deficiency of medical stores, must have rendered its progress most destructive. Fourteen days had now elapsed, and the evils under which they were likely to suffer were certain to increase in intensity from the mere daily continuance. The firmness and commanding character of Captain Maxwell were sufficient security for the maintenance of discipline; but even upon this head it was difficult to be wholly without alarm.
“Soon after sunset our anxiety was relieved by the arrival of a boat with Messrs. Sykes and Abbot on board; from them we learnt that water had been procured from two wells, in sufficient quantity for the general consumption. Only one casualty had occurred, and that too in the person of a marine, who had landed in a state of hopeless debility[1]. The Malay proas had made their appearance on the 22d February, and had been daily increasing in numbers. The first Lieutenant (Hickman) and a detachment of the crew had, in consequence of their approach, been obliged to abandon the ship, and another raft that had been constructed. The pirates had subsequently set fire to the wreck, which had burnt to the water’s edge. Supplies of provisions, liquors, and arms had, however, been obtained from it. The creek, where the boats of the ship were laid up, had been completely blockaded by the proas, sixty in number, carrying from 8 to 12 men each, until the appearance of the Ternate, when they had all hastened away[2].
"Captain Maxwell had carried his intention into effect of establishing himself on the top of a hill near the landing-place. By cutting down trees and clearing the underwood, an open space had been obtained sufficient for the accommodation of the crew, and the reception of the stores and baggage. The trees and underwood cut down had furnished materials for defences, capable of resisting a sudden attack from an enemy unprovided with artillery; platforms had been erected at the most commanding points, and a terre pleine of some yards extent had been formed immediately without- ↑ This poor fellow had contracted a liver complaint in China, whilst accompanying the Ambassador as one of his guard. The only thing he complained of in his enfeebled state, was his inability to turn out and face the Malays with his comrades. Another man, who was a foreigner, and a very troublesome character, thought proper to leave his shipmates on the third day after they landed, saying, he considered himself free from the English service after the frigate was wrecked. He may have been bitten by a serpent in the woods, and died there, or have fallen into the hands of the savages; but he was never afterwards heard of. See M‘Leod’s Voyage, p. 272.
- ↑ On the 26th May, Lieutenant Hay, in the second barge, pursued two proas, one of which he came up with, and was on the point of boarding, when she sunk with 4 of her crew. The remaining six swam with great dexterity, and refusing quarter, continued to fight with their spears until quite exhausted, when two of them dived and were seen no more. The others were taken prisoners, but two died soon after they had been dragged into the boat.
