When we arrived at the village, I observed that the warriors did not
bring in the heads with them, but deposited them at some little distance
outside the stockade. The truth was, I found, that the entrance of such
trophies was considered far too important to take place without the
observance of due ceremony. A temporary shed had been erected for them,
under which they were hung up and carefully watched by a party of young
men, habited in their finest costume.
The next morning there was a loud beating of gongs in the kampong, or
village, and shouting and shrieking from the whole population, as the
warriors were seen approaching, each carrying his bloody trophy before
him, and dancing and singing at the same time. As they entered the
kampong, they were met by the women, who crowded round the heads, and
put ciri and betel-nut in the gaping mouths. In this way they were
carried round from house to house, and then hung up in a large open shed
to dry for several days. Here the heads were watched by young boys of
from six to ten years old, who, for the whole time the process of drying
occupied--from seven to ten days--were never allowed to step out of the
hall, or neglect their sacred trust. This was the commencement of their
initiation in the endurance of hardships, that they also might become
warriors. Night after night the men used to meet in front of the hall,
dancing and singing, and beating their gongs. They used to address
their heads, taunting them, telling them that they were their slaves,
and that they must send the rest of their tribe to be treated in the
same manner. These very men, however, savage as they were, treated us
with great kindness, and seemed anxious to do all they could to please
us. Blount spent the greater part of every day with us, and gave me
much information about the country. I told him that I was very anxious
to obtain tidings of my schooner, and the friends on board her, and
equally so to get away.
"So, my dear fellow, am I," he answered, making a long face; "but the
truth is, my friends here are so fond of us they will not let us go. I
have tried on several occasions to escape; but they always gave me a
strong hint to stop."
"How was that?" I asked.
"Why, they shut me up, and would not let me out till I promised to be
good."
"Then you really think we are prisoners here!" I exclaimed.
"Indeed I do," he answered. "I did not mention it before, because there
is a good deal in the fancy of the thing. When you thought that you
were waiting for a vessel to carry you off, you were content; now that
you discover that you are likely to be detained by force, you grow
indignant."
"It will never do to remain here," I said. "We must forthwith find some
means of escaping."
"I have been considering the same subject very seriously, I can assure
you," said Blount in a cheerful voice. "In the meantime let us make
ourselves as comfortable as we can--I always do; I never heard of any
man gaining anything by fretting."
My friend's reasoning was so sound that I could not but agree with him.
We found the chiefs and the people very civil, and the women seemed very
much inclined to be kind to Eva.
"Come," said Blount, one evening as we sat talking in the cottage;
"there is to be a dance at the house of the chief in honour of the
victory. It is worth seeing, and will amuse you and your sister, if she
is prepared for a little shrieking and brandishing of swords."
We both agreed, and following him, walked to the house of the chief, at
the farther end of the kampong. We entered a large room, with seats
arranged round it, and lighted up with dama torches. We had places
reserved near the chief; and the room soon began to fill, till it was
crowded with eager spectators. There were musicians ready, who played
on the _tom-tom_, or drum, and the gong, which they beat either slow or
fast, according to the measure of the dance.
The people were dressed, it must be remembered, in their gayest
costume--in scarlet jackets, in coats of shell armour, with cloaks of
skin, and caps of feathers, or turbans of gay-coloured native cloth,
their spears being in their hands, and their swords, with ornamented
handles, by their sides. The dancers, however, outshone them all in the
gayness of their costume.
The first dance performed was called the _Mancha_, or sword dance. Two
swords were placed on a mat in the centre of the room. The music began
to play very slowly, and two men advanced from opposite sides in time,
now bending the body, now turning round to watch and listen, now lifting
one leg, now the other, then the arms, in grotesque but not ungraceful
attitudes. One then moved to the right, the other to the left, and thus
they moved round and round the room, till at last they approached, and
each seized a sword. As they did so, the music began to play a brisker
measure; the warriors passed and repassed each other, now cutting, now
crossing swords, retiring and advancing, one kneeling as though to
defend himself from the assaults of his adversary, at times stealthily
waiting for an advantage, and quickly availing himself of it.
