Page 74 - Malay sketches

MALAY SKETCHES
used for ages, originally no doubt formed by the
passing and repassing of wild beasts, then adopted
by the Sakais, and lastly by Malays. In other
cases similar means of passage have been formed by
driving tame elephants through the forest from place
to place. For the pedestrian, especially if he be
clad in the garments and boots of western civilisa-
tion, progress through the succession of holes filled
with water arid mud which marks the track of
elephants is neither rapid nor pleasant.
That is the jungle of daylight.
When once the sun has set darkness falls upon
everything within the forest, and it is a darkness so
absolute as to give to wide-open eyes the impression
of blindness. Those who have been so unfortunate
as to be benighted in a Malay jungle without torches
or lanterns know that there is nothing to be done
but to sit down and wait for day.
Such were the surroundings in which Sahit and
his wife found themselves compelled to spend a
in the of Mat Aris and his Sakai
night company
acquaintance.
Mat Aris had a house in this neighbourhood,
and on the day following the events already narrated
a Malay went to the Headman of his village and said
there was a woman in the house of Mat Aris sobbing
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