any left in their Heads,
and those they have are as black as Ink. Their houses are built on posts
about 4 feet from the Ground; we asked the reason why they built them so,
and was told that it was only Custom; they are, however, certainly the
Cooler for it. They are thatched with Palm Leaves, and the Floors and
sides are boarded.

The man who resides upon this Island in behalf of the Dutch East India
Company is a German by birth. His name is Johan Christopher Lange. It is
hard to say upon what footing he is here. He is so far a Governor that
the Natives dare do nothing without his consent, and yet he can transact
no sort of business with Foreigners either in his own or that of the
Company's name; nor can it be a place of either Honour or Profit. He is
the only white man upon the Island, and has resided there ever since it
has been under the direction of the Dutch, which is about 10 Years. He is
allowed 50 Slaves (Natives of the Island) to attend upon him. These
belong to, and are Maintained by, the Company. He goes the Circuit of the
Island once in 2 Months; but on what account he did not tell us. When he
makes these rounds he carries with him a certain quantity of Spirit to
treat the great men with, which, he says, he is obliged to look well
after, otherwise they would steal it and get drunk; and yet, at another
time, he told us that he never knew a theft committed in the Island; but
some of the Natives themselves contradicted him in this by stealing from
us an Axe. However, from their behaviour to us in general I am of opinion
that they are but seldom guilty of these Crimes. This going round the
Island once in Two Months is most likely to see that the Natives make the
necessary preparations for fulfilling their engagements with the Dutch,
and to see that the Large Boats or small Vessels are taken proper care
of, which the Dutch keep in all the Bays of this Island in order to
collect and carry the grain, etc., to the Ship which comes Annually here.
They are likewise employed in carrying cattle, grain, etc., to Timor;
and, when not wanted, they are hauled ashore into Houses or Sheds built
on purpose. As I have mentioned Slaves, it is necessary to observe that
all the great men have Slaves which are the Natives of the Island. They
can dispose of them one to another, but cannot sell them to go out of the
Island. The price of a Slave is a good, large, fatt Hogg, Horse, etc. I
have before mentioned that many of the people ca