Among Malay Pirates

he doctor alone accompanied him, with an escort of twenty bluejackets and as many marines. A large crowd of people had collected to see them pass

them into a large, unfurnished room, at the end of which the rajah was seated. He rose when the offic

ish ship had come was not even touched upon; refreshments, consisting of native sweets and palm wine, w

e two midshipmen, was always r

Dick asked him, when, having changed his full u

el the son of the chief here. He was joined by other fugitives, set up as a pirate, and captured by surprise one of the chief's prahus. His force grew rapidly, and he made a night attack on the chief's campong, killed him and all the members of his family, and caused himself to be elected chief of the tribe, which was then a small one. Gradually he swallowed up one after another of his weaker neighbors, sometimes by force, sometimes by t

antly, "that we are going to fight for such a rasca

hould imagine that he hopes that the effect of our appearance here will be to either induce his neighbors to come to some arrang

hat the best thing would be to

you see, we have come up here at his invitation; we have just been eating his food and drinking his liquor, and it would scarcely

uppose not, Doctor. Sti

best we may. We shall have fine opportunities for shooting and botanizing, for whatever the chief's designs may be, it is certain that at present he will do all in his power to please us. The captain today, at my suggestion, said that, in order to keep the men in g

and a dozen marines to go on shore. Before starting, the whole ship's company were dr

ression. Many of you have served on the coast of Africa, but you must remember that the Malays are not to be treated in the same free and easy manner that may go down with negroes. You must comport yourselves with the same decency of behavior that you would were you in the port of a friendly European Power. Any breach of these orders will be most severely punished; and I appeal to ever

The captain replied that her Majesty was anxious to be on good terms with all the Malay chiefs; that those rajahs and sultans who had accepted her protection had greatly benefited by so doing, and by listening to the advice of the officers whom she sent to reside at t

government bestowed upon one better fitted for it. He could not, for instance, be allowed to engage in hostilities against his neighbors without the consent of the Resident, for it was clear that the English could not assist him in wars in which they considered that he was in the wrong. In these matters there must be benefits on both

asked at last, "a chief obtain the protection of the

to send ships and men to aid him, and afterwards, when the danger has passed, wish

esident give?" the raj

e hampered and injured by heavy and unjust exactions; although, doubtless, he would allow legitimate tolls to be taken. He would not permit expeditions to be fitted out for attacks upon harmless neighbors. His interference would always be for the good of the state, and, consequently, for the good of its prince

and, in extreme cases, to take possession of his dominions. I am explaining all this to you because I wish you thoroughly to understand what your position will be if the Queen takes you und

some time silent. It was evident that he was ill pleased, and that he had reckone

come up," he said at last,

might either reside in the fort or in a residence erected for him close to it, and under shelter of its guns. The fort would, of course, be used for the protection of the town

ajah said angrily. "I should not be able to

ly exercised. You would have the power of executing ill doers in accordance with the custom of your country; but the murder of a person

he said, with an evident effort of self control,

important one, and you will do well to consider it in all lig

," the captain said; "he intended to use

ed the terms, I should be very sorry to be appointed Resident,

g to open the trade of the river and to render it safe for merchants who come up to trade. If Hassan's account of this man's doings is correct, he is the main cause of the falling off in the trade, and, moreover, the author of the piracies of which we have

s remained in the same condition. The doctor went daily on shore with butterfly and beetle nets, tin boxes, and other paraphernalia. He was generally accompanied by a couple of bluejackets, and always took a native guide to prevent the risk of being lost in the jungle, and also because the man was able to take him

oring to penetrate the thick jungle in search of them. There was, however, an abundance of birds, for the most part of brilliant plumage, and the doctor was delighted with the spoils they brought in, while the messes were kept well s

two other sailors always accompanied them, as the captain's orders were strict that no offic

ally verified, for the precautions taken, if they did not secure a perfect immunity against fever, at least greatly diminished the number of those who suffered from it. The abundance of fish either caught from the ship or purchased from the natives formed a wholesome diet, aided by the fruit, of which the natives brought off a very large quantity. It was very varied, and much of it delicious; the mangosteens were specially ap

to be on good terms with all, and would gladly see any of them who would come down to pay him a visit, and would guarantee their safe return without molestation on the part of Sehi. No answers had, however, been rec