264 
SHIPWRECK. 
sent off to take possession of the ship, and to obtain if possible more 
arms and provisions. On approaching they saw two Malay prows 
leaving, and almost at the same instant observed smoke rising from 
several parts of her deck, and driving through the ports; and in 
the next, flames bursting from every quarter. Finding it hopeless to 
attempt getting on board, the boats returned to the island. The 
Malays left the wreck as soon as they had set it on fire, and were 
not again seen during the day. 
The day having been spent on shore in strengthening the fence, 
the party retired within it at night with some confidence ; but were 
again alarmed, and by the same cause, a large monkey. The sentry 
who guarded one of the approaches to the hill, confident that he 
saw a Malay, discharged his musket, and roused by its report the 
little garrison, who turned out under arms. Their confusion was 
much increased by a shout from the picquet at the landing-place, 
who, hearing the report of the musket, cheered with the purpose 
of awing the pirates. These alarms, although absurd when their 
causes were discovered, kept the party on the alert for the remainder 
of the night. 
Early the next morning a party was again dispatched to the ship, 
still on fire, and found her copper on the larboard side alone above 
water, and so hot, that by throwing water upon it they scarcely 
cooled it sufficiently to permit their getting on board. Here every 
object declared the skill of the pirates in the business of destruction. 
The masts were totally consumed, and their iron rings had fallen 
to the bottom of the wreck. The upper and main decks were 
destroyed, and the lower deck was covered with charcoal, which 
yielded to the foot, and probably rested on a half-consumed base. 
Cases of wine and many other articles in the lower part of the ship 
had been preserved from the fire by the water which covered them, 
and had floated up in consequence of the destruction of the decks. 
After lading the boats with wine, flour, and some arms obtained by 
diving, the party returned to the shore. 
During the absence of the boats, twelve sail of Malay prows 
