358 SOOLOO. 



found even a greater crowd than before. The Datu, however, con- 

 trived to get us seats. The attraction which drew it together was to 

 look at Mr. Agate, who was taking a sketch of Mohammed Polalu, 

 the Sultan's son, and next heir to the throne. I had hoped to 

 procure one of the Sultan, but this was declared to be impossible. 

 The son, however, has all the characteristics of the Sooloos, and 

 the likeness was thought an excellent one. Mohammed Polalu 

 is about twenty-three years of age, of a tall slender figure, with a 

 long face, heavy and dull eyes, as though he was constantly under 

 the influence of opium. So much, indeed, was he addicted to the 

 use of this drug, even according to the Datu Mulu's accounts, that 

 his strength and constitution were very much impaired. As he is 

 kept particularly under the guardianship of the Datu, the latter has 

 a strong interest in preserving this influence over him, and seems on 

 this account to afford him every opportunity of indulging in this 

 deplorable habit. 



During our visit, the effects of a pipe of this drug was seen upon 

 him ; for but a short time after he had reclined himself on the Datu's 

 couch and cushion, and taken a few whiffs, he was entirely overcome, 

 stupid, and listless. I had never seen any one so young, bearing 

 such evident marks of the effects of this deleterious drug. When but 

 partially recovered from its effects he called for his betel-nut, to 

 revive him by its exciting effects. This was carefully chewed by his 

 attendant to a proper consistency, moulded in a ball about the size of 

 a walnut, and then slipped into the mouth of the heir apparent. 



One of the requests I had made of the Sultan was, that the officers 

 might have guides to pass over the island. This was at once said to 

 be too dangerous to be attempted, as the datus of the interior and 

 southern towns would in all probability attack the parties. I under- 

 stood what this meant, and replied that I was quite willing to take 

 the responsibility, and that the party should be well armed. To this 

 the Sultan replied, that he would not risk his own men. This I saw 

 was a mere evasion, but it was difficult and would be dangerous for 

 our gentlemen to proceed alone, and I therefore said no more. On 

 our return to the Datu's, I gave them permission to get as far from 

 the beach as they could, but I was afterwards informed by them that 

 in endeavouring to penetrate into the woods, they were always 

 stopped by armed men. This was also the case when they ap- 

 proached particular parts of the town, but they were not molested as 

 long as their rambles were confined to the beach. At the Datu's 



