Explore "Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Volume 1" by George Bennett on Textopian.
Leave Batavia and anchor off Hoorn Island-Islands about the Bengal Passage-Gingiong roads-Lofty aspect of the land-The coast-The golden mountain-Island of Sumatra-Aspect of the country-The lover's leap-Village of Pedir-Ships of the Acheenese Rajah-Visit to the Rajah-Dense vegetation-Buffaloes-Ba Assan trees-Hall of reception-Interview with his Highness-Commercial negociations-Curiosity of the natives-The Areka or Betel-nut-Flowering shrubs and plants-Rice-planting-Return to the ship-A prohibition.
At daylight, on the 2nd of June, I left Batavia for the Pedir Coast, on the north-east part of the large island of Sumatra; and, about noon, it being calm, anchored off Hoorn Island, in the Great Channel. This island is a mere reef, or sand-bank, with trees of some elevation upon it, which impart a higher aspect to it than on landing it is in reality found to possess. The passage, by the western coast of Sumatra, was tedious; light and variable winds and calms being very often experienced, although we kept some hundred of miles from the coast; [138] it was, therefore, not until the morning of the 28th of June, that elevated land was seen, being the islands about the "Bengal Passage," which we entered about half past ten o'clock, A. M., having on one side the lofty wooded island of "Pulo Brasse,"[139] and "Pulo Nancie," and opposite to them, the elevated island, rich in vegetation, of "Pulo Way. " "Pulo Rondo" was also visible in the distance.