ongside the
chief, at the head of his forces, through a wood, our ears were saluted
with the sound of a bird singing on our left. The chief instantly
called a halt, and I observed a little red-breasted bird hopping merrily
from branch to branch.

"Ah, that is the papow!" exclaimed Blount. "They think it a sacred
bird, and that its appearing on the left hand is a signal for them not
to proceed to-day. Had it appeared on the right, they would have
thought the omen good, and have proceeded; and when it sings in front,
they fancy the enemy is near, and that it summons them to certain
victory."

While we were encamped at night, I remember hearing the short note of an
insect like a cricket, coming, apparently, from the south. The next
morning, at daybreak, every man was on foot; and, with dejected
countenances, they commenced their homeward march. I found from Blount
that the insect which gave forth the note was called the Kunding, and
the omen was considered of such ill augury, that the expedition was
given up entirely, not a little to our satisfaction.

Eva was much surprised at seeing our return, and very much delighted,
for she had expected to have been left alone for many days, dreading the
dangers to which we might be exposed, and with only Little Nutmeg as her
companion, and an occasional visit from the women of the kampong, I
judged, from the circumstance I have mentioned, that the people were
very superstitious; indeed I have invariably found that the smaller the
knowledge of religion possessed by a people, the greater and more absurd
is their superstition. These people, after they have sown a field with
grain, should any dead animal be found on it, will not use the crop. If
anything has been stolen, in order to discover the thief, they make up a
little _ciri_, and turning to the quarter they suspect, they throw it
forward, and call out for an insect they believe will inform them. If
the insect respond from that direction, the theft is charged to the
tribe so pointed out; but if it does not answer, they try another
quarter. I did not hear that marriages are ever forced as they are in
civilised countries; but, on the contrary, the young people are left to
choose those they like best. Generally the lady will not accept a lover
till he has brought her the head of a man as a proof of his bravery. If
the young would-be husband cannot get the head of an enemy, he is
sometimes tempted, if he is very much in lo