316 
RETORT OX THE ISLAND OR BANKA. 
metal their vessels were capable of conveying, with the most valua* 
ble possessions of the inhabitants, most of whom saved themselves 
by a precipitate flight into the forest. This happened about the 
year 1789. A second visit, which was made by the Lanons a few 
years later, occasioned the total removal of the inhabitants, who form¬ 
ed a new settlement at Klabbet Melabun which has been finally 
iransfered to Klabbct-bam . 
The first regular enterprise of the Lanons was directed against 
Sungie-liat in the year 1792: the inhabitants being taken by surprise, 
a number of them were killed in the first attack; but the Lanons 
were finally repulsed by means ot the assistance afforded by two Arab 
merchants whose vessels were lying in the river. Three years 
later the attack was repeated: the Lanons now found a regular stock¬ 
ade which they could not overpower, but they annoyed the settlement 
by seizing the supplies which were sent from Plembang. A third 
attempt was soon made with increased vigour in which the Lanons 
undertook a regular seige of the stockade, but they were finally re¬ 
pelled, and on their return destroyed the settlement at Klabbet-laut, 
as just related. 
From this part of the eastern coast, where the enterprises of the 
pirates were resisted by the population, and the means of security 
and defence which the inhabitants had provided, they directed their 
exploits to the southern extremity of the island. For their place of 
landing they selected the outlet of the river Kappu , a remote and 
inaccessible situation, where no impediments could be offered, and 
gradually continued their course to Tubuali. Several months were 
employed in this undertaking ; the defenceless inhabitants they en¬ 
countered on their route were seized and carried away in slavery, 
the chiefs or Batins were murdered. The other Settlements along 
the western coast Ulin Nyeery and Banko-kutto were mostly de¬ 
serted by their inhabitants before the Lanons could reach them ; 
many families retired further to the interior or to the northern parts 
of the island, which were less accessible, where they have remained 
to the present period, especially in the interior of Minto, Belo and 
Palengas. 
