128 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



residents at Soung; and vessels visiting this place, incur very little 

 risk of desertions. 



In the words of our native pilot, " the padre was an Arab ;" and he 

 returned my Arabic salutation, his eye, I thought, moistening at the 

 sound of the language ; but I was unable to hold further communica- 

 tion with him. In the expression of his countenance, I perceived 

 some ditference from the surrounding population, but none in com- 

 plexion, stature, or features ; and he appeared equally beardless at a 

 distance, but it was found, that pains had been taken to preserve a few 

 very long scattered hairs. I am uninformed as to the precise origin 

 of the Malay-Muslim priests, who, together with the chiefs, are appa- 

 rently of mixed descent (perhaps even having a tinge of Abyssinian) ; 

 but among the mass of the Sooloo people, I could find no evidence of 

 the presence of a foreign race. Commencing at Caldera, these were 

 the first traces met with in our progress westward, of Muslim institu- 

 tions, and of the Muslim system of government. 



On the morning of the 5th, a well-armed party, including four 

 marines, proceeded in two boats to the island outside the harbour. It 

 was found to be composed of coral, surrounding a knoll of trap rock 

 some three hundred feet in height. The day was spent to advantage, 

 so far as concerned researches in natural history : the knoll had been 

 ascended, and we were about leaving, when it was proposed to touch 

 at the further end of the island. We accordingly landed again, and 

 on resuming our avocations, the voice of chanticleer announced, un- 

 expectedly, that tlie island was inhabited. Our marines, accustom- 

 ed to the manners of the islanders of the Pacific, were pleased with 

 ■the idea of procuring refreshments; others were desirous of an inter- 

 view; and for myself, I followed, although better aware from yes- 

 terday's experience, of the kind of reception we might expect. 



The village, which had been concealed by the mangroves, pre- 

 sented the novel appearance of a cluster of houses in the middle of a 

 lagoon, built on posts, and accessible only to canoes. We continued 

 our walk to the outlet of the lagoon; but no one came near for some 

 minutes, the sound of voices giving evidence of a consultation. At 

 last, a man approached in a canoe, but kept aloof until he was joined 

 by a second canoe containing three persons ; when they all landed 

 without hesitation. I offered some trifles, but they seemed hardly to 

 know what to make of them, or whether to accept them. An old man 

 in the rear, prompted apparently by some remaining feelings of bene- 

 volence, made motions to us to go away. Another of the party was 

 less equivocal, making grimaces as he held a drawn kris, and pointed 



