138 



A VISIT TO THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 



at Sarawak on our way, at tlie end of February, we fouuJ 

 that the Eajah had already returned thither from Labuau 

 in tlve JRoiF/alhf, and ]iad found it necessary to take imme- 

 diato measures against the Serebas and Sakarnm pirates, 

 whose audaciiy had run riot during his absence at 

 Labuan. The energy of the Rajah of Sarawak would 

 urge Mm at any time to make head against a great evil, 

 even single-handed * but it is quite certain that, so long 

 as piracy flourishes aa at present, he must always be 

 left with formidable odds against Hm, when he has not 

 the assistance of a British mannjf-wan The insolence 

 of the pirates had by this time so increased, that they 

 had sent the Rajah a message of defiance^ daring him to 

 come out against them, taunting him with cowardice* 

 and comparing him to a woman. This tone of security 

 in the Berebas was certainly rather to be kmoufced tlian 

 wondered at : they had lately with impunity captured 

 several tniding boats, devastated two rivers, burned three 

 TilJi^es, and slaughtered at least four hundred persons, — 

 men, women, and childi-en, " Why does the nary sleep?'* 

 aahs a pubhshed letter of this date, from Sarawak 

 " Where is Captain Keppel ! That is to say, they were 

 casting a longing look after the last British frigate, — ^ 

 which, Hke Pau^ Pry, "just dropping in, and hoping she 

 didn't intrude/' had Mi them to the unequal contegt. 



On the 27th February, a fine young man was brought 

 into Sai^wak as a prisoneTj having been picked up by 

 a boat at sea. He waa a Serebaii pirate, and had 



