CHAPTER III 



MACPHERSON STRAIT — SOUTH ANDAMAN AND RUTLAND 



ISLAND 



Gunboat Tours — South Andaman — Rutland Island — Navigation — Landing- 

 place — Native Camp — Natives — Jungle — Birds — Appearance of the 

 Natives — Our Guests — Native Women : Decorations and Absurd Appear- 

 ance — Trials of Photography — The Village — Food — Bows, Arrows, and 

 Utensils — Barter — Coiffure — Fauna — Water — New Species. 



After leaving Port Blair, where we got up anchor at half-past 

 three in the morning to make the most of a light breeze, we 

 sailed slowly along the coast of South Andaman, until, rounding 

 the point of the south-east corner, we came to anchor in 

 Macpherson Strait. 



Just outside the port we met the R.I. M.S. ElpJiinstone 

 returning from a census-taking visit to the Nicobars ; three or 

 four times a year she makes a ten days' trip round the group, 

 stopping at a few of the more important places ; and these 

 cruises are almost the only thing that brings home to the 

 natives the fact that they are under the British raj. 



For some distance south of the Settlement the land consists 

 of undulating grassy hills, dotted with coco palms, and streaked 

 by gullies, in which dark clumps of jungle still remain. It is 

 an ideal country for game, and some years ago hog-deer were 

 introduced ; but, although they have multiplied, they are very 

 rarely seen, and have afforded but little sport. 



Nearer the strait, the hills by the coast are still covered with 

 forest ; and between the stretches of sandy shore at their feet 

 grow luxuriant thickets of mangrove-s. 



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