* 



rKEPARJNG TO GO FARTHER EAST. 41 



had come to the East, and, after tbanking the gov- 

 ernor-general tor sucli gi'eat consideration and Idnd- 

 uess^ I began making prepai'ations tor a voyage 

 through the eastern pai*t of the archipelago. I had 

 brought with me a good supply of large copper cans 

 with screw covers. These were filled with arrack, a 

 kind of rum made of molasses and rice. Dip-nets, 

 hooks, litieSj and all such other paraphernalia^ I had 

 fully provided myself with before I left America. Yet 

 one paper, besides a ticket, was needed before I could 

 go on board the mail-boat, and that was a " permis- 

 sion to travel in the Ketherlands India." This paper 

 ought to have been renewed, according to law, once 

 every month ; but the governor-general's letter was 

 such an ample passport, that I never troubled myself 

 about tlie matter again dunng the year I was jour- 

 neying in the Dutch possessions. 



