THE TREE THAT EATS

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 85

THE TREE THAT EATS

By Beew Molohau.

"Here is something that will interest your Fletcher, " I as I picked up the- morning "Listen: 'At the orchid exhibition yesterday a superb specimen of -.the Epidendrum. vexillari was purchased .by.. ■ Lord Southwold for lSOOgs.'" ■ • . Fletcher yawned. "Serves Southwold Tight," he said. "I offered it to him three months -ago for five hundred, with a guarantee that it was the only one of its kind in "the country, but he wouldn't accept." - / "Oh ! was it you who found) it ?"

Jt Yes ; it formed one of the collection •I brought from the Malay Archipelago last year."

"You were very successful over that trip, weren't you?" • "Fairly. After ill expenses were paid I made about twenty thousand pounds." "Twenty thousand pounds !" I ejaculated In amazement.

Fletcher smiled wearily. "Seems a lot of money for three years' work, doesn't it?" he'replied. "But you must remember that if the pay is big the risks an orchidIhuntef runs are correspondingly great. Cutting his way through, tangled forests, wading through, stagnant swamps, always on his guard against savage beasts, and still more savage men, the orchid-hunter earns every penny qi his money ; and if he has an experience such as I encountered . on that trip no monetary reward can repay him for the danger he runs." "You bad' a striking adventure?" I remarked tentatively. •

Fletcher looked at me for a moment in silence, then, he said quietly, "I have not told the story to a living soul in this country, because it is so much outside the bounds of probability that nobody would oelieve it ; but that it actually occurred this will bear witness" ; and he slowly removed a wig from his head. "Why," I exclaimed, "I didn't know you ;were bald !"

The few remaining hairs were cut close to the head to admit of the wig fitting closely, and, to my astonishment, the was dotted all over with bare patches varying in size from a pin-head to a shilling. On examining these closely I saw they were covered with new, delicate skin, and from their appearance it was evident that the. old skin, had been torn away at a comparatively recent date.

"Carious eight!" remarked Fletcher as •he replaced his wig. "Makes me look like a-'Dalmatian dog! Say, let's have lunch here^arid, byer it I will tell you the etory, .although X don't think for a moment that you will 'believe it." The Explorers' Club is noted for its cuisine, and we ate slowly, enjoying to the full the- good things provided by J^elix. - When, the coffee was placed c-n the taiblfe Fletcher lighted a cheroot and settled Himself comfortably in hie chair. "When," he began, "I "started for the East four years ago it was with a fairly definite idea of the country I meant to work. My previous experience of orchid■hunting had taught me that the more out-of-the-way the the more valuable, as a rule, is the orchid, and I determined (to strike away from the beaten track altogether, and explore some of the little 'known valleys in the interior of the huge island --wTiich stretch from Singapore- to '•Hiring? aynsampan manned by a Malay and two IGhinamen, I touched Sumatra, Java,'"? and?- Bali, and then crossed over io Celebe^Miere I met with a fair amount of su^es| 7 '''I I 'then determined to visit Bornsq\and explore the unknown anterior of thai} .^island in the hope that, if I escaped ,the attention of the head-hunters, I might be able to acquire some new specimens. ■ y -

"As you ' are aware. Borneo is about three times the size of the British Isles, and although Sarawak and a strip of the north coast are comparatively civilised, the great bulk of the island, with the exception of the country in the immediate neighbourhood of the Dutch trading stations, is, absolutely unexplored. It consists of huge forests, the haunt of the dreaded tiger, and the no less dreaded orang-outrang, where the merry sport of •head-hunting goes on to-day as it did hundreds of years ago, and where a chief's claim to renown depends mainly on the number of heads strung to his roof-tree. "When I arrived at Mendawi, the 'Assistant-Resident (who- happened t-o be an old college chum of mine at Bonn) engaged' a trusty headman and five Dyaks to accompany me on a lengthened excursion into the interior.