The measure throughout was admirably kept, and the frequent turns were
simultaneously made by both dancers, accompanied by the same eccentric
gestures. At each successful pass, the screams of delight uttered by
the spectators, and their shouts of applause, rang through the room,
exciting the performers to fresh exertions; the noise increased by the
loud clang of the musical instruments, as the musicians, excited by the
scene, beat time with great vehemence.
At length, wearied out, the first two dancers retired, and were
succeeded by a single man, with a spear poised high above his head. He,
as had the others, stepped forward slowly, turning round and round, now
advancing, now retiring, now brandishing it furiously, now pretending to
hurl his weapon at his enemies. This dance is called the _Talambong_.
The next set of dancers used shields in addition to their swords, and
went through very similar movements. These dances, I understood, are
very similar to those performed by the South Sea Islanders, and I
suspect that they differ but little from those practised in the present
day in the Shetland Islands and Norway, at the other side of the globe.
Although we were obliged to consider ourselves as prisoners, we were not
treated as slaves; indeed the chief sent a little black girl from the
coast of New Guinea, to attend on Eva. The child proved not only
useful, but a source of great interest to her. She had been captured at
a very early age, with her mother, and a brother and sister, by the
piratical prahus of a neighbouring tribe; and those to whose share she
fell, sold her to her present owner for some bees' wax and a few bundles
of rattans. Her figure was short, and her features very flat; but she
was so intelligent and lively that she was a general favourite. We
called her "Little Nutmeg," the name she bore sounding exactly like that
word; and she answered at once to it. Eva used to try and teach her
English; and the child was so anxious to learn the language, that she
rapidly gained a knowledge of it.
The people among whom we found ourselves, although they spent much of
their time in amusing themselves, when necessary were very industrious.
They cultivated a considerable quantity of rice, which not only formed
their chief support, but which they were enabled to export. The rice is
very white, and of excellent flavour. They first clear a spot of the
jungle, and irrigate it well; and as soon as they consider its primitive
richness is exhausted, they commence on fresh ground. Their mode of
grinding the rice clear of the husk is simple. The trunk of a tree is
sawn through, and two circular pieces of wood are selected, fitting to
each other; the upper portion is hollow, the lower solid; small notches
are cut where those two pieces fit, and handles are attached to the
upper part, which being filled with _padi_, and kept turning round, the
husk is detached, and escapes by the notches. The Dyaks understand
thoroughly the manufacture of iron. The forge is composed of the hollow
trunks of two trees, placed side by side; the fire is of charcoal; the
pipes of the bellows are of bamboo, led through a clay bank; and the
bellows are two pistons, with suckers made of cock's feathers, and which
a man pumps from the top of a tree. We found no want of provisions in
the country; and wild hogs especially abounded. There were a few
cattle, and plenty of fowls. I could not understand why the natives
were so anxious to detain us, till Blount explained, that they valued
us, because they fancied that we should be able to counsel them in time
of peace how to become rich, and to assist them in time of war.
"The fact is," he added, laughing, "when I interposed, and saved your
life and your sister's, I was obliged to say all I could in your favour;
so I told my friends that you were a very wonderful personage, and that
you knew more than a whole army of wise men: if they kept you, they
would be certain to conquer all their enemies; but if they killed you,
that your friends would be certain to come and revenge your death."
"An honour truly I am glad to have avoided," I answered. "As I,
however, have entered into no engagement to devote to them my services,
I shall feel myself at liberty to escape as soon as I can."
"So, indeed, shall I," he said. "We are, however, a long way from the
coast; and unless we can persuade our hosts to aid our departure, our
escape will be almost impossible."
"Such wonderful things have happened to us, that I shall never despair,"
observed Eva, whose spirits were returning rapidly, as she recovered
from the effects of her terror and fatigue.
I need scarcely say that this was the subject on which we most
frequently conversed, but still we could strike out no plan which
promised any prospect of success. I proposed appealing to the chief,
and promising to make him handsome presents, if he would get us all
conveyed to Singapore, or put on board the _Fraulein_; but when Blount
spoke to him on the subject, he replied most politely, that our society
was far more valuable than any present we could make him. Partly to
amuse myself, and partly to throw my captors off their guard, I used to
practise the various accomplishments I had learned when I was a slave.
