“All my companions have been massacred to-day. To-morrow it will be my turn. God have mercy upon my soul.
“G. M.”
Johannes continued for some time gazing at these initials. “Good Heavens!” he exclaimed, “may this not be the journal of George Muller, the savant who was butchered in this country [[347]]more than thirty-five years ago! This is a real treasure-trove. Yes, undoubtedly it is Muller’s diary.”
Harimaoung Boekit, who had gone indoors, now reappeared with a rosary of skulls, one of which he exhibited to the Europeans. Its conformation proclaimed that it had belonged to an individual of the Caucasian race.
“Found with the book,” said the Poenan.
Schlickeisen and Wienersdorf both implored Harimaoung Boekit to give them that skull, but all their efforts were in vain. The possession of a white man’s skull was invaluable to the Poenan; so carefully tying his rosary together he took it indoors and placed it in safety. Johannes, however, took charge of the book to protect it from further mutilation.
Thus passed the days prior to Wienersdorf’s wedding. He had been longing to possess his beloved Hamadoe, and Johannes had been equally anxious to see the journey resumed.
The day of the full moon arrived at last, and early in the morning Dalim and Johannes commenced to prepare the bridegroom for the marriage ceremony. According to Dayak custom he had first to bathe in the river. Then he was painted with katiting and afterwards rubbed over with boengkang, the fat of a black cat, until his skin shone like a polished door-plate. The nails of his hands and feet were then gilt and on his forehead two broad red stripes were painted, which appeared like fiery eye-brows, over-riding the brown ones which nature had given him. He was now dressed in a karoenkoeng, or suit of rattan armor, and on his head was placed a cap of monkey skin, ornamented with two handsome feathers from the tail of the rhinoceros bird. The ewah, thrown [[348]]around his waist, was made of very fine beaten bark and was considered to be of rare excellence. Dalim then clasped around his loins the state mandauw of Harimaoung Boekit and supplied him with a shield upon which a monstrous crocodile was painted. His toilet was then complete.
“You do look fine,” exclaimed La Cueille. “I should like to have you at the fair at Jupille. What money I should make by exhibiting you as a wild Indian.”
Wienersdorf was just ready when three deputies, relatives of the bride, appeared and solemnly asked him whether he was prepared to fulfill his marriage contract.
“I should think so,” La Cueille answered, “he is boiling over with impatience.”