Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks/Chapter 14
CHAPTER XIV
AUSTRALIA TO SAVU ISLAND
Aug. 27—Sept. 21, 1770
"Sea-sawdust"—New Guinea—Landing—Vegetation—Natives throw fire-darts—Home-sickness of the crew—Coast along Timor—Rotte—Aurora—Savu Island—Signs of Europeans—A boat sent ashore to trade—Anchor—Reception by natives—Their Radja—Mynheer Lange—House of Assembly—Native dinner—Obstacles to trading—Mynheer Lange's covetousness—Trading—Dutch policy concerning spices.
27th August. Lay to all night; in the morning a fresh trade and fine clear weather made us hope that our difficulties were drawing to an end. It was now resolved to haul up to the northward in order to make the coast of New Guinea, so as to assure ourselves that we had really got clear of the South Sea, which was accordingly done. At dinnertime we were alarmed afresh by the usual report of a shoal just ahead; it proved, however, to be no more than a band or regular layer of a brownish colour, extending upon the sea, having very much the appearance of a shoal while at a distance. It was formed by innumerable small atoms, each scarcely half a line in length, yet, when looked at under a microscope, consisting of thirty or forty tubes, each hollow and divided throughout the whole length into many cells by small partitions, like the tubes of Confervæ. To which of the three kingdoms of nature they belong I am totally ignorant. I only guess that they are of a vegetable nature, because on burning them I could perceive no animal smell. We have before this during this voyage seen them several times on the coast of Brazil and of New Holland, but never that I recollect at any considerable distance from the land. In the evening a small bird of the noddy (Sterna) kind hovered about the ship, and at night settled on the rigging, where it was taken, and proved exactly the same bird as Dampier has described, and given a rude figure of, under the name of a noddy from New Holland (see his Voyages, vol. iii. p. 98, table of birds, Fig. 5).
28th. Still standing to the northward, the water shoaling regularly; vast quantities of the little substances mentioned yesterday floating upon the water in large lines, a mile or more long, and fifty or a hundred yards wide, all swimming either immediately upon the surface of the water, or not many inches below it. The seamen, who were now convinced that it was not as they had thought the spawn of fish, began to call it sea-sawdust, a name certainly not ill adapted to its appearance. One of them, a Portuguese, who came on board the ship at Rio de Janeiro, told me that at St. Salvador on the coast of Brazil, where the Portuguese have a whale fishery, he had often seen vast quantities of it taken out of the stomachs of whales or grampuses.
29th. During the whole night our soundings were very irregular, but never less than seven fathoms, and never so shoal for any time. In the morning the land[1] was seen from the deck. It was uncommonly low, but very thickly covered with wood. At eight o'clock it was not more than two leagues from us, but the water had gradually shoaled since morn to five fathoms, and was at this time as muddy as the river Thames, so that it was not thought prudent to go any nearer at present. We accordingly stood along shore, seeing fires and large groves of cocoanut trees, in the neighbourhood of which we supposed the Indian villages to be situated.
1st September. Distant as the land was, a very fragrant smell came off from it early in the morning, with the little breeze that blew right off shore. It resembled much the smell of gum Benjamin. As the sun gathered power it died away, and was no longer perceived. All the latter part of the day we had calms or light winds all round the compass, the weather at the same time being most intolerably hot.
3rd. We stood right in-shore, and at half-past eight had less than three fathoms water five or six miles from the shore. The captain, Dr. Solander, and I, with the boat's crew and my servants, consisting in all of twelve men, well armed, rowed directly towards the shore, but could not get nearer than about 200 yards on account of the shallowness of the water. We quickly, however, got out of the boat, and waded ashore, leaving two men to take care of her. We had no sooner landed than we saw the print of naked feet upon the mud below high-water mark, which convinced us that the Indians were not far off, though we had yet seen no signs of any. The nature of the country made it necessary for us to be very much upon our guard. The close, thick wood came down to within less than 100 yards of the water, and so near therefore might the Indians come without our seeing them, and should they by numbers overpower us, a retreat to the boat would be impossible, as she was so far from the shore. We proceeded, therefore, with much caution, looking carefully about us, the doctor and I looking for plants at the edge of the wood, and the rest walking along the beach.
