CHAP. XXIV.] RETURN IN A " KORJ-KORA." 69 



months on the island of Batchian. The boat was one of 

 the kind called "Kora-kora," quite open, very low, and 

 about four tons burthen. It had outriggers of bamboo 

 about five feet off each side, which supported a bamboo 

 platform extending the whole length of the vessel. On 

 the extreme outside of this sit 'the twenty rowers, while 

 within was a. convenient passage fore and aft. The middle 

 portion of the boat was covered with a thatch-house, in 

 which baggage and passengers are stowed; the gunwale 

 was not more than a foot above water, and from the great 

 top and side weight, and general clumsiness, these boats 

 are dangerous in heavy weather, and are not unfrequently 

 lost. A triangle mast and mat sail carried us on when 

 the wind was favourable, which (as usual) it never was, 

 although, according to the monsoon, it ought to have been. 

 Our water, carried in bamboos, would only last two days, 

 and as the voyage occupied seven, Ave had to touch at 

 a great many places. The captain was not very energetic, 

 and the men rowed as little as they pleased, or we might 

 have reached Ternate in three days, having had fine 

 weather and little wind all the way. 



There Avere several passengers besides myself : three 

 or four Javanese soldiers, two convicts whose time had 

 expired (one, curiously enough, being the man Avho had 

 stolen my cash-box and keys), the schoolmaster's wife 

 and a servant going on a visit to Ternate, and a Chinese 



