This little dwelling, too, was uninhabited, though I found a number of trays of fish lying about, which afterwards I found to be _beche-de-mer_ being dried and smoked.

Suddenly, while Yamba and I were investigating the interior of the hut, a number of Malays unexpectedly appeared on the scene, and I then realised I had had the good fortune to come across a Malay _beche-de-mer_ expedition.
The fishermen were exceedingly surprised at seeing Yamba and me; but when they found I could speak their language a little they evinced every sign of delight, and forthwith entertained us most hospitably on board their craft, which was a boat of ten or fifteen tons.

They told me they had come from the Dutch islands south of Timor, and promptly made me an offer that set my heart beating wildly.

They said they were prepared to take me back to Kopang, if I wished; and I, on my part, offered to give them all the pearl shells left on my little island in the Sea of Timor--the latitude of which I took good care not to divulge--on condition that they called there.

They even offered Yamba a passage along with me; but, to my amazement and bitter disappointment, she said she did not wish to go with them.