About 200 yards from our landing, we came to a grove of cocoanut trees of very small growth, but well hung with fruit, standing upon the banks of a small brook of brackish water. Near them was a small shed, hardly half covered with cocoanut leaves, in and about which were numberless cocoanut shells, some quite fresh. We stayed under these trees some time, admiring and wishing for the fruit, but as none of us could climb, it was impossible to get even one, so we left them, and proceeded in search of anything else which might occur. We soon found plantains and a single bread-fruit tree, but neither of these had any fruit upon them, so we proceeded, and had got about a quarter of a mile from the boat when three Indians suddenly rushed out of the woods, with a hideous shout, about a hundred yards beyond us, and running towards us, the foremost threw something out of his hand which flew on one side of him and burned exactly like gunpowder. The other two immediately threw two darts at us, on which we fired. Most of our guns were loaded with small shot, which, at the distance they were from us, I suppose they hardly felt, for they moved not at all, but immediately threw a third dart, on which we loaded and fired again. Our balls, I suppose, this time fell near them, but none of them were materially hurt, as they ran away with great alacrity. From this specimen of the people we immediately concluded that nothing was to be got here but by force, which would, of course, be attended with the destruction of many of these poor people, whose territories we certainly had no right to invade, either as discoverers or people in real want of provisions. We therefore resolved to go into our boat and leave this coast to some after-comer who might have either more time or better opportunities of gaining the friendship of its inhabitants. Before we had got abreast of her, however, we saw the two people in her make signals to us that more Indians were coming along shore, and before we had got into the water we saw them come round a point about 500 yards from us. They had probably met the three who first attacked us, for on seeing us they halted and seemed to wait till the main body should come up, nor did they come nearer us while we waded to the boat. When we were embarked and afloat, we rowed towards them and fired some muskets over their heads into the trees, on which they walked gradually off, continuing to throw abundance of their fires, whatever they might be designed for. We guessed their numbers to be about 100. After we had watched them and their behaviour as long as we chose, we returned to the ship, where our friends had suffered much anxiety for our sakes, imagining that the fires thrown by the Indians were real muskets, so much did they resemble the fire and smoke made by the firing of one. These "fire-arms" were also seen by Torres (see p. li.)
The place where we landed we judged to be near Cabo de la Colta de Santa Bonaventura, as it is called in the French charts, about nine or ten leagues to the southward of Keer Weer.[2] We were not ashore altogether more than two hours, so cannot be expected to have made many observations.
The soil had all the appearance of the highest fertility, being covered with a prodigious quantity of trees, which seemed to thrive luxuriantly. Notwithstanding this, the cocoanut trees bore very small fruit, and the plantains did not seem very thriving. The only bread-fruit tree that we saw was, however, very large and healthy. There was very little variety of plants; we saw only twenty-three species, every one of which was known to us, unless two may prove upon comparison to be different from any of the many species of Cyperus we have still undetermined from New Holland. Had we had axes to cut down the trees, or could we have ventured into the woods, we should doubtless have found more, but we had only an opportunity of examining the beach and edge of the wood. I am of opinion, however, that the country does not abound in variety of species, as I have been in no one before where I could not, on a good soil, have gathered many more with the same time and opportunity.
The people, as well as we could judge, were nearly of the same colour as the New Hollanders; some thought rather lighter. They were certainly stark naked. The arms which they used against us were very light, ill-made darts of bamboo cane, pointed with hard wood, in which were many barbs. They perhaps shot them with bows, but I am of opinion that they threw them with a stick something in the manner of the New Hollanders. They came about sixty yards beyond us, but not in a point-blank direction. Besides these, many among them, maybe a fifth part of the whole, had in their hands a short piece of stick, perhaps a hollow cane, which they swing sideways from them, and immediately fire flew from it perfectly resembling the flash and smoke of a musket, and of no longer duration. For What purpose that was done is far beyond my guessing. They had with them several dogs, who ran after them in the same manner as ours do in Europe.
The house or shed that we saw was very mean and poor. It consisted of four stakes driven into the ground, two being longer than the others. Over these cocoanut leaves were loosely laid; not half enough to cover it. By the cutting of these stakes, as well as of the arrows or darts which they threw at us, we concluded that they had no iron.
