Evening star., 1921-06-19

tune the pFOCtSSlOh dTTlScu, was
ready TO give Omar and Munshee or
ders about the new cage.
Y + X
WHILE the women prepared the
w feast Of chicken, rice and sugar
cakes. the men went into the jungle
again and cut logs eight feet long
and from six to eight inches in d.
ameter. These they drove two feet
into the ground. placing them not
more than three inches apart. so as
to form i cage eight feet long and
three feet wide. Then they bound
them together tightly with rattan
ropes. and made and lashed down
strong roof of logs. One end of the
cage was left open for the animals to
enter.
Propped upon my litter. I directed
the work: then ! was carried while 1
the cage was ready, the orang g-outans
were brought up TO the open end. the
poles were drawn out and the slip
knot of the outer net was lOosened. BY
using poles and working at respect
full distance. the men forced into the
cage the single net containing the
animals; then they drove the end bars
into the ground and lashed them. FL
nally. by working between the bars.
they loosened the slipknot of the net
anu le1t Ine OTSlnS -OutdHS Tree ~ uh-
tanSle themselves.
BY the time the Job was finished.
was exhausted by the fever and my
leg was painins me unbearabiy
thanked the men for their good work
and was carried back to Omar's house.
The people were disappointed that
could not take part in the great cele-
bratlOn they were preparing. and
deputations arrived at the house to
ask if they could do anything for me.
In hundred different ways they
showed their concern for me and their
kindness. and I know that they would
have dispensed gladly with their
merrymaking If I had intimated that
the noise might keep me awake.
Sleep was, of course. out of the ques-
leg was puffed and swollen and the
fever was growing worse. Outside
could hear the people celebrating.
The ceremonies began with the fu-
neral Of the man that had been killed
and they lasted until daybreak.
In the morning I sent for Munshee
and told him that it would be necessary
for me to go down the river to Sin
tang. where DIR. Van Erman lived. He
selected four of his fastest boatmen
the message that was coming.
Their orders were that they might stop
at Eanaoh-Pinoh to eat. but that they
were not to rest until the message
was delivered. Just as soon as they
were out Of the way, MunShee turned
to preparing a boat for me: an avn
ing made of palm leaves was put over
the center and bed arranged.
oranE-outans, with Ali to assist.
him. Ali objected to being left be-
hind. but explained to him that he
could be of greatest service to me by
staying. He was to see that the orang-
utans we're. fed and watered and to
have the natives trap other animals
for me. I instructed Omar to build a
shed over the cage and to place a
fence around it. so that none of the
natives could venture too close.
When my boat was ready all the peo-
pie OF the kampons were on hand to bid
me goodbye and wish me a speedy re-
covery. Munshee steered and six men
padded. Another boat followed with my
supplies I went down the river. think
ing that had never found kinder.
more hospitable people than these. who
are known throughout the world as
savages and head-hunters
My fever grew worse and worse and
I became delirious. l did not know
until later that Munshee urged the men
on, hour after hour, until we overlook !
I remember OF the trip was that every
thing becam" blur. The men who were
padding, the river with its green banks.
Munshee. the awning over my head and
the cooie boy all whrled around and
grew indistinct. I was unconscious
when we reached Singtang.
Two days later I awoke in DIR. Van
Erman's house and was unable for some
time to realize where l was and why
was there. The doctor came in and
talked with mo for a few minutes He
said that would be we'll in two weeks
and that my leg was not badly DANA ged. |
Then drifted off to sleep again. .
The next day ! felt stronger. and the !
doctor repeated some of the tales the
natives were telling about the capture
of the orang-outangs and the death of
the crocodile The stories had improved |
with age. and so told him what had
actually happened.
"Mahommed Munshee has been wait !
ing here for you to get WELL" said the |
doctor. Il think he'd like to see you-if !
you don't mind"
Munshee came in, beaming with de- |
light. Taking my hand and pressing it /
to his forehead. he told me that only one !
chosen by God and Prophet could re- !.
cover from the fever and the sickness !;
caused by the paw of an orang-outang. !
All of the villagers, hn said had been
making offerings to the different deities |
for my recovery. and the people would /
be happy to hear that Tuan was we'll !
again. told him that would return !
with him to Omar's kampong within two !
weeks. and he left. promising to come !,
for me.
The days at DR.. Van Erman's housed
passed quickly and pleasantly. found |;
him a thoroughly fine man, as we'll as |
fine doctor. and l enjoyed his COM !;
panionship. Under his care I rapidly |
threw off the fever and my leg healed !
50 that could get about with little diff: !,
ficulty. The ankle had been dislocated |
by the grip Of the orang-outang's paw, !:
and the tendons badly strained. !,
r 4
pY the time Mafommed Munshee
- came for me I was quite ready to !
60 up the river. had seen enough Of |,
the country to know that the junsles !
were full of animals, and l wanted to !
capture as many as possible before
starting back for Singapore. Munshee |;
said that the orang-outangs were in
good health and that Omar's men, work. !
ing with Ali, had made many captures.
DIR. Van Erman cashed draft for me. |
SO that l should have silver money to
distribute to the natives who had helped
me. and started up the river, promis-
ing to stop on my way down, SO that
the doctor could see the animals.
At Munshee's request. l stopped over ,
night in his village. The people gave me
a royal welcome and we had fine cele-
bration. The news OF my coming went :
ahead Of US. and Omar and Ali came
down the river. meeting US two hours :
distance below the kampong. They gave
me an enthusiastic reception and l was
touched by their affection. We rowed on J
I'D tho river. and when we reached
Omars village I found that the peo-
pie had beep Iusy for days preparing