done, they refused to help him, and he was compelled to leave without
ascending the mountain, as he had desired to do. Even in 1858 Mr. Low
and Mr. S. St. John had to "guard carefully against pilferers," and had
a little hostility to contend with as well. On their second expedition,
in the same year, however, they experienced a better reception. Some
years later, I believe in 1866, an Italian expedition came here
for natural history purposes, and the Dusun account is that they
ascended 6,000 feet. This expedition, according to native accounts,
paid twice as much as was necessary, a precedent which gives these
hill villagers an excuse for extortion. When I and Mr. Peter Veitch
came here, eight months ago, we had a well-armed force at our backs,
and we taught the Kiau people how to moderate their desires by paying
a just price for all they gave or sold to us, and for all services
performed, but we gave no presents. Livingstone [7] deprecates the
system of giving presents in his first work on travel, and he is
not the only traveller who has had reason to complain of a mode of
procedure which invariably causes inconvenience to others. These
people were always well-disposed towards us, and this time I find
our plan was a good one, for there is no misunderstanding; fowls,
rice, and other provisions are far more easily procurable now, since
the natives know that all will be fairly paid for, whereas under the
old system their object was to give a small present in the hope of
receiving something far more valuable.
August 14th.--"Kurow" came in this morning, and commenced to "bargain"
cautiously by asking to see the goods we were willing to pay for
guides. "Suong," our interpreter, who was an adept at trading, spread
out some cloth and other things to the value of a few shillings, and
after a deal of talking an agreement was arrived at by "Kurow" and
"Boloung" consenting to accompany us in return for these things and an
old coat of mine, upon which "Kurow" had cast longing eyes ever since
my arrival. Among the goods was an entire length--twenty-six yards--of
grey shirting, and this was brought back for me to divide into two
halves, each of these dusky chiefs seeming firmly convinced that the
other would "best" him if possible. Having, after some slight trouble,
divided the cloth to their liking, and handed them the other goods
in pre-payment, another difficulty arose, both declaring that they
could not start to the mountain to-day, as they had no rice, and must
needs go to the next village to obtain some. By this time all my men
were ready to start, and as I had said I should set out to-day, I was
determined to do so at all risks. I explained to them that they had
plenty of rice in their village, but that if they really wanted more
"Kurow" had better accompany us, and "Boloung" could obtain supplies
and come on after us on the morrow, adding that we should start at
once, and if their agreement was not kept we should of course take
back the goods we had pre-paid them. It must be distinctly understood
that in Borneo pre-payment for goods or services to be rendered is
the national custom, just as it is in South America. In the latter
country the natives who collect the india-rubber or caoutchouc in
Brazil may serve as an illustration of the fact. I left my "boy,"
who was rather unwell, and the only old man in our party, to "abide by
the stuff" in the house, and shouldered my gun and left our guides to
think matters over. We had not proceeded above a mile, however, before
"Kurow" overtook us, and went on ahead as cheerful as possible. After
an hour or two of rough walking on shelving forest-paths, varied here
and there by slippery logs, we came to a mountain-stream, probably
one of the tributaries of the Haya-Haya. Here, in a large stone trap,
the worthy "Kurow" was fortunate enough to find a large wild cat. I
had not spoken to him since he overtook us, but I could not resist
the opportunity of reminding him that this was one of his lucky
days! We crossed here, the water being deliciously fresh and cool,
and another hour's stiff walking brought us over the base of the next
spur, and to our old quarters, the "Sleeping Rock," where we were
to rest for the night. This is a gigantic overhanging boulder near a
foaming torrent. A pretty little maidenhair fern, before alluded to,
grew here in great plenty, and attained the greatest luxuriance among
the débris of former camp fires. Overhead a colony of mason bees
had established themselves, forming multitudes of little rounded
mud nests on the face of the rock, and when we lighted our fires
the smoke disturbed them much. A still greater nuisance, however,
was our guide, "Kurow," who made a fire and commenced to cook his
wild cat by roasting it, hair, skin and all, without the slightest
preparation. When Mr. Veitch and myself slept here during my first
visit, he had two rats--rather high they were too--which he roasted
entire, and ate with great satisfaction! The soil near the bottom of
these immense spurs is very rich, as attested by the luxuriance of
bamboo and species of ginger which are comparatively puny on poor
land. Beside the mountain torrents a pink-spathed aroid (Gamogyne
Burbidgei, N. E. Br.) is common, and rather pretty. A species of
dwarf palm (Areca, sp.), bearing clusters of small scarlet fruits,
is noticeable, and a trailing plant, allied to the jasmines, bore
axillary clusters of white waxy flowers, each having a brown eye-like
spot in its centre. The perfume emitted by its blossoms was delicious,
and resembled that of spring hyacinths. A red-fruited raspberry
(Rubus rosæfolius), and several species of ferns and selaginellas
carpeted the low shady forest along our route. The only bird we saw
was a lyre-tailed shrike of a dark ash colour. Our dinner consisted of
a fowl cut up and boiled with a little rice, and when it was nearly
done we added a small tin of Julienne soup to it, thus securing some
substantial potage, and we were hungry enough to appreciate it at
its full value. A cup of coffee and a cigar made us forget all our
bruises, and knowing the stiff day's work we had for the morrow,
we retired to our blankets early.
August 15th.--We awoke about 5 A.M. and aroused our followers. A
Malay named "Jeludin," acted as cook in the absence of my regular
"boy," and he prepared a very palatable breakfast of the remains of
our dinner, supplemented by nicely boiled rice and dried fish. "Kurow"
breakfasted off wild cat roasted à la Dusun, and a little rice which
we gave him. After breakfast he sat smoking, and "Suong" came and told
me that he would not go up the mountain. On my asking him his reason
for resolving thus, he replied that he could not go because he had no
trowsers, nor coat, nor head-cloth. I had given him a warm tweed coat
previous to starting, but this he had left in his house. I at once told
him through "Suong," that if he did not go as I had paid him to do, I
should tell all the headmen as we returned to the coast, that he broke
his bargains, and was afraid to go up the mountain. This threat had
the desired effect on him; for after reflecting on it several minutes,
he arose and prepared to start, saying with charming naïveté, that "I
was a good man, and that he liked me." About seven o'clock "Boloung"
and five or six of his followers rejoined us, as they had promised,
and we set off on our way up the spur.
Our path at first lay up the bed of the torrent, but we left this in
a few minutes, bearing up the spur to the right, past a bamboo fence
in which rat-traps were placed at intervals of a few feet. Here and
there, too, we noticed the dangerous spring pig-spearing apparatus, so
commonly met with in the forests of the Murut and Kayan tribes who live
further south. The deposit of forest débris at the base of this south
spur is very rich in ferns and herbaceous plants. A melastomad here
and there bore clusters of pretty pink flowers. Of this plant, which
grew in the moss beside the path, there are green and purple-leaved
varieties. A glossy-leaved ardisia, having clusters of red berries,
the foliage being claret-coloured beneath, was conspicuous; and
the stems of a shrub four feet high were covered with clusters of
vermilion-tinted berries the size of small peas; another shrub, a yard
high, having lance-shaped serrate leaves, bore clusters of pure white,
gesnera-like flowers. As we climbed higher up the mountain side,
rhododendra, bearing white, scarlet, yellow, or magenta-coloured
blossoms, began to appear, and epiphytal and terrestrial orchids also
became more plentiful. The curious pitcher-plants also increased in
profusion, some being of a wondrous size and of the most singular
form, colour and texture. At one place in a secluded mossy nook,
where Mr. Veitch and I had obtained plants during our last ascent,
I found that some cuttings we had accidentally left on the ground
had thrown out numerous fresh roots into the wet moss on which they
lay! The delicately perfumed little orchid, Dendrochilum glumaceum,
was flowering freely, its elegantly drooping inflorescence resembling
the most dainty filagree work. Golden and white-flowered coelogynes
nestled here and there beside our path. In one place, the curious
little Rhododendron ericifolium was in bloom; and another species,
growing on mossy trunks, bore waxy, bell-shaped flowers of a clear
orange-scarlet colour. The dark glossy green foliage of this last
reminded one of that of a sciadopitys in form, being linear, and
arranged in whorls. It has been named (Rhododendron stenophyllum,
Hook. f.).
As we ascended the temperature fell faster and faster, and at intervals
we were completely enveloped in dense clouds of mist, while at other
times they were dispersed, and the sun brightened up the mountain
side. One place we passed this morning is rather dangerous, almost
like walking on the ridge of a high building, the descent on one side
however being a sheer precipice of 1,500 feet, and the other side is
steep; but there are a few bushes near, which give one confidence. At
8,000 feet we again enter a dripping cloud, or rather it sweeps
down to meet us, and the trees here are of low stature and gnarled,
the branches being so low that in places one has to crawl through
them. Casuarina trees are commonly met with. The ground and lower
bushes are covered with wet mosses, and white hair-like masses of
usnea sway to and fro in the higher branches. The cold increased,
and my Labuan men felt it very much. I looked at my thermometer at
three o'clock during a heavy shower, and at an altitude of 9,000 feet,
and it registered 56°. In England one would consider this a delicious
temperature; but when we started this morning we had a temperature
thirty degrees higher.
It was curious to notice the effect the depression of heat and the
rain had on my men, who had never in their lives known the thermometer
below 70°. They appeared perfectly paralysed; and the Dusun themselves
were but little better. We reached our former camping-place, the cave,
about 3.30, wet, cold, tired, and hungry. Five of the fellows were so
far chilled and exhausted that they gave up when within ten minutes
of the cave, and huddled themselves close together under some dry
rocks. I sent twice for them to come on to us, but they would not
move, and passed the night without fire or food, rather than bestir
themselves to prepare either. We managed to start a fire after some
difficulty, and then pulled off our cold wet garments. I got one of
my Malays to rub me briskly all over with a coarse towel, and then
put on two flannel shirts, trowsers, and jacket, after which I felt
comparatively comfortable. One of the Dusun fetched us some water
from a stream half a mile off; and it was so icy cold as to make
one's teeth chatter to drink it--rather a novelty in the tropics.
"Jeludin," although shivering, set about cooking our dinner; and
"Suong," who was the most useful man I had, chopped up enough wood to
last us all the night. The men who came on with us sat shivering under
the rocks for over an hour, before I could induce them to set about
lighting themselves a fire. It was, indeed, really painful to see the
poor fellows so utterly paralysed. "Boloung," the chief of the Kiau
Dusun, who had accompanied us, had carried up a fowl under his arm the
whole way; and when he reached the cave, I was agreeably surprised when
he presented it to me, and I took it as a great compliment, for it is
extremely rare for a Dusun to put himself to so much trouble even for
a friend, much less for a stranger like myself. This fowl, although
lively enough in the morning, had become so wet and cold during the
ascent, that it appeared to be dead; indeed, I thought it was dead for
some time, but on holding it near the fire, it revived a little. Our
Dusun followers made their encampment under a dry, overhanging rock,
a quarter of a mile ahead of us. We had a view of the great waterfall
on the bare granite rocks of the mountain opposite, and could hear
the dash of its current into the stream below very plainly.
After dinner we made up a good fire; and never did I fancy a cup
of hot coffee so delicious as this seemed to be; while the primest
of fragrant Havannahs have been far less comforting than was the
modest cigarette of native grown tobacco, which one of my followers
made and presented to me on the spot. Our fire blazed up brightly,
and diffused both warmth and fragrance in our rocky dwelling; and,
wrapping our rugs and blankets around us, we were soon asleep,
surrounded by our Labuan men, who crowded around the fire, and kept
it replenished with fuel throughout the night.
CHAPTER XIV.
Plant collecting--Large nepenthes--Sociable birds--Mountain
climbing--Cold nights--Descent--Safe return to Kiau--Old
skulls--Tree ferns--Fine climate--Land culture--Crossing
rivers--"Lapayang's" welcome--Tarippe fruit--"Benhau"--Pleasant
evening at Kambatuan village--Graceful young girls--Bundoo--Little
gardens en route--Ghinambaur village--A hard day's walking--Return
to the Tampassuk--Short-tailed buffaloes--Two-horned
rhinoceros--Return to Labuan--Smith's illness--Success of the
expedition.
August 16th.--We were up by daybreak; and while "Jeludin" was preparing
breakfast, I went out with the men collecting such plants as I wanted,
and packing them in the native sago-sheath baskets (granjombs) with
which we had provided ourselves. I was anxious to begin thus early,
as I wanted to start most of the men back to Kiau to-day. After three
or four hours' hard work, we loaded twelve men and started them off on
the downward journey; and as we intended staying two days longer up the
mountain, they had orders to collect other plants which I had pointed
out to them near Kiau. After starting them off, I was glad to take
breakfast before exploring further for other things which I much wished
to procure. After our repast I started off over the ridge of the spur,
progress, however, being very slow, as nearly all the way one had to
climb through branches, roots, or low shrubs. A glossy-leaved begonia,
with large white flowers, was common beside the streams, and three
species of coelogyne were met with growing among the rocks and bushes.
A great many small-flowered orchids of various genera were seen, but
few were in bloom. Dacrydium, phyllocladus, and a peculiar casuarina of
drooping habit were seen, and several herbaceous plants, among which I
noted a drosera and a species of dianella, much resembling those of
Australia. Among ferns were at least two species of trichomanes, two
or three gleichenias, a peculiar form of dipteris resembling D.
Horsfieldii, but dwarfer and quite glaucous, nearly white indeed below,
and a strong-growing blechnum. Several mosses in fruit were gathered,
and most of them were either absolutely new, or had not been discovered
in Borneo before. Here and there I came across patches of an acre or
two in extent of rocky mountain side without any tree-growth. These
rocky patches were carpeted with coarse sedges, among which the great
Nepenthes Rajah grew luxuriantly, an enormous crimson-tinted pitcher
depending from each of its large lower leaves. These gigantic urns were
for the most part filled with rain-water, among which were the remains
of ants, beetles, and other insect-life. Nearly all the pitchers were
found resting on the surface of the earth, and in most cases they were
hidden by the overhanging leaves, sedges, and débris among which the
plants grow. It was, in the case of the younger specimens--plants a
foot high or so--that the pitchers were most evident and luxuriant.
Seedlings of this size were even more ornamental than their big
jug-bearing brethren. Here and there were specimens of N. Rajah, great
clumps having stems five or six feet in height, with very broad massive
leaves, and pitchers capable of holding two or three pints of water.
It is these large plants which flower most freely, some of the stems
bearing three or four spikes of their rich maroon-tinted blossoms,
around which two or three kinds of flies or gnats were playing in the
sunshine. The female plants were not nearly so plentiful as were the
males, and I am inclined to think that these tiny flies aid
fertilisation, for some of the female plants were a long way distant
from any males, and yet they appeared to have been fertilised. N.
villosa is often found in these open patches with the larger kind just
alluded to, but more frequently it affects the margins of the open
patches, and luxuriates among the low bushes, by which its weaker and
more elongated stems are supported. N. Lowii and the beautiful N.
Edwardsiana appear never to reach so high an altitude as those just
named. I cannot describe the elated emotions I felt in traversing this
mountain side, and gazing on forms of vegetable life the most remarkable
of any to be found in the whole world! Hunger, bruises, and the repeated
drenchings we had received during our journey hither, these and all
other of our troubles seemed to vanish as I gazed around me on the
wonders of creation and inhaled the cool invigorating mountain air. We
returned to our cave-dwelling about four o'clock. As I write up my
diary, a tiny bird is flitting about quite close to me, and does not
appear in the least afraid. It is but little larger than a wren, its
body being of a dark brown colour; the head and shoulders are mottled
with yellowish brown. From its lively and erratic flight, I suspect it
is of the flycatcher group. It flits backwards and forwards from bough
to bough, and frequently leaves a branch as though flying right off, and
quite surprises you by suddenly and adroitly twisting itself round and
dropping back into the place from which it started. Another occasional
visitor is a blackbird, having a golden bill and a reddish-brown
breast. It strongly resembles our own blackbird indeed, but is perhaps
a trifle fuller in the body. Again, we heard the little songster
alluded to in the account of my first visit here. I know of no bird
whose melody possesses the ravishing sweetness and variety of melody
of this one, its song in the early morning being especially delightful.
Were it possible to introduce it, this little stranger would be a most
welcome addition to our domesticated song-birds here at home. Space is
limited here in this cave, and one has to sit pretty close to the fire.
Just after dinner to-night, as I sat making notes in my pocket-book,
Smith, in lifting our extemporised kettle off the fire, let it fall,
and the boiling water fell over my feet. My boots were off, and the
pain was rather hard to bear. "Suong," who is equal to all emergencies,
recommends me to put some wet salt on the scalded portions of my feet,
which, to please him, I did, and the pain soon after abated. I was very
sorry for this accident, being afraid it would prevent my extending my
excursions up the mountain side to-morrow, as I had arranged to do.
It is raining very heavily, and Smith reminds me that we have only had
two wholly fine days since leaving Labuan.
