376 BENGAL PASSAGE. 



tedious ; light and variable winds and calms 

 being very often experienced, altliougli we kept 

 some hundred of miles from the coast ;* it w^as, 

 therefore, not until the morning of the 28th of 

 June, that elevated land was seen, being the 

 islands about the " Bengal Passage," which we 

 entered about half past ten o'clock, a.m., having 

 on one side the lofty wooded island of " Pulo 

 Brasse,"t and " Pulo Nancie," and opposite to 

 them, the elevated island, rich in vegetation, of 

 " Pulo Way." " Pulo Rondo" was also visible 

 in the distance. 



Our progress through the passage was but 

 slow, with a moderate south wind ; and a 

 strong westerly current considerably impeded 

 the vessel. On entering further in the pas- 

 sao;e, we became more under the influence of 



* It is recommended (I was informed by some intelligent 

 persons at Singapore) for ships proceeding to the north-east 

 coast of Sumatra, at this season of the year, to take the pas- 

 sage by the Straits of Banca and Malacca, by which the 

 voyage would rarely be protracted beyond ten or twelve 

 days. From the length of time we took to Pedir, by the 

 outside passage, there was evidently an error in taking it in 

 {)reference to the one recommended, by persons accustomed 

 to trade about those places. 



-j- " Pulo," in the Malay language, signifies island, but 

 Europeans frequently use the word Island before it. 



