1832.] 
ISLAND or SUMATRA. 
207 
of Captain Derby, of the Margaret, in a boat with six_ men, who 
immediately set off to the Dutch settlement to procure proas to 
lighten the vessel of her cargo. At three A. M., saw proas ap- 
proaching fast and full of men, whom the captain concluded were 
savages ; and deeming it impossible in his weak state to defend his 
vessel against a force apparently so unequal, ordered all the arms 
and powder down into the forecastle, where he felt he could de- 
fend himself to the last, that point being accessible in one place 
only. He naturally supposed that they would not fire the vessel, 
on account of the plunder she contained ; and if they did, it was 
only a choice of evils to remain on board and share her fate, 
Every thing being in this train, and the proas within hail, he 
ordered one alongside ; when, greatly to his relief, he found they 
were Dutch soldiers, sent by the governor of the Dutch forts to 
defend him from the savages. The officer came on board, and 
ordered all the soldiers to pitch their tents on the shore opposite 
to the vessel. On the following morning Captain Derby returned, 
when the vessel was lightened by taking out two proas loads of 
coffee. At 8 A. M'., an anchor having been carried out, and the tide 
serving, they succeeded in heaving her off; but there being no wind, 
they lay at anchor until the next day ; when, getting the light 
spars on board, got under way, and in the evening came safe to 
anchor alongside the Margaret. On the eighteenth, the two cap- 
tains went on shore to wait on the governor, and thank him for 
the great assistance he had rendered them. They found his car- 
riage in waiting to carry them to his residence in the fort, having a 
drawbridge, over which they had to pass. On being presented 
to the governor, the captains were very much pleased with his 
manners, and astonished with his open and generous behaviour. 
The pleasure he evinced on seeing them safe, and the hospitality 
with which he treated them, did great credit to the goodness of 
his heart. During the whole of their stay there, they had the 
satisfaction to see his friendship increase towards them, and he 
even loaded them with presents on the day of their departure. 
Bally Strait, as has been observed, is between the southeast 
end of Java on the west, and Bally on the east. The land on the 
island is more elevated than on the east end of Java, which is 
even, sloping down at each end, resembling, when seen at the 
distance of six or seven leagues, the Island of Banditti. The 
