1844.] HOSTILITIES. 139 



proved to be long curled ribands of the bleached pal- 

 metto ; above this were small triangular flags, surmounted 

 by a large streamer on the mast. They were evidently 

 on the look out for prey, being dressed in scarlet fighting 

 accoutrements in the Illanon style, and were standing on 

 the fighting stage above the rowers, ready for action. The 

 foremost, having the light of the moon in his face, had 

 passed without observing us amidst the gloom which 

 reigned within the bay where we stationed ourselves, but 

 on discovering his mistake, he hailed in Malay, as well as 

 in broken English, demanding "Who are you?" Upon 

 my reply " I am the Captain of a British Ship-of-war " ! 

 in both languages, he demanded, "Where is your ship?" 

 " Outside !" was the return. This was the signal for 

 action. 



Considering us a secure prize, they instantly com- 

 menced capering, yelling, and hurling their spears, most 

 of which fell beyond, and over us, but without inflicting 

 any particular wounds. As we, in our barge and gig, had 

 five of these huge vessels to contend with, decision was 

 important, and from their extreme length we had the 

 decided advantage, of rapidly turning, and of preventing 

 their getting us directly a-head ; had they accomplished 

 this, they would have been able at one effort of their oars 

 to run over and overwhelm us. It also enabled us to 

 avoid their bow gun, which they had some difficulty in 

 turning out of the direct line a-head. Four of the vessels 

 were now outside of us, and further delay would be dan- 

 gerous ; commencing with their leader, then not more than 

 twenty yards distant, we opened fire with our six-pounder 

 gun, charged with round and canister, this was repeated 



