shore, with his crew, at the foot
of the hill on the top of which the nearest fort stood, and at once
rushed for the summit. This mode of warfare--this dashing at once
in the very face of their fort--was so novel and incomprehensible
to our enemies, that they fled, panic-struck, into the jungle; and
it was with the greatest difficulty that our leading men could get
even a snap-shot at the rascals as they went.

That evening the country was illuminated for miles by the burning
of the capital, Paddi, and adjacent villages; at which work, and
plundering, our native followers were most expert.

At Paddi the river branches off to the right and left; and it was on
the tongue of land formed by them that the forts were very cleverly
placed. We took all their guns, and burned the stockades level with
the ground.

The banks of the river were here so confined, that a man might with
ease throw a spear across; and, as the jungle was close, it was
necessary to keep pretty well on the alert. For the greater part of
the night, the burning of the houses made it as bright as day. In
the evening, Drs. Simpson and Treacher amputated a poor fellow's
arm close to the shoulder, which, in the cramped space of the boat,
was no easy operation. He was one of our best men, and captain of
the forecastle on board the Dido.

Early on the following morning (12th) our boats, with the exception
of the Jolly Bachelor, now become the hospital, proceeded up the
two branches of the river; almost all the native force remaining to
complete the work of destruction.

An accident had nearly occurred at this period. A report had reached
us that several large boats--supposed to be a fleet of Sarebus pirates
returning from a cruise--were in the river; and knowing that they could
not well attack and pass our force at Boling without our hearing of
it, I took no further notice of the rumor, intending to go down in
my gig afterward and have a look at them. While we were at breakfast
in the Jolly Bachelor, a loud chattering of many voices was heard,
attended by a great beating of tom-toms; and suddenly a large prahu,
crowded with savages, came sweeping round the bend of the river,
rapidly nearing us with a strong flood-tide. As she advanced, others
hove in sight. In a moment pots and spoons were thrown down, arms
seized, and the brass six-pounder, loaded with grape and canister,
was on the point of being fired, when Williamson, the only person who
understood thei