Although subsequently chased by the _Jolly Bachelor_, they escaped. While setting fire to the captured prahu, which had some 3 feet of blood and water in her, a slave swam off who had escaped during the fight, and informed our men that the three prahus were the same the _Dido_ had seen off Cape Datu; they had, including slaves, from fifty to sixty men each on board. [Sidenote: May 21.] The day fixed for my receiving an important letter from Rajah Muda Hassim. Officers and self assembled with much ceremony at Brooke’s hall of audience, where I found assembled all the chiefs and a crowd of natives, many of whom had already been informed that the said letter was a requisition for me to assist in putting down the hordes of pirates who had so long infested the coast. I believe many of those present, especially the Borneans, to have been casually concerned, if not deeply implicated, in some of their transactions. After I had taken my seat with Brooke, at the head of the table, the Rajah’s sword-bearers entered, clearing the way for the huge yellow canopy, under the shade of which, on a large brass tray, and carefully sewn up in a yellow silk bag, was the letter, from which it was removed and placed in my hands by the Pangeran Budrudeen (the Rajah’s brother). I opened the bag with my knife, and handing it to an interpreter, he read it aloud in the Malayan tongue. It was variously received by the audience, many of whose countenances were far from prepossessing. Following is a copy of the letter, to which was attached the Rajah’s seal:-- This friendly Epistle, having its source in a pure mind, comes from Rajah Muda Hassim, next in succession to the Royal Throne of the Kingdom of Borneo, and who holds his Court at the trading city of Sarawak, to our friend Henry Keppel, head Captain of the war-frigate of Her Britannic Majesty, renowned throughout all countries, who is valiant and discreet, and endowed with a mild and gentle nature. This is to inform our friend that there are certain great pirates of the people of Sarebas and Sakarran in our neighbourhood seizing goods and murdering people on the high seas. They have more than three hundred war prahus, and extend their ravages even to Bangermussim. They are not subject to the Government of Bruni (Borneo). They take much plunder from vessels trading between Singapore and the good people of our country. It would be a great service if our friend would adopt measures to put an end to these piratical outrages. We can present nothing better to our friend than a kris, such as it is. _20th day of Rabiul Akhir, 1257._ To which I sent the following reply:--