nd Anabao,
but lay down both as one island; they said they suspected we had
plundered some Dutch ship of their particular charts, which they are
forbid to part with.
With these jealousies the sloop returned towards their fort, and my boat
came back with this news to me: but I was not discouraged at this news;
not doubting but I should persuade them better when I should come to talk
with them. So the next morning I weighed and stood towards the fort. The
winds were somewhat against us so that we could not go very fast, being
obliged to tack 2 or 3 times: and, coming near the farther end of the
passage between Timor and Anabao, we saw many houses on each side not far
from the sea, and several boats lying by the shore. The land on both
sides was pretty high, appearing very dry and of a reddish colour, but
highest on the Timor side. The trees on either side were but small, the
woods thin, and in many places the trees were dry and withered.
THE ISLAND ANABAO DESCRIBED.
The island Anamabao, or Anabao, is not very big, not exceeding 10 leagues
in length and 4 in breadth; yet it has 2 kingdoms in it, namely that of
Anamabao on the east side towards Timor and the north-east end; and that
of Anabao, which contains the south-west end and the west side of the
island; but I known not which of them is biggest. The natives of both are
of the Indian kind, of a swarthy copper-colour, with black lank hair.
Those of Anamabao are in league with the Dutch, as these afterwards told
me, and with the natives of the kingdom of Kupang in Timor, over against
them, in which the Dutch fort Concordia stands: but they are said to be
inveterate enemies to their neighbours of Anabao. Those of Anabao,
besides managing their small plantations of roots and a few coconuts, do
fish, strike turtle, and hunt buffaloes, killing them with swords, darts,
or lances. But I know not how they get their iron; I suppose by traffic
with the Dutch or Portuguese, who send now and then a sloop and trade
thither, but well armed; for the natives would kill them, could they
surprise them. They go always armed themselves; and when they go
a-fishing or a-hunting they spend 4 or 5 days or more in ranging about
before they return to their habitation. We often saw them after this at
these employments; but they would not come near us. The fish or flesh
that they take, besides what serves for present spending, they dry on a
barbecue or wooden grate, standing pretty high over t
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