348 S O O L o o. 



ance of a thriving village. Although I have mentioned the presence 

 of soldiers, it was observed on landing that no guard was -stationed 

 about or even at the fort; but shortly afterwards a soldier was seen 

 hurrying towards the latter, in the act of dressing himself in his 

 regimentals, and another running by his side, with his cartridge-box 

 and musket. In a little while one was passing up and down on his 

 post, as though he was as permanent there as the fort itself. 



After completing these duties, the light airs detained us the re- 

 mainder of the day under Panay, in sight of the bay. On the 29th, 

 at noon, we had been wafted by it far enough in the offing to obtain 

 the easterly breeze, which soon became strong, with an overcast sky, 

 and carried us rapidly on our course ; my time would not permit my 

 heaving-to. We kept on our course for Mindanao during the whole 

 night, and were constantly engaged in sounding, with our patent 

 lead, with from thirty to forty fathoms cast, to prevent our passing 

 over this part of the sea entirely unexamined. 



At daylight on the 31st, we had the island of Mindanao before us, 

 but did not reach its western peak until 5 p. M. This island is high 

 and broken, like those to the north of it, but, unlike them, its moun- 

 tains are covered with forests to their very tops, and there were no 

 distinct cones of minor dimensions, as we had observed on the others. 

 If they do exist, they were hidden by the dense forest. 



I had determined to anchor at Caldera, a small port on the south- 

 west side of Mindanao, about ten miles distant from Samboangan, 

 where the governor resides. The latter is a considerable place, but 

 the anchorage in its roadstead is said to be bad, and the currents 

 that run through the Straits of Basillan are represented to be strong. 

 Caldera, on the other hand, has a good, though small anchorage, 

 which is free from the currents of the straits. It is therefore an 

 excellent stopping-place, in case of the tide proving unfavourable. 

 On one of its points stands a small fort, which on our arrival hoisted 

 Spanish colours. 



At six o'clock we came to anchor at Caldera, in seven fathoms 

 water. There were few indications of inhabitants, except at and 

 near the fort. An officer was despatched to the fort, to report the 

 ship. It was found to be occupied by a few soldiers under the 

 command of a lieutenant. 



The fort is about seventy feet square, and is built of large blocks 

 of red coral, which evidently have not been taken from the vicinity of 

 the place, as was stated by the officers of the fort ; for, although our 