The pleasantest was that of fishing from a canoe, by both spearing the
fish, and catching them with the wooden ducks. If I could make an
excuse to take Eva and Blount with me, we might be able to pull down the
river, and get a long start, before we were suspected and pursued. Two
months thus passed away; and had our stay been voluntary, I should have
been far from unhappy, as I had a sister and an old friend as
companions. The climate was delightful, and the natural productions
most interesting, and the scenery beautiful, while I had a comfortable
house as a residence, and a sufficiency of wholesome food.
The tribe were not satisfied with their late victory, and soon again
prepared for another war excursion, insisting that Blount and I should
accompany them. Hoping to find some means of escaping, we did not
refuse; and nearly five hundred men were collected from the neighbouring
kampongs, to form the invading army. All were clothed in their most
terror-inspiring attire, with as great a proportion of feathers and
skins as could be mustered. Their arms consisted of sumpitans, spears
and swords, daggers, with shields and padded jackets for their defensive
armour, while each man carried his provisions in a basket on his back.
This time they proposed attacking a tribe some way to the north, with
whom they had a long-standing quarrel.
Eva was very unhappy at the thought of our departure; but there appeared
to be no help for it, though never did two more reluctant heroes set out
on a warlike expedition than did Blount and I. We had proceeded two
days' journey, when, on the afternoon, as we were marching alongside the
chief, at the head of his forces, through a wood, our ears were saluted
with the sound of a bird singing on our left. The chief instantly
called a halt, and I observed a little red-breasted bird hopping merrily
from branch to branch.
"Ah, that is the papow!" exclaimed Blount. "They think it a sacred
bird, and that its appearing on the left hand is a signal for them not
to proceed to-day. Had it appeared on the right, they would have
thought the omen good, and have proceeded; and when it sings in front,
they fancy the enemy is near, and that it summons them to certain
victory."
While we were encamped at night, I remember hearing the short note of an
insect like a cricket, coming, apparently, from the south. The next
morning, at daybreak, every man was on foot; and, with dejected
countenances, they commenced their homeward march. I found from Blount
that the insect which gave forth the note was called the Kunding, and
the omen was considered of such ill augury, that the expedition was
given up entirely, not a little to our satisfaction.
Eva was much surprised at seeing our return, and very much delighted,
for she had expected to have been left alone for many days, dreading the
dangers to which we might be exposed, and with only Little Nutmeg as her
companion, and an occasional visit from the women of the kampong, I
judged, from the circumstance I have mentioned, that the people were
very superstitious; indeed I have invariably found that the smaller the
knowledge of religion possessed by a people, the greater and more absurd
is their superstition. These people, after they have sown a field with
grain, should any dead animal be found on it, will not use the crop. If
anything has been stolen, in order to discover the thief, they make up a
little _ciri_, and turning to the quarter they suspect, they throw it
forward, and call out for an insect they believe will inform them. If
the insect respond from that direction, the theft is charged to the
tribe so pointed out; but if it does not answer, they try another
quarter. I did not hear that marriages are ever forced as they are in
civilised countries; but, on the contrary, the young people are left to
choose those they like best. Generally the lady will not accept a lover
till he has brought her the head of a man as a proof of his bravery. If
the young would-be husband cannot get the head of an enemy, he is
sometimes tempted, if he is very much in love, to kill the first person
of any tribe not his own whom he meets, which is, of course, considered
so high a compliment to the lady, that she rarely after that refuses
him. The man then makes presents to the parents of the bride, and gives
a feast to his tribe, which lasts several days. A curious ceremony is
observed on these occasions. A mixture is made of saffron, a little
gold dust, and fowl's blood, which is smeared over the chest, forehead,
and hands. The gentleman and lady each must take a fowl, and passing it
seven times across the chest, kill it. A small string of beads being
attached to the right wrist of either party, the ceremony is complete.
They believe that there is a good spirit called Tupa, who resides in the
clouds; but they do not pray or sacrifice to him. They bury their dead
with various articles he possesses, such as his spear, clothes, rice
_ciri betel_, and the first head he gained in his youth. Some tribes
burn their dead with their valuables. I must observe that the customs
of the various tribes differ considerably. They believe that the
spirits of the dead go to Labyan, a region under the earth, but not a
place of punishment. From the accounts I have given, it will be seen
that the aboriginal inhabitants of Borneo are a very singular people;
and I hope that my readers will make themselves further acquainted with
their habits and customs.
