consequently forced off the shore. The anchor was then dropped
till towards noon, when the sea-breeze set in. Again we weighed, and
stood towards the shore, as near as possible to which we anchored, and
waited for the land breeze at night.

We had thus slowly proceeded for three or four days, having called off
two estates for cargo, when, as we lay at anchor, a fleet of five or six
prahus was seen standing towards us with the sea-breeze, which had not
yet filled our sails. Van Deck, after examining them through his glass,
said that he did not at all like their appearance, and that he feared
they intended us no good. On they came, still directly for us. We got
up all the arms on deck and distributed them to the crew, who, to the
number of thirty, promised to fight to the last. Then we weighed anchor
and made sail, ready for the breeze. It came at last, but not till the
prahus were close up to us. Under sail we were more likely to beat them
off than at anchor. They soon swarmed round us, but their courage was
damped by the sight of our muskets and guns. Of their character,
however, we had not a shadow of doubt. After a short time of most
painful suspense to us they lowered their sails and allowed us to sail
on towards the shore. Here we anchored, as usual, to wait for the land
breeze. Had there been a harbour, we would gladly have taken shelter
within it, for the merchant, the elder Van Deck, said that he knew the
pirates too well, and that they might still be waiting for an
opportunity to attack us. There was, however, no harbour, and so we had
to wait in our exposed situation, in the full belief that the pirates
were still in the offing, and might any moment pounce down upon us. The
Van Decks agreed that we might beat them off, but that if they should
gain the upper hand they would murder every one on board the vessel.
"We might abandon the vessel and so escape any risk," observed the
merchant--not in a tone as if he intended to do so. "You, at all
events, Mr Braithwaite, can be landed, and you can easily get back to
Batavia." Against this proposal of course my manhood rebelled, though I
had a presentiment, if I may use the expression, that we should be
attacked. "No, no! I will stay by you and share your fate, whatever
that may be," I replied. Night came on, and darkness hid all distant
objects from view.

We were in the handsome, well-fitted-up cabin, enjoying our evening
meal, when the mate, a J