"I think, from the silent way in which they go on, that they must be on
one of their kidnapping expeditions," he answered. "At first I thought
they were approaching their homes, and they might be Bornean pirates
from the west coast; but I have now no doubt that they are Illanons from
Sooloo. They more nearly answer the descriptions I have had of the
latter; but, as you know, my cruising has been more to the south and to
the eastward, so that I have not fallen in with them."
All night long we lay in perfect silence. I contrived to get my head
out a little way from under the platform, at the risk of a blow from a
kriss; but I wanted fresh air, and to see what sort of a place we had
brought up at. Of fresh air I got but little, though I discovered that
we were in a small bay, closely surrounded by lofty trees, which
completely concealed us, except from any one passing directly in front
of it. We were evidently in ambush for some purpose or other, probably
for the object at which Fairburn surmised.
We were visited during the night by young Hassan, he brought us water
and food. Fairburn tried to learn from him where we were, and what was
going to happen but, putting his finger to his mouth, he intimated that
he was afraid of speaking, and hurried off. We remained, unable to
sleep, in anxious expectation of daylight. At early dawn every one was
astir, though cautious as before of making any noise. The anchors were
got up, and the warps which had secured the vessels to the trees were
cast off, and we glided out of the bay.
The pirates were so engaged in the work they were about, that they did
not watch us as narrowly as before, and we were, therefore, able to
creep out from under the platform, and, by climbing up the stanchions,
to look about us. We were pulling up a broad stream, bounded on either
side by dark forests, the trees of which grew down to the very edge,
their boughs overhanging the stream, while their shadows were reflected
with peculiar distinctness in it. Behind arose ranges of lofty
mountains, whose summits were lost in the gloom of that early hour. The
trees were alive with monkeys and squirrels; and birds of gaudy plumage
flitted about in every direction on the wing, apparently to take a look
at the strangers. Alligators were enjoying their morning swim, and,
disturbed by our approach, they plunged under the water to escape from
our keels. Here and there in the forest were open patches, where ruined
huts showed that villages had been once destroyed by some incursion like
the present, or by the attacks of hostile tribes of the Dyaks, eager to
fill their head-houses with the heads of the conquered.
At last, rounding a point, we came suddenly on a large Dyak village.
Treachery had been at work. The boom, which should have been across the
river to prevent surprise, was not secured, and was easily driven aside
and passed. Just at that moment the rays of the rising sun first struck
the topmost peaks of the surrounding mountains, casting on them a pink
hue, and making the scene below appear of a yet darker tinge. The town
consisted of some thirty or more large houses raised on piles, and each
capable of holding several families, perhaps altogether amounting to two
hundred people. On either side of the town, on slight eminences, were
two forts surrounded by a strong stockade--the upper part surmounted by
a sort of _chevaux de frise_ of split bamboos. The whole town was also
surrounded by a stockade. On the walls of the fort were several lelahs,
or brass swivel guns, of native manufacture. Outside the stockade were
groves of cocoa-nut trees, and patches of open ground for the
cultivation of rice, yams, and sago. The inhabitants were still
apparently buried in profound repose, unsuspicious of coming evil. No
one was stirring--not a sound was heard.
We dashed on at a rapid rate; and I had scarce time to observe the scene
I have described. The Malays ran the sharp bows of their shallow prahus
on to the shore--the triangle masts were instantly lowered, and formed
bridges on to the banks, and, in some places, to the very walls of the
forts. Before the alarm was given they were swarming with savage
warriors, who, kriss and assegai in hand, rushed into the town, and
clambered into the forts and houses. Those who resisted were
slaughtered without mercy--the young people and children were bound with
cords, and were given over to a band who followed the warriors on
purpose to take charge of the prisoners. When they had secured as many
prisoners as their vessels could carry, they no longer gave quarter to
any they met, but wantonly destroyed them. The remainder of the
inhabitants escaped to the woods, where the Malays could not follow
them.
While the battle was raging at its height, the attention of the Malays
on board was so completely drawn from us, that it struck me we might be
able to make our way along the mast on to the shore, and then concealing
ourselves in the woods, wait till the expedition had sailed. I thought
that we might then get away to Singapore in a Dyak vessel, or a Chinese
trader, many of which I had heard visited the coast. Fairburn, however,
was of opinion that the attempt would be worse than futile. In the
first place, we would be inevitably seen by the Malays, and should be
very likely fired at and killed; or, if brought back alive, treated with
far greater harshness than before. The Dyaks too, he pointed out, were
worse savages than the Malays; and, irritated by their defeat, they
would not stop to consider whether we were the cause of it, but for the
sake of our heads alone, would murder us without compunction. All hope,
therefore, of escape was for the present abandoned.
The pirates then set fire to the houses, which being built of bamboo,
and thatched with palm-leaves, burnt like tinder. Having accomplished
their work of destruction to their entire satisfaction, with little loss
to themselves, they shoved their prahus into the stream, and proceeded
as fast as they could towards the sea. The captives, on being brought
on board, were placed under the platform close to us, very much to our
additional inconvenience.
In appearance they were far from an attractive race. They were of a
copper colour, with small eyes, black and piercing, mouths large, thick
lips, and teeth filed into points, and blackened by their custom of
chewing the betel-nut. The noses of some of the men were almost
aquiline; but generally they were rather inclined to be flat. Their
heads were well formed, and might be almost called intellectual; their
hair was slightly shaven in front, and all thrown to the back of the
head. They were of the middle height, very strongly and well built, and
with limbs admirably proportioned. They were most remarkable for the
number of rings they wore in their ears, those of higher rank having no
less than fifteen, which weighed the lobe down almost to the shoulders.
Their dress consisted of a cloth round the waist, which hung down in
front, and some had on a sort of skin waistcoat, and a cloak over the
shoulders.
The women had petticoats of native cloth fastened above the hips. Their
hair was fine and black, and fell down in profusion behind their backs.
Some of them, indeed, might be called pretty. The greater number of
these people had a frank and pleasing expression of countenance and we
since have good reason to know that they can be easily civilised. Their
arms were brought on board as trophies. They consisted of the
blow-pipe, (the sumpitan); it is about eight feet long, and from it they
eject small arrows, poisoned with the juice of the upas, chiefly for
killing birds. They had also long sharp knives called parangs, spears,
and shields, in addition to the fire-arms, which they procure where they
can find them.
Reaching the mouth of the river without interruption, we stood out to
sea.