48 A VISIT TO THE INDIAN AHCEIIPELAGO, 



Arcliipelago and tJieir inhabitants, we combined tkc 

 gratification of affording amusement, and, Tvitli it. 

 restoration of hcaltb to some of our poor invalids. 



Maila waller is surrouiided by coral reefs and sand- 

 banks. There appears to be a fine Jiarbonr to the 

 eastward, but certainly no safe entrance for a sliip the 

 size of the M(sau<le}\ Exploring parties landed, and 

 the island was well traversed. Some reported having 

 seen, and fired at deer; and the appoarante of the country 

 made it probabJe that miiroals would he found there : it 

 presented slopes of fresh, green grasa, having rills of water 

 running bet%veen them ; nothing, however, was killed, and 

 our shooting parties in the Soloo seas were uniformly 

 unsuccessful The brushwood having been set on fire in 

 tlie evening, the iiame spread and advanced with great 

 rapidity, presenting a pretty appearance. Ko traces of 

 inhabitants were here discovered, although, from the 

 position of the place, its supply o£ wood and water, and 

 tlie rich appearance of the soil, it should he a favonrahle 

 position for a settlement ; but we conchided that here, as 

 well as at many otlier equally favoured spots, tlie absence 

 of peaceable and settled inhabitants is to be ascribed to 

 tlie want of such regular government as would secure 

 pi-otection from the lawless freelxioters wlio infest 

 these seas. 



On the 13 th, at ten A. it expired in the prime of fife, 

 one of our finest yotmg men, Jolin Jago, another victim 

 to tlie Labuan fever ; his health had several times 



