Next day to the Abai; but contrary winds prevented our reaching Labuan for five days. We were not quite satisfied with the results of this expedition, and determined to start again, but choosing another route, the same followed by Mr. Low in 1851. CHAPTER IX. SECOND ASCENT OF KINA BALU. Cholera in Brunei--Start from Labuan--Coal Seams--View of Tanjong Kubong--Method of working the Coal--Red Land--Method of cultivating Pepper--Wild Cattle--The Pinnace--Kimanis Bay--Inland Passage--Kimanis River--Cassia--Trade in it stopped--Smooth River--My first View of Kina Balu--Story of the Death of Pangeran Usup--Anchor--Papar--A Squall--Reach Gaya Bay--Noble Harbour--Pangeran Madoud--My first Visits to him--Method of making Salt--Village of Menggatal--Ida’an--His Fear of them--Roman Catholic Mission--Cholera--Mengkabong--Manilla Captives--The Salt-water Lake--Head-quarters of the Bajus--Their Enterprise--Find Stranded Vessels--Tripod Masts--Balignini Pirates--Their Haunts--Spanish Attack--Great Slaughter--Savage-looking Men--Great Tree--Unreasoning Retaliation--Energy of M. Cuarteron--Lawlessness of the Bajus--Pangeran Duroup, the Governor--Anecdote of a drifting Canoe--Inhospitable Custom--Origin of the Bajus--Welcome by Pangeran Sirail--Love of Whiskey overcomes Prejudice--Night Weeping--A Market--The Datu of Tamparuli--The Pangeran’s Enthusiasm--Path to the Tawaran--Fine Scene--Fruit Groves--Neat Gardens--The Tawaran--Sacred Jars--The Talking Jar--Attempted Explanation--Efficacy of the Water--Carletti’s Account--Fabulous Value--The Loveliest Girl in Borneo--No Rice--Advance to Bawang--Our Guides--Steep Hill--Extensive View--Si Nilau--Unceremonious Entry into a House--The Nilau Tribe--Kalawat Village--Tiring Walk--Desertion of a Negro--Numerous Villages--Bungol Village Large--Deceived by the Guide--Fatiguing Walk--Koung Village--Black Mail--Explanation--Friendly Relations established--Labang Labang Village--Change of Treatment--Kiau Village--Warm Reception--Houses--No Rice--Confidence. In June, 1858, the cholera which had been slowly advancing towards us from the south, suddenly burst upon Brunei with extreme violence, and laid the city in mourning. From day to day the deaths increased in number; every house flew white streamers, which showed cholera was there present; pious processions paraded the town, the mosques were crowded, all merriment at an end, though religious chants were heard from every boat; there was fear, but no panic, and the sick were cared for by their relations. The deaths were awfully sudden, one of my servants at work at five, was dead by eleven. My house was crowded by anxious parents seeking medicine, which was soon all distributed, and no one thought of business, attention being only given to this fearful scourge.