58 



Makysia, 



pjants on their way to Bornco from South 

 China. These werc nomiually Mcthodists 

 nnrlcr the lcadcrship of a Mcthodist loeal 

 preacher. Thcy werc going to find a ncw 

 land of pronilse. The bishop did not hesi- 

 tatc a moment He purchased a tickct. 

 wcnt on hoard thc steamer, and accoinpan- 

 ied tliese strangers to their ncw home. He 

 was rcceived with tumulous welcome, and 

 his presence greatly heartencd the wander- 

 ers on their fatcful journey. This colony 

 was planted on the banks of the noble 

 Rcjang River, about sixty miles from the 

 mouth, on the Island of Sibu, and the neigh- 

 boring banks, Thc rivcr hcrc is still a milc 

 wide, with low banks, btit the Island oE 

 Sibu lifts itself well out of the water and 

 is the chicf trading point on the river. The 

 soil among the banks is hcavy black loam, 

 wonderfully rich in fanning possibilities. 

 On both skles dense forests stretch away 

 from thc river to the hills, and in these 

 forests are found bands of wandering 

 Dyaks, who have an cvil repute as head- 

 hunters. The strong hand of Rajah 

 Brooke, however, keeps this broad valley 

 in comparative peacc, and so far no casu- 



