irates by the Rembas branch. At daylight the whole bay
presented one mass of wreck, shields, spears and portions of destroyed
proas, extending as far as the eye could reach, as well as on the sandy
spit which extends a considerable distance seawards. On the left bank
of the Sarabas were upwards of seventy proas, which the natives were
busy clearing of all valuables and destroying. Of 120 proas which are
said to have started on a piratical expedition, more than 80 were
destroyed, with 1200 men. No more convincing proof of the inhuman
disposition of the pirates need be cited than the fact that the bodies
of women, supposed to have been captives taken by the pirates, were
found on the beach decapitated and gashed from the shoulder to the feet.
On sailing up the river the force destroyed a piratical town, some
villages and war-proas, and then passing the Rejang River, chastised
another tribe of pirates. Some prisoners were secured, among whom was a
child, apparently of European origin. In other districts hostages were
taken for the future peaceable demeanour of the inhabitants. By this
severe example it was hoped that the piratical habits of the people
would be effectually checked, and an opportunity given to the nascent
civilisation of those regions to develop itself.

AFRICAN COAST BLOCKADE.

The horrible traffic in slaves has been carried on from the west coast
of Africa to the American continent since Sir John Hawkins shipped his
first cargo of blacks for the Spanish settlements, to supply the loss of
the mild and yielding natives of the New World destroyed by the avarice
and cruelty of their task-masters. The vessels which trafficked in
slaves ran down the coast, touching at all the principal native
settlements, and purchased such slaves as were offered for sale until
their cargoes were completed. Sometimes a well-armed slaver carried off
by force the negroes on board another slaver ready to sail, and unable
to defend herself. After a time, regular slave-dealers established
themselves on the coast, and induced the natives to make war on each
other, in order that those captured might be brought to them for sale.
There were at convenient points along the coast forts and stations
established by the British and other European Governments for the very
purpose of facilitating the slave-trade. At length, by the
indefatigable efforts of Wilberforce and other philanthropic men, the
British public were taught to look