90 COMMERCE OF THE PORT. 



purchase from a neighbouring island, whose 

 language was unintelligible to all the residents 

 on Timor. His history was unknown ; but he 

 was evidently a native of one of the islands of 

 this Archipelago. 



A large proportion of the commerce of this 

 port is derived from the visits of English South- 

 Seamen, which call here during the " Timor- 

 season" to procure refreshments. No pilotage 

 or harbour-dues are demanded, permission to 

 take wood and water is freely bestowed, and 

 every essential supply may be readily obtained. 

 Provisions are dear, if purchased with specie, 

 but as the natives prefer barter, and chiefly 

 require European manufactures, such as mus- 

 kets, ammunition, and cutlery, in exchange 

 for then: commodities, the balance of trade is 

 much in favour of shipping. The current coins 

 are principally dollars, and the rupees of India. 



The price of a buffalo (without regard to size) 

 is five dollars, or two may be purchased for a 

 musket ; sheep are sold at one dollar a-head ; 

 a hog at two dollars, and fowls at one dollar the 

 couple. Vegetables are sold by weight, (by the 

 picul, or 136lbs.,) as in China. Teeth of the 

 Sperm Whale, when solid and of large size, are 

 eagerly purchased by the natives, both for home 

 consumption, (in the manufacture of ivory 



