Ran away from the Dutch

by M. T. H. Perelaer

“Does the word Kalimantan mean anything at all?”

“Kalimantawa is the Dayak name of the dorian or jack-fruit [[98]]of Borneo, the shape of the island being similar to that of the fruit, which probably led to the adoption of the name.”

“That is quite impossible,” Wienersdorf rejoined. “Borneo is one of the largest islands of the world, and to define the shape of so large an island one requires a certain amount of knowledge which no people of the Indian Archipelago are likely to possess.”

Dalim hereupon bent over to Johannes and whispered something in his ear.

“You may be right,” the latter observed. “Dalim has just suggested Kalliintan, river of diamonds. That may be the true origin of the name, as intan means diamond.”

In discourse of a similar nature time was materially shortened and our travellers soon reached kotta Towanan. This was a Dayak fortification, such as is frequently found all over the inner regions of Borneo. It consisted of a long square redoubt without projections; its parapets were made of strong wooden piles of vast size, and was ornamented here and there with life-size wooden images representing Dayak warriors in every possible attitude of war.

Approaching nearer, but still covered by the last projecting bank, Dalim advised that the kotta should be reconnoitred in order to ascertain that it was not occupied by river pirates and head-hunters. A party accompanied by Schlickeisen and La Cueille landed and penetrated into the wood. They soon returned, however, and reported that they had found nothing of a suspicious nature.

At first they proposed to pass the night in the kotta and enjoy sleep on terra firma again; but after Wienersdorf had made a [[99]]careful survey, he remarked that both in the front and rear of the fort there were large apertures, which would require to be guarded. It would also be necessary to keep strict watch over their canoe, which contained all their riches. The efficient defence of these several positions would certainly be too much for their small number of men, none of whom had yet enjoyed a good night’s rest. They therefore resolved to remain in their boat, and by setting one man to do duty as sentry enable the others to enjoy undisturbed repose. Evening had closed in and the Dayaks took the first watch, the Europeans arranging to succeed and relieve them later in the night.

But man proposes and God disposes. Their rest was fated to be disturbed.

It might have been about nine o’clock in the evening; the Europeans had enveloped themselves in their blankets and were already snoring. The three Dayaks were sitting together in conversation, when Dalim made the remark that their supply of wood was insufficient to keep such a fire burning as would be necessary to command a thorough survey of the territory. He ordered one of his mates to supply this want and pointed out to him a heap of dry branches which he had noticed during his examination of the fort some hours before. The Dayak made no demur whatever but proceeded on his errand. His friends saw him land and disappear through one of the apertures of the fort; when suddenly a heart-rending cry was heard which summoned the watchers as well as the Europeans to their feet. Wienersdorf and La Cueille were among the first to seize their rifles and leap on shore; Dalim followed them closely, while the others kept a [[100]]sharp lookout, their rifles presented and their fingers on the trigger.