I have noticed to-day many of those deep holes in rocks mentioned by De la Beche, as caused by the continual working of pebbles on them. Many have bored their way down several feet, working even through to the stream; others are in every stage of progress. The river, though in many places deep, is generally shallow, particularly at the rapids, and it occasionally rushes down with great force. I expect as we enter the limestone district, to change the character of these impediments, which have as yet consisted of pebbles, gradually enlarging as we move up the river; many of limestone are now showing themselves. The Muruts declare there are edible birds’-nest caves near Salindong; but we must reserve any search till our return, as I will not allow anything to interfere with our advance.
I do enjoy this exploration of new countries. I especially enjoy an evening such as this. It is a fine star-light night; we have pitched our tents on a broad pebbly flat, and the men have collected a great pile of wood, with which to keep up a cheerful fire. Most of us are sitting round it, and that everlasting subject of discussion arises—how far are the Kayans off. The hut to-day appeared as if very lately used, but if we are to be attacked, I hope it will be in the day-time. The conversation was beginning to flag, when suddenly we heard a bird utter three cries to our right. “Ah,” cried Japer, “that is a good sign,” and instantly reverted to head-hunting and omens. I will here introduce a story illustrative of the practice. Its cool atrocity always makes my heart sick. Japer told it in illustration of various omens. I will try and relate it in his own words, whilst they are still ringing in my ears.
“I am acquainted with all the different birds and animals in which the Pakatans have faith. Do you hear that grasshopper,—it is on the right, and is a sign of good fortune. Were there three or four sounding together, we should instantly leave our hut, at whatever time of night, and seek a new resting-place, or we should suffer for it. When the bird of omen flies over us from the quarter whence we have just arrived, it is a good sign; the bird tells us to advance. If he flew from the quarter whence we were going, we should return to our last night’s resting-place, whatever might be the distance. You know that bird which has three cries? When it sounds to the right it is good luck; and also when to the left, if very near an enemy, it rejoices to give them to us as a prey. When it cries, 'Trik, trik,’ it is death to those that advance.
“I will tell you what has happened to me since I have entered El Islam. Two of my grand-children died of sickness. How was I to lose the soreness of heart occasioned by this event? I determined to go head-hunting. I sent a hundred of my tribe up the Rejang, and started myself with seventy to Bintulu. There the Orang Kaya Pamancha came to me and said, 'You are going to kill some of my people.’ 'No; I am not,’ I answered. 'Well,’ he said, 'there is a tribe of Punans living near Bukit Lambir, who owe me for goods, which they have had for some time. They sell their camphor and their wax to others, not to me. Go and attack them; there are only thirty males. But don’t forget me when you divide the women and children.’
“So I sent my brother, who is a brave man, and he started in a small canoe, with three men. After a long search, he arrived in their neighbourhood, and heard them talking in the woods. He therefore hid his canoe, and that night walked up close to their village. He then stripped and left his sword and everything near an old tree, and fastening a string to the stump, crawled towards the house like a pig on all fours, but gradually letting out the string behind him; this was to be his guide in returning to his clothes. He found that the house was large. He then crawled back to the place from whence he started. Not satisfied with this inspection, he determined to remain there and have a look at the place during the day. At dawn he concealed himself in a hollow tree, and waited there till all the Punans had gone out hunting; he then boldly went near the house and counted the number of doors—'families’—which he found to be forty. Thereupon, he returned to his companions, and they all together pulled off to Bintulu.
“On meeting, I asked what was the news? As this was in public, my younger brother answered, 'Antah,’ (nothing particular); but presently calling me on one side, he told me all that he had seen. That very night I started off with my whole party. When we reached the entrance of the Lambir River, a great alligator rose to the surface, and kept up with our boats the whole way. This was a good omen, and I addressed the animal thus:—'Oh, grandfather, give us good fortune, and we will provide you with a feast.’ We were all in the highest spirits, when the omen bird flew from the right hand to the left, crying 'Trik, trik;’ and immediately another flew from the left to the right, sounding ‘Trik, trik.’ This double crossing was a very bad omen, and portended a fight and much contention; so I said to my followers, 'Let us return to our boats for three days; this omen is very bad.’ But they laughed at me, and said, 'You are becoming afraid.’ 'Very well,’ I answered, 'let us go on; I shall not be the only one to die.’
“Upon this we approached the house, and at break of day commenced hurling our siligis (wooden javelins) through the bark walls. Upon this the Punans answered with a flight of sumpits (poisoned arrows), one of which struck me on the hand. I dragged it out with my teeth, of which I had then a few left, and bound up the wound. The charm I possessed prevented its having any bad effect. When my relations saw that I was wounded, they said, 'Oh, father, you had better retire.’ But I answered, 'No; I did not seek the fight to-day; I shall not retire.’ I tried to discharge a new gun I had bought, but the instrument (may it and he who sold it me be accursed!) would not go off.
“The Punans, fearing that we would use fire, began now to come down from their house to fight on the ground. They were thirty-five, we were seventy; but the sun had descended as low as that in the heavens”—pointing, as he said these words, to the sky (4 p.m.)—“ere the fight was over. We killed them all; they fought like brave men; not one tried to run away. We then went up to the houses and seized the women and children. We captured fifty-five. When we caught a woman, it was like catching a hen; all her children flocked to her like chickens. When we caught a child, the mother ran to it directly. That night we made merry in the house, and next day started off to Bintulu. Some of the captives cried, others made no sign. My share came to two, whom I sold to a Brunei man for a pikul of guns each (thirty Spanish dollars). On that occasion ten of our party were killed, and nearly every man wounded, which was all caused by neglecting the warning the omen-birds gave; but our young men were too eager. We got thirty-five heads. Had they followed my advice, we should have fallen upon them when unprepared, but I was not listened to.”
Such is the story I have before heard, and Japer has now again repeated to me in all its detail. I have written it down almost word for word, omitting, however, his two single combats, in which his opponents fell. He is a well-known warrior amongst them. The Punans had never done them the slightest injury; but, for the sake of easing his sore heart, a tribe is massacred. The Orang Kaya, who gave the information, got a slave for his trouble. What country can prosper where such scenes are constantly occurring?
At this moment there are, most probably, from twenty to forty Kayans pulling before us, seeking for heads and slaves. We cannot be certain of the number, as, from the signs, there may be one or two tamuis; and the maxim of these ruffians is, that out of their own country all are fair game. “Were we to meet our father, we would slay him.” The head of a child or of a woman is as highly prized as that of a man; so, as easier prey, the cowards seek them by lying in ambush near the plantations. I ought to add, that some of the relations of the Pakatans, who were killed in the foray, sacrificed two of the women captives for the sake of the heads and for revenge.