Having obtained our palm-tops, we purchased some
eggs, cucumbers, and fine ripe water-melons from the
woodcutters, whom we had passed in the forest in the
morning, and then waded across to our quarters on the
island, which we could now do, as it was low water.
It was becoming dusk, and we were glad to throw ourselves
down on our rugs, and rest a little before we ate
our frugal repast. During our absence my “ boy ” has
“ tidied up ” the tent, and it now looks quite cosy and
comfortable, being dry and sheltered, although on two
sides the sea washes up to within a few feet of us at high
water. The soft yellow mats are pleasantly enlivened
with our rugs and scarlet blankets, the rifle-barrels glisten
above our heads, and the smoke curls gracefully upwards
from our cooking-fires on the beach. Just as it was dark
we heard our men shouting; and soon after six of them
came in with the borrowed prahu, and told us that their
companions were following them in the large boat, which
Mr. Boosie had kindly lent to us. This was good news;
and we ate our dinner in high spirits. In about an hour’s
time the men came in with the boat, and we hauled
her up high and dry on the sandy shore before retiring
for the night. With the boat I was cheered by letters
from several of my friends in Labuan, all of whom were
sorry to hear of our disaster.
August 2nd.—A lovely morning. We were up before
daybreak, and soon had our boat launched, and all our
goods and stores safely stowed away, ready for starting.
About seven o’clock we got away, with a good breeze
behind us, and then we took our breakfast in a little
deck-cabin, which our men had cleverly rigged up for
us with a few crooked sticks, tied firmly with rattans,
and covered with kajang mats, thus forming a capital
shelter from sun and rain. Not feeling very well, I lay
down, and fell asleep, but was soon awakened by a consternation
among the men, and much shouting. A
refractory fish was the cause of all the noise, the steersman
having hooked h im; but the fish was large, and
objected to come on board. After much trouble they
hauled in their capture, and a fine fellow it was, fully
thirty pounds weight.
We were very comfortable in our new craft, which
sailed well; and although the wind slackened considerably
about noon, we reached Pulo Tiga before sunset,
and went ashore to cook our dinner and lay in a fresh
stock of firewood and water. Half-a-dozen fires were
soon alight, and we took our guns, and went for a walk,
but failed to get a shot. We caught sight of some large
hornbills; they were, however, too wary to allow us
within range.
This island is a large one, without any inhabitants,
except now and then a few Chinese woodcutters, or native
fishermen. Native boats from Sulu or Palawan frequently
call for wood and water; and the remains of
numerous fires occur among the drift wood along the
beach. Wild pigs are very plentiful, and turtle are
also found here. From a distance the island is seen to
consist of three rounded hills, covered with forest; hence
its native name “ tiga,” or “ teega,” signifying three in
the Malay language. We returned to dinner with hearty
appetites, and thoroughly enjoyed a portion of the fish
we had captured in the morning. My “ hoy,” who acted
as cook, had forgotten to inquire how he should prepare
it; and so, to make sure, he had divided our share,
boiling one-half, and the other he cleverly roasted over
the clean embers of a wood-fire.
Hungry as we were, salmon from an Irish stream,
cooked fresh over a fire of strawberry-tree wood (Arbutus),