Temate, the very place I was anxious to reach, and
at the same time to leave an order for sapis, which
she would take to Ceram on her return. The sapi
or Madura cattle have been introduced into all these
islands by the government to be used as food for the
soldiers, but only in cases of emergency. I immediately
prepared to continue my travels to other islands,
and that day, September 6th, we steamed out
of Kayeli Bay. For two months I had wandered
over hills and mountains, penetrating the densest
jungles, and picking my way through bogs filled with
thorny vines. Again and again the natives entertained
me with descriptions of the great pythons
with which the whole island abounds, but whenever
I saw a bird that I wanted, I always followed it as
long as I could see it. The result was, that I had
collected eighty-one species,* which were represented
by over four hundred specimens, nine-tenths of which
I had shot myself.
This bay is a good harbor for our whalers, and,
before the war, several came here every year. It is
a free port, and there is a safe anchorage, plenty of
good water and wood, and vegetables can be obtained
at cheap rates.
For the last time I looked back on the mountains
rising behind in the interior of the village. Many
and many an hour, as the sun was setting, I used to
stand by the shore of the bay where a large cannon
was planted erect in the sand, and, leaning against its
dumb, rusty mouth, watch the changing of beautiful
* In the same length of time Mr. A. R. Wallace collected sixty-six
species on tin's island.
colors in the clouds that rested on the high peaks in
the south, while the day was fading into twilight,
and the twilight into a pure, starlight night. IN ear
this spot the sand-pipers came and tripped to and tro
on the beach when the tide was full, and many longwinged
night-hawks swooped back and forth, feasting
on multitudes of insects that came out as evening
approached. Far back of those mountains, near the
centre of the island, there is a lake, and on its
shores, according to the ancient belief of the natives,
grows a plant which possesses the wondrous power
of making every one who holds it in his hand y ow y
aqavn. even when Ms locks have grown white with
veaxs, and his hand is already palsied with old age.
This must be the fountain of youth, which, according
to Mohammedan tradition, is situated m some dark
region in the distant East, and wMch Moore in his
“ Lalla Rookh ” refers to as—
« youth’s radiant fountain,
Springing in some desolate mountain.”