1844.] VISIT TO THE SULTAN. 115 



some of young blood present, and finding that I did 

 not adopt such decisive measures as they themselves 

 would probably have had recourse to, they became rather 

 impertinent and troublesome ; but an order " to load and 

 fix bayonets " had, however, a most decided effect, con- 

 vincing them that we were not to be trifled with. After 

 this little manifestation of hostility, their conduct sud- 

 denly changed to one of more civil deportment, and 

 finally, leaving their arms in the bush, we became on 

 good terms. 



The necessary arrangements for our visit to His High- 

 ness the Sultan having been made by Mr. Wyndham, I 

 proceeded thither, accompanied by all the Officers who 

 could be spared, attended by our boats fully equipped 

 for service, from which, also, the complimentary salutes 

 could be returned. On arriving at the landing place we 

 were met by the Officers of the Sultan, and conducted to 

 the house of the Prime Minister, Datu Muluk ; he received 

 us in state, and, after exchanging salutes of twenty-one 

 guns, accompanied us on foot to the residence of the Sultan, 

 about a quarter of a mile within the town. We found the 

 place of reception, or Hall of Audience, a plain building 

 raised upon posts about four feet above the ground, and 

 about forty feet square ; it had no throne, or raised chair 

 of state, as at Brunai, but a carved high-backed arm-chair 

 was placed for the Sultan, and a table, chairs, and benches 

 for those of minor degree. 



The Sultan was already seated, and surrounded by his 

 Chiefs and Guards in their gorgeous dresses; he was 

 himself clothed in a purple embroidered vest, with a rich 

 flowing robe or mantle of green velvet with gold embroi* 



i 2 



