S O O L O O. 337 



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 w r as 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 



vol. v, 2 D 43 



