Lorantuca on the island Ende.

The Malayan language, as I have before said, is generally spoken amongst all the islands hereabouts.  The greater the trade is the more this language is spoken:  in some it is become their only language; in others it is but little spoken, and that by the seaside only.  With this language the Mahomedan religion did spread itself, and was got hither before any European Christians came:  but now, though the language is still used, the Mahomedan religion falls, wherever the Portuguese or Dutch are settled; unless they be very weak, as at Solor and Ende, where the chief language is Malayan, and the religion Mahomedanism; though the Dutch are settled at Solor, and the Portuguese at the east end of the island Ende, at a place called Lorantuca; which, as I was informed, is a large town, has a pretty strong fort and safe harbour.  The chief man there (as at Timor) is called Captain More, and is as absolute as the other.  These 2 principal men are enemies to each other; and by their letters and messages to Goa inveigh bitterly against each other; and are ready to do all the ill offices they can; yet neither of them much regards the viceroy of Goa, as I was informed.

Lorantuca is said to be more populous than any town on Timor; the island Ende affording greater plenty of all manner of fruit, and being much better supplied with all necessaries than Laphao; especially with sheep, goats, hogs, poultry, etc.  But it is very dangerous getting into this harbour because of the violent tides between the islands Ende and Solor.  In the middle channel between Timor and the range of islands to the northward of it, whereof Ende and Solor are 2, there runs a constant current all the year to the westward; though near either shore there are tides indeed; but the tide of flood, which sets west, running 8 or 9 hours, and the ebb not exceeding 3 or 4 hours, the tide in some places rises 9 or 10 foot on a spring.

The seasons, winds, and weather at Timor.

The seasons of the year here at Timor are much the same as in other places in south latitude.  The fair weather begins in April or May and continues to October, then the tornadoes begin to come, but no violent bad weather till the middle of December.  Then there are violent west or north-west winds, with rain, till towards the middle of February.  In May the southerly winds set in and blow very strong on the north side of the island, but fair.  There is great difference of winds on the 2 sides of the island:  for the southerly winds are but very faint on the south side, and very hard on the north side; and the bad weather on the south side comes in very violent in October, which on the north side comes not till December.  You have very good sea and land breezes, when the weather is fair; and may run indifferently to the east or west, as your business lies.  We