The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

VIII LIFE ON THE RIVERS 141
the eyes of the reptile it may release him, escape
in this way is not unknown. In the case of
a fatal issue, the men of the village turn out to
avenge the outrage, and, in the case of the seizure
of an important person, those of neighbouring
villages will join them. All available boats are
manned by men armed with spears, some of which
are lashed to the ends of long poles. Congregating
in their boats near the scene of the disaster, the
men prod the bed of the river with their spears,
working systematically up and down river and up
the small side streams. In this way they succeed
in stabbing some of the reptiles ; and in this case,
though they usually do not rise to the surface, their
bodies are found after some days in the creeks,
death having ensued from the inflammation set up in
the wounds. The wound caused by a spear-thrust
would seldom be fatal to the crocodile, but that the
wound is liable to the perpetual assaults of smaller
creatures—fish while he is in the water, flies when
he lies on the bank. These irritate and extend the
wound. The stomachs of those crocodiles that are
captured are opened in search of traces of the person
taken, traces which usually remain there for some
time in the shape of hair or ornaments. If no trace
is found the people s vengeance is not satisfied, and
they set baited hooks, or pay Malays to do so,
partly because the Malays are experts and claim to
have potent charms to bring the offender to the
hook, partly because a Kayan does not care to
take upon himself the individual responsibility of
catching a crocodile, though he does not shrink
from the collective pursuit. The decaying body of
a fowl, monkey, or other animal (Malays sometimes
use a living dog) is bound to a strong bar of hardwood,
sharpened at both ends and some fifteen inches
in length. A number of small rattans are tied to
the bar about its middle, their other ends being