TIMOR LAUT PKOAS. 439 



1839, having on board, Captain Kuper (then 1st 

 Lieutenant of H. M. S. Alligator,) and one of 

 the Australian natives, who was induced to accom- 

 pany us, partly by his own curiosity, and partly by 

 liberal promises and plenty to eat. He was known 

 at the settlement by the name of Jack White, 

 and from his great good humour and intelli- 

 gence, was a favourite with every one. I hoped 

 by keeping him on board for some time, away 

 from his tribe, to wean him in some degree 

 from his savage habits ; and that by being able to 

 communicate with him with greater facility, we 

 might learn more of the manners and customs of 

 his countrymen, than we had yet been able to do ; 

 in addition to which we anticipated no small amuse- 

 ment from witnessing his astonishment at seeing 

 countries and people so different from his own. 



Light airs prevented our clearing the harbour till 

 the morning of the 19tb, and at 3 p.m, on the 20th, 

 we made the land of Timor Laut ; but from our igno- 

 rance of the coast, we were obliged to keep under 

 easy sail during the night, which was squally with 

 heavy rain. At daylight on the 21st, we made all 

 sail to the northward, and about 10, observed two 

 large proas, with Dutch colours flying, standing 

 out from the land under sail ; they were full of men, 

 and for some time appeared to be in great doubt, 

 whether they should come near us or not, as they 

 shortened sail and consulted together several times ; 

 at last, however, they came under our stern, which 

 was the only way in which they could approach, as 



