1844.] DISPLAY OF FLAGS. 215 



timbers being about a foot in thickness, and about 

 twenty feet in height ; and at distances of about fifty 

 yards asunder, strong houses were built into it, evidently 

 intended for batteries, although they had but one circular 

 hole for the muzzle of a gun to be pointed through, and 

 fitting so closely as scarcely to admit of any correct aim. 

 On the range of stockade, numbers of small Dutch flags 

 were displayed. On our approach, an ambassador was sent 

 to convey the welcome of the Sultan, and to inquire with 

 what number of guns we would salute. My reply was, 

 " that until I knew whom I was to salute, I must decline 

 giving an answer." This somewhat discomposed my new 

 friend, but upon my observing to him, that as I saw 

 nothing but Dutch colours I was at a loss how to act, 

 until I knew what power held the place ; he immediately 

 rejoined, that there were no Dutch here, and the Dutch 

 had nothing to do with them. This caused me to en- 

 quire where their own colours were, and why the Dutch 

 colours predominated. His reply was : " the colours you 

 see are Bugis, from Celebes, excepting that large Dutch 

 flag, which was a present from the Governor of Macassar." 

 To prevent further discussion I informed the ambassador, 

 that in order to prove the good faith of the Sultan of 

 Gunung Taboor, I would engage to return his royal 

 salute of twenty-one guns to the colours of our most 

 gracious Majesty, upon his displaying his own flag. This 

 was immediately acquiesced in, and upon hearing their 

 final gun, our boats commenced a salute, completing our 

 return-fire, without a single failure, in 210 seconds, or 

 ten seconds per gun. The effect upon the ambassador, 

 and our new friends, who remained on board, was 



