Inhabitants of the Malay Archipelago, the great island group between China and Australia, came late to high seas hijacking, but proved quick learners. Pirates sailed in ninety-foot-long vessels, known as prahus, each manned by over one rower. On board, weapons included brass guns, swivel guns, handguns, spears, and swords. Chiefs, dressed in scarlet tunics with armor coats and feather headdresses, commanded as many as two hundred such ships in a single raid. Prisoners-slaves-made the greatest part of their plunder.
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