III.] 



LUKUT LAP AS. 



59 



jealous of Spanish influence in these and other neighbouring- 

 islands, and — somewhat maliciously I fear — we asked them if they 

 recognised the sovereignty of Spain in Sulu. They told us that 

 they were unable to answer the question. By the treaty of March 

 7th, 1885, they have since admitted it. 



We had returned to Jolo with the intention of staying a few days 

 at Captain Schiick's plantation. The path thither leads straight 





SPANISH BLOCK-HOUSE NEAR JOLO. 



out from the back of the town towards the centre of the island, 

 and about four hundred yards from the gates passes a small block 

 house which the Spaniards have established as an advanced post. 

 The country is but little cultivated in this part, owing to its 

 disturbed condition, but after passing through a picturesque little 

 valley, signs of agriculture become more frequent, and in less than 

 a couple of miles the bungalow, Lukut Lapas, is reached — a large, 

 rambling building surrounded by several outhouses and Sulu huts. 

 The view is an extremely pretty one, with the thick plantations 

 around the house, and a bright little rivulet dividing it from the 



