end, Mr Brooke prepares for a return to
Singapore. "Never," says that gentleman, "was such a blazing as when we
left Sar[=a]wak; twenty-one guns I fired to the Rajah, and he fired
forty-two to me--at least we counted twenty-four, and they went on
firing afterwards, as long as ever we were in sight. The last words the
Rajah, Muda Hassim, said, as I took my leave, were--'Tuan Brooke, do not
forget me.'"

In August 1840, Mr Brooke arrived in Sar[=a]wak for the second time. He
had passed many months in cruising about the Archipelago, obtaining
valuable information respecting the language, habits, and history of the
race for whom he was concerned, and in collecting specimens of natural
history, which are said to be interesting in the highest degree. The
position of the Rajah had altered during his absence. The civil war or
rebellion which had, in the first instance, forced the governor to
reside in Sar[=a]wak, was not yet quelled. The rebels, indeed, were
within thirty miles of the rajah, and threatening an immediate attack.
Nothing could be more opportune than the return of Mr Brooke at this
critical moment. Muda Hassim begged his ancient friend not to desert him
in his extremity, and appealed to his honour, as a gentleman from
England, whether it would be fair to suffer him to be vanquished by the
traitorous revolt of his people. Mr Brooke felt that it would not, and
resolved to stand by the governor.

"A grand council of war," writes Mr Brooke in his journal, "was held, at
which were present Macota, Subtu, Abong Mia, and Datu Naraja, two
Chinese leaders, and myself--certainly a most incongruous mixture, and
one rarely to be met with. After much discussion, a move close to the
enemy was determined on for to-morrow; and on the following day to take
up a position near the defences. To judge by the sample of the council,
I should form very unfavourable expectations of their conduct in action.
Macota is lively and active; but, whether from indecision or want of
authority, undecided. The Capitan China is lazy and silent; Subtu
indolent and self-indulgent; Abong Mia and Datu Maraja stupid."

The army set off, and Mr Brooke availed himself of a friendly hill to
obtain a view of the country, and of the enemy's forts. The fort of
Balidah was the strongest of their defences, and a moment's observation
convinced him that a company of military might put an end to the war in
a few hours. This fort was situated at the water edge, on