“We concluded that the people had been detained either by the Dutch or the natives; yet as the remaining part of the Lascars were desirous to be landed, we stood in with the long-boat, and put them on shore near the point where we supposed the cutter to have landed her people.
“Our number in the long-boat was now reduced to seventeen, viz. myself, Mr. Trounce, Mr. Stalkart, fourteen Lascars, and others. Our stock of provisions consisted of two bags of rice, and one gang cask of water; with this stock we conceived we might hold out till we reached Bencoolen, for which port we determined to make the best of our way.—We fixed the allowance of provisions to each man at one tea-cup full of rice and a pint of water per diem; but we soon found it necessary to make a considerable reduction in this allowance.
“We proceeded on through the Straits of Bantam, meeting in our course several Malay prows, none of which took notice of us, excepting one, which gave chase for a day, and would have come up with us, had we not got off under cover of a very dark night. Continuing our course, we passed through the Straits of Sapay, where we caught a large shark. Our spirits were much elated by this valuable prize, which we lost no time in getting on board, and, having kindled a fire in the bottom of the boat, he was roasted with all expedition; and such was the keenness and extent of our appetite, that although the shark must have weighed 150 or 160 lbs. not a vestige of it remained at the close of the day. We suffered most severely from our indulgence; on the following day we were all afflicted with the most violent complaint of the stomach and bowels, which reduced us exceedingly, and left us spiritless and languid, insomuch that we now seriously despaired of our safety.
“On the 2d of July, I lost an old and faithful servant, who died from want of sustenance. On the 4th we made Java Head; and at the same time caught two large boobies, which afforded all hands a most precious and refreshing meal. On the 9th, at midnight, came-to off Pulo Penang, on the west coast of Sumatra. At day-light we endeavoured to weigh our anchor, and to run close in shore; but we were so much exhausted that our united strength was insufficient to get up the anchor. We made a signal of distress, on which a sandpan, with two Malays, came off. As I was the only person in the long-boat who had sufficient strength to move, I went on shore with the Malays. On landing, I found myself so weak, that I fell upon the ground, and was obliged to be carried to an adjoining house. Such refreshments as the place afforded were immediately sent off to the long-boat; and we recruited so quickly, that in two days we found ourselves in a condition to proceed on our voyage. On the 12th of July we weighed, and on the 19th anchored off Rat island, at Bencoolen.
“Here I met with an old friend, Captain Chauvet, of the Perseverance, and whose kindness and humanity I shall ever remember, and gratefully acknowledge. On the day following my arrival, I waited on the resident, Mr. Parr, from whom I received every kindness and attention.
“I left Bencoolen on the 17th of August, in the Perseverance, for Penang, where I arrived on the 27th, and where I was most agreeably surprised to meet with my late chief mate, Mr. Robson, who, with the Lascars, landed on Ceram, and had safely reached Amboyna, where they were received by Mr. Cranstoun, the Dutch governor, with a humanity and benevolence that reflect honour on his character. The governor supplied them with whatever their wants required; he accommodated Mr. Robson at his own table, and on his leaving Amboyna, furnished him with money for himself and his people, refusing to take any acknowledgement or receipt for the amount. He also gave Mr. Robson letters to the governor-general of Batavia, recommending him to his kind offices. Such honourable conduct from the governor of a foreign country, and with which we were at war, cannot be too widely promulgated.
“From Amboyna, Mr. Robson embarked in the Dutch frigate Pallas, for Batavia, and on their passage thither, fell in with and was captured by his Majesty’s ships Greyhound and Harrier, and brought to Prince of Wales’s Island.
“From Penang I went to Bengal, with the Varuna, Captain Dennison, and arrived safely in Calcutta a few days ago.”
All the other accounts which we have seen, relative to the calamitous loss of this vessel, are mere repetitions of the captain’s letter. In one, however, it is stated, that the resistance which they met with from the natives, originated entirely with the women; who, notwithstanding their seeming mildness, were the first transgressors. They intended to make themselves mistresses of the cutter; and by their wanton proceedings, the men were stimulated to hostilities. These people, like all those whom nature has left in a wild state, evidently delighted in plunder.
When Mr. Robson landed on Ceram, it was his intention to return to the long-boat, with all possible speed, but he was detained on shore by the Lascars, who insisted on his accompanying them to Amboyna. The remaining part of the Lascars, who were afterwards landed, overtook the first party; and from these Mr. Robson learned that the long-boat had declined waiting for him any longer, and was now proceeding on through the straits of Bantam. Indeed this gentleman did not suppose that Capt. Forrest would wait for him so long as he did, or he would certainly have watched an opportunity of escaping from the Lascars, and returning to him. He now made up his mind of prosecuting his journey to Amboyna, where he met with the kind reception that has been already stated, and which far exceeded his expectations.