S O O L O O. 355 



which, although not of great calibre, are capable of throwing a shot 

 beyond the range of small-arms. It is said that they seldom attempt 

 an attack unless the sea is calm, which enables them to approach their 

 victims with more assurance of success, on account of the facility with 

 which they are enabled to manage their boats. The frequent calms 

 which occur in these seas between the land and sea breezes, afford 

 them many opportunities of putting their villanous plans in operation ; 

 and the many inlets and islets, with which they are well acquainted, 

 afford places of refuge and ambush, and for concealing their booty. 

 They are generally found in small flotillas of from six to twenty 

 prahus, and when they have succeeded in disabling a vessel at long 

 shot, the sound of the gong is the signal for boarding, which, if suc- 

 cessful, results in a massacre more or less bloody, according to the 

 obstinacy of the resistance they have met with. 



In the winter months, the Straits of Malacca are most infested with 

 them; and during the summer, the neighbourhood of Singapore, Point 

 Romania, and the channels in the vicinity. In the spring, from Fe- 

 bruary to May, they are engaged in procuring their supplies, in fishing, 

 and refitting their prahus for the coming year. 



I have frequently heard plans proposed for the suppression of these 

 pirates, particularly of those in the neighbourhood of the settlements 

 under British rule. The European authorities are much to blame for 

 the quiescent manner in which they have so long borne these depre- 

 dations, and many complaints are made that Englishmen, on being 

 transplanted to India, lose that feeling of horror for deeds of blood, 

 such as are constantly occurring at their very doors, which they 

 would experience in England. There are, however, many difficulties 

 to overcome before operations against the pirates can be effective. 

 The greatest of these is the desire of the English to secure the good- 

 will of the chiefs of the tribes by whom they are surrounded. They 

 thus wink at their piracies on the vessels of other nations, or take no 

 steps to alleviate the evils of slavery. Indeed the language that one 

 hears from many intelligent men who have long resided in that part 

 of the world is, that in no country where civilization exists does 

 slavery exhibit so debasing a form as in her Indian possessions. 

 Another difficulty consists in the want of minute knowledge of the 

 coasts, inlets, and hiding-places of the pirates, and this must continue 

 to exist until proper surveys are made. This done, it would be neces- 

 sary to employ vessels that could pursue the pirates every where, for 

 which purpose steamers naturally suggest themselves. 



What will appear most extraordinary is, that the very princes who 

 are enjoying the stipend for the purchase of the site whereon the 



