CH. XII.] A Ride Inland. 231 



pearl shell, trepang, and birds' nests, varied by inquiries 

 as to the object and operations of the new Borneo Com- 

 pany, to whom theii- Sultan had quite recently ceded, 

 Sandakan, and the east and north part of Borneo which] 

 belonged to him. 



During all the time we had lain in harbour here, the 

 weather had been dry, not a drop of raiu having fallen 

 for nearly four months. The plains were very dry and 

 parched, and jungle fires were not unfrequent as the dry 

 grass caught fire and sprang into a blaze very quickly. 

 It is owing to these fires in jungle and forest that teak 

 of large size is now so rare ; siace at one time the island 

 must have been one immense forest of this valuable wood. 



After the ascent of Bu'at Timantangis I had often 

 longed to explore Bu'at Dahau, the next highest of the 

 two peaks of Sulu, both of which are visible for a long 

 way out at sea. We could see the mountain quite clearly 

 at sunrise every morning, from our anchorage at Meim- 

 bong; and one fine morning I set ofi', accompanied by 

 Iklr. Anson Cowie, who proved himself to be a most intel- 

 ligent and genial companion. As guide, I had been so 

 fortunate as to obtain the services of one of the Sultan's 

 officers who lived at a callage half way up the mountain 

 side, and at whose house we were to leave our ponies and 

 undertake the cUmbing on foot. We bore to the right 

 on leaving Meimbong, and had a pleasant ride of seven 

 or eight miles across the fragrant mint and grass-covered 

 plains ; but by reason of my dismounting here and there 

 to gather a curious orchid or fern, or perchance to get a 

 shot at a beautiful bird, it was nearly noon ere we drew 

 rein at the door of our guide's house. Our way at first 

 had laia through the undulating plain ; then the Meim- 

 bong river was crossed under some fine-spreading trees, 

 on which white, blue, and green pigeons fluttered in 



