Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 59
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications
________________
FERUARY, 1930
REMARKS ON THE ANDAMAN ISLANDERS AND THEIR COUNTRY 59
For if we went further west and I was not right in my directions, we might not get back to JAt Ang before our provisione gave out.
At 10-20 A.m., started due east towards Játâng, reached the top of a ridge at 10-40 A.M., and going due east came to a large stream flowing south at 12 noon, stayed there till 1-30 P.M. At 2 P.M., going still due east, we reached the top of the next ridge. Halted 15 minutes, reached the top of the next ridge at 2-50 P.M., having crossed another valley. Halted till 3-10 P.M. An Andamanese climbing a tree said he could see the survey station (a hill cleared of jungle with a post on it) and also Kyd Island which he recognised by a large gurjan tree, we went still duo cast and came to a stream with water in it at 3-25 P.M., and crossed it. An Andamanere went up it and said he had found an old Járawa camp a little way up it. Went to see it and found the remains of two huts. It had not been used for a long while. As we had had & tiring day, decided to spend the night in the camp and to return to Jatång the next morning.
1st February 1902.-Left camp at 7-20 A.M., going due east, reached a stream flowing north at 7.40 A.m., and still going east another large stream flowing east at 7.45 A.M.; this soon bent to the north, so we left it and continued going east. This stream had lots of water in it and an Andamanese speared a fresh water fish about 10 inches long in it: followed along the stream for 100 yards and left it at 8-10 A.M., reached the top of another ridge, from which an Andainanese from the top of a tree could see Kyd Island, but not the sea.
At 8-25 A.M., going a little to the east of south, we reached the top of a ridge, from which the top of Jatang Hill (Survey Station) could be seen. At 9-5 A.M., going a little to the east of south, reached the next ridge and halted there for 5 minutes, and at 9-30 A.M. we reached a stream which the Police had visited the second day that they went out by themselves. Picked up the Forest Department's elephants' tracks at 10-30 A.m., and reached J&tâng camp at 11-25 A.M. (d) Diary, dated 5th February 1902, of Mr. M. Bonig, Assistant Harbour Master, Port Blair,
from 25th January to 4th February 1902. 25th January.Left Port Blair in the steam launch Belle at 6-30 P.M., with Mr. Vaux, also 1 Naik, 6 Police, 15 Andamanese and 3 convict servants. Arrived at Macpherson Strait at 9 P.M. and anchored there for the night.
26th January.--Left Macpherson Strait at 9 A.M., arrived at Port Monat at 11 A.m.; left Port Mouat at 1-35 P.m., and proceeded to Constance Bay and anchored off a place called by the Andamanese Koyab-l'Ar-tenga, at 2-30 P.M. Took an Andamanese canoe in tow from here.
27th January.Left Constance Bay at 7-30 A.m. for Port Campbell and arrived at the latter place at ll A.M. Went ashore with Mr. Vaux, first at Montgomery Island and then on the mainland to search for new traces of Jårawas. Found an old Járawa bow, a basket and a bamboo drinking cup in the jungle, but no new tracks of Jarawas were found ; they do not appear to have frequented this place since the Census expedition in February 1901.10 The Andamanese shot 12 turtles in the evening in the shallow water between Montgomery Island and the mainland, which place seems to be a feeding ground for turtles.
28th January.-Left the ship at 7-30 A.M., with 9 Andamanese, 4 Police and I conviot, crossed Chauga Jûru between Clyde Island and the mainland and landed on the mainland opposite. Sent the Havildar of Police with 3 Constables and 3 Andamanese along & small creek into the jungle, to search for fresh tracks of Járawas, with instructions to try and meet us about four miles further north. I went with the remainder of the Andamanese along the shore up to Gering-chap-jig and followed up the left bank, while I sent three Andamanese up the right bank, with instructions to follow us as soon as they had found fresh traoks. We soon discovered that the Jarawas frequented the vicinity, there being footprints of Jerawas in the swamp. The footprints of: Jarawas are easily distinguished from any other, as the
10 See ante p. 21.
