The fact that these Balignini have settled on the island itself, shows either that the sultan is indifferent to the spread of piracy, or is unable to check his subjects. But the fact is, probably, that as piracy is not looked upon as a dishonourable pursuit, native princes only discountenance it when they are under the dread of its drawing on them the vengeance of an European power. The principal other positions held by the Balignini, as I have elsewhere observed, are Binadan and Tawee Tawee. The system pursued by the Balignini is admirably adapted for their purpose; although they cruise in large prahus, yet to each they have three or four attendant fast boats, and when they wish to surprise unwary fishermen, they anchor their large vessels out of sight of land, and send in the others to make captures; the most curious instrument they employ is a kind of huge double-pronged fork, with barbed ends, which they push over the neck of a flying enemy, and effectually stop his movements. A few years ago, some followers of Amba de Rajah, a Bornean, residing in Sarawak, were pulling along the shore, when they suddenly came upon a Balignini fast boat; they immediately turned and fled, and were followed by the pirates, who shouted to them to surrender, but the Borneans took no notice. The chief of the Balignini kept up a fire from his rifle at the fugitives, and at last hit the steersman in the side, who took no notice, but continued to urge on the others to renewed exertions: again and again he was struck, but did not drop his paddle, but continued the flight; at last a large trading boat coming in sight, the pirates gave up the pursuit, and the Borneans escaped. The brave fellow, who received the three wounds without flinching, though he suffered much, yet eventually recovered, and I afterwards saw him in Sarawak. The Lanuns, though fiercer and more warlike pirates, have ceased for several years to infest the north-west coast, but have more confined their cruises to the neighbourhood of the Spanish and Dutch settlements. I was once very much interested by hearing a Dayak converse of the times when he went out with the Lanun pirates. We had just returned to Sarawak from a mission to the Court of Siam, and were visiting the Sibuyau Dayaks of Meradang, when the chief asked us where we had been. The rajah answered, To Siam. Immediately an intelligent-looking Dayak said, “I know Siam, and the country of Annam as well, for I in former years used to go there in the pirate boats.”