The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido | Page 9

sail this morning, and stood in for an island called Talang
Talang, anchoring about eight miles distant, and sending a boat to take
correct observations for a base-line.
"Our party found Malays of Sarawak on the island, who were civil to
them, and offered to conduct us up to-morrow, if we wanted their
assistance. The pirates, both Illanuns and Dyaks, have been gone from
the bay but a few days; the former seaward, the latter up the rivers.
"7th.--Morning calm. In the afternoon got under weigh, and anchored
again near the island of Talang Talang; the smaller one a conical hill
bearing south. The Bandar [2] of the place came off in his canoe to
make us welcome. He is a young man sent by Rajah Muda Hassim to

collect turtles' eggs, which abound in this vicinity, especially on the
larger island. The turtles are never molested, for fear of their deserting
the spot; and their eggs, to the amount of five or six thousand, are
collected every morning and forwarded at intervals to Sarawak as
articles of food.
"Our visitor was extremely polite, and, in common with other Asiatics,
possessed the most pleasing and easy manners. He assured us of a
welcome from his rajah, and, in their usual phrase, expressed himself
that the rajah's heart would dilate in his bosom at the sight of us. His
dress consisted of trowsers of green cloth, a dark green velvet jacket,
and his sarong round his waist, thrown gracefully over two krisses,
which he wore at his girdle. His attendants were poorly attired, and
mostly unarmed--a proof of confidence in us, and a desire to assure us
of his own friendly intentions. I treated him with sweetmeats and syrup,
and of his own accord he took a glass of sherry, as did his chief
attendant. On his departure he was presented with three yards of red
cloth, and subsequently with a little tea and gunpowder."
CHAPTER II.
Progress: observations.--Description of the coast of Borneo.--Account,
&c. of a Pangeran.--Arrival at Sarawak.--Meetings with Rajah Muda
Hassim, and conversations.--The Town.--Interchange of visits and
presents--Excursion to Dyak tribes.--Resources and commercial
products.
I Resume Mr. Brooke's Journal, which requires no introductory remark.
"Aug. 8th.--A cloudy day, preventing us from taking our wished-for
observations. I made a boat-excursion round the two islands. The north
one is somewhat the larger; the southern one, running north and south,
consists of two hills joined by a low and narrow neck of land. The
water between these islands is deep, varying from seven to six fathoms;
but between the smaller one and the main there are rocks and reefs; and
though a passage may exist, it would not be advisable for a vessel to try
it. These two small islands possess all the characteristic beauties of the

clime. Formed of brown granite, with a speck of white sandy beach,
and rising into hills covered with the noblest timber, wreathed with
gigantic creepers. Cream-colored pigeons flit from tree to tree, and an
eagle or two soared aloft watching their motions. Frigate-birds are
numerous; and several sorts of smaller birds in the bush, difficult to get
at. A small species of crocodile, or alligator, was likewise seen: but we
were not fortunate enough to shoot one. The natives, when asked
whether they were alligators, answered in the negative, calling them
crocodiles. The tides appear to be as irregular as tides usually are in a
deep bay. The rise and fall of the tide is about fifteen feet.
"9th.--After breakfast this morning took our sights, and at twelve
o'clock the latitude of the smaller Talang Talang and the ship for a
base-line. We yesterday took the same base-line by sound, firing
alternately three guns from the vessel and three from the shore.
"10th.--A squall from the northward brought in a chopping sea in the
morning. We were favored with a visit from another native party, but
the chief was in every respect inferior to our first acquaintance, Bandar
Dowat.
"11th Sunday.--Got under weigh early, after a night of torrents of rain.
The breeze being directly out of Lundu river, I stood as near it as I
could, and then bore away for Santobong, in order to reach Sarawak.
From Gunong Gading the coast gradually declines, and forms two
points. The first of these is Tanjong Bloungei, near which, on the right
hand, runs a small river, of the same name. The next point is Tanjong
Datu, which shows prominently from most parts of the bay. From
Tanjong Datu the coast recedes into a bay, and again forms a low point,
which I have christened Tanjong Lundu. The river Lundu disembogues
itself into the bay just beyond the point of the same name; and the land
on its far bank forms a bight of considerable depth. The