346 CELEBES. [chap. xv. 



well, so I told him to see that it was emptied the next 

 day, for that the day after I should come and occupy it. 



On the day mentioned, as I was not quite ready to go, I 

 sent my two Macassar boys with brooms to sweep out the 

 house thoroughly. They returned in the evening and told 

 me, that when they got there the house was inhabited, and 

 not a single article removed. However, on hearing they 

 had come to clean and take possession, the occupants 

 made a move, but with a good deal of grumbling, which 

 made me feel rather uneasy as to how the people generally 

 might take my intrusion into their village. The next 

 morning we took our baggage on three pack-horses, and, 

 after a few break-downs, arrived about noon at our des- 

 tination. 



After getting all my things set straight, and having made 

 a hasty meal, I determined if possible to make friends with 

 the people. I therefore sent for the owner of the house 

 and as many of his acquaintances as liked to come, to have 

 a " bitchara," or talk. When they were all seated, I gave 

 them a little tobacco all round, and having my boy Baderoon 

 for interpreter, tried to explain to them why I came there ; 

 that I was very sorry to turn them out of the house, but 

 that the Kajah had ordered it rather than build a new one, 

 which was what I had asked for, and then placed five 

 silver rupees in the owner's hand as one month's rent. I 

 then assured them that my being there would be a benefit 



