INLAND HASIH. 



so many hiding-places, that we sliould have had much 

 difficult}^ in finding the real offenders ; the whole island 

 would in consequence have suffered, and unavoidably some 

 of the innocent with the guilty* Our friends in the 

 village gently opposed any attempts on our parts to 

 penetrate into tlie interior, and were anxious to get rid 

 of lis before dark. As usual, the women were Lwefully 

 kept out of sight. 



Captain Sir Edward Belcher, in describing his voyage 

 in tliese seas, mentions having discovered in the south 

 side of Cagayan Soloo a circular inlet of very deep water, 

 cut off from the sea by a shallow bar. Being very 

 anxious to find tliis fathomless basin, m'c kept a good look- 

 out from the mast-head ; and a spot answering tbe 

 description having been observed in passing, it was deter- 

 mined to send an exploring party tiie next day. This 

 was done ; and on their return they gave such a wonder- 

 ful account of the before-named curious basin, as well as 

 of its beauty, that it ^Yas decided we should return by 

 this route from our cruise* and, anchoring close to the 

 basin, take an opportunity to examine it more carefully. 

 It was to bo hoped tliat our invalid Rajah would, by that 

 time, be sufficiently recovered to accompany us, 



December 22nd. — Weighed, and stood towards Mam- 

 bahenaaaUj a small island to the southward, intending to 

 come to for the night, but found no anchorage ; so, the 

 sea now being comparatively clear of shoals, we stood to 

 tlie eastward. 



