Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga

by D. H. Kolff

CHAPTER XIV.

THE TENIMBER ISLANDS.

Visit to Watidal.—Respect shown to the Dutch Flag.—The English supposed by the Natives to be Orang-gunung, or Mountaineers.—The Prosperity of the People inseparable from the Rule of the Dutch over these Countries.—Traces of the Christian Religion having formerly obtained here.—Departure from Larrat to Vordate.—Allurements of the latter Island.—The Inhabitants of the Tenimber Islands.—Their Manners and Customs.—Mode of Warfare.—Striking Proofs of their Attachment to the Dutch Government.

The English, during their short possession of the Moluccas, sent a British flag to the people of Watidal, who had preserved it well, but without making any use of it. When I demanded the reason of this, I was answered that they plainly perceived that this was not a Company's flag, and that they would not recognize any other nation than the Dutch as their allies. Their ideas of the different European nations are very singular. From their questions, it appeared that they considered the Orang Compania (the Dutch) only as true white people, and that they were unacquainted with other Europeans. They asked me if the English were not the inland mountaineers, or Orang Gunung, like the inhabitants of Timor-laut, and other barbarous people.

The natives call themselves "Anak Compania," literally, Children of the Company; and they often expressed to me their surprise at the difficulties the traders who arrived at the island, threw in their way to prevent them from visiting Banda. They also expressed themselves much discontented at the arbitrary mode of trading adopted by the native merchants from Banda, which had often necessitated them to be their own judges, as they dared not nourish a hope that the Dutch would again visit and defend them. This state of affairs caused them to retrograde in point of civilization, as by continually taking revenge for offences committed against them, they themselves have become wild and rapacious, so much so that the Tenimber islanders are in bad repute among their neighbours, being considered as dangerous characters. They absolutely prohibited the Macassar traders from coming to the islands, because the numbers in which these arrived gave rise to a fear on the part of the inhabitants, that the traders would bring them under their power, and treat them in an arbitrary manner, which, as they said, took place too often already. It will readily be supposed, that it cost me much time and trouble to induce the natives to renew their intercourse with these people, and at the same time it will be perceived how much extortion these simple, though numerous, islanders have been subjected to since they lost the protection of the Dutch Government.

A Dutch garrison in these islands, although giving rise to an increased government expenditure, would contribute greatly to extend the trade of the Moluccas, and at the same time effect a humane object; for, owing to the want of Dutch protection, the inhabitants of the Tenimber Islands will be led to follow the example set them by their rapacious visitors. Their desire to be governed by representatives of our Government, is as great as that of the natives of the other islands, and they would willingly afford them the necessary maintenance and shelter.

I could not discover precisely at what period the Christian religion obtained in these islands; but from having found some old Bibles among them, coupled with other circumstances, I was convinced that it had existed at some earlier period. I did not meet with an idol in any of their villages. When saying their prayers they look up towards heaven, in acknowledgment of a Supreme Being; but, as is usual among uncivilized people, their religious ideas are coupled with the wildest superstition. They are by no means averse to our religion, but, on the contrary, express their willingness to adopt it. The firm resistance they have made to the endeavours of the Mohammedan priests to convert them is very praise-worthy, these never meeting with the least success in their exertions. The people of Tenimber could never, I think, be prevailed on to abstain from pork and spirituous liquors, and it is possible that this is one of the reasons for their aversion to Islamism.

It soon came to my knowledge, that some serious differences had occurred between some of the villages on Vordate, which had already caused an appeal to arms. This spread general dejection among the natives, as it entirely put a stop to the trepang fishery, the chief source of their prosperity.

I used my utmost endeavours to induce some of the natives to visit Timor-laut, in order to apprise the natives of my arrival, and, if possible, to free the two English youths who had been saved from the brig, the loss of which I have previously mentioned, but without success. It appeared that they were at war with the people of Timor-laut, and considered their force too small to afford hope of success: this reason appeared to me so conclusive, that I could not urge them farther. To proceed directly thither in person would not only be acting against my instructions, but the smallness of the force at my disposal rendered such a proceeding very unadvisable. Neither could the boats attached to the brig, be of the least service in such an expedition.

After having been employed the entire day, according to my instructions, in attending to the affairs of the natives, the squally appearance of the sky in the evening, made me determine to return to the brig, leaving my clerk and the interpreters to obtain further information. I had scarcely got on board when a heavy squall from the land brought our bower-anchor home. The brig swung off, and hung by the kedge; but this also broke before the bower-anchor had been hove up, and, as we drifted off the bank immediately, it became necessary to get the brig under sail. I therefore made a signal for those on shore, who returned immediately; and as this was evidently an unfit place for the brig to remain in, while it was still more unadvisable to stand off and on, from the probability that existed of our being set on the reefs, I stood at once towards Vordate, which we had previously passed by owing to the assertions of our pilot, hoping we might find good shelter there.