ch. xvi.] Articles for Exchange. 331 



reel cloth, looking-glasses and knives, are also valued ; 

 needles and thread are currency for small trifles inland in 

 nearly all wild lands. Muskets and ammunition are also 

 often highly prized. The best goods for barter with 

 natives, and all information, may generally be obtained 

 from the bazaars in the coast towns. Whatever you take 

 let it be good of its kind, and always remember that 

 necessaries are more valued than beads and other orna- 

 ments. Tobacco is often highly valued, even by people 

 who cultivate their own, as in Sulu. 



The following list of articles would be useful in Borneo 

 or Sulu Archipelago : — 



40 large pocket knives. 



50 packets large sewing needles. 



100 reels cotton for same. 



72 common Chinese-box looking-glasses. 



10 pieces grey shirting. 



2 ,, Turkey red cloth. 

 10 „ black cloth. 



10 cattys thick brass wire, one-eighth inch. 



24 fancy battack head-cloths. 



20 tins gunpowder. 



10 boxes caps for Tower muskets. 



12 chopper blades. 



All goods for barter should be so packed that any 

 article may be brought out for examination without ex- 

 posing the remainder. The more goods the natives per- 

 ceive you to have the higher will they value their own 

 edibles or services. Beads, Birmingham jewellery, &c, 

 may be taken for presents or for small payments. 



Arms. — The strength of right and gentleness is the 

 best of all protections for the traveller anywhere, and in 



