Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga

by D. H. Kolff

It was a fortunate circumstance that the fears of the natives induced them to run away immediately after this transaction, for their unexpected attack caused great confusion among us. Two inexperienced seamen left their arms on the beach, and ran to the boats, but I caused two others to take them up, and post themselves near the forest: the natives, however, did not make their appearance.

The wounded seaman had left his arms behind in the forest. I sent several men to obtain them, some shots being previously fired to prevent their being again attacked. They found the weapons untouched, and also picked up several of the arrows that had been shot at us. The wounded man was laid down in the boat, and taken as much care of as possible. One arrow had struck him in the right knee, and another had entered the right buttock; the last wound bleeding very much, creating great weakness, and producing a pain in the heart. The arrows possessed flat iron points, like those I have previously described.

The Orang Kaya wished me to take his men, fifteen in number, and the seamen, for the purpose of burning the village; but being unwilling to act with hostility, I told him that the Government had recommended me to pursue peaceable measures only, and that I should leave them to punish the villagers. I judged it unadvisable to pursue the course he proposed, particularly as the burning of the village would injure the natives but little, while we, with our small force of only ten Europeans and some Javanese seamen, would be by far the greatest sufferers, were any of our people to be killed or wounded. Shortly after this we heard a gong beat in the forest, which the Orang Kaya informed me was intended to call together their force, stating that it was necessary for us to be on our guard. The water did not rise sufficiently to float the boats until seven o'clock: during the intermediate time we occasionally fired shots from the boat-gun, with the view of cooling the ardour of the natives should they be inclined to attack us.

Owing to the small amount of force at my disposal, the number of the sick, and the helpless condition of the wounded seaman, whose life could be saved only by prompt medical assistance, I deemed it best to leave this place as soon as possible, the more from the occurrences at Kalioba having given me cause for distrust.

To prevent the expedition from being entirely useless, I proposed to my interpreter, De Haan, a man who had been in the habit of trading with these people, and was much respected by them, that he, with the chief interpreter and the Orang Kaya, should proceed to Serra, and acquaint the chiefs of the intention I had had to visit them. I much regretted that this wearisome journey had proved so fruitless, and only found consolation in the hope that I should have inspired the chiefs of Serra with a just idea of the interest our Government took in their affairs, especially as Serra was one of the chief trading places, and most populous island in these parts. Our goods were, therefore, removed from the prahu, and the envoys stepped into her, taking with them a little arrack and other articles, in order, if possible, to induce the chiefs to visit us at Vordate. I was now forced to give up the hope of being able to free the two English youths, who were in captivity among the natives of Timor-Laut.

We rowed and sailed throughout the night, with the view of reaching Laboba as speedily as possible, to obtain a supply of fresh water. The wounded man grew worse, his pains being increased by continually lying in a crooked position, from the small size of the boat, and not having had his wounds properly dressed. At noon, on the 23rd, we landed in a bay on the east side of this island, having tasted no water since the previous evening, while for forty-eight hours previously no provisions had been dressed, our sustenance during that period having consisted of biscuit and sago bread. The stream of water, which descended from the hill, was weak and troubled; but was, nevertheless, very acceptable to us. The wounded man, who was wearied out with heat and thirst, was taken on shore and laid under the shade of a tree, fresh bandages being applied to his wounds. The fatigues we had undergone caused us to sleep soundly under the trees, in spite of the furious bites of a number of red ants.

Several of the men cooked and ate some beans they had found on the island, but soon had cause to repent their temerity, as five of them were carried into the boats afflicted with violent pains in the intestines, from which they were relieved by strong vomiting. These beans, which much resembled our spersie beans, were of a yellow colour, and covered with blue spots.

Towards evening we left the island, and ran close along the coast of Timor-Laut, passing continually over banks and reefs, a fresh southerly breeze pushing us rapidly along. An hour after midnight the unfortunate seaman died, and on the following morning, when we reached the brig, tired and hungry, his body was committed to the deep with the usual ceremony of a naval funeral.

The Orang Kaya of Watidal, who had come here with several vessels to purchase provisions, came on board to pay us a visit, and promised to return in company with the other chiefs. I sent the Orang Tua David on shore, to inform the chiefs of Vordate of my arrival, and to invite the before-mentioned chief of Serra on board the brig.

I was prevented by indisposition from going on shore the following day, although I was anxious to visit Aweer. As soon as I found myself in a fit state to leave the vessel, I went round to the different villages, and employed myself until the 29th with the affairs and differences of their inhabitants, much patience being required for this duty, on account of the number of disagreeable circumstances attending it. A number of canoes came alongside daily, the owners bringing stock and vegetables to dispose of for knives and brass wire. The chiefs continually came on board for the purpose of begging something; every article they saw attracted their cupidity, and they showed no hesitation in asking for it.