18 



A VISIT TO THE IKDUN ARCFilPELAOO. 



as our mnnt-courier^ by the Santobong cntmnce, we now 

 saw comil^g towards us witli the last of tho ebb a few 

 prahus, the advauce-gtiard of a whole fleetj which was 

 hastening to welcome tlveir beloved chief. It had been 

 the Rajah's iutoiitiou to reach his capital without any 

 fuss ; but by a letter from Mr, Crookshank he learned 

 that tho whole population had been thrown into a state of 

 tho greatest excitement, and not an individual would 

 remain at home^ wlio could prorare a conveyance down 

 the river. The following morning presented, indeed, a 

 lively and excitmg scene ; the whole Sarawak population 

 appeared to be afloat; all their largest and finest boats 

 had liecE put into requisition, and came with tomtoms 

 beating, streamers and colours flying. 



Tho first boat which came alongside contained the 

 Bomoan Princes, the survivoi-s of the Brun& massacre, and 

 relatives of poor Muda Hassim, Among them I recognised 

 Paiigueran Omar Allij with a desperate wound in the 

 face: he had also a frightful gash across the breast. 

 He had a narrow escape, having been attacked while 

 asleep. 



While I was on deck, waiting to receive their E^jal 

 Highnesses in proper form, they found their way into the 

 presence of the Rajah tlirough the quarter gallery 

 window, thereby cvachng all ceremony. The pleasure on 

 both sides at meeting was unfeigned : and, indeed — set- 

 ting aside those social ties which must bind us all more or 

 less to the land of our birth, — no one, witnessing the real 



