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In a Native Prau. 413 



rain ceased, and final prej^aratious Avere made for starting. 

 Sails were dried and furled, boats were constantly coming and 

 going, and stores for the voyage, fruit, vegetables, fish, and 

 l^alm-sugar, were taken on board. In the afternoon two wom- 

 en arrived with a large party of friends and relations, and at 

 parting there was a general nose-rubbing (the Malay kiss), 

 and some tears shed. These were promising symptoms for 

 our getting off the next day ; and accordingly, at tliree in the 

 morning, the owner came on board, the anchor was immediate- 

 ly weighed, and by four we set sail. Just as we were fairly 

 off and clear of the other praus, the old juragan repeated some 

 prayers, all around responding with " Allah il Allah," and a 

 few strokes on a gong as an accompaniment, concluding with 

 all wishing each other " Salaamat jalan," a safe and happy jour- 

 ney. We had a light breeze, a calm sea, and a fine morning, 

 a prosj^erous commencement of our voyage of about a thou- 

 sand miles to the far-famed Aru Islands. 



The wind continued light and variable all day, with a calm 

 in the evening before the land-breeze sprang up. We were 

 then passing the island of "Tanakald" (foot of the land), at 

 the extreme south of this part of Celebes. There are some 

 dangerous rocks here ; and as I was standing by the bulwarks, 

 I happened to spit Over the side, one of the men begged I 

 would not do so just now, but spit on deck, as they were much 

 afi'aid of this place. Not quite comprehending, I made him 

 repeat his request, when, seeing he was in earnest, I said, 

 " Very well, I suppose there are ' hantus ' (spirits) here." 

 " Yes," said he, " and they don't like any thing to be thrown 

 overboard ; many a prau has been lost by doing it." Upon 

 which I promised to be very careful. At sunset the good 

 Mohammedans on board all repeated a few words of prayer, 

 with a general chorus, reminding me of the pleasing and im- 

 pressive "Ave Maria" of Catholic countries. 



Dec. 20tJi. — At sunrise we were opposite the Bontyne 

 mountain, said to be one of the highest in Celebes. In the 

 afternoon we passed the Salayer Straits, and had a little squall, 

 which obliged us to lower our huge mast, sails, and heavy 

 yards. The rest of the evening we had a fine west wind, 

 which carried us on at near five knots an hour, as much as our 

 lumbering old tub can possibly go. 



