Ascent of the left-hand river to the Stabad.--Remarkable cave in the Tubbang.--Diamond works at Suntah.--Return.--Infested by Dyak pirates.--A meeting of prahus, and fight.--Seriff Sahib's treatment of the Suntah Dyaks.--Expedition against the Singe.--Their invasion of the Sigos, and taking heads.--The triumph over these trophies.--Arms and modes of war.--Hot and cold council-houses.--Ceremonies in the installation of the Orang Kaya Steer Rajah.--Meeting of various Dyak tribes.--Hostile plans of Seriff Sahib, and their issue.--Resolves to proceed to Borneo Proper. The next portion of Mr. Brooke's Journal details another excursion up the country, and then proceeds to describe the early incidents of his infant government. As he advanced on his way, affairs began to assume more important aspects; and yet they could hardly be painted with greater force or interest than in his simple notes. "_April 25th._--Ascended the left-hand river, in order to introduce the Kunsi Simbock to their new territory; passed the night on a pebbly bank; moon at full, bright and unclouded, tinging the luxuriant foliage, and glancing on the clear rapid stream. Four distinct and distant races met on this lonely and lovely spot--English, Chinese, Malays, and Dyaks! What a scope for poetry and reflection--the time, the clime, the spot, and the company! "_26th._--After our morning meal and bath, entered the small river Stabad, which, according to report, runs from a source two or three days' journey further into the interior. At present it is so obstructed by fallen trees, that we were forced to return, after ascending about four miles. We left our boats near its entrance, and walked to the small but steep mountain, Tubbang. Its length may be about 400 feet. After mounting, by a winding path, about half-way up toward the top, we arrived at the entrance of a cave, into which we descended through a hole. It is fifty or sixty feet long, and the far end is supported on a colonnade of stalactites, and opens on a sheer precipice of 100 or 150 feet. Hence the spectator can overlook the distant scene; the forest lies at his feet, and only a few trees growing from the rock reach nearly to the level of the grotto. The effect is striking and panoramic; the grotto cheerful; floored with fine sand; the roof groined like Gothic, whence the few clear drops which filter through form here and there the fantastic stalactites common to such localities. The natives report the cave to be the residence of a fairy queen; and they show her bed, pillow, and other of her household furniture. Within the cave we found a few remnants of human bones; probably some poor Dyak who had crawled there to die.