Appearance of the country.--Progress of the rebel war.--Character
of the Sow and Singe Dyaks.--Their belief in augury.--Ruinous
effects of protracted warfare.--Cowardice and boasting of
the Malays.--Council of war.--Refuse to attack the enemy's
forts.--Rebels propose to treat.--The Malays oppose.--Set out
to attack the rebels, but frustrated by our allies.--Assailed
by the rebels.--Put them to flight.--Treat with them.--They
surrender.--Intercede with the Rajah for their lives.--Renewed
treachery of the Malays.
"_26th._--I must here pause in my account of this extraordinary
and novel contest, briefly to describe the general appearance of
the country.
"It is one delightful to look upon, combining all the requisites of
the picturesque, viz. wood, water, mountain, cliff, and a foreground
gently undulating, partially cultivated, and of the richest soil. The
mountain of Sarambo, about 3000 feet in height, is the principal
feature in the scene, situated at a short distance from the left bank
of the river. The remainder of the ground slopes gradually; and the
town of Siniawan, likewise on the left bank, is close to the water,
and at the foot of the eminence called Gunga Kumiel.
"The advance of the party last night was, as I have said, disguised
by firing, drumming, and shouting from the fleet and forts; and,
in the deep stillness of the fine night, the booming of the guns,
the clamor of the gongs, and the outcries raised from time to time,
came on our ears like the spirit of discord breaking loose on a fair
and peaceful paradise. About one o'clock the noises died away, and I
enjoyed as quiet a slumber till daylight as though pillowed on a bed
of down in the heart of Old England. About six I visited the three
forts. The Chinese, Malays, and Dyaks were taking their morning meal,
consisting of half a cocoanut-shell full of boiled rice with salt. The
Dyaks were served in tribes; for as many of them are at war, it is
necessary to keep them separate; and though they will not fight the
enemy, they would have no objection to fall out with one another,
and the slightest cause might give rise to an instant renewal of
hostilities.
"About 9 A.M. a party proceeded to the elevation previously marked,
within 300 yards of Balidah, and worked quietly till 2 P.M., by which
time they had made considerable progress; and being then reinforced,
they soon finished this new stockade, with a strong face toward
their adversaries, and an outer fence. This erection, however, being
below the brow of the hill, is useless as a post whence to assault
Balidah; and to-morrow another stockade is to be made close to it on
the summit, the present being intended to cover the working party at
the next. The enemy, about 4 P.M., having discovered the stockade,
opened a fire for half an hour; but finding it ineffectual, they sank
into their usual apathy. It is difficult to attribute this quietude
to any other cause than weakness; and they are doubtless harassed by
the want of Dyak light troops, as they are unable to oppose stockade
to stockade. Our party, by these successful advances, seem to gain
confidence; and it must soon come to an issue one way or other. To make
it favorable, I have sent for two six-pounder carronades, guns of vast
caliber here, together with a small addition to our force. I had the
curiosity to inquire of Macota the progress of his former campaign,
when he had 1000 Malays with only a few Dyaks. He represented the
enemy as active and daring then, and very different from their want
of spirit now. They had, he declared, combats by sea and by land;
stockade was opposed to stockade, and the fighting was constant and
severe; but he never lost a man killed during the two months, and
only boasted of killing five of the enemy! The principal danger in
Malay warfare is the 'Mengamuk' (_Anglice_, running a-muck), which
is the last resource of a desperate man.
"_27th._--The night passed quietly as usual. About 6 A.M. I started for
the hills, and inspected each post in turn. They are about commencing
another fort. I visited the spot to reconnoiter it; and the enemy
opened a fire directly they perceived me, which we returned. They
shot wretchedly ill; and the position is good, but exposed. About 10
A.M. they again began to fire from their fort, and detached thirty
or forty men, who crept out between our forts in order to interrupt
the work. The Malays, however, received them steadily; while the
Chinese placed them between two fires, and, by a discharge from a
tube, knocked down _one_ man. The rebels showed anxiety to possess
themselves of their fallen comrade, while the opposite party shouted,
'Cut off his head;' but he was carried off; and the enemy, when they
had saved his body, fled in all directions, dropping a number of
their small bamboo powder flasks on the way. Some fierce alarms were
given of an attack by water, and I went up the river to ascertain
really whether there was any mischief to be expected; but there was
no appearance of any adversary. A slack fire from the hill proclaimed
that our work was going on there; and toward evening all was in repose.