I now continue my history. As Eva had nothing to do, and no books to
amuse her, she found the time, when I was absent, hang very heavily on
her hands. The village was situated at the source of a river, which was
navigable, for canoes, a very short distance from it. Near the river
was a forest where I used to spend much of my time with Blount in search
of game. He had an old fowling-piece which he had saved from the wreck,
and he was able to purchase gunpowder from the Bugi traders who came to
the mouth of the river. I was one day in the forest, Blount being at
some distance from me, when I was startled by hearing a rustling in the
leaves near me. I turned, holding a spear I always carried ready for
defence, besides a thick club, expecting to see some wild animal. The
leaves parted, and sure enough there appeared the face of a monkey
grinning among them.
"What are you prying here for, old gentleman?" I exclaimed, expecting
to see him run away; but instead of that, what was my surprise to find
that he sat observing me with the greatest gravity and attention, his
body still hidden by the leaves!
As soon as I spoke, he began to chatter in return, and springing out of
his cover, he ran and jumped towards me. He was a little dark fellow,
without a tail, just like Ungka. I could scarcely believe that I was
awake, when the monkey, springing forward, jumped up into my arms, and
threw his round my neck. I could not be mistaken, wonderful as it
seemed,--it was no other than Ungka himself. How he had come there was
a question I could not get answered; for though he chattered a great
deal with delight, I could gain no information from him. I was in
hopes, however, that his presence betokened that other more
communicative friends were not far-off. I hunted about in every
direction with Ungka by my side, but no traces of any one could I find;
and Blount coming up soon afterwards, and several natives appearing,
prevented me from pursuing the search.
Ungka, intelligent as he looked, did nothing to assist me, and at last I
was obliged to return home, carrying him, as he insisted on it, in my
arms. The people were very much astonished to see a monkey so speedily
tamed; but Blount accounted for the circumstance, by telling them that I
knew the language of monkeys in all its dialects; and if they wished it,
that I would teach them. Eva was highly pleased at seeing Ungka, and he
seemed to fancy she was little Maria Van Deck, for he instantly ran up
to her, and they very soon became great friends. We were all in high
spirits, for we could not account for the appearance of Ungka in any
other way than by supposing that the _Fraulein_ was on the coast, and
that he had by some means escaped from her. How he had got so far into
the country was a mystery, for I could scarcely suppose that the
animal's instinct would have enabled him to find me out.
At our evening meal, he sat himself down by my side with the greatest
gravity, as he used to do on board the schooner, and appeared to be
perfectly at home, eating whatever was given him. His manners had
become so refined from associating with gentlemen, that he never
attempted to seize anything till it was offered him, though he cast a
wistful eye at some nuts and fruit, and seemed much pleased when they
were placed before him. His appearance, of course, gave us ample
subject for conversation, and he every now and then would look up with a
glance of the most extraordinary intelligence, and would chatter away
for some minutes without cessation, till Eva declared that she could not
help fancying he was giving us a full explanation of all we wanted to
know. Little Nutmeg stood by, her large white eyes rolling round with
astonishment, and of course entirely believing that the story Blount had
told of my understanding the monkey's language was perfectly true. She
accordingly reported through the village that the monkey and I had been
carrying on a most animated conversation for the whole evening; and I do
not know which gained most credit,--he for being able to speak, or I for
understanding him. Some of the natives came in to hear him; and as he
happened at the time to have perched himself on the top of a roll of
matting, as we were all lying down, I was the most elevated of the
party, and Eva declared that it looked as if he was some pigmy chief,
holding a divan, and that we were his attendants and counsellors. He
most certainly seemed fully to feel his importance. When our guests had
retired, he jumped down from his throne, and coiled himself away to
sleep in a basket, which stood in the corner of the room. Eva and her
little attendant retired into an inner chamber devoted to her use, and
Blount and I continued talking over the subject which most occupied her
thoughts. We should have talked on, without arriving at any just
conclusion, till the return of daylight, had we not been startled by
hearing the bamboo window-shutter forced open, and by seeing a head
protruding itself into the room, followed by a pair of shoulders and a
body.