868 Ceram. 



inhabited, came in sight of the little town of Kilwaru, which 

 appears to rise out of the sea like a rustic Venice. This j^lace 

 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 iu the water, 

 that it is completely hidden. It is a place of great traffic, be- 

 ing the emporium for much of the produce of these Eastern 

 seas, and is the i-esidence of many Bugis and Ceramese tra- 

 ders, and appears to have been chosen on account of it being 

 close to the only deep channel between the extensive shoals of 

 Cerara-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 toward Manowolko, the largest of the 

 Garam 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 vigor into their arms, and carried us out 

 of the influence of the current before it was too late. 



MANOWOLKO, GOEAM GROUP. 



On arriving at Manowolko, we foxmd the Rajah was at the 

 opposite island of Goram ; but he was immediately sent for, 

 and in the mean time a large shed was given for our accom- 

 modation. ■ 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. He was 

 very friendly, and we had a long talk ; but when I begged for 

 a boat and men to take me on to Ke, he made a host of diffi- 

 culties. There were no praus, as all had gone to Ke or Aru ; - 

 and even if one were found, there were no men, as it was the 

 season when all were away trading. But he promised to see 

 about it, and I was obliared to wait. For the next two or 



