After my return on board, several young men came to me for the purpose of asking a passage to Banda, but I refused, giving as an excuse that the brig was already full. These islanders willingly leave their homes for a period, their object, I believe, being pure curiosity, coupled with a desire to learn a little of the Malayan language, that they may be viewed with greater respect on their return to their own country. Every year some of them leave the island with the Amboynese and Banda traders, who value them much, as they prove very useful on board their vessels. Many occasionally reside at Banda in the Malayan _kampong_, where they lead an idle life, occasionally catching fish, but loitering away the remainder of their time. M. Camphuyzen, the Resident, has often assured me that neither force nor kindness would induce them to lead a laborious life. According to an old custom, which obtains among the Tenimber islanders, those who have committed misdemeanours are often forced to leave their country for a certain time, who may return after a lapse of two or three years, when they are received again with friendship. When the small-pox[41] or other infectious disease appears among them, the patients are sent to the island Mulo, and are not allowed to return until perfectly restored to health. The relatives of these unfortunates show no compunction in leaving them to their fate; and as no one approaches them when under the affliction, they are forced to seek their own subsistence on the shores and amid the forests of the island. An Orang Tua of Ewena, named David, who, according to his own account, was descended from Christians, joined me as interpreter for a very slight remuneration. In his youth he had been at Amboyna and Banda, where he had made great progress in the Malayan language, this accomplishment rendering him of great service to us. He frequently assured me, that the submission of the Tenimberese was not to be depended upon, and only arose from the great dread they entertained of the Company; but I thought that I had reason for placing no belief in what he stated. It will appear, however, from what follows, that the satisfaction I experienced at Vordate soon had a most unpleasant set off. Having determined to pay a visit to Kalioba, a village on Larrat, immediately opposite to Aweer, and having a smaller village, situated a little to the northward, under its rule, I left the brig with two boats, accompanied by M. Dielwaart, Mr. Leydelmeyer the writer, Mr. Cadet Bolk, and the interpreters. Our reception was apparently courteous: the Dutch flag waved in the village, two shots were fired from _lelahs_, and a portion of the villagers appeared on the beach to meet us. I judged, however, from their behaviour and warlike appearance, that we were not so welcome as it seemed, and my opinion was soon confirmed.