"
I had forgotten the rubies, but I stipulated that the disposal of them
should be left in my hands.
"Willingly, Peter," replied Hartog, "for, between ourselves, I doubt
not I am more at home on the sea than in making a bargain with
land-rogues ashore. Take you command of the ship until she is once
more taut and trim."
To this I agreed, although I had no intention of depriving Hartog of
his authority, and, after breakfast, I landed with a boat's crew, in
order to interview the islanders, and, if possible, to make
arrangements with some of them for the equipment of our vessel.
Achin, the metropolis of Sumatra, is situated at the north-west end of
the island. It stands on a plain, surrounded by woods and marshes,
about five miles distant from the sea, near to a pleasant rivulet. The
city consists of some eight thousand houses which take up more ground
than a city of this size would demand by reason of every person
surrounding his dwelling with a palisade that stands some yards distant
from it. The inhabitants are, in general, small, and of very swarthy
complexion. They have black eyes, flat faces, and high check-bones.
Their hair is long and black, and they take great pains to dye their
teeth black.
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