BY THE REV. J. E. TENISON-WOODS. 625 



our stay at Kudat we went in the government launch to the 

 further side of the bay, on a deer-shooting expedition, which was not 

 successful in the capture of much game but it afforded me a large 

 botanical harvest. On returning at night-time we struck on the 

 outer edge of a coral reef with a falling tide and a rising wind 

 and sea with heavy rain. We remained all night in a most 

 perilous position drenched with water and not without anxiety, as 

 our only boat would not contain three persons. Fortuna tely we 

 managed to get off the reef at high water next day, and succeeded 

 in reaching Kudat without much difficulty. The population of 

 Kudat reminded me much of that of the Philippines, and it was 

 equally celebrated for cock-fighting. 



From Kudat we went to Sandakkan now called Elopura, passing 

 round the northern end of Borneo amid a downpour which exceeded 

 anything I ever saw, in the way of rain. We could not see any 

 distance ahead, and this part of our cruise was especially dangerous, 

 being a perfect maze of corai reefs, which did not show above 

 the water, and upon which there was no break. A narrow strait 

 is formed between Borneo and Banguey and other islands to the 

 north. These groups are mostly inhabited by sea-gipsies of 

 ancient piratical fame. In some places the passage between the 

 reefs is only a hundred yards or so wide. We were sometimes so 

 close to the reefs as to be able to distinguish the coral and the 

 shells, while the shouts between the navigating officer and the 

 quarter-master, and the frequent stopping of the engines, made it 

 exciting work. More than once we were about to anchor until 

 the rain cleared. It was fine in the afternoon, revealing pretty 

 scenery, and Mount Kina Balu showing well up in the south-east. 



Sandakkan. — Early on the 12th of November we came to the 

 opening of Sandakkan, which is extremely picturesque. On the 

 north side are fine red sandstone cliffs, one 530 and the other over 

 600 feet high. Inside is the harbour, with a good wharf and 

 many houses crowded round a small hill. At the back of this 

 rise forest-clad hills about 800 feet high. Most of the houses 

 are of native architecture and built on piles, but there were some 



