The Devil's Concubine

The name Pantai Cinta Berahi might be better remembered by the older generation of Malaysians and old British colonial residents for its notoriety as a rendezvous for affaires d'amour rather than one of the many tourist attractions along the picturesque east cost of the Malay peninsula. The beauty of the beach remains unchanged to this day, surviving a brief but torturous period when Japanese troops invaded it on December 8, 1941 and went on to conquer Malaya and Singapore.


'The Beach Of Passionate Love's' as it was known to romantic tuans in colonial days, is located near the mouth of the Kelantan River and Kota Bharu, the capital of the sultanate of Kelantan. It is a segment of a very long stretch of dazzling, powdered white coral with strips of golden sand in between. Lazy coconut trees lean their feathered heads towards a turquoise green South China Sea. Along this winding and at times desolate stretch, quaint Malay kampungs appeared in the shade of fruits trees, cempedak, durian and mangoes amidst the heady scent of cempaka, melor and kemboja blossoms and rows of brightly painted fishing perahu along the beach waiting to set out to harvest the sea.


The Beach Of Passionate Love had earned a notorious reputation as a place where illicit love 'affairs' began. Perhaps it was the beach's breathtaking beauty under a full moon, or the magic of a million stars on a velvety black night that cast a mystic spell on lonely hearts in search of love. Or, was it the gentle, perfumed breezes that whispered pantuns of love to the graceful ru trees?


Many tales were told of hearts consumed by the red flames of passion and others that were turned to ash bye the white heat of jealousy and hate. There were also tales of beautiful woman who wandered in the moonlight with seductive smiles and evil in their hearts. 'Beware!' warned the superstitious. 'They are pontianaks, the accursed souls of the undead that transform themselves from beautiful young woman known as sundal bolong into hideous, blood thirsty birds who ripped open the bellies of pregnant women, killing then and their unborn and with their sharp claws tore out the genitals of lustful men! Their evil hearts were filled with envy for women who were to become mothers because they had been deprived of experiencing such a joy, having being cursed to die in childbirth. And, they seduced men who lusted for women and whom they killed in the most heinous manner!'


'A person doesn't disappear just like that!' said Ambler with a snap of his finger to accentuate the point he was making. 'Its been almost a month, you know!' It was the middle of October 1935. The grey-haired assistant to the British Adviser was sitting in a secluded corner of the bar at the Kota Bharu Cricket Club. Beside him was Tuxford, the superintendent of police who was a much younger man. They had been discussing the mysterious disappearance of Charles Steed, an English rubber planter, who was last seen one evening in the company of a young woman on The Beach Of Passionate Love. 'Not a clue!' said Tuxford dejectedly. 'What about his native mistress?' asked Ambler. 'I suspect she knows more than what she told the police', Tuxford mumbled. 'More about what?' asked Ambler. 'About the fact that Steed had another mistress'. Ambler raised his eyebrows, 'Did he?' he asked as he puffed on his pipe.


"We think so. The mistress we know about, Aminah, has been with him for almost ten years despite his numerous other love affairs. But , there are people who said they'd seen him with another woman, but none were able to describe her because she always covered most of her face with the veil with which she covered her head. From the little they saw of her, she was very pretty. After Steed's disappearance, she was not seen again. Nobody seemed to know anything about her'. 'Could this mysterious woman have kidnapped him?' asked Ambler. f that were so, there should have been demand for a ransom to be paid', said Tuxford. 'But, Steed who was in his fifties wasn't well off. As far as I know, he was alone in this country, coming out here from England as a young man to plant rubber. He spent whatever money he has on whisky and women'.


Ambler was silent for a while, deep in thought. 'You are saying that your investigations have revealed absolutely nothing?' "It appears so', said Tuxford looking away, 'unless, of course we are prepared to believe what superstitious kampung folk have been saying'. 'Which is?' 'That Steed was abducted by pontianak! You know, one of those legendary half-human female Draculas', said Tuxford with a laugh. 'And why would one of this beautiful demons wish to abduct a fifty year old man?' 'Its a fantastic story that has something to do with spite and jealousy between two sisters, one of whom was a pontianak and the other was...', Tuxford stopped what he was about to say and grinned. "Go on... who was the other woman?' asked Ambler impatiently.


