CHAPTER XVI.
THE TENIMBER ISLANDS.
Departure for the Island Maling.—Laboba Island.—Productive Fishery.—Heavy Dew on the Island Wau.—Arrival at the Village of Maktia.—Occurrences there.—One of the Crew severely wounded.—Return towards Vordate.—Return of the Envoys to Serra.—Want of Water.—Poisonous Beans.—Death of the wounded Man.—Return to the Brig.—Arrival of the Chiefs of Serra.—Transactions at Vordate.—Departure from the Tenimber Islands.—Arrival at Amboyna.
Departure for the Island Maling.—Laboba Island.—Productive Fishery.—Heavy Dew on the Island Wau.—Arrival at the Village of Maktia.—Occurrences there.—One of the Crew severely wounded.—Return towards Vordate.—Return of the Envoys to Serra.—Want of Water.—Poisonous Beans.—Death of the wounded Man.—Return to the Brig.—Arrival of the Chiefs of Serra.—Transactions at Vordate.—Departure from the Tenimber Islands.—Arrival at Amboyna.
Afterhaving passed the night on the island Teen, under the coast of Timor-Laut, we pursued our voyage early on the morning, and passed through a number of small islands, without meeting with any occurrence worthy of remark. Turtle of an enormous size often made their appearance on the surface, and trepang lay on the banks in the greatest abundance. The greater number of the islands are rocky, with trees upon them; but these had almost entirely lost their leaves, owingto great, heat and want of rain. There are numerous channels through the shoals which fill this part of the sea, but they are so small and crooked that the navigation proves very difficult. The larger vessels, which pass to and from Serra, keep to the westward of the course we pursued.
Towards noon the falling of the tide prevented us from proceeding, and we therefore landed on Maling island, a little to the eastward of Laboba, the latter island being distinguished from the others by a peaked hill, raised about seven hundred feet above the level of the sea, from the summit of which we saw the land of Timor-Laut over the tops of the numerous small islands lying to the eastward. Laboba is rocky, but covered with trees; and a stream of fresh water exists on the east side, running down from the hill. A number of islands and reefs lie to the westward of this island, shutting it in from the open sea. The vessel of the son of the Orang Kaya, which accompanied us, was unable to keep way with our boats, and did not arrive until two hours after us.
After we had landed, I permitted the crew to haul the seine, and at two draughts we obtained abundance of very delicate flavoured fish. Wemet with no game, however, except numbers of sea-mews, which roosted on the island at night, their days being employed in seeking sustenance over the adjacent waters.
Towards evening we again continued, having arranged that the Orang Kaya should await our arrival at the point of Maktia, a spot about twenty miles distant from Serra, that he might procure fresh water for us from the adjacent village. He expected to be there before us, as he purposed running close along the coast of the main island, which the small draft of his vessel would enable him to do, and there, during calms or contrary winds, he would find no difficulty in pushing his vessel along by means of long bamboos.
The light of the full moon enabled us to continue rowing throughout the night, but the shallowness of the water prevented our reaching Maktia Point, and forced us to remain at Wau Island until the tide should rise. So heavy a dew fell during the night, that we were all wet through before morning. This had a very injurious effect on the health of my fellow-voyagers; M. Dielwaart and myself being afflicted with dreadful pains in the stomach, while many of theseamen were attacked with the same disease, or with agues. The Orang Kaya had spent the night upon one of the other islands, and joined us in the morning, when we proceeded as fast as the wind would permit towards Maktia, as we already began to feel the want of water. I had now hopes of having an interview with the inhabitants of Timor-Laut, and of being of some service to them.
When seen from a distance, the ten or twelve houses which form the village present a pretty appearance. The mud bank, which fronts the shore, is dry at low water to the distance of a mile to seaward, but the state of the tide permitted us to advance within musket range of the beach, where the boats grounded; and as no harm could ensue, they were permitted to lie in the mud. The Orang Kaya sent one of his men on shore, who would not enter the village, but called to the inhabitants from a distance. The village appeared to be abandoned, for we saw no one but two unarmed men who were leaving it.
Although neither the Orang Kaya nor myself suspected the inhabitants of any bad intentions, I judged it advisable for us to be on our guard. I therefore, in the first place, sent a detachmentof armed seamen, accompanied by the people of the Orang Kaya, into the forest beside the village, to search for water, but they returned without having found any. As the Orang Kaya assured me that water would be found within the village, I sent the men in, and they succeeded in obtaining two bamboos full. They saw no one in the village, and in accordance with my orders did not enter any of the houses, but returned straight to the beach, and kindled a fire to cook some rice and other provisions. I, also, went on shore to obtain an interview with the natives if possible, but not meeting with any one, I caused a small flag and a piece of cloth to be brought from the boat and hung up to one of the trees. At this moment two unarmed men made their appearance at a distance, and I had scarcely returned to the beach for the purpose of entering the boat, when several arrows were shot from the thicket, one of which struck J. Moll, one of the seamen who were collecting wood. He immediately threw away his arms, and called out for assistance, on which he was carried into the boat, while two of his comrades ran into the thicket to search for the offender, but without meeting with success.
