Looting of bullocks, goats, and poultry very great; likewise the destruction of forts, houses, war-boats, grain, fruit-trees, etc. The Rembas was by far the richest and finest country we had seen. The lesson the chiefs received will not be forgotten. In the afternoon, collecting our boats and prizes, and dismissing allies, we prepared to return. Moving down with the ebb tide, we reached the tope at midnight. Grub very low. [Sidenote: June 18.] Shifted into the tope to stretch my legs, hurrying the boats back to the ships. The tope a dull brute though, with poor sick Dr. Simpson and two badly wounded men. Anchored at the mouth of the river. [Sidenote: June 19.] Light winds and calm. Did not progress. Other boats ahead. Feel tired, not having had clothes off, except to bathe, for a fortnight. [Sidenote: June 20.] What we make with the wind we lose with the tide. Still off the mouth of the Sarebas. [Sidenote: June 22.] At daylight rigged jury-mast. Light breeze. Ship still twenty miles off. Simpson worse. Took to my gig, getting on board in the evening. Glad of it, too. Sent pinnace with provisions, and to fetch sick and wounded. Received orders to return to China. [Sidenote: June 23.] Left the ship with Brooke on first of the flood-tide. Came up with our valiant auxiliaries, who were waiting to accompany us to the capital. Bade Muda Hassim farewell. Much saluting on all sides. Parting dinner with Brooke. [Sidenote: June 24.] Left friend Brooke’s hospitable board at the early hour of 3 A.M., and started first of the flood for the ship. Got on board at nine, and weighed for Singapore. [Sidenote: June 25.] At sea. No spare time to look for pirates. Good cruising-ground, though! Left our marks on some of them, poor devils! Did some good for trade, and proportionate harm to pirates. [Sidenote: June 27.] Improving breeze. All good wine done. Time to get into Singapore again. My stay in Sarawak was of short duration, because, before I had time to carry out the arrangements made to put down this horrid piracy, the _Dido_ was, owing to changes in the distribution of the fleet, recalled to China. Not expecting to revisit Borneo during the period the ship had to run before completing her usual time of commission, it is gratifying to read the following in my friend Brooke’s journal, alluding to that time: [Illustration: _A River Scene._]