"_28th._--The stockade was completed in the evening, with ranjows stuck
round the outer defence. It was excellently situated for battering
Balidah; but Balidah, I fear, is too loosely constructed to be battered
to the best advantage. During the day the Sow and Singe Dyaks joined,
to the amount of about 150 men, and other tribes have been gradually
dropping in; so that altogether there are not fewer than 500 of these
men joined to our equipment. Most of them show all the characteristics
of a wild people; never openly resisting their masters, but so
obstinate that they can always get their own way in every thing;
to all threats and entreaties opposing a determined and immovable
silence. Many of them depend upon us for their food and salt, and
their applications are endless. Three women of Singe are our regular
pensioners; for their sex excludes them from the rations granted to the
men. By these means we had many excellent opportunities of judging of
their habits and temper. Among all these tribes the language differs
but slightly--so slightly, indeed, that it is needless to note the
variations in detail. They have the same superstition about particular
birds, and I often heard this omen alluded to in conversation; but
their birds are not the same as those of the sea Dyaks.... The chief
of the Sarambo, explaining his reasons for leaving the rebels, urged
the constant unfavorable omen of the birds as one. Often, very often,
he said, when he went out, the bird cried, and flew in the direction
of Siniawan, which will be explained by what I have before stated;
for if they hear the bird to the right, they go to the left, and _vice
versa_; so that the bird may be considered as warning them from evil.
"The Sow Dyaks brought in the head of an unfortunate Malay whom
they had decapitated in the jungle. This species of warfare is
extremely barbarous, and in its train probably brings more evil
than the regular campaigns of civilized nations. Not that it is
by any means so fatal to human life directly; but it is the slow
poison which wastes the strongest frame, the smoldering fire which
does its work of destruction slowly but surely. Year after year it
is protracted; few fall in open fight, but stragglers and prisoners
are murdered; and while both weak parties, gradually growing weaker,
hold their own ground, the country becomes a desert. First, trade
stagnates, agriculture withers, food becomes scarce, all are ruined
in finances, all half-starved and most miserable--and yet the war
drags on, and the worst passions are aroused, effectually preventing
the slightest concession, even if concession would avail. But each
combatant knows the implacable spirit--the deep desperation--of the
other too well to trust them; and if at length the fortunes of famine
decide against them, they die rather than yield; for a Dyak can die
bravely, I believe, though he will not fight as long as life has any
prospect. This is also the case here: for the rebel chiefs know there
is no pardon, and the Bandar is disgraced if he fails. It is indeed
a slow process, but one of extermination.
"_29th._--Our guns arrived with a welcome reinforcement. In the evening
I dropped up the river to reconnoiter; but the adversary discovered
us, as we were dressed in white clothes.
"_30th._--Fort not finished. All quiet.
"_31st._--Got the guns and ammunition up, and while fixing them opened
a fire from one of our swivels to overbear the fire of the enemy. The
little piece was well served; and, in a quarter of an hour, we silenced
their fire entirely, and knocked about the timber considerably, making
a breach which several men could enter together. Seeing the effect, I
proposed to Macota to storm the place with 150 Chinese and Malays. The
way from one fort to the other was protected. The enemy dared not
show themselves for the fire of the grape and canister, and nothing
could have been easier; but my proposition caused a commotion which it
is difficult to forget, and more difficult to describe. The Chinese
consented, and Macota, the commander-in-chief, was willing; but his
inferiors were backward, and there arose a scene which showed me the
full violence of the Malay passions, and their infuriated madness when
once roused. Pangeran Houseman urged with energy the advantage of the
proposal, and in the course of a speech lashed himself to a state of
fury; he jumped to his feet, and with demoniac gestures stamped round
and round, dancing a war-dance after the most approved fashion; his
countenance grew livid, his eyes glared, his features inflamed; and,
for my part, not being able to interpret the torrent of his oratory,
I thought the man possessed of a devil, or about to 'run a-muck.' But
after a minute or two of this dance, he resumed his seat, furious and
panting, but silent. In reply, Subtu urged some objections to my plan,
which was warmly supported by Illudeen, who apparently hurt Subtu's
feelings; for the indolent, the placid Subtu leapt from his seat,
seized his spear, and rushed to the entrance of the stockade, with
his passions and his pride desperately aroused. I never saw finer
action than when, with spear in hand, pointing to the enemy's fort,
he challenged any one to rush on with him. Houseman and Surradeen
(the bravest of the brave) like madmen seized their swords to inflame
the courage of the rest--it was a scene of fiends--but in vain;
for though they appeared ready enough to quarrel and fight among
themselves, there was no move to attack the enemy. All was confusion;
the demon of discord and madness was among them, and I was glad to
see them cool down, when the dissentients to the assault proposed
making a round to-night and attacking to-morrow. In the mean time our
six-pounders were ready in battery, and it is certain the assailants
might walk nearly to the fort without any of the rebels daring to
show themselves in opposition to our fire.
