REPORT ON THE ISLAND OF BANKA. 
315 
rial extent, as in the number of their subjects or in their ability to 
command (heir services, they have at all times employed the aid of 
pirates, whom they have fostered and encouraged* and it was on this 
account principally that the expedition was undertaken from Batavia. 
After they had been severely chastised by the arms of Dutch, they 
continued notwithstanding to send forth numerous small vessels, 
which greatly annoyed the traders in the neighbouring seas, but not 
content with this mode of warfare they attempted to affect their ene¬ 
mies by means of their allies, and for this purpose commenced an at¬ 
tack on the island of B&nka, soon after the year above mentioned, 
with the view to destroy the settlements and to reduce the produce 
of the mines. 
The description of people engaged for this purpose were of two 
kinds. The first are distinguished by the name of Lanons. They in¬ 
habit several islands along the north and north-eastern coast of Bor¬ 
neo and form a regular profession of piracy, although they had never 
extended their range to this neighbourhood before this period. The 
others have from time immemorial formed part of the population 
of Johore, Llnga and Rhio, and the neighbouring islands, and, on ac¬ 
count of their particular mode of life, are called orang laut or per¬ 
sons inhabiting the ocean. They are also distinguished by the 
names of Rayads. Some of them are still found in various parts of 
Banka (and Billiton) and a short sketch of their character, habits 
and mode of life will be subjoined below. But their chief retreat 
(in these seas) has been at Johore, Linga and Rluo, and though they 
have almost indiscriminately committed piracy, they have never to 
this period molested their ancient associates in Banka. 
No written records have been preserved of the successive attacks 
on various parts of the island, and I depend therefore on the verbal 
relations of the natives. The disasters commenced with the surprise 
at the settlement at Klabbet-lama: this was made before the co-ope¬ 
ration of the Lanons was obtained, by the Malays from Siak, a well 
known kingdom on the eastern coast of Sumatra, formerly a depen¬ 
dency of Johore, and inhabited by a similar race, disposed to plunder 
and piracy. The assailants succeeded so far as to secure all the 
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