Then there is a lull in the storm, and the more
enthusiastic return to the netting and, unmindful of
hunger, darkness, and rain, still cast the nets till
lO P.M., when they return thoroughly tired out, but
happy in the knowledge that the bag numbers over
ten thousand fish.
Amongst these late comers and most ardent
sportsmen are several ladies who, not satisfied with
the ease and dignity of a royal barge, have braved
the elements and gone fasting to share the excite-
ment of the netting in the discomfort of the dug-
outs.
That is how the Sultan of Perak's annual fishing
party takes its pleasure, and about the very same
time His Highness of Pahang will be leading a
similar expedition in the quiet waters of an old
channel of the Pahang River.
There, however, the method is rather different —

the water is poisoned with the juice of the tuba root,

and the stupefied fish are speared and netted as they

float and swim aimlessly about. The fun is much

the same, perhaps, but the pursuit is less sporting

225 p



MALAY SKETCHES

than by the means employed in Perak. It is not
however, perfectly easy to spear even drugged fish
without both skill and practice.
