About ten o’clock the following morning native war-boats commenced issuing from the Muaratabas, and sailing towards us. They were the Sarawak people come to welcome back their English rajah. There were twenty long light war prahus with tapering masts and lateen sails, ornamented with flags and streamers, and all the chiefs and crews were dressed in gala costume. The principal men came on board, and it was interesting to observe the warmth they showed to their adopted chief. Some of the Sarawak men were striking-looking, but the nobles from the capital were the most insignificant creatures I had ever seen; they were only remarkable for the gold lace with which their jackets were profusely ornamented, and that they were very gentlemanly, and more polished in manner than their provincial neighbours. About one o’clock Sir James Brooke left the _Meander_ under a salute, and the manning of the yards; the latter has always a very pretty effect, and rather surprised our native visitors. When the firing was over, the blue jackets gave three hearty cheers, and swarmed down the rigging. Now was the turn of the war-boats, and they kept up a desultory fire for an hour. The Muaratabas entrance of the Sarawak river is a very fine one, and has a depth of three fathoms and a half at the very lowest water at spring tides; the contrast of the banks is striking: to the right a high bold shore and pretty isolated hills; to the left a low flat plain with mountains showing in the distance. We pulled up with the flood tide, our way being enlivened by races between the native prahus, but the frigate’s barge had no chance against them; near the entrance is a rock that marks the watering-place; it was here that Sir James made his first acquaintance with the Dayak pirates, who attacked a Malay prahu under the very guns of the _Royalist_.