1844.] BATTERING HAM. Ill 



On regaining the sea-side, where our tent was pitched 

 for the bivouack on the loose dry sand, sentinels were 

 placed for fear of the pirates, who are very numerous and 

 daring along this coast. To guard against these, small 

 look-out houses, or vigias are erected on poles at the 

 height of thirty feet above the ground, and are in com- 

 munication with the Gun-Boat Establishment. Some 

 have arms, but the one I visited had a wooden swivel, which 

 the guard informed me, " was to break the head of the 

 assailant." They are also furnished with a formidable de- 

 fence on the plan of the battering ram, being a piece of 

 heavy timber about four feet long, and five in diameter, 

 suspended at its centre by a rattan to the roof. It is easily 

 managed by hand, and driven end-on, would deal a deadly 

 blow. The beach is lined with forest trees of great size 

 and beauty, extending as far as the water's edge, and at 

 distant intervals along the shore, fishing weirs are placed, 

 The fish penetrate the labyrinths of these preserves, and 

 eventually enter the furthermost compartment, from 

 which it is impossible to escape. The Indians showed 

 themselves very dexterous in spearing the captive fish, 

 and I have even seen them suddenly plunge into the 

 enclosure, dive beneath their scaly prey, and stab them 

 with a knife. 



" Between Calderas and Samboanga are numerous ponds 

 and small inland streams, abounding with large Hydro- 

 sauri (aquatic lizards), that splash about the water like 

 young alligators. Fish, of good size and rare species, 

 are numerous in the ponds, and capturing them with a 

 drag-net afforded us much amusement. Along the mar- 

 gins of these small fresh-water lakes are thousands of 



