375 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Leave Batavia and anchor ofF Hoorn Island — Islands about 

 the Bengal Passage — Gingiong roads — Lofty aspect of the 

 land — The coast — The golden mountain — Island of Su- 

 matra — Aspect of the country— The lover's leap — Village 

 of Pedir — Ships of the Acheenese Rajah — Visit to the 

 Rajah — Dense vegetation — BufFalos — Ba Assan trees — 

 Hall of reception — Interview with his Highness— Com- 

 mercial negociations — Curiosity of the natives — The 

 Areka or Betel-nut — Flowering shrubs and plants — Rice- 

 planting — Return to the ship — A prohibition. 



At daylight, on the 2nd of June, I left Batavia 

 for the Pedir Coast, on the north-east part of the 

 large island of Sumatra ; and, about noon, 

 it being calm, anchored off Hoorn Island, in 

 the Great Channel. This island is a mere 

 reef, or sand-bank, with trees of some elevation 

 upon it, which impart a higher aspect to it than 

 on landing it is in reality found to possess. The 

 passage, by the w^estern coast of Sumatra, was 



