100 KAMORTA 



In 1870, chital and sambhar were turned out on Kamorta, 

 but nothing is now seen of them, except by the natives, who 

 state that from time to time a few have been perceived here, 

 and at Trinkat, which they reached by swimming the narrow 

 channel intervening. 



One afternoon was devoted to the exploration of the creek, 

 which is rather deep at the mouth, and navigable by boat 

 for several miles ; all this distance it is bordered by the usual 

 wearisome mangrove forest, in which, however, we saw numbers 

 of parrots, whimbrel, and pigeons. 



The proportion of old men among the people of the village 

 seemed even greater than was the case at Malacca. On the 

 headman, John, we met with the only case of tattooing found 

 in the islands — probably the work of some Burmese trader, for 

 neither Nicobarese nor Shom Pen tattoo or scarify them- 

 selves. 



A second junk joined that already in the harbour the day 

 after our arrival, and everybody on shore was soon drunk. The 

 inference is obvious. The authorities at Port Blair prohibit 

 the supply of intoxicants to the natives, and whenever they 

 are found on board trading vessels, spirits are confiscated, and 

 a small fine levied, in cash or articles of barter to the value of 

 about a hundred dollars. This, however, is not always a sufficient 

 deterrent, and on a second conviction, the Chinese skipper is 

 awarded six months' rigorous imprisonment in the jail at Viper 

 Island, Port Blair. The spirit is invaluable to the traders in their 

 dealings with the natives, and is so inexpensive, that they 

 can afford to risk its loss, since the chance of discovery is 

 about one in a hundred. 



A small feast was held during our visit, for which a pumber of 

 pigs were prepared. Torches, made by binding immense palm 

 leaves together, were set fire to, and the bristles singed off by 

 fanning the flame on to the animals as they lay on the ground. 



" Captain John " was resplendent for the occasion in a 

 neng and dress-coat, and a friend of his looked very imposing 

 in an officer's frogged and braided tunic. 



