A VISIT TO THE INDIAN ARQHIt'ELAGO, 



sickj as Diuch on fresh meat as possible, a boat \vas sent, 

 with the purser and the interpreter, accompanied by a 

 party of officers, to communicate with a house, which 

 struck m in passing— from its size and the planta- 

 tions around it— as probably belonging to some chief, 

 by whose assistance we hoped to get a supply of 

 dattlo. 



Having p;ot inside the shoals with some difficulty, and 

 effected a lauding, oiu- party was reeeived in the poUteat 

 maiiner by a fine-looking old Malay, who came down with 

 his family to meet them. They made hnu to undci'stand 

 our wants ; and he sent inmiediately to the chief of the 

 district, and acquainted him with our wishes, appointing 

 the next morning at nine, as the time to receive the 

 chiefs answer. Our people left the shore much pleased 

 with their friend, who, as I liave before remarked of the 

 well-brG<l Malays, was a gentleman, politCj easy, and 

 dignified. 



The next morning the same party landed with the 

 necessary articles for barter, expecting to meet Uio chief 

 or his deputy, and to make a bargain for the cattle. 

 Their friend of the evening before received them in the 

 same kind manner. They waited some time in expecta- 

 tion of the cattle arriving, instead of which, parties of 

 natives kept thronging in, well armed with kris, spear, aad 

 shield,— their tomtoms heating outside. After a while came 

 the cViief witli a numerous train — himself a humpbacked 

 ferocious-lookiug savage — with all hi^ mm in padded 



