mm 



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265 : 



desert their victim should a prahu of the other 

 nation heave in sight, and a deadly struggle en** 

 sues between the pirate crews, by which means 

 the trading boat occasionally effects her escape 

 from the clutches of her enemy. < 



The Johore people, according to the best na- 

 tive information that can be obtained, proceed 

 annually in March from their places of resort to- j 

 wards Pulo Liaper and Billiton %vhere they ren- 

 dezvous. They tlience proceed direct to the 

 coast of Java, while the Lanum people, it would 

 appear, pursue a more easterly course, and scour 

 the coast of New Holland. The prahus employ- 

 ed by the former vary from five to ten coyangs in 

 burthen, are armed with either iron or brass 

 swivels^ and carry frum 40 to 80 men. Those of 

 the Lanum people are considerably larg-er, their 

 burthen being from tea to twenty coyangs, and 

 their complement often amounting to 170 men. 



On. the return of these two squadrons from 

 their piratical excursions in the above direction^ 

 they generally repair their boats, and, as soon as 

 they are again ready for sea, renew their depreda- 

 . tions, although they select a different theatre ibr 

 their display. The Johore people generally con- 

 fine themselves to the straits of Malitcca, whilst 

 those of Lanum embrace both coasts of the Pe- 

 ninsula. The former, however, sweep the sea 

 for a longer period, commencuig in June, and re- 

 tiring to iheir strong holds in October, when the 

 wind has become too strong for their frail vessel ; 

 on the other hand, the Lanum people, who win- 

 ter at the same time, do not commence their ra- 



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