2 TERN ATE. [chap. xxi. 



by a group of three lofty volcanic peaks, while imme- 

 diately behind the town rises the huge mountain, sloping 

 easily at first and covered with thick groves of fruit trees, 

 but soon becoming steeper, and furrowed with deep gullies. 

 Almost to the summit, whence issue perpetually faint 

 wreaths of smoke, it is clothed with vegetation, and looks 

 calm and beautiful, although beneath are hidden fires 

 which occasionally burst forth in lava-streams, but more 

 frequently make their existence known by the earthquakes 

 which have many times devastated the town. 



T brought letters of introduction to Mr. Duivenboden, a 

 native of Ternate, of an ancient Dutch family, but who 

 was, educated in England, and speaks our language per- 

 fectly. He was a very rich man, owned half the town, 

 possessed many ships, and above a hundred slaves. He 

 was moreover, well educated, and fond of literature and 

 science — a phenomenon in these regions. He was gene- 

 rally known as the king of Ternate, from his large pro- 

 perty and great influence with the native Kajahs and their 

 subjects. Through his assistance I obtained a house, 

 rather ruinous, but well adapted to my purpose, being 

 close to the town, yet with a free outlet to the country and 

 the mountain. A few needful repairs were soon made, 

 Home bamboo furniture and other necessaries obtained, and 

 after a visit to the Resident and Police Magistrate I found 

 myself an inhabitant of the earthquake-tortured island of 