August 17th.--Our cave had become drier, owing to the fire we had
constantly kept burning, and we slept well last night. One of our
men, on going to his basket this morning, found a rat in it, which
he at once secured and killed. It had doubtless been tempted by the
warmth and his little store of food. It resembled very nearly the
long-tailed grey Norway species, now so common in England, and was
quite distinct from the short-tailed, long-snouted kind, of which
"Kurow" had trapped two specimens during our first visit here. When
our Dusun guides came in, one of them quickly appropriated it as a
desirable addition to his edible stores. Our own breakfast this morning
was of oatmeal porridge (a nice change from constantly eating rice) and
tea and biscuit. I had some difficulty in putting my boots on, owing
to the scalding my feet received last night. My feet were very painful
at first, but getting warm with walking, they did not inconvenience
me so much as I had expected. We had a long walk up the mountain side
to-day searching for seeds and plants. The highest height we reached
was 10,700 feet, but it must be pointed out that our object was to
collect all the plants and seeds we could in the richest vegetable
zone on the mountain, and not to reach the summit. Had our object
been to ascend to the top nothing would have prevented our doing so;
indeed, the real difficulties of climbing "Kina Balu" are very few,
and not worth mentioning; indeed, we found our journey to its base
from the coast far more exacting to our strength and temper. We were
fortunate in our search to-day, having, after a long and disappointing
search yesterday, failed to obtain the particular plants and seeds I
was anxious to obtain. To-day, however, I was rewarded by finding a
few in good condition. We returned to our cave at about four o'clock,
and found our Dusun followers, who had been in another direction,
had also brought me in a nice lot of seeds, plants, and flowers. They
had complained of the cold nights on the mountain, and threatened
to leave us this morning (as indeed they did last journey), but I
promised them some rice for their evening meal, and eventually they
had consented to stay another night. Before dinner we packed up our
plants and seeds carefully, and arranged everything ready for our
descent in the morning. I wished to start early, so as to have plenty
of time for collecting on our way, as at one spot I much wished to make
a détour to collect seeds. Our bird visitors came around us to-day
again, and fearlessly came quite close to pick up the crumbs of rice
we threw towards them. We have had rain more or less for two whole
days, and it was bitterly cold towards eight o'clock, when we wrapped
our rugs around us to retire for the night. My thermometer stood at
45° just outside the cave, and during the night it had descended to
38°. I awoke during the night quite stiff with cold, although I lay
close to a good fire. My rugs had slipped from my shoulders, and I
was glad to fold them tightly around me, and to put more fuel on the
fire. It was a lovely moonlight night, the light being so strong on
the branches opposite our cave as to make them look as if covered
with snow. Mr. St. John mentions having seen a sort of hoar-frost
here during one of his journeys. The great fall looked like a silver
streak down the rocky mountain side opposite, and the rush of its
waters into the chasm below comes quite clearly through the night air.
August 18th.--While Jeludin boiled the water for our coffee this
morning, I carved my initials on the soft red sandstone wall of our
cave, and then clambered up a tree just opposite to try and get a
better view. All is mist and cloud below us except seaward, where a
strip of the coast line and the rivers towards Menkabong and Gaya are
visible. I can see the great fall very plainly coming down the face
of the rock opposite, just where it disappears into the wooded gully,
below there is a magnificent grove of tree ferns, and as I am fully a
thousand feet above them, I can look down on their expanded clusters
of fresh green fronds, and the effect in the morning sunlight is past
all description. About 7.30 a.m. we started on our downward journey,
at first climbing the ridge through roots and branches which were
notched here and there for foothold. On reaching the path above,
a few minutes' walk brings us to a series of great steps and an
open space or two covered with jutting rocks and boulders, sedges,
low bushes, and the great pitcher-plants. Here we made a short stay
collecting, much to the disgust of our Dusun guides, who pointed to
the dark clouds and told us we should have rain, and much wished
us to push onwards. Lower down still we came across plants of the
beautiful Nepenthes Edwardsiana, scrambling up bushes and casuarina
trees to a height of twenty or thirty feet. Both this species,
and also the curious N. Lowii, are frequently perfectly epiphytal,
all the old stems and roots originally in the ground being dead, but
the top growth has rooted into the wet moss and débris which rests
on the trees and bushes everywhere around. Of the first-named there
are two distinct varieties, differing in the length and form of their
pitchers. N. Lowii is first seen at about 5,000 feet, and is one of the
most singular of the whole group, its urns being flagon-shaped, and of
a hard leather-like consistence. Growing quite plentifully beside the
path were tiny plants bearing tripetalous flowers of a white or pink
tint, and very pretty. In some places it was quite bushy in habit and
a foot in height, being literally covered with blossoms. Some large
mosses, one of them having stems a foot in height, were also gathered,
and a few inconspicuous orchids, epiphytal and otherwise, were observed
in bloom. A plumose filmy fern (Trichomanes, sp.?) depended here and
there from the half rotten casuarina branches overhead.
Owing to the rain yesterday our descent was far from pleasant, and
falls were not infrequent, in fact on both occasions I have found
descending this mountain very troublesome and dangerous owing to
the wretched paths one has to follow. I carried a sago sheath basket
behind me, fitted with bark straps for the shoulders, and it was lucky
I did so, for I had one or two nasty falls backwards, and it saved
my head more than once from contact with the slippery stones. Our
guides have at last gone on a-head quite disgusted at my stopping
here and there to take up a plant or gather seeds, which I can never
resist doing. My boots had given way like brown paper owing to their
being constantly wet, and I had to tie them on my feet with strips
of bark. My feet had chafed where scalded, and were now very painful,
while the constant strain on the legs during the slippery descent was
very exhausting. However after many falls backwards and forwards we
reached Kiau about four o'clock p.m. thoroughly tired and hungry. I
felt thankful when I regained the hill above the village where all the
hard work is over. I had tired out the patience first of our guides,
then of my Labuan men, and even Smith had at last left me lingering
collecting roots and specimens, and so I was the last man of our
party to reach the village. As I descended the hill three of my men
met me and took my load of plants, for I had both arms full besides
the basket at my back. Tired and wet as I was I could not resist the
impulse to look at the plants my men had brought down two days before,
and I was glad to find that they were fresh and healthy. A mist swept
around us soon after I got inside the house, and the steady rain we
had experienced all the afternoon changed to a regular downpour. I
was glad to put on my dry clothes after a thorough good wash and rub
down with a towel warmed at the fire. I found that the skin was off
my feet in great patches, and they swelled very much after removing
my boots. Smith had a large sore on his heel, and he agreed with me
that our ascent was child's play compared with the descent.
My "boy" had cooked us some rice and had bought us some fine ripe
tarippe fruit to eat with it. We afterwards had a cup of nice warm
chocolate each, and lighting our cigarettes, our fatigue and bruised
shins were soon forgotten, as we nestled cosily in our warm rugs in the
glow of a sweet wood fire. After our return crowds of people flocked
in to see us, and the house resembled a market-place, fowls, rice,
sweet potatoes, maize cobs, rattan hats, tobacco, wax, caoutchouc, and
Dusun gourd-organs of bamboo being among the produce and manufactures
offered. The men squat down in groups, and there is a great deal of
talking about the mountain and "Tuan Hillow" (Mr. Low), and "Tuan
Bunga," the name by which I am known to these people as well as to the
Malays of the coast. It is quite a gala night, and the young girls are
full of questions about the mountain. My men "Suong" and "Jeludin"
told me that the cave on the mountain was a good place to sleep in,
as there were no spirits there, adding that on the island at Gaya,
and also at Pulo-Tiga they had been afraid to sleep, as the spirits
were so many there! By the first stream we crossed to-day in descending
the mountain, a pretty pink-flowered impatiens was flowering freely,
and on the wet rocks we noticed a tuft of red-berried nertera. On
a dripping wet rock here also a very fine trichomanes luxuriates,
forming large mat-like masses of black roots, and long finely-cut
filmy fronds. Two boys brought in a quantity of anæctochili to-night
soon after our arrival, and asked for needles in exchange, which we
gladly gave them. The talking and laughter of the natives, who seemed
quite pleased at our safe return, lasted until I fell asleep about
eight o'clock, how much later I do not know. Previous to this I called
"Suong," and bade him tell all the villagers assembled that I intended
leaving in the morning, so as to give time for my men to prepare their
things, and that the natives, knowing our intentions, might bring in
any fowls or rice they wished to sell early ere our departure.
August 19th.--First thing this morning I heard that our buffalo, which
had been turned loose to graze on the green here, is missing. All the
men went to seek it while we ate our breakfast. "Kurow" had so often
tried to induce me to exchange this animal--a female--for a male of
his own that I was for a time suspicious of his having stolen it during
the night. We had intended to start for Koung to-day, but the loss of
our buffalo will detain us, as we cannot well leave without it, partly
on account of its use to me now that my feet are raw and tender, and
partly because it will not do to allow a theft to pass unpunished. A
Dusun woman brought in a basket of fresh ginger roots this morning,
which I find is cultivated by these people. Several fowls and some
rice were also brought in, and these my "boy" bought in exchange
for our old biscuit tins and glass bottles. During our forced delay
I walked out to take a last look at the village, and to make a few
sketches and notes. In the little flat-topped hut, which served as a
head-house, I found a pile of about fifty skulls in one corner, some
being in a basket suspended on the wall. These, the villagers tell me,
are the skulls of their old enemies, and their individuality seemed
well known to one old man, who pointed out several to me as having
once rested on the shoulders of some of the Chinese settlers, who,
some few years ago, disappeared from this Dusun country altogether,
although their peculiar physiognomy still lingers among the Dusun
tribes into which they married, so that it is just possible that they
became absorbed into the native tribes. Others were pointed out as the
heads of their old foes the Lanun, whom the Dusun people detest, say
that they formerly came up to the hills with the ostensible purpose of
trading, but adding, that they really wanted to steal their children
as slaves. I offered "Boloung" a good Tower musket for a couple of
these heads, but so highly are they still valued by these people that
he refused to part with them, even for so high a price. This custom
of head-hunting may be said to have died out amongst the Dusun,
since they failed to subsist by hunting, and have taken to the less
exciting employment of land culture. One place was pointed out to
me where thirty men and their chief had been slaughtered together
and their heads taken, only a few years ago. This was at a ford near
Sineroup, and a rude circle of stones still marks the spot where the
bodies were interred; all the stones are single except that which
represents the chief, which has a smaller stone on its apex. I find
the custom of marking burial places with erect stones very common
among these people. On returning to the house I find that "Kurus,"
one of my men, a shock-haired Bruneian, has brought in my buffalo,
having tracked it through the soft mud to a bit of jungle at some
distance from the village, and there he found him tied to a tree!
The large house in which we stayed is big enough to accommodate five or
six families, and the large common room, which extends from end to end,
will hold twenty or thirty men and their baggage quite comfortably,
having three or four hearth-stones for fires at intervals. It stands
on a grassy knoll just at the entrance to the village, and the group
of pinang and cocoa-nut palms on the lower side give to it quite a
picturesque appearance. All over this district tree-ferns are very
beautiful, especially so in the valleys and glades which exist up
among these cool hills. Every now and then the traveller comes upon
whole groves of them, and solitary groups exist even in the cultivated
ground. So sweetly fresh and green are they, and quite distinct in
form and tint from all surrounding vegetation, indeed, these feathery
tree-ferns, and the tall clustering wands of bamboo, form the most
distinctive features of the landscape. We at length bade our friends
good-bye, and the whole village came to the knoll above the stream to
see us start, and the girls were especially interested and begged of us
to come again and bring them some needles, looking-glasses, and cloth.
Coming down the hill-side cornfields from Kiau I saw here and
there patches of cotton (Gossypium barbadense), and a delicate
pink-flowered variety of tobacco was in bloom, and being supported
by stakes, were perhaps left for seed. On the steep side of the
opposite hill are numerous little farms, and on each you see a tiny
flat-topped bamboo-hut which is used for shelter and rest during
field labour. The soil is a reddish friable loam, thickly sprinkled
with large sandstone boulders and stones; while in the lower plains
and valleys is a deep black deposit which under irrigation yields
splendid crops of rice. Under European protection and management,
aided by systematic Chinese coolie labour, the virgin tracts on
these hill ranges might be worked with advantage in the production
of coffee and cinchona. Once fairly started, and with improved
roads, this district would possess many attractions, not the least
being a comparatively cool and salubrious climate. At elevations
of 3,000 to 5,000 feet a cool bracing air is readily obtainable,
indeed, as suggested by Mr. Low, the Marie Parie spur would form a
capital site for a sanatorium of the utmost value to Europeans. At
higher elevations a really cool climate, almost European, in fact,
is obtainable. To bring this fertile district into cultivation and to
form anything like good roads, however, would be a task Herculean,
and one only to be accomplished by an immense expenditure of labour
and capital. The system employed by the natives in clearing their
new farms is to fell the trees and then to burn them during the
dry season. The old stumps are left, and to prevent the rich earth
and forest débris from being washed away by heavy rains, logs are
laid against these horizontally all down the steep shoulders of the
spurs. Land newly cleared yields splendid crops of hill or dry rice,
maize, kaladi, tobacco, sweet potato, and other crops. There is
very little primitive forest on these lower hill ranges and spurs,
nearly all the land not now actually under culture being fallow, in
the shape of low jungle. The only really virgin forest is the tops of
the hills beyond Kiau and the spurs of Kina Balu itself on the south
and east sides. On our way to Koung to-day we had a lot of trouble
owing to the swollen and rapid state of the river, which we crossed no
less than thirteen times. All along our way we saw little torrents of
muddy water pouring into the river from the hill-sides. The two last
times we had to cross the stream previous to our reaching the regular
ford at the entrance to Koung village were really very dangerous,
and I shudder when I think of the surging torrents we crossed, and
of the large treacherous boulders, water-worn and as smooth as ice,
which lay hidden in their beds.
I rode my buffalo: Smith walked and clung to the ropes which held
the saddle. The banks of the stream were overflowed so that we could
not tell exactly the proper place to cross. My buffalo was a brave
and careful animal, and must have been possessed of immense power,
seeing how she carried me and dragged poor Smith over safely. I shall
never forget our last crossing. We had missed the proper place to ford
without our knowing it. The place we had chosen to cross was, as we
afterwards found, a succession of smooth boulders and deep holes. The
buffalo had to feel its way, and when in mid-stream, unluckily, set
its feet on a boulder. Splash we went, all over together, into a deep
hole. Ugh! how I did shiver as I sank to my neck with the buffalo
submerged beneath me. As we rose again I glanced around and thought
for a moment poor Smith had gone. In a moment, however, he rose to
the surface of the stream, where he lay extended grasping the ropes of
the saddle with one hand at arm's-length, and gasping for breath. All
the time we were being carried down stream, and bravely as the plucky
buffalo struggled her feet continually slipped on the loose pebbles
below. "Hold on, Smith!" I gasped, as splash we all went over another
gigantic boulder, and the water surged up to my ears although on the
back of the beast. I clung like a sailor in a gale. Fortunately for
us the buffalo regained her footing, and clearing the current by a
great effort she carried me and dragged poor old Smith up the bank
Koung-wards. "That's a narrow squeak, old boy," I said, but Smith was
too exhausted to answer as he tottered and staggered to a seat on a
stone lying near. I also was glad to rest, and although thankful for
our merciful escape, I could scarcely look sober as I glanced at Smith,
who was as white as a ghost, and staggered like a drunken man.
"Well," said he, when he had recovered his breath, "it's all very
well laughing, but you don't catch me crossing in that way again."
And in justice to his veracity I must own that I never did, for he
avoided me and the beast at crossings ever afterwards. Arriving at the
ford at Koung a young Dusun came and assisted Smith over, the water
being very high and rising every minute. He then recrossed and led
over my buffalo, who a few minutes afterwards once more regained her
liberty on the green, while we, as usual, took up our quarters with
"Lapayang" in his bamboo-house. He and his people were surprised
at our having got across the river to-day, and pointed to where it
was rushing and foaming a yard higher than its usual current. Smith
lost his stick and some plants he was carrying for me, and his rifle,
too, would have gone had it not been strapped to his back. No one can
possibly understand the danger of these swollen torrents who has not
had personal experience of them. Once off one's feet in the surging
stream, running seven or eight miles an hour at the least, one's life
would inevitably be dashed away on the boulders and jagged rocks which
occur every few yards. Adventures of this kind look tame when calmly
written down after all danger is past, and when read by a comfortable
fireside, but they are really very real and exciting when one is
undergoing them in person. A little later we were surprised by "Suong"
and my "boy," poor little "Kimjeck," who came in looking as miserable
as drowned rats. They had avoided the dangerous fords by coming along
the hill-path beside the river, but my other fellows refused to come
on, and took shelter from the rain in some Dusun huts midway.
"Lapayang" received us kindly, as usual, and gave us a fowl and some
rice, and lent us some cooking pots. Another villager brought us eggs
and a cluster of fine golden bananas--I never tasted more delicious
ones--so that we dined well after all our mishaps. After dinner our
host brought us in a couple of fine large tarippe fruit, just at a
time when dessert was least expected; we deserved it, however, and
enjoyed it accordingly. I think I never felt so fatigued before in
my life, my feet and legs were sore, and the exertion of the descent
yesterday, and the falls I had, made me ache all over. Added to this,
my skin from head to foot was covered with irritable red eruptions,
caused by a minute red parasite of acaroid nature, which my men told
me came off the buffalo on which I had ridden. As we sat smoking after
dinner we heard the rain falling very heavily, and it lasted most of
the night. The troubles of the day are ended, and we have cause to
be grateful for our preservation from its dangers.
August 20th.--It was at first very wet this morning, but an hour after
sunrise it cleared up and the sun shone beautifully. Our laggards
came in about eight o'clock, just as we finished our breakfast of
fowl and rice. There are plenty of fine cocoanut trees here, and one
can obtain fine fruit. "Kurow" overtook us here this morning, having,
together with his little daughter and another girl, walked from Kiau
since daybreak. They are going on to Kambatuan, he tells me, to trade,
and the girls have baskets of tobacco on their backs. We bought some
cocoanuts and paid our host "Lapayang." He particularly wanted some
powder and caps for his musket, and these we gave him, together with
a handkerchief or two, and looking-glasses for his sisters, two fine
girls, both married to young men of the village.
