nificantly expressed, which is the 'cat and which is the rat?' I
assured him that England was the mouser, though in this country Holland
had most territory. We took our leave after he had intimated his
intention of visiting us to-morrow morning."

The visit was duly paid, and as duly returned. Tea, cigars, scissors,
knives, and biscuits, were distributed amongst the rajah and his suite,
and the friendliest understanding was maintained. Mr Brooke, however,
had come to Borneo for more serious business. Ceremonies being over, he
dispatched his interpreter, an Englishman, (Mr. Williamson by name,) to
the rajah, intimating his desire to travel to some of the Malay towns,
and especially into the country of the _Dyaks_. The request, it was
fully believed, would be refused; but, to the surprise of the asker,
leave was given, with the accompanying assurance, however, that the
Rajah was powerless amongst many Dyak tribes, and could not answer for
the adventurer's safety. Mr Brooke availed himself of the license, and
undertook to provide in other respects for himself. The _Dyaks_ are the
aborigines of Borneo, and share the country with the Malays and Chinese
who have made their homes in it. "There be land rats, and there be water
rats." There be also land Dyaks and water Dyaks; or, to use the language
of the country, _Dyak Darrat_ and _Dyak Laut_. Those of the sea vary in
their character and prospects, but, for the most part, they are powerful
communities, and desperate pirates, ravaging the coasts in immense
fleets, and robbing and murdering without discrimination. Their
language is similar to the Malay. The name of God amongst them is
Battara (the Avatara of the Hindoos.) They bury their dead, and in the
graves deposit a large portion of the property of the deceased,
consisting of gold ornaments, brass guns, jars, and arms. "Their
marriage ceremony consists in two fowls being killed, and the forehead
and breast of the young couple being touched with the blood; after which
the chief, or an old man, knocks their heads together several times, and
the ceremony is completed with mirth and feasting." The Dyak Darrats
inhabit an inconsiderable portion of the island, and are composed of
numerous tribes, all agreeing in their customs, and speaking the same
dialect. They are regarded as slaves by the Malays, and treated and
disposed of like beasts of burden. "We do not live," said one, "like
men; we are like monkeys; we are hunted from pla