SHIPWRECK. 
267 
hopes of all raised by this circumstance, were further excited by 
several men leaving their boats and wading towards the shore, the 
foremost of the party bearing in his hand a small flag. Mr. Sykes, 
an officer of the Alceste, accompanied by two others, having in his 
hand the English colours, walked out to meet them ; and as he ad- 
vanced laid down his arms and held up his hands, to show that 
he was offenceless: on seeing this the Malays threw aside their 
spears. He then made signs that not more than three of them 
should come forward, which being complied with, the two parties 
soon met. The Malays immediately payed Mr. Sykes every mark 
of humility and respect, and were led by him to the Captain, who 
anxiously waited their arrival at the landing-place. Through the 
medium of a sailor who spoke a little Malayse, he learnt that 
they were not from Batavia, and that they had come to Pulo 
Leat, to gather sea-slugs and sea-weed. Their spokesman, whom 
they called their rajah, was extremely solicitous that the Captain 
should visit him on board his prow. This proposition was 
urgently opposed by Captain Maxwell’s officers and men, who felt 
but too well that their own safety depended upon his. Having 
continued on the wreck whilst his presence could animate or direct 
the exertions of his men, he left it but to assume a more painful 
situation on shore. Amidst a variety of dangers constantly press- 
ing him, from the time that the Embassy left Pulo Leat to his 
removal from it, he cheered, restrained, armed, and protected his 
men by his counsel and example, and so convinced them of the value 
of his existence, that they watched him as the guardian star which 
alone could lead them to safety. Several officers accepted the invi- 
tation, and accompanied by a force sufficient for their security against 
any perfidious attempt, visited the prow ; and having met with hos- 
pitable treatment, returned in the evening with a present of fish and 
Indian corn for the Captain. 
Early the next morning these amicably disposed Malays were seen 
actively plundering the wreck, in which friendly office they were 
mm2 
