Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/423

Rh English, French, and Dutch, regularly signed in the name of the Governor. These he desired we would give written answers to, which he told us would be sent express to Batavia, where they would arrive to-morrow at noon. He had in the boat turtle and eggs, of which latter he sold a few for somewhat less than a penny apiece, and then went away.

The day was spent as usual in getting up and letting down the anchor. At night, however, we were very near Bantam Point.

8th. At eight Dr. Solander and I went ashore on a small islet belonging to the Mille Isles, not laid down in the draught, lying five miles N. by E. from Pulo Bedroe. The whole was not above 500 yards long, and 100 broad, yet on it was a house and a small plantation, in which, however, at this time was no plant from whence any profit could be derived, except Ricinus palma Christi, of which castor-oil is made in the West Indies. Upon the shoal, about a quarter of a mile from the island, were two people in a canoe, who seemed to hide themselves as if afraid of us; we supposed them to be the inhabitants of our island. We found very few species of plants, but shot a bat, whose wings measured three feet when stretched out (Vesp. vampyrus), and four plovers exactly like our English golden plover (Charadrius pluvialis). With these and the few plants we returned, and very soon after a small Indian boat came alongside, having in her three turtles, some dried fish, and pumpkins. We bought his turtles, which weighed altogether 146 Ibs. for a dollar, with which bargain he seemed well pleased, but could scarce be prevailed upon to take any other coin for his pumpkins, after desiring that we would cut a dollar and give him a part. At last, however, a petack, shining and well-coined, tempted him to part with his stock, which consisted of twenty-six. He told us that the island, called in most draughts Pulo Babi, was really called Pulo Sownda, and that called Pulo Bedroe, Pulo Payon. At parting he made signs that we should not tell at Batavia that any boat had been on board us.