The
Mast Was A Bamboo Triangle, Requiring No Shrouds, And Carrying A
Long Mat Sail; Two Rudders Were Hung On The Quarters By Rattans,
The Anchor Was Of Wood, And A Long And Thick Rattan; Served As A
Cable.
Our crew consisted of four men, whose pole accommodation
was about three feet by four in the bows and stern, with the
sloping thatch roof to stretch themselves upon for a change.
We
had nearly a hundred miles to go, fully exposed to the swell of
the Banda sea, which is sometimes very considerable; but we
luckily had it calm and smooth, so that we made the voyage in
comparative comfort.
On the second day we passed the eastern extremity of Ceram,
formed of a group of hummocky limestone hills; and, sailing by
the islands of Kwammer and Keffing, both thickly inhabited, came
in sight of the little town of Kilwaru, which appears to rise out
of the sea like a rustic Venice. This place has really a most
extraordinary appearance, as not a particle of land or vegetation
can be seen, but a long way out at sea a large village seems to
float upon the water. There is of course a small island of
several acres in extent; but the houses are built so closely all
round it upon piles in the water, that it is completely hidden.
It is a place of great traffic, being the emporium for much of
the produce of these Eastern seas, and is the residence of many
Bugis and Ceramese traders, and appears to have been chosen on
account of its being close to the only deep channel between the
extensive shoals of Ceram-laut and those bordering the east end
of Ceram. We now had contrary east winds, and were obliged to
pole over the shallow coral reefs of Ceram-laut for nearly thirty
miles. The only danger of our voyage was just at its termination,
for as we were rowing towards Manowolko, the largest of the Goram
group, we were carried out so rapidly by a strong westerly
current, that I was almost certain at one time we should pass
clear of the island; in which case our situation would have been
both disagreeable and dangerous, as, with the east wind which had
just set in, we might have been unable to return for many days,
and we had not a day's water on board. At the critical moment I
served out some strong spirits to my men, which put fresh vigour
into their arms, and carried us out of the influence of the
current before it was too late.
MANOWOLKO, GORAM GROUP.
On arriving at Manowolko, we found the Rajah was at the opposite
island of Goram; but he was immediately sent for, and in the
meantime a large shed was given for our accommodation. At night
the Rajah came, and the next day I had a visit from him, and
found, as I expected, that I had already made his acquaintance
three years before at Aru.
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