50 EXCURSION TO THE SEA. [1843 



after the harrassing duties of the day, we were surprised 

 by an addition to our party of Mr. Hooper, our purser, 

 as well as Lieut. Chads, first of the ' Harlequin ', Capt. the 

 Hon. G. F. Hastings, which vessel, in company with the 

 ' Royalist ', had reached the Morotabas entrance of the Sa- 

 rawak, bringing provisions, as well as rope and purchase 

 blocks to our relief ; a noble example of zeal, and executed 

 with extraordinary despatch, only twelve days having 

 elapsed since Mr. Hooper left the river in search of assis- 

 tance. Both vessels joined us, and although our grand 

 effort to raise the ship, unaided, was completely successful, 

 I feel bound to record my warmest acknowledgement of the 

 important service subsequently derived, not only from 

 the force of the ' Harlequin's ' officers and crew, but from 

 her excellent captain, in particular, who zealously super- 

 intended the land duties, and by his kindness in antici- 

 pating my wishes, relieved me of a load of anxiety. The 

 duties of cleansing, rigging, &c., not requiring my pre- 

 sence, I planned an excursion to the exterior coast, with a 

 view to improve the health of those employed with me ; the 

 barge and gig were fitted with Kedjangs, or palm mat- 

 ting, to protect us from rain, and I proceeded to make a 

 survey of the coast as far as Tanjong Datu. The result 

 of this examination, directed principally to the entrances 

 of the Sarawak river as adapted for positions for building, 

 should Her Majesty's Government determine upon taking 

 possession of this territory, was unfavourable, and on the 

 night of the 18th, we returned to the ' Samarang ', now 

 ready for sea. 



Thirty-three days had elapsed since entering the Sa- 

 rawak river, and what exciting events had occurred during 



