112 Adventures of Naufragus. [Ai;o. 



and towards the port called Pulo Lingin, to exchange dollars and broad- 

 cloth for slabs of block tin ; and the circumstances that arise out of this 

 barter afford a curious view of the mode of dealing used, as well as of 

 the personal dangers incurred, by the East- India " country traders." 



" In about three weeks we reached Pulo Lingin. The lofty peak so called, as 

 seen from the deck of our little bark, on a clear day, had a grand and imposing 

 effect. We had not been long at anchor, before a canoe came alongside, with four 

 Arabian chiefs, magnificently apparelled. The captain, suspecting them to be 

 pirates in disguise, gave orders that the door of a cabin, in which was a large chest 

 of treasure should be locked. They said that they came merely to see the captain 

 and the ship. Being received on board, they scrutinized, with rather suspicious 

 minuteness, every thing within their view. On coming to the cabin where the 

 treasure was concealed, and finding the door locked, they expressed great anxiety 

 to have it opened. The captain, whose presence of mind never forsook him, called 

 to the Cas-a-ab for the key, telling them in Arabic * there was only a poor Christian 

 lying there, who had died the day before,' upon which they turned aside with 

 symptoms of disgust, at the idea of seeing a Christian corpse, and precipitately re- 

 turned on deck. One of the Arabs eyed me with expressive earnestness ; which, 

 indeed, was not to be wondered at, for a European lad had seldom, if ever, been 

 seen in that part of the globe before. I was not more than fourteen years, of age, 

 with the glow of health on my cheek, and with long curly hair, as white as flax. 

 The Arab then entered into conversation with the captain, expressing (as I after- 

 wards learnt, to my no small astonishment) a wish to purchase me nay, ventured 

 so far, as to offer three hundred dollars for me. On being told that I was not for 

 sale, he appeared much surprised, expressing, indeed, his wonder that the captain 

 could refuse so large a sum for so young a boy ; but endeavouring to account for 

 the refusal, by observing * He is perhaps some young prince, or a high cast 

 Englishman, I suppose ;' and after shewing off some consequential native airs, left 

 us. No sooner were our visitois clear off, than the captain ordered all the small 

 arms, and the four six-pounders, to be loaded, in readiness for an attack that night. 

 Ko attack, however, was made, and the captain and myself went on shore the next 

 morning. 



" We first paid our visit to the king, or rajah of Lingin, who was seated, cross- 

 legged, on a cane mat, in a large hut. We were not suffered to approach his 

 august presence without taking off our shoes and stockings, and were ordered not 

 to advance nearer to his majesty's person than fifteen feet. The captain and I now 

 sat down cross-legged, on a mat facing the king. He was an overgrown savage- 

 looking Malay, with fat cheeks, a shdrt flat chin, and a large mouth, down the 

 corners of which ran the juice of the betel-nut, of a deep red colour, which gave 

 him an appearance, at least in my eye, both terrifying and disgusting. We were 

 surrounded on all sides by Malays, armed each with a crease, or dagger, probably 

 poisoned, and whose countenances were marked with a ferocity quite in keeping 

 with the rest of the scene. The captain broke silence by a flattering encomium on 

 the king's improved looks, since last he saw him, and requested his acceptance of 

 some costly and choice presents, which were produced. His majesty having accepted 

 them, made some inquiries respecting me ; he first admired the colour of my hair, 

 then asked how many brothers I had how old I was and if I would like to stop 

 in his dominions ? and seemed quite pleased with my complimentary answers. 

 Upon my expressing some surprise at seeing an organ in a corner of the room, he 

 beckoned to one of his attendants to play it. A more villainous compound of 

 harsh sounds I never before heard, but they seemed to please the Malay monarch 

 mightily. He then ordered a flute to be brought me, which, as well as the organ, 

 had doubtless been given him by some European, who well knew their use. I imme- 

 diately received it, and, still, in a sitting posture, played a few notes, to the surprise 

 of the king and all the motley assembly." 



The course of trading, indeed, in Malacca like that of " true love" 

 in Europe " never,' we believe, '' does run smooth." At Pulo Minto, 

 the next port which the navigators make, a more fierce dispute arises as 

 to the delivery of some property upon which " advances" have been 



