On the Equator

ellions in Sarawak-?Brooke proclaimed Raja-?Chinese Insurrection-?Military an

rontier. It is bounded on the north by Brunei, or kingdom of Borneo proper, and on its other borders by the Dutch possessions, which comprise considerably more than ha

he late Raja Sir James Brooke; and a short history of the country from the time in which

small straggling Malay village, consisting of a few nipa-palm houses. The Raja's palace, so called, was a dilapidated building constructed of the same material, although th

terior was affecting his government even more seriously than the piratical raids on the coast. He concluded by begging that Mr. Brooke would remain with his yacht, which was fully armed, at Kuching until things looked brighter, hoping that when the rebels heard there was an armed British ship lying at

by their repeated successes, the enemy had advanced to within thirty miles of Kuching. The poor Raja received him with open arms, and implored his assistance, offering to make over the country to him if he would only give h

everal times deserted by his faint-hearted followers, Brooke succe

signature of the Sultan of Brunei. The terms of this document were not, however, quite in accordance with what the Raja had undertaken to do, but this being pointed out to him by Brooke, he

he Raja was then (and ever after) a firm friend to Brooke, the native chiefs who surrounded him were not best pl

bring matters to a crisis. Loading the Royalist's guns, and bringing them to bear, he went ashore with an armed party to the Raja's palace, and at once pointed out to him Pangeran Makota's treachery. He went on to say that Makota's presence in the country was dange

agreement was signed by the Raja making over the government of Sarawak and its dependencies to Brooke, on his undertaking to pay a small annual tribut

le, and was there received with great honours. Among others he received the order of knighthood while on a visit to Windsor Castle; and the freedom of the City of Lon

erable increase. Several Englishmen also were employed by the Raja to maintain order throughout his dominions. An incident, however, occurre

Kuching, on the Sarawak river, for the purpose of working gold. These men were members of a "Hue," or Chinese secret society, and, instig

divided into two parties: the smaller of these turning up the Sungei Bedil, a small stream running close by the Government House, for the purpose of attacking it, and the larger proceeding down river to attack the fort situat

he back of the house, intending, if possible, to cut his way through the rebels, and so escape. The latter were, however, luckily, all assembled at the front entrance, and the coast clear. Making his way, therefore, with all speed to the Sungei Bedi

to Kuching; while Mr. and Mrs. Crookshank[3] were cut down, and the latter left for dead. Two children of Mr. Crymble, the police constable, were hacked to pieces before their mother's eyes, whi

esperate resistance was made by Mr. Crymble, who was in charge, assisted by only four Malays, but seeing a

way to the Batang Lupar river, where a sufficiently powerful force of Dyaks and Malays could be organised to attack the rebels and retake Kuching. But the Raja's nephew,[5] Mr. C. Brooke, who was then Resident of the Sakarran district, had already heard the news, and was even then proceeding to Kuching with a force of nearly 10,000 Dyaks and Malays, but of this the Raja was of course ignorant, and was on the point of putting out to

oon as her guns had opened on them, they fired one wild volley at her from every available firearm they possessed. This took no effect whatever,

men and children, they found escape next to impossible, but were cut off one by one by the Dyaks, with whom in jungle warfare they had no chance whatever. At le

to place the Raja's Government on a firmer basis than before, by showing the natives, Malays, Chinese, and Dyaks alike, that it was a strong one, and to be relied on in

horoughly settled. Natives in great numbers and from all parts of the island settle here yearly, and take refuge under the Sarawak

thers holding minor posts, reside in Kuching, while the remainder are quartered at the various forts or out-stations along the coast, and in the interior o

eir time over, they are relieved by others, and return to Kuching. The "Sarawak Rangers," as they are styled, are recruited from Malays and Dyaks exclusively, and are instructed in battalion and gun drill by an English instructo

eady described, is principally used to convey the Raja to the various out-stations, while the Ghita is stationed at

ago, and rattans. Gold is also worked in small quantities by Chinese.[8] The principal imports are cloths

the revenues of 1877-78-185,552 dols. and 197,855 dols. respectively-with that of 1871,

ja, his heirs and assigns, for ever. To realise the importance and extent of the deeds wrought by the late Raja, the State of Sarawak must be visited-a

tno

this occasion will not be readily forgotten in Sarawak. Mr. Crookshank was afte

s afterwards murd

presen

red cross on

s, the Lorna Doone, has been

lately been fou