The Hill Dyaks of whom I am speaking, however, have never been pirates, since they never go near the sea; and head-hunting is a custom originating in the petty wars of village with village, and tribe with tribe, which no more implies a bad moral character than did the custom of the slave-trade a hundred years ago imply want of general morality in all who participated in it.

Against this one stain on their character (which in the case of the Sarawak Dyaks no longer exists) we have to set many good points.

They are truthful and honest to a remarkable degree.

From this cause it is very often impossible to get from them any definite information, or even an opinion.

They say, "If I were to tell you what I don't know, I might tell a lie;" and whenever they voluntarily relate any matter of fact, you may be sure they are speaking the truth.