140 
THE POST-HOLDER. 
gin. Having stilled their importunity by a 
glass to each, we were besieged by the crowd, 
and were glad to descend into the boats to go 
on shore. A number of women stood close to 
a shed on the beach, too shy to come forward, 
but too curious to stay in the village. On com- 
ing quite near I was much disappointed in their 
appearance, with their untidy mops and dingy 
sarongs , for I had looked for handsomer help- 
meets to the men. 
Our fellow-passengers and the officers of the 
ship accompanied us on shore, and went with 
us into the post-holder’s house. It was soon 
arranged that we should rent a room from him 
till we could get a house, and our baggage was 
at once stored in his verandah. Within the last 
few months the Dutch had asserted their rights 
in some of these most outlying islands of their 
possessions, and a post-holder is an official who, 
by residence amongst the savage inhabitants, 
upholds the authority of the Government, and 
meanwhile impresses on the natives the benefits 
of civilisation. Post-holders are themselves na- 
tives of the adjacent civilised islands, and be- 
sides the good education enjoyed in such, they 
are specially trained for their post. A man of 
natural energy and tact has great scope for his 
