Sarawak, and other ports during the season. On our
leaving Sandakan, on our return voyage to Labuan, we
•obtained a capital view of Pulo Bahalatolois, and on our
rounding the point, the rattan rope dangling down the
rocks to the dark entrance to the swallows’ cave was plainly
visible. This island has a very commanding position,
and a battery here would sweep the entrance to this
fine bay. We were four days in reaching Labuan, there
being a thick fog along the north-west coast, and we were
aground twice, although fortunately we got off again
without injury.
CHAPTER XIII.
KINA BALU, V ld TAMPASSUK.
Preparations—“ Salaamat jelan,” or safe voyage—Contrary winds A
total wreck—A sea bath.—Making the best of it—Native visitors
from the Bornean shore—Drying stores—Pigeon shooting—Foraging
—Football—Tent life—A new boat—A marine visitor—Pulo Tiga—
A fish dinner—Shore plants—Big fish—The Tampassuk—“ The
Fatted Calf”—Start for Kina Balu—Bare hills—Land culture—
Bad roads—Ghinambaur village—Textile fibres—A chance shot—
Thrifty natives—Buffalo riding —A friendly chief Sineroup
Native wealth—Charms—Crossing swollen river—New Orchids—
Kambatuan—Kokos—Butterflies—Koung G r e en— Aboriginals from
the interior—Pretty weeds—Lemoung’s death—Native ornaments
Native cloth—Bee keeping—How to manage “ guides ”—“ Kurow ”
—Start for “ Kina Balu ’’—Sleeping rock—Dusun cookery ¡—New
plants—More of the “ guide ” nuisance.
I t was now the end of July, and I had been waiting
four or five days, expecting the arrival of the steamship
Far East, in which I had hoped to have again
taken a passage, with my friend, Captain W. C. Cowie;
but as his vessel was now overdue, and my own time was
limited, I resolved to leave in a native boat at all hazards.
I soon chartered a prahu, large enough to carry twenty
men, and our stores; and on July 31st I.was ready to
start. I had given my Chinese “ boy,” Kimjeck, and
the men orders to have all in readiness; but when I
reached the little jetty, at two p .m ., I found only half the
men there, the remainder being as busy as bees on shore,
running in and out of the Chinese shops, buying betel