"A word as to the Dyaks. The inhabitants of Borneo have acquired a bloodthirsty reputation in consequence- of their propensity for head-hunting ; but, apartfrom ".this ! little peculiarity, the race possesses 'many estimable qualities. Headhunting is simply a custom arising out of their intertribal wars ; and a peculiar feature about the Dyak "is that, although glorying in the number of human trophies that he can hang round Ms dwelling, whilst* he is in your service you can absolutely reply on his fidelity, his honesty, and his bravery.

"My' plans were to follow the Mendawi River to its source and thoroughly explore the tributaries that, formed its headwaters, in the hope that a systematic search in the deep tropical valleys would reward me with some new specimens. The (party consisted of myself, the two Chinamen Lung and Kling, the Malay Ali, the Dyak headman Rayut, and his five companions ; and although the sampan was large enough to -cany us comfortably. I took another boat for exploring the smaller rivers and streams.

"On the fifteenth day after leaving Men'dawi we- sighted the range of mountains that runs through the middle of the island. The weather hitherto had not been oppressively hot; but now a sudden fourst of heat set in, and — the rjver-bagks IJcUyj lined with forest — there was not a.

breath of air to temper the sweltering rays. For four days we paddled up this reach, and the- intensity of the heat was such that during that time the evaporation from the river wetted me like % continuous rainfall as I sat under an awning in the stern.

"When on the twentieth day an opening on the right bank showed where a tributary 50 yards wide ran into the main river, we gladly paddled in there for shelter. The trees on each side met overhead and afforded relief from the scorching rays of the tropical sun.

"The trip^ so far, had been uneventful, and it was just before turning into this creek that I first made the acquaintance of the orang-outang — the wild man of the Borneo forests. We were paddling close to the bank, when Rayut, who iras in the bow, made a significant click with his tongue. His companions ceased paddling immediately, and he pointed to the branches of a large tree that overhung the water. "Mias !" he whispered.

"I saw the foliage move, and, looking closely, made out an indistinct shape descending from branch to branch. Just underneath the tree, and half-embedded in the soft mud, was something which I at first took to be a large log, but which, on closer inspection, proved to be a crocodile following the movements of the branches with that interest with which every creature, tame or savage, views a probable dinner. "Suddenly there was a fierce roar, and the mias leaped from the tree right on the back of the crocodile. The saurian, realising for the first time the nature of the dinner that he had expected, lashed his tail savagely, and, plunging violently, endeavoured to unseat his rider. Fail in this, he snapped round viciously, trying to seize his antagonist with his cruel jaws. This was what the orang waited for. As the crocodile opened his mouth he suddenly seized the upper jaw, and, planting his feet at the back of the head, with an incredible effort actually wrenched the jaw from its socket with: such force that we could -distinctly hear the cracking of the bones. A convulsive slash of the tail sent the mud flying in a shower ; and the orang, after holding the jaw back to the shoulder for a few minutes as if to satisfy himself that his enemy was no more, seized an overhanging bough and quietly drew himself into the tree.

"I had a good view of the monster, and should judge that he was not less than 6ft in height ; the arms and body were much longer in proportion than, the legs, and a mat of thick brown hair falling over the upper part of the face gave the beast a peculiarly ferocious appearance.-

"The creek was comparatively cool when contrasted with the river outside ; and, as it promised favourably, I determined to leave the sampan near the mouth and explore it in the small boat, accompanied only by Rayut and Bati, a wizened old Dyak who had been a noted head-hunter in his time.

"At daylight next morning we started and paddled along this highway, which, always of the same width, maintained a sluggish, even way through the heart of the forest. The hot, damp atmosphere was peculiarly favourable for the growth of those trees that the orchid loves to f<»cd on ; and, there being no necessity to hurry, we searched the forest in the neighbourhood of the creek as closely as possible. The result exceeded my most sanguine expectations, and I was fortunate in securing some choice specimens of' the Bnlbophyllum, one of which was quite new.

"My method in searching was to land Rayut on one bank and Bati on the othsr, where they proceeded parallel to the creek at a distance of about a hundred yards, whilst I paddled the boat and called out from time to time to direct them.

