The prahus which are built upon these islands are very long, and sit low on the water, their length being seldom less than seventy feet, while their greatest breadth is not greater than ten feet. We saw about thirty of these lying under the shore, and had good opportunities for examining them. In the centre of them is a stage, on which they make a fire to cook their provisions. Whenever these vessels sail on a voyage they are adorned with a number of flags, some being displayed from the stern and others planted along the sides, the whole presenting a very gay appearance. These flags are triangular (perhaps in imitation of those of the Chinese), and of various colours, the prahus belonging to the chiefs being distinguished by the superior size and number of those they display. The inhabitants of the western Arrus obtain their prahus chiefly from the Ki Islands, these being stronger and broader than those constructed by the people of the Eastern Arrus. The Arafuras, when at sea, protect themselves from the rain, which they dislike greatly, by means of long bags open on one side, made from the bark of a tree. When the weather is fine, they roll these up and use them as a cushion to sit upon. The abolition of the slave trade has not yet spread its beneficent influence to these parts; indeed, the export and import of slaves forms a considerable branch of commerce, &c.: so much so, that were it to be discontinued many of the inhabitants would become a prey to want. It must here be taken into consideration, that the words "slave" and "slave trade" have a very different signification here from that which they have in the West Indies, the people of the east regarding the slave trade as being, in a certain point of view, beneficial to the slaves themselves. Many, in fact, when in distress, offer themselves as bondsmen that they may obtain the necessaries of life. The natives, however, are well aware that this shameful trade is much disapproved of by our Government, and that the greatest object of their rule is to secure general freedom and prosperity to mankind, for which reason the slaveholders treat their people with humanity. These creatures are, therefore, less to be pitied than one would suppose; and it must be taken into consideration, that so long as agriculture and industry are so much neglected, the slave trade must be a source of subsistence to a great part of these islanders, by means of which they are held back from engaging in piracy, theft, and other vices, to which want and necessity would otherwise force them to resort.[32]