VISIT A NATURAL GROTTO. 347 



take up my abode at his delightful residence a short 

 distance out of the town, which was gladly accepted. 

 During our stay at Amboyna the rain was almost 

 incessant. This prevented our seeing the clove 

 plantations, which were described as being very 

 beautiful, and the cloves of Amboyna are as much 

 prized as the nutmegs of Banda. 



The only fine day was devoted to an excursion 

 some miles inland to visit a curious natural grotto. 

 We started in chairs, borne on men's shoulders, 

 similar to those at Banda, and which seem to be 

 the usual conveyance of the country. Our party 

 consisted of more than 100 natives, preceded by 

 drums, gongs, and two large Dutch flags. The 

 men who were not employed in carrying the chairs, 

 ran by our side, and amused us by their songs and 

 war-cry, which was the most thrilling yell I ever 

 heard. The grotto itself, prettily situated on the 

 side of a well wooded hill, was of considerable 

 length but not otherwise curious. 



July 20. — Having at last succeeded in getting a 

 rate for the chronometers, which the unsettled state 

 of the weather had rendered a matter of some dif- 

 ficulty, we sailed from Amboyna, much delighted 

 with the kindness and attention we bad all received. 

 During the night we passed a small insulated vol- 

 cano that was emitting a faint smoke, and in the 

 morning made the north side of Wetter, which 

 ranges from 3000 to 4000 feet in height, is very 

 barren, and apparently thinly inhabited. We were 



