tute of streams, and that the vegetation was
much less luxuriant than in other parts we had before passed. We had
now to determine whether to go further south, or to pull back and land
as we had before intended, at the first place where native or other huts
could be seen. As we had met with few habitations to the north, and had
the greater part of the day before us, it was finally settled to sail
further south. From Ned's account he had, after being cast on shore,
been carried in that direction. We got out by the way we had come in,
and then again making sail glided on for six or seven miles, when we
came off the mouth of a river. Ned at once recognised the place, and
said that he remembered a village a short way from the entrance.
Accordingly, lowering our sails we pulled towards it. As the water was
smooth, we had no difficulty in entering the river. Mangrove trees
lined the shores on either side, but after pulling for about a mile, we
came to openings, when trees of various sorts appeared. Shortly
afterwards we saw on the right bank a number of huts, perched, like
those of Borneo, on the tops of high poles, with ladders leading up to
them. These, however, stood not on the shore, but on a level bank
actually in the water. They were connected with each other by long
bridges. The roofs were shaped like boats, bottom upwards. The poles
were very irregular, some being twisted, others forked, while the
buildings themselves had a dilapidated appearance. The walls were
composed, as far as we could judge, of large mats, which, from the way
they were secured, must have allowed a free circulation of air. Under
the eaves of many of the houses we saw hung up several human skulls,
which we supposed were those of enemies killed in war, but were, we
afterwards found, the craniums of deceased relatives. Access to the
shore from the village was obtained by a single wooden bridge. Hitherto
we had seen no inhabitants, though we had no doubt some must have been
in their houses, for we observed three or four canoes made fast to the
posts below. Not to alarm them, we landed at a little distance where
the depth of water enabled us to approach the bank, and taking ashore
several of the articles we had brought for bartering, placed some before
us, and held others up in our hands. As we kept our weapons concealed,
our proceedings had the desired effect. In a few minutes a man's face
with a huge mop-like head of frizzly hair ap