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The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido for the Suppression of Piracy;
The Expedition to Borneo of HMS Dido for the Suppression of Piracy Author:James Brooke, Henry Keppel Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. Ascent of the river to Paddi. Town taken and burnt. Narrow escape of a reinforcement of friendly Dyaks. Night-attack by the pirates. Conference :... more » they submit. Proceed against Pakoo. Dyak treatment of dead enemies. Destruction of Pakoo, and submission of the pirates. Advance upon Rem- bas. The town destroyed: the inhabitants yield. Satisfactory effects of the expedition. Death of Dr. Simpson. Triumphant return to Sarawak. June 11 ih—We moved on immediately after the passing up of the bore, the dangers of which appeared to have been greatly exaggerated. The beating of gongs and discharge of cannon had been going on the whole of the previous night. The scenery improved in beauty every yard that we advanced ; but our attention was drawn from it by the increase of yelling as we approached the scene of action. Although as yet we had only heard our enemies, our rapid advance with a strong tide must have been seen by them from the jungle on the Various hills which now rose to our view. Being in my gig, somewhat ahead of the boats, I had the advantage of observing all that occurred. The scene was the most exciting I ever experien- FIRST SEE THE PIRATES. 49 ced. We had no time for delay or consideration : the tide was sweeping us rapidly up; and had we been inclined to retreat then, we should have found it difficult. A sudden turn in the river brought us (Mr. Brooke was by my side) in front of a steep hill which rose from the bank. It had been cleared of jungle, and long grass grew in its place. As we hove in sight, several hundred savages rose up, and gave one of their war-yells : it was the first I had heard. No report from musketry or ordnance could ever make a man's heart feel so small as mine did at that horrid yell: but I had no leisure to think. I had o...« less