_5th._--Though I don’t do very much work, yet I was so tired this evening that I fell asleep without writing in the day’s journal; but, waking up at nine a.m., I will briefly notice the day’s occurrences. We got away at quarter-past six, and, after ascending half a mile, found ourselves at the mouth of the Salidong, or Salindong, which is but a small stream on the right hank. A limestone cliff marks the entrance, and probably gives the name to the branch, _lindong_, to overshadow. Opposite to it was a Kayan resting-place, where we found marks which proved that one party had returned. In the hut was picked up a woman’s jacket, with a small net, left behind in the hurry of departure, so it is probable they captured her while fishing on the banks of some rivulet. Though certain they had obtained captives, opinions were divided on the subject of heads. I could find no traces, and old Japer agreed with me that it was uncertain; but it would only be accidentally that we could have discovered indications. They had left a mark, however, to show their countrymen that they had been up the Salindong: it was a long pole, ornamented with three tufts pointing up that stream. The three tufts were supposed by many to show that they had obtained three heads or captives; it might mean either. There were evidently two parties out, and it is more than probable that there is one ahead of us; but we should have little to fear from the crew of one tamui, even if they took us by surprise. However, the men are taking every precaution; the muskets are nightly inspected, discharged if suspected of being damp, and kept ready at hand to be used at a moment’s notice. I have little fear but that the heavy volley we could pour into an enemy would drive them off without trouble. Our course to-day has been principally through a limestone district, though occasionally there is sandstone, as at the mouth of the Tuan River. The general dip is to the E.N.E.; sometimes very steep, varying from 21° to 53° and 56°. Though we worked to 3.45 p.m., staying only an hour and a half for breakfast, we made comparatively but little progress--not, perhaps, more than six miles, as last night’s rain raised a sort of fresh, which was hard to contend against amid the limestone rocks and steep banks. In fact, the last half mile took us nearly two hours to accomplish: the limestone rocks were excessively steep, and the river, being confined to a narrow bed, rushed like a mill-sluice in many places. Now we found the use of our long towing-ropes. After vainly endeavouring to pole along, we all but two got out, and, crawling on to a tolerably even spot, passed the tow rope round a tree, for fear the rush of waters should be too great for our strength, and then hauled. At one place it took our whole united crews to get my garei past a deep though dangerous rapid.