70 
START FOR THE INTERIOR. 
arrival, and by it we have the privilege to travel. 
The Resident returned from that cruise only four 
days before we came. Just lately, a tri -monthly 
steamer has commenced to run to New Guinea, 
and touches at the Tenimber group. It is due on 
the 18th of June, and we have deeided mean- 
while to go into the interior of Amboina for 
some weeks. By the aid of our kind friend, the 
Chinese gentleman, we procured an old man to 
act as cook, and another boy, Jacobus or Kobez : 
on their tender mercies we are cast. My ignor- 
ance of Eastern ways and of Malay prevents my 
taking any but a very submissive part in our im- 
promptu minage. Two hunters to shoot birds 
and collect butterflies are engaged, and we start 
early to-morrow. 
Paso, 15iA May. 
This village is only a few hours by prahu from 
Amboina. We started early on a breathless 
morning, and thought we should surely see the 
marine garden, of which another traveller says, 
“No description can do justice to its surpassing 
beauty and interest : for once, the reality ex- 
ceeded the most glowing accounts I had ever 
read of the wonders of the coral sea.” But ere 
we got out from the shore a breeze sprang up, 
causing a ripple which quite hid the bottom, 
