The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

WAR ^72,
lame for some time. It usually happens that the
greater part of the fugitives escape into the jungle ;
and they are not pursued far, if the victors have
secured a few heads and a few prisoners. The
head is hacked off at once from the body of any one
of the foe who falls in the fight ; the trunk is left
lying where it fell. If any of the assailants are
killed in the course of the fray, their heads are not
taken by their friends, and their corpses are left
upon the field covered with boughs, or at most, in
the case of chiefs, are dragged into the jungle and
covered up with boughs and twigs, in order to
prevent their heads being taken by the enemy. If
any of the enemy remain so badly wounded that
they are not likely to recover, their heads are taken ;
and if no other heads have been secured, the head
of one of the more seriously wounded captives is
taken, or of one who is deformed or incapacitated
in any way. If a captive dies of his wounds his
head is taken ; but it is a rare exception for Kayans
to kill any of their captives after the short excitement
of the battle is over. The attacking party,
even though it has gained a decisive victory, usually
returns with all speed, but in good order, to its
boats, carrying with it through the jungle all the
loot that is not too cumbersome for rapid portage,
especially old beads, gongs, and brass-ware ; for
they are always in danger of being cut off by a
party of their enemies, rallied and reinforced by
parties from neighbouring friendly villages. Still
more are they liable to be pursued and cut off, if
the attack on the village has failed through the
defenders having been warned ; for an attack upon
a strong house or village has little chance of
success if the defenders are prepared for and
expecting it. The pursuit of the retreating party
may be kept up throughout one or two days, and,
if the pursuers come up with them, a brisk and