"It was on the fifth day that I noticfd a marked disinclination on the part of the Dyaks to enter the forest, and if by any chance I omitted to call they both came running to the banks. As cowardice is an uncommon trait in a Dyak's character, I was at a loss to understand their conduct, and asked Rayut what he was afraid of. He hung his head in confusion, and on my repeating the question, answered, 'Bati, ob.-, chief! says this is the country of "The Tree that Eats." ' 'What does he mean?' I asked in astonishment. 'It is the Evil Spirit of the forest, oh, chief !' he whispered, ' who is angry when men approach his village.' 'What nonsense!' I replied with disdain. 'Rayut, you are only fit to dig in the fields with women !'

"The taunt cut him deeply ; and, not without a certain dignity, he replied, 'Oh chief ! why does this river run on and on and yet not become smaller as we approach its source? It is because this is the country of the great spirits, and, being mortal, we are fearful of incurring their anger.'

"Next day proved', as I had suspected for some time, that the creek was a huge canal constructed in days gone by, when, as may be seen by the huge monuments that are occasionally found in the depths of the forest, the Malay Archipelago was inhabited by a highly civilised race. We had been gradually approaching higher ground, and now arrived at a spot where the canal had been cut across the face of a hill. The depth of the cutting was considerably more than 100 ft; and, noticing at one point a break in the forestthat lined the banks overhead, I climbed to the top. A tornado had worked havoc amongst the tree?, levelling an avenue a couple of hundred yards wide, and through this opening I looked down on a email Trallej- i~urmin.CT straight In front of me betwe-en lofty hills.

"From the Fituation of the valley, lying as it did between mountains which would deflect the tropical heat, I conjectured that it was 5, likely spot for the production of the object of my search, and made up my mind to explore it thoroughly. One hew specimen would repay the time and trouble ten times over.

"Calling the Dyaks to my side, I pointed to the 'valley and explained that I had reason to believe that a search there would probably be successful. It was evident from their bearing that they v-ere not enamoured at the prospect ; but afraid, , I suppose, that I might taunt them with cowardice, they said nothing, although I could see they were horribly uneasy. J "With some difficulty we made our way j down the mountain, and at the foot struck j a 6tream which apparently followed the , course of the valley. Confident from the appearance of the trees that our quest would not be in vain, I ' followed the stream. "Rayut touched me on. the shoulder. 'Oh, chief !' he said earnestly, 'venture not farther into the vajley. There is death in . the air.' 'Rayut,' I replied angrily, 'you are a coward. I shall tell the great Dutch chief to send you. into the ricefields with the women.' He ground his teeth at the insult. i'l am. not afraid -of anything that lives, oh^ chief!' he replied^ 'but this is the abode of theiEvil Spirit. However, we are your children ; do with us what you will.' "I strode on once more, the two following closely behind, and we had traversed about half the valley when Eayut again touched me. I turned sharply, to find him pointing through the trees ; and, looking in that direction, I saw traces of a* clearing showing through -the forest. We instantly turned towards the spot; and as the steps of all the inhabitants of the' forest tend towards'-the few openings that are to be found befe and there, we Approached the eSgebf the "trees witfr cauV tion. ■ ! * ' " The enclosure — or enclosures, for there j were two, each a few acres uTexten-t^-was m chape exactly like the figure 8, and we had struck the lower one about 30 yards from the neck. I was examining the trees all round, when suddenly Bati, with eyea starting out of his head, nulled me violently back, pointing at the same time to an extraordinary tree that grew right ■ m the centre of the passage between the enclosures, and which, owing to the intervention of some foliage, bad escaped my notice. " - " Picture to yourself a dirty-green pillar — which afterwards proved to be hollow — 20ft in circumference, and cut off evenly at the height of 30ft from the ground. From the top, however, rose a circle of * whip-like branches somewhat similar to ( those we see on willow trees, "each 50ft . long and gTtfdmFly tapering from a circumference of 6in-at ihe'btffct to'a'&e, point. 1 ' - These' almos;tf- touched^'t'he' forest' that, running in on'eaoh side} formed the neck of the enclosure, and were withoui a' vestige of foliage, but curious circular discs of varying size studded the lower ■ side of each. " But" what drew my eyes like a magnet; and made by breath catch with a gulp in my throat was that on a stump which projected sharply from the trunk , at the height of about 6ft from the around Igrew the most wonderful orchid that it ) has ever been the lot of man to behold. j "It was almost the shape and size of j an- umbrella, but jio words of mine can ; even feebly convey the marvellous colours ' which, as I gazed entranced, elowly changed their hues before my very eyes. What a minute before had been a brilliant scarlet was now changed to a deep blue; t this was succeeded by a bright green, to give way in turn to a beautiful orange, each coming up at the side and slowly -ex1 tending over the whole face of the flower. I gazed enraptured at the -wonderful <U&1 play, lovingly thinking of the sensation this tropical jewel would create in faraway London, -when suddenly my attention was caught by a movement in the ( clearing beyond, and I glanced up, to see , a deer walking through the upper enclo- , sure in the direction of the passage. Its course carried it just by the orchid, which suddenly became a veritable kaleidoscope' of changing colours, at which- the animal V

