cocoa-nut cultivated here, one bearing small oblong fruits
of a bright orange yellow colour, the milk of which was
delicious in flavour, and another, the outer husk of which
could he eaten in its young state, it being white as ivory,
and very sweet and tender.
I have already alluded to a breed of ponies as being
peculiar to the island. These are larger and in every
way better than the Deli breed, imported to Singapore
from Sumatra. They are never shod, nor is emasculation
ever resorted to. Goats and poultry are very
abundant. Of the former, a dark brown race resembling
deer in gracefulness and activity, are kept by the hill
people. The fowls of Sulu are distinct from those of
Borneo, and are believed not to be many degrees removed
from their wild prototypes. Of the other natural produce
of the island the frutto del mare deserves notice, bein'? « ’ O
especially valuable, worth, indeed, many thousands of
dollars yearly. Pearls of all colours in quantity and of
excellent quality, are obtained here yearly by the divers,
most of whom are of the ubiquitous Badjow or Sea gipsy
race. Tons of pearl shell (tepoy) and sea slug or beche
de mer (Hobthuria), of different kinds, are also exported
annually.
This last repulsive-looking product is picked off the
coral reefs at low water, and after being dried is esteemed
a great delicacy by the Chinese, to whom it is sold. The
pearl-shell obtained here is of fine quality, each valve
being frequently as large as an ordinary dinner-plate, and
an inch in thickness. At least a dozen kinds of salt-water
fish are obtainable, and I frequently saw the fishing-boats
off the town at night, each with a light gleaming over the
water, and I noticed that they all seemed to have secured
a fair supply of fish when they came alongside in the
morning.
CHAPTER XII.
A ROYAL VISIT.
Exploring rides—A state visit—Culinary business—Arrival of the Sultan
and suite—Procession of boats—Armed attendants—A royal salute—
Visit to the ship—Use of dogs aboard—Amusements ashore—Eastern
singing—A royal interpreter—Dress of the ladies—Influence of the
women—An early rising Sultana—Marine amusements—Departure
Journey to Bu’ut Dahau—Hospitality of the mountaineers—Ascent
—Pine views from the top—Flowers and insects—A Hadji’s tradition
Siassi Island—A'Horned SteedgSandakan—Pulo Bahalatolois.
W h e n we started from Labuan it was expected that
the whole voyage to and from Sulu would be made in
fifteen days. On our arrival here, however, the expected
cargo was not ready, and it was found that another fortnight
must elapse ere we could leave. This extra time
I spent in riding over the island in every direction, and
I was rewarded by specimens of plants and birds which
had never reached Europe before. One night on my
return to the ship for dinner, I was delighted to hear
that the Sultan had arranged to pay a State visit to
Meimbong, and that he had signified his intention of
coming on hoard, this being indeed one of the principal
reasons of his visit. It had been arranged that he and
his suite would remain in the harbour for one night,
sleeping in “ Peah’s ” house, the largest and most comfortable
in the place. Mr. Cowie at once resolved to
decorate the ship, and also to fire a salute from the guns
on board, as he had an Armstrong amidships and two