CHAPTER IX. CONTENTS. DEPARTURE FROM MANILLA-INSTRUCTIONS TO MR. KNOX-MINDORO-SEMARARAPANAY-FLYING-FISH LEAVES US-BAY OF ANTIQUE-SAN JOSE-MINDANAO - CALDERA - FORESTS OF MINDANAO-SANGBOYS-SOOLOO-SOUNG-CANOES OF SOOLOOWE LAND AT SOOLOO-VISIT TO THE DATU MULU-HIS RESIDENCE-VISIT TO THE SULTAN-HIS RESIDENCE-HIS PERSON AND DRESS-TREATY MADE WITH HIM-THE HEIR APPARENT-WE ARE REFUSED PERMISSION TO VISIT THE INTERIOR-PISTOL STOLEN-CHINESE QUARTER-THE KRIS-MARKET-BLOCKS OF AMERICAN GRANITE -STOLEN PISTOL RETURNED-VISIT OF THE NATURALISTS TO MARONGAS-FISHING APPARATUS - SURVEY OF THE HARBOUR OF SOUNG-SLAVES EMPLOYED AS ACCOUNTANTS-BEASTS OF BURDEN-PROHIBITION OF SWINE-CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE OF SOOLOO-THEIR DRESS-OCCUPATIONS-STATE OF SOCIETY-MOUNTAIN TRIBES-FORTS-POPULATION-COMMERCE-DUTIES-ADVICE TO TRADERS - POSSIBLE - ATTEMPT OF THE ENGLISH EAST EXTENSION OF TRADE-HISTORY OF SOOLOO INDIA COMPANY TO OPEN A TRADE-ATTEMPTS AT CONQUEST BY THE SPANIARDS -GRANT OF BALAMBANGAN TO THE EAST INDIA COMPANY-ENGLISH SETTLEMENT -ITS FATE-FORMER PROSPERITY OF SOOLOO-PIRACIES OF THE SOOLOOS-MALAY PIRATES-THE BAJOWS-THEIR CHARACTER - CLIMATE OF SOOLOO DISEASESRELIGION-DEPARTURE FROM SOOLOO-PANGOOTAARAANG - CAGAYAN SOOLOO MANGSEE ISLANDS SURVEYS - BALAMBANGAN BORNEO THE DYACKS — THEIR CHARACTER, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS-NAVIGATION OF THE SOOLOO SEA-PASSAGE TO SINGAPORE-ARRIVAL THERE-REUNION OF THE SQUADRON-PROCEEDINGS OF THE PORPOISE AND OREGON - NECKER ISLAND - FRENCH FRIGATE SHOAL-MARO REEF. - CHAPTER IX. SOOLOO. 1842. On the evening of the 21st of January, the Vincennes, with tne tender in company, left the bay of Manilla. I then sent for Mr. Knox, who commanded the latter, and gave him directions to keep closely in company with the Vincennes, and at the same time pointed out to him places of rendezvous where the vessels might again meet in case any unavoidable circumstance caused their separation. I was more particular in giving him instructions to avoid losing sight of the Vincennes, as I was aware that my proposed surveys might be impeded or frustrated altogether, were I deprived of the assistance of the vessel under his command. On the 22d, we passed the entrance of the Straits of San Bernadino. It would have been my most direct route to follow these straits until I had passed Mindoro, and it is I am satisfied the safest course, unless the winds are fair, for the direct passage. My object, however, was to examine the ground for the benefit of others, and the Apo Shoal, which lies about mid-channel between Palawan and Mindoro, claimed my first attention. The tender was despatched to survey it, while I proceeded in the Vincennes to examine the more immediate entrance to the Sooloo Sea, off the southwest end of Mindoro. Calavite Peak is the north point of Mindoro, and our observations made it two thousand feet high. This peak is of the shape of a dome, and appears remarkably regular when seen from its western side. On approaching Mindoro, we, as is usual, under high islands, lost the steady breeze, and the wind became light for the rest of the day Mindoro is a beautiful island, and is evidently volcanic; it appears as |