264 INGENIOUS WAYS OF ESCAPE. [1845. 



ever, that any matters referred to the Sultan of Mindanao, 

 respecting the acts of the Lanoons, especially upon ques- 

 tions of ransom, are speedily and effectually arranged by 

 the Sultan. 



But to return to La Laguna\ throughout the vast 

 range of the bay connected with this Lagoon, the Illanons 

 have constructed numerous substantial escapes, being 

 ways of timber, which permit of their hauling their 

 vessels into the Lagoon upon any sudden emergency, and 

 so amazingly expert are they in this manoeuvre, that 

 when in hot chase, my informants have pressed them 

 close, and considered their escape impossible, they have 

 seen them dash suddenly into one of these escapes, and 

 before their faluas (or launches) could reach the spot of 

 entry, they had been hauled out of sight, and upon 

 presenting themselves at the opening, were saluted 

 by a discharge of round and grape, from heavy brass guns 

 placed in battery, and so far within this dangerous jungle, 

 that attack was impossible. It is a well known fact, also, 

 that the whole line of the bay is rigidly watched by vigias, 

 or small look-out houses, built in lofty trees, and imme- 

 diately on the alarm being given, ropes are instantly led 

 to the point of entry, and the home population in ready- 

 ness to aid in hauling them through the mangroves, as 

 well as to defend them from further attack. The method 

 of constructing these escapes is very simple ; strong 

 mangrove trees are driven at opposite angles, obliquely, 

 into the mud, and their upper ends securely lashed to the 

 growing, standing, mangrove trees, forming a V-shaped 

 bed at an angle of one hundred and twenty degrees. 

 These trees being stripped of their bark, are kept very 



