_29th._--Si Lopong is naturally very unwilling to start without his relation, the Orang Kaya Upit; he says that he cannot be many days, as he has only to wait for the return of the party of Main Muruts, who have gone to fetch him some slaves. This settles the question, and I start without guides. Unfortunately, the Orang Kaya has with him the hunting dogs I purchased at Tabari’s. Our intention is to walk to the Adang River, and construct rafts on which to float down the stream. The Muruts have always warned us that it is too full of cataracts, rapids, and huge rocks, to be descended by rafts, and that, if they fail us, the country is impassable; but my men are eager to try the easy method of returning, and I am desirous of following the course of the Limbang. 6 p. m.--We got away at 9 a.m. I explained to my men that I would not allow our guides to bring slaves into our party; that all the shame of the transaction would fall on me; and that if the Orang Kaya attempted it, I would take away his boat, and let him find his way home overland. There was rice of ours sufficient for a month’s consumption, and I strongly advised the men to remember how they had suffered in their former land journey. They all promised to take twelve or fourteen days’ provisions, and I took eighteen days’, dividing it among all the men, each to carry a day’s rice for me. We found the Adang range a very stiff climb, and before we reached the top I had to relieve Musa of his double barrel, he was carrying so heavy a load. At the stream we met two hunters, and endeavoured to persuade them to lend us a hand for one day, but we could not bribe them. It is astonishing what habit will do. A young girl, not above thirteen, came part of the way with us to assist in carrying a relation’s burden, and she walked up that steep mountain, comparatively with the most perfect ease. I here found some of those beautiful Anœctochilus which Mr. Low wanted. I collected about a dozen, all I could see, and put them into a tin pepper-box, with holes in the top, to try whether they would keep. They are the most breathtaking plants I have ever seen, with leaves through which lines of gold, or white, or bright red run, forming a lovely pattern. I have been shown some of the very plants I collected, now growing luxuriantly in England, and they are the most delicate looking ornaments for a hot-house. After much exertion, we got about half way down the western face of the Adang range, the rain pouring heavily; so at five p.m. we came to a stop and pitched our tents.