THE CITY OF PADAXG. 385 



the coast is generally bordered with a narrow band 

 of low land, from which rises a high and almost con- 

 tinuous chain of mountains extending parallel with 

 the southwest, or, as the Dutch always call it, the 

 " west " coast, all the way north to Achin. 



The next morning, after passing the lofty peak 

 of Indrapura, found us steaming in under the hills 

 and high mountains that stand by the sea at Padang 

 and rise tier above tier until they reach the crest 

 of the Barizan chain, producing one of the grand- 

 est effects to be enjoyed on the shores of any island 

 in the whole archipelago. Padang, unfortunately, 

 has no harbor, and the place where ships are obliged 

 to anchor is an open, exposed roadstead. There is a 

 sheltered harbor farther to the south, but it would 

 cost a large sum to build a good road from Padang 

 to it by cutting do^^m the hills and bridging the 

 ravines. The distance from the anchorage to the city 

 is some three miles, and all the products exported 

 must be taken out to the ships on barges. 



The city of Padang is situated on a small plain, 

 whence its name ; padang in Malay, meaning an open 

 field or plain. Its population numbers about twelve 

 thousand, and is composed of emigrants from Nias, 

 Java, some Chinese and Arabs, and their mestizo 

 descendants, besides the natives and Dutch. The 

 streets are well shaded and neat. Near the centre 

 of the city is a large, beautiful lawn, on one side of 

 which is the residence of the governor. On the op- 

 posite side is the Club-House, a large and well-pro- 

 portioned building. On the south side is a small 

 stream where the natives haul up their boats, and 



