The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-24
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THE RAjAA OF SARAWAk.
nov the Son OF an Eastern Cirrgyua
Became an Eastern Pctentut~

0o" ths son OF an Eastern CtrrEynaA
became an Eastern rctentnts
The life OF the first rajah. Sir James
Brooke, r. c. B., K. {. NJ. c.. IL. n,
reads like romance such as Stevenson
or Verne might write His was wild,
reckless nature that in his youth made
him dissatisfied with the ouie. Of his
own English home and with the even
tenor of the days about his fathers
vicarage. Re entered the English
army. and was dangerously wouudci
In leading charge against a detach-
ment of natives in India. He gave up
his commission and retired on . PEN
sion about the time he reached man
hood.
A long and nearly fatal sickness dia
not quell his thirst for adventure. lie
had hardly regained his strength when
he started out TO explore India, Malaya
and China He wrote a valuable jour
nal OF his wanderings. and returned
home fired with the thought OF explor~
ing the then unknown islands of the
Pacific The sight of the millions OF
acres of rich. untitled land that were
embraced within the boundaries OF
some of these islands populated by
race of peaceful. indolent heings au6
claimed by no European power raised
in mis- mind dreams of great East In
dian empire.
The death of his father left him with
property worth sl5o 600. In spite OF
The protests of his friends. he very soon
proceeded TO fit out small schooner.
manned and armed it and sailed for
Singapore, and thence to the northwes.
coast of Borneo, landing at kuching,
on the Sarawak river. In lsSS
field of conquest and a hope of en-
pire at once dawned upon him. The
province of Sarawak, dependency of
the sultan of Brunei. was governed by
an old native raiah. whose throne WAS
menaccd by the fierce. hcaG-hunting
Dyaks of the interior. Brooke saw his
chance and cast his fortunes with the
weak but rightful ruler. After many
marches with his little crew and an
army of natives through the almost i'm.
penetrab.e rubber iungies and after
many hardfought battles the rebsii
We're dislodged from their forts an<
order was restored. The young genera
then interposed between the combat.
ants, and protected the defeated from
the revenge OF the vic,ors, thereby win
ming the gratitude of the former and
the confidence of both sides.
The sultan conceived a grca. liking
for Brooke and. finding that his native
raiah could not rule the province. he
arranged that Brooke should become
rajah of Sarawak as an independent
ruler.
Upon his accession 10 power Raiah
Brooke set about To reform abuses and
build up the country. He abolished
marauding. did away with
every form of slavery. established
courts, missions and school houses. and
waged fierce war against head hunting
and piracy.
Head hunting was . remarkable and
custom of the native
Dyaks- They strove 20 secure heads TO
decorate their houses, much as tho
American Indian longed 10 90 hunting
for scalps. II was an ancient custom
Piracy had been for century tho
,urse of the Java seas. but Sir James
Brooke knew that the future OF his
1ingdom de pendrd on its suppression.
Every island and harbor swarmed with
,irates. They lived in big towns and
,ad fortresses and cannon. They were
stronger than any Of the native rulers,
md, knowing this. defed them. Brooke
,egan with the feebler towns. conquer
ng one after another. then burnt them,
md took possession OF their swift out
igger canoes. increasing his forces
rom the very pirates that he was ex-
and 30 worked relen tlessly
n. Com bined with the great qualities
Z fearless fighter he hsd the noble
aculty OF winning the good will snd
of his foes 10 snch an extsue
hat ali through the struggle they
ought half-heartcdly, knowing the
vhile that they were really Hghtin2
gainst their peoples good
AZ the end Of nine years the last
ira.e stronghold was taken, and the
ietoT felt free TO return home, pay HE
-iends visit and solicit missionary
id TO cirilize the eountry-st Elsho.
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