LETTERS ON THE NICOBAR ISLANDS, THEIR NATURAL i'RdlDUCflONS, AND The Manners, Customs, and Superstitions of the NATIVES; With an Account of an Attempt made by THE CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN, TO CONVERT THEM TO CHRISTIANITY. Addressed bjr THE REV. JOHN GOTTFRJED^IAENSEL, (The only surviving Missionary) TO THE REV. C. I. LATROBE, LONDON: 5'RINTED FOR THE EDITOR, NO. 10, NEVIL's COURT, FETTER LAS E* BY W. M'DOWALL, PKMBERTON ROW. AND SOLD BY BATCH A RD, 190, PICCADILLY; L. B. SEE LEY, 169, FLEET STREET; JOHN LE PEBVRE, CHAPEL PLACE, NEVIT.'s COURT; HI HNS AND IIA7.AKP, CHEAP STREET, BA1H, AND MARTIN EEENE V DUBLIN, 49 1 fj t \\ 3. > £ TO William Wilherforce, Esq. 3LP. #c. #c. £c. Dear Sir, YOUR obliging inquiries con- cerning the attempt made by the Church of the United Brethren, to establish a mission in the Nicohar Islands, I have not been able hitherto to answer as fully as I wished, the documents in my pos- session being few and unconnected, and a reference to Crantz's History of the Brethren, p, 504 and 614, furnishing but a short notice of the commencement of that undertaking. The difficulty atten- ding our correspondence with our Bre- thren on the Continent, has likewise so much increased, that I cannot expect to be soon supplied with more detailed accounts from our archives ; and the continuation of Crantz's History, in which a concise report of the progress of the mission is inserted, is not translated into English. I was glad therefore unexpectedly to meet with an opportunity of conversing with John Gottfried Haensel, a missionary from St. Thomas in the West Indies, who was formerly employed in the Nicobar mission, and resided for seven years in the island of Nancauwery . This worthy vete- ran has spent eighteen years in the East, and seventeen in- the West Indies, and al- together thirty-eight years in the service of the Brethren's missions ; yet by God's bles- sing, after suffering numberless hardships and dangerous illnesses, at the age of sixty- three he remains a most active, cheerful, and zealous labourer in the Lord's vine- yard. In the course of our frequent conver- sations on various subjects, relating to the occurrences of his past life, he interspersed so many curious and interesting particu- lars concerning his residence in the Nico- bar Islands ; that I could not help request- ing him to commit them to writing, as they might occur to his recollection. This he very obligingly consented to do; and though, by my particular desire, he did not study to make out a complete history, the labour and formality of which might have suppressed, in a great degree, the liveliness of his manner, but left the ar- rangement of the subjects to me ; yet I am of opinion, that you will read what he has written with pleasure, and esteem these fragments worthy of preservation. Many of your questions will be pretty satis- factorily answered by them, and I have therefore translated them for your peru- sal. They exhibit a degree of patience 6 and perseverance in the prosecution of missionary labours, in hope against hope, such as has hardly been exceeded in our Greenland and North American missions, with the history of which you are ac* quainted. The mission of the United Brethren in the Nicobar Islands, was undertaken in the year 1758. A person of high rank at the court of Denmark, having intimated to the directors of the Brethren's missions, that it would give particular pleasure to the King, if some of their missionaries would settle on the Nicohar Islands, and endeavour to instruct the inhabitants in the principles of the Christian religion ; they resolved to comply with his Majes* ty's wishes, A commercial establishment had been formed on these islands in 1756, when 7 tTie name of Frederic's Islands was given to them; but the first attempt miscar- ried, and almost all the colonists sent thither from Tranquebar, soon died. The Brethren, however, were not discouraged. After some negociation with the Da- nish Asiatic company, having obtained an edict, granting them necessary privi- leges to preach the gospel to the heathen, and to maintain their own church-disci- pline and worship, they agreed to be- gin the work, and several Brethren of- fered themselves for this service. The names of the first missionaries were George John Stahlman, Adam Gottlieb Voelcker, and Christopher Butler. They arrived July 2, 1760, at Tranquebar, and were received by the Governor and all the in- habitants, with much cordiality. As an establishment on the coast of Coromandel, was found indispensably ne- 8 cessary to support the new mission, they bought a piece of ground, about a mile from Tranquebar, built a house, with out-houses and work-shops, and main- tained themselves by their several trades. This settlement was called The Brethren's Garden- A second company followed them in the same year. According to directions given by the Brethren in Europe, they carefully avoided all interference with the worthy Lutheran missionaries residing at Tranquebar, by whose pious exer- tions many Malabars had been converted to Christianity. The Danish East India company, not heimi able to renew their settlement in the Nicobar islands as soon as was ex- pected, offers were made to the Brethren by the English Governor of Bengal, to settle on the Ganges ; but they resolved to wait with patience for an opportunity to prosecute their first plan, and obtain the original aim of their mission to the East Indies. This presented itself in 1768, when the Danish government form- ed a new establishment in the Nicobar islands. Six Brethren were immediately ready to go thither. They settled on Nancauwery. In 1769, several officers of the com- pany, with a party of soldiers and black servants, arrived from Tranquebar, and brought with them a considerable quan- tity of merchandize. But they died so fast, that in 1771 only two European sol- diers, and four Malabar servants survived. This second failure deterred the company from repeating their attempt, and the project of establishing a factory in the B 10 Nicobar islands was abandoned. The four Brethren residing there were charged with the sale of the remaining goods, and experienced no small inconvenience and trouble from this commission. In 1773, however, a vessel was sent from Tranquebar, which relieved them, by taking back the articles of trade left on hand, and bringing them the provisions they wanted. As the means of thus supplying the missionaries with the necessaries of life, by uncertain communications with Tran- quebar, were too precarious, the Brethren resolved to venture upon annually char- tering a vessel for that purpose. Mr. Holford, an English gentleman, residing at Tranquebar, rendered them herein the most essential service. He joined thenx 11 in fitting out a small ship, which arrived in 1775, with provisions, &c. at Nancau- wery, and returned with the produce of the country; the sale of which, however, by no means repaid the expence attending the outfit. Mr. Hoi ford, nevertheless, did not lose his courage. Another vessel was fitted out, and sailed in 1776, but ha- ving missed the entrance into the Nicobar islands, after long combating contrary winds and currents, she was obliged to cast anchor near Junkceylon, where she deposited her cargo. A third vessel had meanwhile set out for Nicobar, but was equally unsuccesful. Thus the difficul- ties attending the support of the settle- ment increasing, this and other causes, mentioned in the course of the following letters, occasioned the final abandonment of the mission in 1787- It You will however perceive, that Mr. Haensel expresses an opinion concerning future attempts to preach the gospel to the natives of the Nieobar islands, which is by no means discouraging. With the sincerest esteem and grati- tude for the many proofs you have given of your kind notice of the labours of the Church of the United Brethren among heathen nations, I remain ever, Dear Sir, Your most obliged, and most faithful friend and servant, C. /. Latrobe. London, May 12, 1812; LETTERS o.v THE NICOBAR ISLANDS. LETTER I. A-S you have desired me to repeat, in writing, the substance of our conversations respecting the Nicobar Islands, and the mission of the Brethren, begun there in 1758, in which I was employed from the year 1779, till the attempt was relin- quished in 1787 ; I will endeavour, as far as my re- collection will enable me, to satisfy your wishes. The Nicobar Islands are situated at the entrance of the Bay of Bengal, in 8° N. latitude, and 94° 20" E. longitude, north of Sumatra. Nancauwery is one of the southernmost, and forms, with Co- marty* to the north, a commodious harbour, shel- tered to the eastward by a long, but narrow island, * See Asiatic Researches, Vol. II. 344, III. 292, IV. 132, 328. Rennel's Memoir, p. 40. Comarty is called Sampieri, in Mr. Jlaensel's MSS. and Sombrero in a French chart. 