CHAPTER XXXI. THE ARU ISLANDS.—
JOURNEY AND RESIDENCE IN THE
INTERIOR.
(MARCH TO MAY 1857.)
MY boat was at length ready, and having obtained two men besides my own
servants, after an enormous amount of talk and trouble, we left Dobbo on the
morning of March 13th, for the mainland of Aru. By noon we reached the mouth
of a small river or creek, which we ascended, winding among mangrove,
swamps, with here and there a glimpse of dry land. In two hours we reached a
house, or rather small shed, of the most miserable description, which our
steersman, the "Orang-kaya" of Wamma, said was the place we were to stay at,
and where he had assured me we could get every kind of bird and beast to be
found in Aru. The shed was occupied by about a dozen men, women, and
children; two cooking fires were burning in it, and there seemed little prospect of
my obtaining any accommodation. I however deferred inquiry till I had seen the
neighbouring forest, and immediately started off with two men, net, and guns,
along a path at the back of the house. In an hour's walk I saw enough to make me
determine to give the place a trial, and on my return, finding the "Orang-kaya"
was in a strong fever-fit and unable to do anything, I entered into negotiations
with the owner of the house for the use of a slip at one end of it about five feet
wide, for a week, and agreed to pay as rent one "parang," or chopping-knife. I
then immediately got my boxes and bedding out of the boat, hung up a shelf for
my bird-skins and insects, and got all ready for work next morning. My own
boys slept in the boat to guard the remainder of my property; a cooking place
sheltered by a few mats was arranged under a tree close by, and I felt that degree
of satisfaction and enjoyment which I always experience when, after much
trouble and delay, I am on the point of beginning work in a new locality.
One of my first objects was to inquire for the people who are accustomed to