The times., 1898-06-26

near. The old piratical spirit survives.
They have never been subdued, and in
my opinion, they never will be-by Spain.
The aborigines of Palawan must be
very near the bottom of the human scale
I have watched them sleeping around d
fire at night in as much security as they
ever know. Their tiny limbs were never
still. quivering and stretching. and at
the least sound in the jungle they were
on their feet, wide awake. ready to fee.
A mysterious people, uncanny, scarcely
human. yet in comparison with their Sulu
masters, honest and trustworthy.
Desiring to ascend mountain near
Bulugay, l hired Sulu boat and crew
There was trouble Immediately. The
turbulent SuIus refused to put to sea
with the men from Manila. and I was
obliged to meet them half way by send
ing one of my servants home. Minico
| contriVed to retain. Perhaps his in
significant appearance aided me. Any
way, l soon had cause to be thankful
that I stood firm. Practically l was now
at the mercy of Suius. pirates and sons
of pirates, to a man. Before engaging
them / had been warned that two of
their number had undergone eight years
Imprisonment for the murder of a Eu-
ropean; and, judging by the looks of the
remaining five. it would not be difficult
to imagine that 1t would give them the
keenest pleasure to cut my throat. Stall
wart fellows they were. and not unpic-
turesque in their tight blue pants. sleev-
ed waistcoats decked with many but
tons. gay sarong Ga bag-shaped SASH,
and feZ. or turban. Each bore In his
sarong a kris and a pistol. while a dare
devil glitter in the eyes of every one of
them was evidence enough that they
would use those weapons on the slightest
proyocation. .it..
Starting at O'Clock in the morning.
we reached Bugulay by 5. and at once
set out for the PangIima's (war-chief' 81
village. In reply to an inquiry with re-
gard to coolies. the PanglIma. big fel-
low, told me that there were plenty of
men to be had. but all were very wicked
l could quite believe him, but / must ad-
NIT that the natives, here did not look
nearly so savage as the Kayans in Sara
wax, or the Muruts of North Borneo.
We ascended the mountain the next
day. Nothing happened. perhaps because
my revolver was seldom out of my hand.
Leaving men to collect the plants, [ re-
turned with the Sulus to- the coast and
embarked for Marangas. Wanting coolies
for journey to Datu Guah's village and
an ascent of PanilIngan Mountain, I paid
the sultan another visit But the master
of the ceremonies whispered that the mo-
was susa-that is, he had been vexed
| or troubled.
| BY means of discreet inquiries learned
the nature of his susa. 1t is rather com
mon story in the Far East. Unable tc
| lodge the whole of his wives in the pal
ace" His Highness boarded a few ot
them-not the prettiest, 1 suspect-in the
houses Of his followers. One of these
| Peris. an outcast from the Palawan para
| disc through want of room. consoled her.
self in the usual way-quite innocently
l was assured The news reaching the
| Sultan, he sent for the venturesome low.
er, and smilingly bade him be seated op
posite him. Not being altogether an idiot
| the man had come armed From his
/ sarong the jeweled handle of his kris pro-
! truded, plain to see. After few com
| plimentary commonplaces had been ex
! changed. His Highness remarked the
weapon.
Allah has been good to you, S'Al,