"_Nov. 1st._--The guns were ready to open their fiery mouths, and
their masters ready to attend on them; but both had to wait till
mid-day, when the chiefs of the grand army, having sufficiently
slept, breakfasted, and bathed, lounged up with their straggling
followers. Shortly after daylight the forts are nearly deserted of
their garrisons, who go down at the time to the water more like a flock
of geese than warriors. The instant the main division and head-quarters
of the army arrived at the battery, I renewed my proposal for an
assault, Which was variously received. If the Malays would go, the
Chinese agreed; but the Malays had grown colder and colder. In order
to encourage them, I opened a fire to show the effect of our guns; and
having got a good range, every ball, as well as grape and canister,
rattled against and through the wood. I then urged them again and
again, but in vain; that coward Panglima rajah displayed that dogged
resolution which is invincible--an invincible resolution to do nothing;
and the cold damp looks of the others at once told the amount of their
bravery! A council of war was called--grave faces covered timid hearts
and fainting spirits. The Chinese contended with justice, that in
fairness they could not be expected to assault without the Malays did
the same; Abong Mia was not brave enough. The Datu agreed, and Panglima
delivered himself of a wise harangue, to the effect that, 'the last
campaign, when they had a fort, how had the enemy fired then?--stabbed
them, speared them, &c. &c.; and without a fort, assaulting!--how could
it be expected they should succeed? how unreasonable they should go
at all!' But even his stolid head seemed to comprehend the sarcasm
when I asked him how many men had been killed during all this severe
fighting. However, it was clear that it was no battle. We were all
very savage, and I intimated how useless my being with them was, if
they intended to play instead of fight. 'What,' I asked, 'if you will
not attack, are you going to do?' Oh, the wise councils of these wise
heads! Abong Mia proposed erecting a fort in a tree, and thence going
'puff, puff,' down into Balidah, accompanying the words 'puff, puff,'
with expressive gestures of firing; but it was objected, that trees
were scarce, and the enemy might cut down the tree, fort and all. [11]
"_2d._--Till two o'clock last night, or thereabouts, I sat on our
rampart and gazed upon the prospect around, shaded with gloom. The
doctor was with me, and we ran over every subject--the past, present,
and the future. Such a scene--a rude fort in the interior of Borneo;
such a night, dark but starlight--leaves an indelible impression
on the mind, which recurs to move it even after long years. The
morning, however, found us ready, and no one else. The fort was
left to ourselves; we waited and waited until 2 P.M., when I was
made aware that all thoughts of attack were at an end. Macota, for
very shame, staid below; and I must say there was not a countenance
that met mine but had that bashful and hang-dog look which expresses
cowardice and obstinacy predominant, yet shame battling within. They
were now resolved not to make the attempt; and I asked them casually
whether they would fly a white flag, and hold a conference with
the enemy. They caught at the alternatives; the flag was hoisted;
the rebels were ready to _meet me_, and it was agreed that we should
assemble on the morrow. But no sooner was the arrangement made than a
thousand objections were started, and any thing, even attack itself
(though that was out of the question), was held to be preferable. I
need not dwell on this mixture of deceit and fear; in short, as
they would do nothing themselves, they expected us to do nothing:
and without the courage to carry on the war, they had not either
wisdom or sorcery to bring it to a conclusion.
"_3d._--Dispatched an express during last night to the rajah, and
received an answer that he was coming up in person; but my resolve was
taken, and I quitted the grand army, much to their evident surprise
and vexation. Nevertheless, they were still friendly and polite,
and very very lazy about bringing down our guns. This was, however,
done at last, and we were ready for a start.
