196 STRAIT OF LOMBOCK. 



of the peak or mountain of Carang Assam, which 

 seemed partially cultivated, having irrigated rice- 

 fields and cottages upon it, and the woods and 

 scenery reminded us of the interior of Java. About 

 4 p.m. we were in the centre of the strait, with 

 the island of Banditti a few miles a-head, when the 

 wind died away, and the current began to set us 

 back to the north. 



Jan. 14. — It was quite calm this morning, and 

 we were rapidly drifted to the north by the cur- 

 rent, so that, in spite of some light variable airs 

 which sprung up and enabled us to steer southwards, 

 we were fairly set out of the strait to the north- 

 wards, and at 3 p.m. getting a westerly breeze, we 

 ran on for Alass strait. The weather again came 

 on thick and squally at night. 



Jan. 15. — Blowing hard from the north-west, 

 with rain and thick weather, so that we could see 

 no land, although the mountains of Lombock were 

 only a few miles to the southward of us. We ac- 

 cordingly passed the entrance of Alass strait 

 without perceiving it, and at nine o'clock suddenly 

 made the Timor Yung Islands, on the Sumbawa 

 shore, right a-head and close to. The ship was 

 brought to the wind, and we stood off N.E. ; but 

 on that tack we could not weather another islet, 

 called Flat Island, so that we were obliged to spend 

 the afternoon and night in beating to windward, to 

 get an offing, with squally, dark, and uncertain 

 weather. 



