[Footnote 33: The inhabitants of the Arrus and the adjacent island, are glad to obtain Dutch gold and silver coin, the greater part of which they work up into ear-rings and other ornaments.] CHAPTER XIII. THE ARRU ISLANDS.--THE TENIMBER ISLANDS. Arrival at the Island Wadia.--Particulars concerning the Island and its Inhabitants.--Dispute between them and the Orang Tua of Fannabel.--Sad Result of their Contentions.--Departure from the Arru Islands.--Arrival at the Tenimber Group.--Vordate.--Ignorance and Perplexity of the Pilot.--Singular Customs.--Violent Conduct of the People of Timor-Laut.--The Inhabitants of Watidal and their Chiefs. We soon entered the narrow strait which separates the islands of Wassia and Wadia, the last of which was the object of our visit. The people of Wakan, Samau, and the other villages on the sea shore saluting us with shots from their _lelahs_, which were answered by the brig with several guns. Wassia, the north-westernmost of the Arrus, is overgrown with underwood, and the coral reefs extend some distance from it on all sides, preventing vessels from approaching the shore. The village of Wadia is situated on the west side of the island of that name, on the banks of a salt-water creek, several other villages being scattered over the island. As soon as we had anchored in the strait, in ten fathoms sand, about four miles from the village of Wadia, the Orang Tuas of the island came on board in two prahus, to bid us welcome. My interpreter accompanied them on shore, to inform the chiefs that I should land the following day to transact the business which had brought me here. With a view to add as much solemnity as possible to my visit, I sent twenty-six armed men on shore early in the morning, and soon after followed them with the gentlemen attached to the expedition. After entering the creek we passed a temple and a number of tombs, and soon arrived at the village, which lies about a cable's length and a half from the mouth. The houses, which stand separated from each other, are erected on both sides of the river, but by far the greater number are to be found on the right-hand side, the dwelling of the Orang Kaya forming a conspicuous object among them.