rnment. It was not long since the viceroy of Goa sent a ship
hither, and a land-officer to remain here: but Captain More put him in
irons, and sent him aboard the ship again; telling the commander that he
had no occasion for any officers; and that he could make better officers
here than any that could be sent him from Goa: and I know not whether
there has been any other ship sent from Goa since: so that they have no
supplies from thence: yet they need not want arms and ammunition, seeing
they trade to Batavia. However they have swords and lances as other
Indians have; and though they are ambitious to be called Portuguese, and
value themselves on their religion, yet most of the men and all the women
that live here are Indians; and there are very few right Portuguese in
any part of the island. However of those that call themselves Portuguese
I was told there are some thousands; and I think their strength consists
more in their numbers than in good arms or discipline.

The land from hence trends away east by north about 14 leagues, making
many points and sandy bays, where vessels may anchor.

PORT CICCALE.

Fourteen leagues east from Laphao there is a small harbour called Ciccale
by the Portuguese, and commended by them for an excellent port; but it is
very small, has a narrow entrance, and lies open to northerly winds:
though indeed there are two ledges of rocks, one shooting out from the
west point and the other from the east point, which break off the sea;
for the rocks are dry at low water. This place is about 60 leagues from
the south-west end of the island.

THE HILLS, WATER, LOWLANDS, SOIL, WOODS, METALS, IN THE ISLAND TIMOR.

The whole of this island Timor is a very uneven rough country, full of
hills and small valleys. In the middle of it there runs a chain of high
mountains, almost from one end to the other. It is indifferently well
watered (even in the dry times) with small brooks and springs, but no
great rivers; the island being but narrow, and such a chain of mountains
in the middle that no water can run far; but, as the springs break out on
one side or other of the hills, they make their nearest course to the
sea. In the wet season the valleys and low lands by the sea are overflown
with water; and then the small drills that run into the sea are great
rivers; and the gullies, which are dry for 3 or 4 months before, now
discharge an impetuous torrent. The low land by the seaside is for the
most part friabl