(florncU Hmnerattg ICtbtatg 
 
 LIBRARY OF 
 
 LEWIS BINGLEY WYNNE 
 
 A. B., A.M.. COLUMBIAN COLLEGE,"71 /TS 
 WASHINGTON. D. C. 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 MRS. MARY A. WYNNE 
 
 AND 
 
 JOHN H. WYNNE 
 
 CORNELL '98 
 1922 
 
Date Due 
 
 
 
 
 
 -JUL^- 
 
 Lr^ggpi!* 
 
 
 
 A//U 
 
 ' '^/T^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 PRINTED IN 
 
 U. 3. A. 
 
 car 
 
 NO. 23Z33 
 
 PT 6411.83?" ""'™'*">' '■"'"^ 
 .Batavia. 
 
 3 1924 026 347 082 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tinis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026347082 
 
BATAYIA 
 
 BT 
 
 HENDRIK CONSCIENCE 
 
 Qiranslateli front tt)£ QDriginal iTientisI) 
 
 BALTEHOEE and NEW YORK 
 
 JOHN MUEPHY & CO. 
 
 1885 
 
IT 
 
 ^' <Fcrcp-o 0. 
 
 COPTEIGHT, 1885, 
 
 By JOHN MUEPHY & CO. 
 
PROLOGUE, 
 
 On a beautiful day in June of the year 1613, 
 two people, an old woman and a young man, were 
 standing on the quay of Texel at Amsterdam, near 
 the tower of the fish-packers, which laves its feet in 
 the vast basin of the Ye. 
 
 The woman seemed to be a sufEerer, for she was 
 pale and thin, and a dry cough which was occa- 
 sionally heard gave evidence of slow pulmonary 
 trouble that was sapping her life. She looked down 
 sadly, lifting her eyes at times to him who accom- 
 panied her, as if she but waited for him to break 
 the silence that she might speak. 
 
 Leaning against the fish-packers' tower, the young 
 man's looks wandered up and down the quay, seem- 
 ing profoundly preoccupied ; but he kept his eyes 
 particularly fastened on a large merchant-ship, on 
 board of which sailors were employed carrying 
 trunks, boxes, and other luggage. 
 
 Had any one endeavored to guess the young man's 
 age from his face, when he was as now a prey to 
 thoughtful revery, they would most certainly have 
 been mistaken in it. He was delicately formed, 
 
6 BATAVIA. 
 
 the Knes of Ms face were pure, and his expression 
 gentle ; with a look of frank ingenuousness that 
 gave the impression of mere boyishness. His ap- 
 parel, too, a mixture of black and brown, seemed 
 to indicate that he was a student of the Latin 
 School. 
 
 A look of discouragement, succeeded by one of 
 hope, alternated on the young man's face, causing 
 him to lift up his head with displeasure or pride. 
 Under the effects of these different emotions his 
 features were accentuated by an air of greater firm- 
 ness. The radiance of a strong and determined 
 mind shone forth from his handsome face, and there 
 darted from his brown eyes fervid sparks which 
 told of manly will and lofty courage. Just then no 
 one .would have been mistaken as to the young 
 dreamer's actual age, and, spite of the youthful 
 delicacy of his features, he would have been given 
 the nineteen years he had really attained. But this 
 outpouring of a nature as yet not understood by 
 himself was rare, and gave place at once to a mourn- 
 ful expression of sadness and discouragement. 
 
 There reigned around him unusual bustle and ac- 
 tivity. Along the whole length of the quays that 
 border Holland's capital on the eastern side there 
 was fastened a triple row of heus, cagues, and boy- 
 ers,* and lesser craft, loading and unloading, giving 
 employment to a large number of workmen ; heavy 
 wagons, groaning imder the weight of merchandise, 
 
 * Merchant-ships peculiar to Holland. 
 
BATAVIA. 7 
 
 went and came from the interior of tlie town to the 
 wharf ; sailors and soldiers swarmed and were con- 
 fused one with the other on the shores of the Ye. Far- 
 ther away, on the surface of the stream as smooth as 
 glass, were several rows of ships destined for long 
 voyages, the masts of which shut out the horizon like 
 an impenetrable forest. From the holds of these 
 heavy ships were brought forth precious spices from 
 the Indies, with which lighters were laden for trans- 
 portation to the shops and warehouses of the northern 
 Venice in exchange for the gold and silver of the 
 other nations of Europe. Over all the river the 
 joyous song of sailor and workman was heard, the 
 sad creaking of the blocks, and the stentorian com- 
 mands of pilot and captain. 
 