"_4th._--Reached the ship at two P.M., saw rajah, &c. &c.
"From the 4th to the 10th of November I may condense into the shape of
a narrative. I explained to the rajah how useless it was my remaining,
and intimated to him my intention of departing; but his deep regret
was so visible, that even all the self-command of the native could
not disguise it. He begged, he entreated me to stay, and offered me
the country of Siniawan and Sarawak, and its government and trade, if
I would only stop, and not desert him. I could at once have obtained
this grant, but I preferred interposing a delay; because to accept
such a boon when imposed by necessity, or from a feeling of gratitude
for recent assistance, would have rendered it both suspicious and
useless; and I was by no means eager to enter on the task (the full
difficulties of which I clearly foresaw) without the undoubted and
spontaneous support of the rajah.
"_Jan. 8th, 1841._--The following narrative, extracted from my journal,
includes a period from the 10th of December to the 4th of January,
and it is put into its present shape to avoid the tedium of detailing
each day's proceedings. On the 10th of December we reached the
fleet and disembarked our guns, taking up our residence in a house,
or rather shed, close to the water. The rajah's brother, Pangeran
Budrudeen, was with the army, and I found him ready and willing
to urge upon the other indolent Pangerans the proposals I made for
vigorous hostilities. We found the grand army in a state of torpor,
eating, drinking, and walking up to the forts and back again daily;
but having built these imposing structures, and their appearance not
driving the enemy away, they were at a loss what next to do, or how
to proceed. On my arrival, I once more insisted on mounting the guns
in our old forts, and assaulting Balidah under their fire. Macota's
timidity and vacillation were too apparent; but in consequence of
Budrudeen's overawing presence, he was obliged, from shame, to yield
his assent. The order for the attack was fixed as follows:--Our
party of ten (leaving six to serve the guns) were to be headed by
myself. Budrudeen, Macota, Subtu, and all the lesser chiefs, were to
lead their followers, from 60 to 80 in number, by the same route,
while 50 or more Chinese, under their captain, were to assault by
another path to the left. Macota was to make the paths as near as
possible to Balidah, with his Dyaks, who were to extract the sudas
and fill up the holes. The guns having been mounted and their range
well ascertained the previous evening, we ascended to the fort at about
eight A.M., and at ten opened our fire, and kept it up for an hour. The
effect was severe: every shot told upon their thin defences of wood,
which fell in many places so as to leave storming breaches. Part
of the roof was cut away and tumbled down, and the shower of grape
and canister rattled so as to prevent their returning our fire,
except from a stray rifle. At mid-day the forces reached the fort,
and it was then discovered that Macota had neglected to make any road
because it rained the night before! It was evident that the rebels
had gained information of our intention, as they had erected a frieze
of bamboo along their defences on the very spot which we had agreed
to mount. Macota fancied the want of a road would delay the attack;
but I well knew that delay was equivalent to failure, and so it was
at once agreed that we should advance without any path. The poor man's
cunning and resources were now nearly at an end. He could not refuse to
accompany us; but his courage could not be brought to the point, and,
pale and embarrassed, he retired. Everything was ready--Budrudeen,
the Capitan China, and myself, at the head of our men--when he once
more appeared, and raised a subtle point of etiquet which answered his
purpose. He represented to Budrudeen that the Malays were unanimously
of opinion that the rajah's brother could not expose himself in an
assault; that their dread of the rajah's indignation far exceeded the
dread of death; and in case any accident happened to him, his brother's
fury would fall on them. They stated their readiness to assault the
place; but in case Budrudeen insisted on leading in person, they must
decline accompanying him. Budrudeen was angry, I was angry too, and the
doctor most angry of all; but anger was unavailing: it was clear they
did not intend to do anything in earnest; and after much discussion,
in which Budrudeen insisted that if I went he should likewise go,
and the Malays insisted that if he went they would not go, it was
resolved we should serve the guns, while Abong Mia and the Chinese
(not under the captain) should proceed to the assault. But its fate
was sealed, and Macota had gained his object; for neither he nor
Subtu thought of exposing themselves to a single shot. Our artillery
opened and was beautifully served. The adverse troops advanced; but
our fire completely subdued them, as only three rifles answered us,
by one of which a seaman (Williams) was wounded in the hand, but not
seriously. Two-thirds of the way the storming-party proceeded without
the enemy being aware of their advance; and they might have reached
the very foot of the hill without being discovered, had not Abong
Mia, from excess of piety and rashness, begun most loudly to say his
prayers. The three rifles then began to play on them; one Chinaman was
killed, the whole halted, the prayers were more vehement than ever,
and, after squatting under cover of the jungle for some time, they
all returned. It was only what I expected; but I was greatly annoyed
at their cowardice and treachery--treachery to their own cause. One
lesson, however, I learned, and that was, that, had I assaulted with
our small party, we should assuredly have been victimized! The very
evening of the failure the rajah came up the river. I would not see
him, and only heard that the chiefs got severely reprimanded; but
the effects of reprimand are lost where cowardice is stronger than
shame. Inactivity followed; two or three useless forts were built,
and Budrudeen, much to my regret and the detriment of the cause,
was recalled.
