On the day of my departure a strong south-east wind arose and created a turbulent sea, for which reason the islanders wished me to delay my departure; but having once made up my mind to go, I entered the boat and put off for the brig. Some prahus endeavoured to accompany me, but the sea run so high that these were forced to return; and I continued with the boat alone. When we crossed the outside of the reef the boat was already half full, and it was not without much danger and difficulty that we reached the brig, by which time we were just upon the point of sinking. The other boat, in which M. Kam was embarked, remained on shore until the following day, when it came off, accompanied by many of our native friends, who, in addition to the kindness they had already shown us, brought us presents of all sorts of fruits and refreshments which the island afforded. It was perfectly impossible to refuse them, and I returned the compliment as well as I could, by presenting them with various articles that I thought might be useful to them.
On the 19th of July we stood away from the island, impressed with strong feelings of thankfulness for the unconstrained and straightforward kindness of its peaceable and fortunate inhabitants. None but those who have been placed in a like situation can form a conception of the feelings we experienced, when this happy island faded from our view.
CHAPTER IX.
BABA.
Voyage towards Banda.—Remarks on the Islands Sermatta, Teon and Nila.—Arrival at Banda.—Humanity of an Orang-Kaya.—Description of the Island Baba.—Great Fear and Distrust of the Inhabitants.—Their Manners and Customs.—The Island Wetang.—Cause of the Distrust of the Natives.—Murderous and plundering Propensities of the People of Aluta.—Disturbances between the Inhabitants of Tepan and Aluta.
From the hospitable island of Luan we steered our course for Banda. Nothing worthy of remark occurred during the voyage; but I will take this opportunity of making a few remarks on some islands which lay near our route, and which, many years past, were in connection with our Government.
The island Sermatta is composed of a high ridge of hills, extending east and west, the sides of which run steep off into the sea. As the island is thinly inhabited, and at the same time affords no shelter to shipping, it is of little importance to strangers. The inhabitants are under subjection to the people of Luan, to which island they bring rice, edible roots, Indian corn and cattle, receiving in exchange cloth, and other necessary articles. During my stay at Luan I endeavoured, without success, to induce some of these islanders to come with me; they appeared to be very shy and fearful, which is not surprising when it is taken into consideration that their island is never visited by trading vessels, while the people themselves do not extend their voyages beyond Luan.
Teon, to the east-north-east of Damma, is hilly, and of moderate height. It is uninhabited, and the channel between it and Nila is rendered very unsafe by a number of reefs, which require the greatest precaution on the part of the navigator, should he attempt to pass through it.
The island Nila consists of a high round hill, on the north side of which there is anchorage for small vessels. It is inhabited by a few heathens, who, at the changing of the monsoons, visit Banda to dispose of their hogs, fowls and cocoa-nuts, which appear to form the sole products of the island.
On the 22nd of July we anchored in the Roads of Banda, where we received on board provisions and water, and were provided with a fresh supply of goods as presents to the native chiefs. During our stay we experienced some heavy squalls from off the island of Great Banda, with very rainy weather.