 It was an imposing and magnificent spectacle, this 
 continuous movement of lighters crossing each oth- 
 er's paths ; this feverish activity of several thousand 
 men, the songs and cries and cheering of the sailors 
 on board the innumerable ships just arrived from 
 India ; and above all the sun inundating with floods 
 of light the majestic basin of the Ye, making the 
 waves sparkle and shine under the impulse of the 
 oars like a sea of liquid fire. 
 
 The young man leaning against the tower ap- 
 peared indifferent to this grand sight. For some 
 moments longer he kept his eyes fixed on the heu 
 fastened far away from him against the quay ; then 
 suddenly, as if awakening from a dream, took two 
 steps forward, and said in a sad and kindly voice to 
 the woman who accompanied him, 
 
8 BATAVIA. 
 
 "Mother, let us walk about a little ; it is too soon 
 
 yet." 
 
 " I told you so, Walter," she replied kindly ; 
 " the tide will perhaps be going out for another 
 hour. They will not leave before high tide." 
 
 " Still another hour ! and then — " said the young 
 man, sighing and walking slowly in a direction that 
 carried him farther away from the great heu. 
 
 The woman followed him, but soon stopped. 
 
 " But, "Walter," she said, " we might miss the op- 
 portunity of saying good-by. Let us go towards 
 the Ppnt-Neuf ; they are to come by the Kue aux 
 Herbes and cannot meet us here." 
 
 " No, dear mother," said "Walter, beseechingly ; 
 " they might think we crossed their path to prevent 
 their escaping us." 
 
 " I do not understand you, my son," murmured 
 the widow, astonished, though in a voice full of 
 loving kindness. " Tour desire to take a last fare- 
 well of Madame Yan den Broeck and her daughter 
 filled you with impatience and took you from home 
 much too soon. Now you seem to fear they will 
 penetrate the friendly intention that brings us here. 
 It would have been sadder and have caused them more 
 pain that we should not have come to see them off. 
 You observed when Madame Yan den Broeck left 
 the apartment she occupied under our roof, to take 
 possession of the handsome house in the Hue aux 
 Herbes, what a sad look she cast behind her on the 
 modest rooms where she had spent eight years of 
 her life among faithful and devoted friends. You 
 
BATAVIA. 9 
 
 saw, too, how Adelaide's head drooped and she could 
 not suppress her sighs. Congo, the poor negro, 
 himself wept bitter tears at parting from you. 
 And now you undertake to think these good people, 
 after eight years of true and sincere friendship, would 
 spurn or look down upon us for giving expression 
 to ours ? What are you dreaming of, Walter ?" 
 
 The young man shook his head sadly, and walked 
 along a little farther without replying, then said : 
 
 " I cannot tell why, mother, but my heart beats 
 very sadly in my breast, and I shall never become 
 accustomed to the thought of this parting. All 
 seems to predict it will be a long and everlasting 
 farewell." 
 
 " But it had to come some day, my son. If Cap- 
 tain Van den Broeckhadnot always been at sea, this 
 would have happened much sooner. Now that his 
 eminent services and heroic conduct have been re- 
 warded, he is named commander of the island of Am- 
 boine,* where he has a fixed post ; and it is but natu- 
 ral he should wish to carry his family with him to 
 India. This is the fate of man, Walter — ^to be for- 
 ever parting from thots they hold most dear on 
 earth. One dies, another goes away, and yet another 
 stays behind ; and we all bewail the necessity of sepa- 
 ration, until we find ourselves united again in the 
 merciful bosom of Him who created us." 
 
 *At that time the Hollanders only possessed in the East 
 Indies a portion of the island of Amboine, which they had 
 wrested from the Portuguese, and had converted the fortress 
 into a naval station to facilitate their commerce with the Indies. 
 