14 called Tricut, flat, and abounding in cocoa trees j and to the westward, by Katsoll, which is larger. Ships may ride here very safely. On the north-west point of Nancau wery, behind a low hill, and contiguous to the best landing- place, on a sandy beach, lay the missionary- settlement of the United Brethren, called by the natives, Tripjet, or the dwelling of friends, where I arrived in January 1 779> in company of Brother Wangeman. On our passage hither we were driven by contrary winds to Queda, on the Malay coast. , Here we immediately inquired for Cap- tain Light, having often heard at Tranquebar, that he was well disposed towards the Brethren and their missions, of which he had received some account from Dr. Betschler. We were soon conducted to his dwelling, where we met with a most cordial reception. Being here without any other recommendation, his friendship and kindness proved most gratifying and useful to us. Never have I had it in my power to make any returns to this excellent man, for his dis- interested favours, but I shall retain a never- ceasing remembrance of them in a thankful heart, and pray the Lord to bless and reward him. His wife was a Malay, and a relation of the King of Queda, a worthy woman, middle aged, of great urbanity of manners, and better 15 informed than the generality of her nation. Her countenance was pleasing, she appeared friendly and good tempered, and rendered us many kind services, which wtfl not go unrewarded. Captain Light expressed his great surprise, at the courage, or rather simplicity, with which I com- mitted myself to the crew of a Malay boat. For as we had lost our boat, and the road in which ships come to an anchor off Queda is above two leagues from the shore, we were at a loss how to work into the harbour with our little schooner, without a pi- lot. A Malay palong passing, I hailed her, and asked the people whether they would take me on shore. They consented, and I went with them. On hearing this, Captain Light observed, that though he was able to speak their language, and accustomed to their manners, he should not venture to trust himself alone with them, on account of their trea- cherous character. I replied, " that I never thought " of being afraid of any one, to whom I had done " no harm." This speech he used to quote, but ob- served, that among these people I might find my- self mistaken. After our vessel had been brought in by Captain Light's good offices, we were detained some time at Queda, which afforded me an opportunity of be- coming a little acquainted with the town and the adjacent country. The inhabitants are chiefly Ma* lays; but the right side of the river is inhabited by Siamese,Chinese, and a few Roman-catholic Chris- tians. The Malays are all Mahometans, a false- hearted, cruel, and murderous race; so much so, that it is hardly safe for a stranger to suffer them to follow him, for fear of being slyly stabbed. When they are obliged to walk before others, they are suspicious and cowardly, and can hardly speak for fear. The frequent murders committed by them are all by a treacherous attack from behind. They consider themselves much better than their neigh- bours, and very righteous, because they ought not to eat pork, or drink strong liquors. But they supply the want of the latter by taking great quan- tities of opium, which stupifies their senses. I saw one of their principal people, during a conversa- tion with me, put three or four pills of opium, as large as a grey pea, into his mouth in the space of a quarter of an hour. They are exceedingly addicted to the vilest lusts, and have no sense of shame in gratifying their passions. Polygamy is common among them. Yet with all their vices, they like to brag of their having the true faith. The Chinese, though more industrious, are not more virtuous ; and as to the so-called Christians, I will not judge them. About four or five leagues up the river, the King of Queda has his residence, in a mean-looking 17 town called Allessaar. Many of the inhabitants are Chinese, who have here a large temple; the rest are Malays. The royal palace resembles a spacious farm-house and yard, with many low houses attached to it, which contain his haram. His own house is far from being magnificent, and it seemed to me, as if his whole dignity and state consisted merely in the number of his concubines. There is else no appearance of grandeur. I fre- quently made an excursion to this place. Being at last enabled to proceed, we set sail for Nancauwery. The Captain steered first for Pulo Penang, (now Prince of Wales island) pretending that he wanted fresh water; but he employed his Lascars chiefly to cut rattan*, a plant used for rigging. We were glad at length to leave the Ma- lay coast, where, except our cordial reception and hospitable entertainment in Captain Light's house, there was nothing that could be called pleasant, but rather our spirits were vexed, and daily mourned over the shocking state of mankind, without Christ and without God in the world. We found at Nancauwery three Missionaries, Liebisch, Heyne, and Blaschke. The latter being very ill, returned to Tranquebar by the vessel * Calamus Rotang. Lin. Miller's Card. Dictionary. C 18 which brought us hither, and soon departed this life. Not long after his return, Brother Liebisch fell sick and also departed. Our number was therefore reduced to three, and I was soon seized with so violent a fit of the seasoning fever, that my Brethren, expecting my immediate dissolution, commended me in prayer to the Lord, and took a final leave of me. After this transaction, I fell into a swoon, which being mistaken for death, I was removed from the bed, and already laid out as a corpse, when I awoke and inquired what they were doing, and why they wept? They told me, that, supposing me to be quite dead, they were preparing for my burial. My recovery was very slow; and indeed, during my whole resi- dence in Nancauwery, I never regained perfect health. After the decease of the Brethren Wangeman and Liebisch, I was left alone with Brother Heyne. We were both ill, and suffered the want of many necessaries of life: but the Lord our Saviour did not forsake us; He strengthened our hearts, and comforted us by such a lively sense of His divine presence, that we were frequently filled with hea- venly joy, during our daily prayers and meditations. We felt assured, that that God, who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the ground without His permis- sion, would also care for us his poor children. 19 This I have frequently and powerfully experien- ced, insomuch, that after seven years residence in Naucauwery, notwithstanding all the pain, trouble, and anxiety I was often subject to, I fall down at His feet with humble thanksgiving, and exclaim: The Lord hath done all things well, and I have lacked no good thing. Blessed be my God and Redeemer! Amen. LETTER II. The vessel sent to Naucauwery did not arrive till 1 78I, and brought a very small portion of pro- visions for our use, and neither wine, nor any other liquors whatever, the crew having expended the greater part of what was destined for us on their long voyage, and during a detention of four months at Oueda, on the Malay coast. We were, howe- ver, happy to receive Brother Steinman, who was young, lively, and every way qualified for the ser- vice, so that we promised ourselves much assist- ance from him; but in less than a month after his arrival, it pleased the Lord to take him from us bv death. You may suppose what we felt on being again left alone, iu want of even the most 20 necessary articles of subsistence. But the Lord yet helped us, gave us from day to day our daily bread, and in many heavy illnesses approved Himself as our best physician. Oh! how many thousand tears have I shed during that period of distress and trouble. I will not affirm that they were all of that kind, which I might, with David, pray the Lord " to put into his bottle," and ask, " are they not in thy book," for I was not yet fully acquainted with the ways of God with Llis people, and had not yet a heart wholly re- signed to all His dealings. Oftentimes self-will, unbelief, and repining at our hard lot, was mixed with our complaints and cries unto Him. Do not therefore think them so very pure, and deserving of pity as they may seem. Thus much, however, I can truly say, that amidst it all, our Saviour was the object of our hearts' desire; and He be- held us with longsuffering and compassion. We were as diligent as our wretched circum- stances would admit, in clearing land and plant- ing, to obtain what we wanted for our support; and having only three negroes to cook, wash, and do other jobs, we frequently laboured beyond our strength, and brought upon ourselves various illnesses. But there seemed no help for \t. At the same time we exerted ourselves to learn tha Nicobar language, and in the best manner possi- 21 ble endeavoured to explain to the poor natives, the love of God in Christ Jesus, and the way of salvation through a crucified Saviour. Not till 1/83, had we the satisfaction