_17th._ and _18th._--My journal did not reach me till this evening, so I must enter the two days together. Japer did not make his appearance during the night. At dawn, finding I had a small biscuit a-man left, I shared them out, and then started off at 6.30, hoping to reach the houses, and from thence send assistance to the stragglers. I gave notice that I expected no man to wait for his neighbour, but to push on and do the best he could for himself. Our route at first lay over the low ground that skirts the foot of the mountain, then up a tolerably easy ascent, one of the spurs of the Adang range, that appears to run north and south. After half an hour’s walking, I observed the guides dart to an old tree; I followed, and we were soon occupied in devouring mushrooms; after this slight repast, we continued our course. About 10 a.m. four of the Muruts dropped their heavy burdens, intending to return for them next day, and started off at a running pace. I was following when I heard Ahtan’s soft voice say, “May I come too, sir?” I said, “Yes, if you can keep up.” This was very well for a few hundred yards; when, to my surprise, I found a Murut drop behind, then the Orang Kaya; at last the remaining guide stretched himself on his back, and said he was done up. I tried all I could to rouse them, but with no effect, until the arrival of the fifth Murut, who was one of the baggage train, with half a ham, the last of the provisions, and not good food unsoaked, without a drop of water for miles, but I told the Muruts that if they would try and reach the top of the mountain I would then cook and divide it. This roused two, and after much trouble we arrived at the first peak, there we stopped; a fire was lit, and with a chopper we divided the ham into great bits. While cooking we shouted to the other three Muruts to make haste, and presently we heard the Orang Kaya begging us not to begin till he arrived. As none of the Malays would touch it, we divided the meat into seven portions, and they were soon devoured skin and all, and the bones crushed for the marrow, Ahtan and myself eagerly joining in the meal and securing our share. For a fortnight we had lived on very unsubstantial food, and the great exercise we were taking gave us appetites that scorned being satisfied with simple boiled rice.