We started for Kambatuan after all our men had arrived, and "Kurow"
accompanied us. Altogether we had a day's rough work, two of the
crossings being shoulder high and very rapid, so that only I and
the buffalo could cross, and the men and Smith had to follow the
windings of the river a much longer distance over rough ground, for the
most part covered with coarse grasses and jungle. It rained heavily
at intervals, and we did not reach the foot of Kambatuan hill much
before dusk; and after half an hour's climbing up a path like a drain,
sometimes stony, sometimes of slippery yellow clay, we reached the
village in a regular downpour. Nowhere else in Borneo have I seen
such groves of "tarippe" trees as surround this village. When we
last visited "Kina Balu" in December, "langsat" fruit was in season,
and met with at nearly all the Tawaran villages. Now, in August, the
"tarippe," rich and luscious, is most abundant, and now and then a
coarse brown fruit, something like a horse-mango, is obtained, and is
agreeable for a change. The perfume of the ripe "tarippe" fruit was
most cheering to ourselves and our men, and almost as soon as we had
got off our wet garments, and put on dry ones, a dusky maiden appeared
with four large fruit in her plump little arms. She was dressed à la
mode Dusun, and had wire wristlets, and a heavy wire anklet an inch
thick, which must have weighed two or three pounds, around her left
leg. A younger child brought us some fine plump bananas, which we
found to be rich and luscious as new honey, leaving an aroma in the
mouth like that produced by ripe filberts and old dry port.
We had a large concourse of the villagers in to see us this evening
after dinner, including "Beuhan," the headman, who wears a head-cloth
and kriss, and in general build and physiognomy resembles the Sulus
much more than either Dusun or Malays. "Kurow" was the principal
talker, and related all that we had done and how much he had helped us
in ascending the mountain. The young girls crowded to see us, and tried
hard to get speech with us. We had given the girls who brought us fruit
a looking-glass each, and we could quite well understand that all were
eager for a similar gift. They were very, very scantily clad; indeed
the most tolerant of Lord Chamberlains might well wish to add an inch
or two to their tiny petticoat, especially as 'tis the only garment of
which they can boast. It answers somewhat to the American definition
of a dress "which began too late and left off too soon." Here, however,
it is the customary fashion, and as such is honoured. How graceful were
the figures of some of these young girls! Perfect little Amazons, lithe
of limb and having regular features, eyes full of gentle expression,
and a richness of raven hair most European ladies might envy. It is
pleasant to know that these dusky girls, lovely as some of them are,
will never be degraded to anything worse than field labour, which is
a far better lot than that of their Malayan sisters along the coast,
whose personal charms chance to be interesting. We found out later
on in the evening that the pretty damsel who had first brought us
fruit was the headman's daughter, "Sa' Tira" by name. Most of the
evening she knelt by the fire, her dainty little fingers busily
making cigarettes for her papa's guests, many of whom had arrived
from other villages near to look at us. Altogether we spent a very
pleasant evening with these hospitable people, and we have no doubt
but that they will long look back to our visit themselves, seeing
that whole months frequently elapse without their seeing anyone from
the coast even, much less a white man or two from far-off Labuan.
August 21st.--Our buffalo had wandered from her moorings during the
night, and so we lost some time in finding her. She was brought in
at last, however, and we prepared to start on our way. "Beuhan," the
headman here, had been very hospitable to us, first in setting aside
a good clean house for us, and he also gave our men rice and fruit,
as their supplies, like our own, were very small. Indeed, the fellow
seemed so pleased to have us at his village, and behaved so well to
us, that I felt bound to make him a fair repayment. I found out from
"Suong" that "Lapayang" had told him of the musket which Mr. Veitch
and myself had given to him, and that "Beuhan" wanted one too. I was
glad to have the power of thus easily satisfying him. When I handed
the musket to him before all his people and told him always to help
the white men who came to him, he was visibly delighted, and looked
at the glistening barrel and bright brass-work with rapture. I also
gave him a small supply of ammunition. He had heard of my shooting
down cocoanuts from the trees, both at Koung and at Kiau, and he
desired me to do this at his village. Smith handed me his rifle, and
luckily for my reputation, I smashed the particular nut he pointed
out to atoms. Here, at this village I took leave of my old friend
"Kurow," and gave his little daughter a Chinese looking-glass, which
pleased her greatly. Another little girl also from Kiau was with her,
and she looked so sorry that she had not one too, although pleased at
her friend's good fortune, that I could not but hand her one also,
and her dusky face was all sunshine in an instant. These two girls
had walked all the way from Kiau yesterday perfectly barefoot over
rough ground, rocks, streams, and jungle, carrying heavy loads, while
"Kurow" carried only his slender-shafted spear. It is this hard work
at an early age which so soon destroys the lithe figures and tiny
hands and feet these Dusun children so often possess.
"Beuhan" sent two men with us as guides to Sineroup. This was a great
gain to us, as they knew the road well, and conducted us by what I may
call the "overland route," that is, by the hill-paths, and in this way
we avoided three or four of the worst crossings. We found the walking
very rough and fatiguing, especially in the close gullies we had now
and then to cross. About ten o'clock we reached the village of Bundoo
on the opposite hill, and here, while awaiting our men, I sketched the
top crags of the great mountain, of which we obtained an excellent
view, and also made a sketch of some Dusun tombstones on the little
village green. While waiting, a woman brought us two young cocoanuts
and put them down before us, so that we might drink, which we were
glad to do, as it was very hot to-day. We gave her a looking-glass,
which she evidently considered a good price for her fruit. I found
these Tampassuk Dusun far more inclined to be hospitable than their
brethren of the Tawaran.
We passed several tiny hill villages to-day, and some of them had a
neat bamboo-fence and a stile at the entrance with notched sticks for
steps. Some of the houses are surrounded by luxuriant gardens, each
of which contains kaladi, Indian corn, a castor-oil plant (Ricinus)
or two, cotton bushes, and in each there is invariably a clump of
cocoanut trees, and three or four slender-stemmed betel-nut palms,
while here and there old stumps are verdant with the betel pepper,
the leaves of which are chewed along with bits of betel-nut, and a
few condiments, such as lime--made from coral reef or shells--and
gambier. Here and there, too, the red-fruited rose-apple or jambosa
was seen. We reached Sineroup about 3.30, and singularly enough have
not had a drop of rain all day. "Gantang," the Orang Kaya, was glad
to see us, and pointed with pride to the new garments he wore, made
from the cloth he had earned by accompanying us to Kiau.
August 22nd.--We left Sineroup and its hospitable headman this morning,
after having arranged with him for a guide and another buffalo as far
as Ghinambaur. We descended the hill, and after crossing the river two
or three times, which was easily done now, since no rain had fallen
yesterday, we were surprised by meeting a young Labuan man--whom I
had formerly employed. He was a handsome young fellow named "Sallia,"
a relative of poor old Musa, and from him I heard that Mr. Pretyman,
accompanied by Mr. Dobree, a Ceylon coffee planter, were following,
and that their object was to proceed to "Kina Balu" in search of land
suitable for coffee culture. A few minutes later we met them and had
luncheon together on the dry stones of an old river course. In answer
to Mr. Dobree's inquiries I told him what I had seen of the country,
of the large extent either actually under cultivation by the Dusun or
lying fallow as jungle, and that virgin soil in large tracts would
only be obtainable by felling the primæval forests on the enormous
spurs of Kina Balu itself. We parted just as a heavy shower came on,
and pursued our way to Ghinambaur, which place we reached about four
o'clock, drenched to the skin and covered with mud to our waists,
the roads being in a frightful state owing to the rain. We sought our
old quarters, and soon made ourselves comfortable for the night. We
heard that a court-house was being built here by Mr. Pretyman, but
did not see it, and inquiries as to what the "white man" was going
to do were numerous, as indeed they had been all along our route.
After resting, I could not resist making the accompanying sketch
of the great mountain as it loomed up through the cloud strata just
before sunset. We were four days' journey from its base, and yet it
seemed so very nigh to us in the last hours of sunlight as to appear
only a mile or two distant through the sun-lit air of evening.
August 23rd.--We started early this morning from Ghinambaur, having a
walk of fifteen miles before us over wretched roads ere we arrived at
Mr. Pretyman's residence, "Port Alfred," on the Tampassuk. My buffalo
was nearly knocked up, and so I left her in charge of the men, and I
and Smith, trusting to our knowledge of the way, pushed on ahead. We
had a hard day's work a greater part of the way, floundering about
in the mud of buffalo tracks, or crossing streams and creeks up to
our necks, with just such a suspicion of lurking alligators being in
them as made the thing exciting. I stayed at one place to collect
palm-seeds, and the roots of a dwarf zingiberaceous plant, bearing
pretty little white and lilac flowers. Here and there in the jungle we
also saw a large amorphophallus, bearing erect spikes of red berries,
and a pale-leaved variety of banana had its leaves beautifully blotched
with reddish purple. In one place we had to cross a grassy plain,
the mud and water being up to our waist-belts in places, and the tall
coarse grasses arched over our heads so that for a mile or more one has
to flounder up this grassy sewer, the effluvia from the festering mud
and the heat being alike almost unbearable. We at last reached the low
sandstone hills and padi fields near the Badjow village, and were glad
to know that we were within a mile or two of our destination. Then came
another case of floundering through a wet rice field in a drenching
shower, up to the knees in unctuous black mud, remarkably warm, too,
it felt to the legs and feet. After all our struggles, however, we
reached the Residency about four o'clock, dirty, wet, and tired. Here
we found M. Peltzer in charge, although looking very pale and ill. We
found out that he was suffering from low fever and dysentery, although
fortunately not in anything like its worst phases. A bath and clean
dry clothes was the first thing, after which we were glad to sit
and rest ourselves ere dinner time. We discovered that our friend,
M. Peltzer, had formerly studied in the Horto-Agricultural College,
founded by the late M. Van Houtte, at Ghent, and that he had come here
to make experiments in the culture of tapioca, tobacco, and other
kinds of tropical produce. He related to us an account of a journey
made into the interior as far as Sineroup, in the course of which he
had lost three buffaloes in the streams. Altogether we passed a very
pleasant evening, glad to be so near the termination of a long, and
at this time of the year, a very critical journey. The accommodation
here was luxurious to what we had been accustomed to, and in spite
of mosquitoes we slept the sleep of the thoroughly weary.
August 24th.--We arose soon after 5 a.m., and calling our followers,
bade them prepare our boat for the homeward voyage. We ourselves
looked after the welfare of our plants, and packed up our roots and
seeds carefully. A party of men were sent to the sandstone hills to
procure roots of the white gardenia before alluded to. At 7.50 we
obtained a beautiful view of the mountain, the top crags, ridges,
and water-falls being very distinct in the clear morning sunlight. I
could not resist sitting down on the verandah and sketching the
scene. Although my sketch was true as regards outline, nothing but
colour could represent anything of the beauty of this scene--it is a
subject worthy of Walton's skill and labour. The tints of light are
ever changing in the morning's sun, and the cloud strata lie like
downy pillows on the bosom of a giant. No wonder the simple Dusun,
gazing on this mountain in all the radiance of its early morning glory,
has idealised it as the heaven of his race!
A small herd of water-buffaloes have come down to the opposite side
of the river to drink, and I was surprised to see that most of them
had short stumpy tails. On inquiry I am told that the Badjows cut
the tails of their riding buffaloes, otherwise they draggle in the
mud and dirty water so common here, and then besprinkle the clothing
of their masters. The poor beasts must feel their loss sadly in a hot
country where mosquitoes and other blood-sucking flies are abundant,
but as we cut our sheep's tails short without so good a reason,
we must not be the first in this case to throw a stone.
We gave all our men a rest this afternoon, which they sadly needed,
for several of them were nearly exhausted. About four o'clock we
were surprised at the return of Mr. Dobree and Mr. Pretyman, who had
proceeded no further than the hill just above Sineroup. The Chinese
cook of course received orders to augment his food supply, and we
spent a very agreeable evening. Mr. Dobree showed us the skin of a
young rhinoceros which he had shot in the mud pool near the Sagaliad
river, about twenty miles from Sandakan. The lower horn was three
inches in length, the upper one only just growing. Mr. Pretyman had
also a small but very interesting collection of large coleoptera
caught in the immediate neighbourhood.
August 25th.--We finished rigging up our boat this morning, and
stowed all our plants and stores on board before breakfast. Four of
my men, including "Suong," who had been very useful to me, agreed to
stay at this place as policemen under Mr. Pretyman. To oblige him
I allowed them to do this. About 1 p.m. we stalled down the river,
a much easier thing than pulling the other way. We reached the mouth
in about an hour, but could not get over the bar, as there was not
a foot of water on the bar; indeed we saw two native fishermen carry
their little canoes over. We had to wait until 10 o'clock at night,
when we got over and out to sea with a favourable breeze, but we
did not reach Labuan until August 30th, since we had contrary winds,
and altogether a very rough passage.
Thus ended our journey for the second time to "Kina Balu," which
occupied in all thirty-one days from Labuan, of which thirteen were
occupied in the sea voyage from Labuan to the Tampassuk and back;
from Tampassuk to Kiau and back thirteen; and from Kiau to the
mountain and back five days. Our last journey, viz., the Tawaran
from Gaya and Menkabong, occupied in all twenty-three days, but as
we happened to start just at the commencement of the dry season, we
avoided the dangers and difficulties of fording rapid streams. In the
dry season the Tampassuk route could be accomplished in five days,
and the ground is much more level than that along the Tawaran route,
which is both hilly and fatiguing, the track being almost impassable
for buffaloes. The difference in the time occupied by the two routes
is in part accounted for in this way. Thus when I and Mr. Veitch went
by the Tawaran we saved four or five days in going by chartering a
passage for ourselves by a trading steamer which landed us at Gaya
Bay the next morning after leaving Labuan. On our reaching Labuan,
poor Smith, who had been ill in the boat for two or three days, had
to go to the hospital with a very bad attack of fever, doubtless
contracted during our walk from Ghinambaur to the Tampassuk. He
fortunately recovered in a week's time, but evidently had felt the
effects of a difficult mountain journey. All our friends in Labuan were
glad to see us back again, and the mails from home which had arrived
during my absence were of the most cheering kind. Notwithstanding our
rough passage I found my plants and seeds in good condition, and I
am glad to know that the practical results of this journey were more
encouraging than I had expected, and many of the plants and seeds
obtained ultimately reached Chelsea alive. Having at this time been
over a year in Borneo, I had learned a good deal of the language,
and had also found much to admire in the Malays and aboriginals,
so that I felt in a way loath to leave a land which had been fraught
with so many novelties and adventures to me.
CHAPTER XV.
TROPICAL FRUITS.
Tropical fruits: culture of--Natural fruit orchards--The
Durian--A macédoine of fruits--The Mangosteen--"Prada
Prada"--Mango--The Rambutan or "hairy fruit"--Bread
fruit--Jack-fruit, or "Nangka"--"Champada"--Jintawan,
or Manoongan fruits (Willughbeia spp.)--Tampoe fruit--Red
"Bilimbing"--"Mandaroit"--"Rambeneer"--"Mambangan"--"Luing"--
"Langsat" or "Duku"--"Rambi"--"Mangalin"--"Jambosa," or
"Rose-apples"--Melons--Oranges--Pomoloes--Custard
apples--Cocoanut--Wild onion fruit--Banana, or "Pisang" fruit.
The forests and gardens of Borneo are remarkably rich in native
and naturalised kinds of edible fruits, and the forests especially
may be considered as the home of the mangosteen, durian, tarippe or
trap-fruit, langsat, rambutan, and jintawan, all excellent, indeed
unapproachable, in their way, but if one would enjoy them a journey
to the East is unfortunately necessary. They are somewhat like our
own luscious jargonelle pears or green gage plums, and must in a
sense be "eaten off the tree." The mango, one of the finest and
most variable of Eastern fruits, has been successfully cultivated
in the West Indian Islands, St. Michael's, and Madeira, and has
fruited out-of-doors at Lisbon, but those we have named above have
hitherto resisted culture outside their own restricted habitats,
if we except the solitary instance in which the mangosteen fruited
in one of the hothouses at Sion House some years ago, and the trees
introduced to the island of Ceylon, which have succeeded fairly
well. Another extremely useful and variable fruit, the banana, is
quite commonly ripened in our gardens, and with the pine-apple these
may be accounted the only tropical fruits which lend themselves to
anything approaching a regular system of successful culture in our
hothouses at home. Our ordinary cultivated fruits are naturally found
in temperate or inter-tropical countries--Europe or the cooler parts
of Asia principally; and of all those cultivated in the open air of
Southern Europe, such as the vine, fig, and orange, the latter is the
only one which can be induced to prosper in the tropical lowlands of
the far East, where its evergreen character enables it to hold its own
while its deciduous neighbours seem to fail through over-excitement,
the loss of their customary winter's sleep.
On the other hand the pine-apple of South America, the mango of India,
and the delicious little Chinese or mandarin orange, here luxuriate
in the open air, the mango yielding two crops in twelve months,
while fruit of the others may be obtained all the year round. In some
favoured districts in Malaya the forests almost become orchards on a
large scale, so plentifully are they stocked with durian, baloona,
mambangan, varieties of tampoe, luing, and other native fruits, in
addition to those already named; and in many places the pine-apple
is so abundantly naturalised as an escape from cultivation that one
might almost be led to imagine it indigenous did we not know that,
together with the white guava, the papaw, and cashew-nut--a trio
forming the "weeds" among tropical fruits--it is a native of the
western tropics. So abundant are the crops in some seasons that
one cannot help regretting their perishable nature, by reason
of which their shipment to Europe in a fresh state is prevented;
and as to their preservation in the form of candied confections or
"jam" no one seems to have taken up the matter. Fancy a conserve of
snowy mangosteen pulp, preserved mangoes, candied rambutan, or banana
marmalade. The late Dr. Lindley once said, in his usual incisive way,
that "most tropical fruits were edible," but that "very few were worth
eating;" but then the probability is he had never tasted a mango or a
mangosteen, a tarippe fruit, or the deliciously rich apricot-like pulp
which surrounds the seeds of the caoutchouc-yielding willughbeias,
and certainly not a durian.
The mangoes, oranges, bananas, pomoloes, and pine-apples are all
cultivated fruits in the East, just as are our best gooseberries,
strawberries, apples, pears, and grapes at home; but on the other
hand we have no wild fruits which can in any way be compared with the
durian, jintawan, langsat, trap, tampoe, mangosteen, and rambutan,
all of which are more truly wild in the Malay islands than are the
so-called wild cherries, gooseberries, currants, and raspberries
of our woods. It is to the tropics one must go for a drink of fresh
cocoanut milk--a taste of the fascinating durian, for a luscious mango,
or the delicious mangosteen; and while in the matter of flowers our
cultivators at home certainly have the advantage, in the case of
fruits this much can scarcely be said.