, gazed as if mesmerised. I "To my unspeakable horror, as I gazed at the marvellous display I suddenly saw , the snake-like branches, which a moment I before had been growing vertically, suddenly bend downwards and encircle the unfortunate animal. The deer struggled violently, giving vent to great sobbing enorts of terror, but a couple of the> arms enveloped it 6 neck and quickly strangled it, and, to my utter horror, I saw the body slowly lih-ed from the lofround. "Thinking that it must be a fantasy of the brain, I turned to my companions. Biti had sunk to the ground, his face I covered with his hands, whilst Rayut was '- peering over my shoulder, the eyeballs standing clean out of m their sockets, his face the colour of dirty ashes, and the spear dropped from his nerveless grasp. " I looked again, to see t-he deer liftedhigher and higher — that ghoulish orchid, it© worß done, changing colour elowly as before. Up, up, the body was raised, and it was horribly uncanny to mark how every arm of the tree arranged itself to the best advantage to lift the weight. Those on the near side of the tree enveloped the body, whilst the opposite branches bent right over, and entwining themselves round tb.& others, lifted the carcase until it woe held at the extremity of their length high above the-, trunk ; then they bent inwards and lowered it slowly into the hollow interior. " I am not ashamed to say that as the deer disappeared' spasms of icy coldness ran through my body, and I trembled all over with sheer fright. The utter gruesomeness of it and the sudden realisation of the danger I had escaped absolutely paralysed me, and I could only ga2>e with I horrified fascination at the unnatural I monstrosity. I ■• JPresexrtly ray eelf -possession retumeJ, and with it that covetous feeling -with I which every orchid-hunter beholds a new specimen. Besidee, I felt a certain selfcontempt for having given way to the momentary panic in the presence of my followers, and I stood there revolving various schemes for obtaining possession j of that wonderful flower. ( -' Suddenly an inspiration, came, and I