"Among the straggling arrivals I may mention Panglima Dallam,
with a number of men, consisting of the Orang Bentulu, Meri Muka,
and Kayan, Dyaks from the interior. Our house--or, as it originally
stood, shed--deserves a brief record. It was about twenty feet long,
with a loose floor of reeds, and an attop roof. It served us for some
time; but the attempts at theft obliged us to fence it in and divide
it into apartments: one at the end served Middleton, Williamson,
and myself; adjoining it was the store-room and hospital; and the
other extreme belonged to the seamen. Our improvements kept pace with
our necessities. Theft induced us to shut in our house at the sides,
and the unevenness of the reeds suggested the advantage of laying
a floor of the bark of trees over them, which, with mats over all,
rendered our domicile far from uncomfortable. Our forts gradually
extended at the back of the enemy's town, on a ridge of swelling
ground; while they kept pace with us on the same side of the river
on the low ground. The inactivity of our troops had long become a
by-word among us. It was indeed truly vexatious, but it was in vain
to urge them on, in vain to offer assistance, in vain to propose a
joint attack, or even to seek support at their hands; promises were
to be had in plenty, but performances never!
"At length the leaders resolved on building a fort at Sekundis,
thus outflanking the enemy and gaining the command of the river. The
post was certainly an important one, and in consequence they set
about it with the happy indifference which characterizes their
proceedings. Pangeran Illudeen (the most active among them) had
the building of the fort, assisted by the Orang Kaya Tumangong of
Lundu. Macota, Subtu, &c. were at the next fort, and by chance I
was there likewise; for it seemed to be little apprehended that any
interruption would take place, as the Chinese and the greater number of
Malays had not left the boats. When the fort commenced, however, the
enemy crossed the river and divided into two bodies, the one keeping
in check the party at Pangeran Gapoor's fort, while the other made an
attack on the works. The ground was not unfavorable for their purpose;
for Pangeran Gapoor's fort was separated from Sekundis by a belt of
thick wood which reached down to the river's edge. Sekundis itself,
however, stood on clear ground, as did Gapoor's fort. I was with
Macota at the latter when the enemy approached through the jungle. The
two parties were within easy speaking distances, challenging and
threatening each other; but the thickness of the jungle prevented
our seeing or penetrating to them. When this body had advanced,
the real attack commenced on Sekundis with a fire of musketry, and
I was about proceeding to the scene, but was detained by Macota,
who assured me there were plenty of men, and that it was nothing at
all. As the musketry became thicker, I had my doubts, when a Dyak
came running through the jungle, and with gestures of impatience and
anxiety begged me to assist the party attacked. He had been sent by
my old friend the Tumangong of Lundu, to say they could not hold the
post unless supported. In spite of Macota's remonstrances, I struck
into the jungle, winded through the narrow path, and after crossing an
ugly stream, emerged on the clear ground. The sight was a pretty one:
to the right was the unfinished stockade, defended by the Tumangong;
to the left, at the edge of the forest, about twelve or fifteen of
our party, commanded by Illudeen, while the enemy were stretched along
between the points and kept up a sharp shooting from the hollow ground
on the bank of the river. They fired, and loaded, and fired, and had
gradually advanced on the stockade as the ammunition of our party
failed; and as we emerged from the jungle, they were within twenty or
five and twenty yards of the defence. A glance immediately showed me
the advantage of our position, and I charged with my Europeans across
the padi-field; and the instant we appeared on the ridge above the
river, in the hollows of which the rebels were seeking protection,
their rout was complete. They scampered off in every direction,
while the Dyaks and Malays pushed them into the river. Our victory
was decisive and bloodless: the scene was changed in an instant,
and the defeated foe lost arms, ammunition, &c. &c., whether on the
field of battle or in the river, and our exulting conquerors set no
bounds to their triumph.
