ly made the necessary arrangements for their reception, in the event of their finding their way into these seas; and I received orders to proceed, with H. M. sloop under my command, to the Straits of Bali, to watch well their southern entrance. I received on board some few convalescents from the hospital, and immediately repaired to Balambuan, in the straits above-mentioned. While at anchor there, I had the misfortune to lose the only experienced officer on board, who sunk under the effect of the marshes of Batavia. Subsequently I found his loss irreparable. While taking in here our water, the westerly monsoon had set in with its usual violence, and though perfectly secure at our anchorage, the offing held out no very agreeable prospects; and the extreme severity of the weather, accompanied with torrents of rain, of which scarcely an idea can be formed in a northern temperate latitude, made me sometimes hesitate on the propriety of proceeding to sea. But the system of naval discipline is founded on the same principle as that of the ancient Roman armies; and with us, as with them, the highest virtue is obedience without calculation. I determined to run all risks; and, having completed the supply of water, stood to sea early one morning in the middle of December, with the intention of returning to the anchorage in the evening, if I should find, upon trial, that the severity of the weather, or strength of currents outside, should render it necessary. In half an hour from the time of our quitting the Straits, an extremely heavy squall came on, which entirely hid the land from my view. I stood on for a few hours, and then tacked, in the expectation of reaching my anchorage in the Straits before dark. The weather, during the whole day, had been so extremely thick, that we were never once enabled to see more than half a mile distant. About four o'clock, P. M. I calculated that I was again at the mouth of the Straits, which I had left in the morning. The weather, as we approached the shore, became more moderate, and the land was discovered at no very great distance. I stood in with full confidence, when, to our no little astonishment, the face and form of the Straits had entirely changed their character, and I soon discovered that it was in vain to search for our old friendly anchorage here; in short, I now comprehended, that the easterly current, for which it was impossible to calculate during the thick weather of the day, had driven me, in spite of all my endeavours to keep to windward, into the Straits of Lombo, which are formed by the island of Bali and that of Lombo. I endeavoured to gain the offing; as the only rough manuscript chart in my possession represented these Straits as extremely dangerous, from the extraordinary currents there prevailing. But it was too late to recede. The wind had almost at once fallen to a dead calm, and I found myself irresistibly drawn into this gulf with a rapidity the most alarming. The vessel was now perfectly ungovernable, from the total stagnation of wind; and it is scarcely possible to describe the very extraordinary appearance and effects of the currents which now acted upon us with the most capricious fury. At one moment all was calm and smooth as a mirror-not a ripple to be seen or heard; and in an instant a mountainous wave rose at a short distance, and directed its course to the vessel, boiling and roaring with a velocity and noise the most astounding. It then broke over the vessel on both sides, and left us, carrying on its coarse and wild appearance for a hundred fathoms more; and then at once the surge ceased, and all again was still. This phenomenon happened every minute. During the whole of this scene, the vessel was turned round and round in the most frightful manner: she appeared but as a plaything in the hands of the genii of this whirlpool. At one moment we found ourselves close to the breakers which border the shore of the Straits, upon which we were hurried with a rapidity that seemed scarcely to leave time to prepare for the threatened catastrophe; and then, at the very moment that we had lost the hope of deliverance, a counter current caught us with the same violence, and hurried us over to the opposite shore, where a similar counteraction again preserved us. The chart before me was not particularly calculated to cheer us, as the Dutch navigators had marked a small island at the entrance of the Straits, Banditti Island; another, Murderers' Point, Assassins' Bay, &c. I now ob served, with attention and satisfaction, tance from Sandalwood Island, and the progress of the vessel in this wild which were not marked down in the hurly-burly; and found that, inde- chart. I found myself the next day pendently of the counter currents, the in the open sea, between the abovedirection of the whole movement was mentioned island and the Timor to the northward through the Straits Islands. The weather was now occawith a very great velocity, so that, at sionally clearer, though still blowing the expiration of two hours, we had with undiminished violence; but I opened the northern entrance; and I was fortunately able to determine with gained, the same night, the Java sea tolerable precision the latitude by douwithout any accident, and, in the ble altitudes, which was of the utmost course of the following morning, again consequence, as my intention was to entered the Bali Straits by a northern enter the Straits which are formed by entrance. the two small islands lying to the westward of Timor. At eight o'clock in the evening I was, by calculation, exactly in the latitude of the Straits at