Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI. "PROVISIONS SHORT, AND ONLY NOT A WRECK." Dutch Charts--Nimatota--The Chinese Storekeepers of Dobo--The Post Holder's Wife and the Policeman--Off Ki Island in a Hurricane--At Bauwar--Breakers under the Bow--My little Papuan Boy--" Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink!"--A straight Run for Australia--Mr. Macfarlane's Teaching bears Fruit--A safe Return--Besults of the Expedition--Mahometans versus Kafirs--Responsibility of the Government of the Netherlands--The Importance of New Guinea to England and Australia. On the following morning, continuing to the eastward, we passed two deep bays, but as we could see no sign of inhabitants did not enter, and by noon made the island of Nimatota, which is marked on the Dutch charts as a long narrow island. The charts we soon discovered to be again in error, as instead of one long island, Nimatota consists of a group of islands with narrow channels between them. From the seaward, however, they could easily be mistaken for one island. As we reached the eastern end of the group we sighted a native house with a flagstaff, where they hoist the flag of the Netherlands. One small prow pushed off from the shore, while another came from between the islands, and conducted us to a very insecure anchorage, where, however, we remained all night. In the morning the prows came off from the shore and brought some nutmegs, but advised us to sail the group, where we should have better anchorage. This was done, and we anchored close to the shore in fifteen fathoms. The tide runs between the numerous islands with great velocity, and makes the passage exceedingly dangerous, as it is only on the top of patches of reef that anchorage is to be found. As soon as we anchored, the people requested us...
