IX.] LIMBE STRAIT AND KEMA. 199 



Suclara, twin volcanic peaks of bold outline, and still farther to 

 the south-west the summit of Klabat — 6700 feet in height — over- 

 tops them. The narrowness of the strait, the high and rugged 

 peaks of Limbe, and the luxuriance of vegetation comljine to make 

 the view a very fine one. 



The Dutch charts of this place, although sufficiently good to 

 make the passage with,^ are of little use otherwise, and we had 

 some difficulty in anchoring. This operation among the coral reefs 

 and islands of the Eastern Archipelago is often a very ticklish one, 

 but before long we all got accustomed to letting go our anchors in 

 thirty fatlioms or more, within stone's throw of the beach. Two 

 hawsers were always aft in readiness to make the vessel fast on 

 shore, and Jack of course was equally prepared with some time- 

 honoured joke about " tying her up to a tree." In this instance 

 we were even nearer the shore than usual, and might with ease 

 have shot birds in the branches of the large trees which overhung 

 the water. In this part of the world there would be little diffi- 

 culty in performing Timothy Tailtackle's exploit in "Tom Cringle," 

 and exploring the forest from the rigging ! 



The wind continued to blow for two days so strongly from 

 the S.E. that, knowing the exposed nature of Kema roads, we 

 thought it better to remain where we were. Even in the straits it 

 blew sufficiently hard to make boat -sailing both dangerous and 

 unpleasant. Two of our party crossed to Limbe in search of 

 Babirusa, but were unsuccessful, and the only object of interest 

 noticed was a small cliff said to be of chalk, curiously localised, 

 and forming a conspicuous landmark. 



We anchored in Kema roads on the 16th of September. The 

 village, spread thinly along the shores of a shallow bay, is laid out 

 with the usual neatness of the Dutch. It is hemmed in by marshes 

 at the back, but is said, nevertheless, to be extremely healthy. 



^ The strong tides and violent and uncertain winds prevalent in Limbe Strait 

 render the passage unsafe for sailing ships and vessels of large draught, but there 

 is good anchorage and shelter in its southern part. 