to seethe Brethren J. Heinrich, Fleckner, and Raabs arrive to our assistance, in company of the mate of the vessel, with which they set sail from Tranquebar. While they -vere lying in the roads of Junkceylon, a French privateer came and claimed her as law- ful prize, because, on searching her, he found a few old English newspapers in a trunk belonging to Mr. Wilson, an English gentleman on board, who had escaped from Hyder Ali's prison. This was pretence sufficient for a Frenchman to seize upon a neutral Danish vessel, nor could any re- dress be ever procured, to the great loss of the Mission. After long and vexatious detention, the mate and the three Brethren purchased a Malay prow, for 75 dollars, and stole oft* in the night; as the Malay prince would not suffer them to go. Thus we received, instead of our expected stock of provision^, only more mouths to feed. However, we rejoiced to see our dear fellow-missionaries, and did what we could for their relief. As the prow was unfit to go to sea without proper sails, those with which they arrived being nothing but old, rotten mats, we worked up our whole stock of linen and sail- 2£ cloth, and even some of our sheets, and were ten days employed in making sails, and fitting her for the voyage. A- black sailor was also procured, and the mate, with the Brethren Raabs and Heyne, left us for Tranquebar. I cannot describe my feelings, when I took a final leave of my dear Brother Heyne, with whom I had so long shared weal and woe, lived in true brotherly love and union of spirit, and enjoyed so much of our Lord's help and comfort, in days of perplexity and distress. The three following years of my stay were spent in fruitless attempts to preach the gospel to the natives, and the arrangements proposed and made by the new-comers, seemed all to fail. But I cannot help observing, that when we speak of the total failure of our endeavours to promote the conversion of the natives, we have cause, in a great degree, to blame ourselves. For my part, I must confess with h amble shame, that I soon lost my faith and courage, brotherly love having ceased to prevail amongst us; for how can Mis- sionaries speak, with effect, of the love of Jesus, and its fruits in the heart, when they* themselves do not live in the enjoyment of it? It is true, our trials were great, and the prospect, in many res- pects, most gloomy; but we have seen in other instances, what the Lord can do, by removing 23 obstacles, and giving strength to His servants, if they are one in spirit, pray and live together in unity, and prefer each other in love. This was too much wanting during the latter part of our abode in theNicobar islands, and O that all Mis- sionaries would remember, that brotherly love is the most precious jewel in a Mission; and that no sacrifice of one's own opinions and schemes is too «reat, to maintain it unbroken. Our external situation became more and more irksome, and we could scarcely procure the means of subsistence. My health had suffered so much by continual sickness, anxiety, and hard labour, (for the greater part of the management of affairs fell upon me), that 1 was apparently fast ap- proaching my end; at the thoughts of which I rejoiced greatly, delivered my accounts, and all my concerns, into the hands of Brother J. Heinrich, looking forward with longing to be at rest with Jesus. I felt his comfort, pardon, and peace in my soul, and hoped, that every day would be my last. I had running sores on my legs, and a total obstruction, with tormenting pains in my bowels, and expected that mortification would soon take place, and put an end to my misery. Unexpec- tedly, a Danish vessel arrived in our harbour, on board of which was Brother Sixtus. lie was commissioned to examine into the state of the 24 Mission, and to bring home such as were still alive. A voyage seeming to offer the only hope for my recovery. I was conveyed on board, apparently in a dying state, and set sail the same day for Queda. During the voyage, the pain in my bowels was ex- cruciating, and the motion of the ship afforded me no relief, insomuch, that I could bear no other posture than lying prostrate on deck. In this si- tuation it occurred to me, that I had once read in Van Swieten's account of his cures, that he had found the plentiful use of honey beneficial in cases of obstruction. As soon, therefore, as we landed, I procured a sufficient quantity, and mixed it plentifully with my food and drink. My only nutriment indeed consisted of rice boiled in water, to which I added an equal quantity of honey, as also to all the water I drank, cold or warm, of which I took plenty, having a constant thirst upon me. Already, on the first day, it operated by sickness at my stomach, and frequent vomitings, which rendered its taste extremely nauseous, and unpleasant. But perceiving that it also relieved my principal complaint, I per- severed, and experienced daily more of its salu- tary, cooling, and healing effects. As there is plenty of honey at Queda, I laid in a large stock for the voyage. 25 Here I became acquainted with Mr. Scott, an English captain, who informed me that Captain Light was in Bengal, and had lost his wife by death. From hence we returned to Nancauwery, where I found that Brother Sixtus had departed this life, ten days after my leaving the island. Brother J. Heinrich accompanied me to Tran- . 29?- 3G cobar islands, yet constant practice and experi- ence gave me by degrees sufficient skill to distin- guish what was really worthy the attention of naturalists. I had moreover the satisfaction to perceive the blessing of God resting upon these ex- ertions, by which a considerable part of the heavy expences of the Mission were defrayed, there hav- ing been at that time a great demand for produc- tions of this kind in England, Holland, Denmark, and other parts of Europe. On my frequent excursions along the sea coast, it sometimes happened that I was benighted, and could not, with convenience, return to our dwel- ling; but I was never at a loss for a bed. The greater part of the beach consists of a remarkably fine white sand, which above high water- mark is perfectly clean and dry. Into this I dug with ease a hole large enough to contain my body, forming a mound as a pillow for my head ; I then lay down, and by collecting the sand over me, buried myself in it up to the neck. My faithful dog al- ways lay across my body, ready to give the alarm, in case of disturbance from any quarter. How- ever, I was under no apprehension from wild animals. Crocodiles and kayrnans never haunt the open coast, but keep in creeks and lagoons, and there are no ravenous beasts on the island. The only annoyance I suffered was from the nocv 37 turnal perambulations of an immense variety of crabs of all sizes, the grating noise of whose ar- mour would sometimes keep me awake. But they were well watched by my dog; and if any one ventured to approach, he was sure to be suddenly siezed, and thrown to a more respectful distance; or if a crab of more tremendous appearance de- terred the dog from exposing his nose to its claws, he would bark and frighten it away, by which, however, I was often more seriously alarmed than the occasion required. Many a comfortable night's rest have I had in these sepulchral dor- mitories, when the nights were clear and dry. But before I dismiss this subject I cannot con- clude my letter, without observing, that on the ) continent, as well as in some of the other East Indian islands, it would be hazardous in the ex- treme to expose oneself in this manner, during the night, on account of the number of wild beasts, of various descriptions, with which they abound. I feel truly thankful to God, that He preserved me, on my many journies, from all harm; nor can I speak of having ever been in much danger. Yet one instance of His merciful preservation of my life, I must be permitted to add. On one of my voyages either to or from Queda, (for I have forgotten the precise time) a Danish ship hailed us, and approaching incautiously, ran 38 foul of our stem, and broke our flag-staff. We therefore put into a creek, and some of our men landed near a wood, to cut down a tree to make a new one. Hoping to be able to procure some fresh meat for supper, I accompanied them, armed with a double-barrelled gun. While they were at their work, I walked on the outside of the wood, eagerly looking for some game, and soon discover- ed, among the high grass, an object, which, by its motions, I mistook for the back of a hare. I took aim, and was jnst going to fire, when the animal rose up, and proved to be a tyger, of which only the top of the head had been visible. My arm involuntarily sunk down; I stood motionless with horror, expecting that the creature would imme- diately make a spring at me, and gave myself up for lost; but, by God's providence watching over me, the beast seemed as much alarmed as I was, and after staring at me for a few moments, turned slowly about, and began to