WE LEAVE THE NICOBARS 1G5 



" A series of breakers fell, then in rolled a monster, and as it 

 broke before us, we dashed in the waiting oars and sped forward 

 at the next. Up went the prow, and we were over and in the 

 hollow before a second ; then over that and yet another, and we 

 lay on the gently-heaving surface of the bay. 



" Back once more beneath the schooner's awnings, we found 

 a welcome supply of thirst-quenching coconuts, brought freshly 

 from the village. 



"The junk, after taking in a supply of water, had left the day 

 before. It is customary for these vessels, after their business on 

 the west coast is over, to sail round the north end of the island 

 when leaving for Acheen, in order to make a slight gain to wind- 

 ward ; but this one, having learned that we were going direct, 

 decided to take a similar course." 



On March 30 we went ashore for the last time and found a 

 good supply of water at Badoi, about 100 yards inside the 

 jungle. The stream dies away before reaching the sea, but above 

 the watering-place it can be followed for some distance by wading 

 up the rocky bed. 



We were now full up with wood and water, and having 

 obtained a good supply of fowls and coconuts from the village, 

 were ready to put to sea, so left at ten o'clock in the evening, 

 with a light wind, and a tide running S.W. 



^^ March 31. — At 9 A.M. the point below Mataita-arila bore 

 W. about 7 miles. Squalls of wind and rain occurred, and 

 a succession of waterspouts travelled across the horizon ; between- 

 times and for the rest of the day, we experienced a dead calm, 

 and rolled about on the swell. Position at 4.30 P.M., 8 miles east 

 of Campbell Bay." 



''April I. — There has been scarcely any wind, and we drifted 

 N. by E. until Menchal and Kabra hove in sight. A school of 

 sharks visited the schooner, and one about 7 feet long that 

 was hooked, was given his quietus with a revolver bullet when 

 hauled to the surface. 



" Our live stock is flourishing. The three sober-looking 

 parrots down in the cabin are becoming tamer day by day. 



