234 THE ARU ISLANDS. [chap. xxxi. 



missie" had really arrived, and tlierefore threatened that if 

 my guide did not go with me immediately, I would appeal 

 to the authorities, and he would certainly be obliged to give 

 back the cloth which the " Orang-kaya" had transferred 

 to him in prepayment. This had the desired effect ; matters 

 were soon arranged, and we started the next morning. 

 The wind, however, was dead against us, and after rowing 

 hard till midday we put in to a small river where there were 

 a few huts, to cook our dinners. The place did not look 

 very promising, but as we could not reach our destination, 

 the Watelai river, owing to the contrary wind, I thought we 

 might as well wait here a day or two. I therefore paid a 

 chopper for the use of a small shed, and got my bed and 

 some boxes on shore. In the evening, after dark, we were 

 suddenly alarmed by the cry of " Bajak ! bajak !" (Pirates !) 

 The men all seized their bows and spears, and rushed down 

 to the beach; we got hold of our guns and prepared for 

 action, but in a few minutes all came back laughing and 

 chattering, for it had proved to be only a small boat and 

 some of their own comrades returned from fishing. When 

 all was quiet again, one of the men, who could speak a 

 little Malay, came to me and begged me not to sleep too 

 hard. " Why ? " said I. " Perhaps the pirates may really 

 come," said he very seriously, which made me laugh and 

 assure him I should sleep as hard as I could. 



Two days w^ere spent here, but the place was unpro- 



