It is a very curious superstition in those countries, that if you place gold or pearls in a packet by themselves, they will certainly decrease in quantity or in number, and, in the end, totally disappear; but if you add a few grains of rice, the treasure is safe. With pearls they always do so, under the impression that they not only preserve the amount but actually increase the number. I have never yet seen a native open a packet of gold or pearls, or any precious stones, without noticing some grains of rice. The instances I have given of piracy are merely referred to, to show what kind of mischief the pirates commit. I am aware they are not very modern instances, but they were fresh when I wrote them in my journal, and the same system is still pursued, though not to the same extent; but I may add a few remarks on the present state of piracy on the northern coast of Borneo. Once a year a fleet of Balignini pass down the coast on their outward voyage, or running before the south-west monsoon on their return home. In the month of July, 1861, a squadron of private prahus coming up from the southward, sailed across the deep Bay of Sarawak, and their light boats had a slight skirmish with a weakly manned Sarawak gunboat, but directly they found a twelve-pounder shot passing close to them, they pulled back to their consorts, as it is a maxim with them to avoid all encounters where blows are likely to be obtained, as they say, “We seek to plunder, not to fight.” Continuing their course they reached Point Sirik, and there captured a boat containing several of our Indian British subjects, and giving Labuan a wide berth picked up a few fishermen off Mengkabong, and at last reached Maludu Bay. Here they met some trading prahus from Sulu, and with them they held friendly intercourse.