Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra85861922roya).pdf/457

 palms there are no human habitations, and the country remains untouched except where it has been cleared at various times in patches for the cultivation of hill padi or maize.

The hills now begin to close in on either hand and form a rough wedge into the heart of which the traveller proceeds. Two miles after leaving the village of Durian Burong the path debouches into a little glade in the hills dotted with fruit trees which have run wild and having all the appearance of a deserted village.

This is indeed the case and the only name by which it survives in local memory is Kampong To Naidam Mok after an old Siamese of that name who last held the position of Naidam or official in charge of cattle quarantine and dues at that spot.

The track here branches into two that on the right leading through the Siamese district of Tiba to Patani whilst that on the left entering the jungle follows the rough course of what may still be termed the main stream for some two miles further to its source at Batu Kělikir (Boundary Stone 31) where there is an imperceptible gravelly watershed leading into the Siamese district of Chĕnak whence there is an easy descent to the village of Ban Pěkop some two miles distant from the frontier and inhabited by Malays.

The path on the right winds round the shoulder of a hill for a mile and then enters the little village of Pěrdnan Sungkai situated near the banks of the Sungei Timun another small rivulet which comes down from the frontier and joins the stream from Batu Kělikir a short distance below.

This little village of less than then ten houses is the last outpost of Kedah territory in this region and is inhabited solely by Siamese who do not speak Malay and live by a little general cultivation of maize and hill rice though they also possess a series of diminutive rice fields.

The way now lies through the heart of the forest covered hills and follows the winding course of a boulder strewn stream the Sungai Gĕnting Pahat which mounts gradually.

In places the path actually follows the bed of the stream but generally a way has been found along the shoulders of the impending hills which hem it in when not too steep and consequently owing to the easy gradient and the absence of any stiff climbs the walking is comparatively simple.

At the end of two miles the stream continues its course along the hillside to the right whilst the path takes a sharp turn to the left and enters a narrow defile or cutting on the very crest of the hill through which can be seen the bright sky on the further side. it merges into the slopes of the hill on either hand.