, as all their boats had been lost
during the storm. Dampier and many others, who had been logwood-cutters
in the Bay of Campeachy and Honduras, were expert at this work. They
took their turns, cutting together, but were one whole day and a half
before they got it down. This tree was eighteen feet in circumference,
and forty-four clear trunk, without knot or branch. Great was their
disappointment on examining it to find that it was rotten at heart, and
would not serve their purpose.

Soon after sailing, while becalmed, two or three waterspouts were seen,
which seemed terrible, as it was impossible to get out of their way.
The waterspout Dampier describes as the small ragged part of a cloud,
hanging down from the blackest part. It generally slopes, appearing as
if it had a small elbow in the middle. It is smaller at the lower end,
not bigger than one's arm, and no bigger towards the cloud whence it
proceeds. Though he had seen many, he observed that the fright is
always the greatest of the harm it does.

During a calm, which came on while the ship was off Bouton, the Mosquito
men were employed in striking turtle with their harpoons. They returned
on board with a native, who spoke the Malay language, and told them that
farther on was a good anchoring-place in the neighbourhood of a large
town called Calla-sus-ung. Here they brought up on the 15th of
December. Soon after the Sultan sent a messenger to inquire their
business, and, being satisfied with their report, promised to come on
board. Meantime a number of boats brought off provisions. The ship was
made ready to receive the Sultan, who soon came off in a handsome proa,
with a large white silk flag at the head of the mast, edged round with
red. In the middle was a green griffin trampling on a winged serpent,
which threatened its adversary with open mouth. At the head of the proa
sat the Sultan, with three of his sons and several of his nobles, while
ten ministers as guards were standing on each side of him. Other guards
were arranged about the vessel.

The Sultan was handsomely dressed in a silken turban, a sky-coloured
silk pair of breeches, and a piece of red silk thrown across his
shoulders, the greater part of his back and waist appearing naked. He
had neither stockings nor shoes. As he was conducted by the captain
into his cabin, five guns were fired in his honour. After remaining on
board a couple of hours he returned on shore.

The next day