g_ in the charts, bore from north to
north 14 deg. east; having a remarkable hummock on the east end
of it.

At eight o'clock in the morning of the 6th, being close under
the east side of Kercolang, we saw a canoe with a matt sail
coming towards us: the natives soon came under the stern without
any signs of fear. There were twelve Malays in this canoe, who
were all cloathed: the outriggers of the canoe, which were long
and slight, would not permit them to come alongside, but a jacket
and a hatchet being given them, and signs made for them to go on
shore and bring something to eat, they left the vessel and went
towards the shore, where we followed them. Before they landed, a
still larger canoe, with fifteen Malays in it, went to the canoe
which had left us; and as we were not more than two miles from
the shore, Lieutenant Ball and myself went in the jolly-boat and
joined the two canoes; on this, two of the Malays jumped out of
the canoes into our boat, and went immediately to the oars: such
a step could not be misunderstood, it was saying, "we put
ourselves entirely in your power without any precaution."

When we came near the beach, observing the surf to break on
it, we made signs for the canoes to go on shore, and bring us
some cocoa-nuts and plantains, as we saw vast quantities on the
trees. They were very desirous for our boat to land; but that not
being agreed to, they left a native in the jolly-boat, and one of
our men went on shore in the canoe: he soon returned with several
canoes which were laden with cocoa-nuts, yams, plantains, sweet
potatoes, rice, a little flour, and several other articles, all
which we purchased for axes and other barter: soon afterwards we
returned on board, and were followed by upwards of an hundred
canoes. At noon, a breeze springing up from the northward, we
made sail, and many of the canoes followed us to a considerable
distance.

The latitude of the north end of Kercolang is 4 deg. 28', and
the longitude of the center 126 deg. 31' east. This island is
between eighty and one hundred miles in circumference, and is in
general of a very good height: the face of the country seems to
be steep hills and extensive vallies, and every part of it was
covered with trees and verdure: there were also some cultivated
grounds which had a very pleasant appearance. These Malays wore
no erid or cress, nor did we see any offensive weapons amongst
them, excepting two which were on the beach, who had