62 CKUISE IN THE SOUTHERN CHINA SEA. 



greater density when it is poured into bamboo moulds and 

 crystallizes into a dark brown sugar. 



A coconut shell of the warm sweet liquid in its early stage 

 is most refreshing during the course of a hard tramp and was 

 always offered when we passed a concentrator at work. 



Great Tambelan. 



On the 8lh of August we made sai! at day-break and with 

 a native pilot crossed to Tambelan Island and anchored in the 

 harbour three hours later. 



This, the largest island of the group, is nearly 4^ miles long 

 and roughly triangular. Near its north-east coast are several 

 hills, the highest of which — Tambelan Peak — rises to an 

 elevation of 1300 feet while a short distance to the eastward of 

 it is Thumb Peak, a remarkable pointed hill 950 feet high. The 

 island is nearly divided into two parts by an inlet of the sea 

 which runs in a north-easterly direction iuto its western side. 

 This creek is nearly a mile in width but is fringed and choked 

 with reefs. The remains of a breakwater built of coral cross it 

 about a mile and a half from the entrance. A stockade once ran 

 behind this and a fort stood on the shore, all being constructed 

 to defend the village which lies higher up, from the attacks of 

 Illanum pirates who occasionally visited these islands years ago. 



We threaded our way amongst the coral and anchored in 

 a clear patch of water near a couple of small native schooners, 

 well protected by reefs from any south-westerly swell and in 

 sight of the K am pong. The conditions permitted some delight- 

 ful baths in perfect safety for the Malays said crocodiles and 

 sharks never ventured into the neighbourhood. The pilot re- 

 fused money payment for his services but gladly received drugs 

 for an ailing relative, and later when the people took to bring- 

 ing us specimens they always preferred medicine of sorts by 

 way of recompense. 



We first landed on the southern side of the harbour and 

 climbed a small hill of granite and laterite. It was covered 

 with scanty scrub and absolutely devoid of life. A reward 

 however lay in the view. Below the slope of the hill stretched 

 the still green waters of the harbour, purple-patched with coral ; 

 on the further side sand, jungle and palms, while the Kampong — a 



Jour. Straits Branch 