creep away, like a frightened cat, with his- belly close to the ground; then, gradually quickening his pace, fled with precipitation into a distant part of the wood. It was some time before I recovered pre- sence of mind sufficient to trace back my steps towards the beach, for I felt my very heart tremble within me. As I approached the water, there was a piece of jungle, or low thicket before 39 me, and I was turning to the left, to pass round by the side opposite the boat, thinking that I might yet find some game, when, seeing the men la- bouring hard to drag the tree they had felled, to- wards the water, I altered my course, and went to their assistance. No sooner had I entered the boat, than I discovered on that side of the jungle, to which I was first going, close to the beach, a large kayman, watching our motions, whom I should certainly have met, had I gone round by the way I intended. Thankful as I now felt for this second preservation of my life, I could not help discharging my piece at the animal's head, and by the sudden plunge he made into the water, and the appearance of blood on the surface, as he was swim- ming towards the opposite shore, it seemed that one or both of the shots had penetrated his eye or throat. We saw him reach the shore, and crawl through the mud into the jungle. Part of the flesh of the crocodile or kayman is good and wholesome, when well cooked. It tastes somewhat like pork, for which I took it, and ate it with much relish, when I first came to Nancau- wery; till, on inquiry, finding it to be the flesh of a beast so disgusting and horrible in its appear- ance and habits, I felt a loathing, which I could never overcome; but it is eaten by both natives and Europeans. 40 LETTER IV. Since youliave expressed satisfaction with my im- perfect account of some of the natural productions of the Nicobar islands, and desire me to continue the subject, 1 regret that I cannot gratify you with a sight of the lists I kept, of the different kinds of serpents, crabs, spiders, and other crea- tures, which I caught everywhere, either to stuff, put into spirits, or otherwise prepare for my custo- mers. At our garden near Tranquebar, I had a shop or work-room purposely constructed for these operations, and kept sometimes two or three Mala- bar boys at work to help me. Of serpents and snakes I had a list of upwards of eighty different species, from the size of a common worm, to six- teen and twenty feet long; of crabs, upwards of ninety; and of spiders, more than forty. Whe- ther I went into the woods, on the beach, by land, or by sea, I was accustomed to look about, and exa- mine every object I saw, and acquired great faci- lity in catching some of the most dangerous ani- mals, without harm to myself. Far from being afraid of serpents, I went out purposely to disco- ver their haunts, in the jungle or among the rocks, defending my legs with a pair of strong boots; and 41 if I could prevent their slipping off into their holes, and irritate them so as to make them attempt to strike me, my work was done. For a serpent thus situated, will coil himself up, and instantaneously darting forward his head, strike and hite whatever comes in his way. I then presented my hat, which the animal violently seized with his fangs ; when, instantly snatching it away, I seldom failed to ex- tract them by the sudden jerk; for, being curved, they cannot be readily withdrawn, and sitting but loosely in the gums, are easily disengaged. Being thus rendered in a great degree harmless, I pin- ned their heads down, and tied them up. Great care, however, is required, not to suffer yourself to be lacerated by their teeth, or in any other way, while preparing their heads, and refixing the fangs ; for if a wound is thus inflicted, even long aftei their death, the consequences are dreadful, ana often fatal, of which I might relate many singular instances, which came immediately under my observation. There is among them a short serpent, found in the neighbourhood of Tranquebar, and called by us, the Split-snake, (die Spalt-schlange). It is black, with a white streak down its back, dividing the body longitudinally. Its bite is extremely venomous; and being slender, it can insinuate itself into a very small hole or cranny, and will v 42 enter rooms and closets, in quest of food. There was a door in a dark part of my work-room, with a large clumsy lock to it; and one evening, as I was attempting to open it, having to pass that way, I felt a sudden prick in my linger, and at the same time a violent electrical shock, as if I were split asunder. Not thinking of a serpent, I first imagined, that my Malabar boys had, in their play, wound some wire about the handle, by which I had been hurt, and asked them sharply, what mischief they had done to the door, They denied, that they had meddled with it, and I made a second attempt, when I was attacked still more violently, and perceived the blood trickling down my finger. I then returned into my room, suck- ing the wound, till I could draw no more blood. I applied some spirits of turpentine to it, put on a bandage, and being much hurried that evening with other business, made no farther inquiry about it. However, in the night it swelled, and was very painful. In the morning, I went again into the work-room, when I thought I perceived an unpleasant, musky smell. On approaching the before-mentioned door, the stench was intolera- ble. I again asked the boys, what nasty thing they had brought into the room, for they were always at play; but they again denied any know- ledge of the cause of the nuisance. A candle was 43 brought, and I now beheld the origin of all the mischief. About six inches length of the head and body ot a young split-snake hung out oi the key-hole, quite dead; and on taking off the lock, I found the creature twisted into it, and so much wounded by the turn of the bolt, in attempting to open the door, that it had died in consequence. It had intended to enter the room through the key-hole, when I thus accidentally stopped its pro- gress, and got bitten; and considering the deadly poison this serpent always infuses into the wound inflicted, I felt very thankful to God, my Preser- ver, that, by sucking the infected blood out of my linger in time, and applying a proper remedy, though ignorant of the cause of the wound, my lifc was not endangered. I have heard and be- lieve, that the bite of every serpent is accompa- nied, more or less, by a sensation similar to an electrical shock, as the poison seems almost in- stantaneously to affect the whole mass of blood. We considered also the name of split-snake given to this animal, not so much as descriptive of its split appearance, as of the singular sensation its jite occasions, and which I then experienced. Of other remarkable serpents I will only quote, the IFhip-snake, which is green, from four to six feet long, slender, and springs horizontally, from tree to tree, whence it is also called the 44 Flying-snake. The species, known by the name of the Double-headed-snake, has not two heads, but is equally thick before and behind ; and, like some caterpillars, furnished with a kind of pro- tuberance at its tail, which, to a superficial ob- server, may pass for another head. They are of a red colour, sluggish, and resemble a long sau- sage. The Wall-snake climbs a wall with great agility, and is small and spotted. The bite of all these serpents is attended with great danger; in- deed I believe there is not one of this class of animals that is not more or less venomous, though some in a very slight, and almost imperceptible degree. Their poison principally affects the blood, and is not hurtful to a sound skin. Yet I hardly ever cased one of the larger serpents for stuffing, but I turned sick with the extraordinary, musky, and loathsome smell of their flesh, though ever so fresh. But I have detained you already too long with this unsavoury subject, and will, in mynext,proceed to answer your inquiries concerning the habits and customs of the natives of the Nicobar islands. 