S9S A VISIT TO THE IXDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 



I refefj "ao long as his pinctice is to go always armed : 

 but until piraa/ be suppressed^ he must go armed.^^ The 

 intelligent wnter then proceeds to discuss tliis question 

 in all its bearings. By way of a preliminary note I should 

 have explained that the process of running amok, or 

 a-muck, consists simply in a man's rushing about killing or 

 wounding all withti^ his r^^h, and at length frequently 

 himself 



-'i * * * *. 



" The first step, towards the prcvontion of amoks is the 

 suppression, as far as is pmcticahle, of i-ohbery on land, and 

 piracy at sea, to be followed by the abolition of the habit 

 of private pei-sons wearing weapons. While a Malay of 

 Smcapore caimot sot out on a Toyage to the bacfc of the 

 island, to Johore or to Siak^ without risk of being robbed 

 and killed, he cannot go imarmed ; and until he ceases to 

 carry arms, and learns to tnist for protection and 

 vengeance to the Government under which he lives, there 

 can be no security that, if subjected to misfortune, insult, 

 or oppression, he will not run amok. 



" The cost of the produce supplied by the Malays is so 

 greatly enhanced by the necessity of protecting themselves 

 on their voyages, that tlie employment of additional force 

 by Government for the suppression of piracy, and the 

 adopting of measures in concert with the native autho- 

 rities, would soon show a direct action on trade. Piracy 

 raises tho cost of all native produce brought to Sincapore ; 

 it gives the bold a monopoly of carriage ; and obliges 



