Ayer Prikan, and encamped on its western bank; its
course north and south over a rough, stony bed; very
rapid, and about thirty yards across, at the foot of
Bukit Lintang. Saw today abundance of cassia-trees.
18th. Proceeded to ascend Bukit Lintang, which
in the first part was excessively steep and fatiguing;
our route north and north-west when descending, south-south-west.
Arrived at one of the sources of the Sungei-ipu.
Descending still farther we reached a small spring
where we built our huts. 19th. On our march this
day we were gratified by the receipt of letters from
our friends at Bencoolen, by the way of Moco-moco,
from whence the Resident, Mr. Russell, sent us a supply
of wine and other refreshments, which we had not tasted
for fourteen days. Our course lay along the banks
of the Sungei-ipu, and we arrived at huts prepared
for us by Mr. Russell. 20th. At one time our guide
lost the proper path by mistaking for it the track
of a rhinoceros (which are in great numbers in these
parts), and we got into a place where we were teased
with myriads of leeches. Our road, excepting two
or three small hills, was level and good. Reached
the confluence of the Ipu and Si Luggan Rivers, the
latter of which rises in the Korinchi country.
Passed Gunong Payong, the last hill, as we approached
Moco-moco, near to which had been a village formerly
burnt and the inhabitants made slaves by Pa Muncha
and the then tuanku mudo (son of the sultan). 21st.
Arrived at talang Rantau Riang, the first Moco-moco
or Anak-Sungei village, where we found provisions
dressed for us. At dusun Si Ballowe, to which
our road lay south-easterly, through pepper and rice
plantations, sampans were in readiness to convey us
down the river. This place is remarkable for an
arau tree (casuarina), the only one met with at such
a distance from the sea. The country is here
level in comparison with what we have passed through,
and the soil rather sandy, with a mixture of red clay.
22nd. The course of the river is south-west and
west with many windings. Arrived at Moco-moco.
DESCRIPTION OF MOCO-MOCO.
Fort Ann lies on the southern and the settlement on
the northern side of the Si Luggan River, which name
belongs properly to the place also, and that of Moco-moco
to a small village higher up. The bazaar consists
of about one hundred houses, all full of children.
At the northern end is the sultan’s, which has
nothing particular to distinguish it, but only its
being larger than other Malay houses. Great quantities
of fish are procured at this place, and sold cheap.
The trade is principally with the hill-people, in
salt, piece-goods, iron, steel, and opium; for which
the returns are provisions, timber, and a little gold-dust.
Formerly there was a trade carried on with the Padang
and other ate angin people, but it is now dropped.
The soil is sandy, low, and flat.
EXPEDITION RESUMED.