'Believe it or not, she was Aminah, Steed's loyal and faithful mistress!' said Tuxford, his grin widening. 'You didn't think I would believe such nonsense, did you?' Ambler didn't seem to share Tuxford's view. Didn't you think it was worth investigating? nonsensical as it seemed to you, it was the only reason given to explain Steed's mysterious disappearance. I think we need to speak to some of these kampung folk'. 'You're not serious, surely', said Tuxford. 'Of course I am! The Colonial Office in London has cabled the British Adviser asking for a full report. They've hinted they may send a man from Scotland Yard here to assist in investigations. It wouldn't want the whole thing to blow up in our faces, would you?'


Tuxford quickly arranged a meeting between Ambler, Pak Ismail, a well-known bomoh and himself. The old magician had provided valuable asisstance to the police in the arrest of two men wanted for murder and robbery. ;He conducted the whole thing quiet simply, too', Tuxford recalled to Ambler as they drove towards the kampung where Pak Ismail lived. 'He sat crossed-legged on a mat, staring at the flame of a candle for some time, muttering incantations. While in a trance he described in detail how long-bladed parang could be found! Then came the biggest shock of all when he described the murderers and gave their names and addresses! It turned out that the culprits were from a kampung in the nearby state of Terengganu. Quite astonishing, really! But, that was a criminal investigation and nothing to do with pontianaks, the supernatural and mumbo-jumbo. Don't be suprised if something quite hair-raising happens this morning when you meet the old bomoh for the first time!'


Ambler said with a wry smile', I've lived in this country long enough. Nothing really surprises me'. Pak Ismail greeted the two men cordially and lad them into a room in the small house he shared with his wife and grown-up son. A large mat had been spread on the floor. After the customary coffee was served he smiled and said, ;Forgive me for asking, but what took you so long coming here? It's more than a month since tuan Steed disappeared', directing his question at Tuxford. 'The police were busy investigating other information concerning the case', Tuxford said with a smile. The old man nodded his grey head slowly and said, 'I see'. He knew Tuxford was lying.


'I made an investigation into this matter some time ago. There's no need for me to do so again', said Pak Ismail. 'Could you tell us what your investigation revealed?' asked Tuxford. Pak Ismail smiled. 'If I told you what I had discovered, you wouldn't believe me'. 'Why do you think so?' asked Tuxford. 'It's because Europeans do not believe in Malay spiritualism and superstitions. And, I do not wish to be ridiculed', he said. 'We have not come here to ridiculed you Pak Ismail, but to seek your help in this matter', said Ambler who spoke fluent 'court' Malay unlike Tuxford whose knowledge of the language was limited to 'bazaar' Malay.


'Your knowledge of the Malay language surprises me, tuan. Did you make a special study of it?' asked Pak Ismail, now more relaxed. 'Yes, as a matter of fact I was coached by a well-known tutor for many years after I joined government service. I have read the Sejarah Melayu or the Malay Annals and some books on Malay history and folklore that I found fascinating', said Ambler. 'Ah! Then, you should familiar with Malay supernatural beliefs?' said Pak Ismail with a sparkle in his eyes. 'I have a very limited knowledge about such things', replied Ambler. The old man laughed, 'Having a limited knowledge of something is better than having none at all!' directing his remark at Tuxford who forced a smile that failed to hide his embarrassment.


Ambler was glad that the 'ice' was broken between Pak Ismail and himself, 'Please drink your coffee tuans, before it gets cold', said Pak Ismail. Silence followed for some time, then Pak Ismail said casually, 'Tuans Steed is alive'. He was conscious of the surprised stares from the two men who sat before him. 'Where is he? Ambler asked softly. Pak Ismail studied their faces. 'He is at certain place where he is being punished', he said seriously. 'Punished?' Ambler asked, surprised. Pak Ismail rolled a rokok daun, lighted it and the room was soon filled with the aroma of clove in the pandanus leaf cigarette.


