CHAPTER XIX. 



BANDA. 



(DECEMBER 1857, MAY 1859, APRIL 1861.) 



rpHE Dutch mail steamer in which I travelled from 

 Macassar to Banda and Amboyna was a roomy and com- 

 fortable vessel, although it would only go six miles an hour 

 in the finest weather. As there were but three passengers 

 besides myself, we had abundance of room, and I was able 

 to enjoy a voyage more than I had ever done before. The 



* 



arrangements are somewhat different from those on board 

 English or Indian steamers. There are no cabin servants, 

 as every cabin passenger invariably brings his own, and 

 the ship's stewards attend only to the saloon and the 

 eating department. At six a.m. a cup of tea or coffee is 

 provided for those who like it. At seven to eight there is 

 a light breakfast of tea, eggs, sardines, &c. At ten, Madeira 

 gin and bitters are brought on deck as a whet for the 

 substantial eleven o'clock breakfast, which differs from 

 a dinner only in the absence of soup. Cups of tea and 

 coffee are brought round at three p.m. ; bitters, &c. again 



