268 
SHIPWRECK. 
soon after joined by several of the pirates with whom they had 
disclaimed all connection. 
The pirates probably came from all the different islands in the 
neighbourhood, as they bore down upon the wreck in every direc- 
tion. During high water their detachments occasionally anchored 
as close as possible to the landing-place, with the apparent inten- 
tion of reconnoitring, and of intercepting any boat that might 
attempt to leave it. With the first purpose also they commu- 
nicated with the party under different pretences, and once received 
a letter which they engaged to send immediately to Min to, an Eu- 
ropean settlement on Banca. When the tide ebbed they got under 
sail from the apprehension of grounding, and re-visited the wreck, 
but re-appeared off the landing-place at the next flood-tide. 
The danger of the shipwrecked band became hourly more press- 
ing ; their enemies increased in number, and the period allowed 
for the arrival of intelligence from Batavia had elapsed. The sea 
could be distinctly seen for several miles from a tall tree on the 
most commanding part of the hill. How anxiously did one or 
other watch from its extreme height the approach of any vessel ! 
In vain did his companions enquire what he saw ; “ Nothing,” 
was the usual anwer; or if for a moment he beheld an uncertain 
point in the distance, it either expanded into cloud or vanished 
into air. 
It being now the 1st of March, Captain Maxwell looking to the 
possibility of some fatal accident having befallen the Ambassador 
and his companions, contemplated an escape with his officers and 
men in the boats which remained. He therefore ordered them to be 
properly examined, their oars and sails to be repaired, and every 
thing to be got ready for cutting through the pirates and making a 
voyage to Batavia. 
The boats not being thought sufficiently secure at the old land- 
ing -place against any unexpected attack of the Malays, were re- 
moved to one more to the southward, where a sandy beach was 
