THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
1*8 
and circumstances, attribute the unparalleled barbarity of the 
Malays to the quantity of opium which they take from their 
infancy, in consequence of which they are in an almost per- 
petual state of delirium. This delirium, however, is not of 
longer continuance than till the intoxicating quality of the 
drug has spent its force. In the intervals they are com- 
pletely master of themselves ; it is then they plan their 
enterprises; and the quantity of bang which they take is 
proportioned to their determination to perpetrate the crime 
they are about to commit. In fact, their institutions and 
their religion are sufficient to account for their character, 
without seeking for any other cause, and without accusing 
nature of having produced monsters. 
The manner in which the Malays undertake to accomplish 
their revenge gives the most striking example of their fero- 
cious dispositions. When a Malay has suffered any injury 
or grievance, real or imaginary, and ever so slight, the most 
dreadful thirst of revenge appears to take possession of his 
whole soul. lie makes a vow to destroy the object of his 
vengeance, together with every other person who comes in his 
way, till he meet death from some hand or other. To pre- 
pare himself for this dreadful exploit, he takes a large 
quantity of bang, then draws his poisoned kreese, and rush- 
ing headlong into the street, stabs indiscriminately every one 
that comes in his way ; at the same time crying aloud, amok, 
amok , or kill, kill, from whence this horrid mode of revenge 
is termed by Europeans running a muck . The fury of the 
