place well calculated for concealment, and paddled with great swiftness up the river. Scarcely was the boat launched and hoisted in, the ship released from the trees to which she had been secured, and her bower cable fairly taut, when about 1000 Malays were discovered marching over the hills, and nearly 200 canoes dropping down the river.
The surprise of the Sultaun was doubtless very great, particularly when, on his nearer approach, he observed a number of armed men stationed in each of the Hobart’s tops: after a short pause, however, he ventured alongside, and was received as before, with every mark of friendship and respect; nor was it until the Hobart had weighed, and got more than two miles into the offing, that he could be prevailed upon to depart, although continually urged to do so by several of those about him, who, probably fearing that some treacherous intention of their own had been discovered, appeared particularly anxious to regain the river. On leaving the Hobart, and being again saluted, the Sultaun gave three good cheers, an example which was followed by nearly 100 canoes, then lying on their paddles; and it is but reasonable to suppose, that this parting ceremony was returned by the English crew, with at least equal good will and sincerity.
From the Celebes, we find Captain Evans returning to Amboyna, where he took charge of the Princess Charlotte, an East Indiaman, laden with spices; which ship he escorted clear of Coupang, in the island of Timor.
After encountering numerous difficulties, and escaping many dangers, in the execution of the services assigned to him in the Eastern Seas, the Hobart daily becoming more and more defective, and all his officers being sick, himself and the gunner keeping watch and watch. Captain Evans ran through the straits of Lumbuck, the adjacent seas, the straits of Banca and Drion, to Malacca, and from thence to Prince of Wales’s island, where the sloop was repaired, as well as circumstances would allow. From thence she sailed for Madras; but in crossing the bay of Bengal, her leaks increased to six feet per hour; which induced Captain Evans to return, and forward a letter to the commander-in-chief, informing