The regal durian (Durio zibethinus), like the finest of nectarines
or melting pears, must be eaten fresh and just at one particular
point of ripeness, and then it is, as many think, a fruit fit for a
king. So highly is this vegetable-custard valued that as much as a
dollar each is not unfrequently paid for fine specimens of the first
fruits of the durian crop brought into the Eastern markets. It is a
universal favourite both with Malays and Chinese, but the opinions
of Europeans vary as to the merits of this "delectable epitome of
all that is perfect in fruit food." It is a paradox, "the best of
fruits with the worst of characters," and, as the Malays say, you may
enjoy the durian, but you should never speak of it outside your own
dwelling. Its odour--one scarcely feels justified in using the word
"perfume"--is so potent, so vague, but withal so insinuating, that
it can scarcely be tolerated inside the house. Indeed Nature here
seems to have gone a little aside to disgust us with a fruit which is
perhaps of all others the most fascinating to the palate, when once
one has "broken the ice," as represented by the foul odour at first
presented to that most critical of all organs of sense, the nose. As
a matter of course, it is never brought to table in the usual way,
and yet the chances are that whoever is lucky enough to taste a good
fruit of it to begin with, soon develops into a surreptitious durian
eater; just as a jungle tiger becomes a "man-eater" after its first
taste of human blood.
There is scarcely any limit to durian eating if you once begin it;
it grows on one like opium smoking, or other acquired tastes; but on
the other hand, the very suggestion of eating such an "unchaste fruit"
is to many as intolerable as the thoughts alone of supping off cheese
and spring onions, washed down with "stout and mild," followed by a
whiff from a short "dudeen" by way of dessert, and yet, while these
incongruities are consumed at home with enjoyment, one must not be
too hard on those abroad who relish the fragrant durian. About the
middle or end of July durian fruit are very common in Singapore, and
their spiny skins lie about the streets in all directions. As you
pass along you become aware of a peculiar odour all around you--an
odour like that of a putrid sewer when half suppressed by holding a
perfumed handkerchief to the nose--a blending of a good deal that is
nasty with a soupçon of something rather sweet and nice. On opening a
fruit for yourself, however, you find that the perfume, like that of
the musk plant, ceases to be evident after you have once had a fair
whiff at it at close quarters. The flavour of the straw-coloured,
custard-like pulp which surrounds the four or five rows of large
chestnut-like seeds is perfectly unique: to taste it, as Wallace tells
us, is "a new sensation, worth a journey to the East to experience;"
but much depends on a good fruit being obtained when perfectly,
not over ripe. You then find the pulp sweet, rich, and satisfying;
it is indeed a new sensation, but no two persons can agree as to the
flavour--no two descriptions of it are alike. Its subtle action upon
the palate--and perhaps this best explains the unceasing popularity
it enjoys--is like the music of a well-played violin on the ear,
rich, soothing, sweet, piquant. The flavour of durian is satisfying,
but it never cloys; the richness seems counteracted by a delicate
acidity, the want of grape-like juiciness is supplied by the moist
creamy softness of the pulp as it melts away ice-like on your tongue.
It is said that the best of whisky is that made by blending several
good kinds together, and Nature seems to have blended four or five good
flavours together when she made the durian. "A macédoine of fruits,"
says a modern author, "when well made and judiciously flavoured,
is a delicious sweetmeat. The grape, the peach, the apricot, and the
pine, meet in welcome harmony; the pear, the apple, and the cherry,
and their friendly companionship, and all these opposing elements of
flavour are blended with a soft and soothing syrup." In a word, the
durian is a natural macédoine--one of Dame Nature's "made dishes"--and
if it be possible for you to imagine the flavour of a combination
of corn flour and rotten cheese, nectarines, crushed filberts,
a dash of pine-apple, a spoonful of old dry sherry, thick cream,
apricot-pulp, and a soupçon of garlic, all reduced to the consistency
of a rich custard, you have a glimmering idea of the durian, but,
as before pointed out, the odour is almost unmentionable--perfectly
indescribable, except it be as "the fruit with the fragrant stink!"
The fruit itself is in size as large as a Cadiz melon, and the
leathery skin is protected by sharp broad-based spines very similar
to those of a horse chestnut. The name durian, in fact, is derived
from these--the word duri in Malay meaning a spine or thorn. There
are many varieties in the Bornean woods, some but little larger than
horse chestnut fruits, and having only two seeds; others larger, but
with stiff orange-red pulp, not at all nice to eat, however hungry you
may be; and even the large kinds, with creamy pulp and many seeds,
vary very much in flavour. The trees are monarchs of the forest,
as a rule varying from seventy to one hundred and fifty feet, or
even more, in height, with tall straight boles and spreading tops,
and the foliage is oblong acuminate, dark green above, paler and
covered with rufous stellate hairs or scales below. The fruits of
the finer varieties fall when ripe, and accidents sometimes happen.
I saw a native who had the flesh torn from his shoulder by a blow
from one of these armed fruits, and saw several narrow escapes,
but personally I gave the trees a wide berth at fruiting time. Some
varieties, especially the "durianburong," or wild-bird durians, do not
shed the fruits, which hang on the branches until the valves open,
when the seeds fall to the ground, or are eaten by hornbills and
other large fruit-eating birds and monkeys. I saw some magnificent
specimens of durian trees in the Bornean forests north of the
capital, and also in other Malayan islands, where the forests had
been cleared for cultivation, and these trees left standing for the
sake of their produce. Their clusters of large white flowers are
produced about April, and form a great attraction to an enormous
species of semi-diurnal bat, a kind which is said to be one of the
greatest pests of Eastern fruit-groves. It is from cultivated trees
that the finest of fruits are obtained; and, without exception, the
best fruits I ever saw or tasted were from a tree in the grounds of
Government House, Labuan. It does well in Sumatra, Java, Celebes,
and the Spice Islands, and even as far north as Mindanao. Forests of
it exist on the Malay peninsula, and very fine fruit is brought to
Singapore from Siam about July or August. On the coast of the Bay
of Bengal it grows as far north as Tenasserim, in lat. 14° N., but
it does not succeed well in India, and cannot be grown in the West
Indies. In Sumatra groves of this tree exist near the Palembang River,
and in the primæval forests there are specimens fully 150 feet in
height, the fruits being in perfection about September and October;
but two crops are produced each year, and throughout the Archipelago
one finds its seasons of ripening to be very various.
There are many different varieties, doubtless the result of promiscuous
seeding, or, perchance, cross-fertilisation, and one variety actually
produces flowers and fruit on its exposed roots.
Of all Eastern fruits the mangosteen is perhaps the general favourite
with Europeans, and of all fruits it is one of the most delicious
and refreshing. It flourishes in nearly all the islands from the
south coast of Java to Mindanao, the most southern of the Philippine
group, and on the mainland it flourishes as far as Bangkok, and in
the interior to 16° N., but on the coast of the Bay of Bengal only to
14° N. Attempts to cultivate it in India have failed, and in Ceylon
success is only partial. In the West Indies all attempts to grow it
have proved abortive. In Borneo trees are not uncommon in the forests,
but the fruits generally are below the average size, the divisions
within are fewer--rarely more than four--and each segment of pulp
contains a fully developed seed. When cultivated in richly-manured
gardens or orchards, however, as in Penang or Singapore, not only
are the fruits larger and the carpellary divisions more numerous,
but rarely more than one perfect seed is found in each fruit, the
remaining segments consisting of edible pulp only. Similar effects
may be observed in the case of the rambi and duku, or langsat fruits,
and the best of cultivated mangoes are remarkable for their thin
and comparatively small stones, while the edible part on the other
hand is much augmented. Under cultivation the mangosteen forms
a low round or conical-headed tree, its dark leathery evergreen
foliage reminding one of that of the Portugal laurel, only that it
is of a bolder character. The waxy-petaled flowers are borne near
the extremities of the branches, and are succeeded by round fruits,
which, when fully ripe are as large as a medium-sized orange. On
cutting the leathery dark purple rind transversely about the middle
of the fruit, it is found to be of a port-wine colour in section,
and encloses from three to six segments of snow-white pulp, cool
and refreshing to the taste, and with a flavour which is something
like that of the finest nectarine, but with a dash of strawberry and
pine-apple added. It is one of the very few tropical fruits of which
even delicate invalids may eat with advantage; and the dried rind, when
infused in boiling-water and drank as tea, forms an astringent which
has been proved serviceable in dysentery after all other medicines had
failed. It is the general native remedy for this disease throughout
the Malay Islands, and the dried skins strung on strips of rattan
are commonly met with in the bazaars.
When exploring near the capital city of Brunei in North West Borneo
I frequently came across a species of garcinia--sometimes in flower,
sometimes in fruit--which my native followers called "Prada Prada,"
the duplication of particular names being usual in Borneo, for
the sake of emphasis, as also among various native tribes in South
America and elsewhere. The foliage and flowers are somewhat like
those of the mangosteen proper, the fruit, however, is curiously
shaped like a boy's "top," and of a bright red colour, changing to
purplish black when fully ripe. The segments of edible white pulp
are usually eight in number--four containing fully developed seeds,
and four are abortive or seedless--the flavour being similar to that
of the mangosteen proper, but more acidulous.
Of the luscious mango, Rumphius tells us that it was introduced by
the Dutch from the Moluccas to Java in 1655, but it grows in India,
and as the Malay name and that of the Javanese as applied to this fruit
are evident corruptions of that in the Sanskrit tongue, Mr. Crawfurd
thinks that it was brought to the Archipelago from the Continent,
and that it should not be considered as indigenous. Be this as it
may there is no doubt that the mango has long been introduced to the
Malay Islands, in many of which it is now perfectly naturalised,
and a fruit exactly like the mango in structure is often found
in the Bornean woods. It has the mango flavour of the most ultra
tow and turpentine type, but its juice is very grateful during hot
weather, as I can testify by experience. The cultivated mango forms
a round-headed evergreen tree, rarely over fifty feet in height, and
generally not much more than half that size. The old leaves are of a
deep green colour, but the young growth is often of a bright red or
crimson tint. The dense clusters of pea-green flowers are followed
by lax-drooping clusters of kidney-shaped fruits which, when fully
developed, vary from two or three to as much as six inches in length,
and nearly half that in diameter in the broadest part. These fruits
consist of a tough green skin and a coat of yellow pulp surrounding
an oblong fibre-coated stone, to which the flesh adheres. In the Sulu
isles the mango is abundantly naturalised, some of the trees being
of large size. In Indian gardens the best kinds are perpetuated
and increased by grafting, and this is also the case in Manilla,
where the best varieties are equal, if not superior, to those of
Bombay, the excellence of which is well nigh proverbial throughout
the East. This tree is of robust constitution and regularly produces
two crops every year, although at times the crops are very scanty,
owing to heavy rains during the flowering season.
It is one of the Eastern fruits the culture of which is moderately
successful in the gardens of the West--notably in Jamaica, and very
fair samples of this fruit from the West Indies now and then make
their appearance in Covent Garden from the Azores. The mango, like its
more fastidious neighbour the durian, is one of Nature's voluptuous
productions, of which we have no representative in our gardens,
although, so far us the mango is concerned, it might be cultivated
successfully in our hothouses with but little more trouble and expense
than that which attends the culture of pine-apples or bananas. There
are varieties which fruit freely when only five or six feet high,
and when only three or four years old; the greatest difficulty in the
matter would be to secure the right sorts, which possibly might be had
from Madeira, or even St. Michael's, where fair crops are obtained
when the seasons are propitious, and even in Europe proper fruits
have been produced in the open air. This was in 1874 at Necessidades,
near Lisbon, the residence of the King of Portugal, the tree--a dwarf
one--bearing nine fruits about the size of ducks' eggs.
Of varieties there is literally no end, a result doubtless brought
about by indiscriminate propagation from seed. Some are small
with tough skins, large stones, and fibrous pulp, with a strong
turpentine-like flavour. Others are large, with thin stones, the
skin being tender and the thick pulp quite soft, like that of a real
Beurré pear, the flavour being most luscious and delicate, without
a trace of the turpentine-and-tow-like combination so marked in the
case of inferior kinds. The flavours of the different fine varieties
are most varied, much more so than in the case of our best pears,
and two or three good mangoes before breakfast form a treat sure to
be appreciated by a lover of good fruit, and much as I appreciate a
good durian, the mango seems to me a far more delicious and refreshing
fruit for general consumption under a hot sun.
The rambutan is a common fruit in Singapore, and is the produce of a
pinnate-leaved tree, thirty to fifty feet in height, the hairy fruits
being borne in clusters near the extremities of the branches. On the
husk being removed the edible pulp is seen surrounding the solitary
seed, and is of a white jelly-like consistency, with a brisk and
refreshing sub-acid flavour. There are several varieties. The common
one has a red outer husk, but there are yellow and purple skinned
varieties of excellent flavour. The Malay name, "boi rambutan," or
hairy fruit, refers to the soft, thick hairs on the outer husk. Two
other species grown in China afford fruits of a similar character,
which, dried, are sometimes met with in this country under the name of
"litchis." The fruit is common in gardens or orchards throughout the
Malay islands, and is quite wild in Borneo.
In Batavia it ripens in February and March, and is common in the
streets of Singapore during July and August. In the forests of
North-West Borneo it ripens in September, large basketsful of it being
collected by the natives and brought in along with tampoe fruit, and
occasionally mangosteen and fine durian. A basketful of this fruit
at first sight reminds one of strawberries, it being singularly like
them in size and colour.
The bread-fruit tree is frequently met with, but the fruit is not
so much used by the Malays as it is by the natives of the South Sea
Islands. Another member of the same group, the "nangka," or Jack-fruit,
is much more generally grown, and produces immense fruits, varying
from ten to seventy-five pounds weight. Like the bread-fruit, it
has a rough netted coating, the portion eaten being the golden pulp
which surrounds the seeds. A smaller fruited, and altogether more
delicate flavoured species, affords the "champada," and the habit
of the tree is much like the Jack-fruit, but the "champada" may be
recognised by its leaves being hairy below, those of the Jack-fruits
being smooth and glossy on both surfaces. This kind is liked both by
Malays and Europeans.
The "tarippe," or "trap," is another allied fruit borne by a
round-headed tree, having entire leaves much larger than the last,
and hispid on both surfaces. They are also of a pale, rusty-green
tint, and the fruits are borne near the extremities of the spreading
branches, as in the bread-fruit, and not produced from the main
branches or the bole of the tree, as in the case of the Jack-fruits
and "champada." This is the most palatable of all the bread-fruits,
so far as my own experience goes, the pulp which surrounds the seeds
being of a milk-white colour, and very soft and juicy. The husk
consists of closely packed hispid spikes, pressed closely together,
and amalgamated at the base around the pulp-coated seeds. In North-West
Borneo this fruit is in perfection during August and September, and
it is particularly abundant around the Dusun villages near Kina Balu.
The leathery coated seeds of all these species of bread-fruits are
roasted and eaten by the natives in much the same way as are chestnuts
here at home. All the species have india-rubber yielding tendencies,
and their inner bark is tough and useful for various purposes.
The "jintawan," or "manoongan" fruit, of which there are three kinds,
is about the size of an orange, and very similar in colour, each
containing from eight to twelve pulp-covered seeds.
The "tampoe," or "tampui," is another very common jungle
fruit, of which but little appears to be known. There are three
varieties--"tampoe shelou," "tampoe putih," and "tampoe baraja." The
two first named differ in the one having yellow pulp and the other
white. The last is a smaller fruit, having four internal divisions
instead of six, and the pulp is of a bright chestnut colour. The part
eaten is the pulp surrounding the seeds, which is agreeably sub-acid
and very refreshing, the pavia-like husks, and the seed themselves,
being discarded. The tree is fifty or sixty feet in height, with
dark green poplar-like leaves, and the fruits hang two or three
together in lax clusters, the stalks being produced from the older
branches. This fruit is eaten in large quantities by the natives;
and the pulp mixed with rice and water, and afterwards fermented,
affords them an intoxicating drink but little inferior to the "toddy"
prepared from the cocoanut palm.
A fruit closely resembling the common "bilimbing" is found in the
Lawas district, and is called "tampui bilimbing" by the natives. It
is of a bright scarlet colour; and according to the native account it
has large entire leaves, the fruits being borne on short few-flowered
peduncles, which proceed from the main branches of the tree. The
white pulp which surrounds the solitary seed is acidulous and pleasant.
Another jungle fruit, called "mandaroit" by the Kadyans, resembles
a small "rambutan," but the leathery husk is quite smooth. It may
possibly be produced by a species of niphelium, and is very sweet
and agreeable when perfectly ripe, the fruits being kidney-shaped,
and but little larger than a blackbird's egg.
"Rambeneer," a still smaller, pale yellowish-green fruit, also has
sweet flesh around a stone; but in this case the husk is mango-like,
having a thin and tender skin, which may be eaten with the pulp.
The fruit known to the natives as "mamhangan" is as large as an
ostrich's egg, having a rough, brown skin, and when ripe the yellow
flesh which surrounds a mango-like stone is rather agreeable as a
juicy sub-acid accompaniment to a dish of plain boiled rice.
The "luing" is another edible fruit, but rarely seen even in its
native woods. It is yellow, with brown markings, and rarely exceeds a
pigeon's egg in size. After the thick, leathery husk is removed, one
finds a delicate white sub-acid pulp surrounding a small stone. It
is rather viscid, with a slight flavour of turpentine. The albumen
of the seed is similar to that of a nutmeg.