10 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Why can I not submit resignedly to the cruel 
 fate that has overtaken us !" exclaimed Walter, 
 in a choked voice. "You, mother, had found a 
 companion whose delightful conversation was your 
 recreation while I spent my days at school. !Ifow 
 you will be sad and lonely. I too had found one 
 who in the beginning was my playmate, later on a 
 sister who encouraged me in my studies, rejoiced in 
 my progress, and strengthened my will and desire 
 to distinguish myself in the career I had embraced. 
 1 loved the poor Congo himself with a tenderness I 
 did not appreciate, but which this coming separation 
 has revealed to me. The unfortunate negro is dear 
 because I have been able to give his ignorant soul 
 an idea of God, and to make him a Christian, and I 
 felt myself called upon to protect him against the 
 injustice of men. Now they are all going away 
 — all ! My second mother, my excellent sister, my 
 poor negro protege! The ship that carries them 
 off will plough the vast sea, and soon there will be 
 an entire world between those I love and me. 
 They will forget us, mother !" 
 
 Though the young man's words betrayed great 
 emotion, his gestures were few and restrained ; his 
 face, too, wore an expression of quiet sadness and 
 the gentleness that was its chief characteristic. The 
 tremulousness of his voice alone indicated the depth 
 of his inward pain. He repeated his last sorrowful 
 exclamation : " Oh, mother, they will forget us !" 
 
 " Do not beheve this, Walter," said the woman, 
 in a sweet low voice. " You agitate yourseK too 
 
B ATA VIA. 11 
 
 easily, my poor cMld. Man must from his youth 
 accustom himself to sorrow. Life is but a trial. 
 In heaven we shall receive our reward for the 
 resignation with which we have endured it." 
 
 " To remain alone ! To suffer alone as if the 
 world were a tomb !" muttered Walter, in despair. 
 
 " Alone 1 Am I not with you ?" asked the mother, 
 in a voice full of tenderness. 
 
 A stifled sigh was the young man's only answer. 
 
 "Is it not enough? Does your mother's pres- 
 ence not suffice ?" muttered the woman, sadly. 
 
 " Forgive me, my well-beloved mother ! I love 
 you with all my heart. That you might be restored 
 to health I would renounce everything — ^my hopes, 
 my memories, life itself. But there is still so 
 much , room in my heart! That heart bleeds be- 
 cause the affection that had taken root with time is 
 to be torn away from it." 
 
 There was a moment's silence. The young man, 
 with eyes bowed down, was visibly making great 
 efforts to subdue his emotion. 
 
 " Come, be calm, my good Walter," said his 
 mother ; " remember we are still less unfortunate 
 than our poor friends. They are compelled to leave 
 our beautiful Holland and brave the hot skies of 
 strange lands. They will suffer, perhaps die, 
 away from the home where their ancestors repose. 
 Kather, compassionate those whom God has not per- 
 mitted to end their days in their own beloved coun- 
 try. India is a land of labor, of peril and trial, my 
 child." 
 
12 BATAVIA. 
 
 A look of enthusiasm illnmined "Walter's features. 
 In a voice deeply touched, and with growing excite- 
 ment, he said, 
 
 " India a land of trial, you say, mother ? India 
 is a glorious l^nd, great and rich, for whoever feels 
 the heroic blood of the Netherlands coursing in his 
 veins ! You do not understand, mother ; times are 
 greatly changed. Spain is humbled and exhausted. 
 She sues for peace. Our liberty stands upon a 
 foundation that is unassailable. All our enemies 
 have fallen. And yet the heart of Batavians 
 is running over with courage and military ardor. 
 Holland hungers for lofty deeds. She must find an 
 end towards which she can direct her exuberant 
 strength. That end is the East Indies ! Our small 
 country, however rich and blessed it may oe, is not 
 large enough for the heroes made by the war with 
 Spain. India, mother, India ! It is a new country 
 to conquer and to settle. It is there that with brav- 
 ery united to prudence one may make a name for 
 posterity. There a young man who was bom too 
 late to carry arms against Spain may still shed his 
 blood to aggrandize the Netherlands. Oh, how 
 happy are they who can depart for this beautiful 
 land!"* 
 
 The mother looked at the son with tears in her 
 
 * After a war of nearly half a century with Spain, a truce 
 was signed for twelve years. The Dutch turned all their en- 
 ergies towards commerce and the sea, and there was general 
 interest felt in India, where they went to seek fortune and re- 
 nown. 
 