45 LETTER V. I he natives of these islands are a free people, perfectly independent, bnt have a captain in every village. There are, indeed, several who claim the rank of captain, as being more sensible and clever than their neighbours, but only one of the number is considered as the Omjah harru, or the great master of the house. Yet no one is bound to obey him, for all of them, male and fe- male, consider themselves under no controul whatever; and the captain must take care, that he does not offend, by pretending to command. He is sure to be disobeyed, unless they are pleased to lis- ten to friendly representation. All the preference given him, consists in this ; that when a ship arrives, he is allowed to go first on board, and to make the bargain, if they have any thing to barter. They are commonly good-natured men, disposed to make and preserve peace among the common people. In every other respect they live and act like the rest, get drunk, commit fornication, and, when there is, as they say, a necessity for it, mur- der ; and are equally lazy and unclean. But they can use their tongues more glibly than their neighbours, 4& Their houses are generally spacious, and built Upon pillars, six or more feet from the ground, re- sembling those of the Malays, but round, not square, like the latter. The inhabitants ascend by a ladder, which they can draw up after them. The house has only one room, but generally con- tains more than one family. Parents and children, guests, young and old of every description, pig here together, lying naked on the floor, with nothing hut a hetfat, the leaf of a species of palm, under them, in lieu of a mattrass, and very few have any covering:. The furniture of such a house consists in a few pots, made by the women, some highly polished cocoa-nut dishes, to hold water, some hatchets, a sabre or two, a few sailors knives, and a good many spears. A family generally possesses two or three palongs, or boats. Their chief food is melory bread, made of the fruit of a kind of palm-tree*, which is very palata- ble; yams, several other good roots, and great plenty of fruit from various trees and shrubs ; all which grow in great abundance. Of pigs and common fowls they have a vast profusion. These are fed with cocoa-nuts, and their flesh is remark- * A species of Pandanus. See Asiatic Researches, Vol. III. p. 292. 47 ably good. The sea furnishes them with various kinds of fishes, and an abundance of crabs and other shell-fish, so that they may easily enough serve their god, which is their belly. The clothing of the men consists of a narrow piece of cloth, about three yards long. This they wrap twice round their waist, then passing it be- tween their legs, and through the girth behind, leave the end of it to drag after them*. The wo- men wear a piece of cloth, commonly ol a blue colour, about a foot wide, fastened round their waist, so as to hang down like an apron, reaching not quite to their knees. They pride themselves upon their fine skin, which indeed they keep very clean, and do not in general use any paint. Both sexes live from their infancy without any re- straint, and commit every kind of abomination, often to the utter ruin of their health and consti- tutions, in very early life. In general they do not live regularly in the married state, till they are past their prime ; though 1 have known some who bad married early, remain faithful to each other, and keep their families in good order. As savages, they may be justly esteemed a * Hence the fabulous stories of men with tails, related by Kioping, a Swedish navigator. good-natured race, being always ready to do a kind action, to their friends ; of which I will re- late one instance. We used to buy of them what we wanted, and pay with tobacco, the current medium. Even when they had nothing to sell, they would come and fetch their portion of to- bacco, which we never refused them, as long as we had any, till, by the non-arrival of the ship, we were left entirely without it. We therefore told the captain of the village, that, as we had no more tobacco, the people need not bring us any more provisions, for we had nothing to give in ex- change. The captain did as we desired, yet, on the very next day, we were supplied more plenti- fully than ever, with the things we wanted. They would not even wait for pay, but hung up their fruit and meat about the house, and went away. We called after them and told them how we were situated. Their answer was: " When you had " plenty of tobacco, you gave us as much as you " could spare ; now, though you have got no more " of it, we have provisions enough, and you shall " have as much as you want, as long as we have " any, till you get more tobacco." This promise they most faithfully performed. Such kindness we did not expect from such people; but they always showed great affection for us. As to religion, they are in a state of deplorable 49 ignorance. Their notions of a Divine Being seem most oddly perplexed, insomuch that it is difficult to make ont any thing among them like a fixed opinion of His existence and attributes, nor do they seem to possess any curiosity to know more about Him. But they are not professed idolaters, like most of the other oriental nations. They have not even a word in their language to express their idea of God. They use the word Knallen when they speak of Him, but it only signifies, "above, on high :" for instance, they say, Knallen maade, " on the hill ;" Knallen uniga, " on the top of the tree ;" Knallen ganialee, " on the surface of the sea ;" speaking of something swimming. However, they believe that this "unknown God"' is good, and will not hurt them ; but wherein His goodness consists, they neither have, nor seem to wish to have, any understanding, nor ever trouble themselves about Him. Therefore, when we endeavoured, as well as we could, to explain to them the goodness of God, in pitying the lost condition of man, and provid- ing the means of our redemption; and spoke to them of Jesus Christ our Saviour, and of what He has done and suffered to purchase for us salva- tion, they heard us indeed with astonishment and silent submission; but that they should be at all interested in it, and become virtuous and happy G 50 if they believed and turned to Him, and after this life enter into everlasting bliss by His merits, was more than they conld possibly comprehend. When we told them, that we were come hither for no other purpose, but to make them acquaint- ed with their Creator and Redeemer, and to bring them the glad tidings of salvation; and begged them only to take it to heart, and reflect upon what we thus made known to them in the name of God, they laughed at us. They observed, that they could not believe that the sufferings of one man could atone for the sins of another ; and that therefore, if they were wicked, what we told them of a crucified Saviour would not help them: but they insisted, that they were good by nature, and never did any thing wrong, as we well knew. When we replied, that we knew, that they had but lately murdered some people, and afterwards abused the dead bodies, each thrusting his spear into them, mutilating them in the most wanton manner, and at last cutting them to pieces, and asked them, whether this was a proof of their na- tural goodness, their answer was: " That you do " not understand, those were people not fit to " live, they were Gomoy, " cannibals!" 51 LETTER VI. The inhabitants of the Nicobar islands believe, that all dangerous diseases proceed from the de- vil, who is nevertheless under the controul of their sorcerers, or Paters*. If, therefore, these men cannot cure a disorder by their tricks and in- chantments, by which they pretend to catch the devil and drive him off the place, then they are sure, that lie has entered into some man or wo- man, sitting in his or her house, and by witch- craft, sucking all the power of healing out of the patient's body. The sorcerer then proceeds to discover the witch, and finds no difficulty in fixing upon some one he hates. The word of such a wise man is, of course, taken by all for the voice of truth, and the poor person accused is murdered without further inquiry. Murders of this kind occurred but seldom in our neighbourhood, but were said to be more frequent in some of the other islands. We told them, that the devil everywhere proved himself the father of lies, and An appellation borrowed from tl.e Portuguese Missionaries. 52 a murderer from the beginning; and, till they turned to the true God, they were Satan's slaves, and his works they must do. They seem indeed to be continually engaged with him, whenever they profess to perform any religious rite. They even ascribe the creation of the world to the Eewee, or wicked agent. If they do any thing wrong, or commit any atrocious crime, and are reproved for it, they immediately answer: " It " was not me, it was the devil that did it." If you convince them, that they did it themselves, and with their own hands, their usual phrase is, " The Eewee did not make me perfect, or better;" and therefore they cannot help some times doing what is wrong. They speak of a great many sorts of devils, but all malicious, and disposed to hurt them, if they had not such great and powerful paters among them, who had a superior power, and could catch, and bring them into subjection. It is not dif- ficult for the sorcerers thus to impose upon the poor ignorant people, for they really do pos- sess superior cunning, and astonishing dexte- rity, being the most expert jugglers on earth. Every one who has visited the East Indies, well knows, with what unaccountable exhibi- tions and slight of hand tricks the jugglers en- deavour to amuse the people; but \\\ the Nico- 53 bar islands, these arts being applied to what they consider as religious exercises, the deception ft so great, that I have myself often stood astonished, being unable to account for