t for what reason I know not, and the governor said afterwards it was
the skipper's own doing, without his order. Presently after we had
anchored I went in the pinnace to search about the bay for water but
found none. Then, returning aboard, I weighed, and ran down to the north
entrance of the bay, and at 7 in the evening anchored again in 37 fathom,
soft oaze, close by the sandy island, and about 4 leagues from the Dutch
fort. The 28th I sent both my boats ashore on the sandy island to cut
wood; and by noon they both came back laden. In the afternoon I sent my
pinnace ashore on the north coast or point of Kupang Bay, which is called
Babao. Late in the night they returned, and told me that they saw great
tracks of buffaloes there, but none of the buffaloes themselves; neither
did they find any fresh water. They also saw some green-turtle in the sea
and one alligator.

COASTING ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF TIMOR.

The 29th I went out of Kupang Bay, designing to coast it alongshore on
the north side of Timor to the eastward; as well to seek for water, as
also to acquaint myself with the island, and to search for the Portuguese
settlements; which we were informed were about forty leagues to the
eastward of this place.

We coasted alongshore with land and seabreezes. The land by the shore was
of a moderate height, with high and very remarkable hills farther within
the country; their sides all spotted with woods and savannahs. But these
on the mountains' sides appeared of a rusty colour, not so pleasant and
flourishing as those that we saw on the south side of the island; for the
trees seemed to be small and withering; and the grass in the savannahs
also looked dry, as if it wanted moisture. But in the valleys, and by the
sea side, the trees looked here also more green. Yet we saw no good
anchoring-place, or opening, that gave us any encouragement to put in;
till the 30th day in the afternoon.

We were then running alongshore, at about 4 leagues distance, with a
moderate seabreeze; when we opened a pretty deep bay which appeared to be
a good road to anchor in. There were two large valleys and one smaller
one which, descending from the mountains, came all into one valley by the
seaside against this bay, which was full of tall green trees. I presently
stood in with the ship till within two leagues of the shore; and then
sent in my pinnace, commanded by my chief mate, whose great care,
fidelity, and diligence I was well assured o