332 S O O L O O. 



Weighing anchor, we were shortly wafted by the westerly tide and a 

 light air towards that beautiful island, which lay in die midst of its 

 little archipelago; and as we were brought nearer and nearer, we 

 came to the conclusion that in our many wanderings we had seen 

 nothing to be compared to this enchanting spot. It appeared to be 

 well cultivated, with gentle slopes rising here and there into eminences 

 from one to two thousand feet high. One or two of these might be 

 dignified with the name of mountains, and were sufficiently high to 

 arrest the passing clouds; on the afternoon of our arrival we had a 

 singular example in the dissipation of a thunder-storm. 



Although much of the island was under cultivation, yet it had all the 

 freshness of a forest region. The many smokes on the hills, buildings 

 of large size, cottages, and cultivated spots, together with the moving 

 crowds on the land, the prahus, canoes, and fishing-boats on the water, 

 gave the whole a civilized appearance. Our own vessel lay, almost 

 without a ripple at her side, on the glassy surface of the sea, carried 

 onwards to our destined anchorage by the flowing tide, and scarce a 

 sound was heard except the splashing of the lead as it sought the 

 bottom. The effect of this was destroyed in part by the knowledge 

 that this beautiful archipelago was the abode of a cruel and barbarous 

 race of pirates. Towards sunset we had nearly reached the bay of 

 Soung, when we were met by the opposing tide, which frustrated all 

 our endeavours to reach it, and I was compelled to anchor, lest we 

 should again be swept to sea. 



As soon as the night set in, fishermen's lights were seen moving along 

 the beach in all directions, and gliding about in canoes, while the sea 

 was filled with myriads of phosphorescent animalcula. After watching 

 this scene for two or three hours in the calm and still night, a storm 

 that had been gathering reached us ; but it lasted only for a short time, 

 and cleared off after a shower, which gave the air a freshness that 

 was delightful after the sultry heat we had experienced during the day. 

 The canoes of this archipelago were found to be different from any 



that we had heretofore seen, not only in 

 shape, but in making use of a double out- 

 rigger, which consequently must give them 

 additional security. The paddle also is of 

 a different shape, and has a blade at each 

 end, which are used alternately, thus 

 enabling a single person to manage them with ease. These canoes 

 are made of a single log, though some are built upon. They seldom 

 carry more than two persons. The figure on the opposite page will 

 give a correct idea of one of them. 



