182 



To describe the panic tliat now pervaded Ma- 

 lacca iii impossible. The language, that would 

 atterapt to convey a feeble idea of it, would be 

 charged with hyperbole, and a relation of sober 

 facts be esteemed a burlesque, I shall therefore 

 content myself with stating that a Malacca mili- 

 tia, (not to serve beyond the town), started into 

 instant existence — swords that had slept, and 

 rusteH, in the scabbard for years, were drawn 

 forth, and furbished, — whilst the drives of the 

 inhabitants iu the precincts were untversaUy dis- 

 continued, as fear whispered that every bush 

 concealed a Malay, and converted every stick into 

 a musqiiet barrel. 



Requisition after requisition was sent up for 

 the return of the troops in order to defend Malac- 

 ca, and although Captain WylHe, the Command- 

 ing officer of the whole, represented that the 

 town was best covered by the position which tlie 

 troops had taken up, and which held the enemy 

 in check; although it was further stated that they 

 were again ready to act on the ufFensive, if carnage 

 were procured, the panic was so great as to en- 

 tirely cripple the exertions of the civil authorities 

 to meet this necessary wanl, and the fears of the 

 inhabitants became hourly more obstreperous, 

 and the entreaties for the troops, daily more 

 urgent. 



By the fifteenth the alarm h;Kl increased to 

 such a height that Captain WyUie was obliged to 

 return to Malacca, not only in order to trauquil- 

 Hze the town, but to adopt measures for the re- 

 turn o! the troops, whose safety was thus com- 

 promized by the existing terror. Leaving Lieute- 