After the durian, one of the most esteemed of native fruits is,
undoubtedly, the "langsat," which is of a pale yellow or straw-colour,
borne in short clusters of four or five together, on a somewhat
fastigiate pinnate-leaved tree. The individual fruits are as large
as pigeon's eggs, the part eaten being the four or five segments of
white gelatinous pulp within a tough, leathery husk. Of these rarely
more than one contains a solitary seed, which, if tasted by accident,
is found to be remarkably bitter. The seedless segments are always
sweeter and more palatable than the others--indeed, this is the case
generally, as exemplified in the mangosteen and rambi. In Singapore
this fruit is known under the name of "duku."
The "rambi," when plucked from the stalk, is singularly like the
langsat in shape, colour, and flavour. The tree, however, is more
dwarf, having large entire leaves, and the fruits are borne in ropes
of ten or fifteen together, on long drooping stalks. The covering
of the fruit is straw-coloured, and tough like that of the langsat,
but there are only three segments of pulp in each. The best I ever
tasted came from the garden of the British Consulate at Brunei, but I
think the "langsat" is preferable in point of flavour. The latter is
very commonly seen in groves near the villages of the inland tribes;
the "rambi," on the other hand, is much less abundant, and I never
met with it except in European gardens.
The "mangalin" of the Kadyans is a fruit very similar in general
structure to the "jintawan," and consists of ten or twelve pulp-covered
seeds enclosed in an orange-like fleshy covering. The flavour is sweet,
with a sub-acid after-taste.
The fruits of two kinds of jambosa, or rose-apples, are met with,
but like the papaw, cashew-nut, and the apple-fruited guava, they
are not esteemed of much account in a country so rich in really
delicious kinds.
The sweet melons grown in Borneo are very poor indeed, but good
water-melons may now and then be obtained, and are cool and refreshing
in such a hot climate. All the members of the orange family do well,
especially the delicious little lime, which is perfectly naturalised
in many places, being with the dwarf bamboo one of the plants most
commonly used for hedges. No cooling drink can possibly surpass that
formed by mixing the juice of one of these deliciously perfumed limes
in a tumbler of water with a little sugar, and as they keep well they
are most valuable to the traveller in hot countries. Common oranges
may be procured all the year round from gardens, as also may the
small fruited "mandarin" variety, which is a near approach to the
tangierine orange, now and then to be had in Covent Garden. It is
rather a surprise to find that the oranges cultivated in the tropics
have grass-green skins when perfectly ripe, the vivid "orange"
fruit so familiar at home being there almost as great a rarity as a
grass-green specimen to us in England.
Of all the orange tribe in the East, however, none can compare with the
great-fruited pomolo, which under careful cultivation here attains to
a state of perfection elsewhere unknown. The pomoloes, or shaddocks,
brought to Covent Garden from the West Indian Islands and the Azores,
are flavourless as a turnip when compared with the pomoloes of Bangkok
or Labuan, or even with those of Northern China or Singapore. There
are many varieties, differing much in aroma and flavour, but all
are referable to the lemon-fleshed or pink-fleshed types; it is
extremely difficult, however, to say which type affords the best
variety. A well-grown pomolo is nearly as large as a child's head,
and unless its segments be very carefully divided when serving, the
copious grape-like juice which escapes will almost swamp any ordinary
dessert-dish, and the best sorts have quite a muscatelle-like flavour;
and in addition to its other good qualities it may, like the orange,
be kept for a considerable time without injury--so long, indeed, that
pomoloes are frequently brought home to England from the Chinese ports
in excellent condition. Two sorts of custard apples are commonly met
with in Eastern gardens, but neither these nor the apricot-like pulp
of the ubiquitous papaw are much esteemed where far better fruits
are plentiful. The same remark applies to the "santoel" fruit, which
externally resembles a wizened yellow-fleshed American peach, but
it contains four stones surrounded by white sub-acid granular pulp,
which clings to the stone as in mangosteen or rambutan. The tamarind is
naturalised near villages and houses in many of the Eastern islands,
its acid pulp being used in cookery, and by pouring boiling water
over the pulp, and adding a squeeze of lime juice and a little sugar,
a most refreshing fever-drink may be made.
Of palms the cocoanut is most plentiful, and of course the most
generally useful. Its top, or heart, may be used as a delicious
vegetable equal to asparagus, and the scraped albumen yields the milk
so essential to blend or soften a well-made curry. The colourless
water in the fresh young nuts is peculiarly valuable and grateful as a
beverage, preferable where drinking water is in any way questionable;
cocoa-nut oil being, moreover, one of the most valuable of Eastern
palm products. The fruit of the "pinang," or betel-nut palm is as
essential to the Malay races as tobacco to our own, and even the
fruit of the nipa, or "thatch" palm may be eaten. The astringent pulp
which surrounds the seeds of several species of "rattan" palms is
occasionally eaten for medicinal purposes. Perhaps one of the most
singular of all wild fruits, however, is the "Bawang utan," or wild
onion fruit, which is not unlike a walnut in general appearance, but
which is impregnated with such a decided alliaceous principle that
a small portion of it grated forms an excellent substitute for the
real esculent itself. Scientifically it is known as Scorodoprasum
borneense. The foliage and branches of this tree when broken or
bruised give off a strong alliaceous odour.
Last on my list, but by no means least amongst the tropical fruits
of Eastern gardens comes the "pisang," or banana, which here, as
elsewhere wherever it is cultivated, is represented by many varieties,
which differ in size of fruit, flavour, and other particulars. One of
the most common varieties met with in the bazaars is "pisang amas,"
or golden banana, the individual fruits of which are small, but of a
bright golden colour and of excellent flavour. One of the most esteemed
of all is "pisang rajah," or king of bananas, a larger fruit, also of a
deep golden colour, the flavour being very luscious. "Pisang hijau,"
the green banana, is slender and angular, but the straw-coloured
pulp is of a most exquisite flavour, and it is quite a favourite in
Singapore, where the "rajah" variety is comparatively scarce. "Pisang
kling" is a pale yellow kind, bearing large smooth fruits, and for
eating with cheese this is one of the best, being less sweet than those
just named. A large horned variety of banana is common in Borneo,
called of the natives "pisang tandock," the individual fruits being
a foot long and two inches in diameter. The outer skin is green,
changing to yellow when fully ripe, and this fruit is liked by those
who do not relish the sweeter kinds.
These fruits are largely eaten by natives, and they may be cooked in a
variety of ways. Banana fritters is a common Eastern dish, and stewed
bananas in syrup are accounted delicious by lovers of sweet things,
and pisang kling is really a nice substitute for bread when eaten
with cheese.
CHAPTER XVI.
NOTES ON TROPICAL TRAVEL.
Hints on travel--Food supplies--Bathing--Medicines--Modes
of travelling--Shelter--Resting-places--Barter--Articles for
exchange--Arms in a wild land--Products of the island--Prospects
of Borneo.
The traveller who finds himself for the first time in a wild tropical
country devoid of roads, railways, horses, bridges, hotels, and
Europeans, may be excused if he feels a little anxious when called upon
to make an expedition which will require several weeks to accomplish
on foot, and during which time nearly all necessaries must be carried
by the party en route. A party of say twenty natives will require
a clear head to manage it rightly, and it is only by maintaining a
system that the thing can be conveniently done. The main points to
be considered may be tabulated thus:--
Health. Bathing. Boating.
Food. Packing. Barter.
Clothing. Foraging. Shelter.
Cooking. Walking. Fire-lighting.
Medicines. Riding. Arms.
Health is best preserved by regular habits, taking care to avoid
chills by wearing flannel next to the skin, and great care should
be taken to put on dry clothes the first thing after a halt is
made for the night. One may be drenched to the skin in the tropics
without any harm ensuing if this precaution is taken. Belts of soft
flannel worn around the stomach are very comfortable, and are highly
recommended by many medical men. All your clothing should be light,
and if of flannel so much the better. A flannel shirt and tweed
trowsers secured by a belt and a light pith helmet, woollen socks,
and a light pair of English walking boots cannot be improved upon
as a travelling costume. A small knapsack or bag should be carried
containing a clean dry jersey, shirts, socks, sarong, and light shoes;
you are then independent of your baggage-bearers, who will often linger
miles behind yourself and guides. When a fire is made at night, have
all your clothes dried so as to be ready for the following evening. To
preserve them from wet in crossing rivers, etc., fold them into as
small a compass as possible, and envelope them tightly in waterproof
cloth. The old coverings as removed from bales of Manchester goods are
very useful for this purpose. A couple of pairs of flannel pajamas may
be taken for sleeping in. Three changes of travelling clothes will be
sufficient, this gives one suit on, one being washed, and one suit dry
and clean. For bedding take a waterproof sheet, a drab rug, and a red
blanket. Light brushwood or palm leaves will make a good substitute
for a mattress. If shelter is not obtainable and the ground is wet,
a light net-hammock becomes useful, a roof to it being readily made
with the waterproof sheet. Take soap and a comb.
Food is of the utmost importance. Rice, biscuits, and oatmeal
may form the staple, and tinned soups, Liebig's extract of meat,
and dried fish may be added. Chocolate and milk in sealed tins is
convenient and refreshing. Tea, coffee, sugar, and salt must be
packed in well-corked bottles to keep them dry and free from ants,
etc. A bottle of Yorkshire relish or Worcester sauce, and a tin or
two of bloater paste are nice relishes for soups. Fowls, eggs, fruit,
and sometimes freshly-caught fish may often be purchased en route. A
supply of fresh limes is easily carried, and no better cooling
and refreshing drink can be made than that formed by squeezing a
lime in a glass and adding water and sugar. Be very careful of the
water drunk in travelling, and use a pocket-filter whenever it is
in anyway doubtful. I always drank cocoanut water when procurable,
as being pure and harmless, and with a dash of brandy it is extremely
refreshing. As to the quantity of food required, two pounds of rice
is ample for a man's daily supply, and less will suffice at times, as
natives are generally good foragers. It is generally best, however,
to pay less wages, and agree to find the men rice, otherwise they
will take only a small quantity, and when that is gone much time
will be lost, as they have an excuse for foraging. A few pounds
of that universal vegetable, the onion or garlic, should be taken
for soup. Jam in tins is also very handy, and a treat to eat with
rice for a change. Each man of the party should receive his daily
supply of rice every morning, and in order to facilitate progress,
all cooking for the first morning's meal may be done overnight.
Cooking should be well understood by all who propose to "rough it"
in a wild land, and it may be defined as the art of preparing food
so that it is--1, nutritious; 2, tasty; 3, nice to the eye. Two
cook-pots are necessary--one large enough to boil a fowl when cut
up, and the other for rice. A frying-pan and a few pounds of flour
render you independent of the baker, and with oatmeal oat-cakes may be
indulged in. Put a few currants in your boiled rice now and then for a
change. Most Madras, and some Chinese "boys" are good hands at a curry,
and if you give them a share of it when made they are encouraged to
excel. A favourite jungle-dish of my own was a fowl cut up and boiled
with two onions, a handful of rice, salt and pepper, and thin slices
of gourds, sweet potatoes or other vegetables, and three or four small
chilies; when it was nearly done, a small tin of soup--julienne or
ox-tail--was added. Oatmeal forms a nice change from boiled rice,
and biscuits are a treat, as also are sweet potatoes nicely boiled,
or corn cobs, yams, or kaladi roasted in the embers. Tinned soups are
much improved by having fresh vegetables boiled in them, such as palm
cabbages, sweet potatoes, or cucumbers. Eggs may be eaten boiled,
poached, or beaten up in a cup of tea or coffee, in which case the
yelk only should be used. A nutritious drink is made by beating
up the yelk of a fresh egg with a squeeze of lime, a little sugar,
whisky, or gin and water. If a dash of Angostura bitters be added,
so much the better. Native cook-pots may always be borrowed, or on
occasion biscuit or soup-tins form good substitutes. If pressed for
supplies, corn cobs or "mealies" form a good substitute for bread,
and may be varied now and then with bananas or sweet potatoes. Bananas
may be eaten with cheese. The nebong (Oncosperma) palm, generally
common beside the Malay rivers, affords a tender "cabbage," with a
delicate asparagus-like flavour. Pigeons are generally plentiful, and
in extreme cases even monkeys may be "potted." On boating expeditions
a baited hook should always be towed astern. Most natives understand
the style of fishing, and best bait to use.
Packing is important. Rice should be made up into small parcels of
10 lb. each, and wrapped in waterproof sheeting, as if it gets wet
it soon turns sour, unless spread out in the sun to dry. Oatmeal
should be baked in an oven, and then packed in dry bottles or
tins. Biscuits should be bought in 2 lb. tins. All clothes, books,
and other damageable articles should be enveloped in waterproof
sheeting. In giving the stores to the carriers, put down the man's
name and the stores he carries in a book, so that they may be readily
found when wanted. Aneroids, thermometers, &c., should be fitted into
japanned tin cases, which may be covered with leather. If tightly
fitted into leather cases, they are liable to become damaged, as the
leather contracts on becoming wet.
Bathing.--Always bathe in the morning. Care must be taken not to
frequent alligator-infested streams. Whenever there is any doubt,
never enter a stream, but bale up the water and pour it over the
body. Nearly all Eastern people bath in this way, and one is not so
liable to become inordinately chilled as by plunging into a large body
of cold water. Never bathe at night when tired or feverish. At such
times a towel-bath is sufficient if the thing is really needful. Dip
a towel in water, and wring it partly dry, and then rub the body
briskly and quickly all over. The dipping and wringing process may
be repeated as desired, then finish with a clean dry towel. A good
way of securing a refreshing bath where water is a long way off, or
limited in quantity, is to send for some in a common wine or spirit
bottle, in which it is handy for pouring over one's head and body,
and a dry towel completes the work. When in vigorous health, a good
douche-bath in a cool hill or mountain stream is a great treat in a
hot land, but it must be remembered that to bathe in this way when
exhausted or feverish is in the highest degree suicidal.
Medicines.--In nearly all towns and colonies good medical advice is
obtainable, and, as a rule, preferable to self-help. On long inland
journeys, however, one must frequently trust to one's own resources,
and to secure a supply of medicines must be one of the traveller's
first cares. The three most useful of all medicines for travellers,
prospectors, hunters, or emigrants, are Cockle's pills, Collis Brown's
chlorodyne, and Howard's sulphate of quinine. These and a bottle of
brandy must always be taken, together with a roll of sticking-plaster,
needles, silk thread, and a few long bandages. Cold compresses are
easily made of towels, and a bottle of mustard may be useful for
poultices on occasion. A small bottle of carbolic acid is useful for
mixing with oil as a dressing for mosquito bites, scratches, or other
flesh-wounds. One part of acid to fifteen or twenty parts of oil is
a good proportion for ordinary use. All travellers, before leaving
the beaten track of civilisation, should acquire some knowledge of
bone-setting. The whole thing is easy, but nothing short of actual
demonstrations can teach the elements of the art. A broken limb in the
forest a month's journey from professional aid is a serious thing,
and must always be regarded as a possibility. The only thing to be
done is to reach some shelter where a stay can be made, and then to get
the limb into position as near as possible like its uninjured fellow,
and of the same length. This question of length is most important--in
the leg especially--or a limping gait is sure to follow after the bones
have united. Once in the right position, the thing is to secure it with
a splint and bandages. A heap of sand makes a capital cushion for the
limb, and also helps to hold it in position. Of course professional aid
must be had if possible, and all whose business calls them far from
it should be wise enough to gain the knowledge requisite to preserve
life and limb as far as is possible without professional skill.
Modes of Travelling.--The only sure method of progression in a wild
land is on foot; now and then ponies or buffaloes are obtainable,
and along the coast, or where there are rivers, journeys may be
wholly or partially made in native boats. In walking journeys, the
first care is boots. These, for hot climates, should be strong, and of
English make, but light. Woollen socks are softer and better suited to
tender feet than cotton ones. Native guides should be obtained from
some one in authority, and passports are desirable, if not actually
essential. Buffaloes are often useful for riding, carrying heavy
baggage and rice, and for crossing rivers. For the latter service
two or three good water-buffaloes, accustomed as they are to the
country and fords, are invaluable. Get a good buffalo-driver. In
crossing rapid fords, keep the buffalo's head to the current, and
take him well up stream, so as to allow for the force of the current,
or you will find yourself below the ford, and perhaps in deep water,
ere the opposite bank is reached. Ponies are best for riding (a saddle
should be taken out from Europe), but are not as a rule so useful for
river crossing as water-buffaloes. Nearly all coast natives are good
sailors, and accustomed to make long boat journeys. Every traveller,
however, should understand how to sail a boat for himself. A compass
is useful for bearings either in boats or for forest travel, where
it is often difficult to see the sun.
Shelter.--A light tent of oiled calico is often useful, as timbers
for it can be cut almost anywhere en route. A waterproof sheet will
protect you from ground-damp if spread on brush-fern or palm-leaves. In
the Malay islands the natives are very clever at constructing huts
or tabernacles of palm-leaves, &c., but wherever there are native
houses one is always welcome to the large public room, firewood, and
water. Field-huts, overhanging rocks, and caves, have sometimes to
be taken advantage of. I have slept very comfortably many nights in
the open forest in a light net hammock swung between two trees, with
a waterproof sheet put roof-fashion as a protection from the rain. It
is often difficult to light a fire. I used to carry a few dry sticks,
and when a fire had to be lighted, I whittled these into shavings with
my knife. These light readily as a rule. A small bottle of spirits
of wine may be carried, as paper soaked in it will set fire to almost
anything. I have seen the Borneans wet paper with cocoanut-oil, or mix
whittled shavings with melted beeswax in order to get a fire. If the
matches are damp, tinder may be made by blowing a piece of rag or
paper out of a gun. A small spirit-lamp cooking apparatus, if well
and strongly made, is a great convenience to a traveller, enabling
him to get his coffee, chocolate, or a refreshing cup of tea while
the men are rigging up shelter, or lighting a camp-fire.