the supposed distance of about fifty miles. I therefore gave orders to heave the ship to for the night, and not to attempt a nearer approach until the following morning. These orders were so unskilfully executed by the officer of the watch, that a tremendous squall coming on at the same time, the foreguard was carried away. To clear the wreck, it was absolutely necessary to put again before the wind, at the risk of approaching the lee-shore during the night. I steered then due east for the straits, and was obliged to remain running for a considerable time, until the wreck was cleared, when we were enabled again "to heave to." I knew that by this time we must be within twenty miles of the land, and my anxiety was extreme. I remained on deck all night-the weather was excessively bad-and the vessel drifted fast to the eastward. The day had not yet broken, when the alarm was given, "Breakers on the lee-bow,"the ship was instantly wore round, and scarcely had she gone on the other tack, when again, "land a-head." The surf broke over the rocks with tremendous noise and fury. I could now only hope that we were in the Straits, but our safety depended on various circumstances-upon the correctness of the latitude of the Straits, as marked down in the chart, on the precision of my observations the preceding day, and on the exactitude of our cruise during the night. It was a fearful moment. If we were in the Straits I knew we were safe, but if a quarter of a mile to the northward or southward, nothing could possibly save us from destruction. The day was not yet clear. We wore round frequently to avoid the tremendous breakers on The weather was now for a day or two tolerably settled; so that, not withstanding the experience I had gained in my first attempt to remain at sea, I was induced to make a second experiment. Accordingly I started again by the same route. The morning was fine, and the easterly current outside did not appear too rapid to prevent my holding my ground; but towards the afternoon it grew black to the S.W. and in a short time a gale of wind came on with excessive fury; it blew a perfect hurricane all the night; and in the morning, when I stood in for the land, I discovered by my observations of chronometer, that I was now opposite the coast of Sumbaya. The strength of the currents of course vary with the violence of the wind; and as it still continued to blow with unabated fury, I considered any attempt to return to my cruising ground perfectly hopeless and impracticable, until the termination of the monsoon, unless I had chosen to cross the equinoctial line, and thus, by profiting of the contrary monsoon which blew to the northward of the equator, be enabled to return to Java; but the short stock of provisions, and the wearied sickly state of my crew, rendered it necessary that I should immediately find some sheltering port. I cast my eyes over the chart, and saw no place where I could expect to find refreshment nearer than Timor, and though I had no local knowledge of the state of the settlement, I concluded it, from its appearance on the chart, to be of some importance, and hoped, that before this time the British government had sent a garrison to take possession of it. I decided then on making the best of my way to that place. I ran before the wind, running some risk from the coral reefs, which extend to a considerable dis either side. The Straits were not half a mile in breadth. A perfect silence prevailed on board. Every individual seemed absorbed in the contemplation of the imminent danger, and the rapid execution of each successive order shewed the superiority of the British seamen over every other in the hour of danger. I had sent men aloft to report if any opening could be observed between the lands to leeward; when at once, on the dispersion of a dark and heavy squall, which kept back the day, several voices exclaimed, "We are in the Straits, sir," and the opening appeared every moment more manifest. We had stood the cast for life or death, and the throw was successful. I now steered confidently in the Straits, and we were soon in that part of them formed by the northernmost of the two islands I have spoken of, and Timor. Here we were perfectly sheltered from the fury of the monsoon, but our difficulties were not all over. Our chart, owing to the liberal practice of the Dutch government, whose invariable practice was to preclude strangers from all knowledge whatever of their seas, contained no details, and I knew not in what part of the island to look for the anchorage. Our sounding lead could never reach the bottom with forty fathoms. The day was employed in a vain search in the Straits. I was in hopes, by the interception of some canoe, to have opened communication with the shore, and to have gained the necessary information of the position of the settlement. But neither man nor habitation presented themselves in this quarter. I remained in the Straits all the night, and on the morning sallied out to explore the northern coast of Timor. The weather had some what moderated when I quitted my sheltering Straits. The land of Timor I found formed a deep bay to the northward, at the bottom of which I suspected the settlement I was in search of existed. I stood in for a considerable time, but no signs of habitation appearing, I began almost to despair of finding the object of my search here, when, as I put my glass to my eye for the last time, I imagined I discovered a red habitation peeping from among the trees. I now stood in farther, and sounding a precipitous point, my doubts were changed to certitude. The