When they get within fifty yards, the crew open fire and, as they have three muskets each, they can make it very hot for the pirates.

I have a store of hand grenades and, if they push on, I throw two or three on board when they get within ten yards; and that has always finished the matter.

They don't understand the things bursting in the middle of them.

I don't mean to say that my armament would be of much use, if we were trading along the coast of the Malay Peninsula or among the Islands, but it is quite enough to deal with the petty robbers of these rivers." "But I thought that you had a boat that you went up the rivers in, uncle ?" "Yes; we tow a rowboat and a store boat up, behind this craft, as far as she can go; that is, as long as she has wind enough to make against the sluggish stream.

When she can go no further, I take to the rowboat.