On the 16th we saw high land for the first time, the extreme being far in the interior, between the meridians of 137 deg. and 138 deg. east. We remarked that several rivers here entered the sea, but so heavy a surf prevailed everywhere that we could not approach, being repeatedly obliged to bring up at a distance of from seven to eight miles from the shore, owing to our coming suddenly from five to three and a half fathoms. On the 17th, while sailing along shore, we often attempted to stand in, but were always stopped by reefs; while at six miles off the shore we had twenty to twenty-five fathoms. I regretted much that the strong winds and heavy sea prevented me from examining the different creeks which we saw, although the interpreters assured me that the inhabitants were in a state of the utmost barbarism. On the following day we again stood in, and obtained no bottom with the lead at a distance of four miles off shore, the hills here running steep off into the sea. We saw some dwellings about the meridian of 130 deg. east, but were unable to approach them. The coast was now known to the pilot, who assured me that he knew a spot in the neighbourhood where we might obtain fresh water, and having stood off for the night, we endeavoured at daylight to enter under his direction between an island and the northern part of a deep bay. The decrease of the depth, however, soon caused us to stand out to sea again, the pilot excusing himself by saying, that he always entered here with prahus, and thought that there was water enough for the brig also. Being desirous of communicating with the people of the island, and if possible to obtain fresh water, I again stood in towards the island, and anchored in five fathoms west-south-west of it. We had previously seen smoke arise from the shore, which our interpreters stated to be a signal of welcome, which induced me, after anchoring, to send the boat on shore with the interpreters, for the purpose of bringing some of the natives on board the brig. In the afternoon the boat returned with three of the chiefs, who at first appeared afraid; but after I had given them some rice and arrack they became more at their ease. The Raja, an aged man, danced, sang, and made a number of curious gestures. He could not speak Malayan, but with the aid of the interpreters we were enabled to converse in their own language. As a proof of friendship I gave the old Raja a _kabya_ and a handkerchief for the head, distributing presents of the same description among the others, with a promise of more if they would come on board the next day.