"I cannot omit to mention the name of Si Tundo, the only native who
charged with us. His appearance and dress were most striking, the
latter being entirely of red, bound round the waist, arms, forehead,
&c. with gold ornaments; and in his hand bearing his formidable Bajuck
sword, he danced or rather galloped across the field close to me,
and mixing with the enemy was about to dispatch a hadji or priest
who was prostrate before him, when one of our people interposed and
saved him by stating that he was a companion of our own. The Lundu
Dyaks were very thankful for our support, our praises were loudly
sung, and the stockade was concluded. After the rout, Macota, Subtu,
and Abong Mia arrived on the field; the latter with forty followers
had ventured half way before the firing ceased, but the detachment,
under a paltry subterfuge, halted, so as not to be in time. The enemy
might have had fifty men at the attack; the defending party consisted
of about the same number; but the Dyaks had very few muskets. I had a
dozen Englishmen, Seboo, one of our boatmen, and Si Tundo. Sekundis
was a great point gained, as it hindered the enemy from ascending
the river and seeking any supplies.
"Macota, Subtu, and the whole tribe arrived as soon as their safety
from danger allowed, and none were louder in their own praise;
but nevertheless their countenances evinced some sense of shame,
which they endeavored to disguise by the use of their tongues. The
Chinese came really to afford assistance, but too late. We remained
until the stockade of Sekundis was finished, while the enemy kept up
a wasteful fire from the opposite side of the river, which did no harm.
"The next great object was to follow up the advantage by crossing the
stream; but day after day some fresh excuse brought on fresh delay,
and Macota built a new fort and made a new road within a hundred yards
of our old position. I cannot detail further our proceedings for many
days, which consisted on my part of efforts to get something done,
and on the others a close adherence to the old system of promising
everything and doing nothing. The Chinese, like the Malays, refused
to act; but on their part, it was not fear, but disinclination. By
degrees, however, the preparations for the new fort were complete, and
I had gradually gained over a party of the natives to my views; and,
indeed, among the Malays, the bravest of them had joined themselves
to us, and what was better, we had Datu Pangeran, thirteen Illanuns,
and the Capitan China allowed me to take his men whenever I wanted
them. My weight and consequence were increased, and I rarely moved
now without a long train of followers. The next step (while crossing
the river was uncertain) was to take my guns up to Gapoor's fort,
which was about 600 or 700 yards from the town, and half the distance
from a rebel fort on the river's bank.
"Panglima Rajah, the day after our guns were in battery, took it into
his head to build a fort on the river's side close to the town, in
front and between two of the enemy's forts. It was a bold undertaking
for the old man, after six weeks of uninterrupted repose. At night,
the wood being prepared, the party moved down, and worked so silently
that they were not discovered till their defence was nearly finished,
when the enemy commenced a general firing from all their forts,
returned by a similar firing from all ours, none of the parties being
quite clear what they were firing at or about, and the hottest from
either party being equally harmless. We were at the time about going
to bed in our habitation; but expecting some reverse, I set off
(to scale the hills) to the stockade where our guns were placed,
and opened a fire upon the town and the stockade near us, till the
enemy's fire gradually slackened and died away. We then returned,
and in the morning were greeted with the pleasing news that they had
burned and deserted five of their forts, and left us sole occupants
of the right bank of the river. The same day, going through the jungle
to see one of these deserted forts, we came upon a party of the enemy,
and had a brief skirmish with them before they took to flight. Nothing
can be more unpleasant to a European than this bush-fighting, where
he scarce sees a foe, while he is well aware that their eyesight is
far superior to his own. To proceed with this narrative, I may say
that four or five forts were built on the edge of the river opposite
the enemy's town, and distant not above 50 or 60 yards; here our guns
were removed, and a fresh battery formed ready for a bombardment,
and fire-balls essayed to ignite the houses.
