28 THE SULU ISLANDS. [chap. 



in them. In the meantime refreslunents had been brought for 

 us in the shape of European biscuits and some really excellent 

 chocolate — the latter the produce of the island. Xipa-leaf cigarettes 

 were also handed, which, in spite of their being most beautifully 

 rolled, would hardly commend themselves to the gilded youth of 

 St. James's Street. There is such a marked bonfire flavour about 



MOHAMMED BUDDEROODDIN, SULTAX OF SULU. 



the palm-lea^■es that it completely masks that of the tobacco, and 

 the presence of the latter appears entu-ely unnecessary. 



Regaining our boat we found that our men had got on very well 

 with the natives. Fruit and fowls had been brought for sale and 

 barter. The price of the latter was one dollar for eight, but at a 

 later period of our ^dsit we got them cheaper. The young Sultan 

 has hit upon a most simple plan of increasing his revenue. The 

 currency consists of dollars, cents, and " cash " of the Straits Settle- 

 ments, or Hongkong. He buys 120 cents, or its equivalent in 



