The Rajah Declared That
Black And Yellow Tories And Black Cockatoos Were Found There; But
I Am Inclined To Think
He knew very well he was telling me lies,
and that it was only a scheme to satisfy me with
His plan of
taking me to that village, instead of a day's journey further on,
as I desired. Here, as at most of the villages, I was asked for
spirits, the people being mere nominal Mahometans, who confine
their religion almost entirely to a disgust at pork, and a few
other forbidden articles of food. The next morning, after much
trouble, we got our cargoes loaded, and had a delightful row
across the deep bay of Teluti, with a view of the grand central
mountain-range of Ceram. Our four boats were rowed by sixty men,
with flags flying and tom-toms beating, as well as very vigorous
shouting and singing to keep up their spirits. The sea way
smooth, the morning bright, and the whole scene very
exhilarating. On landing, the Orang-kaya and several of the chief
men, in gorgeous silk jackets, were waiting to receive us, and
conducted me to a house prepared for my reception, where I
determined to stay a few days, and see if the country round
produced anything new.
My first inquiries were about the lories, but I could get very
little satisfactory information. The only kinds known were the
ring-necked lory and the common red and green lorikeet, both
common at Amboyna.
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