“When a person bathes in the former, his hair will not have dried when he reaches the latter.”
“Yes, yes,” said Johannes smiling. “I know that calculation [[301]]of time. Your long hair tied in a firm knot and protected by a head-dress in the bargain does not dry very rapidly. Let us assume that it would take five or six hours. What is the character of the country we should have to traverse?”
“It is very rugged and steep, but not difficult. I have frequently travelled the entire distance. Once arrived at Boekit Riwoet we gradually descend.”
“But shall we arrive at Oepon Batoe before Tomonggong Soerapatti?”
“That is not quite certain; perhaps we shall if we make haste.”
“Suppose we find Oepon Batoe already besieged?”
“Naughe,” I don’t care, was the easy reply of the Poenan. “I will call together the tribes of the Upper Kahajan and then we will see who cries king.”
“If that is the case we must not lose an hour,” Johannes decided. “To-morrow morning at daybreak we must be on our journey again.”
The Poenans and Kapoeasese when under the controlling influence of the Europeans were very punctual.
As soon as daylight began to appear in the east the camp was in commotion, and half an hour afterwards the rangkans left the shore. The inhabitants of kotta Hamiak, with tears in their eyes, took leave of the friendly travellers who had arrived so opportunely to aid and succor them in their recent extremity.