to last them for many long days. Captain Redwood and Saloo in their
hunting excursion had been very successful. The captain had not been
called upon to fire a single shot from his rifle, so that his slender
store of ammunition was still good for future eventualities. Saloo's
silent sumpits had done all the work of the chase, which resulted in the
death of a deer, another wild pig, and several large birds, suitable for
the pot or spit. The hunters had been returning from their last
expedition heavily loaded with game, when the cries of Helen, Henry, and
Murtagh, had caused them to drop their booty and hasten to the rescue.
Now that all was over, and they were once more reminded of it, Saloo and
Murtagh went in search of the abandoned game, soon found it, gathered it
again, and transported it to their camping-place by the side of the
lake.
Here, during the time they stayed to await the recovery of Helen's
health, the pork and venison were cut up and cured in such a manner as
to ensure its keeping for a long time--long enough indeed to suffice
them throughout the whole duration of their contemplated journey; that
is, should no unexpected obstacle arise to obstruct or detain them.
The fowls that had fallen to Saloo's arrows were sufficient to serve
them for a few days, and with the fine supply of lard obtained from the
carcass of the pig, they could be cooked in the most sumptuous manner.
In the best of spirits they again set forth; and it seemed now as if
fate had at last grown weary of torturing them, and daily, almost
hourly, involving one or other of them in danger of death.
From the edge of the lake, where their journey had been so strangely
interrupted, they found an easy path across the remaining portion of the
great plain.
Several times they came upon the traces of red gorillas, and once they
caught sight of a member of the horrid tribe speeding along the branches
above their heads.
But they were not so much afraid of them after all; for Saloo admitted
that he did not deem the _mias pappan_ so dangerous; and he had
ascertained that it was this species of ourang-outang they had
encountered.
He confessed himself puzzled at the behaviour of the one that had caused
them so much fear and trouble. It was another species, the _mias
rombi_, of which he stood in dread; and he could only account for the
_mias pappan_ having acted as it had done, by supposing the animal to
have taken some eccentric notion into its head--perhaps caused, as we
have already hinted, by its conflict with the crocodile.
Dangerous these gigantic _quadrumana_ are, nevertheless;--their
superhuman strength enabling them to make terrible havoc wherever and
whenever their fury becomes aroused. But without provocation this
rarely occurs, and a man or woman who passes by them without making a
noise, is not likely to be molested.
Besides the large species, to which belonged the ape that had attacked
them, the travellers saw another kind while passing across the plain.
This was the _mias kassio_, much smaller in size, and more gentle in its
nature.
But they saw nothing of those, tallest of all, and the most dreaded by
Saloo--the _mias rombis_--although the old bee-hunter still maintained
his belief that they exist in the forests of Borneo as well as in the
wilds of Sumatra.
The plain over which they were making their way, here and there
intersected with lagoons and tracts of tree-covered swamp, was the very
locality in which these great apes delight to dwell; their habit being
to make their huge platforms, or sleeping-places, upon bushes that grow
out of boggy marsh or water--thus rendering them difficult of access to
man, the only enemy they have need to dread.
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
THE FRIENDLY FLAG.
The travellers had taken their departure from the lake-shore at an early
hour of the morning; and before sunset they had traversed the remaining
portion of the plain, and ascended a considerable distance up the
sloping side of the mountains beyond.
Another day's journey, during which they accomplished a very long and
tiresome march, brought them to the summit of the ridge, the great
dividing chain which strikes longitudinally across the whole island of
Borneo, so far as the geographers yet know it.
They could see far to the northward, dimly outlined against the sky, the
immense mountain of Kini-Balu--which rises to a height of nearly 12,000
feet; but they derived their principal gratification from the fact that,
in the country stretching westward, appeared nothing likely to prevent
them from reaching the destined goal of their journey, the old Malay
capital town of Bruni--or rather the isle of Labuan, which lies along
the coast a little to the north of it, where Captain Redwood knew that a
flag floated, which, if not that of his own country, would be equally as
certain to give him protection.
From the position of Kini-Balu, whose square summit they could
distinguish from all others, he could see the point to steer for as
well, or even better, than if he had brought his ship's compass with
him, and they would no longer be travelling in any uncertainty as to
their course. From where they were it could be distinguished to a
pointy without any variation; and after a good night's rest upon the
mountain-ridge, they commenced descending its western slope.
For a time they lost sight of the sun's orb, that, rising behind their
backs, was hidden by the mountain mass, and casting a purple shadow over
the forest-clad country before them. Soon, however, the bright orb,
soaring into the sky, sent its beams before them, and they continued
their journey under the cheering light.
Had it not been for fear of their fellow-beings, they would have
advanced on without much further apprehension; for one and all were now
rejoicing in a plentitude of restored health, and their spirits were
consequently fresh and cheerful.
But they still had some dread of danger from man--from those terrible
enemies, the Dyaks, of whom Bornean travellers have told such ghastly
tales.
It seemed, however, as if our adventurers were not destined to discover
whether these tales were true or false, or in any way to realise them.
The evil star that had hung over their heads while on the eastern side
of the island, must have stayed there; and now on the west nothing of
ill appeared likely to befall them.
For all this they did not trust to destiny, but took every precaution to
shun an encounter with the savages, travelling only at such times as
they were certain the "coast was clear;" and lying in concealment
whenever they saw a sign of danger. Saloo, who could glide through the
trees with the stealth and silence of a snake, always led the advance;
and thus they progressed from hill to hill, and across the intervening
valleys, still taking care that their faces should be turned westward.
At length, after many days of this cautious progress, they ascended a
steep ridge, which, rising directly across their route, made it
necessary for them to climb it.
It caused them several hours of toil; but they were well rewarded for
the effort. On reaching its summit, and casting their glances beyond,
they saw below, and at a little to the left, the strange old
wooden-walled town of Bruni; while to the right, across a narrow arm of
the sea, lay the island of Labuan, and on its conspicuous buildings
waved the glorious old banner of Britannia.
Captain Redwood hailed it with almost as much joy as if it had been the
flag of his native land.
He was not then in the mood to dwell on any distinction between them;
but, flinging himself on his knees, with Henry on one side, and Helen
upon the other--Murtagh and the Malay a few paces in the rear--he
offered up a prayer of devout and earnest gratitude for their great
deliverance to Him who is ever powerful to save, their Father and their
God.