ch. xiii.] Making the Best of it. 241 



boat rolled about, and filled rapidly, most of our things 

 got drenched likewise. As is usual with Malays on 

 such occasions, there was a great deal of excitement, 

 and everybody shouted orders or instructions to his 

 neighbour. 



However, Smith, an excellent fellow Mr. Boosie had 

 allowed to accompany me, and one or two natives, handed 

 out our clothes and personal effects, which others carried 

 ashore, after which we got out the bags of rice, and other 

 stores all safely, and having emptied the craft of all 

 her loose gear, we hauled her up on the smooth sandy 

 beach, and then, as it was getting dusk, set about pre- 

 paring ourselves a habitation for the night. Some of 

 the men were sent to cut firewood, others to cut timbers 

 for our hut ; others went to search for water, while my 

 "boy," hastily securing a few dry sticks, lighted a fire, 

 and began preparing our evening meal. 



We had with us plenty of the common "kajang" 

 mats, which may be purchased in Labuan for a few 

 pence each, and serve admirably for roofing boats, or the 

 little jungle-houses, for which a Malay will cut and fix 

 timbers in a few minutes. We had also a good oil-cloth, 

 twelve feet square ; and in less than an hour after our 

 shipwreck we had a roomy tent erected in which to eat 

 and sleep. We soon got on some dry clothes, and then 

 had our bedding placed at one end, with our baggage 

 piled up behind, and at the other end our rice and dried 

 fish, goods for barter with the natives, and other stores, 

 were arranged. The guns, rifle, and the tower-muskets, 

 carried by the men, together with our revolvers, &c, 

 were cleaned, and oiled, and suspended overhead ; and 

 the lamp being lighted, and hung in the centre, we began 

 to look quite cheerful. 



We had our dinner about seven o'clock, and then a 



R 



