'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎381] (490/496)

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stance they must have been a good deal with the settlers from the time the
colony was founded until it was abandoned. They also knew a few
English words such as water, fire, &c. Birds of various kinds were
plentiful, but chiefly of the plover and lark species : curlews and some wild
duck were however killed m a small lagoon near the beach on the eastern
side,—and also a few snipe, but the latter were far from numerous At
the back of Crokers Island good anchorage may be obtained, sheltered
from all winds, and I should imagine was available at any season of the
year.
Baffles’ Bay is situated in latitude 11° 07 7 south, longitude 132° 27 /
east, and is about six miles long and two or three wide, with an uniform
depth of water of three and four fathoms throughout. Boats can land
on any part of the beach without any fear of being injured, as the sea is
perfectly smooth and there is no surf. Water, though never very abun
dant, can however be procured with ease and sufficient for the supply of
two or three vessels ; and it is sweet and good. The wells are close to the
shore, so that the casks only have to be rolled a short distance : there
is also a small chain of ponds at the bottom of the Bay, where water is
also to be had, though not quite equal to that of the wells. Wood is of
course to be obtained in any quantity. Fish are very plentiful in the
Bay, of excellent flavour : the rock cod caught near Croker’s Island, and a
species of roe ball, were much relished. Muscles and other shell fish,'
together with the trepang or beche de mer, were found to be abundant
near the shore. The Malays no doubt frequent this Bay for the purpose of
collecting and curing the latter for the Chinese market. We saw no
turtle during our visit, nor should I imagine it to be a place of resort for
this amphibious animal, as we perceived no very extensive sandy beaches
where they could deposit their eggs.
On the morning of the 17th, having finished our temporary rudder, and,
repaired other damages, weighed in company with the Isabella, and stood
out of Baffles’ Bay, shaping our course for the Island of Timor, experienc
ing nothing but light baffling winds from south-east to north-east until the
24th, when the weather became squally with a short confused sea running.
At 10 a. M. saw the high land of Timor through the haze bearing north 30°
west. At noon our latitude per meridian altitude was found to be 10°
17 7 south and longitude 124° 12 7 east,—fhe Island of Botto in sight from
the deck, bearing south 70° west. At i’SOr. m. passing through the Straits
of Samao, standing close in to the Island of Timor. The breeze now
becoming light and variable, the vessels made but little progress in conse
quence : it however afforded us a very excellent opportunity of observing
the appearance of the land, which was certainly picturesque in the extreme:
hills rising on hills in gradual slopes, thickly clothed with wood, and in
many parts fine verdant spots of some considerable extent could be dis
tinguished in a state of cultivation : several large villages were also
scattered along the beach a proof that the place was very populous. The
opposite Island of Samao, from whence the Straits derives its name, is
much smaller than Timor, and not so lofty or mountainous; but it seems