Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/303

Rh canoe finds its way. Off the coast lies the palmclad volcanic island of Oena-Oena. Paragi is the home of somewhat restless and troublesome natives; but then, the interior of the country is populated by savages who are cannibals and slave-dealers, and who can only be brought under control by degrees.

In the mountains in Celebes—which are about 7000 feet high—is found the sapi-utan, or wild cow, half antelope and half buffalo, a small animal; and the babirusa, or pig-deer, peculiar to this island, the Sulu Isles, and Bouru. It has upper tusks curling back to its eyes, and is different from all other animals. There are here, in Macassar, all sorts of interesting birds, animals, and things for sale—but one cannot carry a menagerie round with one.

Now I have here acquired a new friend and made what is nothing less than a grand triumph, which has surprised me quite as much as it has the whole ship!

There is a rugged old Malay sailor on board who is a great character, and whom we have often discussed in the most unfavourable terms. He is devoted to the Captain, whom he calls “the old one,” but rude and uncivil to a degree to all the other officers and the passengers. He is such a good sailor, always doing his work unordered, that the officers excuse everything, and are quite content that his devotion to the Captain and his duty makes up for his ignoring of them. Patently he regards the passengers as mere encumbrances. When he comes along the deck he pushes the chairs and their occupants out of his way with surly grunts, and is deaf to the abuse it evokes. We all knew he was as good and honest as possible, and a great character, but objected to his surly, rude ways. I had never