Chapter VII

THE SAMARAHAN RIVER AND THE CAVES OF SIRIH.

A Storm--The Musquito Passage--The Samarahan--Rich
Soil--The Malays--The Dayaks--The Malay Chief--The
Sibuyau Village--A Pretty Girl--Dragons’ Heads--Climbing
Pole--Drinking--“The Sibuyaus get no Headaches”--Force
repelled by Force--Gardens--Left-hand Branch--Difficult
Path--Hill of Munggu Babi--Former Insecurity--The
Village--Welcome--Deer Plentiful--Walk to
the Sirih Caves--A Skeleton--Illustrative Story--Method
of Governing--Torches--Enter the Recesses of the Cave--Small
Chambers--Unpleasant Walking--Confined Passage--The
Birds’ Nests’ Chamber--Method of Gathering them--Curious
Scene--The Cloudy Cave--Wine of the Tampui
Fruit--Blandishments--Drinking--Dancing--Bukars
Hairy--Scenery--Walk--“The Sibuyaus do get
Headaches”--Lanchang--Rival Chiefs--Ancient Disputes--Deer
Shooting--Wanton Destruction of Fruit Trees--Choice
of an Orang Kaya--Return to Boat--The Right-hand
Branch--The San Poks--Hot Spring--Tradition--Hindu
Relics--The Female Principle--The Stone
Bull--Superstition--Story 205