Page 336
An.1686
Of their Proes.
vided into 2 or 3 small Partitions or Chambers, one particularly for himself. This is neatly matted un- derneath, and round the sides; and there is a Carpit and Pillows for him to sleep on. The se- cond Room is for his Women, much like the for- mer. The third is for the Servants, who tend them with Tobacco and Betel-nut; for they are always chewing or smoaking. The fore and after parts of the Vessel are for the Mariners to fit and row. Be- sides this, they have Outlayers, such as those I de- scribed at Guam; only the Boats and Outlayers here are larger. These Boats are more round, like the Half-Moon almost; and the Bamboos or Out- layers that reach from the Boat are also crooked. Besides, the Boat is not flat on one side here, as at Guam; but hath a Belly and Outlayers on each side: and whereas at Guam there is a little Boat fa- sten'd to the Outlayers, that lies in the Water; the Beams or Bamboos here are fastned traverse- wise to the Outlayers on each side, and touch not the Water like Boats, but 1, 3 or 4 foot above the Water, and serve for the Barge-men to sit and row and paddle on; the inside of the Vessel, except on- ly just afore and abaft, being taken up with the apartments for the Passengers. There run across the Outlayers two tire of Beams for the Paddlers to fit on, on each side the Vessel. The lower tire of these Beams is not above a foot from the water: so that upon any the least reeling of the Vessel, the Beams are dipt in the water, and the men that sit are wet up to their waste: their feet seldom esca- ping the water. And thus as all our Vessels are Rowed from within, these are Paddled from with- out.
The Sultan hath a Brother called Raja Laut, a brave man. He is the second man in the Kingdom. All strangers that come hither to trade must make their address to him, for all Sea affairs belong to him.