Barter.--There are not many countries wherein it is now necessary to
carry goods for barter. In the interior of the Malay islands, and in
the far interior or mountainous districts of other countries, however,
it still happens that money is useless. White or grey shirting and
chopper blades are generally acceptable throughout the interior of
Borneo and the Sulu islands. Black and red cloth, looking-glasses and
knives, are also valued; needles and thread are currency for small
trifles inland in nearly all wild lands. Muskets and ammunition are
also often highly prized. The best goods for barter with natives,
and all information, may generally be obtained from the bazaars
in the coast towns. Whatever you take let it be good of its kind,
and always remember that necessaries are more valued than beads and
other ornaments. Tobacco is often highly valued, even by people who
cultivate their own, as in Sulu.
The following list of articles would be useful in Borneo or Sulu
Archipelago:--
40 large pocket knives.
50 packets large sewing needles.
100 reels cotton for same.
72 common Chinese-box looking-glasses.
10 pieces grey shirting.
2 ,, Turkey red cloth.
10 ,, black cloth.
10 cattys thick brass wire, one-eighth inch.
24 fancy battack head-cloths.
20 tins gunpowder.
10 boxes caps for Tower muskets.
12 chopper blades.
All goods for barter should be so packed that any article may be
brought out for examination without exposing the remainder. The more
goods the natives perceive you to have the higher will they value
their own edibles or services. Beads, Birmingham jewellery, &c.,
may be taken for presents or for small payments.
Arms.--The strength of right and gentleness is the best of all
protections for the traveller anywhere, and in any case the moral force
of firearms is generally sufficient. A good revolver is always a source
of interest and amusement (perhaps sometimes of awe) to uncivilised
people, and a good double breech-loading shot-gun is really useful,
besides affording some amusement to the traveller who obtains food or
natural history specimens thereby. Where there are wild pigs, deer,
elephant, or other large game, a rifle is of service, and a Winchester
repeater is both handy and effective, weighing about 10 lb. A shot-gun
is the most useful, however, of all weapons, and if fitted with ball
or No. 1 shot cartridges is very effective at short ranges with deer,
wild cattle, or pigs. It should be of what is called No. 12 bore,
as cartridges of that size may be bought nearly everywhere, where
ammunition is sold.
If we except the Sarawak principality and the Dutch possessions to
the southward and eastward, Borneo may be called a perfectly wild
country--a land where laws, jails, horses, roads, and missionaries
are unknown. The future prospects of this tropical island, so rich
in natural products, so fertile under rude cultivation, and withal
so extensive and beautiful, are deserving of more than a passing
notice. A large proportion of the country is hilly, and covered
with old forest. Near the coast the land is generally well watered
by shallow rivers. On the higher hill ranges which lie a few miles
inland from the north-west coast, the climate, which is in the
plains sultry and malarious, becomes fresh and salubrious. The
natives are few in proportion to the area, and generally peaceably
disposed towards strangers, but suspicious of ulterior motives,
and remarkably cautious, and now and then avaricious in matters
of trade and barter. They invariably prefer sound useful articles,
such as white or black cloth, to ornamental gewgaws.
The products of the island may be tabulated as follows:--
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Products of Borneo. |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Animal. | Vegetable. | Mineral. |
+---------------------+--------------+------------------+-----------+
|Pearls. |Sago. |Fruits [tropical |Coal. |
|Mother-of-Pearl |Camphor. | of nearly all |Iron. |
| Shell. |Dammar. | kinds, many in- |Tin. |
|Trepang, Beche de |Benzoin. | digenous.] |Copper. |
| Mer, or Sea Slug. |Gambier. |Vegetables [prin- |Cinnabar. |
|Edible Swallows' |Pepper. | cipally Chinese |Antimony. |
| nests. |Cloves. | varieties, edible|Gold. |
|Tortoise Shell. |Ginger. | ferns, bamboo, |Diamonds. |
|Ivory. |Cinnamon. | palm cabbages, |? Plumbago.|
|Hides. |Rattan canes. | &c.] | |
|Fish in abundance. |Timber. |Gutta-percha. | |
|Bees' Wax. |Lamba fibre. |Caoutchouc, or | |
|The large animals |Cotton. | India-rubber. | |
| are elephant, rhi- |Coffee. |Tapioca. | |
| noceros, deer, pigs,|Tobacco. |Rice. | |
| wild cattle, alli- |Indigo. |Maize. | |
| gators. |Cocoa. |Musa fibre or | |
| |Vanilla. | Manilla hemp | |
| |Spices. | (Musa textilis). | |
| |Cocoanut oil. | | |
+---------------------+--------------+------------------+-----------+
The vegetable products are mostly indigenous, and obtainable in
the primæval forests. Some few, however, such as cotton, tobacco,
coffee, and cocoa have been introduced, and are only cultivated by
the natives in a desultory manner. Under systematic culture, and with
Chinese coolie labour, nearly all the vegetable products of tropical
countries might be grown.
The mineral products are known to exist, but it is not as yet
determined whether the lodes are workable, or if the metals exist
in remunerative quantities. A great drawback to mining operations
is the enormous rainfall. The want of British protection, and the
difficulties of travel or transit inland, are against colonisation. The
river Kinabatangan opens up the country from the north-east coast,
and affords a good water-way by which produce could be brought down
to the coast; but nearly all the other rivers to the north-west,
as far as Brunei, are shallow and unnavigable, except for a mile
or two near the sea; the roads inland being mere buffalo tracks,
and extremely irregular on the hill slopes.
The highest land and coolest climate in the island is on Kina Balu
(altitude 13,700 feet), a large mountain about five days' journey from
the mouth of the Tampassuk river. The lower slopes of this range might
possibly grow good coffee; cinchona would be more likely to succeed
in the cool and fresh, but humid, climate of the large spurs. The land
here is in places deep and rich with forest débris. In places good red
land, with belts of luxuriant bamboo amongst the sandstone boulders,
was seen. In estimating the richness of the soil, the growth of a
particular species of ginger common everywhere was observed, on poor
soils it rarely exceeded a foot in height, but on some of the hill
slopes near Kina Balu it attains a height of six or eight feet.
The bamboo is also here more luxuriant than I observed it elsewhere
in the island, and the greater variety and luxuriance of undergrowth
shows that the climate or soil, or both, are here better than near
the coast. There are rich alluvial deposits on the plains, where
wet rice, tapioca, sago, and fruits and vegetables generally, grow
well. Dry or hill rice, and the cocoanut palm, succeed inland up to
3,000 feet elevation.
In Sarawak land culture has not proved to be so remunerative as the
antimony and gold mines; in the north, however, this order of things
might possibly be reversed. An English company has been formed for
the purpose of colonising the northern part of the island, and the
cessions obtained comprise the whole northern portion from Kimanis
on the north-west coast to Sabuco on the east, the total area being
computed at 20,000 square miles.
It seems to me, however, that Borneo is too far from the great highway
of eastern commerce to attract any but the most sanguine of planters
and capitalists. I saw very good land in Jahore on Gunong Puloi,
and recent explorations in Perak by Mr. Murton of Singapore (as
also by practical coffee planters from Ceylon, and tobacco growers
from Province Wellesley) prove that, so far as soil and climate are
concerned, Perak, Quedah, and Jahore offer equal advantages for land
culture, besides being much nearer to Singapore and the great sea-way
between England and the East.
APPENDIX.
The main object of my journey eastward was the collection and
introduction of beautiful new plants to the Veitchian Collection
at Chelsea. Botanical specimens were obtained and preserved whenever
practicable, as also were birds and other objects of natural history. I
was fortunate in adding about fifty new species of ferns to the
lists of those already collected in Borneo, and of this number, as
will be seen from the following report, about twenty were absolutely
new to science. Perhaps the greatest good fortune which attended my
exertions was the introduction alive of the Giant Pitcher Plant of
Kina Balu (Nepenthes Rajah, Hook. f.). This wonderful plant and its
geographical allies were discovered in 1851 by Hugh Low, Esq., C.M.G.,
and were figured and described by Sir Joseph D. Hooker, K.C.S.I.,
in Vol. xxii. of the Transactions of the Linnæan Society. Mr. Low
made repeated journeys to Kina Balu from Labuan, but unfortunately
failed in his endeavours to introduce these fine plants to European
gardens in a living state. Mr. Thos. Lobb, one of the most successful
of all Eastern plant hunters, attempted to reach the habitat of these
plants in 1856, but was prevented by the natives. These plants are
very remarkable, and, so far as is at present known, exist only on
this one mountain in Borneo.
Nepenthes bicalcarata, the "Two-spurred Pitcher Plant," was also for
the first time introduced alive, and is very remarkable, its pitchers
being armed in a really formidable way, and the swollen stalks of
its urns are perforated by a species of ant in a singular manner.
Of palms a beautiful species of areca, having gracefully arched
leaves and vermilion-coloured sheaths, was introduced alive, as also
a very attractive dwarf species of pinanga (P. Veitchii, H. Wend.),
the bifurcate fans of which are purple below and glaucous-green
above, blotched with brown. Aroids are plentiful in the shady
Bornean forests, the species in some cases being extremely local
in their distribution. Of the new genera discovered two have very
pretty spathes, and if they can be successfully cultivated will prove
very interesting and ornamental stove plants. Piptospatha insignis,
N. E. Br., a pretty little "rock arad," found on sandstone boulders
in the beds of mountain streams, has a tuft of lance-shaped leaves and
dainty white spathes tipped with pink. Gamagyne Burbidgei, N. E. Br.,
is a plant of larger growth, being a foot high but otherwise of similar
habit. The spathes are of a bright rose colour. This plant grows beside
mountain streams in positions where the passing water laves its roots.
Amongst new species of aroideæ may be mentioned the sub-aquatic
Cryptocoryne caudata, N. E. Br., which has heart-shaped bullate
leaves of a dark green colour, the spathe being terminated with a
long tail, which reminds one of the same appendages in the arisæmas of
the Himalayas. Three or four new species of alocasia were found, the
remarkable being A. scabriuscula, A. guttata, and A. pumila. Pothos
ceratocaulis, a fresh green climbing species, was also introduced
alive, and is a plant of distinct marcgraavia-like habit. Specimens
of Schismatoglottis and Chamæcladon are at present undetermined. A
singular new asclepiadaceous genus (Astrostruma spartioides, Benth.),
was discovered growing as an epiphyte on forest trees in Labuan, and in
dry woods near the sea at the northern point of the last-named island,
the remarkable little Microstylis Burbidgei, Rchb. f., was found. One
of my first discoveries in Borneo itself was the new zingiberaceous
genus Burbidgea (B. nitida, Hook, f.), and other novelties were
Dendrobium cerinum, Cypripedium Lawrencianum, and Bolbophyllum
Leysianum, a highly curious plant. A fine new Bolbophyllum was
introduced alive to Chelsea from the Tampassuk river (B. Petreianum,
Burb. MS.), which I propose shall bear the name of my whilom travelling
companion, P. C. M. Veitch, Esq.
Rhododendron stenophyllum, and Nepenthes Burbidgei, Hook. f., were
two of the more remarkable of the new plants from Kina Balu itself,
where also the gigantic moss Dawsonia superba was collected at an
altitude of 6,000 feet, these specimens being, as Mr. Mitten informs
me, the first obtained northwards of New Zealand,
The three native courts of Jahore, Brunei, and Sulu were visited,
and I was enabled to make extended excursions into the interior of
the main island of Sulu itself. In Borneo the flora was remarkable for
endemic Malasian species, intermixed more especially at high altitudes
with Indian (Rhododendra) and Australian (Dacrydium, Phyllocladus,
Drosera, etc.) types. In Sulu both the flora and fauna showed, as
was to be expected, a marked resemblance to those of the Philippine
and Celebes groups. My collections in Sulu comprised new ferns, rare
mosses, and several beautiful new orchids, including Phalænopsis
Marie, Dendrobium Burbidgei (which is mainly remarkable as being
similar to the D. d'Albertisii discovered about the same time in
New Guinea). Here also the lovely pink-blossomed Aerides Burbidgei,
Rchb. f., was obtained, and several other species and varieties at
present unnamed.
The Sulu voyage was in many ways enjoyable, but especially as being to
a virgin land botanically and ornithologically, and I must here take
the opportunity of acknowledging my obligations to Captain W. C. Cowie,
of the steamship Far East, who gave me every accommodation during
the voyage from Labuan, and while we lay in the little harbour at
Meimbong. As will be seen, my ornithological discoveries in Sulu were a
new species of jungle cock (Gallus stramineicollis), and a new paroquet
(Tanygnanthus Burbidgei). Sarcops Lowii was also obtained in Sulu,
and the new Buchanga stigmatops from Kina Balu. No special endeavours
were made in obtaining birds, only such species being shot as came in
the way while I was searching the forest and mountain sides for plants.
The first expedition to the great mountain of Kina Balu was made in
company with P. C. M. Veitch, Esq., who joined me on his return from
an extended tour in Australia and the Fiji islands. The journey was
a critical and tedious one, as we walked every inch of the way from
Gaya Bay to the mountain, and back again to the coast, viâ the Koung,
Kalawat and Bawang villages. We were successful in finding all the
large species of nepenthes in one locality on the mountain for the
first time, and in addition a distinct variety of N. Edwardsiana with
shorter thick-winged pitchers, which it is possible may prove to be
a natural hybrid between N. Edwardsiana and N. villosa.
My acknowledgments are due to Hugh Low, Esq., C.M.G., H.M. Resident in
Perak, who, when he heard of my intention of ascending the mountain,
very kindly sent me information as to the localities on Kina Balu
where the nepenthes and other rare plants are found. To H. E. William
Hood Treacher, H.M. Administrator of Labuan, and to the Hon. Dr. Leys,
M.B., Colonial Surgeon of the same island, I shall always be grateful
for the practical help afforded me during my expedition, and for
the open-handed hospitality they extended to a wandering stranger by
chance thrown in their way.
LIST OF FERNS COLLECTED IN BORNEO.
The following is an abridged account of my specimens of ferns, as
written by Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., and published in the Journal of
Botany, 1879, p. 37:--
The following is a complete list of the species gathered, which were
all obtained in the neighbourhood of Labuan and Kina Balu. To the new
species I have prefixed numbers, showing the position in which they
fall, according to the sequence followed in our "Synopsis Filicum;"
and I have marked with a * the names of those which, so far as I am
aware, have not been gathered in the island before. I may mention that
a complete catalogue of the ferns of Borneo was published in 1876 by
Baron Vincent de Cesati, with a special account, with figures of some
of the novelties, of those gathered by Professor Beccari.
* Gleichenia circinata, Sw., var. borneensis, Baker.
Gleichenia dichotoma, Hook.
* Gleichenia vestita, Blume, var. palacea, Baker.
Alsophila glabra, Hook.?
Alsophila latebrosa, Hook.
59.* Alsophila Burbidgei, Baker, n. sp. Allied to A. latebrosa,
Oldhami and Wallacei.
Hymenophyllum Blumeanum, Spreng.
* Hymenophyllum Smithii, Hook. The plant so called in Cesati's
list proved to be Trichomanes denticulatum, Baker.
* Hymenophyllum sabinæfolium, Baker.
Hymenophyllum Neesii, Hook.
* Hymenophyllum formosum, Brack.
* Hymenophyllum obtusum, Hook. Gathered lately in New Guinea by
Beccari.
Trichomanes filicula, Bory.
Trichomanes pallidum, Blume.
Trichomanes digitatum, Sw. Two different forms, one lengthened
out, with remote branches, the other short, with close
branches.
Trichomanes javanicum, Blume.
Trichomanes pyxidiferum, Linn. A handsome variety, with
unusually compound rather crisped fronds.
Trichomanes rigidum, Sw.
Trichomanes maximum, Blume.
* Trichomanes apiifolium, Presl.
Trichomanes hispidulum, Mett. This was only known before from a
single sheet of specimens in the Kew herbarium, gathered by
Thos. Lobb.
Trichomanes foeniculaceum, Bory.
Trichomanes Pluma, Hook. We did not know the definite station
of Lobb's specimens, from which this was described and figured
by Hooker. Beccari has gathered it near Sarawak.
Trichomanes trichophyllum, Moore. With the last, with which I
am now inclined to think it will prove to be conspecific.
Davallia angustata, Wall.
Davallia heterophylla, Smith.
Davallia parvula, Wall.
Davallia luzonica, Hook.
* Davallia contigua, Sw.
* Davallia Emersoni, Hook and Grev.
Davallia pedata, Sm.
* Davallia ciliata, Hook.
Davallia elegans, Sw.
Davallia Speluncæ, Baker.
Davallia tenuifolia, Sw.
49.* Davallia (Eudavallia) Veitchii, Baker, n. sp.--A well-marked
plant, reminding one in cutting and habit of the barren fronds
of Onychium japonicum or auratum.
5.* Lindsaya jamesonioides, Baker, n. sp.--A most distinct novelty,
with the habit of Asplenium trichomanes or Jamesonia imbricata.
7.* Lindsaya crispa, Baker, n. sp.--Habit of the small tender forms
of Adiantum caudatum, but the fronds neither at all hairy nor
rooting at the tip.
* Lindsaya pectinata, Blume.
Lindsaya cultrata, Sw.
Lindsaya borneensis, Hook.
Lindsaya trapeziformis, Dry.
* Lindsaya flabellulata, Dry.
Lindsaya davallioides, Blume.
Lindsaya ensifolia, Sw.
Lindsaya divergens, Wall.
* Adiantum diaphanum, Blume.
* Cheilanthes tenuifolia, Sw.
Pteris aquilina, L.
Pteris semipinnata, L.
Pteris quadriaurita, Betz., var. digitata, Baker. A digitate
form, like the Indian P. Grevilleana, Wall., but the barren and
fertile fronds not dimorphic. The texture firmer than usual.
The rachis with a broad wing, as in P. biaurata, and the veins
crowded and obscure.
* Lomaria procera, Spreng.
Asplenium Nidus, L.
Asplenium tenerum, Forst.
Asplenium squamulatum, Blume.
* Asplenium caudatum, Forst.
Asplenium cuneatum, Lam.
Asplenium laserpitiifolium, Lam.
Asplenium affine, Sw.
Asplenium dichotomum, Hook. Kina Balu. The only known station.
The plant has been twice gathered previously.
