262 
TRANSACTIONS AT PULO LEAT. 
consequence much refreshed, set actively to work in carrying the 
baggage and provisions to the top of the hill, which was three hun- 
dred yards from the landing-place, very abrupt in its ascent, and 
covered with thick and prickly underwood. The party also suffered 
much from the heat of the sun as the day advanced, and from the 
bites of musquitoes and of small black flies, which rose in clouds 
beneath their feet. 
Through the example of Captain Maxwell, foremost in every 
toilsome effort, and the perseverance of his officers and men, every 
article on shore was removed to the top of the hill during the 
forenoon. This labour accomplished, the men were mustered in 
divisions, and addressed by their commander in a few words, point- 
ing out the necessity of subordination, and reminding them, that 
although a sufficient quantity of provisions had been saved to last 
them many days, yet as the fate of Lord Amherst and his compa- 
nions, on whose safety depended their early succour from Batavia, 
must be uncertain, it was necessary to keep on short allowance ; and 
that, as they were in a situation in which they were liable to the 
attacks of pirates, their surest defence would be union and discipline. 
Different parties were then directed to separate duties. Whilst one 
was employed in tending the landing-place and unlading boats as 
they arrived from the wreck, another cleared the hill for a regular 
encampment, freeing its summit from the smaller trees and under- 
wood. 
On the morning of the 20th great exhilaration was excited by 
the discovery that the well would afford a quart of water for each 
man ; but was speedily diminished by the intelligence that the first 
lieutenant and thirty men had been driven from the wreck by some 
Malay prows. 
It appeared, that whilst all hands on board had been employed in 
removing stores unto a raft alongside, two Malay boats, full of men, 
were observed bearing down upon them. The party not being 
able to muster any other arms than a few handspikes, took to their 
boats, and making for the shore, were instantly chased by the Malays. 
