The boat was one of the kind called "Kora-kora," quite open, very low, and about four tons burthen.

It had outriggers of bamboo about five feet off each side, which supported a bamboo platform extending the whole length of the vessel.

On the extreme outside of this sit the twenty rowers, while within was a convenient passage fore and aft.

The middle portion of the boat was covered with a thatch-house, in which baggage and passengers are stowed; the gunwale was not more than a foot above water, and from the great top and side weight, and general clumsiness, these boats are dangerous in heavy weather, and are not unfrequently lost.

A triangle mast and mat sail carried us on when the wind was favourable,--which (as usual) it never was, although, according to the monsoon, it ought to have been.