This Was Immediately Granted, And A
Special Messenger Was Sent With Me To Carry The Letter.
My friend Mr. Mesman kindly lent me a horse, and accompanied me
on my visit to the Rajah, with whom he was great friends.
We
found his Majesty seated out of doors, watching the erection of a
new house. He was naked from the waist up, wearing only the usual
short trousers and sarong. Two chairs were brought out for us,
but all the chiefs and other natives were seated on the ground.
The messenger, squatting down at the Rajah's feet, produced the
letter, which was sewn up in a covering of yellow silk. It was
handed to one of the chief officers, who ripped it open and
returned it to the Rajah, who read it, and then showed it to Mr.
M., who both speaks and reads the Macassar language fluently, and
who explained fully what I required. Permission was immediately
granted me to go where I liked in the territories of Goa, but the
Rajah desired, that should I wish to stay any time at a place I
would first give him notice, in order that he might send someone
to see that no injury was done me. Some wine was then brought us,
and afterwards some detestable coffee and wretched sweetmeats,
for it is a fact that I have never tasted good coffee where
people grow it themselves.
Although this was the height of the dry season, and there was a
fine wind all day, it was by no means a healthy time of year.
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