The next day I landed to see what was to be got, and found the inhabitants, who are Malays, a surly insolent set of people. As soon as they saw us approaching the shore, they came down to the beach in great numbers, having a long knife in one hand, a spear headed with iron in the other, and a cressit or dagger by their side. We went on shore, however, notwithstanding these hostile appearances, and a treaty soon commenced between us; but all we could procure; was about a dozen of fowls, and a goat and kid. We had offered them knives, hatchets, bill hooks, and other things of the same kind; but these they refused with great contempt, and demanded rupees: as we had no rupees, we were at first much at a loss how to pay for our purchase; but at last we bethought ourselves of some pocket handkerchiefs, and these they vouchsafed to accept, though they would take only the best.

These people are of a small stature, but extremely well made, and of a dark copper colour. We saw among them one old man who was dressed somewhat in the manner of the Persians; but all the rest were naked, except a handkerchief, which they wore as a kind of turban upon their heads, and some pieces of cloth which were fastened with a silver plate or clasp round their middles. We saw none of their women, and probably some care was taken to keep them out of our sight. The habitations are very neatly

Voyaging Accounts