We afterwards ascertained that the pirates believed that our boats were coming from a wreck on the south-east coast of the island, and were full of choice loot. Piracy is so inherent in a Malay that few can resist the temptation when an opportunity offers. [Sidenote: Sarawak, May 17.] On Rajah Brooke’s landing, astonished the natives by firing a salute from heavier guns than they, as yet, had ever heard. During the morning large boats, some carrying as many as 200 people, had been coming down the river to hail Brooke’s return; and one of the greatest gratifications I had was in witnessing the undisguised delight, mingled with gratitude and respect, with which each headman welcomed their newly-elected ruler back to his adopted country. Although many of the Malay chiefs had every reason to expect that in the _Dido_ they saw the means by which their misdeeds were to be punished, they showed their confidence in Mr. Brooke by bringing their children with them--a sign peculiar to the Malay. The scene was both novel and exciting to us (just anchored in a large fresh-water river, and surrounded by a densely-wooded jungle); the whole surface of the water was covered with canoes and boats, dressed out with various-coloured silken flags, filled with natives beating their tomtoms, and playing on wild and not unpleasant-sounding wind instruments, varied by the occasional discharge of firearms. To them it must have been equally striking and extraordinary (as few of them had ever seen any larger vessel than their own war-boats, or even a European, until Brooke’s arrival), to witness the _Dido_ anchored almost in the centre of their town, her mastheads towering above the trees of their jungle; to hear the loud report of her 32-pounder guns, and watch the running aloft to furl sails of 150 seamen, in their white dresses, the band playing, all which helped to make an impression that will not easily be forgotten. The next business was my visit of ceremony to Rajah Muda Hassim, which was sport, though conducted in the most imposing manner. The band, and the marines as a guard, having landed, we (the officers) assembled at Brooke’s house, where, having made ourselves as formidable as we could with swords and cocked hats, we marched in procession to the Royal residence. His Highness sent one of his brothers to receive us, who led me by the hand into the Royal presence. The palace was a long low shed, built on piles, to which we ascended by a ladder. The audience-chamber was hung with red and yellow silk curtains, and round the back and one side of the platform occupied by the Rajah were ranged his Ministers, warriors, and men-at-arms, bearing swords, spears, shields, and other warlike weapons. Opposite to them were drawn up our Royal Marines, the contrast between the two bodyguards being amusing.