first watch was nearly over, and it had become almost
calm, when they were startled by seeing a vessel with long sweeps
gliding up towards them. Those on deck instantly flew to their arms to
defend themselves; but before the watch below and the passengers in the
cabin could be aroused from their sleep, or made aware of their danger,
the brig was alongside. Her character was soon made known to them. A
band of fierce pirates rushed on board, and with their cutlasses and
pistols cut down and shot every one they met, whether armed or not.
Prior, and some of the other passengers, and a few of the crew, fought
till they were overpowered by numbers, and were all cut down and
disabled. How he had escaped I already knew. He supposed that the
pirates, after rifling the ship and murdering the crew, had set her on
fire to escape detection, or, perhaps, from a mere wantonness in
cruelty. He said that he was very certain that he should be able to
recognise the leader and several of his followers. Prior was unchanged
from what he had been as a boy,--wise beyond his years, yet full of life
and spirits, and possessing a vast fund of information; he was a most
delightful companion.

It now having become absolutely necessary to refit the schooner, as well
as to refresh the crew, and to get fresh stores of provisions, we
entered the harbour of Amboyna, the residence of the Dutch Governor of
the Moluccas. Amboyna is an island to the south of Ceram, over the
whole of which the Dutch maintain their sway. The island produces
cloves and other spices in abundance; the climate is tolerably healthy,
and there are a good many Dutch residents. The Governor treated me and
my companions with the greatest attention, appearing most anxious to
forward my views by every means in his power. The sago tree grows here
to a large size, eighteen inches in diameter. The pith forms the chief
food of the inhabitants; and it is calculated that one tree will subsist
a family for a month or six weeks. The tree being felled is secured in
a horizontal position, when an opening being cut in the upper surface,
the pith is scooped out as required.

I never lost an opportunity of questioning people of all sorts, to learn
the movements of the _Emu_; and from a Bugis trader belonging to
Celebes, I heard that some time before, a vessel answering her
description had been seen to the north of that island; and also, as some
piracies had been committed in the neigh