Oh. VII.] EXCITEMENT AT SAU-0. 103 



that of a compact, black, slatey rock, having a conspicuous 

 cleavage varying in direction, and beiag in some places per- 

 pendicular to the level of the sea. There is no sandstone 

 here, though there is abundance of sand upon the beaches. 

 As we entered the harbour we observed, upon the north 

 side, a hamlet- of Chinese fishermen, consisting of half a 

 dozen cottages on the hUl-side, their boats being drawn up 

 on the beach in front. Passing this by, we proceeded to the 

 innermost or west side of the harbour, and anchored near a 

 sandy beach, beyond which we could see the roofs of the 

 houses of the principal village, called Sau-o, two other 

 villages in the bay being, as we afterwards found, concealed 

 from view. All the rest of the bay had a desolate and life- 

 less appearance, the wooded hills sweeping down to the 

 water's edge, and presenting an aspect of wildness, which 

 well accorded with our belief, that they were inhabited by 

 the still savage aborigines of Formosa. • 



On the approach of the vessel, numbers of people assem- 

 bled on the beach from the large Chinese village of Sau-o, 

 attracted by the unusual circumstance : among them the 

 gamins were conspicuous, capering about on the sand, while 

 their more sober elders formed a long Hne in the back- 

 ground, squatting on their hams, and discussing over their 

 pipes the cause of the phenomenon. As soon as we landed, 

 we were escorted into the village by the crowd, and, on 

 reaching it, were received by several explosions, which we 

 were fain to consider a salute of honour. Sundry warlike- 

 looking personages, armed with matcljlocks, had turned out 

 to meet the suspicious-looking strangers; but seeing us 

 walking imarmed and amicably among the citizens, they 

 fired their weapons harmlessly in the air for effect. They 

 allowed us to examine their matchlocks, which we were told 



