334 SOOLOO. 



and on our way saw several piratical prahus apparently laid up. 

 Twenty of these were counted, of about thirty tons burden, evidently 

 built for sea-vessels, and capable of mounting one or two long guns. 

 We landed at a small streamlet, and walked a short distance to the 

 Datu's house, which is of large dimensions and rudely built on piles, 

 which raise it about six feet above the ground, and into which we 

 were invited. The house of the Datu contains one room, part of 

 which is screened off to form the apartment of his wife. Nearly in 

 the centre is a raised dais, eight or ten feet square, under which are 

 stowed all his valuables, packed in chests and Chinese trunks. Upon 

 this dais are placed mats for sleeping, with cushions, pillows, &c; and 

 over it is a sort of canopy, hung around with fine chintz or muslin. 



The dais was occupied by the Datu, who is, next to the Sultan, the 

 greatest man of this island. He at once came from it to receive us, 

 and had chairs provided for us near his sanctum. After we were 

 seated, he again retired to his lounge. The Datu is small in person, 

 and emaciated in form, but has a quick eye and an intelligent counte- 

 nance. He lives, as he told me, with all his goods around him, and 

 they formed a collection such as I could scarcely imagine it possible 

 to bring together in such a place. The interior put me in mind of a 

 barn inhabited by a company of strolling players. On one side were 

 hung up a collection of various kinds of gay dresses, here drums and 

 gongs, there swords, lanterns, spears, muskets, and small cannon; on 

 another side were shields, bucklers, masks, saws, and wheels, with 

 belts, bands, and long robes. The whole was a strange mixture of 

 tragedy and farce ; and the group of natives were not far removed in 

 appearance from the supernumeraries that a Turkish tragedy might 

 have brought together in the green-room of a theatre. A set of more 

 cowardly-looking miscreants I never saw. They appeared ready 

 either to trade with us, pick our pockets, or cut our throats, as an 

 opportunity might offer. 



The wife's apartment was not remarkable for its comforts, although 

 the Datu spoke of it with much consideration, and evidently held his 

 better half in high estimation. He was also proud of his six children, 

 the youngest of whom he brought out in its nurse's arms, and exhibited 

 with much pride and satisfaction. He particularly drew my attention 

 to its little highly-wrought and splendidly-mounted kris, which was 

 stuck through its girdle, as an emblem of his rank. He was in reality 

 a fine-looking child. The kitchen was behind the house, and occupied 

 but a small space, for they have little in the way of food that requires 

 much preparation. The house of the Datu might justly be termed 

 nasty. 