picturesque town of Copang presented itself, sheltered by the battery of Vittoria, which stood high on a cliff to the westward of the town. Our colours were now hoisted, and a signal gun was fired; and I expected of course to see the British flag hoisted on the fort; but you may judge of my embarrassment, when I observed the Dutch flag wave. What measure was to be taken? I immediately despatched an officer with a flag of truce on shore, bearing a letter to the governor, in which I informed him of the success of our arms at Batavia, and that by the capitulation all the Dutch settlements were surrendered to the English; and demanding the surrender of the colony, and his immediate attendance on board. The officer returned with the answer of the governor, that he could not comprelend the affair; that he had no communication with Java for nearly two years, and begged me to come on shore to explain. I did not hesitate. With the white flag in my hand, I was received on the beach with military honours; the battery was manned, and the troops and militia drawn up. I proceeded to the government-house, and commenced the conversation by a recapitulation of the late events at Java, &c. and demanded again the immediate surrender of his settlement. He required to see my authority, and the written orders on the part of government, usual on such occasions. I was obliged to be frank with him, and represented to him the truth, that accidental circumstances had brought me to Timor, where I had expected to have found already a British garrison, but that hot being the case, it became my duty as a British officer to pull down an enemy's flag wherever I might find it, adding, that if he did not think proper to surrender the island on the ground of its having been included in the capitulation by General Jansen, I now summoned him, in my own name, to surrender to me, as to an enemy of superior force; stating to him, that I had now 300 men ready to be thrown on shore, and who waited but for my return to commence an immediate attack. I warned him likewise, that the blood which might be shed in this useless contest must rest on his shoulders; and should the life of a single Englishman be lost in the struggle, he might rest assured, that the British government would visit it severely on his head. I then, with the view of impressing still more deeply on his mind the verity of my statement, entered into minute details of the campaign, mentioned the names of individuals whom I had personally known at Java, &c. &c. He was considerably agitated, and undecided what part to take. To compel him to decision, I drew out my watch," Sir, I give you ten minutes for deliberation, if, at the expiration of that time, you are not decided, I am." "I shall then return on board." His inquietude increased. I saw that he was inclined to obey the summons, but the fear of committing himself would not allow him to act. I whispered to my Dutch interpreter to proceed to the fort, which was in sight from the portico of the government-house, where the conversation was held, and endeavour, by feigning himself to be the bearer of orders to that effect, to haul down the flag. He executed his commission so well, that before the ten minutes were expired, and while the governor still was hesitating, the flag of Holland was lowered, and the British ensign waved in its stead. It was too late for him to retract. I thanked him for his promptitude, and immediately established him in due form as vice-governor provisionally, till the ulterior orders of the British government were received; and I then promised him, that provided he would answer for the fidelity of his colonists, that I would not run the risk of disturbing the harmony which I hoped would reign in the settlements, by landing a single Englishman, excepting my own boat's crew, as a body guard for myself. He acquiesced entirely in my views. You will easily conceive what were really the motives of my apparent delicacy, viz. the almost total impossibility of garrisoning the fort, not having more than 30 or 35 efficient men, who were scarcely sufficient for the ordinary duty of the ship. Our measures were now all amicably arranged. I received and returned the official visits of the chief personages of Copang. Fresh provisions, &c. were sent off in abundance to the ship, and I procured a pilot to place her in the anchorage, which I learnt with pleasure was at a considerable distance from the place, as by that means I should have less difficulty in preventing communica tion, and letting the real state of our force be known, till my authority was securely established. But feeling that that authority could only be maintained by public opinion, my grand aim now was to procure conciliation and attachment. With the governor himself I had no difficulty, for the more we lived together, the more reason he had to be convinced that he was not deceived; but I soon found the case was far different with those who had not the same opportunity of investigation. The public mind was in a state of great ferment. Weeks had elapsed since my first arrival, and no vessel had arrived from any quarter, bearing the confirmation of the capture of Java, and the overthrow of their empire in the east, which were looked upon as equally chimerical as the destruction of one of the great powers of Europe. I had a Malay slave, who was much attached to me. This man brought me continually reports of what passed in the societies of Copang. They had already more than suspected the distressed and sickly state of our force, and exclaimed loudly against what they termed the