MORE DESERTION. 
89 
tliink they might by some means starve (luring the next 
-week, and so resorted to several ingenious devices for 
attractino: attention to their situation. A mere accident 
relieved them during the next day.” The ship was im- 
mediately got under way for Batavia, from whence a re- 
ward was announced among the difterent islands, which 
resulted in their final capture and they and the boat 
&c. being forwarded to us at IIong-Kong. They had 
landed on an island, in a very hungry and used-up state, 
and had tried to pass themselves off as shipwrecked 
sailors; but the police Avere too well informed as to 
their true character to admit of their yarn being ac- 
cepted. 
The amusing incident was as follows: — 
“ The Hancock, having anchored near an island about 
which she had been surveying during the day, was left 
ill charge of thirty fathoms of chain and the oflicer of 
the w^atch, while every one else had gradually retired to 
their beds. There had been much talk about this time 
in relation to ^ Malay pirates,’ how they boarded ships 
in their phraus at night, murdered all hands, &c. &c. ; 
and the possibility of such an attack caused us to keep 
constantly on guard, simply as a measure of prudence. 
Tliere was really no cause for men of even ordinary 
firmness to feel nervous, however; but, unfortunately, 
there was an ‘ alarmist’ on board, who was always imagin- 
ing his throat cut, a snake under his pillow, or something 
of the sort; and who never went to bed without screw- 
ing in his air-port, (thermometer at 100°,) locking the 
door of his state-room, and arming himself in the most 
formidable manner. He had gone to bed this night as 
