“So that I am now sitting on the equator?” remarked La Cueille.
“Yes; my boy, you have that distinguished privilege.”
“I say, what joy that would cause at sea! Neptune would come on board to greet us, and there would be drinks all around.”
“And so shall there be here. We will bid farewell to the southern hemisphere with a hearty cheer,” Johannes said, and jumping up he produced from one of the baskets two bottles of gin which he proceeded to dispense among the company. The Poenans were delighted at the treat and joined their lēēēēēh lĕlĕlĕlĕ ouiit to the hurrahs of the Europeans, who shook hands with each other and exchanged congratulations on their lucky escape.
“But we are not yet out of the woods,” was the pessimistic remark of Johannes. “The worst is yet to come.” [[358]]
From Boekit Doesson Harimaoung guided the travellers in a westerly direction, keeping the crest of Boekit Lientang, which rose high above the surrounding hills, for his beacon. Thus they reached soengei Malahoei, which they crossed on an extemporized raft constructed of bamboos, which were found growing here in abundance. After the passage of the river their march was toward the north-west, until at nightfall they approached some huts, situated near a cataract, Kiham Toeak, on the soengei Nanga Boenoet. Harimaoung Boekit was well known here and knew all the inhabitants intimately. He entered one of the huts and without much trouble succeeded in purchasing for a few thaëls of gold dust a rangkan capable of receiving the entire company.
At break of day, twenty-four hours later, our travellers found themselves at the mouth of the Blitang, up which they rowed into Danau Loewar, the largest of a group of lakes situated at the foot of the Batang Loepar mountain range.
When the rangkan had gone half way across its occupants caught a glimpse of a range of mountains bordering the northern horizon.
“There!” cried Johannes, “Once there and we are free.”
The Europeans, powerfully affected, gazed at this mountain range, drawn like a dark blue ribbon against the light azure of the sky. For some moments none of them could speak. All the dangers and privations which they had encountered in getting this far seemed to pass before their eyes and they sat solemn and silent. At last Schlickeisen asked: