The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido. ... Second edition

Front matter

EXPEDITION TO BORNEO. t 1 ■ ■■ .*■*.., THE EXPEDITION TO BORNEO OF H.M.S. DIDO FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY: WITH EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF JAMES BROOKE, ESQ. OF SARAWAK, (NOW AGENT FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN BORNEO.) BY CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY KEPPEL, R.N. SECOND EDITION. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: CHAPMAN AND HALL, 186 STRAND. MDCCCXLVI. LONDON : PRINTED BY LEVEY, ROBSON, AND FRANKLY*, Great New Street , Fetter Lane. TO THE EAKL OF ALBEMARLE. MY DEAR FATHER, You could scarcely have anticipated, from my Profession, the dedication of a Book in testimony of my gratitude and affection; but, having had the good fortune to acquire the friendship of Mr. James Brooke, and to be entrusted by him with a Narrative of his ex traordinary career in that part of the world where the services of the ship I commanded were required, I am not without a hope that the accompanying pages may be found worthy of your approval, and not altogether uninteresting to my Country. I am, my dear Father, Your affectionate Son, HENRY KEPPEL. Dr oxford, January 1846.

Preface

TO THE FIRST EDITION. — ♦ — The visit of her Majesty's ship Dido to Borneo, and her services against the pirates, occupy com paratively so small a portion of these volumes, that some excuse may he necessary for their leading title. It was only by undertaking to make the ac count of them part of the narrative, that I could prevail upon my friend Mr. Brooke to entrust me with his Journal for any public object ; and when I looked at his novel and important position as a Ruler in Borneo, and was aware how much of European curiosity was attached to it, I felt it impossible not to consent to an arrangement which should enable me to trace the remarkable career through which he had reached that elevation. I X

PREFACE.

TO FIRST EDITION. hope, therefore, to be considered as having con quered my own disinclination to be the relater of events in which I was concerned, in order to over come the scruples which he entertained against being the author of the autobiographical sketch, embracing so singular a portion of his life, which I have extracted from the rough notes confided to me. That his diffidence in this respect was ground less will, I trust, be apparent from these pages, however indifferently I may have executed my un usual task, during a long homeward sea-voyage ; and, from the growing interest which has arisen throughout the country for intelligence on the subject of Borneo and the adjacent Archipelago, I venture also to indulge the belief, that the general information will be deemed no unfit adjunct to the story of personal adventure. H. K. Droxford, January 1846.

ADVERTISEMENT.

TO THE SECOND EDITION. — ♦ — The text of this edition has been carefully revised, and has undergone numerous verbal alterations ; some por tions of it have been transposed, and a fevv additions have been made to the work, chiefly in Vol. II. , Chap. V., the Concluding Observations, and the Appendix. O.I 50 CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

Chapter I

The Chinese War having terminated, Captain Keppel in H.M.S. Dido appointed to command of the Straits station. Meeting with Mr. Brooke. Sketch of his life. Mr. Brooke's outward voyage in the Royalist. Touch at Singapore. Arrival off the coast of Borneo. Land at the island of Talang Talang. Intercourse with the Bandar . . Paye

Chapter II

Progress : observations. Description of the coast of Borneo. Account, &c. of a Pangeran. Arrival at Sarawak. Meetings' with Rajah Muda Hassim, and conversations. The town. Interchange of visits and presents. Excursion to Dyak tribes. Resources and commercial products

Chapter III

Second cruise : up the river Lundu. The Sibnowan Dyaks. Their town of Tungong. Their physical proportions, and words of their language. Their customs. Skull-trophies. Religious ceremonies and opinions. Their ornaments. Appearance of both sexes. Dress and morals. Missionary prospects of conversion, and elevation in the social scale. Government, laws, and punishments. Dances. Iron manufacturing. Chinese settlement. Excursion continued

Chapter IV

Renewed intercourse with the Rajah. Prospects of trade. Orang-outang, and other animals. The two sorts of mias. Description of the Rajah, his suite, and Panglimas, &c. CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. The character of the natives. Leave Sarawak. Songi Dyaks. Visit Seriff Sahib. Buyat tongue. Attack by pirates. Sail for Singapore .... Paye 72

Chapter V

Summary of information obtained during this visit to Borneo. Geographical and topographical observations. Produce. Various Dyak tribes. Natural history. Language. Origin of races. Sail from Singapore. Celebes. Face of the country. Waterfall ........ 94

