The times., 1898-06-26

said he. Those emeralds are very fine,
and the diamonds are as stars in the
heavens. If the blade match the hilt, you
have treasure. Show 1t to me-
Thrown of his guard. S'Ali drew the
kris from its sheath and holding il by the
wavy blade presented ii to the Sultan.
Instantly half a dozen of His Highness
attendants threw themselves upon the
unfortunate fellow He was overpowered
in moment, and his hands securely tied
behind his back.
Take him out" said the Sultan, still
smiling.
Sail was taken away and lowered to the
ground. Not word did he utter. 1t was
Kismet. Why waste his breath? / did
not learn the manner of his end, but it
would be either by kris or bowstring. Let
us hope it was the first In the hands of
a skillful executioner the kris is a merci-
full weapon. He was buried in the jungle
behind the Sultan's palace Such was
the susa of Muhammad Harum Narrsid.
lang de per Tuan-''he who ruleth"-in the
year of our Lord 1894. And the Spaniards
were supposed to govern the island of
Palawan / could understand why the
Sultan did not care TO see a European so
soon after his crime. However, I obtain
ed the coolies and sent them on.
After waiting in vain for six weeks for
the steamer from Labuan, l resolved to
visit the Sulu Islands, or Isles de Jolo, as
the Spaniards call them. With this intent
Minico and l embarked on the Aeolus.
which carried the Spanish mails. Calling
at Simagup. a stockyard on a hill, about
as interesting and healthy as Maran-
gas, we next proceeded to Alfonso XIII,
equally fouriShing and desirable as an
abiding place Soon after leaving the
Aeolus lose her propeller in a heavy north
easter. For three days we drifted, the
steamer dragging her anchors. Every
hour saw us nearer the rocks, and we
could almost count the minutes that
would elapse before we should be ashore,
when someone caught sight of smoke on
the horizon and joyfully shouted, Can
oniero."
1t was the tiny gunboat usually dis
patched around the coast from Simagup
in the wake of the mail, possibly to pre-
vent piratical attempts. She took us in
! tow, and after a stiff pull got Us on the
move hauling through a line of reef
which we had escaped by miracle. and
| eventually TO the Bay of Balabac, where
we remained until larger gun vessel
| came and took on board the passengers
! for Sulu. Next day we anchored off the
! town of Sugh. In the morning / went
! ashore with Minico.
| Traversing a long, narrow bridge. with
| a watch tower on the left hand and a pa
| vilion on the right. we passed through a
couple of strong gates into the town.
! pretty little place, beautifully kept.
! Every street was lined with trees vet
| scarcely leaf could be seen on the road
way. AT the end of the main road lead
| ing from the jetty we came to a neat
! square, where twice week the residents
! gather to enjoy the music of an excel
| lent band. Suu women, mostly in wide
1 Chinese trousers. bright-colored jacket
| of silk, with many buttons, and gay
sarong thrown over the shoulder walked
about freely. Some wore the sarong over
! their heads All were clad in garments
! of the most brilliant coloring, and many
| of them were handsome, but they lost
I their charm on closer acquaintance.
Thanks to Minico, found lodging In
! the house of a native. 1t would have
been almost useless to ask the assistance
of Spaniard. I never met one who
could speak the Sulu language or any of