“I should be very sorry indeed,” said Johannes, somewhat disdainfully.
“And pray, why?” [[364]]
“Because nature is in my opinion too exalted to be desecrated by such mockery. But to change the subject, let us, while impressed with the grandeur of this cataract, shake hands and bid each other God-speed.”
“With all my heart,” responded La Cueille. “I like wishing good-luck, because it is usually accompanied by a dram.”
Johannes took from one of the baskets two square bottles. He poured out a stiff dose for each of them. Then raising on high his cocoanut drinking-cup, said:
“Men and brothers, this morning we have crossed the Batang Loepar mountains. That range marks the frontier between Dutch territory and Sarawak. We are over that frontier now and stand in the domains of Rajah Sir James Brooke. Brothers, I drink to Rajah Sir James Brooke, who established upon the most inhospitable coast of Borneo the colony which will now receive us after a long and weary pilgrimage. Hip! hip! hurrah!”
“Hip! hip! hurrah!” the Europeans cheered.
“Lēēēh lèlèlèlèle ouiiiiit,” yelled the Poenans.
The travellers now cast their eyes over the country into which they were descending. However wild the upper slopes of the Batang Loepar must have been, here below them lay a carpet of the loveliest verdure, in the midst of which a silver ribbon was seen winding its course from south to north. Harimaoung Boekit explained to his friends that the stream they saw was the soengei Oendoep. He also pointed out to them a spot on the horizon standing out beautifully white against the green background. [[365]]
Wienersdorf took his glasses and looked.