CHAPTER XII

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THE CHINESE IN BORNEO.

Intercourse between China and the Northern Part of Borneo--References to the Chinese--Names of Places and Rivers--Sites of Gardens and Houses--One of the original Settlers--The Sultan’s Recollections--Chinese numerous in his Youth--Reasons for their Disappearing--Anecdote of a Murut Chief--Aborigines speaking Chinese--Mixed Breed--Good Husbands--Chinese at Batang Parak--At Madihit--Pepper Planters--Origin of the Borneans--Chinese Features observed also among the Aborigines--Careful Agriculture--A remnant of Chinese Teaching--Traditions of a Chinese Kingdom--Effect of Treaty with Brunei--Unsuccessful attempt to revive Pepper Planting--Chinese scattering on the North-west coast--A Spark of Enlightenment--Attempt to prevent Intercourse between the Chinese and Aborigines--Decay of Junk Trade--Cochin Chinese--Conduct of the Chinese--Papar--Anecdote--Fatal result of Insulting a Woman--Skirmish--Misrepresented in Labuan--Question of British Protection to the Chinese--Their Insolence--Anecdote--Unpleasant Position--A Check--Difficulty of obtaining Information--Cause of former Disputes--Insurrection of the Chinese of Brunei--Sarawak--Early efforts of the Chinese to establish themselves there--Lawless Malays--A Murder--Retaliation--Defeat of the Chinese--Arrival of Sir James Brooke--Mixed Breed in Sambas--Form Self-governing Communities--Defeat of the Dutch Forces--Subjugation of the Chinese--The Pamangkat Agriculturists--Flight into Sarawak--Change in the appearance of the Country--Mission School--Visit the Interior--Kunsis, or Gold Companies--Appearance of the Country--Method of Gold-working--The Reservoir--The Ditch--The Sluice--Wasteful method of working--Abundance of Gold--Impetus--Failure of first Agricultural Schemes--A great Flood--Troublesome Gold-workers--Successful Scheme--Disturbance in Sambas--Flight of Chinese--Illiberal Regulation--Tour through the Chinese Settlements--Agriculture--Siniawan--Chinese Workings--Hot Spring--Gold at Piat in Quartz--Antimony Works--Extensive Reservoirs--Arrival of Chinese from Sambas--Denial by the Kunsi--Hard Work at the Gold Diggings--Scenery--Path to Sambas--Chinese Station--Numbers of the Chinese before the Insurrection 308

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