Chapter VI

Dain Matara, the Bugis. Excursions in Celebes. Dispute with the Rajah's son-in-law. Baboon shot. Appearance of the country. Visit the Resident. Barometrical observations. The Bugis. Geography. Coral reefs. Visit the Rana of Lamatte. Population and products of the country . 114

Chapter VII

Mr. Brooke's second visit to Sarawak. The civil war. Receives a present ofa Dyak boy. Excursion to the seat of war. Notices of rivers, and settlements on their banks. Deaths and burials. Reasons for and against remaining at Sarawak. Dyak visitors. Council of war. Why side with the Rajah. Mode of constructing forts. State of enemy's and Rajah's forces. Conduct of the war . . . 138

Chapter VIII

Appearance of the country. Progress of the rebel war. Character of the Sow and Singe Dyaks. Their belief in augury. Ruinous effects of protracted warfare. Cowardice and boasting of the Malays. Council of war. Refuse to attack the enemy's forts. Rebels propose to treat. The Malays oppose. Set out to attack the rebels, but frustrated by our allies. Assailed by the rebels. Put them to flight. Treat with them. They surrender. Intercede with the Rajah for their lives. Renewed treachery of the Malays . CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. XIII 241

Chapter IX

Retrospect of Mr. Brooke's proceedings and prospects. Visit of a pirate fleet. Intercourse with the chief leaders, and other characteristic incidents. War-dances. Use of opium. Story of Si Tundo. Preparations for trading. Conditions of the cession of Sarawak .... Page 190

Chapter X

Obstacles in the way of coming to a satisfactory conclusion with Muda Hassim. The law of force and reprisal considered. Capabilities of Sarawak. Account of Sarebus and Sakarran pirates. Excursion up the river. Visit to the Singe Dyaks. Description of Mr. Brooke's house at Sarawak. Circumstances relating to the wreck off Borneo Proper 215

Chapter XI

Return of the Royalist from Borneo Proper, with intelligence of the sufferers from the wreck of the Sultana. Effect of the arrival of the Diana on the negotiations for their release. Outrage and oppression of Macota. Fate of the Sultana and her crew. Mr. Brooke made Rajah of Sarawak. Liberation of rebel prisoners. State of Dyak tribes. Court of justice opened. Dyak burials, and respect for the dead. Malay cunning and treachery

Chapter XII

Reflections on the new year. The plundered village, and other wrongs. Means for their suppression. The new government proceeds to act. The constitution. Preparation for an expedition against the Sea Dyaks. Form of a treaty. Wreck of the Viscount Melbourne. Administration of justice. Difficulties and dangers. Dyak troubles. Views and arrangements of the Chinese. Judicial forms. Wrongs and sufferings of the Lundus 262

Chapter XIII

Ascent of the left-hand river to the Stabad. Remarkable cave in the Tubbang. Diamond-works at Suntah. Return. CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. Infested by Dyak pirates. A meeting of prahus, and fight. Seriff' Sahib's treatment of the Suntah Dyaks. Ex pedition against the Singe. Their invasion of the Sigos, and taking heads. The triumph over these trophies. Arms and modes of war. Hot and cold council-houses. Cere monies on the installation ofthe Orang Kaya Steer Rajah. Meeting of various Dyak tribes. Hostile plans of Seriff' Sahib, and their issue. Resolve to proceed to Borneo Proper Paye 291

Chapter XIV

Visit of Captain Elliott. Mr. Brooke sails for Borneo Proper. Arrival. Visited by leading men. Condition of the country. Reception by the Sultan. Objects in view. The different chiefs, and communications with them. The Sultan and his Pangerans. Objects of the visit accomplished. Return to Sarawak. Ceremonies of the cession. Sail for Singapore 317

Appendix

. I. Natural History. Mr. Brooke's report on the Mias . i II. Philology xii III. Epistle of Laputongei, Rajah of Waju, and Consort, to Mr. James Brooke, and to the company of Merchants at Singapore ..... . VISIT TO BORNEO.

Chapter I

The Chinese War having terminated, Captain Keppel in H.M.S. Dido appointed to command of the Straits station. Meeting with Mr. Brooke. Sketch of his life. Mr. Brooke's outward voyage in the Royalist. Touch at Singapore. Arrival off the coast of Borneo. Land at the island of Talang Talang. Intercourse with the Bandar. At the conclusion of the Chinese war, the com mander-in-chief, Vice- Admiral Sir William Parker, ordered the Dido to the Malacca Straits, a station in which was included the island of Borneo ; our principal duties being the protection of trade, and suppression of piracy. In the month of March 1843, while at Pinang, I received intimation from the Governor of various daring acts of piracy having been committed near the Borneon coast on some native vessels trading to Singapore. I proceeded to that port ; and, while VOL. I. B VOYAGE OF THE DIDO. undergoing a partial refit, made the acquaintance of Mr. Brooke, who accepted my invitation to re turn to Sarawak in the Dido ; and I could not have visited Borneo with a more agreeable or intel ligent companion.

The objects of Mr. Brooke in leaving England, the reasons which induced him to settle at Sara wak, and the circumstances which have led him to take so deep an interest in promoting the civilisation and improving the condition of the singular people whom he has adopted, form indeed a story very unlike the common course of events in modern times. But before illustrating these circumstances from his own journals, it may be acceptable to say a few words respecting the individual himself, and his extraordinary career. I am indebted to a mutual friend, acquainted with him from early years, for the following brief but interesting outline of his life ; and have only to premise, that Mr. Brooke is the lineal representative of Sir Robert Vyner, Baronet, and Lord Mayor of London in the reign of Charles II. : Sir Robert had but one child, a son, Sir George Vyner, who died childless, and his estate passed to his heir-at-law, Edith, his fa ther's eldest sister, whose lineal descendant is our friend.

Sir Robert was renowned for his loyalty to his sovereign, to whom he devoted his wealth, and to whose memory he raised a monument. " Mr. Brooke was the second, and is now the MEMOIR OF MR. BROOKE. only surviving son ofthe late Thomas Brooke, Esq., of the civil service of the East India Company ; was born on the 29th April, 1803; went out to India as a cadet, where he held advantageous situations, and distinguished himself by his gallantry in the Burmese war. He was shot through the body in an action with the Burmese, received the thanks of the government, and returned to England for the recovery of his prostrated strength. He resumed his station, but shortly afterwards relinquished the service, and in search of health and amusement left Calcutta for China in 1830. In this voyage, while going up the China seas, he saw for the first time the islands of the Asiatic Archipelago — islands of vast importance and unparalleled beauty — lying neglected and almost unknown.

He in quired and read, and became convinced that Bor neo and the Eastern Isles afforded an open field for enterprise and research. To carry to the Malay races, so long the terror of the European merchant-vessel, the blessings of civilisation, to suppress piracy and extirpate the slave-trade, be came his humane and generous objects ; and from that hour the energies of his powerful mind were devoted to this one pursuit. Often foiled, often disappointed, but animated with a perseverance and enthusiasm which defied all obstacle, he was not until 1838 enabled to set sail from England on his darling project. The intervening years had been devoted to preparation and inquiry ; a MEMOIR OF MR. BROOKE. year spent in the Mediterranean had tested his vessel, the Royalist, and his crew; and so com pletely had he studied his subject and calculated on contingencies, that the least sanguine of his friends felt as he left the shore, hazardous and unusual as the enterprise appeared to be, that he had omitted nothing to insure a successful issue. ' I go,' said he, ' to awake the spirit of slumbering philanthropy with regard to these islands ; to carry Sir Stamford Raffles' views in Java over the whole Archipelago.

Fortune and life I give freely ; and if I fail in the attempt, I shall not have lived wholly in vain.' " In the admiration I feel for him, I may far ther be permitted to add, that if any man ever possessed in himself the resources and means by which such noble designs were to be achieved, that man was James Brooke ! Of the most enlarged views ; truthful and generous ; quick to acquire and appreciate ; excelling in every manly sport and exercise ; elegant and accomplished ; ever ac cessible ; and above all, prompt and determined to redress injury and relieve misfortune, — he was of all others the best qualified to impress the native mind with the highest opinion of the English character. How he has succeeded, the influence he has acquired, and the benefits he has conferred, his own uncoloured narrative, contained in the fol lowing pages, best declares, and impresses on the world a lasting lesson of the good that attends in- HIS JOURNAL. 5 dividual enterprise, when well directed, of which every Englishman may feel justly proud."

Such is the sketch of Mr. Brooke by one well competent to judge of that to which he bears witness. In pursuance of the mission thus elo quently and truly described, that gentleman left his native shores in the year 1838, in his yacht the Royalist schooner, of 142 tons, belonging to the Royal Yacht Squadron, with a crew of upwards of twenty men. His general views were distinct and certain ; but the details into which they shaped themselves have been so entirely guided by unfore seen occurrences, that it is necessary to look to his first visit to Borneo for their explanation ; and in order to do so, I must refer to his private journal, which he kindly confided to me, after I had in vain tried to persuade him to take upon himself the publication of its contents, so rich in new and interesting intelligence.

EXTRACTS FROM MR. BROOKE'S JOURNAL. " I had for some years turned my mind to the geography of the Indian Archipelago, and cherish ed an ardent desire to become better acquainted with a country combining the richest natural pro ductions with an unrivalled degree of luxuriant beauty. Circumstances for a time prevented my en tering on this field for enterprise and research ; and when the barriers were removed, I had many preparations to make and some difficulties to overcome. MR. BROOKE'S JOURNAL. " In an expedition conducted by government, the line of discipline is so distinctly understood, and its infringement so strictly punished, that small hazard is incurred of any inconvenience arising from such a source. With an individual, however, there is no such assurance, for he cannot appeal to the articles of war ; and the ordinary legal enact ments for the protection of the mariner will not enable him to effect objects so far removed beyond the scope of the laws.

I was fully aware that many would go, but that few might stay ; for whilst a voyage of discovery in prospectu possesses great attractions for the imagination, the hardship, danger, and thousand other rude realities, soon dissipate the illusion, and leave the aspirant long ing for that home he should never have quitted. In like manner, seamen can be procured in abund ance, but cannot be kept from desertion whenever any matter goes wrong ; and the total previous ignorance of their characters and dispositions renders this more likely, as the admission of one ' black sheep' goes far to taint the entire crew. " These considerations fully convinced me that it was necessary to form men to my purpose, and by a line of steady and kind conduct, to raise up a personal regard for myself and attachment for the vessel, which could not be expected in ordinary cases.

In pursuance of this object, I was nearly three years in preparing a crew to my mind, and gradually moulding them to consider the hardest SAILING OF THE ROYALIST YACHT. fate or misfortune under my command as better than the ordinary service in a merchant-vessel. How far I have succeeded, remains yet to be proved ; but I cannot help hoping that I have raised the character of many, and have rendered all happy and contented since they have been with me ; and certain am I that no men can do their duty more cheerfully or willingly than the crew of the Royalist. " I may pass over in silence my motives for undertaking so long and arduous a voyage ; and it will be sufficient to say, that I have been firmly convinced of its beneficial tendency in adding to knowledge, increasing trade, and spreading Chris tianity.

The prospectus of the undertaking was published in the Geographical Journal, vol. viii. part iii. of 1838, when my preparations for sea were nearly complete. I had previously avoided making any public mention of my intentions, for praise before performance is disgusting ; and I knew I should be exposed to prying curiosity, de sirous of knowing what I did not know myself. " On the 27th October, 1838, the Royalist left the river; and, after a succession of heavy gales, finally quitted the land on the 16th December. I may here state some farther particulars, to enable my readers to become better acquainted with her and her equipment. The Royalist, as already noticed, belonged to the Royal Yacht Squadron, which in foreign ports admits her to the AT RIO JANEIRO. same privileges as a man-of-war, and enables her to carry a white ensign.

She sails fast, is conve niently fitted up, is armed with six six-pounders, a number of swivels, and small arms of all sorts, carries four boats, and provisions for four months. Her principal defect is being too sharp in the floor, which, in case of taking the ground, greatly increases the risk ; but I comfort myself with the reflection, that a knowledge of this will lead to redoubled precaution to prevent such a disaster. She is withal a good sea-boat, and as well cal culated for the service as could be desired. " Most of her hands had been with me for three years or upwards, and the rest were highly recommended. They are, almost without exception, young, able-bodied, and active ; fit in all re spects for enduring hardship and privation, or the more dangerous reverse of self-indulgence ; and willing to follow the fortunes of the Royalist and her commander through all the various shades of good or evil fortune which may betide.

