80 A NATUBALIST IN CELEBES ch. iv 



bring himself, even in his old age, to settle down to a life 

 of retirement and inactivity. 



I should like to have before me a true history of the 

 experiences of one of these Arab traders. Like all Moham- 

 medans, they seem to have facilities for travelling in un- 

 known, unexplored regions of the world which are effectually 

 closed to Europeans ; and I feel certain that some of their 

 experiences amongst the wild Malays must be full of interest 

 and adventure. 



This Arab captain who visited me in TaHsse told me 

 about places in the Tomini Bay which are still blank spaces 

 in the maps, and others which are said to be inhabited 

 by savages dangerous to deal with. It might be said that 

 perhaps my friend the captain was not telHng me the truth, 

 and it is quite likely that if there had been anything to 

 gain by it he would not have hesitated to ' draw the long 

 bow ; ' but there was absolutely no reason why he should 

 not tell me all he knew, for he was perfectly well aware that 

 I had no connection but a friendly one with the Company he 

 was dealing with. 



When he had discharged his cargo and there was really 

 nothing I knew of to detain him, he was an amazingly long 

 time getting off. On Friday he could not go because it wasn't 

 lucky ; on Saturday the wind was not strong ; on Sunday 

 it was not lucky, and on Monday he was not ready. Thus 

 for a whole week he postponed his departure, for one cause 

 or another, from day to day, and every day he came ashore 

 and told me most decidedly he would sail on the morrow. 

 I mention this incident, not because it affected me in any 

 way whatsoever, but as an example of the dilatory life that 

 is led by the Orientals in these regions of the world. 



I must now bring this general account of Talisse to a 

 close, and pass on to consider some of the most striking 

 features presented by its fauna. 



