beetle to-day. The oil is coining out of the sandstone
at I should say five gallons in twelve hours now, and
each foot of increased depth increases the supply of
oil.
in.
I shot three “ flying foxes” this evening. The men
from Tampassuk said they would not work to-morrow
(Friday) as they regard this as a holiday or Sunday in
Tampassuk. Smith and I utilized the day therefore
for an exploring and sporting expedition. Two men
came with us, one carried my rifle and some lunch.
Altogether we were a formidable party. Four men,
each with his gun, two large Colt’s revolvers, and two
swords, made up our list of arms. All the men came
out to see us start, and about half-past six we trudged
merrily out of camp. The weather was charming, and
as we walked along the smooth sandy beach the fast-
rising sun cast long shadows across our path. The
beach for six miles is unequalled. About 100 yards, at
low water, of perfectly smooth firm sand without an
obstacle or obstruction of any kind. Tall cazurina
trees, something like Scotch firs, line the shore, and
just behind these the dense untravelled jungle stretches
away inland. The waves break with a splendid roar
along the beach, and this is the only sound to be heard
on these lonely coasts. As we walked along we saw
numerous tracks of wild cattle, wild boars, deer, and
tortoise, but never caught sight of any game at all.
The native with us said that night was the time to
come out, so we promised ourselves good sport on the
morrow. There was one old grey crane that kept
standing in the water in front of us about half a mile
away and letting us get within 500 yards of him, and
then flying away. He was an awfully sharp old b ird ;
it was impossible to get a shot at him, so after several
unsuccessful stalks we paid no further attention to
him. • We crossed several small streams, and on one of
ELK’s-HORN F E E S , AKD NATIVE DUSUNS.
these there were half a dozen huts thatched with nipa
palm leaves roughly plaited together. The hovels
were about four feet high in front from top to ground;
the roof was supported on stakes, and the floor of tree
trunks cut in half. The houses were open in front and
at the sides, and the natives (Dusuns) had evidently
l 2