CH- XH,] The Suitan's Boat. 225 



eifect being again heightened by the flashing of numerous 

 spears. Filing through the narrow gate in the stockade, 

 they waited for some minutes ere the boats were quite 

 readj'-, and then embarked, a movement which occupied 

 nearly half an hour. ICnowing that the boats would 

 block up the river when they eventually started, we re- 

 turned to the ship, from wliich an excellent view of the 

 procession of boats was obtained as they crossed the har- 

 bour to reach the houses on the wharf. The sight was 

 extremely bright and pretty as the boats, with their gaily 

 attired occupants, emerged from the mouth of the river 

 and came across the bay. The Sultan's boat was first, 

 and the fat old Commander-in-Chief of the forces sat on 

 the prow, paddle in hand, to steer clear of all impedi- 

 ments. Next came the Sultana and her chief ladies in 

 a larger boat, two or three richly embroidered umbrellas 

 being held aloft, while her infant son and nurse came 

 along in a third boat with numerous attendants, and 

 overshadowed by a splendid yellow silk three storied 

 umbrella, decorated with streamers to steady it, each of 

 these last being in the hands of a dusky slave. The 

 following boats, of which there were about a dozen, carried 

 the attendant nobles, headmen, minor ladies of the harem, 

 and the necessary attendants or slaves. Besides these 

 there was, of course, quite a crowd of natives in outrigged 

 boats and canoes of all sizes. 



His Highness landed on the " jimbatan," and stood to 

 watch the landing of the Sultana and her suite. He was 

 surrounded by his people, all being, as is usual here 

 always, armed. One man carried a heavy Lanun sword, 

 while two others carried loaded revolvers in a very 

 awkward manner. His son, Datu Mahomed, came onl 

 board as soon as he landed, and asked Mr. Cowie not tol 

 fire the salute until the ladies had retired indoors. He, 



