CHAP, xxviii.] IN A NATIVE PR All. 165 



servants to go to such a terribly remote country ; one 

 might as well ask a chef de cuisine to go to Patagonia. 



On the fifth day that I had spent on board (Dec. 15th) 

 the rain ceased, and final preparations were made for 

 starting. Sails were dried and furled, boats were constantly 

 coming and going, and stores for the voyage, fruit, vege- 

 tables, fish, and palm sugar, were taken on board. In the 

 ' afternoon two women arrived with a large party of friends 

 and relations, and at parting there was a general nose- 

 rubbing (the Malay kiss), and some tears shed. These 

 were promising symptoms for our getting off the next 

 day ; and accordingly, at three in the morning, the owner 

 came on board, the anchor was immediately weighed, and 

 by four we set sail. Just as we were fairly off and clear 

 of the other praus, the old juragan repeated some prayers, 

 all around responding with " iUlah il Allah," and a fev/ 

 strokes on a gong as an accompaniment, concluding witli 

 all wishing each other " Salaamat jalan," a safe and happy 

 journey. We had a light breeze, a calm sea, and a fine 

 morning, a prosperous commencement of our voyage of 

 about a thousand miles to the far-famed Aru Islands. 



The wind continued light and variable all day, with a 

 calm in the evening before the land breeze sprang up. We 

 were then passing the island of " Tanakaki " (foot of the 

 land), at the extreme south of this part of Celebes. There 

 are some dangerous rocks here, and as I was standing by 



