Hereafter I visited the Bernam river (the southern Bernam river. Simpang, &c. limit of the State) and went up as far as Simpang—the end of the deeper portion of the river and where poles take place of oars for navigation further up stream.
On the Bernam I steamed up as far as Kampong Chankat Berhitam[1] a distance I put down at not less than 76 miles. Taking boat at Berhitam I went up 7 to 9 miles further and found soundings to be 10 to 17 feet as far as Simpang, where the river divides and shallows.
A TIGER'S WAKE.
[The following extract from the Diary of the Resident Officer at Langat describes the superstitious feelings of Malays, common among other orientals also, towards the Tiger.]
"At 10 A. M. a great noise of rejoicing with drums and gongs approaching Jugra by the river was heard, and on my questioning the people, I was told Raja Yakob had managed to shoot a Jugra with a spring gun, behind Tiger hill, and was bringing it in state to the Sultan. I went over to the Sultan's at Raja Yakob's request, to see the attendants on the slaughter of a Tiger. The animal was supported by posts and fastened in an attidude as nearly as possible approching the living. Its mouth was forced open, its tongue allowed to droop on one side, and a small rattan attached to its upper jaw was passed over a pole held by a man behind. This finished, two swords were produced and placed crosswise, and a couple of Panglimas selected for the dance; the gongs and drums were beaten at quick time, the man holding the rattan attached to the tiger's head pulled it, moving the head up and down, and the two Panglimas, after making their obeisance to the Sultan rushed at the swords and holding them in their hands commenced a most wild and exciting dance. They spun around on one leg, waving their swords, then bounded forward and made a thrust at the tiger; moving back quickly with the point of the weapon facing the animal; they crawled along the ground and sprung over it uttering
- ↑ * From the Kuala Bernam.
