Indian Antiquary Vol 49

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 86

82
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[MAY, 1920
day. But a brave Datoo with his shattered prahu saved us; he proposed to let the Dutchmen board her, creese [stab with a kris] all that did so, and then trust to Allah for his escape.
It was done immediately; we all pulled a short distance away and left the brave Datoo's prahu like a wreck abandoned. How the Dutchmen yelled and fired into her! The slaves and cowards jumped out of the prahu, but our braves kept quiet ; at last, as we expected, one gun-boat dashed alongside of their prize and boarded her in a crowd. Then was the time to see how the Malay man could fight; the creese was worth twenty swords, and the Dutchmen went down like sheep. We fired to cover our countrymen, who, as soon as their work was done, jumped overboard and swam to us; but the brave Datoo, with many more died as brave Malays should do, running a-muck against a host of enemies.
The gun-boats were quite soared by this punishment, and we lost no time in getting away as rapidly as possible, but the acoursed schooner, by keeping more in the offing, held the wind and preserved her position, signalling all the while for the gun-boats to follow her. We did not want to fight any more; it was evidently an unlucky day. On the opposite side of the channel to that we were on, the coral reefs and shoals would prevent the Hollanders following us : it was determined at all risks to get there in spite of the schooner. With the first of the land-wind in the evening we set sail before it and steered across for Bianca. The schooner placed herself in our way like a clever sailor, so as to turn us back; but we were determined to push on, take her fire, and run all risks.
It was a sight to see us meeting one another; but we were desperate : we had killed plenty of Dutchmen ; it was their turn now. I was in the second prahu, and well it was BO, for when the headmost one got close to the schooner, the Dutchman fired all his guns into her, and knocked her at once into a wrecked condition. We gave one cheer, fired our guns and then pushed on for our lives. Ah ! sir, it was a dark night indeed for us. Three prahus in all were sunk and the whole force dispersed.'
To add to our misfortunes a strong gale sprang up. We were obliged to carry canvass ; our prahu leaked from shot-holes; the sea continually broke into her ; we dared not run into the coral reefs on such a night, and bore up for the Straits of Malacca. The wounded writhed and shrieked in their agony, and we had to pump, we fighting men, and bale like black fellows (Caffre or negro slaves]! By two in the morning we were all worn out. I felt indifferent whether I was drowned or not, and many threw down their buckets and sat down to die. The wind increased and, at last, as if to put us out of our misery, just such a squall as this came down upon us. I saw it was folly contending against our fate, and followed the general example."God is great l' we exclaimed, but the Rajah of Johore oame and reproved us. Work until daylight,' he said, and I will ensure your safety. We pointed at the black storm which was approaching. Is that what you fear?' he replied, and going below he produced just such a wooden spoon and did what you have seen me do, and I tell you, my captain, as I would if the Company Sahib'stood before me, that the storm was nothing, and that we had a dead calm one hour afterwards and were saved. God is great and Mahomet is his prophet --but there is no charm like the Johore one for killing the wind !
N.B.The charm was worked as follows (see p. 68) -" Hand here the rice-spoon shouted Jadee, looking as solemn as a Quaker or a haggi (Haji). This rice-spoon, by the way, was the only one in the vessel ; it was made of wood and used for stirring the rice whilst cooking over the fire ; its value to us probably invested it with a certain degree of sanctity. The spoon was brought and I tried to look 88 solemn as Jadoe, who calling to his aid the