longing to such in Sarawak has
ever since been death.

Trouble is now over for Sarawak, for, with the exception of occasional
brushes with the more distant Dyak tribes, the country is thoroughly
settled. Natives in great numbers and from all parts of the island
settle here yearly, and take refuge under the Sarawak flag,[6] for
nowhere, say they, throughout Borneo is such security found for life
and property as in the dominions of Raja Brooke.

The Government of Sarawak now employs twenty-two European officers.
The Resident Commandant, Treasurer, Postmaster, and Medical Officer,
and two or three others holding minor posts, reside in Kuching, while
the remainder are quartered at the various forts or out-stations along
the coast, and in the interior of the country at the heads of the
principal rivers. There are eight of the latter, each of which is in
charge of a European Resident and assistant Resident.

The military force of the country consists of about 200 men, who are
quartered in the fort barracks at Kuching. The out-stations are
garrisoned by these men, who are drafted for certain periods in
batches of ten to each fort. Their time over, they are relieved by
others, and return to Kuching. The "Sarawak Rangers," as they are
styled, are recruited from Malays and Dyaks exclusively, and are
instructed in battalion and gun drill by an English instructor. The
Raja can, however, always count on the services of the tribes of
Batang Lupar, Seribas, and other sea Dyaks. These, who could muster
over 25,000 fighting men, are ready at any time to assemble at the
call of the Government.

The naval establishment consists of three steamers: the _Aline_,
_Ghita_, and _Young Harry_. The former, which I have already
described, is principally used to convey the Raja to the various
out-stations, while the _Ghita_ is stationed at Sibu on the Rejang
river. The _Young Harry_, which lies at Kuching, is used as a despatch
boat, and is very fast.[7]

The chief exports of Sarawak are antimony, quicksilver, coal, timber
of many kinds, gutta-percha, rice, sago, and rattans. Gold is also
worked in small quantities by Chinese.[8] The principal imports are
cloths, salt, tobacco, brass, and crockery-ware. The Borneo Company,
Limited, have the monopoly of all minerals.

A better proof of the progress the country is making cannot be shown
than by comparing the revenues of 1877-78--185,552 dols. and 197,855
dols. respectively--with that of 1871,