"At this time Seriff Jaffer, from Singe, arrived with about seventy
men, Malays and Dyaks of Balow. The river Singe being situated close
to Sarebus, and incessant hostilities being waged between the two
places, he, with his followers, was both more active and more warlike
than the Borneons, but their warfare consists of closing hand to
hand with spear and sword. They scarcely understood the proper use
of fire-arms, and were of little use in attacking stockades. As a
negotiator, however, the seriff bore a distinguished part; and on his
arrival a parley ensued, much against Macota's will, and some meetings
took place between Jaffer and a brother seriff at Siniawan, named
Moksain. After ten days' delay nothing came of it, though the enemy
betrayed great desire to yield. This negotiation being at an end,
we had a day's bombardment and a fresh treaty brought about thus;
Macota being absent at Sarawak, I received a message from Seriff
Jaffer and Pangeran Subtu to say that they wished to meet me; and on
my consenting, they stated that Seriff Jaffer felt confident the war
might be brought to an end, though alone he dared not treat with the
rebels; but in case I felt inclined to join him, we could bring it
to a favorable conclusion. I replied that our habits of treating were
very unlike their own, as we allowed no delays to interpose; but that
I would unite with him for one interview, and if that interview was
favorable, we might meet the chiefs at once and settle it, or put
an end to all farther treating. Pangeran Subtu was delighted with
the proposition, urged its great advantages, and the meeting by my
desire for that very night, the place Pangeran Illudeen's fort at
Sekundis. The evening arrived, and at dark we were at the appointed
place, and a message was dispatched for Seriff Moksain. In the mean
time, however, came a man from Pangeran Subtu to beg us to hold no
intercourse; that the rebels were false, meant to deceive us, and
if any did come, we had better make them prisoners. Seriff Jaffer,
after arguing the point some time, rose to depart, remarking that with
such proceedings he would not consent to treat. I urged him to stay;
but finding him bent on going, I ordered my gig (which had some time
before been brought overland) to be put into the water, my intention
being to proceed to the enemy's campong, and there hear what they had
to say. I added that it was folly to leave undone what we had agreed
to do in the morning because Pangeran Subtu changed his mind--that I
had come to treat, and treat I would. I would not go away now without
giving the enemy a fair hearing--for the good of all parties I would
do it; and if the seriff liked to join me, as we proposed before,
and wait for Seriff Moksain, good; if not, I would go in the boat
to the campong. My Europeans, on being ordered, jumped up, ran out
and brought the boat to the water's edge, and in a few minutes oars,
rudder, and rowlocks were in her. My companions, seeing this, came
to terms, and we waited for Seriff Moksain; during which, however, I
overheard a whispering conversation from Subtu's messenger, proposing
to seize him; and my temper was ruffled to such a degree that I drew
out a pistol, and told him I would shoot him dead if he dared to seize,
or talk of seizing, any man who trusted himself from the enemy to
meet me! The scoundrel slunk off, and we were no more troubled with
him. This past, Seriff Moksain arrived, and was introduced into our
fortress alone--alone and unarmed in an enemy's stockade, manned with
two hundred men! His bearing was firm; he advanced with ease and took
his seat; and, during the interview, the only sign of uneasiness was
the quick glance of his eye from side to side. The object he aimed at
was to gain my guaranty that the lives of all the rebels should be
spared; but this I had it not in my power to grant. He returned to
his campong, and came again toward morning, when it was agreed that
Seriff Jaffer and myself should meet the Patingis and the Tumangong,
and arrange terms with them. By the time our conference was over,
the day broke, and we descended to the boats to enjoy a little rest.
"On the 20th of December we met with the chiefs on the river; and they
expressed themselves ready to yield, without conditions, to the rajah,
if I would promise that they should not be put to death. My reply was,
that I could give no such promise; that if they surrendered, it must
be for life or death, according to the rajah's pleasure; and all I
could do was to use my influence in order to save their lives. To this
they assented after a while; but then there arose the more difficult
question, how they were to be protected until the rajah's orders
arrived. They dreaded both Chinese and Malays, especially the former,
who had just cause for angry feelings, and who, it was feared, would
make an attack on them directly their surrender had taken from them
their means of defence. The Malays would not assail them in a body,
but would individually plunder them, and give occasion for disputes
and bloodshed. These apprehensions were almost sufficient to break off
the hitherto favorable negotiations, had I not proposed to them myself
to undertake their defence, and to become responsible for their safety
until the orders of their sovereign arrived. On my pledging myself to
this, they yielded up their strong fort of Balidah, the key of their
position. I immediately made it known to our own party that no boats
were to ascend or descend the river, and that any persons attacking
or pillaging the rebels were my enemies, and that I should fire upon
them without hesitation.
