PICE. 107 



dreds of Malays, I was on the point of yielding; 

 but the lady's rage found vent in words, which, 

 although I did not understand, from her glances and 

 gestures I knew were directed at me ; and I have no 

 doubt that, if I were able to translate it, it would 

 rival the Billingsgate vocabulary. I in turn became 

 warm at finding m^'self the object of vituperation, 

 even from such rosy lips ; and then reflecting how my 

 story would sound when told to my shipmates — be- 

 traying how I, one of the oldest amongst them, was 

 overreached by a Malay, I remained firm ; and getting 

 possession of my calico, left the house and the dusky 

 lady — the latter to continue her vituperations to her 

 heart's content, now that I was out of ear-shot. 

 Some who read this may think me foolish in allowing 

 it to nettle me ; but I know of nothing more vexing, 

 even to a patient man, than to be made the subject 

 of abuse, when he cannot understand his villifier's 

 language, and is compelled to submit without 

 being able to say a word in justification of him- 

 self. I walked oif with my goods, and, to avoid a 

 recurrence of such a scene disposed of it to the first 

 who offered, receiving in exchange four strings of 

 pice, small Chinese coin, composed of a mixture of 

 brass and copper, impressed with Chinese characters, 

 each having a square hole in the centre. I met 

 several others of my shipmates furnished in the same 

 way. They being too bulky to carry in our pockets 

 we were forced to carry them in our hands ; one of 

 our number had his strung on a stick and slung over 

 his shoulder; the Malays carry them at their girdles. 

 After having expended a few of them for fruit, and 

 one hundred and fifty each for our dinners, the 



