ANECDOTE. 431 



several people were killed. This individual, 

 being on board one morning, although professing 

 in external appearances the Mahometan creed, 

 expressed a desire of having a tumbler of the 

 stimulating beverage denominated " grog," if 

 it could be administered without its being seen ; 

 proving that his religious scruples were not so 

 strong in private as his veneration for public 

 opinion, or a fear of losing caste. A stiff glass of 

 grog was, therefore, prepared for him, which the 

 old withered disciple of Mahometanism regarded 

 with glittering eyes. There was also on board 

 another Mussulman, whose duty it was to take 

 account of the cargo as it came to the ship, and 

 report the quantity to the rajah ; the sinner was 

 about to raise the glass to his mouth, exclaiming, 

 ' ' What would the other man say if he was to 

 see me now ?" when the old saying was verified, 

 of " there is many a slip between the cup and 

 the lip ;" for the scribe was, at the same instant, 

 seen descending, and there was only time to 

 conceal the glass before he was close to him. 

 The old fellow stroked his whiskers, and began 

 seriously to talk about opium ; and as the white 

 turbaned man saw him clear out from below, the 

 long-sought enjoyment was obliged to be post- 

 poned. 



A Chittagong brig, commanded by a black 



