312 
MANILLA. 
direction: an idea of its shape will be more readily arrived at from the 
small map of the environs of Manilla which is annexed. 
After dark, the bancas separated. Mr. Sturges, with Dr. Pickering 
and Mr. Eld, proceeded to visit the mountain of Maijaijai, while 
Messrs. Rich, Dana, and Brackenridge, went towards the Volcano de 
Taal. The latter party took the passport, while the former relied 
upon certain letters of introduction for protection, in case of difficulty. 
Mr. Sturges, with his party, directed his course to the east side of 
the lake, towards a point called Jalujalu, which they reached about 
three o’clock in the morning, and stopped for the crew to cook some 
rice, &c. At 8 a. m., they reached Santa Cruz, situated about half a 
mile up a small streamlet, called Paxanau. At this place they found 
Don Escudero, to whom they had a letter of introduction, and who 
holds a civil appointment. They were very kindly received by this 
gentleman and his brown lady, with their interesting family. He at 
once ordered horses for them to proceed to the mission of Maijaijai, 
and entertained them with a sumptuous breakfast. 
They were not prepared to set out before noon, until which time 
they strolled about the town of Santa Cruz, the inhabitants of which 
are Tagalas. There are only two old Spaniards in the place. The 
province in which Santa Cruz is situated, contains about five thousand 
inhabitants, of whom eighteen hundred pay tribute. 
