272 
SHIPWRECK. 
A party now went round to the south point of the island, and 
having obtained a view of the ship, returned with the intelligence that 
she was at anchor about twelve miles from the island, and had hoisted 
English colours. As it was possible that she might not have ar- 
rived for the purpose of relieving the party on the island, it was 
necessary, if possible, to communicate with her immediately, to 
prevent the chance of her getting under weigh during the night. 
To do this was somewhat difficult, as it was nearly dark, and low 
water, and a boat might be intercepted by some lurking prows ; yet 
notwithstanding these obstacles, the attempt was made, and happily 
succeeded. The gig was carried for nearly a mile over the shallows 
on the shoulders of her crew into deep water, and under the command 
of Mr. Sykes and Mr. Abbot, dispatched for that purpose. These 
gentlemen having got round a small island off the west point of Pulo 
Leat before dark, obtained sight of the vessel, and having taken her 
bearings, made the most of a favourable breeze, and reached her about 
nine o’clock. On mounting her deck, they encountered in Mr. Ellis a 
sufficient explanation of the occasion of her arrival. She proved to 
be the Ternate, who had parted company with the Princess Char- 
lotte soon after leaving Batavia Roads. 
Captain Maxwell having seen the gig fairly off, assembled his 
men, and having expressed to them his entire approbation of their 
conduct up to that moment, declared his intention to permit no 
relaxation of discipline as a consequence of the arrival of the ship 
and of the disappearance of the pirates. The former, he observed, 
plight have arrived without the intention or the means of succour, 
and the latter might return in a few hours with redoubled force. 
It was ten o’clock the next morning before the gig returned 
to the island. She had left the Ternate at four A. M., but had 
been prevented by the force of a contrary wind and current from 
arriving earlier, not being able to contend against them. The 
Ternate’s cutter, which had left the ship at the same time, was 
compelled to return. In the afternoon, one of the Alceste’s 
boats was sent off to the Ternate for a carronade and a supply 
