“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.