Having landed, towards evening, on the north-west point of Timor-Laut, I witnessed a very singular ceremony. About twenty women, ornamented with beads, appeared walking in line with stately steps, some bearing bunches of plantains, and others baskets of yams or cocoa-nuts. Two men, armed with large parangs and other weapons, preceded and followed the train, the whole keeping their eyes fixed on the ground, and bending their steps towards the spot where they deposited their dead. I perceived that they came out of a hut in the forest where they had assembled; and following them at a distance, I found that they decorated the grave of one of their countrymen with what they had brought, and with signs of strong feeling, turned again towards their homes. The chiefs of the circumjacent villages fitted out a small prahu in conjunction, which was intended to accompany me to Serra, to the crew of which I paid a small salary. It was necessary for me to obtain such a vessel, as the boats were too full to carry sufficient water for the voyage. The eldest son of the Orang Kaya, who was also one of the village chiefs, having agreed to accompany me, we left our bivouac on the afternoon of the same day, and pursued our voyage towards Serra. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 39: This badge of honour, which had long been in the possession of the forefathers of the inhabitants of Romian and Ewena, and had been placed in the keeping of the latter, was the prow of a korra-korra (a large prahu) formed of chased gold, the possessor being entitled to carry a similar badge, made of gilded wood, in his vessels. It is, probably, considered as a talisman; similar superstitions occurring among many of the native nations.] [Footnote 40: This instrument appears to resemble the _fishgig_ in use among the natives of New South Wales.--_Translator._] [Footnote 41: Dr. Wilson, in his valuable work on Australia, remarks that the natives of the north coast of Australia are also sufferers from this disease.--_Translator._] CHAPTER XVI. THE TENIMBER ISLANDS. Departure for the Island Maling.--Laboba Island.--Productive Fishery.--Heavy Dew on the Island Wau.--Arrival at the Village of Maktia.--Occurrences there.--One of the Crew severely wounded.--Return towards Vordate.--Return of the Envoys to Serra.--Want of Water.--Poisonous Beans.--Death of the wounded Man.--Return to the Brig.--Arrival of the Chiefs of Serra.--Transactions at Vordate.--Departure from the Tenimber Islands.--Arrival at Amboyna.