320 VOYAGE JN SEARCH 



nence that is very deep towards the north-eaH:, 

 and furrounded by thick walls, which protect 

 the inhabitants againft the incurfions of their 

 enemies. The houfes are built of bannboo, 

 and covered with palm-leaves, likethofe of the 

 other inhabitants of the Moluccas. The ftreets 

 are very narrow, for the objedl has been to 

 make the moft of this rather confined fpot. 

 The market was fupplied with a great variety 

 of fruit and filh. 



The Sultan refides in a fort conftruAed of 

 ftone. It appeared to us, that this chief lived 

 in a pretty evident ftatc of miflruft with the 

 agents of the Dutch Eaft-India Company, al- 

 though he was their ally ^ for the three Dutch 

 foldiers, who were the only inhabitants of the 

 Company's fadlory, had not permiflion to live 

 in the village where he takes up his relidence. 

 They were fent away to a wretched and folitary 

 habitation, upwards of two kilometers from 

 this fpot. They were fhortly to quit it, and 

 to go to Macaffar ; but they were detained for 

 fome time, by the fear of meeting with the 

 vefieis belonging to the inhabitants of Ceram, 

 their enemies, which were cruifing in thefe 

 feas. 



It was already dark when we got down to the 

 fea-fhore in order to return on board. It was 

 t\\Q time of low v.ater. Moft of us had been 



attacked 



