S O O L O O. 367 



These people are hostile to the Sooloos of the coast and towns, who 

 take every opportunity to rob them of their cattle and property, for 

 which the mountaineers seek retaliation when they have an oppor- 

 tunity. From the manner in which the Datu spoke of them, they 

 are not much regarded. Through another source I learned that the 

 mountaineers were Papuans, and the original inhabitants of the 

 islands, who pay tribute to the Sultan, and have acknowledged his 

 authority, ever since they were converted to Islamism. Before that 

 time they were considered extremely ferocious, and whenever it was 

 practicable they were destroyed. Others speak of an original race of 

 Dyacks in the interior, but there is one circumstance to satisfy me 

 that there is no confidence to be placed in this account, namely, that 

 the island is not of sufficient extent to accommodate so numerous a 

 population as some ascribe to it. 



The forts consist of a double row of piles, filled in with coral 

 blocks. That situated on the east side of the small stream may be 

 said to mount a few guns, but these are altogether inefficient; and in 

 another, on the west side, which is rather a rude embankment than a 

 fort, there are some twelve or fifteen pieces of large calibre; but I 

 doubt very much if they had been fired off for years, and many of the 

 houses built upon the water would require to be pulled down before 

 these guns could be brought to bear upon any thing on the side of 

 the bay, supposing them to be in a good condition ; a little farther to 

 the east of the town, I was informed they had a kind of stockade, but 

 none of us were permitted to see it. 



According to our estimates, and the information we received while 

 at Sooloo, the island itself does not contain more than thirty thousand 

 inhabitants, of which the town of Soung may have six or seven thou- 

 sand. The whole group may number about one hundred and thirty 

 thousand. I am aware, however, that it is difficult to estimate the 

 population of a half-civilized people, who invariably exaggerate their 

 own strength ; and visiters are likewise prone to do the same thing. 

 The Chinese comprise about an eighth of the population of the town, 

 and are generally of the lower class. They are constantly busy at 

 their trades, and intent upon making money. 



At Soung, business seems active, and all, slaves as well as masters, 

 seem to engage in it. The absence of a strong government leaves all 

 at liberty to act for themselves, and the Ruma Bechara gives unlimited 

 freedom to trade. These circumstances promote the industry of the 



