170 



Stjongei Pattye, Captain Wyllip deafer in bed on 

 proceeding, fearful that, were the detachment to 

 halt on the confinej^, an erroneous impression 

 might be conveyed to the Nann ingites, wfm would, 

 in alJ probability attribute a delay, dictated by 

 prudence, to vacillation and apprehen^^ion. There 

 can be little doubt ihfit ?^ucb woufd have been 

 the case, and, as the best information np to this 

 period tended to strengthen tlie belief that the 

 affair could, even iu the event of hostilities, be 

 decided by a coup de mam^ for which purpose tbe 

 troops could carry Kuffieient prfivisions in their 

 haversacks, the advance was fully justified by 

 the strict principles of war. The measure was a 

 daring one, but precisely of that nature, which 

 was most qualified to strike terror into the Ma- 

 lays, and I have no hesitation in affirming my 

 belief that it would have been crowned with 

 success, had the detachment been unincumbered 

 with guns, or even had these last been dragged 

 by gun bullocks, instead of impeded by the slug- 

 gish buffaloe. At all events, the leaving the 

 supplies behind was providentially the means of 

 saving the troops from a total defeat, a few days 

 after, as it enabled them to make a stand at Soon- 

 gei Pattye. 



The head of the column with Captain Wyllie, 

 and Mr. Lewis bad no sooner arrived at the foot 

 of the hill near Kalama than two sentries armed 

 with muskets, wpre descried upon tbe high ground 

 bordering the paddy field which marks the boun- 

 dary between Malacca and Nanning : here also 

 stood, or rather danced, the Panglinmh Dattoo, 

 who, clothed in scarlet broad cloth, brandished 

 a spear in his left hand, whilst his light was arm- 



