Copy 1, Volume 1

Narrative of the voyage of H.M.S. Samarang, during the years 1843-46; employed surveying the islands of the Eastern Archipelago; accompanied by a brief vocabulary of the principal languages / by Captain Sir Edward Belcher ; With notes on the natural history of the islands, by Arthur Adams, assistant surgeon.

  • Edward Belcher
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Narrative of the voyage of H.M.S. Samarang, during the years 1843-46; employed surveying the islands of the Eastern Archipelago; accompanied by a brief vocabulary of the principal languages / by Captain Sir Edward Belcher ; With notes on the natural history of the islands, by Arthur Adams, assistant surgeon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    1845.] CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE ISLAND. 835 up liis garments and fled, possibly accustomed to this mode of castigation. Taking leave of the Chiefs, we returned to the £ Sama- rang ’, and on the day following commenced our tour of the island, the ship accompanying us within short signal distances, and anchoring at night. During our progress we were very strictly escorted by the military guards, which maintained a respectable distance inland, probably to preserve order, and prevent our free communication with the natives; wherever we reached their batteries or military stations, there was a great display of banners, spears, &c., but no communication. The several districts of the island appeared to be under the control of independent chiefs, or magistrates, and according to their disposition did we find our opera- tions facilitated or retarded. About the third day of our progress, it was found convenient to sleep in the boats, in a very well sheltered and retired little bay, about one quarter of a mile from one of their towns. The chief personage, a young man about five-and-twenty, and of very prepossessing manners, came down to visit me at the station, examined the instruments, and issued very decided orders in our favour. When he understood that it was my intention to sleep in the boat, he endeavoured to persuade me to accept the use of his house, and to render me the more independent, offered to vacate it, and allow my own people to guard it. Aware of the general craftiness of these people, and suspecting that they would be glad to make one of us a prisoner, I still felt so much confidence in the genuine feeling of this chief,