203.* Asplenium (Diplazium) porphyrorachis, Baker.--This is the plant
described by Sir W. Hooker from a single barren frond without
fruit gathered by Mr. A. R. Wallace, as Polypodium subserratum
(Hook. and Baker, Syn. Fil., p. 325). In Asplenium that
specific name is already occupied. Of the present plant A.
zeylanicum, Hook., is the only near ally. The same species was
gathered by Beccari, near Sarawak.
* Asplenium porrectum, Wall.
* Asplenium tomentosum, Hook.
207.* Asplenium (Diplazium) xiphophyllum, Baker, n. sp.--Comes near
A. pallidum, porrectum, and cultratum.
* Asplenium latifolium, Don.
Asplenium cordifolium, Mett.
* Didymochlæna lunulata, Desv.
* Aspidium aculeatum, Sw.
* Nephrodium calcaratum, Hook.
* Nephrodium pteroides, J. Sm.
* Nephrodium unitum, R. Br.
* Nephrodium cucullatum, Baker.
* Nephrodium, near pennigerum? Probably new, but specimens not
complete enough to characterise it.
Nephrodium molle, Desv.
* Nephrodium Haenkeanum, Presl.
* Nephrodium singaporianum, Baker.
Nephrodium ternatum, Baker. A fine series of specimens of this
endemic species.
219.* Nephrodium (Sagenia) nudum, Baker, n. sp.--Allied to N.
pachyphyllum, Baker.
* Nephrodium polymorphum, Baker.
Nephrolepis volubilis, J. Sm.
Polypodium Barberi, Hook.
Polypodium urophyllum, Wall. A variety with many of the sori
confluent.
91.* Polypodium (Eupolypodium) minimum, Baker, n. sp.--Allied to the
Andine P. Sprucei, Hook., and Mascaren P. Gilpinæ and synsorum,
Baker.
131.* Polypodium (Eupolypodium) Burbidgei, Baker, n. sp.--Habit and
texture of Davallia Emersoni.
Polypodium alternidens, Cesati, Fil. Born., p. 25, tab. 2, fig.
4. Of this Burbidge's bundle contains a single specimen. It is
a well-marked new species, discovered by Signor Beccari in the
neighbourhood of Sarawak.
* Polypodium cucullatum, Nees. A small slender form.
132.* Polypodium (Eupolypodium) streptophyllum, Baker, n. sp.--Allied
to P. cucullatum, but the pinnæ are narrower, and reach down to
the main rachis, and bear the sorus at their tip.
* Polypodium minutum, Blume.
* Polypodium papillosum, Blume. The plant so-called by Cesati,
gathered by Beccari, near Sarawak, I hold to be quite distinct
from Blume's Javan type, and propose to call it P. Cesatianum.
* Polypodium clavifer, Hook.
210.* Polypodium (Eupolypodium) taxodioides, Baker, n. sp.
Polypodium soridens, Hook.
297.* Polypodium (Phymatodes) stenopteris, Baker, n. sp.
Polypodium longifolium, Mett.
* Polypodium oodes, Kunze. Matches exactly Cuming's Philippine
specimens, which were all that were previously known.
301.* Polypodium (Phymatodes) holophyllum, Baker, n. sp.--Like P.
oodes in rhizome, stipe and sori; differing by its smaller
frond, crenulate border and flabellate veining.
Polypodium acrostichoides, Forst.
* Polypodium angustatum, Sw.
Polypodium dipteris, Blume.
Polypodium bifurcatum, Baker.
Polypodium Phymatodes, L.
* Polypodium ebenipes, Hook.
Gymnogramma avenia, Baker.
Gymnogramma borneensis, Hook.
Gymnogramma Wallichii, Hook.
Gymnogramma Feei, Hook.
Antrophyum reticulatum, Kaulf.
Vittaria debilis, Kuhn.
Vittaria elongata, Sw.
Tænitis blechnoides, Sw. Both the type and well-marked variety,
T. interrupta, H. and G.
Acrostichum sorbifolium, L.
* Acrostichum scandens, J. Sm.
* Acrostichum subrepandum, Hook.
Acrostichum drynarioides, Hook.
* Acrostichum bicuspe, Hook. The typical form, which has only
been once gathered before by Thomas Lobb in Java.
Platycerium biforme, Blume.
* Platycerium grande, A. Cunn.
Schizæa malaccana, Baker.
Schizæa dichotoma, Sw.
Schizæa digitata, Sw.
Lygodium dichotomum, Sw.
Lygodium scandens, Sw.
* Equisetum elongatum, Willd.
Lycopodium cernuum, L.
Lycopodium casuarinoides, Spreng.
Lycopodium carinatum, Desv.
Lycopodium Phlegmaria, L.
* Lycopodium macrostachys, Hook. and Grev.
* Lycopodium volubile, Forst.
* Selaginella atroviridis, Spreng.
Selaginella caulescens, Spreng.
Selaginella inæqualifolia, Spreng.
* Selaginella Willdenovii, Baker.
* Selaginella flabellata, Spreng.
* Selaginella suberosa, Spreng.
Psilotum triquetrum, Sw.
Psilotum complanatum, Sw. = P. Zollingeri, Cesati.
It will be seen that altogether Mr. Burbidge has added above fifty
species to the fern-flora of the island. His exploration quite bears
out the idea that we previously entertained, that the fern-flora of
the island is very rich, and that there is still a plentiful harvest
to await the exploration of the interior. The added species which
are not new are nearly all already known in Java and the Philippine
Islands, frequently in both.
REPORT ON BURBIDGE'S FERNS OF THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO.
By J. G. Baker, F.R.S., F.L.S.
The Sulu Archipelago is a group of small islands lying between Borneo
and the Philippines. They are for the most part under cultivation;
but there are two mountains which attain an elevation of between two
thousand and three thousand feet. So far as I am aware their botany
is entirely unknown. The following is a full catalogue of the ferns
which Mr. Burbidge gathered in the group:--
38.* Cyathea suluensis, Baker, n. sp.--Allied to C. integra, J. Sm.,
of the Philippine Islands and Amboyna.
Hymenophyllum dilatatum, Sw., var. H. formosum, Brack.
Trichomanes javanicum, Blume.
Trichomanes maximum, Blume.
Trichomanes rigidum, Sw.
Davallia pinnata, Cav., and its variety luzonica.
Pteris quadriaurita, Retz.
4.* Pteris Treacheariana, Baker, n. sp.--Near P. cretica, but much
more slender and delicate in general aspect, with the lowest
one to three pairs of pinnæ two to three forked. Named at the
request of Mr. Burbidge in compliment to the Honourable W. H.
Treacher, Acting Governor of Labuan, whose kindness and help
contributed materially to the success of his expedition.
Lindsaya cultrata, Sw.
Lindsaya pectinata, Blume.
Lindsaya flabellulata, Dryand.
Lindsaya lobata, Poir.
Lindsaya davallioides, Blume.
Asplenium persicifolium, J. Sm. An endemic Philippine species.
Asplenium resectum, Smith.
Asplenium falcatum, Lam.
Asplenium hirtum, Kaulf.
Asplenium cuneatum, Lam.
Asplenium Belangeri, Kunze.
Asplenium pallidum, Blume.
Asplenium bantamense, Baker.
Asplenium cordifolium, Mett.
Nephrodium melanocaulon, Baker.
27.* Polypodium (Phegopteris) oxyodon, Baker, n. sp.--A very
distinct plant, allied to P. caudatum of Tropical America.
175.* Polypodium (Eupolypodium) Leysii, Baker, n. sp.--Allied to P.
taxifolium and apiculatum of Tropical America. Named at the
request of Mr. Burbidge in compliment to the Honourable Peter
Leys, M.B., Colonial Surgeon, Labuan, who materially aided him
during his residence there, and accompanied him on one of his
expeditions into the interior.
Polypodium albo-squamatum, Blume.
Polypodium palmatum, Blume.
Vittaria elongata, Sw.
Antrophytum reticulatum, Kaulf.
Tænitis blechnoides, Sw.
Gymnogramma Wallichii, Hook.
Osmunda javanica, Blume.
Lycopodium Phlegmaria, Linn.
Selaginella caulescens, Spreng.
Selaginella Willdenovii, Baker.
Selaginella conferta, Moore.
Selaginella caudata, Spreng.
Selaginella atroviridis, Spreng.
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE AVIFAUNA OF THE SULU ISLANDS.
By R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc.
Senior Assistant, Department of Zoology, British Museum.
PROC. ZOOL. SOC. 1879. Part II.
[Received March 18, 1879.]
The present collection was formed by Mr. F. W. Burbidge during a
short stay in the Sulu Islands, a most interesting locality to the
ornithologist, and one of which very little is known. In my paper on
Dr. Steere's collections from the Philippines, I noticed the four
species of birds as yet recorded from the Sulu Islands, [8] and I
ought to have added the common Artamus of the Indo-Malayan region,
and a cuckoo, both recorded by Peale from Mangsi.
In addition to the birds obtained by Mr. Burbidge, I have received
permission from the authorities of the Oxford Museum to describe
the large Bornean collections forwarded to that institution by
Mr. W. H. Treacher, Acting Governor of Labuan. Amongst them are a
few birds from Sulu, but apparently not the result of a separate
expedition, but presented to Mr. Treacher by Mr. Burbidge. To the
latter gentleman I am indebted for the following notes:--
"Among the birds which I saw in Sulu, but could not secure, I
would particularly mention--some hornbills, seemingly the common
black-and-white small kind from Labuan; a fine white harrier, with
black tips to the wings (this is a distinct and handsome bird, not
unfrequently seen circling over rice fields, or grassy plains);
the 'fire-backed' pheasant; and an owl, apparently a larger and
brighter-coloured edition of our common barn-owl, or screeching
species. The blue, white-ringed kingfisher (Halcyon chloris) of Labuan
is very common here, as is also the rufous, white-headed scavenger
hawk or eagle; [9] and at least two other species, both larger, are
to be found looking out for food near the wharf at Meimbong. Curlews
are as plentiful here as in Sarawak and other parts of Borneo. I
missed the nocturnal 'chuck-chuck' of the goat-sucker, so common in
Labuan. Water-rails and a pretty blue kingfisher are not uncommon
by the margin of the Meimbong river, which is close to the harbour,
and is an excellent shooting-ground. Gun-boats often come here; and as
the country is now readily accessible, much might doubtless be done in
ornithology. Capital angling may be had in this little river; and there
is a good bathing place near the town, and close to the market, where
one may be entirely free from the fear of an alligator lurking about
in wait for a meal. Now and then the Sultan and his court, male and
female, together with all the principal people in the island, meet to
enjoy the fun of pig-hunting, the wild boar being very plentiful here,
together with two or three species of deer. These pigs do a good deal
of damage to cultivated crops; so that now and then a regular field-day
is organised, and nearly every man, pony, dog, and spear in the island
are out, versus 'Piggy,' as many as fifty of the latter being slain in
a single day. There are so many kinds of sport easily attainable here,
provisions of the best are so cheap, a pony may be hired for about
1s. 6d. a day, and there is so much that is novel to be seen about
the town and the court, that the wonder is that some traveller, fond
of sport, and especially ornithology, does not take up his quarters
here for a month or two--and particularly as the place is easily
reached from Singapore, viâ Labuan, or from Hong-Kong, viâ Manila."
Mr. Burbidge left England on a botanical expedition, to collect living
plants; and his success in this department of natural history is well
known. His chief attention having been devoted to plants, it only
remains to thank him for the intelligent way in which he devoted his
scanty leisure time to forming the present collection of birds.
The following I believe to be a correct list of Sulu birds as at
present known; and I have included the few species mentioned by Peale
as procured in Mangsi by the United States Exploring Expedition. I
have also added the references to Lord Tweeddale's recent papers
on the Philippine collections of Mr. Alfred Everett, and have given
the ranges of the different species in the Philippine archipelago,
so as to bring the subject up to the present date.
1. Cacatua hamæturopygia (P. L. S. Müll.).
Cacatua hamæturophygia, Wald. Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 132; Sharpe,
Tr. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 312; Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 756, 817;
1878, pp. 107, 281, 340, 379.
Two specimens.
[Luzon (Meyer); Guimaras (Meyer); Negros (Meyer, Steere, Everett);
Zebu (Everett); Leyte (Everett); Nipar (Everett); Panaon (Everett);
Butuan River, N. Mindanao (Everett); Sulu (Burbidge).]
2. Prioniturus discurus (V.).
Prioniturus discurus, Wald. Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 132; Sharpe,
Tr. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 312; Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 538, 688,
756, 817; 1878, p. 379.
A single specimen, agreeing with others in the British Museum from
the Philippine Islands.
[Luzon (Meyer, Everett); Negros (Steere); Zebu (Everett); Panaon
(Everett); Mindanao (Cuming, Everett, Murray); Basilan (Steere); Sulu
(Burbidge); Balabak (Steere).]
3. Tanygnathus lucionensis (L.).
Tanygnathus lucionensis, Wald. Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 133; Sharpe,
Tr. Lin. Soc. n.s. i. p. 312; Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 538, 756,
817; 1878, pp. 281, 340, 612.
A single specimen, collected by Mr. Burbidge, and exactly resembling
the specimens from Manilla and from Palawan in the British Museum.
[Luzon (Meyer); Guimaras (Meyer); Negros (L. C. Layard, Steere,
Everett); Cebu (Everett); Leyte (Everett); Mindanao (Steere, Everett);
Malanipa (Murray); Sulu (Burbidge, Peale); Palawan (Steere, Everett).]
4. Tanygnathus burbidgei, sp. n.
Similis T. muelleri, ex Celebes, sed dorso toto sordide prasino,
capite flavicanti-viridi et alis omnino viridibus distinguendus.
This fine new species of Tanygnathus is closely allied to T. muelleri
of Celebes and T. everetti of Mindanao. It differs from T. muelleri in
having the back green instead of yellow, while the head is yellowish
green and not emerald-green; there is also no blue on the wing-coverts,
the whole wing being green.
The following is a full description of the bird.
Adult. General colour above dark grass-green, including the hind
neck, entire mantle, and scapulars; wings a little lighter green,
the wing-coverts and secondaries with narrow yellow margins, the
primaries blackish on the inner web, externally dark grass-green with
a slight blue shade along the shaft, the first primary black shaded
with blue on the outer web; entire back and rump deep cobalt-blue;
upper tail-coverts green, slightly shaded with yellow on the margins;
tail-feathers dark green, with a narrow margin of yellow at the tip,
the under surface of the tail golden-yellow; head yellowish green, the
sides of the face also of this colour; the under-surface of the body
bright grass-green, yellow on the throat and fore neck and passing
into green on the breast and abdomen; under wing-coverts and under
tail-coverts of the same green as the breast, with yellow margins;
quills ashy blackish below. Total length 15·5 inches, culmen 1·8,
wing 8·6, tail 6·4, tarsus 0·65.
On comparing T. burbidgei with T. everetti, one is struck at once by
the larger size of the former and its yellowish green head, the crown
being emerald-green in T. everetti, which also has the wing only
7·55 inches in length (Samar: Mus. Brit.). None of the Sulu birds,
of which there are five in the collections, have the feathers of the
mantle edged with blue as in the Samar individual.
5. Elanus hypoleucus, Gould.
Elanus hypoleucus, Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 338;
Wald. Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 142; Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, p. 757.
An adult specimen: wing 11·5 inches.
[Luzon (Jagor); Cebu (Everett); Sulu (Burbidge); N.W. Borneo
(Treacher).]
6. Scops rufescens (Horsf.).
Scops rufescens, Sharpe, Cat. B. iii. p. 102.
One specimen.
This bird seems to me to differ slightly from Bornean and Malaccan
examples in having a much darker face, the ear-coverts shaded with
black. I do not, however, propose to found a new species on a single
example, and must wait for more specimens. The measurements of the
Sulu bird are as follows:--Total length 7 inches, culmen 0·7, wing
4·8, tail 2·6, tarsus 0·85. It will be seen that they are a good deal
inferior to those of the type of Scops mantis, as given by me in the
"Catalogue."
7. Cuculus fucatus, Peale.
Cuculus fucatus, Peale, U.S. Expl. Exp. Zool. 1848, p. 136.
C. tenuirostris, Less.; Cass. U.S. Expl. Exp. p. 244.
This cuckoo may be Cuculus himalayanus, which has recently been shot in
Labuan by Governor Ussher; but it is difficult to decide without seeing
a specimen. At present the species is only known from the plate and
description given by Peale, who procured it on the island of Mangsi.
8. Artamus leucorhynchus (L.).
Artamus leucorhynchus, Walden, P. Z. S. ix. p. 174; Sharpe,
Tr. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 323; Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 544, 692,
759, 826; 1878, pp. 283, 342.
A. leucogaster (Valenc.); Sharpe in Rowley's Orn. Misc. iii. p. 179.
One specimen.
[Luzon (Meyer); Guimaras (Meyer); Negros (Meyer, Everett); Cebu
(Murray, Everett); Leyte (Everett); Mindanao (Everett, Steere); Sulu
(Burbidge); Mangsi (Peale).]
9. Oriolus chinensis, L.
Oriolus chinensis, Sharpe, Cat. B. iii. p. 203.
O. suluensis, Sharpe, tom. cit. p. 205.
Broderipus acrorhynchus (Vig.); Walden, Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 185;
Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 545, 694, 760, 826; 1878, pp. 110, 285,
342, 380.
The receipt of three more specimens from Mr. Burbidge convinces me
that the Sulu Islands bird, which I thought was a race of O. frontalis,
Wall., from the Sula Islands, is not really specifically separable from
the common oriole of the Philippines, called by me Oriolus chinensis,
and by Lord Tweeddale Broderipus acrorhynchus. A further comparison
of the series seems to show that O. frontalis of Wallace, from the
Sula Islands, is scarcely to be distinguished from O. chinensis,
the only difference being the slightly greater extent of yellow on
the tail-feathers in the latter bird.
