Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra13141884roya).pdf/265

 is. They likewise bear, among the Malays, the character of being pre-eminently treacherous. The Gâdong district (lying between our frontier and Gûnong Dato') near which Haji Mastafa lives, is said to be the harbour of robbers aud cattle-lifters, but Ilaji Mastafa is too far advanced in years, too imbecile, and too much in the hands of others to do anything to improve matters; but under the new régime we may in time look for amendment.

As Rĕmbau used to be the place of installation of the Yan Tuan or Yang-di-pĕrtûan Bĕsar, it will not be out of place to deal here with the subject of the Yam Tûans. The original States in the interior of this part of the Peninsula, according to tradition, before they became "Negri Sembilan" were Kělang, Jĕlĕbu, Sungei Ûjong and Johol, with seniority in the order given.

The "Nĕgri Sembilan" are stated by, and probably correctly, as being originally as follows, Kĕlang, Jělĕbu, Sungei Ûjong, Johol, Sĕgâmat, Nâning, Rĕmbau, Hûlu Pahang (including Sĕrting and Jĕmpol) and Jĕlei (in Pahang, adjoining Jělĕbu). Kĕlang soon fell under the domination of Sĕlângor.

Johol originally included Jĕmpol and the whole watershed of the Moar as far as the Palong on one side and Mount Ophir on the other, having on the N. & W. common boundaries with Jĕlĕbu, Sungei Ûjong, Rĕmbau and Nâning (the latter now included in Malacca).

Sĕgâmat seems to have been absorbed by Johor a generation or two since. Nâning and Rĕmbau were children of Sungei Ûjong, and when the former of them came moro directly under Dutch. influence, Sri Mĕnanti, or more correctly Hûlu Moar, which had asserted independence of Johol, took its place in the confederation.

About the middle of last century, the Dutch, in conjunction with the sovereign of Johor, Sultan, who was suzerain