“The Punans, fearing that we would use fire, began now to come down from their house to fight on the ground. They were thirty-five, we were seventy; but the sun had descended as low as that in the heavens”--pointing, as he said these words, to the sky (4 p.m.)--“ere the fight was over. We killed them all; they fought like brave men; not one tried to run away. We then went up to the houses and seized the women and children. We captured fifty-five. When we caught a woman, it was like catching a hen; all her children flocked to her like chickens. When we caught a child, the mother ran to it directly. That night we made merry in the house, and next day started off to Bintulu. Some of the captives cried, others made no sign. My share came to two, whom I sold to a Brunei man for a pikul of guns each (thirty Spanish dollars). On that occasion ten of our party were killed, and nearly every man wounded, which was all caused by neglecting the warning the omen-birds gave; but our young men were too eager. We got thirty-five heads. Had they followed my advice, we should have fallen upon them when unprepared, but I was not listened to.” Such is the story I have before heard, and Japer has now again repeated to me in all its detail. I have written it down almost word for word, omitting, however, his two single combats, in which his opponents fell. He is a well-known warrior amongst them. The Punans had never done them the slightest injury; but, for the sake of easing his sore heart, a tribe is massacred. The Orang Kaya, who gave the information, got a slave for his trouble. What country can prosper where such scenes are constantly occurring? At this moment there are, most probably, from twenty to forty Kayans pulling before us, seeking for heads and slaves. We cannot be certain of the number, as, from the signs, there may be one or two tamuis; and the maxim of these ruffians is, that out of their own country all are fair game. “Were we to meet our father, we would slay him.” The head of a child or of a woman is as highly prized as that of a man; so, as easier prey, the cowards seek them by lying in ambush near the plantations. I ought to add, that some of the relations of the Pakatans, who were killed in the foray, sacrificed two of the women captives for the sake of the heads and for revenge.