As soon as ever the boat was hoisted in we made sail, and steered away from this land, to the no small satisfaction of, I believe, three-fourths of our company. The sick became well and the melancholy looked gay. The greater part of them were now pretty far gone with the longing for home, which the physicians have gone so far as to esteem a disease under the name of nostalgia. Indeed I can find hardly anybody in the ship clear of its effects but the captain, Dr. Solander, and myself, and we three have ample constant employment for our minds, which I believe to be the best, if not the only remedy for it.
4th. The altered countenances of our common people were still more perceptible than they were yesterday. Two-thirds allowance had, I believe, made the chief difference with them, for our provisions were now so much wasted by keeping, that that allowance was little more than was necessary to keep life and soul together.
12th. As soon as the light was pretty clear, land was seen five or six leagues off, and we stood in for it. It was very high, rising in gradual slopes from the hills, which were in great measure covered with thick woods. Among them, however, we could distinguish bare spots of large extent, which looked as if made by art. Many fires were also seen on all parts of the hills, some very high up. At nightfall we were within a mile and a half off the beach, just abreast of a little inlet. The country seemed to answer very well to the description which Dampier has given of Timor, the land close to the beach being covered with high tapering trees, which he likens to pines (Casuarina), behind which was a great appearance of salt-water creeks and many mangroves. In parts, however, were many cocoanut trees. Close down to the beach the flat land seemed to extend in some places two or three miles before the rise of the first hill. We saw no appearance of plantations or houses near the sea, but the land looked most fertile, and from the many fires we saw in different parts we could not help having a good opinion of its population.
14th. Infinite albecores and bonitos were about the ship, attended, as they always are when near land, by some species of Sterna. These were Dampier's New Holland noddies, which flew in large flocks, hovering over the shoals of fish. Many man-of-war birds also attended, and entertained us by very frequently stooping at albecores so large that twenty times their strength could not have lifted them, had they been dexterous enough to seize them, which they never once effected.
15th. About a mile up from the beach began the plantations, and houses almost innumerable standing under the shade of large groves of palms, appearing like the fan-palm (Borassus). The plantations, which were in general enclosed with some kind of fence, reached almost to the top of the hills, but near the beach were no certain marks of habitations seen. But what surprised us most was that, notwithstanding all these indisputable marks of a populous country, we saw neither people nor any kind of cattle stirring all the day, though our glasses were almost continually employed.
16th. Soon after breakfast the small island of Rotte was in sight, and a little later the opening appeared plainly, which at last convinced our old unbelievers that the island we had so long been off was really Timor. Soon after dinner we passed the straits. Rotte was not mountainous or high like Timor, but consisted of hills and vales. On the east end of it some of our people saw houses, but I did not. The north side had many sandy beaches, near which grew some of the fan-palms, but the greater part was covered with a kind of bushy tree which had few or no leaves. The straits between Timor and the island called by Dampier Anabao we plainly saw; they appeared narrow. Anabao itself looked much like Timor, but was not quite so high. We saw on it no signs of cultivation, but as it was misty, and we were well on the other side of the straits, which we judged to be five leagues across, we saw it but very indifferently.
About ten o'clock a phenomenon appeared in the heavens, in many things resembling the aurora borealis, but differing materially in others. It consisted of a dull reddish light, reaching in height about twenty degrees above the horizon. Its extent varied much at different times, but was never less than eight or ten points of the compass. Through and out of this passed rays of a brighter-coloured light, tending directly upwards. These appeared and vanished nearly in the same time as those of the aurora borealis, but were entirely without the trembling or vibratory motion observed in that phenomenon. The body of it bore from the ship S.S.E. It lasted as bright as ever till nearly midnight, when I went down to sleep, and how much longer I cannot tell.
17th. In the morning an island[3] was in sight, very imperfectly, if at all, laid down in the charts. By ten we were very near the east end of it. It was not high, but composed of gently sloping hills and vales almost entirely cleared and covered with innumerable palm trees. Near the beach were many houses, but no people were seen stirring. Soon after we passed the N.E. point, we saw on the beach a large flock of sheep, but still no people. The north side of the isle appeared scarcely at all cultivated, but, like that of Rotte, was covered with thick brushwood, almost or quite destitute of leaves. Among these, as we passed, we saw numerous flocks of sheep, but no houses or plantations. At last, however, one was discovered in a grove of cocoanut trees, and it was resolved to send a boat in charge of a lieutenant to attempt to establish a commerce with people who seemed so well able to supply our many necessities. We saw on the hills two men on horseback, who seemed to ride for their amusement, looking often at the ship, a circumstance which made us at once conclude that there were Europeans among the islanders, by whom we should be received at least more politely than we were used to be by uncivilised Indians.
