228 Celebes. 



■by-standei's who knew a little Malay, it came out that no 

 house was ready, and no one seemed to have the least idea 

 where to get one. As I did not want to trouble the Rajah 

 any more, I thought it best to try to frighten them a little ; 

 so I told them that if they did not immediately find me a 

 house as the Rajah had ordered, I should go back and com- 

 plain to him, but that if a house was found me I would i>ay 

 for the use of it. This had the desired effect, and one of the 

 head-men c»f the village asked me to go with him and look for 

 a house. He showed me one or two of the most miserable and 

 ruinous description,, which I at once rejected, saying, " I must 

 have a good one, and near to the forest." The next he showed 

 me suited very well, so I told him to see that it was emptied the 

 next day, for that the day after I should come and occupy it. 



On the day mentioned, as I was not quite ready to go, I 

 sent my two Macassar boys with brooms to sweep out the 

 house thoroughly. They returned in the evening and told 

 me that when they got there the house was inhabited, and 

 not a single article removed. However, on hearing they had 

 come to clean and take possession, the occupants made a 

 move, but with a good deal of grumbling, which made me 

 feel rather uneasy as to how the people generally might take 

 my intrusion into their village. The next morning we took 

 our baggage on three pack-horses, and, after a few break- 

 downs, arrived about noon at our destination. 



After getting all my things set straight, and having made 

 a hasty meal, I determined if possible to make friends with 

 the people. I therefore sent for the owner of the house and 

 as many of his acquaintances as liked to come, to have a 

 " bitchara," or talk. When they were all seated, I gave them 

 a little tobacco all round, and having my boy Baderoon for 

 interpreter, tried to explain to them Avhy I came there ; that 

 I was very sorry to turn them out of the house, but that the 

 Rajah had ordered it rather than build a new one, which was 

 what I had asked for, and then placed five silver rupees in 

 the owner's hand as one mouth's rent. I then assured them 

 that my being there would be a benefit to them, as I should 

 buy their eggs and fowls and fruit ; and if their children 

 would bring me shells and insects, of which I showed them, 

 specimens, they also might eai*n a good many coppers. After 



