intelligence that everything
had gone on well during our absence. At break of day I went, fagged,
to bed. So ended our mission to Borneo.

"On the evening of the 18th the sultan's letters were produced in all
the state which could possibly be attained. On their arrival they were
received and brought up amid large wax torches, and the person who
was to read them was stationed on a raised platform; standing below
him was the rajah, with a saber in his hand; in front of the rajah
was his brother, Pangeran Jaffer, with a tremendous kempilan drawn;
and around were the other brothers and myself, all standing--the rest
of the company being seated. The letters were then read, the last one
appointing me to hold the government of Sarawak. After this the rajah
descended, and said aloud, 'If any one present disowns or contests
the sultan's appointment, let him now declare.' All were silent. He
next turned to the Patingis, and asked them; they were obedient to
the will of the sultan. Then came the other Pangerans--'Is there any
Pangeran or any young rajah that contests the question? Pangeran
Der Macota, what do you say?' Macota expressed his willingness to
obey. One or two other obnoxious Pangerans who had always opposed
themselves to me were each in turn challenged, and forced to promise
obedience. The rajah then waved his sword, and with a loud voice
exclaimed, 'Whoever he is that disobeys the sultan's mandate now
received, I will separate his skull;' at the moment some ten of his
brothers jumped from the verandah, and, drawing their long krisses,
began to flourish and dance about, thrusting close to Macota, striking
the pillar above his head, pointing their weapons at his breast. This
_amusement_, the violence of motion, the freedom from restraint, this
explosion of a long pent-up animosity, roused all their passions;
and had Macota, through an excess of fear or an excess of bravery,
started up, he would have been slain, and other blood would have
been spilt. But he was quiet, with his face pale and subdued, and,
as shortly as decency would permit after the riot had subsided, took
his leave. This scene is a custom with them; the only exception to
which was, that it was pointed so directly at Macota. I was glad,
at any rate, that all had gone off without bloodshed.

"_22d._--I found that though matters had been quiet during my absence,
repeated efforts had been made to disturb the country. First, it was
positively stated and in