The Malay archipelago : the land of the orang-utan ... - Wallace Online

XXIX.] THE K6 islands. 317we rounded the north ern point, and endeavoured to coast alongto the anchorage ; but being now on the leeward side of theisland, the Avind came in violent irregular gusts, and thenleaving us altogether, we were carried back by a strong current.Just then two boats-load of natives ajDpeared, and our ownerhaA-ing agi'eed witli them to tow us into harbour, they triedto do so, assisted by our own boat, but could make no way. Wewere therefore obliged to anchor in a very dangerous place on arocky bottom, and we were engaged till nearly dark gettinghawsers secured to some rocks under water. The coast of Kealong whicli we had passed was very picturesque. Lightcolouredlimestone rocks rose abruptly from the water to theheight of several hundi'ed feet, everywhei'e broken into juttingpeaks and pinnacles, weather-worn into sharp points and honeycombedsurfaces, and clothed throughout with a most varied andluxuriant vegetation. The clilTs above the sea oftered to ourview screw-pines and arboi'escent Liliacese of strange forms,mingled with shrubs and creepers ; while the higher slopes supporteda dense growth of forest trees. Here and there little baysand inlets presented beaches of dazzling whiteness. The waterwas transparent as crystal, and tinged the rock-strewn slopewhich plunged steeply into its unfathomable depths with coloursvarying from emerald to lajDis-lazuli. The sea was calm as alake, and the glorious sun of tlie tropics threw a flood of goldenlight over all. The scene was to me inexpressibly delightful. Iwas in a new world, and could dream of the wonderful productionshid in those rocky forests, and in those azure abysses.But few European feet liad ever trodden the shores I gazed upon ;plants, and animals, and men wei'e alike almost unknown,itsand I could not help speculating on what my wanderings therefor a few days might bring to light.CHAPTER XXIX.THE KE ISLANDS.(JANTJAEY 1857.)The native boats that had come to meet us were three or fourin number, containing in all about fifty men. They were longcanoes, with the bow and stern rising up into a peak six or eightfeet high, decollated with shells and waving illumes of cassowaries'hair. I now had my first view of Papuans in their own country,and in less than five minutes was convinced that the opinionalready arrived at by tlie examination of a few Timor and NewGuinea slaves was substantially correct, and that the people Inow had an opportunity of comparing side by side belonged to .two of the most distinct and strongly marked races that the