The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido for the Suppression of Piracy

The visit of her majesty's ship Dido to Borneo, and her services against the pirates, occupy comparatively so small a portion of this volume, that some excuse may be necessary for its leading title.

It was only by undertaking to make the account of them part of the narrative, that I could prevail upon my friend Mr. Brooke to intrust 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 hope, therefore, to be considered as having conquered my own disinclination to be the relater of events in which I was concerned, in order to overcome 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 groundless will, I trust, be apparent from these pages, however indifferently I may have executed my unusual 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.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION.

The text of this edition has been carefully revised, and has undergone numerous verbal alterations; some portions of it have been transposed, and a few additions have been made to the work. [In the American edition, a few pages of matter, of no interest to American readers, have been omitted from the Appendix.]

CONTENTS.

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 Page 1

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 14

CHAPTER III.

Second Cruise: up the River Lunda.--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 32

CHAPTER IV.

Renewed intercourse with the Rajah.--Prospects of trade.--Ourang-outang, and other animals.--The two sorts of mias.--Description of the Rajah, his suite, and Panglimas, &c.--The character of the natives.--Leave Sarawak.--Songi Dyaks.--Visit Seriff Sahib.--Buyat tongue.--Attack by pirates.--Sail for Singapore 45

CHAPTER V.