CHAP. X3U. | 



Mf IIEJD-QfJARTERS. 



305 



feet high — ^Ternate l>eing very nearly the same height, but 

 with a more rounded and irregular sunuuit. The town 

 of Ternate is eoncculed from view till we enter between 

 tlie two i-slaiids, when it is discovered stretching along 

 the shore at the very ba^e of tlie mountain, Ita 

 situation is fine, and there are gmnd views on every 

 side. Close opposite m the rugged promontory and beau- 

 tiful volcanic cone of Titlore; to the east is the long 

 mountainous coast of Gilolo, terminated towards the north 

 by a group of three lofty volcanic peaks, while imme- 

 diately beliiLid the town rises ibe huge mountain, sloping 

 easily at first ami covered with tiiick groves of fruit trees, 

 b\it soon becoiiung steeper, aud furrowed with deep gullies. 

 Almost to tho smnmit, whence issue perpetually faint 

 wreaths of smoke, it is clothed with vegetation^ and looks 

 calm and beantiful, although beneath arc hidden fires 

 which occasionally burst forth in lava-streams, but more 

 frequently make their existence known by the cart iKj^uakes 

 which have many times devastated the towiL 



I brought letters of introduction to Mr. Duivenboden, a 

 native of Teriiate, of an ancient Dutch family, but who 

 was, educated in England, and speaks our language per- 

 fectly. He was a very rich man, owned half the town, 

 possessed man}' ships, and above a hundred slaves. He 

 was moreover, well educ;ited, and fond of literature and 

 science — a phenomencm in these regions. He was gene- 

 rally known as the king of Ternate, from his large pro- 

 perty and great inlluence with tlie native liajahs antl their 

 subjects. Through his assistance I obtained a house, 

 rather ruinous, but well adapted to my purpose, being 

 close to the town, yet with a fix?e outlet to the country and 

 the mountain. A few needful repairs were soon made, 

 some bamboo furniture and other necessaries obtained, and 

 after a visit to the Kesident and Police ^Ia{;istratc I found 

 myself an inhabitant of the earthquake-tortured island of 

 Temate, and able to look about me and lay down the plan 

 of ray campaign for the ensuing year. I retained thi.s 

 house for three years, as I found it veiy convenient to liave 

 a place to return to after my voyiu^es to the various islands 

 of the Moluccas and New Guinea, where 1 could pack 

 toy collections, recruit my health, and make preparatioui* 



