ANCHOB OFF SAMBO AN GAN. 
229 
Steaming on with fine weather across the Molucca 
passage into the Celebes Sea, the scenery in every 
direction was very lovely, the lofty, high volcanic 
land affording more than ordinary interest as we 
occasionally stopped off the steep shores for trawling. 
Crossing the Celebes Sea on the 23rd, the high 
land of Mindanao, covered with bright green foliage 
to the very top, was before us. Stopping again for 
soundings, it was nine o’clock on a bright moonlight 
night when we anchored off the village of Sam- 
boangan. After the Spanish officials had boarded 
us, and visits of ceremony exchanged, those so 
desirous were free for a run on shore. 
The next day, early in the morning, as the sun 
rose, the picture from the deck was very charming. 
The little village before us was almost concealed 
from view by the varied foliage stretching from 
end to end, backed up with high land cultivated 
nearly to the summit ; while in the fertile plains 
below the waving palms and the bright green 
stalks of the rice stood out in pleasing relief. 
As is usually the case on landing at these villages, 
Samboangan lost much of the charm apparent from 
the anchorage; but the country and roads were 
found prettily decorated with thick and many-tinted 
foliage; tall bamboos shaking their feathery heads 
aloft, the cocoa-nut still loftier ; palms of various 
sorts; the plantains and bananas, the huge green 
leaves of which give such richness to atropical land- 
