_28th._--On to Si Lopong’s. I found that even Murut arrack is a very bad assistant to exertion. I stayed this night at the house preparatory to a start in the morning. We are in great hopes that some of the Muruts will walk with us as far as the spot where we intend to construct rafts, and thus give us a good stock of provisions to commence operations upon; but nothing could be arranged on account of Si Lopong’s absence. In the evening he came home, and immediately brought out two basins of arrack, one of which he handed to me, and said we must drink in remembrance of our friendship. Having complied with his desire, I began to enter into our business, but before I could utter a dozen words he lay back on his mat and was fast asleep. He had arrived drunk, as no doubt, at every village, he had been feasted; and the last bowl of arrack was the night-cap. Seeing that it was hopeless to attempt to wake him, I put off our conversation till the morning. The men I had left behind I found tolerably recovered, and all were ready for a start; that is, if anybody could be found to carry the baggage. Most of the guides had given up their intention to return: Si Nuri intended to spend a month or two with his first wife; Kadayan was kept by his family, and Luñgenong would not start without the Orang Kaya Upit; so that unless I wait here some time, we must trust entirely to ourselves. The way to the Adang is not very difficult to find. Waking during the night, I heard some sounds almost as musical as those produced by a bagpipe; it came from a Murut near at hand, who was perhaps serenading his mistress. I examined the instrument he used, and it was very simple to produce so many notes. Two thin bamboos, about twelve inches long, were fastened very neatly side by side; in one was cut four holes like those in a flute, while the other had a long piece of grass inserted in the lower end. A slight incision was then cut across both towards the upper portion. The performer thrust this instrument rather deep into his mouth and blew, and then, with the aid of tongue, fingers, and moving the grass, produced some very agreeable and wild tunes. I watched him for some time as he sat by the side of a flickering fire, but being tired, it at last lulled me to sleep.