A fine, though slow, passage took us to Rio Janeiro, which presents features of natural beauty rarely equalled. The weather during our stay was hot in the ex treme, and very wet, which marred, in some degree, the satisfaction I should otherwise have enjoyed in wandering about this picturesque country. I passed ten days, however, very agreeably, and de parted with some regret from this brief visit to America and from my friends (if they will so allow BRAZIL. 9 me to call them) on board H.M.S. Calliope. I must not omit to mention that, during my stay, I visited a slaver, three of which (prizes to our men-of-war) lay in the harbour. It is a most loathsome and disgusting sight. Men, women, and children — the aged and the infant — crowded into a space as confined as the pens in Smithfield ; not, however, to be released by death at the close of the day, but to linger, diseased and festering, for weeks or months, and then to be discharged into perpetual and hopeless slavery.

I wish I could say that our measures tended toward the abolition of this detestable traffic ; but from all that I could learn and observe, I am forced to confess that the exertions made to abolish slavery are of no avail in this country, and never will be till harsher means are resorted to. " There are points of view in which this traffic wears a more cheering aspect ; for any one com paring the puny Portuguese or the bastard Brazi lian with the athletic negro, cannot but allow that the ordinary changes and chances of time will place this fine country in the hands of the latter race. The negro will be fit to cultivate the soil, and will thrive beneath the tropical sun of the Brazils. The enfeebled white man grows more enfeebled and more degenerate with each succeed ing generation, and languishes in a clime which nature never designed him to inhabit.

The time will come when the debased ' and . suffering ne- ONWARD VOYAGE. groes shall possess this fertile land, and when some share of justice shall be awarded to their cheerful tempers and ardent minds. " Quitting Rio on the 9th, we cruised for a day or two with H.M.S. Calliope and Grecian ; and on the llth, parting company, prosecuted our voyage for the Cape of Good Hope." The next notice runs thus: — "The aspect of Tristan d'Acunha is bold even to grandeur. The peak, towering upwards of eight thousand feet above the sea, is inferior only to Teneriffe, and the precipitous cliffs overhanging the beach arc a fitting base for such a mountain. I regretted not being able to examine this island for many reasons, but principally, perhaps, on account of the birds of the South Atlantic I had hoped to collect there, many of which are so often seen by voyagers, yet so little known and so vaguely described.

" On the 29th March, after being detained a fortnight [at the Cape of Good Hope] by such weather as no one could regret, we sailed again in a south-easter, and after a passage of six weeks reached Java Head. " I had been suffering for some time under a severe indisposition, and consequently hailed the termination of our voyage with double satisfaction, for I greatly required rest and quiet — two things impossible to be had on ship-board. From Java Head we glided slowly through Prince's Strait, and, coasting along the island, dropped our anchor ANJER ROADS. 11 in Anjer Roads. The scenery of this coast is ex tremely lovely, and comprises every feature which can heighten the picturesque : noble mountains, a lake-like sea, and deeply indented coast-line, rocks, islets, and, above all, a vegetation so luxuriant that the eye never wearies with gazing on its matchless tints.

Anjer combines all these beauties, and possesses the incalculable advantage of being within a moderate ride of the refreshing coolness of the hills. We here procured water and provisions in abundance, being daily visited by crowds of canoes filled with necessaries or cu riosities. Fowls, eggs, yams, cocoa-nuts, and sweet potatoes, were mixed with monkeys of various sorts, paroquets, squirrels, shells, and similar temptations on the stranger's purse or wardrobe. Great was the bartering for old clothes, handkerchiefs, and hats ; and great the number of useless and noisy animals we received in exchange. Great, too, was the merriment aboard, and the excitement when the canoes first came. The transition from the monotony of a sea-life to the loquacious bustle of barter with a half-civilised people is so sudden, that the mind at once feels in a strange land, and the commonest productions proclaim the luxuriant climes of the tropics.

Until this impression is made, we hardly know why we have been sailing onward for four months past, so quiet and unvary ing is the daily tenor of a life aboard ship. " lst June, Singapore. — On reaching Singapore SINGAPORE. I was most hospitably received by the kind inha bitants, and took up my abode with Mr. Scott. The quiet and repose of my present life, the gentle ride in the cool of the morning, and the evening drive after an early dinner, are already restoring my shattered strength, and I trust soon to be en abled to prosecute my farther undertaking. In the mean time the Royalist is undergoing a refit after her passage, and, like her owner, is daily improving in good looks. " I could say much of Singapore, for it is the pivot of the liberal system in the Archipelago, and owes its prosperity to the enlightened measures of Sir Stamford Raffles.