BATATIA. 13 
 
 " Walter," she said, sighing, " your words sadden 
 me. "Would you be capable of abandoning your 
 mother ? be cruel enough to wish for such a separ 
 ration ? No, — am I not right ? — these are passing 
 thoughts called forth from your soul by sufEering> 
 alone." 
 
 The young man replied calmly: "I am losing 
 my head, wandering. Leave you, my beloved 
 mother I I ? No, no, never ! India may be a para- 
 dise of joy and happiness, but the great Arbiter of 
 human destiny has not cast my lot there." 
 
 " I knew it, Walter. To soften my passage on 
 earth God in his mercy gave me a loving and de- 
 voted son. In gratitude for this blessing my happy 
 soul will ever sing his praises." 
 
 While talking to each other they had retraced 
 their steps, and were once more at the foot of the 
 tower. 
 
 " See, Walter," said the woman, " there goes Cap- 
 tain Van den Broeck across the Pont-Neuf with his 
 mate, Peter Dircks." 
 
 He shuddered and stood stiU. 
 
 " His wife is not with him, nor Adelaide either." 
 
 These last words seemed to bring Walter to him- 
 seM. Bfe followed his mother, who walked on with- 
 out quickening her steps. 
 
 Almost immediately they heard the Captain giv- 
 ing orders to the men who were loading the ship, 
 while reprimanding others for not acquitting them- 
 selves of their tasks satisfactorily. 
 
 Captain Yan den Broeck was a man about fifty 
 
14 BATAVIA. 
 
 years old ; yet in the full flower of his age, lie was 
 tall and his bearing proud and martial ; he seemed 
 born to command. The brown tint which the sun 
 of India had given him, and the heavy mustache, 
 pointing upward, increased the awe which his height 
 and his proud look inspired, more especially upon 
 his inferiors. He wore a blue doublet buttoned to 
 the chin and only reaching to the knee. His fine 
 black stockings were fastened with rosettes of rib- 
 bon. From his broad-brimmed hat waved a soft 
 feather, and his thick luxuriant hair fell upon Ms 
 shoulders and breast. 
 
 "Walter did not appear in a hurry to approach the 
 stately Captain ; it eVen appeared as though he were 
 overawed by him. The- young man therefore slack- 
 ened his steps, allowing his mother to go a little way 
 in advance. 
 
 The Captain while overlooking his sailors, who 
 were still carrying trunks on board, turned around 
 and perceived the widow. The expression of his 
 face changed at once. His manner became affable, 
 and a smile full of sweetness dispelled the severity 
 of his aspect. Such was Captain Van den Broeck. 
 "When on duty he was stern, cold, and chary of his 
 words, but in his social relations easily approached, 
 full of good-will and kindness. As the time drew 
 near for his "departure to India a sweet joy filled 
 his heart, which overflowed in his language and his 
 looks. He went towards the widow and said, 
 
 " Ah I you here. Dame Peterson ? You have pro- 
 
BATAVIA. 15 
 
 bably come to bid us farewell. I thank you for 
 your kindness. Tou see we are just about sending 
 the last parcels on board. To-night we will reach 
 Texel, and to-morrow be out at sea. J am reviving ; 
 for an old salt like myself, Dame Peterson, it is 
 not well to be on land." 
 
 " I do not see your wife or daughter," said Wal- 
 ter's mother. 
 
 " They are coming, they are coming," said the 
 Captain, laughing. " Women always have some- 
 thing to do or to gather together at the last mo- 
 ment. Were we to imitate them, we would never 
 embark. But who have we here, so silent and 
 abashed ? Oh ! it is Walter. He still seems very 
 young and unsophisticated; Dame Peterson. This 
 will improve when his beard grows." 
 
 After thus joking, he went towards the young 
 man, and clapping him in a friendly manner on the 
 shoulder, said, 
 
 " Well, Walter, have you never yet felt a desire 
 to make the voyage to India, my boy ? The trip 
 is not quite as smooth as would be the surface of 
 the Te, but the clashing, the bounding and re- 
 bounding of the ocean soon give one a firm foot and 
 steady nerves." 
 
