Page 280 - INDIANNAVYV1

248 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. ;
the throe batteries, wliich appeared to be fully manned and
mounted with a larf2;e mnnber of cannon, swept the channel ;
numerous fire-rafts were also placed on the front and Hank of
the batteries, which were further protected against the approach
of the boats, by piles driven into the river, and by strong
palisades in the rear and flanks.
At this time another messenger arrived from the Sultan,
expressing his readiness to receive the British Commander,
and requesting him to visit the capital without his troops
Colonel Gillespie replied by a demand for an unmolested
passage up the river, to which the envoy assented, at the same
time offering to give up possession of the batteries and the
armed ship. When, however, several boats proceeded to
inspect the works, they were met by emissaries from the batteries,
requesting them to retire, while the armed proas prepared
to resist an advance, and the shouting and excitement exhibited
by the enemy in the batteries, denoted no signs of submission.
Upon this Colonel Gillespie, the same night, sent an officer
to Boraug, to demand a decisive answer as to whether or no
the batteries would be surrendered, and he himself followed
close after at the head of a strong detachment of troops,
supported by the gun launches and field artillery in the flat-
bottomed boats. On their arrival at daybreak before the works,
the garrison betook themselves to flight, and the place was
immediately occupied by the British. One hundred and two
guns were captured, which were found to be all ready baded
and primed. A portion of the troops was accommodated on
board the Arab ship, and the remainder were quartered in huts
and those floating batteries wdiich had coverings. Thus,
without resistance, was captured this Malay stronghold, situated
about forty miles from the coast, which might have caused
serious loss had it been properly defended ; it was found to be
built on artificial ground, entirely surrounded by water, and
fenced, on the flanks and rear, by strong stockades, with many
wooden piles in front extending nearly 200 feet into the river.
In the evening the troops were re-embarked, and the flotilla
proceeded ; fires appeared in all directions, and several fire-
rafts, fitted, with combustibles, came blazing dowm the river,
but they were towed to the bank by graplings, and Malays
employed setting fire to them, were dispersed by the boats'
guns. On the following morning. Colonel Gillespie learnt that
the Sultan had fled from Palimbang and that rapine and
murder were rampant within the city, the Sultan's adherents
meditating a wholesale massacre of the wealthy Chinese and
otjjer inhabitants. Upon hearing this intelligence. Colonel
Gillespie resolved to push on to prevent these excesses, and,
accordingly, proceeded towards Palimbang, accompanied by
some British naval and military oflicers, a few seamen in a gig