t-work was constructed, which afforded us some cover, and must
naturally impede the progress of any enemy unsupplied with artillery.'

The Malays had taken possession of some rocks, at no great distance
from where the crew of the Alceste were encamped, and here they
deposited the plunder they had taken from the wreck. It now became
necessary for Captain Maxwell to prepare against an attack. With a
very small stock of provisions, which, even if husbanded with the
greatest care, could last only a few days, he had to contend, with a
handful of men, many of them unarmed, against a host of savages,
perhaps the most merciless and inhuman that are to be found in any
part of the world.

In the evening a general muster was called, and a rude and motley
group presented itself to the eye of the commander. But rough as was
the exterior, he well knew that there was that within which would bid
defiance to danger and outrage so long as life should last.

So stanch and resolute was the spirit diffused through all the little
band, that Mr. McLeod says,--'Even the boys had managed to make fast
table-forks on the end of sticks for their defence. One of them, who
had been severely bruised by the falling of the masts, and was slung
in his hammock between two trees, had been observed carefully fixing,
with two sticks and a rope yarn, the blade of an old razor. On being
asked what he meant to do with it, he replied, 'You know I cannot
stand, but if any of these fellows come within reach of my hammock,
I'll mark them.'

The officers and men were divided into companies, and every precaution
adopted to secure the slender garrison from being taken by surprise.
The boats were hauled closer up to the landing-place, and put under
the charge of an officer and guard.

On Saturday morning, the 22nd, every effort was made to induce the
Malays to come to an amicable conference, but without success. Mr.
Hay, the second lieutenant, was, therefore, ordered to proceed to the
ship, with the barge, cutter, and gig, (armed in the best manner
possible under the circumstances,) and to gain possession of her by
fair means or by force. No sooner did the pirates see the boats put
out towards the wreck, than they left the vessel, though not before
they had set fire to her, thus performing an act which was of great
service to the crew of the Alceste; for by burning her upperworks and
decks, everything buoyant could float up from below and be more easily
laid hol