y, but not unpleasantly. Had we but the
animation of hope, and the stimulus of improvement, time would pass
rapidly, though without a companion to converse with.

"_August 6th._--The Royalist, as I mentioned before I reverted
to the subject of the pirate fleet, started for Borneo Proper,
to inquire respecting the crew of an English vessel, reported to
have been shipwrecked. Pangeran Sulieman brought the intelligence
from Borneo, but he knew very few particulars; and having been here
four months before my arrival, the chances were that with the change
of the monsoon they had sailed for Manilla. As, however, he assured
me he had seen European men and women, and a numerous Lascar crew, I
thought it right, at all events, to ascertain the fact; and in case of
their being there still, to endeavor to obtain their release. For this
purpose I was very desirous of procuring a letter from Muda Hassim to
the sultan, conveyed by a Pangeran of rank; which, in addition to my
own application, would most likely insure the object in view. This,
however, though promised, I could not accomplish; delay coming upon
delay, and the plague of my own affairs also intervening, postponed
my intention till I could see the Swift fairly off for Singapore. The
Royalist then went out with her on the Sunday, July 25th, proceeding
to Borneo to demand the crew, if there: and the other to Singapore. On
the 2d of August I was surprised by the receipt of a letter brought
from Sadong, and bearing date the 10th of July. The gentleman who
writes it can best tell his own story.

'Island Sirhassan, off Tan Datu,
'July 10th, 1841.

'A boat leaves this to-morrow for Sarawak; perhaps this may fall
into the hands of Mr. Brooke, or some of my countrymen, which,
should I not succeed in getting to Singapore, I trust will lose
no time in letting the authorities know, so that steps may be
taken for the release of the remaining thirty-six British subjects
now at Borneo; which I fear nothing but one of H. M. ships will
effect. The pirates are cruising in great force between Sambas
and this, and have taken thirteen Borneo prahus, or more; they
know that there are Europeans in the prahu, and have expressed a
wish to take them. Our situation is not very enviable. The bearer
of this has just escaped from them. I have been living ashore
with Abduramon, a native of Pulo Pinang, who knows Mr. Brooke,
and has b