SAIL FOR DOBBO- 333 



6 fathoms, when at some distance from the shore, and 

 from the heavy sea running, and the appearance of 

 the land, I did not think it prudent to stand in 

 closer, but steered to the northward towards Dobbo. 

 At sunset we anchored off the village of Maykor, 

 situated at the entrance of a small inlet, and had a 

 visit from an old man who had been lately appointed 

 Orangtua by the Captain of a Dutch frigate, that 

 had touched on the coast. He was very dirty, 

 talked a great deal, and imbibed a considerable 

 quantity of brandy and arrack. We allowed him 

 to remain on board till daylight, when he returned 

 to his village, leaving one of his boat's crew behind 

 to pilot us round to Dobbo. 



After leaving Maykor, we had very deep water 

 until we came abreast the island of Babi, off which 

 a shoal extends to the eastward two miles. We 

 crossed the end of it in 8 fathoms, and immediately 

 afterwards deepened our water to 15 ; and did not 

 again strike soundings until we were close off the 

 old Dutch fort, at the entrance of Dobbo harbour. 

 Here we anchored, as I wished to see the native 

 village close to it. 



The anchor was hardly let go, when the monoto- 

 nous sound of a tom-tom gave notice of the approach 

 of some chief; and shortly afterwards, a boat, carry- 

 ing a huge Dutch flag, was seen pulling towards 

 the brig, with a great many round bladed paddles. 

 Seated in state, in the stern sheets, was an old man 

 dressed in a long black serge coat and trowsers, 



