Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/112

94 elevated position, being considered a more salubrious locality, and therefore more desirable as a place of confinement for the military in that climate, the prisoners are kept there instead.

When we had left this fort far behind we saw the prettily situated town of Gressik, the harbour of which is very deep and safe. The town, which lies partly near the margin of the sea, and partly on the slopes of the hills, is not unlike Torquay from a distance. It carries on a large trade with Batavia in teak, which grows plentifully in the neighbourhood, several vessels being chartered by the Government, or Handel Maatschapij, for this purpose. There is also a salt factory in the town, the produce of which is a Government monopoly, and another in the village on the opposite coast of Madura.

The Arabs, under an Islam missionary, landed on the site of Gressik on their apostolical expedition, and from thence penetrated into the interior,