CHAP. XXV.] 



MAWfTOim. 



3G3 



residence of many Bu-^is and Ceraincse trailers, artd appears 

 to have been chosco ou accouut of its beiug close to the 

 only deep cliaiimd between the extensive shoals of Ceraui- 

 laut and those bordering the east end of Ceram. We now 

 liad contrary east winds, and were obliged to pole over the 

 shallow coral reefs of Ceram-laut for nearly thirty miles. 

 The only danger of our voyage was just at its termination, 

 for as we were rowing towards Manowolko, the lar«;est of 

 the Goram gronp, we were carried out so rapidly by a 

 strong westerly current, that I was almost certain at one 

 time we should paas clear of the island i in which case 

 our situation would have been botli disagreeable and 

 dangerous, as, with the east wind w^hich had just set in. 

 we might have been unable to retui-n for many days, and 

 we had not a day's water on hoard. At the critical 

 moment I served out some strong spirits to my men, which 

 put fresh vigour info their arms, and curried us out of 

 the influence of the curienfc before it was too late. 



MANOWOLKO, GOKAM GHOUP. 



On arriving at Manowolko, we found the Eajah was at 

 the opposite island of Goram ; but he was immediately sent 

 for, and in the meantime a large shed was given for our 

 accommodation. At night the llajah came, and the next 

 day 1 had a visit from liim, and founds as I expected, that 

 I had already made Ids acquaintance three years before at 

 Am. He was very friendly, and we had a long talk ; but 

 when I begged for a boat and men to take me on to KtJ, 

 he made a host of difficulties. There were no praus, as all 

 had gone to Ke or Am ; and even if one were found, there 

 were no men, as it wa,'^ tVie sejxson when all were away 

 trading. l?ut lie protuised to see about it, and I was obliged 

 to wait. For the next two or three days there was more 

 talking and more difficidties were raised, and I had time 

 to make an examination of the island and the people. 



Manowoiko is about fifteen miles long, and is a mere 

 upraised coml-reef Two or three hundred yards inland 

 rise cliffs of coral rock, in many parts perpendicular, and 

 one or two hundred feet high ; and this, I was informed, 

 is characteristic of the whole island, in which there is 



