204 The Gardens of the Stin. [ch. x. 



the last glimpse of their native earth fades from sight, 

 perhaps for months, or even years ; hence the name 

 Bu'at Timantangis, or the "Hill of Tears." Bu'at 

 Dahau is, however, but little less in altitude ; and it is 

 doubtless at its apex that the last crater in the island 

 existed, although of course it has long been extinct ; yet 

 the course of the debris thrown out can be seen down its 

 sides, which are scarred or furrowed by volcanic action in 

 a very marked manner. Sugh, the ancient capital, or 

 Banawa as the place is now called is in the hands of 

 the Spaniards, and pretty regular communication is kept 

 up from thence to Manilla and the Philippine group. 

 One of the Chinese traders who came with us visited the 

 place and brought back several jars of excellent biscuits 

 and a few boxes of fine Manilla cigars. There are two 

 market places in Meimbong, and there are three markets 

 during the week ; and as very few places afford a better 

 epitome of the thrift of a people or the produce of a 

 country than a market, I will briefly allude to what I saw 

 of these held here. 



We went to bathe early one morning, and saw the 

 market-people coming in from all directions and bringing 

 produce of the most varied character. Most of them 

 both men and women were mounted on ponies or 

 buffaloes ; some indeed ride their cows to market as being 

 preferable to walking, their produce being slung across 

 the saddle before or behind. Every man carried a spear, 

 and a couple of hours later the space beneath the clumps 

 of bamboo just to the left of the market gate, was 

 crowded with people, the women trading, and the men 

 standing talking in groups, all the business of the day 

 being done amid a forest of spears. The country people 

 from the hills were very much interested in us as we 

 moved about amongst them and their goods. Sweet 



