132 CRIMINAL TRIALS AND 



rajah's absence, by his deputy, Arthur Crookshank, 

 Esq., assisted by the three Dattus ; but, as has been 

 previously noticed, the Dattu Tumungong seldom at- 

 tends. These magistrates try, in the court-house, all 

 cases brought before them, in the presence, generally, 

 of a large assemblage of natives, who have free access 

 during the hours of business. The class abang-abang, 

 who are the merchants and respectable people, and 

 from whom the dattus are chosen, are permitted to 

 offer any proper and pertinent remark they please 

 after the evidence has been heard. The rajah, after 

 summing up the case to the chiefs, leaves them to re- 

 turn the verdict, which, as justice is here administered, 

 free from the subtleties and technicalities of law, is 

 generally unanimous, and according to evidence. When 

 it happens that a Dyak, or any of the more simple 

 classes of inhabitants, are brought before this court, 

 they always make, immediately on being called upon, 

 a simple and artless confession ; but the Borneans, 

 and people of Sambas, and the Chinese, who are much 

 more frequently the accused, always most stoutly deny 

 the charges, even in the face of the most positive evi- 

 dence, and sometimes those known to be the greatest 

 rascals will appeal to the court in the most impudent 

 manner, and inquire whether the people present could 

 conceive them capable of the actions laid to their charge. 

 The punishments awarded by their laws were very 

 severe, resembling those of the Javans, from whom 

 they are descended; but these have been all modi- 

 fied, and tortures and mutilations are now totally 



