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pains to make me believe that a great favour had been granted in 
allowing us a sight of his ruler. On the other hand, I dwelt upon the 
condescension it was on my part to visit him, and I refused to admit 
that I was under any gratitude or obligation for the sight of His 
Majesty the Sultan Mohammed Damaliel Kisand, but said that he 
might feel grateful to me if he signed the treaty I would prepare for 
him. 
On our return from the Sultan’s to the Datu Mulu’s house, we found 
even a greater crowd than before. The Datu, however, contrived 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 Sul¬ 
tan’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, how¬ 
ever, 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 guardian¬ 
ship 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 atten¬ 
dant 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 
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