CHAPTER XII. 



A ROYAL VISIT. 



Exploring rides — A state visit — Culinary business — Arrival of the Sultan 

 and suite — Procession of boats — Armed attendants — A royal salute — 

 Visit to the ship — Use of dogs aboard — Amusements ashore — Eastern 

 singing — A royal interpreter — Dress of the ladies — Influence of the 

 women — An early rising Sultana — Marine amusements— Departure 

 — Journey to Bu'ut Dahau — Hospitality of the mountaineers — Ascent 

 — Fine views from the top — Flowers and insects — A Hadji's tradition 

 — Siassi Island — A Horned Steed — Sandakan — Pulo Bahalatolois. 



When we started from Labuan it was expected that 

 the whole voyage to and from Sulu would be made in 

 fifteen days. On our arrival here, however, the expected 

 cargo was not ready, and it was found that another fort- 

 night must elapse ere we could leave. This extra time 

 I spent in riding over the island in eveiy direction, and 

 I was rewarded by specimens of plants and birds which 

 had never reached Europe before. One night on my 

 return to the ship for dinner, I was delighted to hear 

 that the Sultan had arranged to pay a State visit to 

 Meimbong, and that he had signified his intention of 

 coming on board, this being indeed one of the principal 

 reasons of his visit. It had been arranged that he and 

 his suite would remain in the harbour for one night, 

 sleeping in " Peah's " house, the largest and most com- 

 fortable in the place. Mr. Cowie at once resolved to 

 decorate the ship, and also to fire a salute from the guns 

 on board, as he had an Armstrong amidships and two 



