How Albert Grubauer Won the Confidence
of a Timid People Who Had Never
Before Seen a European.
In the mountains of northern Malacca and southern Siam dwells a tribe of
dwarf Negritos who, until a few months ago, knew nothing of the white man
and his ways. From their hunting grounds they could almost see the foreign
ships steam through Malacca Straits. Certain conveniences obtainable only
from the whites had reached them through intermediate tribes; for example,
they had become well acquainted with the Swedish safety matches, yet no
white man had ever come in contact with them.
A German botanist, Albert Grubauer, not long ago set out to make
acquaintance with these shy people. With a few native servants he stole
quietly up into the mountains. For some time their patience was rewarded
only with disappointment, but at last one morning they came upon a party
of the little men. The Negritos dropped the bundles of rattan they were
carrying and concealed themselves in the under-growth.
The German and his men knew exactly what they were to do in such a case,
says the New York _Sun_, summarizing the story from the elaborate account
in a German scientific journal. They were not to go an inch in pursuit. No
weapon was to be shown. One of the men who could speak a little of the
native dialect aired his accomplishment in the gentlest way. The white man
was their good friend and had come to see them. And what wonderful
presents he had brought for his friends! The white man and his servants
extended their arms, which were loaded with bright cottons, strings of
beads, many colored necklaces, tobacco and other tempting articles whose
merits were extolled by the spokesman with all the eloquence he could
command.
They knew the natives were behind the bushes looking at the tempting sight
and listening to the exhortation. Then the visitors sat down, still
holding out the beautiful presents. Finally, an old man, the leader of the
party, stuck his head out of the bush. He broke off a green twig and held
it up. It was a sign of peace and the white man nodded to him. The ice was
broken. The Negrito approached the European, they shook hands, some of the
presents were distributed and the visitors became the guests of the little
mountaineers. They were passed on from one group to another till Grubauer,
after a considerable time, had completed his studies.