what I saw. I went once purposely into a house, where a sorcerer was about to perform as doctor, and to cure a woman, who lay very ill. I was determined to watch him as narrowly as possible. Both doctor and patient were stark naked. After a series of most horrible grimaces, the sorcerer pro- duced a very large yam, which he held up, pre tending that belaid limpth, (for thus the) call this species of legerdemain), out of the body of the woman, and that it had been, by witchcraft, the cause of her disorder. When he entered, I par- ticularly noticed that he had nothing in his hands, or about him, nor did there appear any possibility of a substance of that size being concealed in the empty room. At another time, I saw a sorcerer,, under similar circumstances, on a sudden exhibit three large stones, which lie pretended to have extracted from the patient's bod v. To the first of these patients, he afterwards administered a decoc- tion of herbs, and she recovered. The cure was probably owing to his skill in preparing the po- tion, but was of course ascribed to the incantation, and the seizure of the enchanted yam. Alter I had resided five years in the island, my hi legs began to iuflame and swell to a prodigious size*. A suppuration took place, and till the dis- charge commenced, I suffered excruciating pain. During this dreadful illness, several paters called upon me, and in the most friendly manner, ex- pressed their pity, offering me their assistance, and assuring me, that if I would submit to their mode of cure, I should soon recover. At last 1 thought, that as their skill in various medicinal arts, and their knowledge of drugs was very great, I would suffer one of them, called Philip, who al- ways attended us as language-master, to try what he could do for me, on condition, that he should omit all superstitious ceremonies. He agreed, and immediately putting on the most solemn and sig- nificant expression of face, worthy of so eminent a practitioner, began to paw me all over, varyiug his features with every motion of bis hand, so that, notwithstanding the pain I felt, I could not re- frain from bursting into laughter at his grimaces, which he could not possibly avoid, though bar- gained to be omitted. At length, the preamble concluded, he began his work, first by stroking my legs, from the knees downwards, with the * A disorder known in India by the name of the Cochin log. Asiatic Researches, Vol. III. 55 palm of his hand, muttering all the while, and then by applyinghis mouth, and sucking the parts affected, accompanying the operation by a most strange kind of purring or grunting. Thus far his practice seemed to do good, and I felt relief, when, rising on a sudden, he produced a potsherd, which he exhibited to the company, as having limpt it out of my leg, saying that he should soon bring forth more pieces. I cried out, " Stop " there, you deceiver, do you pretend that my body " is full of potsherds; that broken piece in your " hand, you drew out of your own mouth. Open " it directly, and let us have the rest." He stood confounded, and soon sneaked out of the house, laughed at by all his former admirers, nor did he call upon me again, till about a fortnight after. As it sometimes happened, that when the skill of the sorcerers proved ineffective, a missionary had administered some simple medicine, which, by God's blessing, had the desired effect, they looked upon us, as the first of paters, though our medicines consisted in nothing but a little magnesia, spirits of nitre, and a few simples. But what astonished them most, was this, that we could inform them before-hand, by means of a perpetual almanack, that an eclipse of the sun or moon would take place on the very day when it happened. Their notion of the cause of an eclipse is the most 56 preposterous and ridiculous, that ever entered into the head, even of an heathen. They say, that the devil is come to devour the sun or moon, and falls to work to gnaw off the edge; that therefore it is necessary he should be driven away ; conse- quently all the sorcerers or paters assemble, and amidst singular and hideous grimaces, throw up their spears towards the luminary attacked, all the villagers sounding their gonggongs with the greatest violence, to frighten away the voracious invader. After some time, their efforts succeed, and he must betake himself to flight, without ef- fecting his purpose. Though we endeavoured, in every possible way, to explain to them how an eclipse was occasioned, and they seemed in some degree to comprehend it, they only declared us to be the greatest paters that had ever been on the island, but ascribed the deliverance of the sun or moon from the fangs of the devil, solely to the skill and power of their sorcerers, and all we could say to prevail upon them, for once to be quiet, and observe how the luminary would regain its former appearance, by those means which God the Crea- tor Himself had ordained, was in vain. The expulsion of the devil from a sick person or family, is a ceremony as singular as it is silly, but as 1 have frequently been a spectator of this farcical performance, a description of it may not 57 be uninteresting to ycm. I have before observed, that if their medicines, (many of which are very powerful), or, as they will have it, their incanta- tions, are of no avail, they then ascribe the illness to the immediate agency of the infernal spirit, who must be subdued and caught. The pater, previous to the commencement of his operations, summons all the young men in the village, to as- sist him in constructing a small raft, of light wood. Three poles are fixed upon it, to repre- sent masts, and some bamboos laid across like oars. The masts are hung with young white cocoa-leaves. This toy, which they call Hanmai, they place between two palongs, each rowed by a crew of stout young men, with a piece of rattan, as a towing-rope, fixed to it. Every rower carries five spears, besides his oar. They now wait with great eagerness for the pater s further orders. He has meanwhile begun his work, which he finds either hard or easy of performance, according as the patients are rich or poor. He is stark naked, and painted all over with various colours, making as terrific an appearance as possible, to frighten the devil, and indeed it is enough to terrify any man, to see him brandishing a short clumsy bludgeon, which he holds up with both hands, and dancing in the most furious manner. He ac- companies his gesticulations with the most hor- ii 58 rible yells and howlings, and at length is fortu- nate enough to seize the enemy by a leg, an arm, Or even by the hair of his head, which the poor de- luded people believe, without seeing what he grasps. Now the whole company rush towards the water, and the pater deposits the supposed devil on board the raft, on which the palongs row off with the greatest possible expedition, dragging the captive out to sea, to a considerable distance, when, hav- ing turned him and his vehicle adrift, they row back with the utmost speed to shore. For two days the enemy may survive this rough usage, and again laud in safety, if driven on shore by the tide or wind, but on tbe third day he must die. Should he land at another village, he then does the mischief there, which he was prevented doing at the former place. The worst consequence of such an unfortunate conclusion of the business is, that the greatest enmity immediately takes place between the two villages, and nothing can atone for the aggres- sion, but a formal combat. The village invaded sends a challenge to the former, and a day is fixed for the battle. The captains of all the neigh- bouring villages having met to a consultation, the combatants are chosen, and as there are others who wish to take advantage of so just a mode of settling their disputes, they are summoned to 59 appear. One has stolen something, another run oft" with his neighbours wife, and the like. All ; these people now meet, both the injured and the ' guilty, and each being provided with a sufficient supply of long sticks, of the Mango tree, they proceed to the place of rendezvous. Therf the captains examine the sticks, and those that are too thick are thrown away. This being done, two of the combatants step out. and lay about each other s back and head, till one of the party is obliged to give up. A second couple follow, and after them others, till in a proper s,paqe of time, the whole company has got a good drubbing. The most innocent among them are generally the worst handled; however, the business is now decided, and all are convinced, that whoever was first obliged to give up, was the offender. Peace is thus restored, both parties being perfectly sa- tisfied with so wise and just a decision, nor could anything we said, convince them of the folly and wickedness of such superstitious andinjarious practices. 