pusillanimity of the governor, in lending a credulous ear to the improbable story I had told him. My trusty slave also informed me, that a report was abroad of a conspiracy entered into by the governor and principal inhabitants, and the four native rajahs in the neighbourhood; who, on a preconcerted signal, were to unite their forces, make myself prisoner, and re-hoist the Dutch flag. I was the more inclined to give credit to his story, as my dwellinghouse had been beset lately, during the night, by parties of the natives and slaves, who had startled me from my sleep by repeated howls and warcries. The activity and alertness of my trusty guard prevented any thing unpleasant occurring. It now appeared to me that matters were drawing to a crisis, and that some decided measure must be taken. I repaired on board my ship early the following morning, without making my intentions known. I left orders with the commanding officer to bring the ship immediately as close to the town as was consistent with her safety, and to have all clear for action. I myself proceeded with my boat's crew, with the intention of making myself In master of the person of the governor, as a hostage and a security for the good conduct of the inhabitants. I chose mid-day for the enterprise: in the tropics it is the season of tranquillity and repose. I entered the inner harbour, which led to the very door of the governor's house. No alarm was given; not a soul was stirring. I was in the inner apartment with my trusty men, who planted themselves at the door. The governor appeared. He was alarmed and agitated. I explained to him the report which had reached my ears, of a conspiracy against us, and that he himself was supposed to be not perfectly free from taint. He was excessively distressed-called on every thing sacred to witness his perfect innocence-but admitted, that for some days past he had not been perfectly satisfied with the conduct of some individuals, who had talked to him in a manner very indiscreet. reply, I stated to him my extreme dissatisfaction at the want of confidence of the colonists, who appeared to have mistaken my hitherto mild manner of treating them for a want of force and authority. It was now necessary to undeceive them. (At this moment a gun was fired from the Hesper, which was the signal to me that she had taken her station close to the town.) I directed a call of the principal inhabitants immediately, and they were informed to prepare themselves to take the oath of allegiance the following morning, in the castleyard. In the mean time, the governor was to remain a state prisoner in his own house; and it was understood that his person was responsible for any tumult or outrage that might take place. This sudden call and declaration, the appearance of the Hesper's broadside within three hundred yards of the beach, checked at once the rising seeds of disaffection. They renewed to me their promises of fidelity and attachment, and professed them selves perfectly ready to take the oath of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty. The night passed without any thing extraordinary. In the mean time I had thrown into the battery every disposable man from the ship, leaving the convalescents and boys to do their best in keeping a constant fire on the town, in case it should be necessary. Asiatic indolence was astonished and alarmed at the promptitude and deci sion of the measures of the men of the north; they felt and acknowledged their inferiority. At nine the following morning, the procession moved from the governor's house towards the fort. I could scarcely keep my gravity at the spectacle. The governor, secretary, and suite, had ransacked their wardrobe to make up gala dresses, and never were seen such originals. However, the solemnity was well preserved; and we entered the castle-yard, after a military salute from the troops and the detachment of seamen. I had forgotten to mention, that the four native princes whom I spoke of attended the ceremony at the head of their respective councils. The Malay corps were in line, the principal inhabitants assembled around me. The governor advanced in the middle, and read aloud the oath of allegiance, which was answered by all present, amidst a salute of twenty-one guns fired by our detachment. All seemed to pass off well, when an unlucky peal of thunder seemed to waken the superstitious feelings of my demi-civilized friends. I determined to anticipate the evil augury, and my interpreter exclaimed, that Heaven likewise joined in the solemnity we were celebrating. It was answered by a viva; and we assembled in the evening to a ball and supper, prepared under the portico of the government-house, adorned by some fine old banyan-trees, which had stood there for ages, and whose successive branches, having taken root, formed a most singular and picturesque shelter from the heats of day or dews of night. Universal harmony prevailed. Keisar, the chief of the princes, paid his devotions most earnestly to the brandy bottle which was placed before him. His attachment to his new masters increased at every glass. He embraced me, fell on his knees, embraced me again, and swore to follow me through this world. All present seemed to feel the effects, more or less, of their hearty libations. I gave the signal to rise; and in the same instant, an officer whom I had stationed with some fireworks discharged the rockets. From that moment I felt myself perfectly secure of the fidelity of my subjects. With few exceptions, almost all, creoles and natives, fell with their faces on the ground; and several moments |