saw a possible insans of success. Turning ] to Rayut, I said jharpiy,^ 'Rayut,,, y^ju- are 1 a woniaif !'• BeHuriied- a?-IpoV>£h>Tnfie<i.'.[; reproach ori" -me. t £$&fc,&r&^ i&typaiifa'^i-; repeated, ' and Ji^EiSSlS|^=, whits man iears - youST*]^^^^^^^!^®© cut that orchid and- ca|r^ff <@^! f }f "The man passed ;M^^^^g^^'^»fe -J^g parched lips, endeavoum^^Sb SpeaK^-ni^'. companion lying). injßc^ae^|g^ogv^^«>" --> v f " I took a ? step' into^%*&^p3a^l^gp|:hen^ Rayut with a coniujsg^^^rfc^i^'^^r self in front of ntePvOn|^nief,'S^^^^es^ 'do not approach^E-fr Tree" tha^^-f^! jße^ warned by the fate' of the deer.* ■ - "My -blood .was 1 tip; -and, pushing him aside impatjently, I .walked* to" aSVa 5V spot , where I waj&>- just outside the,- reach of those- diabolical arms. The horrible monstrosity. J£nj£w of my presence 1 immediately. The snafce-like-i brandies •■ bent towards ' where I-fetood, swishang- stealthily to and .fro in effort to. reach me, and the 6urfaoe.?of;. the ; flower was into ' ? C *^ J^' 1 witto-, cbloursi^ "\\ ""* "" \'* r ,-.- .7 ,_. ',f .".■-.• , Vf Reftirning' y> J.the , liyaks,- .who^ -had partly regained ■ their ooWage ' •on "seeing me unscathed, q i «mlained4 tda&i Elan?™!-* had formed.- We Had jras&a a trdqp of laTge monk-eye-''^eedi^j. <)n' a -[mango^te&a? tree as we camV^ap^® : Talley, .anaj«i^ o turning stealthily ,'"l;'snot;' s&he) • which ' -we ' carried* back tq jLlie A|pp«'<encl§i3;ure.'-j Hgses I expiated" to ! JBa%i thafjlie .push? it" withinlreac'h>, of thebraSclie6 )lwlLen.'.X'Jitf4.,taken my station, on the. Mother, side pear the orchid. I hoped' thaff-'wiiilet thef atms were all engaged lifting t+b^'Jbodj^jfihould b& abls to run inland' chop" away the stump on which th&,;^flowjeri^gyv-,"'-Eayut i standing by to warn- me of- tdj^vgei'. " Ba-ti threw the body towards, the tree; in a moment .the-b*anGh.es bent, and seized ;it, and, waiting -untilwHfey ' were 1 " all en.g-ag.ed, I jumped in and srtruck at" the 6tump. A istream of -bla^k^iiitdf shot out, as the hatchet eank^ft^W 4eatbety-like siibstanbe, aiid^ 1 'li^'niirTiedt^ 1 ra^ed> '.by', arm to repeat" ' Fly, oh, chicf ;'. ,fl^.J; *; I^ jump^^inrniev eettled-on . my-'TieaH/as. tlj Sprang, aa^^ajr : thpiigh-^tHe'rmonientum^qairnei. my body forward" 'those^-- dikboli?ali?>«n%," fettetphed to their fulLieftgyCbj tfee^ysteight, iield,.^y. • head and "the"^upper part'of my body" a" i few inohe6 off the ground, the discs burni ins, the scalp like so.muph,-mQlten, t lead. I " Fortunately , £ dp^Jl^l^lPcnkoß^ ! my senses^Kc^h^^^yf^iviE^^fipe. :, seemed W. elioo%^th3»ua^^l^- i braili,'^and, I . shouted tqf^yut?l^i''-.gTi^jay f .legs. This' he did i^^atelyppiillmg' ; -his 'h^ndest, so^that my^ne'ad was suspended just, beyond reach. .of the other 1 i amis, ; '^uokj soaked' madtjr to andv-fTOxln^hfisK^ffoi^ to reach .me,- and- -Jailing" by -< a- inatterlif inches. % ' , "In apcumoiisly iriipersonal > jnalflier 1 called to'Bati to igrasp one of my :j kgs^ and then, advising them to find a firm grip for their feet, I gave" the order',- '(Ons -^two— three— pxill 1 ' ■ --With a ■ supr human, effort they dragged me free, leaving threequarters of my scalp adhering to the discs. I collapsed then, and remember no more until I found myself on the sampan_ returning to Manctawi, where my friend the Assistant-Resident nursed me back to health again. , ,v 1 " That happened nearly ,t wo ; X e! ??" s^«?.^f but even now at times of_ that wonderful flower^A^'coia'^nie^ and' r I feel that one day I wiQ-iseiur^-.to-jihats, tropical yalleyj If orchid will cause a s^^^^f^S'^-J l^ Sl^ boi/aiiical -world lias nwerfhowtf. -If -riot^another will have been added to tha number of the- victims of that . mysterious-, liorroT— The Tree that Eats."— Chambers^ Journal. „