74 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
Jsi 8 . bay to the S.E. of Sims’ Island had not been 
April 10. sufficiently seen by us, we steered off so as to 
reconnoitre the proas, and improve the survey 
at the same time. 
As soon as we had reached the island, all the 
vessels but one had anchored, and their crews 
were' busily engaged in passing to and from the 
shore in small canoes, apparently watering. We 
passed by at a small distance with our colours 
flying, which was answered by each hoisting a 
Dutch jack ; but one of the proas, which was 
thought to be the Hajah’s vessel, bore a blue 
flag in addition. Some stragglers on the rocks, 
who appeared to take no part in the labours of 
the rest, and who were probably the chiefs, 
waved repeatedly to us to stop ; but as their 
acquaintance could render us no service, I de- 
clined their invitations. Our presence did not 
appear to have excited any particular bustle 
amongst them, but every precaution was taken 
on our part to repel any attack. The proas, 
which were fifteen in number, appeared to be 
of twenty-five to forty tons burden, and the fleet 
contained altogether at least three hundred men. 
The evening was too far advanced to make 
any particular examination of the sinuosities of 
the bay ; but, after passing Sims’ Island, our 
course was sufficiently near the coast to perceive 