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 purposeof 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 aspossible, 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, withthe 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 painsin the intestines, from which they were relieved by strong vomiting. These beans, which much resembled ourspersiebeans, 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 the29th 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.
Early in the morning of the 29th, the agreeable intelligence was brought to me, that six large prahus were in sight, coming from the direction of Larrat, which proved to belong to the chiefs of Serra, who, with the interpreters I had sent to them, came alongside at eight o'clock. At first they were afraid to come on board, but after I had personally conversed with them they ran up the side, followed by their numerous retinue, and were received by me with the greatest friendship. They expressed their regret at the event that had occurred at Maktia, and assured me that if I would stay a short time, they would place the offenders in my hands, and that they would revenge the disgrace that had been cast upon them all in a most summary manner. Itold them, however, that the moderation I had shown towards the people of Maktia, afforded a strong proof of the kind disposition of our Government, while I hoped that such a misdeed would never be committed again. The number of my visitors being too great for all to be entertained on board, the meeting was adjourned to the shore, where the prahus of the newcomers were hauled up on the beach. As I wished to detain them at Vordate until our departure, that they might become acquainted with the mode of proceeding adopted by the officers of our Government, I permitted rice and other provisions to be distributed among them during their stay.
The report given by the interpreters of the reception they had met with at Serra, gave me great satisfaction, and made me regret having been unable to proceed there in person. I went on shore at high water with the usual ceremonies, and after having read the Government letter to the assembled chiefs, and distributed the presents, I conversed with them concerning the occurrence on Timor-Laut, at which they expressed much regret. They also promised that henceforward they would be more circumspect intheir transactions with the foreign traders, and would themselves visit Banda during the present year for commercial purposes. A number of large jonkos went this year to Baba, Luan, Lette, and others of the islands to the westward, for the purpose of exchanging gold and calicoes for rice, sago and other products.
Among the chiefs of the island Serra, who were installed this day, was one called Linum, who was appointed as chief Orang Kaya of Walusa. I gave him a silver-knobbed baton, and a large Dutch flag, presenting the others with certificates of appointment. It appeared to me, upon the whole, that the people showed but little respect for the authority of the chiefs. I conversed with them on this subject, explaining to them the duties of the governors and the governed, and had the satisfaction of seeing that my discourse made a lively impression upon them. I shall pass over in silence the difficulties I experienced, in giving these ignorant men a clear knowledge of the mode of proceeding adopted by our Government, and in making them appreciate the value of the philanthropic views of our rulers.
I never met with greater beggars than these people. Although the presents I distributed amongthem were of greater value than those which had been given on the other islands, some of the former chiefs had the barefacedness to ask for clothes and other articles, notwithstanding my having repeatedly told them that they ought to be contented with what they had received.
The chiefs of Serra and Sebeano returned with me on board, to taste the so-much esteemed arrack. I caused the interpreter to purchase some hogs and goats for the seamen, at a tolerably high price.
Early on the following day I sent Lieutenant Bruining on shore with thirty men to march to Aweer, (the boats being too small to convey them), while I proceeded direct to the spot at which we had formerly assembled, between Awena and Romian. On landing, the people of the neighbouring villages, together with those of Serra, collected around us; and I employed myself until four o'clock in the afternoon, in transacting the business connected with my mission; when I informed the assembly of my proposed departure for Amboyna, and left them with the pleasing conviction, that our visit to these islands had not only been of great service, but had given the highest satisfaction to their inhabitants. Thechiefs accompanied me on board, and expressed their thanks for the kindness shown to them by the Government, promising also to obtain the freedom of the two English youths on Timor-Laut, and to bring them to Banda.
On the 30th of September, after having rewarded the Orang Tua David, and the crew of the prahu that had been in our service, with somebaftas, knives, parangs, brass wire, plates, &c., we took leave of our native friends, and weighed anchor to return to Banda, at which place we arrived on the 3rd of October. We here landed the pilot, Ali-Ali, and after a short stay continued our voyage to Amboyna, arriving there on the 8th. The reader will readily conceive how rejoiced we were, after so long an absence, to set foot again on the beautiful island of Amboyna, where we were received by our families and friends with lively congratulations. In addition to the pleasure which this reception gave me, I had the satisfaction of finding my exertions approved of by the Governor of the Moluccas, M.P. Merkus, by which respected and hospitable officer I was invited to reside at his country-house of Batu-Gadja. My agreeable residence there caused me soon to forget the fatigues I had undergone, sothat I soon after undertook new expeditions to Ternate, Monado, and other places, the description of which I shall pass over, those being places tolerably well known, and proceed to give the reader an account of my second voyage to the parts which form the subject of my work.