6o LETTER VII. You wish to know What were the chief ex- ternal causes of the failure of our exertions ; and ask, whether our residence on the island had been with the consent of the natives, or whether they considered us as intruders. The latter circumstance was guarded against by a re- gular treaty made in December 177 4 > between the Brethren, and the captain and inhabitants of the village Malacca, near to which they had made their settlement. They then obtained legal pos- session of that piece of land, which they oc- cupied. Such presents as the natives required, were delivered, and the terms contained in the treaty fully explained, to them; after which the principal men signed their names, by drawing a pen with ink over the letters, as written with a pencil. The neighbouring village likewise re- ceived a proper consideration for a treaty ot friendship with them, and now the Brethren were looked upon no longer as Kaleng, " foreigners ;" but as Baju Trlpjet, " natives at Tripjet." Ob- jections were however started, when they began to build their dwelling-house; and some wicked people endeavoured to raise susjftcions in the 61 minds of their countrymen, as to the inten- tions of the Missionaries. The latter were, for *ome time after, in danger of their lives, from the fickle disposition of their new friends; but the Lord preserved them. Their upright intention* were at length acknowledged, and ever after all due respect and confidence shown to them by all the inhabitants of Nancauwcry. The failure of the Mission was owing to other causes, of which I will mention some, according to my view of the subject. First, the extreme dif- ficulty of learning the language. We had indeed an opportunity of speaking with some of the na- tives, in a kind of bastard Portuguese, but it would by no means answer the purpose of preaching the gospel to them in general. It was their own native language, of which we wished to acquire a suffi- cient knowledge, thereby to gain access to the whole nation. To this end, a pater, called Philip, was engaged as language-master. A few of the Missionaries made some proficiency, not- withstanding the peculiar difficulties attending the study; for impediments arise even from the habits of the natives. Their language is in itself very poor in words and expressions, and they are of so indolent a turn, that even talking seems a trouble to them ; and as long as they can express, by signs, wbat they mean, they are unwilling to 62 open their mouths. If a stranger comes into their houses, they sit still and look at him, or perhaps, pointing to some food, motion to him to sit down and eat. There he may sit for hours, without hearing a syllable spoken, unless he can himself begin, when they will answer with friend- liness. Again, both men and women have always a huge quid of the betel, or areca-nut in their mouths, which renders their speech so indistinct, that if you ask them the names of the various objects before them, you can hardly distinguish between the sputtering sounds they make. Often were we obliged to tell pater Philip to take his quid out of his mouth, that we might hear what he attempted to articulate. As to books and vo- cabularies, we found none, nor could we make any, while our knowledge of the language was so imperfect. Secondly, the unhealthiness of the climate; by which most of the Missionaries were car- ried off before they could learn the language, or just when they had got so far, that they were able to speak to the natives. During the com- paratively short period of the existence of the Mission, eleven worthy Missionaries found their graves in Nancauwery, and thirteen more, shortly after their return to Tranquebar, in consequence of the malignant fevers and obstructions in the 63 liver, contracted in the island. These dreadful dis- orders, and the seasoning fevers, which every new- comer must suffer, are all accompanied with such pain in the head, dejection of spirits, and constant sickness, that the senses are in a degree stupified, and learning rendered doubly difficult. The mind being likewise filled with desponding views of the possibility of relief and of future usefulness, the effect is very unfavourable to that per- severing diligence, with which such a barbar- ous language must be studied; and death snatch- ing so soon those away, who had made some small progress, their successors must begin the uphill work again and again, and the prospect of obtain- ing the aim of the Mission is put off from on« period to another. Thirdly, our mode of life, and too great exer- tion in clearing and planting, and other laborious work, which necessity obliged us to undertake, was likewise a principal cause of the prevalence of various disorders and complaints of the liver, the region of the stomach swelling, and becoming quite hard below the ribs. All who were thus affected, died either in the island, or soon after their return to.Tranquebar. I was not seized in this manner, but, besides other illnesses, got a quartan ague, of which 1 have not lost the symp- toms to this day. When I mentioned it in a letter to 64 Dr. BetschleratTranquebar, he wrote in answer: " Ah, my friend, if you haVe got the Nicobarague, " it will keep you company all your life, if you " live to be an hundred years old." Thus far his words have proved true, and to this present time, after thirty years have elapsed, I perceive the re- maining symptoms regularly returning every fourth night. While I was at Nancauwery, they were very violent, and weakened me so much, that I often thought my life in danger. After my return to Europe, they abated considerably ; but on being appointed, to the service of the Missions in the Danish West India islands, the heat of the climate caused them to increase in strength, though by degrees they again became bearable, and the fever almost imperceptible. At present the symptoms are various, sometimes a great de- gree of thirst, sleepless nights, and uneasy sensa- tions ; at other times heavy yet restless sleep, with dreams approaching to delirium; but whatever they are, never failing to recur every fourth night regularly. I will not venture to say, whether, if I had staid in Europe, the use of proper means, under skilful treatment, might not have entire- ly removed the complaint, but the fact, as it exists at present, has verified Dr. Bctschler'a. prediction. To return to the former subject, I must add. 6a that not one of us ever learnt the Nicobar lan- guage so perfectly as to be able clearly to explain the will of God concerning our salvation to the natives. But I am of opinion that they are not the most hopeless subjects, and think that the gos- pel might be preached to them with success, if tht abovementioned obstacles were removed. LETTER VIII. The birds-nests, which I have described in a former letter, brought a great number, both of Malays and Chinese to our coasts, in quest of them. These people always created much confusion and quar- relling among our otherwise peaceable islanders, by their knavery and frequent assassinations; and also gave the Missionaries a great deal of trouble. In general, fifteen or sixteen, and in one year, nineteen, large prows full of these vagabonds came to Nancauwery. After the officers and soldiers who had accompanied the Missionaries to this island were all dead, and it was known, that the latter would not quit their post, the government at Tran quebar required, that always one of thenj i 66 should be appointed Danish Royal Resident, and hold, as it were, the presidency of the islands. The patent was always signed by the King. Bro- ther Voelcker was the first who filled that sta- tion, and was succeeded by Brother Armedinger. He was followed by Brother Blaschke, and after his return to Tranquebar, I was appointed. As I thought it was left to my own option, whether I would accept of it or not, I declined it, in a letter to the Governor of Tranquebar, conceiving it to he inconsistent with the duties of a Missionary. However, I was obliged at length to yield, and became Resident. I was succeeded by Brother J. Heinrich, and Brother Soerensen was the last. I will add an instance or two to show, how this office proved frequently a source of much vexa- tion to us. The Danes, when they formed their first settlement in Kar Nicobar, an island 75 En- glish miles in circumference, to which they gave the name of New Denmark, had conveyed a con- siderable number of cannon thither; but after the death of all the soldiers, the carriages rotted, and I saw seventeen of these guns lying on the ground. By one or more at a time, the Malays kept steal- ing them away. It happened, however, that a Nacata, or general of the King of Queda, as he styled himself, arrived at Nancauwery with a 67 large prow, and being informed by the natives, that he had no less than five of them on board, I thought it my duty, as Resident, to protest against this theft, and spoke to him about it. He flew into a great rage, and began to use threaten- ing language, pleading the orders of his king. I answered, that his king very well knew, that as he had laid nothing down