68 
A CHURLISH RESIDENT. 
It would soon sail. Where was the baggage to 
be housed, where were we to sleep that night ? 
The subject had to be faced. H. proposed that 
we should camp in a field, or by the road-side. 
Fresh from European ways, I stoutly objected. 
One does not mind setting up a tent on a savage 
shore, hut in a civilised town like Amboina I 
simply could not bear the idea. I proposed 
calling at some respectable house, stating our 
position, and asking to be boarded. H. objected 
that it was most unlikely that any one would 
believe us ; if the Resident had given us the cold 
shoulder, they would conclude there was good 
reason to do the same ; he could not face another 
rebuff . 1 
The steamer, fortunately, did not sail till the 
morrow, and we remained on it that night. 
Towards evening, next day, it was suggested to us 
to apply to the Captain of the Chinese, and to his 
house we immediately repaired. He welcomed us 
cordially, and asked us to be seated with him in 
the verandah. He at once offered the use of a 
1 Since I would rather not again refer to this unpleasant subject, 
I shall here remark that the conduct of the Resident of Amboina 
was utterly repudiated by the Dutch Government in Java, When 
we returned, strangers addressed us, and apologised in the name 
of their countrymen for the blot upon their cherished fame as a 
hospitable people. 
