so A %nSIT TO THE INDIAN AltCHlPELAGO. 



member of the Royal Yacht squadron may extend his 

 rovingH in these days of enterprise. I may commend, 

 therefore^ to tho exciu'siomst in the SoJoo sea «i visit to 

 this our interesting discovery, certain that ho wili thank 

 me for so doing. 



A ship may obtain good fresh water from a small 

 trickling stream, which penneates through the haiTior, 

 near tho gap, into the basin below ; but it should bo 

 so arranged that the ladea boats pass the coral reef of£ 

 the coast, before the tide falls too low. 



On the 20th, we took up our oM berth in tho aouth-west 

 bay of Cagayan Soloo, and commenced an active barter 

 for stock ; this, however, was brought to a sudden con- 

 clusion on tho S2nd, the natives taking fright at our shell 

 pmcfeice. Wo were exercising at general quarters, and a 

 few of tliem Ixad remained to see tho shot strike the target ; 

 but tlie double report produced by these missilea, and the 

 shower of perils which they emit at last, were on the 

 whole too much for Soloo nerves ; and bo they left us* 



Sailed on the 23rd, making for the northward of Baii- 

 gney ; and, having anchored occasionally, on the 26 th we 

 ran between that island and Balambangan, and again came 

 to, near the renmant of the wreck of tho Minerva, 



On tho 28th, we came to in Victoria Bay, Labuan ; and 

 soon after we landed our Governor, restored to compara- 

 tive health. 



Much had been done during our short absence. More 

 conift) ruble residenecs had been erected on the higher 



