Explore "Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Volume 1" by George Bennett on Textopian.
Visit from the young Rajah-Native weapons-Costume-The "trading minister" and his boy-Inspection of the ship by the natives-Population of the Pedir district-Rambles on the coast-King Crabs-Land crabs-Ova of fish-Soldier crabs-Their food-The Rajah's house-Cocoa-nut water-Habitations in the Rajah's inclosure-The fort-The bazaar-Banks of the river-Plants-Native fishing-Fruits-The country farther inland-Vegetation-The Eju Palm-A fine plain.
On the afternoon of the following day we had the honour of a visit from the young rajah; he came off in one of the large native boats, seated upon a platform on the stern, in the oriental fashion. Having no state-boat he came in this, which was merely one of the usual cargo, or fishing boats, which are large and spacious, with a small deck or platform at the after-part. Many of the rowers were attired in scarlet jackets, some having, and others being deficient in sleeves, and all seemed to have dressed themselves in their best apparel; all wore elegant krisses, for the whole of the natives, whether of the Malay or Hindostanee races, wear the Kris or the Klawang, (a kind of short sword,) and are seldom or never seen without: the manufacture of these weapons varies both in the blades and handles, and all the varieties are designated by distinct native names; from the form of the blades severe wounds must be caused by them, and many of the natives wore scars obtained by them in their private quarrels. The handles were formed of whale's teeth, or buffalo horn; and the sheaths of various beautiful woods, of which a kind of satin-wood seemed to have the preference; the wood is said not to be luted together (nor has it the appearance of being so) in the construction of the sheath, but is hollowed in an ingenious manner from a solid piece, and is very liable to split with the least blow; they are tastefully ornamented with a kind of _tatauing_, or carving, performed with a small knife, into which, after the carving is completed, some black pigment is rubbed, which gives an increased effect to the decoration. They place a high value on the krisses and klawangs, and they are usually ornamented with gold or silver, according to the rank and wealth of the owner. The cutting portion of the blade is formed of steel, the remainder of iron; the temper of the weapons is not good, being extremely brittle.