"Both Chinese and Malaya agreed to the propriety of the measure,
and gave me the strongest assurances of restraining their respective
followers, the former with good faith, the latter with the intention of
involving matters, if possible, to the destruction of the rebels. By
the evening we were in possession of Balidah, and certainly found
it a formidable fortress, situated on a steep mound, with dense
defences of wood, triple deep, and surrounded by two inclosures,
thickly studded on the outside with ranjows. The effect of our fire had
shaken it completely, now much to our discomfort; for the walls were
tottering, and the roof as leaky as a sieve. On the 20th of December,
then, the war closed. The very next day, contrary to stipulation,
the Malay Pangerans tried to ascend the river, and when stopped began
to expostulate. After preventing many, the attempt was made by Subtu
and Pangeran Hassim, in three large boats, boldly pulling toward
us. Three hails did not check them, and they came on in spite of a
blank cartridge and a wide ball, to turn them back. But I was resolved;
and when a dozen musket-balls whistled over and fell close around them,
they took to an ignominious flight. I subsequently upbraided them
for this breach of promise, and Macota loudly declared they had _been
greatly to blame_; but I discovered that he himself had set them on.
"I may now briefly conclude this detail. I ordered the rebels to
burn all their stockades, which they did at once, and delivered up
the greater part of their arms; and I proceeded to the rajah to
request from him their lives. Those who know the Malay character
will appreciate the difficulty of the attempt to stand between the
monarch and his victims; I only succeeded when, at the end of a long
debate--I soliciting, he denying--I rose to bid him farewell, as it
was my intention to sail directly, since, after all my exertions
in his cause, if he would not grant me the lives of the people,
I could only consider that his friendship for me was at an end. On
this he yielded. I must own that during the discussion he had much
the best of it; for he urged that they had forfeited their lives by
the law, as a necessary sacrifice to the future peace of the country;
and argued that in a similar case in my own native land no leniency
would be shown. On the contrary, my reasoning, though personal,
was, on the whole, the best for the rajah and the people. I stated
my extreme reluctance to have the blood of conquered foes shed; the
shame I should experience in being a party, however involuntarily,
to their execution; and the general advantage of a merciful line
of policy. At the same time I told him their lives were forfeited,
their crimes had been of a heinous and unpardonable nature, and it
was only from so humane a man as himself, one with so kind a heart,
that I could ask for their pardon; but I added, he well knew that
it was only my previous knowledge of his benevolent disposition,
and the great friendship I felt for him, which had induced me to
take any part in this struggle. Other stronger reasons might have
been brought forward, which I forbore to employ, as being repugnant
to his princely pride, viz. that severity in this case would arm many
against him, raise powerful enemies in Borneo Proper, as well as here,
and greatly impede the future right government of the country. However,
I gained my point, and was satisfied.
"Having fulfilled this engagement, and being moreover, together with
many of my Europeans, attacked with an ague, I left the scene with all
the dignity of complete success. Subsequently, the rebels were ordered
to deliver up all their arms, ammunition, and property; and last, the
wives and children of the principal people were demanded as hostages,
and obtained. The women and children were treated with kindness,
and preserved from injury or wrong. Siniawan thus dwindled away; the
poorer men stole off in canoes and were scattered about, most of them
coming to Sarawak. The better class pulled down the houses, abandoned
the town, and lived in boats for a month; when, alarmed by the delay
and impelled by hunger, they also fled--Patingi Gapoor, it was said,
to Sambas; and Patingi Ali and the Tumangong among the Dyaks. After
a time it was supposed they would return and receive their wives and
children. The army gradually dispersed to seek food, and the Chinese
were left in possession of the once-renowned Siniawan, the ruin of
which they completed by burning all that remained, and erecting a
village for themselves in the immediate neighborhood. Seriff Jaffer
and many others departed to their respective homes, and the pinching
of famine succeeded to the horrors of war. Fruit being in season,
helped to support the wretched people, and the near approach of the
rice-harvest kept up their spirits."