108 RAMBLES OF A NATUEALIST. [Ch. Til. 



flies, although the overarching trees shut out most of the 

 light. We ascended a considerable distance, tracing the 

 path, which, although faint, was evident, and marking the 

 trees as we ascended; but no trace could we find of the 

 savages of whom we were in search. At length, finding the 

 path less and less distinct, and time failing, we gave up the 

 chase, and descended to the Kibalan village. The track 

 which we had followed, however, was so evidently a more 

 or less frequented one, that, considering the dread professed 

 by the inhabitants of the village of their savage neighbours, 

 it is difficult to understand by whom it could have been 

 used, unless by the mountain aborigines descending to the 

 plain in search of supplies. Subsequent inquiries at Sau-o, 

 as well as some signs made by the Kibalans, elicited the 

 information (whether true or false) that the aborigines of the 

 mountains could not be reached under two days' journey 

 from Sau-o Bay. 



We unpacked our basket of provisions in the middle of 

 the village, and were soon surrounded by the entire popu- 

 lation, who pressed curiously about us, but withal civilly ; 

 and seemed to think our eatables not bad, particularly the 

 loaf-sugar, which young and old appeared to appreciate. 

 Captain Bullock had brought with him some old numbers 

 of the Illustrated London News, which he distributed among 

 them ; but I remarked that though all seemed anxious to 

 get a leaf, they did not look at the woodcuts, but imme- 

 diately folded it up and put it in some part of their dress — 

 nor could I interest them by pointing out to them the most 

 striking illustrations, which they did not appear to compre- 

 hend. They did not, however, show any lack of interest 

 and curiosity in most things, and the men particularly most 

 inquisitively examined every part of our dress, feeling its 



