Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. XI SAVAGE MALAYS OF JOHOR 565
for they do not do so towards other nations ; they
do
not disHke the Chinese, and they have a remarkable
sympathy for Europeans, and place unlimited trust in
them after a single interview. The reason is that
Europeans generally show a security and frankness in
their conversation which by its great contrast with the
deceitfulness of the Malays at once catches the hearts
of this childlike race. They love the European, and
attach themselves to him as soon as they know him,
and the slightest good office received from him is the
source of the most unbounded gratitude.^
When Favre was journeying in Johor, every time
a Jakun settlement was reached, and one of the houses
entered, one of the women of the family would at once
take a basket, disappear, and a few minutes after re-
enter with some yams or other vegetables, which were
cooked and offered to their guests about half an hour
after their arrival. When next day a few small
articles were offered them in return, they were received
with some appearance of shame ; so much so,
that it was necessary to explain to them that they
were not intended as a present, but in settlement of
a debt ;
and
that they were merely offered according
to European custom, by which a traveller must
always give something to the owner of the house
where he happens to have slept. On the contrary,
whenever a Malay house was entered, the chief of
the family, persuaded that this was a lucky windfall
and not to be lost, would at once commence by every
imaginable means to speculate upon his guests ;
hence
the exaggerated difficulties thatwould bealleged against
continuing the journey, which was made to appear im-
possible for want of coolies, guides, etc., the significa-
'
J.
I. A. vol. ii. pp. 277, 278.