After a very short stay the lieutenant returned, bringing word that he had seen Indians, in all respects, as colour, dress, etc., much resembling the Malays; that they very civilly invited him ashore, and conversed with him by signs, but neither party could understand the other. They were totally unarmed, except for the knives which they wore in their girdles, and had with them a jackass, a sure sign that Europeans had been among them.
It was resolved to go to the lee side of the island in hopes there to find anchoring ground; in the meanwhile, however, the boat with some truck was sent ashore at the cocoanut grove, in hopes of purchasing some trifling refreshment for the sick, in case we should be disappointed later on. Dr. Solander went in it. Before it reached the shore we saw two fresh horsemen, one of whom had on a complete European dress, blue coat, white waistcoat, and laced hat; these as the boat lay ashore, seemed to take little notice of her, but only sauntered about, looking much at the ship. Many more horsemen, however, and still more footmen gathered round our people, and we had the satisfaction of seeing several cocoanuts brought into the boat, a sure sign that peace and plenty reigned ashore.
After a stay of an hour and a half the boat made a signal of having had intelligence of a harbour to leeward, and we in consequence bore away for it; the boat following soon came on board and told us that the people had behaved in an uncommonly civil manner, that they had seen some of their principal people, who were dressed in fine linen, and had chains of gold round their necks, that they had not been able to trade, the owner of the cocoanut trees not being there, but had got about two dozen cocoanuts given as a present by these principal people who accepted linen in return, and made them understand by drawing a map upon the sand, that on the lee side of the island was a bay in which we might anchor near a town and buy sheep, hogs, fruit, fowls, etc. They talked much of the Portuguese and of Larntuca on the Island of Ende,[4] from which circumstance it was probable that the Portuguese were somewhere on the island, though none of the natives could speak more than a word or two of the language. Our conclusion was strengthened as one of the Indians, in speaking of the town, made a sign of something we should see there by crossing his fingers, which a Portuguese, who was in the boat, immediately interpreted into a cross, a supposition which appeared very probable. Just before they put off the man in an European dress came towards them, but the officer in the boat, not having his commission about him, thought proper to put off immediately without staying to speak to him, or know what countryman he was.
We sailed along shore, and after having passed a point of land found a bay sheltered from the trade wind, in which we soon discovered a large Indian town or village, on which we stood in, hoisting a Jack. To our no small surprise Dutch colours were hoisted in the town, and three guns fired; we, however, proceeded, and just at dark got soundings, and anchored about one and a half miles from the shore.
18th. In the morning the boat with the second lieutenant went ashore and was received by a guard of twenty or thirty Indians armed with muskets, who conducted them to the town, about a mile in the country, marching without any order or regularity, and carrying away with them the Dutch colours, which had been hoisted upon the beach opposite to where the ship lay. Here he was introduced to the Radja or Indian king, whom he told through a Portuguese interpreter that we were an English man-of-war, which had been long at sea and had many sick on board, for whom we wanted to purchase such refreshments as the island provided. He answered that he was willing to supply us with everything that we should want, but being in alliance with the Dutch East India Company, he was not allowed to trade with any other people without their consent, which, however, he would immediately apply for to a Dutchman belonging to that company, who was the only white man residing upon that island. A letter was accordingly despatched immediately, and after some hours' waiting, answered by the man in person, who assured us with many civilities that we were at liberty to buy of the natives whatever we pleased. He, as well as the king and several of his attendants, expressed a desire of coming on board, provided, however, that some of our people might stay on shore; on which two were left.
About two o'clock they arrived; our dinners were ready, and they soon agreed to dine with us. On sitting down, however, the king excused himself, saying that he did not imagine that we who were white men would suffer him who was black to sit down in our company. A compliment, however, removed his scruples, and he and his prime minister sat down and ate sparingly. During all dinnertime we received many professions of friendship from both the king and the European, who was a native of Saxony, by name Johan Christopher Lange. Mutton was our fare: the king expressed a desire to have an English sheep, and as we had one left it was presented to him. Mynheer Lange then hinted that a spying-glass would be acceptable, and was immediately presented with one. We were told that the island abounded in buffaloes, sheep, hogs, and fowls, all which should be next day driven down to the beach, and we might buy any quantity of them. This agreeable intelligence put us all into high spirits, and the liquor went about fully as much as Mynheer Lange or the Indians could bear. They, however, expressed a desire of going away before they were quite drunk. They were received upon deck, as they had been when they came on board, by the marines under arms. The king wished to see them exercise, which they accordingly did, and fired three rounds much to his Majesty's satisfaction, who expressed great surprise, particularly at their so quickly cocking their guns. Dr. Solander and I went ashore in the boat with them: as soon as we put off they saluted the ship with three cheers, which the ship answered with five guns.
