With the Dyaks of Borneo

ng th

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ce of the forest, and bursting from the trees near at hand came reverberatin

us?" demanded the former breathlessly. "Surely they cannot have discovered our

at's how it sounded, and it seems to me, from what I know of the lingo of folks hereabout, th

Tyler in alarm. "Back into the trees and let us hide! Q

ose shouts, and what was the meaning of them. To runaways attempting to escape as they were, the shouts came with startling suddenness, and even now their hearts beat rapidly against their ribs, so great was the consternation that they had caused. However, a moment's reflection had been sufficient to assure Tyler that the Malays, with Hans Schlott at their head, could not have ar

hes. Then of a sudden something short and stout, and in the shape of a man, swung from a tree at the edge of the clearing, a

Marshall in a whisper, "a

ten grow to very large proportions. That one, for instance, is almost as big as a man. But what is happening? If he i

here, natives all round him. He's brought to bay,

as seized a branch and means to use it as a cudgel, just as i

is cudgel at the sight of his enemies, and brought it to the ground furiously and with such force that it was a wonder that it was not broken into a hundred pieces. Then, as if the sight of the natives aroused his anger beyond everything, the ape came running to meet those who were nearest to him, his body now held ful

raising his voice in his excitement at the scene. "Ah! the others are afraid. They are hanging back, and will desert their comrade. We must h

nimal with a spear, and had left the weapon sticking in his back. But he might just as well have used a thorn from a neighbouring tree for all the effect it produced, for the mias did not seem to notice it, and, turning as the man dodged round him, went running towards him, still holding the unfortunat

scue their unhappy friend, they darted farther away, and stood there brandishing their weapons and calling in frightened

"Now, be ready to help me should I fail in shooting the brute. John, co

ANG AT

ther of those formidable and unexpected leaps he sprang at Tyler, alighting within a few feet of him. A terrible sight he was too, with enormous fangs exposed and his lip and nose wrinkled and contracted as he snarled. His small, ferrety eyes seemed to flash fire at the intruder, while each muscle of his enormous body stood out like a cord as he prepared for the attack. Indeed, so formidable was hi

the brute had failed to drop. "Out of the

of the white man, and once more the capacious jaws opened in readiness to bite. A moment and the gleaming teeth would have closed upon the back of Tyler's neck, when John Marshall sprang to his aid, and, holding his fire for fear of killing his leader, thrust the muzzl

houted Tyler, with difficulty keeping his presence of mind. "My right h

t of his opponent. Bang! As the report rang out the lanky arms suddenly fell away, the jaws opened wide as if in another effort to tear the limbs of his white-faced enemy, and then with a sigh the terrible mias collapsed upon the ground, where

fact that your weapon was thrust between his teeth he would have killed me; he would have gripped me in

en for you, I'd like to know. Jest washing about in the sea outside, I reckon, and food for the fishes. It was you, begging yer pardon, sir, who beat off them pirates, and if it hadn't been f

about them still in open-mouthed amazement, look

their help, and they will surely be grateful. But first of all let us look at the poor

ive him a squeeze just before he threw him to the ground, and I reckon it jest broke every rib in his body. He's dead, sure enough, an

ley that the island of Borneo contained many of the race, who frequently sailed there a

f a Chinaman who had emerged from the forest a few minutes before. As for the latter, he advanced towards them with a cry of delight and without the s

il swaying. "Li Sung him comee along with natives and chase de mias. He reachee de edge of de fore

d will be able to show these friends of yours that we are

nds, and, what's more, our object is to get as far away from here as possible, for, like the mias, we are

e wid whom I workee am peaceful Dyaks. Dey sow de rice and work in de paddy-fields. But sometimes dese pirates comee deir w

e, and why it is that we are here. Say that we will do them no harm, but in return for the help which we have

rs at the mention of Sarawak. "Den me comee too, for Li

bidding, while the latter converse

e him with us, for it is clear that he has some acquaintance with the country, and in addition can speak the language of these Dyaks, a fact which will be of the utmost value to us. It is evident that he is pointing out to the natives what we have done for them, and I c

e, "and dey ask dat you takee his place. Dey also say dat dis Dutchman has fought dem before, and coming upon dem suddenly has killed many of deir comrades. Den he has sailed away, taking de wives and children with him as s

he Chinaman kow-towed to Tyler. Then he stood erect a

broken up. Dose dey care for will become slaves, and will be taken miles and miles away among strange people, while dose who are lef

ime, but they must understand that at the first opportunity I shall leave for Sarawak. But we cannot discuss th

the remainder hastily searched for a suitable bough and made preparations to remove the mias. A couple of lengths of creeper at once filled the place of ropes with which to bind the wrists and ankles of the animal together. Then a long stout bough was thrust between them, and three men attached themselves to either end. At a given signal they l

hand of man had been at work clearing the undergrowth. On every hand enormous giants reared their leafy heads into the air, for the most part ascending some fifty feet or more before giving out a branch, while, crowded in between t

he beauties of the island of Borneo. "Whenever we happen to come upon a spot where the trees stand back and permit the ray

s the sailor's reply as he pointed to several of that variety. "N

have erected bamboo ladders against some of the trees, and have settled thei

the woodman's axe had been busy here, and had kept the jungle at bay. Large areas of flat and open ground were to be seen, and all under cul

arate establishments for their families, but prefer to live under the same roof. In fact, some of their residences harbour

eads in the air and a smile upon their lips. But all the while their senses were fully alert, for they had heard before now of treachery, and it was well to be prepared.

