Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
great traffic, being the emporium for much of the produce of these Eastern seas, and is the
residence of many Bugis and Ceramese traders, and appears to have been chosen on account
of its being close to the only deep channel between the extensive shoals of Ceram-laut and
those bordering the east end of Ceram. We now had contrary east winds, and were obliged
to pole over the shallow coral reefs of Ceram-laut for nearly thirty miles. The only danger of
our voyage was just at its termination, for as we were rowing towards Manowolko, the
largest of the Goram group, we were carried out so rapidly by a strong westerly current, that
I was almost certain at one time we should pass clear of the island; in which case our situ-
ation would have been both disagreeable and dangerous, as, with the east wind which had
just set in, we might have been unable to return for many days, and we had not a day's water
on board. At the critical moment I served out some strong spirits to my men, which put fresh
vigour into their arms, and carried us out of the influence of the current before it was too
late.
MANOWOLKO, GORAM GROUP.
On arriving at Manowolko, we found the Rajah was at the opposite island of Goram; but
he was immediately sent for, and in the meantime a large shed was given for our accom-
modation. At night the Rajah came, and the next day I had a visit from him, and found, as I
expected, that I had already made his acquaintance three years before at Aru. He was very
friendly, and we had a long talk; but when I begged for a boat and men to take me on to Ké,
he made a host of difficulties. There were no praus, as all had gone to Ké or Aru; and even if
one were found, there were no men, as it was the season when all were away trading. But he
promised to see about it, and I was obliged to wait. For the next two or three days there was
more talking and more difficulties were raised, and I had time to make an examination of
the island and the people.
Manowolko is about fifteen miles long, and is a mere upraised coral-reef. Two or three
hundred yards inland rise cliffs of coral rock, in many parts perpendicular, and one or two
hundred feet high; and this, I was informed, is characteristic of the whole island, in which
there is no other kind of rock, and no stream of water. A few cracks and chasms furnish
paths to the top of these cliffs, where there is an open undulating country, in which the chief
vegetable grounds of the inhabitants are situated.
The people here—at least the chief men—were of a much purer Malay race than the
Mahometans of the mainland of Ceram, which is perhaps due to there having been no indi-
genes on these small islands when the first settlers arrived. In Ceram, the Alfuros of Papuan
race are the predominant type, the Malay physiognomy being seldom well marked; whereas
