They were Malay adventurers; ambitious men of that place and time; the Bohemians of their race.

In the early days of the settlement, before the ruler Patalolo had shaken off his allegiance to the Sultan of Koti, Lakamba appeared in the river with two small trading vessels.

He was disappointed to find already some semblance of organization amongst the settlers of various races who recognized the unobtrusive sway of old Patalolo, and he was not politic enough to conceal his disappointment.

He declared himself to be a man from the east, from those parts where no white man ruled, and to be of an oppressed race, but of a princely family.

And truly enough he had all the gifts of an exiled prince.