The boat now proceeded until it arrived in front of a large house. Dalim, accompanied by one of his countrymen and Johannes, went ashore, mounted a slanting notched tree, the usual kind of steps leading into Dayak houses, and entered the [[63]]dwelling. All those who remained behind seized their rifles and kept themselves ready for action.
After a little while Johannes reappeared, made a reassuring sign and called out in the Dayak language that they had met with friends. It happened that a relative of one of the fugitive Dayak mutineers was living here. It was an Islamite Dayak, that is one who has embraced the Mohammedan faith; he had only done so recently and had changed his Dayak name of “Mihing” into “Ali Bahar.”
The Dayaks, always ready for festivities, were only too delighted to celebrate the auspicious event of a meeting between relations and nothing seemed more natural than to welcome their kinsman and his friends with a hearty dinner and drinking bout. All, including Sheik Mohammed Al Mansoer, gave their ready consent, the latter adding that “Allah is best praised with his own gifts.” Accordingly at mid-day, they took their places, seated in a circle on a mat with their legs crossed. An immensely large boar’s head roasted over the fire was dished up and brought in, accompanied by a vast bowl of toeak.
Johannes bent over the Walloon and whispered something into his ear, when the latter, visibly affected, cried out in angry tones:
“May the plague choke thee, cursed animal.”
The whole of the Dayak family got up, alarmed at this outburst, but Johannes pacified them, declaring that the holy descendant of the Prophet only expressed his surprise at the audacity of the newly-converted family in preparing such food and drink, and especially in offering them to him. [[64]]
“See,” he continued, “how the holy man trembles at the horror of seeing the unclean food so strongly forbidden by Ngabehi Mohammed.”
And really the pseudo-Arab moved backwards and forwards like a maniac, muttering a curious mixture of Walloon, French and Dutch oaths. He knew too well that in deference to the character he was personating he would not be able to partake of the well-prepared boar’s head and the aromatic toeak. Some time ago he had cultivated the acquaintance of the toeak, a liquor prepared from fermented rice, pepper, betelnuts and sugar, and had found its taste so agreeable that on seeing the bowl appear, he had promised himself a goodly drink of its seductive contents. But Johannes’ remark effectually deprived him of any share in the potations. Meddling fellow! Why could he not keep silent? The Walloon vented his indignation on his turban, which he turned around again and again as if wishing to pitch this particular article into the soengei. However, the hostess hastened to offer the desperate Arab a fair portion of tambilok, delicately fried, seasoned and peppered, besides a few slices of liendoeng, with some nice sour egg-sauce. After the saint had said grace he peacefully set to work and finished his meal with a good dose of fried koedjang, declaring that he found this product of the art of Dayak cookery most delicious.
“I believe you,” said Johannes, smiling; “it was the choicest tidbit they could offer you.”
La Cueille became alarmed at his ominous smile. “In heaven’s name, what did I really eat?”