IN TIMOR. 425 



some tall, others again short and stumpy — while in other 

 characteristics they varied so much that it is impossible to 

 believe them to belong to a pure race. 



The weather by the middle of March having showed signs of 

 clearing, the Governor with great kindness gave orders for an 

 escort to be ready to accompany me into the interior as soon as 

 travelling could be considered safe. 



March 29<A. — To-morrow, at last, I shall be able to start, my 

 transport ponies having arrived this evening. To my dismay, 

 however, only half as many as are necessary for my baggage. 

 On inquiring of the Hindu officer in charge, I find that it 

 would require a week to collect the extra number I wish. 

 The only thing now possible is taking only a portion of the 

 botanical drying-paper which is bulky and heavy, to advance 

 at once to Bibifupu and send back for the rest. The saddle 

 for the pony I am to ride has been forgotten also. The 

 escort consists of the Hindu officer, who is to act as my guide, 

 interpreter and adviser, and is charged with full authority 

 over the rajahs in whose kingdoms I may stay, a Hindu 

 corporal, and an official of the Eajah of Motael's kingdom 

 through which we first pass, who is to be relieved by a like 

 officer from each kingdom in which I may sojourn. He 

 must attend from his own ,Eajah's headquarters to the head- 

 quarters of the next Rajah, and is responsible for every item, 

 not of my baggage only, but of my person also, till relieved by 

 his fellow in the neighbouring kingdom. My own authority 

 is a friendly and most plenary document addressed to all the 

 Eajahs that I may meet in the interior. 



The whole of East Timor is apportioned out under certain 

 chiefs called Leoreis, each of whom is independent and abso- 

 lute in his own kingdom. At present there are forty-seven of 

 these ; but many of them possess far greater influence than, 

 and exercise a sort of vassalage over, the others. Each Beno, 

 or kingdom, is divided into districts each of which is called a 

 Suhu, ruled over by a Dato, who receives his orders from 

 the Leorei by a special officer appointed for that purpose. 

 The Dato has under him two other officials, a Caio and a 

 Tenente * who assist him in the regulation of the Suku. 



Nearly every kingdom has its own dialect. Crawford says 

 * These terms are probably adopted from the Portuguese. 



