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

266 THREE DYAK LEGENDS
enemy, he was the leader of the men of his own village
and of many villages around, for all liked to follow such
a brave man as Danjai, who was sure to lead them to
victory. Over the fireplace in his veranda he had, hanging
together in a bunch, the dried heads of the enemies whom
he himself had killed.
Now this man Danjai had a very pretty wife whom he
had recently married, but the marriage feast had not
been held, because he had not yet obtained a human
head from the enemy as a token of his love for her : for
this girl was of good birth and a Chief's daughter, and
wanted the whole world to know, when they attended her
marriage feast, what a brave man her husband was.
One day Danjai said to his young wife :
" I will hold a
meeting of the Chiefs around, and tell them that we must
all get our war-boats ready, as I intend leading an expe-
dition against the enemy. I should like to bring you
a human head as a token of my love, so that you may not
be ashamed of your husband. And as soon as I return,
we will have the wedding feast." Though his wife was
sorry that her husband intended leaving her, still she
did not oppose his wishes, for she wished him to come
back covered with glory. So a council of war was held,
and Danjai told the assembled Chiefs what he intended
to do, and it was decided that all should begin at once
making war-boats, which were to be ready in two months'
time.
Assisted by his slaves and followers, Danjai had been at
work at his boat for several weeks, and it was nearly
finished. It was a beautiful boat made out of the trunk
of one large tree, and Danjai was proud of his work.
He was so anxious to finish his boat that one day he
started very early in the morning, before his breakfast