The situation is happily chosen, the climate healthy, the commerce un shackled, and taxation light ; and these advantages have attracted the vessels of all the neigh bouring nations to bring their produce to this market in order to exchange it for the manufactures of England. " The extent of the island is about 27 miles by 11 broad. The town of Singapore stands on the south side, facing the shores of Battam, and is intersected by a salt-water stream, which separates the native town from the pleasant residences of the European inhabitants ; the latter stretch along the beach, and cover a space which extends to the foot of a slight eminence, on which stands the governor's house. Off the town lie the shipping of various countries, presenting a most picturesque THE CHINA SEA : PHENOMENON. and striking appearance.

The man-of-war, the steamer, and the merchantvessels of the civilised world, contrast with the huge, misshapen, and be dizened arks of China ! The awkward prahus of the Bugis are surrounded by the light boats of the island. The semi-civilised Cochin Chinese, with their vessels of antiquated European construction, deserve attention from this important step towards improvement ; and the rude prahus of some parts of Borneo claim it from their exhibiting the early dawn of maritime adventure. " QTjth July After various causes of delay I sailed on this day from Singapore. When I con trast my state of health at my arrival with what it now is, I may well be thankful for the improvement. Every kindness and hospitality has been shewn me. " On Saturday at noon we got under weigh with a light breeze, and stood down the Strait on our way to Borneo.

"28th In the morning we were well out in the China Sea, running six knots per hour, N. | E. Lines of discoloured water were seen about us, and about 11 a.m. we entered a field some two miles long and 400 yards wide. The consistence of this dirty mass was that of pea-soup, which it likewise resembled in colour ; and I doubt not the white water of the China Sea (vide Nauti cal Magazine) is referable to this appearance seen in the night, as may the report of rocks, &c. The mr. brooke's objects Malays on board called it « sara,' and declared it to come from the rivers. On examination it appeared, when magnified, somewhat like a grain of barley or corn. The particles were extremely minute, soft, and, when rubbed between the fingers, emitted a strong smell like paint-oil ; a po tent odour arose whilst passing through the thick patch.

" It may not be superfluous to recount here the preparations I have made for this trip to Borneo, or my intentions when I get there. Borneo Proper, once the seat of piracy, which few vessels could approach with safety, is now under the sway of the Rajah Muda Hassim. The character given this Rajah by many persons who know and have traded with him is good, and he is spoken of as generous and humane, and greatly inclined to the English. These reasons have induced me to abandon my intention of proceeding direct to Mal ludu Bay, and during the season of the south west monsoon to confine myself principally to the north-west coast. Muda Hassim being at present reported to be at Sarawak, I propose, after taking a running sketch of the coast from Tanjong Api, to enter the river of that name, and proceed as far as the town.

" I believe I have availed myself of every means within my reach to render my visit agree able to the Rajah. I carry with me many presents which are reported to be to his liking ; gaudy silks IN REGARD TO BORNEO. 15 of Surat, scarlet cloth, stamped velvet, gunpowder, &c, besides a large quantity of confectionery and sweets, such as preserved ginger, jams, dates, syrups, and, to wind up all, a huge box of China toys for his children ! I have likewise taken coarse nankeen to the amount of 100^. value, as the best circulating medium in the country. Be sides the above-mentioned preparations, I carry letters from the government of Singapore, to state, as far as can be done, the objects of my voyage, and to caution the Rajah to take every care of my safety and that of my men. The Board of Commerce have at the same time entrusted me with a letter and present to him, to thank him for his humanity to a crew of an English vessel wrecked on his coast.

The story, as I had it from the parties shipwrecked, is highly creditable to his humanity. The vessel, called the Napoleon, was wrecked on the bar of Sarawak river in the north east monsoon. The people were saved with difficulty, and remained in the jungle, where they were after a time discovered by some Malays. Muda Hassim, on receiving intelligence of this, sent down and brought them to his town, collected all that he could recover from the wreck, clothed them handsomely, and fed them well for several months, and, on an opportunity arriving, sent them back to Singapore free of expense. " At the same time, however, that I have pre pared to meet the natives as friends, I have not ARRIVAL OFF THE COAST. neglected to strengthen my crew, in case I should find them hostile. Eight stout men of the Orang Laut, or men of the sea (Malays), have been added to the force.