ABSTRACT
CAPTAIN NORTHWOOD had always taken a practical part in the politics of Borneo, being a supporter of the Sultan of Brunei. Of course, there was not much good to be said of the Sultan’s Government, but he, at least, had a right to the throne, and his rule was quite respectable compared to that of other Borneo princes. Northwood had known the day when the Sultan was a power in the land; but as his prestige was weakened, and as his authority declined, so did anarchy and disorder spread through his dominions. The wisest course would have been to hand over the kingdom of Brunei to the Rajah of Sarawak, in the interests of peace and prosperity; but there were many difficulties in the way of such a prompt and satisfactory solution of the problem. The Home Government would certainly veto anything so sensible.
