IN TIMOR. 



425 



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

 characteristics they varied so much that it is impossible to 

 believe them to lielong to a pure race. 



Tiie weather by the middle of jMareh 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 bo considered &ife. 



March 2dth, — To-morrow, at last, I shall be able to starts my 

 transport ponies having arrived this evening. To my dismay, 

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

 On im|uiriiig of the KindtL officer in charge, 1 find that it 

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

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

 bot^mical drying-paper which is bulky and heavy, to advance 

 at once to Bibipu^iju aud 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 tis my guide, 

 interpreter and adviser, and is charged with full authority 

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

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

 through whicli 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 Kajah *s headquarters to the head- 

 quarters of tlie next Kajah, and is responsible for every item, 

 not of my baggage only, but of my person also, till relieve<l by 

 his feUttw in the neighbouring kingdom. My own authority 

 is a friendly and most plenary document addressed to all the 

 R^ijahs that 1 may meet in the interior. 



The whole of Eiist Timor is apportione<l out under certain 

 chiefs aillefl Xeorm, each of whom is independent and abso- 

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

 these ■ but many of them possess far greater influence than, i 

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

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

 SuhUf ruled over by a Baio, who receives his orders from 

 tlie Leorei by a special officer appointed for that purp<)se. 

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

 Teiietite * who assist liim in the regulation of the Suku. 



Nearly every kingdom has its own dialect. Crawford says 

 * Tlie^e terniH are prttbally atk*]»icd from tiie Tortugucse. 