'The story begins many years ago when tuan Steed took a mistress named Aminah. I think you both know the woman I mean?' said Pak Ismail. 'Unfortunately, it has become the practice for young, uneducated women from large families to become the mistresses of Europeans. Money is the main attraction, since they would be provided with far better lives than what men in the kampung could offer them. Also, their families would benefit financially although such relationships were generally frowned on. But, as they say, hard life created many temptations and also created jealousy and revenge as happened in tuan Steed's relationship with Aminah, because it involved her sister Juriah who was ten years younger. Even at a young age Juriah had made up her mind to follow in her elder sister's footsteps and become the mistress of an English tuan. But, it was not to be. She had tried to attract a few bachelors who had newly arrived from England but without success, the reason was because she lacked good looks and other feminine charms. Frustrated, she went to live with her sister and Steed on his rubber plantations. by doing so it had made her even more envious of her sister. Then, a wild idea entered her head, she would try and take Steed away from Aminah! One day when Aminah had gone out, Juriah found herself alone at home with Steed. It wasn't the first time, but on this occasion she decided to put her plan into action, and seduce Steed. I must add that it would not have taken her much effort to do so since he had always been very attracted to young women.


'They were able to conceal their affair from Aminah for some time. When Juriah became pregnant Aminah discovered what had been going on behind her back. She drove Juriah out of her house. Juriah had foolishly thought Steed would leave Aminah and follow her since she believed he loved her. When this did not happen, she realised she had been deceived him. Sudden hate gripped her and she sought revenged not only against Steed but also Aminah. She blamed him for everything that had happened and even accused him of having raped her. Some months later she died in childbirth. Before she died she accused Aminah of putting a curse on her and vowed that her spirit would take revenge. Juriah surrendered her soul to Satan and became a pontianak. By doing so Juriah had realised her dream to be beautiful and powerful. Steed had no idea that the seductive young woman who had lured him to The Beach Of Passionate Love one night was in fact, Juriah.. now a sundal bolong. Her features had completely changed. The more he was with her the more he desired her. It wasn't long before they began living together.


'Aminah consulted me about the matter and I had no difficulty discovering the cause of the problem. Not content that she already had Steed under her control, Juriah wanted him to suffer for the way ha had betrayed her love. Or, had she foolishly mistaken his lust as a demonstration of his love? Apparently, she had been deceived by the nature of her own desires. Now, blinded by hate, she decided to make him die slowly and agonising death. I had explained to Aminah that the only way she could release Steed from Juriah's control was if Juriah were destroyed'. Pak Ismail had come to the end of his story that Tuxford and Ambler found difficult to believe but were left with no choice since it was the only 'evidence' they had in the case.


'You told us earlier that Steed is alive', said Tuxford anxiously. 'Is there anything we can do to rescue him? I could raid the place where he is being held with some armed policemen, if necessary!' Pak Ismail smiled and wagged his head slowly, dismissing Tuxford's suggestion. 'You seem to forget you are dealing with a demon. This is a spiritual problem that cannot be solved by using guns and bullets. Steed is a prisoner in a mountain cave deep in the jungle that is frequented by other pontianaks. I had a vision of him a few nights ago. His screams echoed through the cave where he is imprisoned! It was pitiful to hear him. His flesh is torn and he looks like a skeleton. The evil Juriah keeps him alive only to satisfy her desire to torture him.' 'Somehow, I must find a way to save his life!' said Tuxford. 'I shall reward you handsomely for your trouble!' 


Pak Ismail looked steadily at Tuxford. 'I am not a charlatan, tuan', he said. 'I do not save people who have been possessed by the devil and expect to be paid!' 'I am sorry if i offended you', said Tuxford. 'Could you save him, or is it too late?' Pak Ismail was silent for some time, deep in thought. 'There might be a way. But, I would have to think about it very seriously. I shall give you my reply tomorrow morning', he said rising to his feet. 


When they met at Pak Ismail's home the following morning, he told them, 'I have already spoken to Aminah, Steed mistress, about my plan to rescue him and that i would need her assistance. She has agreed although i did not give her details of my plan. I would also require assurance of your support. You would have to trust me completely in whatever I intend doing. The success or failure of my plan depend entirely on the efforts the four of us. I may also tell you that our lives shall be at risk. No time must lost because each day that passes brings Steed nearer to death1 Do I have your support?' 'We are prepared to go along with whatever you have in mind, Pak Ismail', said Ambler.

