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the island, close by the shore : and when the Dutch boat went 
out the second time to fish, the Malayans set on them sudden¬ 
ly, and unexpected, with their cressets and lances, and killing 
one or two, the rest leapt overboard, and got away, for they 
were close by the shore ; and they having no arms were not 
able to have made any resistance. It was about a mile from 
the fort: and being landed, every one of them made what haste 
he could to the fort, and the first that arrived was he who cried 
in that manner, and frighted the Governor from supper. Our 
boat was at this time a-shore for water, and was filling it, in a 
small brook by the banquetting house. I know not whether 
our boat crew took notice of the Alarm, but the Dutch call'd 
to them ; and bid them make haste aboard, which they did ; 
and this made us keep good watch all night, having all our 
guns loaden and primed for Service. But it rained so hard 
all the night, that I did not much fear being attacked by 
any Malayans ; being informed by one of our Sea-men, whom we 
took in at Malacca, that the Malayans seldom or never make 
any attack when it rains. It is what l had before observed of 
other Indians, both east and west: and though then they might 
make their attacks with the greatest advantage on men armed 
with hand-guns, yet I never knew it practised; at which I 
have wondered; for it is then we most fear them, and they 
might then be most successful, because their arms, which are 
usually lances and cressets, which these Malayans had, could 
not be damaged by the rain, as our guns would be. But they 
cannot endure to be in the rain: and it was in the evening, 
before the rain fell, that they assaulted the Dutch boat. The 
next morning the Dutch sloop weighed, and went to look after 
the Malayan; but having sailed about the island, and seeing 
no enemies, they anchored again. I also sent men ashore in 
our boat to bring off the mizen-yard that I had cut the day 
before : But it was so heavy a kind of timber, that they could 
not bring it out of the woods. Captain Minchin was still as¬ 
hore, and he being acquainted with it, desired I lie Governor 
to send a soldier, to shew our men what trees were best for 
our use: Which he did, and they presently cut a small tree, 
about the bigness and length of that which I cut, and brought 
it aboard. I immediately went to work, and having fitted it 
for use, bent my sail, and hoised it up in its place. In the 
evening Captain Minchin and Mr Richards and his wife came 
aboard, having staid one night at the fort; and told me all that 
hapned to them ashore. 
Dampier 
