Seventeen years among the Sea Dyaks of Borneo; a ... - Sabrizain.org

INTRODUCTION xi
into contact with higher civilization and better religion.
Mr. Gomes mentions some instances of its expression.
Perhaps I may add an illustrative instance which occurred
in my own experiences, maixy years ago. One night I
was at anchor with a Dyak crew on the Saribas River,
for the turn of the tide. About 3 a.m. I was
waiting
awakened by a frightened cry from one of the crew :
" Antu ! antu !" (A spirit, a spirit!). Thinking myself
lucky at last in a chance of actually seeing one of those
invisible beings whom Dyaks dread so much, I pushed
my head from under the mosquito-curtain, and looked
out, and beheld a comet brightly shining not far above
the horizon. Presently I heard a school-lad say :
" That's
not a spirit ; it's only a star with a tail. I have learnt
about it." There was the old superstition and the new
knowledge struggling together, a symbol of what is going
on in other departments of Dyak thought and belief—the
working of that which, it is to be hoped, will issue in a
higher and an improved life for the race. Our Author's
book will evoke a lively interest in such an improvement
in Dyakland, and will inspire a deeper sympathy with
every progressive effort towards it.
In going over Mr. Gomes's pages my thoughts have
often gone back to days, now long past, when he and I
were workers together among the people of whom he
writes so sympathetically, and many a long-forgotten
incident has come back to mind ; and it is a pleasure to
write a simple word of welcome to this product of his
pen, and to express a conviction that his book is just
what was wanted to give the public a clear and adequate
conception of one of the leading races which have been
ruled over by the " "
Two White Rajahs of Sarawak.
Chard,
December, 1910.
JOHN PERHAM.