'Good. I'll inform Aminah', Pak Ismail said. 'We shall meet here four hours before sunset tomorrow. I might remind you that the cave where tuan Steed is being held prisoner is in the mountains. To reach the area we will have to go first by road to a remote kampung and then by river and walk the rest of the way through dense jungle. Please do not wear your policemen uniform', he told Tuxford. 'We must not arouse the suspicion of anyone we meet. If i am asked, I shall say we are on a hunting trip. Wear ordinary clothes, both of you. But, bring along a gun and a powerful flashlight.


As had been arranged, Ambler and Tuxford arrived at Pak Ismail's house the following afternoon to find Aminah already there. She greeted the two men pleasantly although it was easy to see that she was anxious about the outcome of the 'rescue operation'. Pak Ismail had placed whatever he required for the journey in a bamboo basket. This was a bottle containing petrol, two bottles of drinking water and four mugs, a box of matches, a long-bladed kris and two short lengths of thin rope. he sat cross-legged before an urn of burning incense and chanted jampi-jampi over a bowl of water containing the petals of some flowers. He then sprinkled the water from the bowl on to himself and the others. 'It is for protection against the evil we shall encounter', he said calmly.


With Tuxford driving, they set off in the direction of the Besut River, a journey of some sixty kilometers. An hour later they were in a perahu rowed by Pak Ismail and Aminah on their way up-river to Kampung Si Gading, a small village in the steep, mountainous area of Gunong Lawit that rises 1,500 metres and is covered in dense jungle. Within it was the cave where Steed was being held. It was late afternoon as they reached toe foothills of the mountain range and the terrain became uneven with treacherous gullies covered with creepers and elephant grass. They paused now and then to wipe away perspiration that dripped from their faces and soaked their shirts or to remove kerengga (red 'fire ants') and leeches from their arms and legs. They hacked through the undergrowth with parangs for more than an hour and came to a small clearing in the jungle that presented a view of the steep mountain, three hundred meters away. Deep, white gashes along its side caused by landslides during heavy monsoon rains, revealed its white limestone composition.


The sun had set as Pak Ismail called a halt in an area of level ground sparsely covered by ferns and creepers. From his basket he removed the bottles of drinking water and the mugs. 'Let's have a drink before we move on. The cave where Steed is prisoner is not far from here. Although it is the first time I am in this area, this place is not strange to me because I have seen it in dreams'. He looked at Tuxford and Ambler, adding, 'I know it is difficult for you to believe such things. But, soon we will be tested to our limits when we are confronted with a situation that I, too, have not encountered before. First of all, let us construct a stretcher out of bamboo and vines. We shall need it to carry Steed to safety after I have rescued him'.


A crude stretcher was quickly constructed with two stout bamboo poles criss-crossed in the centre vines. This done, Pak Ismail said, 'I must ask the three of you to do exactly as I say. At this time, just before sunset, pontianaks go to a small lake higher in the mountains to bathe. No time must be lost. I shall enter the cave and go directly to where Steed is being held. i shall carry him on my back out of the cave and place him on the stretcher after which we must move with all speed down the mountainside to our perahu at the river. Let me warn you. We must expect to be attacked by the pontianak when it discovers that Steed has escaped. I shall try and overpower it and tie its wings with a length of rope I shall wear around my waist. There is another rope in my basket with which Tuxford will bind the pontianak's legs. Tuan Ambler will pour the bottle of petrol over its body and Aminah will stab it in its heart with my kris. i shall throw a lighted match on to it and we shall all watch it burn to death! our lives are in each other's hands! We must be brave! We must not fail although we shall come face to face with evil! God willing, I hope to carry out such a plan!'


As Pak Ismail entered the huge mouth of cave he had stench of rotting flesh. In the fast-fading light he saw what looked like bones and human skeletons and he wondered if he had arrived too late to save Steed's life. He moved further into the cave as fast as he could and crouched as bats screamed overhead towards the entrance of the cave on their way to their nightly hunt. He hurried on, deeper into the cave. he paused to listen because he thought he had heard the sound of a groan. His heart skipped a beat. he heard another groan. Straining his eyes, he was able to make out the figure of man lying on the ground with his hands tied behind his back. 'Tuan Steed, I am bomoh Ismail', he called softly. 'I have come to rescue you!'


