It is believed that the origination of these practices cannot be traced to the natives, but is due to the settlement of a body of Malays, who attracted a number of the inhabitants to themselves, and then formed a gang to plunder all vessels calling at the harbour, consequent upon a successful massacre of the crew. CHAPTER IX KAMORTA The Old Settlement--The Cemetery--F. A. de Röepstorff--Mortality-- Birds--The Harbour--Appearance of Kamorta--Dring Harbour-- Olta-möit--Buffalo--Spirit Traffic--Cookery--Ceremonial Dress-- A Visit from Tanamara--Geology--Flora--Topography--Population-- Hamilton's Description. On several occasions we crossed the harbour and visited the locality of the convict settlement formerly established on Kamorta, but given up in 1888, when the buildings were dismantled, and sepoys and prisoners withdrawn to Port Blair. The jetty on which one lands is more than a hundred yards long, and although solidly constructed of coral blocks, is now in need of partial repair. To the right is a long sea-wall, and on the other hand a small boat harbour, both built of coral. Beyond the agent's house at the foot of the jetty, one walks along a grass-grown road shaded by an avenue of tall casuarinas, and passes several large wells of strong brickwork, and a large tank for rain water, with various other traces of past occupation, till on the hill-top one comes on the remains of the Government bungalow, of which only the foundations are now to be seen. A little farther on is the only building now standing--the old powder store--"where nothing's here that's worth defence, they _leave_ a magazine!"