CHAPTER XIII

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THE CHINESE INSURRECTION.

Secret Societies--Extensive Intercourse--Smuggling--The Gold Company Fined--Punishment of Three of its Members--Arrogance of the Kunsi--A Police Case--Real Causes of the insurrection--An Emissary from the Tien Ti Secret Society--Reported Encouragement given by the Sultan of Sambas--Sambas Nobles speak Chinese--Their Nurses--The Nobles Conspiring--An Emissary arrives in Brunei--Proposal--Knowledge of the Intended Insurrection--Proposed Attack on the Consulate--The Tumanggong’s Threat--The Emissary before the Court--Letter from the Tien Ti Hué--Rumours of Intended Insurrection--Preparations and Inquiries--Commencement of the Revolt--Useless Warnings--Surprise of the Government House-- Danger of the Rajah--Cowardice of the Chinese--Escape--Swims the River--Death of Mr. Nicholets--Attacks on the other Houses--On the Stockade--Gallant Conduct of Mr. Crymble and the Malay Fortmen--Warm Reception of the Rebels--Death of a Madman--A Bravo Corporal--Escape of Mr. Crymble--His last Blow--Fortmen again behave well--Confusion in the Town--Peaceful Assurances--Attempt to organize a Defence--Panic-striken--Departure--Conduct of the People--Next Morning--Killed and Wounded--The Chinese in Power--The Court-house--A Check to Joy--Oath of Fidelity--Courage Shown by Abang Patah--A Blow struck--Second Descent of the Chinese--A Boat Action--Gallant Attack--Deaths--Anecdote--The Second Retreat--The Town in Flames--The Steamer--The Capital recovered--Pursuit of the Chinese--They retire to the Interior--Attacks of the Land Dayaks--Foray of the Chinese--Their Fort taken by the Datu Bandhar--Pursuit--Disorderly Retreat--Critical Position--Brave Girls--Pass the Frontier--The Men of the Kunsi--A Quarrel--Stripped of Plunder--Results of the Insurrection--Forces at the Disposal of the Sarawak Government--Conduct of the People--Disastrous to the Chinese--New System--Arrival of Armed Chinese from Sambas--Dutch and English Assistance--Revisit Sarawak--Change--Conduct of the Rajah--Its Effect on the People--Secret Society at Labuan--Dangers from the Secret Societies and their Defenders--Curious Incident--Thoughtful Care of the Rajah 336

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