106 
VOYAGE OP THE POTOMAC. 
[February 
ship, and communicate the fact. A boat was immediately sent 
to sound, and found a coral reef, of two or three acres in extent, 
with but five fathoms of water upon the shoalest part. 
In the meantime, as the other boat approached the beach, the 
Malays began to collect in considerable force. There was much 
surf on the shore at the time ; and of the number collected 
around the boat, not less than two hundred were armed, some 
with krisses and knives, and others with blunderbusses. It 
seemed evident that they had some suspicion of the character and 
object of their visiters ; and appeared so formidable in numbers 
and weapons, that the party deemed it imprudent to land ; which 
caution was approved by the commodore, who had watched with 
great anxiety the boat's approach to the beach, with the great 
number of Malays which were seen gathered round the spot 
where it was expected she would land. The party, of course, 
returned to the frigate. 
From all that had thus far been witnessed, there was nothing 
that seemed to require the least alteration in the mind of the comr 
modore, as to the correctness of the plans he had previously 
matured ; on the contrary, every thing seemed to confirm and 
strengthen them. The physical force of the Malays was by no 
means inconsiderable ; and their fastnesses in the jungle rendered 
them exceedingly formidable. Prompt measures, and such as 
were calculated, if possible, to effect a surprise, were evidently 
indicated as the only course compatible with humanity and sound 
policy. As soon as it was dark the boats were hoisted out, and 
during the night every preparation was made for landing. 
The several divisions were now, to a man, impatient to be un- 
der way. Indeed, the spirit of the enterprise pervaded the whole 
ship's company to such a degree, that even the sick-list was re- 
duced lower than it had previously or has since been known ; so 
eager was every one to be ranked among the combatants. Men 
who could not be detailed for this service were found stowed 
away and concealed in the boats, with the hope of joining their 
companions on shore. The very uncertainty of the character, or 
final result of the enterprise, seemed to give it a new and irre- 
sistible charm in the eyes of every genuine sailor. 
The rules of the service not permitting the commodore to 
leave the ship in person, the command of the expedition devolved 
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