[Luzon (Meyer); Panay (Murray); Guimaras (Meyer); Negros (Meyer,
Steere, Everett); Cebu (Meyer, Murray, Everett); Leyte (Everett);
Panaon (Everett); Dinagat (Everett); Mindanao (Steere, Murray,
Everett); Sulu (Burbidge); Si Butu (Low); Balabac (Steere).]
10. Corone philippina (Bp.).
Corone philippina, Sharpe, Cat. B. iii. p. 42;
id. Tr. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 343.
Corvus philippinus, Bp.; Wald. Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 201;
Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 548, 698, 763, 831; 1878, pp. 113, 287,
343, 381.
Three specimens.
[Luzon (Cuming, Meyer, Everett); Cujo (Meyer); Panay (Murray); Negros
(Meyer, Steere, Everett); Cebu (Everett); Leyte (Everett); Panaon
(Everett); Camiguin (Murray); Dinagat (Everett); Mindanao (Murray,
Everett); Sulu (Burbidge).]
11. Sarcops lowii.
Sarcops lowii, Sharpe, l.c. p. 344.
Several specimens collected by Mr. Burbidge confirm the distinctness
of this species from S. calvus.
12. Osmotreron vernans (L.).
Osmotreron vernans, Wald. Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 210; Sharpe,
Tr. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 346; Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, p. 764; 1878,
p. 623.
A female specimen.
[Luzon (Meyer); Panay (Steere); Zebu (Everett); Sulu (Burbidge);
Palawan (Steere).]
13. Osmotreron axillaris (Gray).
Osmotreron axillaris, Walden, Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 211; Sharpe,
Tr. Linn. Soc. ix. p. 346; Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 549, 699, 764,
832; 1878, pp. 113, 287.
An adult specimen.
[Luzon (Meyer, Everett); Guimaras (Meyer); Panay (Murray); Negros
(Meyer, Steere, Everett); Cebu (Everett); Dinagat (Everett); Mindanao
(Steere, Everett); Sulu (Burbidge).]
14. Carpophaga ænea (L.).
Carpophaga ænea, Wald. Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 215; Sharpe,
Tr. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 346; Tweedd. P. Z. S. 1877, pp. 764, 832;
1878, pp. 113, 288, 344, 623.
One specimen.
[Luzon (Meyer); Negros (Meyer, Steere, Everett); Cebu (Everett); Leyte
(Everett); Dinagat (Everett); Mindanao (Everett); Sulu (Burbidge);
Palawan (Steere, Everett).]
15. Carpophaga pickeringi.
Carpophaga pickeringi, Cass. Pr. Philad. Acad. 1854,
p. 228; id. U.S. Expl. Exp. p. 267, pl. xxvii; Sharpe,
Tr. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 353.
Procured by the United States Exploring Expedition in the island
of Mangsi.
16. Ianthoenas griseigularis, Wald. et Layard.
Ianthoenas griseigularis, Wald. Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 218;
id. P. Z. S. 1878. p. 288.
One specimen.
I refer this pigeon with some hesitation to I. griseigularis, of which
I have never seen a specimen, and only know it from Mr. Keuleman's
figure in the Ibis for 1872 (pl. vi.). On the other hand, it is very
closely allied to I. albigularis of the Moluccas, but differs in the
greyish shade on the white throat, which is also more restricted,
and in the forehead being grey with only a slight mark of lilac.
17. Caloenas nicobarica (L.).
Caloenas nicobarica, Cas. U.S. Expl. Exp. p. 276; Sharpe,
P. Z. S. 1875, p. 110.
Observed on Mangsi in some abundance by the U.S. Exploring Expedition.
18. Ptilopus melanocephalus.
Ptilopus melanocephalus (Gm.); Elliot, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 551. An
adult specimen.
19. Macropygia tenuirostris, Gray.
Macropygia tenuirostris, Walden, Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 218; Sharpe,
Tr. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 347.
Two specimens.
[Luzon (Meyer); Basilan (Steere); Sulu (Burbidge).]
Lord Tweeddale differs from Professor Schlegel's opinion that the
same Philippine species is found in Java and Lombock, where it is
M. emiliana of Bonaparte; but having compared several specimens lately,
I believe that the Professor's view is the right one, and that the
bird is found over the Philippines, and occurs even in Borneo. Lord
Tweeddale separates the Negros bird as M. eurycerca.
20. Gallus stramineicollis, sp. n.
General colour above black, shot with green and purple; wing-coverts
like the back, the innermost and the scapulars with a slight
subterminal shine of coppery brown; primary-coverts and primaries
black, the secondaries externally green; feathers of the lower back
and rump straw-yellow, with darker longitudinal centres of black
or green; upper tail-coverts and tail glossy oil-green; crown of
head and nape black; hind neck and neck-hackles, as well as sides of
neck, straw-yellow, deeper on the hind neck, with green longitudinal
centres to the feathers; remainder of under surface of body black
with a green gloss; comb short and rounded; sides of face and entire
throat bare. Total length 34·5 inches, culmen 1·1, wing 9·0, tail 17·5,
tarsus 3·4.
Mr. Burbidge procured a single example of this jungle-fowl, which
appears to be a very distinct species. He tells me that it was brought
to the ship by one of the Sulu natives alive, and he cannot vouch
for its having been a wild bird. I have, however, shown the bird
to Mr. Gould and other ornithologists; and they agree with me that
it is probably a distinct species of jungle-fowl. Governor Ussher
also has seen the bird; and he tells me that he has never seen any
domesticated fowls in Borneo or the Eastern Islands which approached
this species in the least.
ON COLLECTIONS OF BIRDS FROM KINA BALU MOUNTAIN IN NORTH-WESTERN
BORNEO.
By R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S.,
Senior Assistant, Department of Zoology, British Museum.
PROC. ZOOL. SOC. 1879. Part II.
[Received February 14, 1879.]
The great mountain of Kina Balu has always been a locality of interest
to the student of Bornean ornithology; but I am not aware that any
notes on the natural history of this part of northern Borneo have
ever been published. It gives me great pleasure, therefore, to give
a list of the specimens obtained by Mr. Treacher's collectors, [10]
and of a few others submitted to me by Mr. Burbidge, and obtained
during his recent expedition to this mountain. The latter gentleman
is well known from his successful botanical researches on Kina Balu;
and I shall shortly lay before the Society an account of some of his
ornithological discoveries in the Sulu archipelago.
The present collection, though small, is of some importance; and
the character of some of the birds seems to show that the mountains
of Borneo, when thoroughly explored, will produce many species akin
to those found in the mountains of Java, Sumatra, and even of the
Himalayas.
1. Butastur indicus.
Butastur indicus (Gm.), Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 297.
Poliornis indica (Gm.), Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 9.
A specimen in nearly full plumage, collected by Mr. Burbidge.
2. Bubo orientalis.
Bubo orientalis (Horsf.), Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 39.
B. sumatranus (Raffl.), Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. 19.
A fine adult specimen in Mr. Treacher's collection, agreeing with
the diagnosis given by me (l.c.), and measuring 13 inches in the wing.
3. Megalæma versicolor.
Megalæma versicolor (Raffl.), Marsh. Mon. Capit. pl. 22.
Chotorea versicolor, Salvad. tom. cit. p. 33.
Three adult specimens, obtained by M. Burbidge.
4. Rhopodytes erythrognathus.
Rhopodytes erythrognathus (Hartl.), Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 604.
Rhamphococcyx erythrognathus (Hartl.), Salvad. tom. cit. p. 74.
A specimen in Mr. Treacher's collection, having the two centre
tail-feathers rufous at their ends.
5. Halcyon chloris.
Halcyon chloris (Bodd.), Sharpe, Monogr. Alced. pl. 87.
Sauropatis chloris (Bodd.), Salvad. tom. cit. p. 103.
One specimen, sent by Mr. Treacher.
6. Dendrochelidon longipennis.
Dendrochelidon longipennis (Rafin.), Salvad. tom. cit. p. 122.
One specimen, collected by Mr. Burbidge.
7. Corone tenuirostris.
Corone tenuirostris, Moore, Cat. B. Mus. E. I. Co. ii. p. 558.
Corvus tenuirostris, Tweedd. Ibis, 1877, p. 320.
One specimen, in Mr. Treacher's collection.
The constant character of the long thin bill in specimens from
N. W. Borneo impresses me with the idea that Lord Tweeddale is right
in keeping C. tenuirostris distinct from C. enca, with which I united
it in my "Catalogue of Birds" (vol. iii. p. 43).
8. Dicrurus annectens.
Dicrurus annectens, Hodgs.; Sharpe, Cat. B. iii. p. 231; id. Ibis,
1878, p. 414.
The first occurrence of this species in Borneo was recorded by me in my
list of Governor Ussher's Sarawak collection; but it cannot be uncommon
in North-western Borneo, to judge from numerous specimens which have
been sent from Labuan and from the opposite coast by Governor Ussher
and Mr. Treacher. Two specimens are contained in the collection made
on Kina Balu by Mr. Burbidge.
9. Chibia borneensis, sp. n.
C. similis C. pectorali, ex insulis Suluenisibus, sed plumis
lanceolatis colli lateralis metallice chalybeo-viridibus nec
purpurascentibus, et maculis jugularibus et præpectoralibus
valde minoribus et conspicue metallicis chalybeo-viridibus
distinguenda. Long. tot. 10, culm. 1·3, alæ 5·9, caudæ 4·5, tarsi 0·85.
An adult and young bird, in Mr. Treacher's collection.
This is an interesting addition to the avifauna of Borneo, and seems to
indicate an entirely new species. It bears considerable resemblance
to C. bimaensis of Timor and Lombock, but differs in having the
long silky plumes on each side of the lower back black instead of
greyish white; while the Timor bird has not, like C. borneensis,
any long hair-like plumes on the head. On the other hand the latter
character allies it to C. pectoralis of the Sulu Islands; but it may
be recognised on comparison by the much smaller and more metallic
spots on the throat and fore neck, which are steel-green, as also
are the neck-hackles. In C. pectoralis the spangles are large, dull,
and incline to purplish in tint. This species appears to me to be
a thorough Chibia, and I do not at present see how naturalists can
avoid recognizing the existence of Chibia in the Malay archipelago;
nor do I understand how the Indian and Malayan species are to
be separated, when such a perfect gradation is now offered by
C. borneensis and C. pectoralis. Under these circumstances I believe
that Salvadori's genus Dicruropsis, which I was lately inclined
to admit (Mittheil. k. zool. Mus. Dresd. iii. p. 360), cannot be
sustained; and I therefore revert to my old opinion concerning these
birds (Cat. B. iii. p. 234). I have given this species the name of
borneensis to celebrate the addition of a Chibia to the avifauna of
Borneo. Mr. Treacher has also procured a single specimen of it on
the Lawas river.
The young bird from Kina Balu differs from the adult in being duller
black, with fewer and less metallic chest-spots and hackles.
10. Buchanga stigmatops, sp. n.
B. similis B. leucophææ, sed macula lorali alba magna
distinguenda. Long. tot. 10, culm. 0·9, alæ 5·3, caudæ 5·1, tarsi 0·7.
The presence of white on the facial region of a species of grey
Buchanga would seem to ally it at once to B. leucogenys. In the
Bornean bird, however, of which I have three specimens before me,
the white is confined to a large loral spot in front of the eye,
whereas in B. leucogenys the eyebrow and ear-coverts, as well as the
feathers below the eye, are also white or whitish. The new species
is also of the same dark grey as B. leucophæa (B. cineracea of my
Catalogue, iii. p. 250), and not of the light pearly grey which is
another character of B. leucogenys. One specimen was contained in
Mr. Burbidge's collection, and two in Mr. Treacher's.
11. Pericrocotus igneus.
Pericrocotus igneus, Blyth; Salvad. tom. cit. p. 144; Sharpe,
Cat. B. iv. p. 78.
An adult male, in Mr. Burbidge's collection.
12. Trachycomus ochrocephalus.
Trachycomus ochrocephalus (Gm.), Salvad. tom. cit. p. 197.
One specimen, in Mr. Burbidge's collection.
13. Rubigula montis, sp. n.
R. similis R. flaviventri, sed multa minor et gula flava nec nigra
distinguenda. Long. tota 5·7, culminis 0·5, alæ 3·1, caudæ 2·8,
tarsi 0·7.
General colour above olive-yellowish, the wing-coverts like the
back; quills and tail dull blackish brown, externally washed with
olive-yellow like the back, the greater coverts also brown washed with
olive-yellow; tail-feathers paler brown at the tip of the inner web;
head crested, black, as also the sides of the face, ear-coverts, and
cheeks; entire under surface of body yellow, slightly more olive-green
on the sides; under wing-coverts yellow, the longer ones white washed
with yellow; quills sepia-brown below, white along the edge of the
inner webs.
This species is almost exactly the same as Rubigula atricapilla of
Ceylon, but has not the white tips to the tail-feathers, while its
long crest distinguishes it from the Ceylonese species, which is not
crested. In the form of the crest and in general appearance it is
almost precisely similar to R. flaviventris of Pegu and Tenasserim,
but is smaller, and has the throat yellow like the rest of the under
surface. The single specimen obtained was in Mr. Treacher's collection.
14. Criniger ruficrissus, sp. n.
C. similis C. gutturali, sed supra ubique sordidior, supracaudalibus
caudaque saturate rufescenti-brunneis; loris et regione oculari cum
genis et regione parotica sordide cinereis, gula alba, corpore reliquo
subtus sordide olivascente, sub caudalibus castaneis. Long. tot. 8,
culm. 0·85, alæ 4·0, caudæ 4·0, tarsi 0·7.
This species is not very different from C. gutturalis, but differs
in its much darker coloration, especially on its under surface,
which is dull olivaceous, with a white throat and chestnut-red under
tail-coverts. There is an entire absence of the pale-brown colour
of the breast washed with yellow, and of the light yellow abdomen
and pale fawn-coloured under tail-coverts. The crest is very long in
C. ruficrissus, and extends nearly to the mantle.
15. Ianthocincla treacheri, sp. n.
I. similis I. mitratæ (S. Müll.), ex Sumatra, sed genis, mento et
regione parotica sicut caput castaneis facile distinguenda. Long. tota
10, culminis 0·85, alæ 4·15, caudæ 4·5, tarsi 1·5.
Adult. General colour above dark ashy grey, with a very slight shade
of ochraceous under certain lights; the wing-coverts slightly more
bluish grey than the back: quills blackish, externally bluish grey,
the primaries white along the basal part of the outer web, giving
the wing a conspicuous white outer aspect; tail-feathers dark slaty
grey, shading into blackish at the end of the feathers; entire crown
and nape, as well as the sides of face, ear-coverts, and fore part
of cheeks deep chestnut-red, the under cheek-feathers slightly tipped
with ochraceous; frontal plumes with lanceolate tips of light ashy grey
or hoary whitish; under surface of body dull ochraceous brown, with
lighter shaft-lines of pale ochraceous, imparting a striped appearance
to the throat and breast; the sides of the body more ashy grey; chin
chestnut, like the sides of the face; thighs dark grey, with a few
chestnut feathers near the tarsal bend; under tail-coverts chestnut;
under wing-coverts ashy grey, slightly marked with ochraceous; quills
sepia-brown below, paler along the edge of the inner web.
Four specimens are sent by Mr. Treacher, all adult, and exactly similar
in plumage. On comparing them with Sumatran specimens of I. mitrata,
a very marked difference presents itself, which shows that the Kina
Balu bird belongs to a new species. Although similar to I. mitrata
in its general coloration and white-edged quills, it is distinguished
at once by its chestnut ear-coverts, while the chin and fore part of
the cheeks are also chestnut.
16. Turdus pallens.
Turdus pallens, Pall.; Salvad. tom. cit. p. 256.
An adult specimen, sent by Mr. Treacher.
17. Monticola solitarius.
Monticola solitarius (P. L. S. Müll.), Walden, Tr. Z. S. ix. p. 192.
A specimen sent by Mr. Treacher.
This is the second occurrence of the bird in Borneo, the first having
been recorded by me under the name of Monticola pandoo (Ibis, 1877,
p. 13), from Mr. Alfred Everett's Bintulu collection. Mr. Treacher's
specimen is in full blue-and-red plumage, with the usual margins to
the feathers found in the winter dress.
For permission to use the foregoing Papers, I am under obligations
to James Britten, Esq., Editor of the Journal of Botany, and to
P. L. Sclater, Esq., Secretary of the Royal Zoological Society
of London.
NOTES
[1] This last instrument closely resembles the "teponaztli," an
instrument still in use by the Indians in the Cordilleras of Mexico,
the deep thudding sound of which may be heard a distance of several
miles.
[2] "Journal of Eastern Asia." July, 1875. Trübner & Co.
[3] It is curious to find that in Borneo, and elsewhere in the Malayan
islands, the name "orang-utan" (literally "wild man," or, "man of the
woods,") is applied not only to the large red monkey, as with us,
but also to the aboriginal inhabitants of the interior. The Muruts
are frequently spoken of as "orang-utan," not only by the Malays,
but also by the Kadyans, a tribe of aboriginals converted to the
Mahomedan faith.
[4] On mountains in Borneo above 7000 feet a form of Dipteris
Horsfieldii grows freely among dacrydiums, droseras, dianella, dawsonia
superba, a tiny umbellifer, and other Australian types. It is dwarf,
rarely above two feet high, with glaucous leathery and brittle fronds,
almost silvery below.
[5] "Malay Archipelago," vol. ii. p. 212.
[6] "Life in the Forests of the Far East," 2d. ed., vol. i. p. 404.
[7] "Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa." John
Murray. 1857.
[8] See Trans. Linn. Soc. n.s. i. p. 310.
[9] Doubtless Haliastur intermedius.
[10] These collectors accompanied Mr. Peter Veitch and myself during
the first expedition to Kina Balu, undertaken in November and December,
1877. The specimens collected by them were obtained along the route
from Gaya Bay to the village of Kiau (alt. 3,000 feet). They did
not ascend the mountain itself, but collected around Kiau until our
return.--F. W. B.
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