there, he had no right to take any thing up; and that if he persisted, I should give notice to the King of Denmark. I then left him, but heard, that he afterwards threatened soon to prevent my reporting his con- duct; adding, that when I was dead, I should be quiet enough. The natives also assured me, that it was his intention to kill me, but that they would stay with me for my defence. I replied, that though I thanked them for their kindness, yet they, as well as we, were much too weak to withstand the diabolical influence which actuated these mur- derous people; every inclination to commit that and other crimes, being of the devil; but that our hope and trust was in God our Saviour, who was infinitely more powerful than the devil, and could and would protect us against all the designs of wicked men. We took that oppor- tunity of speaking to them again of the love of our Saviour, and of His desire to deliver them from the power of Satan, and grant them ever- lasting life. They heard us with attention. and surprise, and staid with us till late at night, when we desired them to return home, but could hardly prevail upon them to leave us. As soon as they were gone, having performed our usual evening devotions, we were preparing to retire to bed ; when we heard a noise without, and immediately after, a violent knocking at the door. On opening it, I was not a little alarmed to see a great number of Malays surrounding the entrance. 1 cried silently to the Lord to protect us against their evil designs; but though my fears were great, I assumed an authoritative air, keeping my station in the door-way, as if determined not to let them enter. The foremost, however, pushed in, and now the Nacata himself came up. He treacherously held out his hand ; but on my of- fering him mine, he grasped it firmly, and dragged me with him into the house. The Malays imme- diately filled all the chairs, and I stood before them. I had no other hope but in the mercy of God, to whom I sighed for help in this trying mo- ment. Meanwhile more of them crowded into the room, and sat down on the floor, closely watching me, armed with their creeses or daggers. Though I preserved a firm and undaunted appearance, I 69 cannot describe my feelings, for I expected to be immediately sacrificed to their fury. The Nacata addressed me by saying, that he was come hither to ask, whose property the cannon were to be, his or mine ? I answered, " that he came to the wrong person to make that inquiry ; for I was only a servant of the King of Denmark, as he, accord- ing to his own account, was only the servant of the King of (jueda. Neither of us, therefore, could determine who was to have the cannon. Our respective masters, and they only, were able to settle that point. He had told me that he had received orders to fetch them ; and I could assure him, that 1 had orders to protest against it: we both, therefore, had only done our duty. All now depended upon this point, whether my king, or his king, had any right to give orders in these islands, and to claim the property in question." At this answer, he became quite fu- rious, and began to talk about the ease, with which the Malays might murder us all. Some of them even drew their daggers, and shewed how they Avere tipped with poison. They looked, indeed, more like a host of devils, than a company of human creatures. On a sudden they all jumped up, and seemed to rush upon me. I commended my soul to the Lord, and called upon Him for deliverance, 70 awaiting the issue in silence, when, to my sur- prise, they quitted the room, one by one, and left me, standing alone, in astonishment at their con- duct. I shall never forget the dreadful scene, and think of it at this moment, with shuddering. As soon as they were all gone, and I found my- self in safety, I fell on my knees, and with tears, gave thanks to God my Saviour, who bad heard my prayers, and rescued me out of the hands of these savages. My Brethren, who had very properly retired into the wood, when the Malays first burst into the house, now returned, and we wept for joy to see each other alive. Having somewhat recovered from our fright, I went to the village, and told our old Nicobar captain, Jan, what had happened, upon which he sent messages to all the neighbouring villages, when in a short time, great numbers arrived, well armed, and watched at the landing-place all night. Had the Malays offered to return to shore, not one of them would have escaped with his life. In the morning, the Nacatas prow, with two others, were seen at anchor under Tricut, many miles from hence. The people there told us af- terwards, that the Nacata had said, that the Da- nish Resident at Nancauwery was a very great sorcerer, for he had tied their hands, and they 71 could do nothing with him. It was not I who tied their hands, but God, who heard the cries of a poor, defenceless and trembling child, trust- ing alone to His mercy and power. I might add many other instances of the trouble and mischief occasioned by the visits of these robbers, and which it was my business to prevent, if possible ; but will close my account, with relating only one more, to show in what manner they treat even thejr own countrymen ; and also, how willing our neighbours were to defend our rights. Having this year obtained, by foul or fair means, a pretty considerable booty, no less than nineteen prows, full of Malays, came, the ensuing season, into our roads, for birds-nests. I had, however, got the start of them. As soon as the north-east wind commenced, I went to the south- ern islands, where I staid a month, and not only •collected a vast quantity of nests, but purchased all those which the natives brought for sale. The Malays, therefore, were disappointed, and got but few. We expected that they would have been thereby discouraged, and discontinued their visits. But we were mistaken. While I was at Manjoul, a small island, east of the channel of St. George, a prow with about sixty Malays arrived there, com- 72 manded by a Nacata, who called himself Sayet Ismael, a priest of the King of Queda. He was the most civil and well-behaved Malay I ever conversed with. I advised him therefore to stay where he was, to make a regular agreement with the natives about the price of the birds-nests, pay faithfully, and keep good order among his men, so as^to prevent all cause of complaint; and assured him, that thus he would get a good cargo. He took my advice, and procured a considerable quantity of nests, while those, who followed him, got none. Among the latter was a man who styled him- self a Prince of Queda, and had two Nacatas, some women, and a numerous crew on board his large prow. He committed everywhere the gross- est acts of barbarity, and in Kar Nicobar murdered two persons, of which I was soon informed. Short- ly after, he came into our neighbourhood, and an- chored under Tricut, where he seized upon Sayet Ismaei's prow. The latter, having sent his palong to Nancauwery, with eight sacks of rice, two ot nests, and other goods, soon followed, claiming our protection. Thus, though we ourselves were in a defenceless state, the oppressed came and sought help from us. We suffered the priest to occupy one of our negroe-houses, where he re- 73 mained very quiet. Meanwhile the prince heard, that we had obtained a large quantity ot nests, and thought it would be no difficult matter to plunder us likewise. For this purpose, he arrived with two large prows, filled with some of the most ferocious of the Malay race. They entered, occupi- ed our house without any ceremony, and seemed to be a determined set of banditti. 1 was alone in the midst of them, and cried to the Lord to take me under his protection. While 1 was walking ■ to and fro across the room, the prince inquired, whether I had any birds-nests. I replied in the affirmative; upon which he pretended, that he was come to purchase them of me, and wished to see them. As I happened, during this conversation, to step towards the door, one of our Caffre ser- vants, who stood near it, thought I had made a sign to him, to call the natives to my assistance, though, in fact, I was so much agitated, that I had not even observed him. He ran immediately into the village Malacca, and called the people to- gether. Meanwhile 1 spoke in a decisive tone with the prince, forgot all his grand titles, and assured him, that he should not get a single nest from me, sharplv reproving him for having mur- dered two men at Kar Nicobar, who were under the protection of" mv sovereign. He flew into a K 74 passion, saying, that he would soon shew me, that he had it in his power to sieze all my hirds-nests ; and as to the two men, who had been stabbed at Kar Nicobar, he was not bound to answer for that deed to me. He had scarcely finished this insulting speech, when a party of natives unexpectedly leaped in at the windows, with drawn sabres in their hands. The Malays, terrified beyond measure, asked, what all this meant. I replied: " They