We landed and walked up to the town, which consisted of a good many houses, some tolerably large, each being a roof of thatch supported by pillars three or four feet from the ground, and covering a boarded floor. Before we had been long there it began to grow dark, and we returned on board, having only just tasted their palm wine, which had a very sweet taste, and suited all our palates very well, giving us hopes at the same time that it might be serviceable to our sick, as, being the fresh and unfermented juice of the tree, it promised antiscorbutic virtues.
19th. We went ashore, and proceeded immediately to the house of assembly, a large house which we had yesterday mistaken for the king’s palace; this, as well as two or three more in the town, or nigrie, as the Indians call it, have been built by the Dutch East India Company. They are distinguished from the rest by two pieces of wood, one at each end of the ridge of the house, resembling cows' horns; undoubtedly the thing designed by the Indian, who on the 17th made a sign of the mark by which we were to know the town by crossing his fingers, and which our Catholic Portuguese interpreted into a cross, making us believe that the settlement was originally Portuguese. In this house of assembly we met Mynheer Lange, and the Radja, Madocho Lomi Djara, attended by many of the principal people. We told them that we had in the boat an assortment of what few goods we had to truck with, and desired leave to bring them ashore, which was immediately granted, and orders given accordingly. We then attempted to settle the price of buffaloes, sheep, hogs, etc., which were to be paid in money, but here Mynheer Lange left us, and told us that we must settle that with the natives, who would bring down large quantities to the beach. By this time the morning was pretty far advanced, and we, resolving not to go on board, and eat salt meat, when such a profusion of flesh was continually talked of, petitioned his Majesty that we might have liberty to purchase a small hog, some rice, etc., and employ his subjects to cook them for dinner. He answered that if we could eat victuals dressed by his subjects, which he could hardly suppose, he would do himself the honour of entertaining us; we expressed our gratitude, and sent immediately on board for liquors.
About five o'clock dinner was ready, consisting of thirty-six dishes, or rather baskets, containing alternately rice and boiled pork, and three earthenware bowls of soup, which was the broth in which the pork had been boiled. These were ranged on the floor, and mats laid round for us to sit upon. We were now conducted by turns to a hole in the floor, near which stood a man with a basket of water in his hand: here we washed our hands, and then ranged ourselves in order round the victuals, waiting for the king to sit down. We were told, however, that the custom of the country was that the entertainer never sits down to meat with his guests, but that if we suspected the victuals to be poisoned, he would willingly do it. We suspected nothing, and therefore desired that all things might go on as usual. We ate with good appetites, the Prime Minister and Mynheer Lange partaking with us. Our wine passed briskly about, the Radja alone refusing to drink with us, saying that it was wrong for the master of the feast to be in liquor. The pork was excellent, the rice as good, the broth not bad, but the spoons, which were made of leaves, were so small that few of us had patience to eat it. Every one made a hearty dinner, and as soon as we had done, removed, as it seems the custom was, to let the servants and seamen take our places. These could not despatch all, but when the women came to take away, they forced them to take away with them all the pork that was left.
Before dinner Mynheer Lange mentioned to us a letter which he had in the morning received from the Governor of Timor: the particulars of it were now discussed. It acquainted him that a ship had been seen off that island, and had steered from thence towards that which we were now upon. In case such ship was to touch there in any distress, she was to be supplied with what she wanted, but was not to be allowed to make any longer stay than was necessary, and was particularly required not to make any large presents to the inferior people, or to leave any with the principal ones to be distributed among them after she was gone. This we were told did not at all extend to the beads or small pieces of cloth which we gave the natives in return for their small civilities, as bringing us palm wine, etc. Some of our gentlemen were of opinion that the whole of this letter was an imposition, but whether it was or not I shall not take upon myself to determine.