 Walter muttered some words that were unintel- 
 ligible ; he made an effort to smile politely, but the 
 patroni2dng and somewhat ironical air of the Cap- 
 tain compelled him to lower his eyes. He remained 
 standing before the speaker disconcerted and silent, 
 like a timid young girl. He set his teeth and 
 
16 BATAVIA. 
 
 closed his fists, unperceived by Captain Van den 
 Broeck. 
 
 " Do not speak to him of such matters, Captain," 
 said the widow, beseechingly. " Walter does not 
 care for long voyages ; and moreover he is still 
 very young." 
 
 " Too young. Dame Peterson ! The younger the 
 better. "When I first went to sea I was no older 
 than "Walter. Maybe he is afraid of the great 
 ocean. It is true every one is not bom to go to 
 sea, and courage only comes with years." 
 
 This last assertion made Walter lift his head. He 
 darted a proud glance at the Captain, and muttered 
 in a trembling voice, 
 
 " Pardon me. Captain, if my reply seems to you 
 impolite. But what courage, may I ask, does it 
 require to do that that thousands of men have done 
 before us ? Fate keeps me here. Otherwise — " 
 
 " Truly, truly," said Van den Broeck, " some- 
 thing good beats in that breast ! I see in you, my 
 boy, what makes me think we may some day meet 
 on the great pond with the brave ones over there." 
 
 " May God avert it !" said the old mother, sighing. 
 " He is to be a physician. Captain. There is not a 
 more glorious and meritorious act than to come to 
 the aid of our unfortunate fellow-creatures in sick- 
 ness and misfortune. His father — may God have 
 mercy on his soul ! — his father was also a physician. 
 Walter will follow his profession with zeal and de- 
 votion. Will you not my son ?" 
 
 " I must remain with my mother and give her all 
 
BATAVIA. 17 
 
 the comfort and consolation I can," said the young 
 man. " This is a duty God has imposed on me that 
 I wish lovingly to fulfil. But believe me, Cap- 
 tain, I also feel that in my bosom beats the heart 
 of a Netherlander." 
 
 Van den Broeck was astonished at the yoimg 
 man's enthusiasm, and still more at the fire burning 
 in his eyes. 
 
 " I have never seen a l/rcvoado at the Cape, if for 
 your life you become a physician. Tour skin 
 covers a sailor or I am much mistaken. Tou have 
 a passion for the sea ; it is an incurable disease with 
 Hollanders." 
 
 And again clapping the young man on the 
 shoulder, 
 
 " I know," he said, " what gives you this wish to 
 go, my boy. Come, you must banish from your 
 mind such childish thoughts." 
 
 He felt "Walter's shoulder shiver under his hand, 
 and his face was suffused with color. 
 
 "There is a way, though," he said, laughing. 
 " Enter the East India Company's service, endeavor 
 to distinguish yourself, become a captain, and I 
 will give you Adelaide as a wife. But you must 
 make haste, otherwise she may find a husband be- 
 fore you wear a sword at your side." 
 
 A painful sigh escaped from the young man ; his 
 head drooped on his breast with discouragement, 
 and he seemed a prey to terrible suffering. 
 
 Yan den Broeck, touched with compassion, took 
 his hand and said to him, with affection and gravity, 
 
18 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Oome, "Walter, my boy, when I spoke as I did 
 I was only joking. Ton perfectly understand it 
 would be impossible for you to become a captain 
 in a few years, especially now, when we are at peace 
 with Spain. Remain with your mother, become 
 what your father was, a physician ; and if you think 
 of us at all, let it be as good friends who, far away 
 in India, will retain a lively recollection of your 
 affection." 
 
 " Captain Yan den Broeck !" called out a loud 
 voice from the vessel's deck. 
 
 " Well, friend Peter, what is the matter ?" 
 
 " All is ready," the latter replied ; " our heu and 
 the two cagues are under sail, the tide is rising and 
 the wind favorable ; we must not lose our chances. 
 Does not Madame Yan den Broeck wish to embark ?" 
 
 "This is too bad," grumbled the Captain. 
 " They should have been on board half an hour 
 ago." 
 
 And turning towards bis mate, 
 
 " "Wait ; they are not far from here. I shall go 
 after them. Dame Peterson, you will remain here 
 a little longer, wiU you not ?" 
 
