e saddest sight of all, here and there, the corpses of some of our
late companions. From the way we were treated, we concluded that our
friends did not form part of the fleet with which the boats of the
"Resolution" had been engaged a few days before, and of course Smith
wisely forbore to mention the subject. Finding that nothing more was to
be picked up from the wreck, the pirate fleet continued their cruise
along the coast, looking out for trading craft, from China, Java, and
other parts. At night, when the weather was fine, we kept under way,
like a pack of wolves, hoping to come suddenly upon a quarry. In the
day-time the fleet would lie hid behind some point of land, so that they
might dart out on any unwary passer-by. I learnt a lesson from their
mode of proceeding, from which I hoped some day to benefit, should I, in
the course of service, be ever sent to look after such gentry. What
were their intentions regarding us all this time we could not tell. The
old chief, though ready enough to ask questions of us, was not very
communicative in return, and Smith could learn nothing from him.

"Perhaps he intends to demand a ransom for us," I observed.

"He may, sir, but I rather think that he will keep us until some day he
is hard pressed by any of our men-of-war, and then he will threaten to
cut our throats if our friends do not let him get off, and it is my
belief he would do it, sir. These sort of people are very civil as long
as you please them, but just get on the other tack, and they will not
scruple a moment to knock their best friend on the head."

This was not a pleasant piece of information, but it did not greatly
damp our spirits. We had all recovered from the effects of our exposure
on the raft, but were getting somewhat weary of our long detention on
board the prows. That Smith was right in the description of our hosts,
we had soon too clear evidence. It was night. We were gliding calmly
over the moon-lit ocean when suddenly we came upon three native craft.
Smith said they were Javanese. The prows boarded, one on each side of
the strangers. In an instant the Malays threw themselves on board.
There was very little resistance, and they returned almost immediately,
each man laden with a bale of goods. With wonderful rapidity the more
valuable part of the cargo was transferred on board the prows. The
chiefs prow remained at a little distance, ready to render assistance
apparently if required.