ing to fear, for dese men am velly friendly. Dey have seen de brave act which was meant to save de life of a comrade, and they are for ever in the debt of deir visitors. But dey bid you h

fall into the clutches of the Dutchman. In five minutes we shall be

women come forward with their trays, and soon the

to the repast. "An hour ago we were flying who knows where, and wondering whether we should escape

John, and sitting here will not save us from him. I am wondering what chance these Dyaks would have against Hanns Schlott, for, as you see, they are but rudely armed, and have not a single firear

rs have got on our line, and, remembering that there are Dyaks in the neighbourhood, will make a raid upon them. The rascal makes his living by piracy, a

f de prahu am known to us. A year has passed since he sailed into de river, but we havee not forgotten. See dere. De

ntation where numerous stumps prot

of de wives and children. Massa, de men here am in terror. Were dey to knowee all dat you havee told me dey would

he ladder and sat down before Tyler with an air of gravity which showed that if they were not fully

t a leader we ask him to fill the place, at least for a time. Say also that we have heard enough to show us that, the pirates are near, and that if he and his friend leave us we shall certainly fall victims. Would that we could change our home, for the soil is now past the work we demand of it, a

er as if to himself, while his eyes roamed round the circle of Dyaks, "Why not change their

heard them, and instantly the latter's features brightened with a

goods and jest march right away till they come to a likely neighbourhood. Having settled upon their new home they set to work to cut down the jungle, and then to lay out their crops. As for a house, it is nothing to build, and takes little more than a week, for you can see for yourself that the materials are close at hand, and everything jest done to last a short time only. Then, too, they've got to th

d by persuading these people here to join us in our journey we should be doing them no harm. Indeed we should be conferring a benefit upon them. I admit that the journey is a long one, but then a brighter prospect will be before them at the end. But let us put the suggestion to them, when they can consider it for themselves. Listen," he went on, addressing himself to the Chinaman, "my friend and I will do what we can to lead you and protect you, and it has occurred to us t

ich they listened to Li Sung's words. That they were impressed by the proposal became quickly evident, for at once they began to discuss the matter with every sign of

to keep watch, but now I will send others to the bank of the river there to spy upon their movements. Then if this Dutchman comes in this direc

r's proposition, and having made up their minds as to how they

ow he cares for our poor brothers, and slaves so that they shall lead peaceful lives. He knows that the Dyaks of the land are a contented people, and that they are willing for the most part to till the soil and live th

p any valuables that they may have. Nothing beyond that which is absolutely necessary must be taken, for we shall have arms to carry with us, and, besides, a supply of food will be of the greatest importance, for then we shall have provisions for the first d

the other, that's how

t guns in plenty, and what's more, they've already come this way and scared these poor fellows. We've a forest between us and the river, and I votes that we fill it up with our men, giving them orders to retire gradually, but not before they have pic

NCE WITH TH

e pushing on towards Sarawak. Every half-hour gained in such a way will be of the utmost importance, while the process of checking the pirates can be repeated on a second occasion. Now let us learn

he better to show his meaning, "and half can helpee you wid deir weapo

, and throw out a rear-guard, with whom we will endeavour to keep in touch. I shall command the party in the forest, and sha

ing the boatswain to marshal the larger proportion of the tribe and hurry them on their way, Tyler shouldered his r

ave not yet put in an appearance we will march on and lie in wait beside the river. That will give us a good five miles of jungle through which to retire and harass

had despatched to recall them had taken to their heels at once, and had gone running through the jungle at a pace which would have taxed the powers of anyone less agile. Trained to the forest and to woodcraft from their very earliest days, they seemed to find their way through the thickest undergrowth as if they had been there hundreds of

rly. "Where is this Dutchman

e watched beside de river, where, too, they came across de spot where you and de other massa dropped from de tree. De Dutchman am troubled. Him not knowee where

positions when returning. For the last movement they will take their orders direct from me, and as soon as a word is passed down the line each will turn about and will run back fifty yards, but no more. Later on we will repeat the same movements, and gradually w

nstantly obeyed his orders, and, seeming to grasp his meaning at once, had separated. Then, too, he could not fail to see that they were in bet

his head, so as to keep it clear of the thorns and brambles which abounded on every hand. "Now dey tink dat dey safe from

with the scouts who had already been sent to the spot, to learn at once that the prahu had dropped her anchor off the shore and had sent some fifty

hen they come to that the pirates will turn inland, and we shall be able to give them a lesson. Repeat to the Dyaks that they are on no account to show themselves. The presence of an enemy must be followed by the discharge of an arrow through the

faction of feeling that all his preparations were completed. Then he lay down

Li Sung, pointing to the right, "and him velly much troubled. Hi

eneath his breath. "Look! there are the Malays following, and very soon they will ha

e for him for his crime were weighing upon his mind. Eagerly did he turn aside to inspect each broken twig which caught his eye, lest at last this should be a sign of the fugitives; and when at length one of the Malay crew who walked beside him called his attention to some footpri