In the evening we had intelligence from our trading place that no buffaloes or hogs had been brought down; but only a few sheep, which were taken away before our people, who had sent for money, could procure it. Some few fowls, however, were bought, and a large quantity of a kind of syrup made from the juice of the palm tree, which, though infinitely superior to molasses or treacle, sold at a very small price. We complained to Mynheer Lange: he said that as we had not ourselves been down upon the beach, the natives were afraid to take money from any one else, lest it should be false. On this, the captain went immediately down, but could see no cattle: while he was gone, Mr. Lange complained that our people had not yet offered gold for anything: this he said the islanders were displeased at, as they had expected to have had gold for their stock.
20th. In the morning early the captain went ashore himself to purchase buffaloes: he was shown two, one of which they valued at five guineas, the other a musket: he offered three guineas for the one, and sent for a musket to give for the other. The money was flatly refused, and before the musket could be brought off, Dr. Solander, who had been up in the town in order to speak to Mr. Lange, returned, followed by eighty spearmen and twenty musketeers sent by the king, to tell us that this day and no more would be allowed us to trade, after which we must be gone. This was the message that Dr. Solander had from the Radja by Mr. Lange's interpretation, but a Portuguese Indian who came from Timor, probably next in command to Mr. Lange, carried it much further, telling us that we might stay ashore till night if we pleased, but none of the Indians would be allowed to trade with us, after which he began to drive away those who had brought hens, syrup, etc. To remedy this an old sword which lay in the boat was given to the Prime Minister, as I have called him, Mannudjame, who in an instant restored order, and severely chid the officer of the guard, an old Portuguese Indian, for having gone beyond his orders. Trade now was as brisk as ever; fowls and syrup were bought cheap, and in vast plenty. The state of the case now appeared plain: Mr. Lange was to have a share of what the buffaloes were sold for, and that was to be paid in money. The captain, therefore, though sore against his will, resolved to pay five guineas apiece for one or two buffaloes, and try to buy the rest for muskets. Accordingly, no sooner had he hinted his mind to the Portuguese Indian, than a buffalo, but a very small one, was brought down, and five guineas given for it: two larger ones followed immediately, for one of which a musket, and for the other five guineas was given. There was now no more occasion for money, we picked them just as we chose for a musket apiece. We bought nine, as many as we thought would last us to Batavia, especially as we had little or no victuals, but so ill were we provided with cords that three of the nine broke from us; two of these the Indians recovered, but the third got quite off, though our people, assisted by the Indians, followed it for three hours.
In the evening Mr. Lange came down to the beach, softened by the money which, no doubt, he had received, and took frequent occasions of letting us know that if we pleased we might come ashore the next day. Our business was, however, quite done, so to fulfil a promise which we had made, he was presented with a small cag of beer, and we took our leave as good friends as possible.
I have been very diffuse and particular in mentioning every trifling circumstance which occurred in this transaction, as this may perhaps be the only opportunity I shall ever have of visiting an island of great consequence to the Dutch, and scarcely known to any other Europeans, even by name. I can find it in only one of the draughts, and that an old one printed by Mount and Page, the Lord knows when, which has it by the name of San, but confounds it with Sandel Bosch, which is laid down quite wrong. Rumphius mentions an island by the name of Saow, and says it is that which is called by the Dutch Sandel Bosch, but no chart that I have seen lays either that, Timor, Rotte, or indeed any island that we have seen hereabouts, in anything near its right place.
While we were here an accident happened by the imprudence of Mr. Parkinson, my draughtsman, which might alone have altered our intended and at first promised reception very much; indeed, I am of opinion that it did. He, desirous of knowing whether or not this island produced spices, carried ashore with him nutmegs, cloves, etc., and questioned the inhabitants about them without the least precaution, so that it immediately came to Mr. Lange's ears. He complained to the doctor that our people were too inquisitive, particularly, says he, "in regard to spices, concerning which they can have no reason to wish for any information unless you are come for very different purposes than those you pretend." The doctor, not well versed in the German language, in which they conversed, immediately conceived that Mr. Lange meant only some questions which he himself had asked concerning the cinnamon; nor did we ever know the contrary till the day after we had left the place, when Mr. Parkinson boasted of the information we had obtained of these people certainly having a knowledge of the spices, as they had in their language names for them.