366 Ceram. 



preparations, by placing a row of logs from the water's edge 

 on which to pull up our boats, we rowed as quickly as we 

 could straight on to them, after watching till the heaviest surfs 

 had passed. The moment we touched ground our men all 

 jumped out, and, assisted by those on shore, attempted to 

 haul up the boat high and dry, but not having sufficient hands, 

 the surf repeatedly broke into the stern. The steepness of 

 the beach, however, prevented any damage being done, and 

 the other boat having both crews to haul at it, was got up 

 without difficulty. 



The next morning, the water being low, the breakers were 

 at some distance from shore, and we had to watch for a 

 smooth moment after bringing the boats to the water's edge, 

 and so got safely out to sea. At the two next villages, Tobo 

 and Ossong, we also took in fresh men, who came swimming 

 through the surf; and at the latter place the Rajah came on 

 board and accompanied me to Kissa-laut, where he has a house 

 which he lent me during my stay. Here again was a heavy 

 surf, and it was with great difficulty we got the boats hauled 

 up. At Amboyna I had been promised at this season a calm 

 sea and the wind of£ shore, but in this case, as in every other, 

 I had been unable to obtain any reliable information as to the 

 winds and seasons of places distant two or three days' journey. 

 It appears, however, that owing to the general direction of 

 the island of Ceram (E.S.E. and W.N.W.) there is a heavy 

 surf and scarcely any shelter on the south coast during the 

 west monsoon, when alone a journey to the eastward can be 

 safely made ; while during the east monsoon, when I proposed 

 to return along the north coast to Wahai, I should probably 

 find that equally exposed and dangerous. But although the 

 general direction of the west monsoon in the Banda sea causes 

 a heavy swell, with bad surf on the coast, yet we had little 

 advantage of the wind; for, owing I suppose to the numer- 

 ous bays and headlands, we had contrary south-east or even 

 due east winds all the way, and had to make almost the 

 whole distance from Amboyna by force of rowing. We had 

 therefore all the disadvantages, and none of the advantages, of 

 this west monsoon, which I was told would insure me a quick 

 and pleasant joui-ney. 



I was delayed at Kissa-laut just four weeks, although after 



