over. However, all is well and safe; and so safe that I have resolved
to proceed in person to Singapore.

"My motives for going are various; but I hope to do good, to excite
interest, and make friends; and I can find no season like the present
for my absence. It is now two years since I left Singapore, 'the
boundary of civilization.' I have been out of the civilized world,
living in a demi-civilized state, peaceably, innocently, and usefully.

"_Feb. 8th._--After ten days' delay at the mouth of the river,
got out."

CHAPTER XV.

Captain Keppel's voyage in the Dido with Mr. Brooke
to Sarawak.--Chase of three piratical prahus.--Boat
expedition.--Action with the pirates, and capture of a
prahu.--Arrival at Sarawak.--Mr. Brooke's reception.--Captain
Keppel and his officers visit the Rajah.--The palace and the
audience.--Return royal visit to the Dido.--Mr. Brooke's residence
and household.--Dr. Treacher's adventure with one of the ladies
of Macota's harem.--Another boat affair with the pirates, and
death of their chief.

I have now followed Mr. Brooke's journal up to the time of our first
meeting at Singapore, and his accompanying me to Sarawak, and have
no remarks of my own to offer that could add in the slightest degree
to its interest; happily, none such are needed. I had not yet seen my
friend's journal when I arrived at Sarawak, nor was it until some time
after that I by degrees learned the progress of his infant government
from its commencement. It was with unfeigned pleasure I then found
that, while performing my duty in the suppression of piracy, I was,
at the same time, rendering the greatest assistance and support to
an individual in his praiseworthy, novel, and important position.

I had long felt a desire to explore the Island of Borneo, which the
few travelers who have called there describe as not only one of the
largest and most fertile in the world, but one of the most productive
in gold and diamonds, and other rich minerals and ores; one from which
the finest camphor known is brought into merchandise, and which is
undoubtedly capable of supplying every kind of valuable spice, and
articles of universal traffic and consumption. Yet, with all these
capabilities and inducements to tempt the energetic spirit of trade,
the internal condition of the country, and the dangers which beset
its coasts, have hitherto prevented the interior from being explored
by E