e. I promised that hostilities should cease
for two hours; but told them we could treat only with the chiefs,
whose persons should be protected, and I invited them to a conference
at 1 P.M.

In the mean while, having first sent notice by the messengers, I
took advantage of the time, and ascended in my gig, without any great
difficulty, above the obstruction they had been so busy throwing across
the river during the night. The news that hostilities were to cease
was not long in being communicated; and, by the time I had got up,
the greatest confidence appeared to be established. Having pulled up
into shoal water, and where the river widened, the banks were soon
covered with natives; and some seventy or eighty immediately laid
aside their spears and walked off to my boat, the whole of which,
together with its crew, they examined with the greatest curiosity.

In the heat of the day we indulged in a most refreshing bath under
the shade of overhanging trees, the bottom of the river being fine
sand and pebbles worn smooth by the running stream.

At the appointed hour the chiefs made their appearance, dressed in
their best, but looking haggard and dejected. Mr. Brooke, the "Tuan
Besar," or great man, officiated as spokesman.

He fully explained that our invasion of their country, and destruction
of their forts and town, was not for the purposes of pillage or gain
to ourselves, but as a punishment for their repeated and aggravated
acts of piracy; that they had been fully warned, for two years before,
that the British nation would no longer allow the native trade between
the adjacent islands and Singapore to be cut off and plundered,
and the crews of the vessels cruelly put to death, as they had been.

They were very humble and submissive; admitted that their lives were
forfeited, and if we said they were to die, they were prepared;
although, they explained, they were equally willing to live. They
promised to refrain forever from piracy, and offered hostages for
their good behavior.

Mr. Brooke then explained how much more advantageous trade would be
than piracy, and invited them to a further conference at Sarawak,
where they might witness all the blessings resulting from the line
of conduct he had advised them to follow. If, on the other hand,
we heard of a single act of piracy being committed by them, their
country should be again invaded and occupied; and their enemies,
the whole tribe of Linga Dyaks, let loose upon th