RETURN TO THE COAST.

On the 14th arrived at Moco-moco; on the 22nd proceeded for Bencoolen, and arrived there on the 30th March 1805, after one of the most fatiguing and harassing expeditions any detachment of troops ever served upon; attended with the sickness of the whole of the party, and the death of many, particularly of Mr. Alexander, the surgeon.

End of Lieutenant Dare’s narrative.

It is almost unnecessary to observe that these were the consequences of the extreme impolicy of sending an expedition up the country in the heart of the rainy season.  The public orders issued on the occasion were highly creditable to Lieutenant Dare.

CHAPTER 18.

MALAYAN STATES. 
ANCIENT EMPIRE OF MENANGKABAU. 
ORIGIN OF THE MALAYS AND GENERAL ACCEPTATION OF NAME. 
EVIDENCES OF THEIR MIGRATION FROM SUMATRA. 
SUCCESSION OF MALAYAN PRINCES. 
PRESENT STATE OF THE EMPIRE. 
TITLES OF THE SULTAN. 
CEREMONIES. 
CONVERSION TO MAHOMETAN RELIGION. 
LITERATURE. 
ARTS. 
WARFARE. 
GOVERNMENT.

MALAYAN STATES.

I shall now take a more particular view of the Malayan states, as distinguished from those of the people termed orang ulu or countrymen, and orang dusun or villagers, who, not being generally converted to the Mahometan religion, have thereby preserved a more original character.

EMPIRE OF MENANGKABAU.

The principal government, and whose jurisdiction in ancient times is understood to have comprehended the whole of Sumatra, is Menangkabau,* situated under the equinoctial line, beyond the western range of high mountains, and nearly in the centre of the island; in which respect it differs from Malayan establishments in other parts, which are almost universally near the mouths of large rivers.  The appellations however of orang menangkabau and orang malayo are so much identified that, previously to entering upon an account of the former, it will be useful to throw as much light as possible upon the latter, and to ascertain to what description of people the name of Malays, bestowed by Europeans upon all who resemble them in features and complexion, properly belongs.

(Footnote.  The name is said to be derived from the words menang, signifying to win, and karbau, a buffalo; from a story, carrying a very fabulous air, of a famous engagement on that spot between the buffaloes and tigers, in which the former are stated to have acquired a complete victory.  Such is the account the natives give; but they are fond of dealing in fiction, and the etymology has probably no better foundation than a fanciful resemblance of sound.)

ORIGIN OF MALAYS.