DAMPIER'S SOJOURN IN GREAT NICOBAR 267 



small strips of cloth as broad as the palm of one's hand. I 

 did not see above five or six hens, for they have but few on 

 the island. At some places we saw some small hogs, which 

 we could have bought of them reasonably ; but we would not 

 offend our Achinese friends, who were Mahometans. 



" We stayed here two or three days, and then rowed towards 

 the south end of the island, keeping on the east side, and we 

 were kindly received by the natives wherever we came. When 

 we arrived at the south end of the island, we fitted ourselves with 

 melory and water. We bought three or four loaves of melory, 

 and about twelve large coconut shells that had all kernel taken 

 out, yet were preserved whole, except only a small hole at one 

 end ; and all these held for us about 3i gallons of water. We 

 bought also two or three bamboos that held about 4 or 5 gallons 

 more. This was our sea-store. 



" We now designed to go to Achin, a town on the N.W. end 

 of the island Sumatra, distant from hence about 40 leagues, 

 bearing S.S.E. We only waited for the western monsoon, which 

 we had expected a great while, and now it seemed to be at 

 hand ; for the clouds began to hang their heads to the eastward, 

 and at last moved gently that way, and though the wind was 

 still at east, yet this was an infallible sign that the western 

 monsoon was nigh. 



(Ch. xviii.). — "It was the 15th day of May 1688, about four 

 o'clock in the afternoon, when we left Nicobar Island, directing 

 our course towards Achin, being eight men of us in company, 

 viz., three English, four Malayans who were born at Achin, 

 and the mongrel Portuguese. 



" Our vessel, the Nicobar canoe, was not one of the biggest, 

 nor of the least size. She was much about the burthen of one 

 of our London wherries below Bridge, and built sharp at both 

 ends, like the forepart of a wherry. She was deeper than a 

 wherry, but not so broad, and was so thin and light that when 

 empty four men could launch her or hale her ashore on a 

 sandy bay. We had a good substantial mast, and a mat sail, 

 and good outlayers lashed very fast and firm on each side the 



