DECISION OF THE RAJAH. l) 



as he would consult the old queen, who has 

 much power, upon the subject. When the com- 

 manders returned on board the grab, the queen 

 was present, who was a fine old lady, and re- 

 ceived her European visitors in a very cordial 

 manner. The subject relative to the vessel was 

 then renewed : they were anxious to procure the 

 nacodar, (who had sought refuge on board one 

 of the ships,) and take him to Acheen, where, 

 most probably, his life would be sacrificed ; or 

 the rajah off'ered to send him to Penang, in irons, 

 to be tried by the authorities at that place, if 

 any commanders of the vessels going to that port 

 would take charge of him. 



In the renewed discussion of the subject, the 

 justice of the case appeared decidedly in favour 

 of the rajah's party, as it was now ascertained 

 that a shot had been fired from the brig, which 

 had killed a man on board the grab. 



The rajah summed up his final decision to 

 the following effect, through the medium of an 

 interpreter : — " Let the native Nacodar be sent 

 on board my vessel ; I will not injure him ; I 

 will make a solemn engagement with you to 

 that eff'ect ; but I intend sending him to the 

 settlement of Penang in chains, there to be dealt 

 with as the judges at that settlement may deter- 

 mine : if the man has not done wrong, wliy is 



