30 



A VJSIT TO THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 



faces that filled tlic openings whicli Bcrved for windows. 

 We were in full uniform, and found it oppressively hot. 



The buRiiiess commenced by fche cliief of each depart- 

 ment welcoming back tlio Rajali. 



Tlie Europeans presented him with a rich and \'aluable 

 sword. Tlicn came the Rajah's speech,^ — in the course of 

 which he presented each of the Datus with a handsome 

 state sword, and afterwards introduced to the people his 

 heir-prosumptivej his probable successor in the govern- 

 ment of Sarawak. 



A new flag, which the Rajah had brought from 

 England, was then uiifurled for the fii^t time — displaying 

 a black and red cross on a yellow field. This was to be 

 henceforth the national flag of Saniwak. It was hoisteil 

 and saluted in due form, the Alceanders baud by a lively 

 air contributing to the efl'cct. 



A very complimentary portion of the Rajah's speed i 

 was devoted to the Captain of the frigate, — " Who had 

 been" said the speaker, particularly selected by Her 

 Britannic Majesty for the present honourable service, 

 because he had on a former occasion, in conjunction with 

 some of this distinguished audience, fu?sist«d in the 

 de;struction of many pimtical stronghohls,— a friend to 

 the good but a scourge to the evil doer," During this 

 speech » which, although it lasted more than aa hour, 

 was delivered in the native language witli extraordinary 

 fluency, a deferential and complete silence prevailed- 

 At its nonclusion pipes and cigars were introduced ; we 