Steed's face and body were covered in dried blood and there was a fresh wound on the side of  his neck. He was barely conscious. Pak Ismail quickly freed his hands. He gently lifted him up to his feet and hoisted him on to his back. "Place your arms tightly around my neck, tuan', said Pak Ismail and was glad to see Steed responded, although weakly. The next moment the bomoh was moving as fast as he could towards the entrance of the cave that was now only barely visible in the fast-approaching darkness. hiding in the undergrowth near the mouth of the cave, Tuxford, Ambler and Aminah watched the entrance for sign of Pak Ismail, their faces tense. Tuxford whispered to Ambler, 'Pak Ismail has been gone quite some time! He may be in trouble! I feel like going into the cave to find out!' Let's wait a while longer!' said Ambler.


Presently they saw a large black bird the size of a vulture. It had its wings extended and was gliding slowly towards the cave. it alighted on a rock beside the entrance. 'It is my sister Juriah! The pontianak!' said Aminah excitedly under her breath. At that moment the creature turned around, as though it was conscious of the presence of the intruders. A shiver ran through Tuxford and Ambler as they saw a hideous, white human face with red glowing eyes and long, shiny black hair covering most of its feathered body. 'Good God!' whispered Ambler trembling slightly, as Tuxford withdrew the .45 from the holster attached to the belt on his waist. The creature hopped off the rock and began to approach them menacingly, its wings fully extended. Tuxford took aim with his revolver. A sudden noise from the cave's entrance caused the creature to swing around. It screeched angrily caused the creature saw Pak Ismail carrying Steed on his back. It flew upwards instantly and dived at Pak Ismail with its long claws extended. Pak Ismail threw himself to the ground, Steed still clinging to his back.


'Get the stretcher and take Steed away!' he shouted to Ambler and tuxford. Moments later Steed was being carried away to safety, leaving Pak Ismail free to deal with his attacker. Getting to his feet and pointing a finger defiantly at the pontianak as it circled above him, Pak Ismail shouted, 'In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Beneficient! I have come to destroy you, concubine of Satan! I know who you are! You are Juriah! The sister of Aminah! You are the accursed one who died in childbirth! You gave your soul and that of your unborn child to Syaitan the Devil! Curse you!'


While Steed rested on the stretcher, Tuxford, Ambler and Aminah watched spellbound as the pontianak screeching obscenities at Pak Ismail amazingly, jumped high and appeared to be suspended in mid-air. He grabbed the creature by its legs and crashed with it to the ground. Sitting astride it he quickly tied its wings with the rope around his waist. 'Tuan Tuxford! Tie its legs!' he shouted and as Tuxford compiled, Ambler ran up as they had earlier planned and emptied the bottle of petrol on to the creature's body. The next instant Aminah plunged the long blade of Pak Ismail's kris into its heart. Stand back!' shouted Pak Ismail as he threw a lighted match on to the pontianak's body. As the flames shot up there were agonising screams as the creature transformed itself into Juriah before being consumed by fire. To their amazement they saw Steed sitting up on the stretcher and looking rather dazed as though he had just awakened from a deep sleep. Amazingly, too they noticed the wounds on his body had completely disappeared.


Steed had no recollection of being held prisoner in the cave. All that he remembered was wondering about in the jungle and suddenly waking up in the company of the people ho had rescued him. Everything else had been erased from hie memory. That was the story he told the police. His only memory of Juriah was that they had an affair and that she died in childbirth. 'Apparently, Steed suffered from a spell of amnesia, a lapse of memory!' remarked Sir Anthony Roper, the British Adviser. 'I've heard of such cases. Apparently, he had wandered about the jungle for almost a month! It was very fortunate the four of you found him alive! Congratulations! I had heard some superstitious mumbo-jumbo that he was abducted by a devil-bird or some ridiculous creature! It's quite amazing how Steed was able to survive for so long in a jungle infested with man-eating tigers! Don't you agree, Ambler"'


Ambler forced a smile and said, 'Oh, yes indeed, sir!' Later, Ambler remarked to Tuxford, 'I suppose nobody would ever believe what really happened! It was something one only reads about in horror fiction stories!' Tuxford was thoughtful. 'I suppose what happened proves that truth is something stranger than fiction', he said wryly. Steed quickly regained he health. He sold his small rubber plantation, married his 'old love' Aminah and went to live on one of the beautiful island off the coast of Kelantan. Aminah never told him about how he was rescued. Neither did Ambler, Tuxford and Pak Ismail. They believed there was nothing to be gained from doing so.