Early on the following day I sent Lieutenant Bruining on shore with thirty men to march to Aweer, (the boats being too small to convey them), while I proceeded direct to the spot at which we had formerly assembled, between Awena and Romian. On landing, the people of the neighbouring villages, together with those of Serra, collected around us; and I employed myself until four o'clock in the afternoon, in transacting the business connected with my mission; when I informed the assembly of my proposed departure for Amboyna, and left them with the pleasing conviction, that our visit to these islands had not only been of great service, but had given the highest satisfaction to their inhabitants. The chiefs accompanied me on board, and expressed their thanks for the kindness shown to them by the Government, promising also to obtain the freedom of the two English youths on Timor-Laut, and to bring them to Banda. On the 30th of September, after having rewarded the Orang Tua David, and the crew of the prahu that had been in our service, with some _baftas_, knives, parangs, brass wire, plates, &c., we took leave of our native friends, and weighed anchor to return to Banda, at which place we arrived on the 3rd of October. We here landed the pilot, Ali-Ali, and after a short stay continued our voyage to Amboyna, arriving there on the 8th. The reader will readily conceive how rejoiced we were, after so long an absence, to set foot again on the beautiful island of Amboyna, where we were received by our families and friends with lively congratulations. In addition to the pleasure which this reception gave me, I had the satisfaction of finding my exertions approved of by the Governor of the Moluccas, M.P. Merkus, by which respected and hospitable officer I was invited to reside at his country-house of Batu-Gadja. My agreeable residence there caused me soon to forget the fatigues I had undergone, so that I soon after undertook new expeditions to Ternate, Monado, and other places, the description of which I shall pass over, those being places tolerably well known, and proceed to give the reader an account of my second voyage to the parts which form the subject of my work. CHAPTER XVII. THE CERAM-LAUT AND GORAM ISLANDS. Preparations for a Voyage to New Guinea.--Departure from Amboyna.--Banda.--Arrival at Kilwari.--Ghissa.--Character of the Inhabitants.--Visit from the Chiefs of Kilwari and Keffing.--Their Wars.--Force of the Islanders.--The Ceram-Laut Islands.--Their Vessels.--Commerce.--Exclusive Right assumed by the Inhabitants over the Coast of New Guinea.--Smuggling Trade of the English.--Papuan Pirates devour their Prisoners.--Slaves.--Sale of Children by their Parents.