Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra13141884roya).pdf/281

 where tapioca is said to grow best.

The view from Gûnong Dato' is a fine one, extending westerly from the Sungei Ujong mountains, over the sea-board down to Pûlau Bĕsar in the South, where Gûnong Tampin shuts out the view; between the latter, however, and Bûkit Hûlu Âpi-Âpi, over which is the route to Johol from Rĕmbau proper, Mount Ophir rears its great pile.

To the immediate North lies Gûnong Bĕrâgak slightly higher, and forming the end of the amphitheatre opposite Gûnong Dato', with which it is connected by a semi-circular ridge: from this rise two nameless summits, the one adjoining Gûnong Dato' being decidedly higher than the latter, and like the rest of the ridge covered with trees which shew no tendency to be dwarfed.

Gûnong Dato' itself I make 2,060 feet above Gâdong at Haji Mastafa's house, which cannot be much above sea-level. Gûnong Tampin is, to judge by the eye, 200 feet higher.

The summit of Gûnong Dato' is very peculiar, being formed of immense rocks, some 50 or 60 feet high resting on a space which is barely enough to support them; between the two main rocks hang suspended 2 or 3 smaller rocks, under which is sufficient room for a large party. On one of the smaller rocks in this cham- ber below has been placed an earthen jar into which water trickles from above; this water is often preserved by the devotees, who are constantly making the ascent to pay their vows, as having peculiar and sacred properties. On the top of the massive rocks first mentioned are smaller rocks which form the actual summit, and on one of these is to be seen a small hollow, shaped something like the print of a human foot. This footprint is attributed to the Pětri Gûnong Lêdang (Princess of Mount Ophir)—a fairy being, who touched here on her way from Tanjong Tûan, whence she had taken flight in her magic robes from the importunities of the crew of her late lord Nakhôda Râgam, whom she had in a moment of irritation slain with a prick of her needle. To this footprint the mountain owes its name of Dato,' and its reputation as a "krâmat." There is only one tree among these rocks, and that not in the summit, so that there is a clear view all round, except where the mountains,