362 SOOLOO. 



arms, and drew their krises. Our gentlemen took this all in good 

 part, and after dispensing a few trifling presents among them, began 

 their retreat with a convenient speed, without, however, compro- 

 mising their dignity. 



The excursion had been profitable in the way of collections, 

 having yielded a number of specimens of shrubs and trees, both in 

 flower and fruit; but owing to the drought, the herbaceous plants 

 were, for the most part, dried up. Among the latter, however, they 

 saw a large and fine terrestrial species of Epidendrum, whose stem 

 grew to the height of several feet, and when surmounted by its flowers 

 reached twelve or fifteen feet high. Many of the salt-marsh plants 

 seen in the Feejees, were also observed here. Besides the plants, 

 some shells and a beautiful cream-coloured pigeon were obtained. 



During the day we were busily engaged in the survey of the 

 harbour, and in making astronomical and magnetical observations 

 on the beach, while some of the officers were employed purchasing 

 curiosities, on shore, at the town, and alongside the ship. These 

 consisted of krises, spears, shields, and shells; and the Sooloos 

 were not slow in comprehending the kind of articles we were in 

 search of. 



Few if any of the Sooloos can write or read, though many speak 

 Spanish. Their accounts are all kept by the slaves. Those who 

 can read and write are, in consequence, highly prized. All the 

 accounts of the Datu of Soung are kept in Dutch, by a young 

 Malay from Ternate, who writes a good hand, and speaks English, 

 and whom we found exceedingly useful to us. He is the slave of the 

 Datu, who employs him for this purpose only. He told us he was 

 captured in a brig by the pirates of Basillan, and sold here as a slave, 

 where he is likely to remain for life, although he says the Datu has 

 promised to give him his freedom after ten years. 



Horses, cows, and buffaloes are the beasts of burden, and a Sooloo 

 may usually be seen riding either one or the other, armed cap-a-pie, 

 with kris, spear, and target, or shield. 



They use saddles cut out of solid wood, and many ride with their 

 stirrups so short that they bring the knees very high, and the 

 riders look more like well-grown monkeys than mounted men. The 

 cows and buffaloes are guided by a piece of thong, through the 

 cartilage of the nose. By law, no swine are allowed to be kept on the 

 island, and if any are brought, they are immediately killed. The 

 Chinese are obliged to raise and kill their pigs very secretly, when 



