our lives. Had it not been for that, we should have remained bound and helpless; but in order to allow us to work at baling out, the pirates had set us free. Although the slaves are not usually expected to fight, yet in the present desperate state of affairs arms were put into their hands, and they were told that if they did not defend themselves they would all be slaughtered. Men often fight blindly, scarcely knowing for what, and such was the case with these unfortunate wretches. I speak of the slaves who had before been on board the prahus to work the oars. Many of the poor Dyaks still remained bound, though at the last moment their countrymen endeavoured to relieve them. No sooner did the sides of the two vessels touch, than the Malays with that mad fury which sometimes possesses their race, endeavoured to climb up the sides of the brig, careless of their own lives, and only seeking to destroy their enemies, well-knowing that they had not a chance of success. They were repulsed with musketry, boarding pikes, and pistols; still on they rushed, the death of some only increasing the madness of others. Fairburn and I, with the Dutchmen, hung back, endeavouring to shelter ourselves from the shot on the opposite side of the platform, till we could find an opportunity to get on board. The Dyaks shrunk down appalled at the unearthly din, unaccustomed as they were to so rapid a discharge of fire-arms. But a fresh enemy was now assailing the devoted vessel of the pirates. No one attending to baling her out, the water was gaining rapidly on her; its ingress being expedited by the shot holes lately made. Loaded as she was with booty, with living men and dead bodies, as the water rose she sunk

lower and lower.

Many of the wounded were drowned where they lay. Several of the Dyaks, not yet released, shared the same fate. We had time to cut the thongs which bound the limbs of a few, when we saw that not another moment was to be lost. We had worked our way forward as the pirates were clustering more thickly at the stern. The bow of the prahu swung for a few seconds towards that of the brig, the mast becoming entangled in the fore chain-plates; we seized the opportunity, and crying out in Dutch and English that we were friends, which indeed our dress showed, we ran along it, and leaped into the fore-chains.

A few pistols were fired and pikes thrust at us before the seamen discovered that we were not pirates; and a wounded Malay thrust his pike into the back of one poor fellow as he was about to spring forward. A few of the Dyaks followed our example, and we endeavoured to preserve their lives; but no sooner did the Malays perceive what had happened than they attempted to reach the brig in the same way. With terrific shrieks they rushed on, but they were too late-the sea had already reached the deck of the prahu. The Dutchmen cut off the grapnels, and with a sudden lurch down she went, carrying with her the still shrieking and threatening warriors. I shall never forget the dreadful expression of countenance of those almost demon-like beings, as brandishing their arms with furious gesticulations, their feet still clinging to the platform on which they so often had fought and conquered in many an action, the water closed over their heads. How great was the contrast which a few short minutes had wrought; but lately we were surrounded by them, and had every prospect of

sharing their fate, and now we were among civilised men eager to succour us. Truly we had to thank Heaven who had so mercifully preserved us.

As I lay that night in a hammock, slung in the cabin of the kind Dutch officer who commanded the brig, I heard a voice whisper softly in my ear-God is greatGod is everywhere.

CHAPTER XV.

Hassan follows us and is nearly shot by mistake.-The Consequence of being seen in bad Company.-We find ourselves on board the Swalen.-Death of Captain Van Deck.-His Widow alters for the better.-Little Maria wounded.-Our Fears for her Safety. Another Mourner appears.-Ungka makes his Appearance unexpectedly.—I study Languages.—We sail up a River to land our Dyak Passengers.-Take a Pilot on board. -His Intelligence.-Find we have entered the wrong River.Friendly Intercourse with the Natives.-Visit a Dyak House.— I gain Information of great Interest to me.

As I was climbing into the chains of the brig, I caught sight, through the smoke of the pistols flashing round us, of a Malay closely following me. I thought that he was about to run his kriss into me, and I was about to strike him on the head with a sword I had seized to defend myself, when I observed that it was young Hassan, who had all the time been watching our movements with the intention of aiding us. The rush of seamen and the Dyaks threw him off the spar, and he was precipitated into the sea, between the two vessels.

"Poor, poor fellow, I could have done much to save his life," I exclaimed to myself, but it is not a moment for regret.

Scarcely a minute after, the prahu sunk, ingulfing all with her. Fairburn and I, with those who had been

M

preserved, were going aft to the Captain, when I caught sight of a marine levelling his musket at the head of a man floating in the water.

"There still lies one of those rascally Malays,” he said in Dutch; "I will put an end to his misery."

Without a moment's thought, I sprang towards him, and threw up his weapon. I thought I recognised the features. I was right. It was the faithful Hassan. He was almost exhausted, and looked as if he could not reach the side of the vessel. Instantly Fairburn threw off his jacket, and plunged overboard, while I cast a rope towards him. He swam out with powerful strokes towards the poor fellow, and grasped him just as he was on the point of sinking. As the brig had only been drifting to leeward, they were at no great distance. I again hove the rope towards them. Fairburn seized it, and, lifting the light form of the Malay lad under his left arm, he hauled himself on board.

In a short time Hassan recovered. He told us, that, knowing the prahu must sink, he had struck out away from her; and, though he was drawn a short distance down in the vortex she made, he soon again reached the surface, and then swam towards the brig, trusting that we should see him, and would endeavour to save him.

He was the only survivor of the Malays. Two of the Dutchmen belonging to the skiff, and the Malay interpreter were missing. Twelve of the Dyaks also escaped, though several of them were wounded, who were immediately placed in the surgeon's hands. The poor fellows looked very grateful, and, although they certainly never before had heard of the healing art, they seemed fully to comprehend, that what he was doing was for their benefit.