 And saying this, he rapidly walked in the direc- 
 tion of the Pont-]Sreuf and disappeared soon after 
 down the Eue aux Herbes. 
 
 "Walter still remained silent, with his eyes cast 
 down. His mother eyed him compassionately ; for 
 though she could not understand how the Captain's 
 friendly joke could wound her son so deeply, yet 
 she saw his grief was of a deep nature. She was 
 
BATATIA. 19 
 
 just about offering Mm some words of consolation, 
 when at that moment they heard behind them a 
 strange cry which must have been recognized, for 
 a smile illumined both their faces at once and they 
 turned simultaneously around from whence the noise 
 proceeded. 
 
 " It is the little Congo," exclaimed "Walter. 
 
 From the direction of the Pont-Neuf came run- 
 ning a young negro who could scarcely have been 
 more than twelve or thirteen years old. He was 
 habited like a Hollander with the exception of the 
 head-dress, for he wore nothing but the curly wool 
 with which nature had supplied him. He was 
 already saluting Walter in the distance, and express- 
 ing his joy by every sort of cry. Between his 
 thick protruding lips glistened teeth as white as 
 snow, and beneath his black brows the whites of his 
 eyes shone strangely. 
 
 Upon reaching Dame Peterson he clasped his 
 hands together and bowed his head ; but after acquit- 
 ting himself of this mark of respect he flew towards 
 the youDg man, seized his hands and kissed them 
 with rapture, all the while miittering iu affectionate 
 tones, 
 
 " Master of mine ! master of mine !" 
 
 "Well, Congo," said Walter, sadly, "you are 
 going to the land of the sun. This makes you 
 happy, does it not 2" 
 
 The negro looked down and shook his head nega- 
 tively. _ ^ 
 
 " Tou will soon forget, under the beautiful sky 
 
20 BATAVIA. 
 
 of India, the cold blasts of the Netherlands and them 
 that endure them," said the young man, sighing. 
 
 Congo bounded and exclaimed, pointing to the 
 east, 
 
 " Hot over there — fire — not good. "With Walter 
 — with the mother — then good !" 
 
 He waved his hands about him, and was about to 
 give more decided expression to his feelings, when 
 suddenly he jumped backward, remaining motion- 
 less like a servant who sees his master approach. 
 
 " Mistress of mine !" he said. 
 
 Walter paled and began to tremble. He saw 
 Madam Van den Broeck a few steps off, coming 
 towards the wharf with her daughter and a servant. 
 
 The Captain's wife was very tall, and inspired 
 great respect from her imposing walk and the calm 
 expression of her countenance, which yet had an 
 affable look about it, as well as a certain dreaminess 
 giving evidence of great delicacy of feeling tem- 
 pered with reserve. 
 
 Her daughter Adelaide was scarcely sixteen. Her 
 hair was light, eyes blue, and cheeks rosy, still 
 covered with the soft and delicate bloom of youth. 
 Her step was faltering, her countenance ingenuous 
 and innocent, and her pure soul shone in her frank 
 and open smile. 
 
 "While her mother held out her hand to Dame 
 Peterson and engaged her in conversation, Adelaide 
 approached nearer the young man and said to him, 
 
 " I am very happy, Walter, you came here to say 
 good-by to us ; I knew you would" do spj and as 
 
BATAVIA. 21 
 
 soon as we reached tlie Pont-Neuf I looked about 
 to find you. It would have made me very un- 
 happy not to have seen you again. And do you 
 wish me to relate something strange to you ? Last 
 night I dreamed I was navigating a ship on the high 
 seas ; you, Walter, were the pilot. All dreams seem 
 possible, do they not ?" 
 
 The young man started, wished to speak, but the 
 words died on his hps. 
 
 "Why are you so sad, Walter?" asked the young 
 girl. "Ah! what do I ask you? You wiU no 
 longer have a companion: that is it. Your only 
 one will be your sick mother. This is truly sad. 
 What pleasures we have enjoyed together since 
 our childhood! You have been a good friend to 
 me, Walter. I understand you should be sorry to 
 see me leave Amsterdam." 
 
 "And you, Adelaide," asked the young man, 
 " does it not afflict you at all ?" 
 
 " Yes ; but the worst has gone by. When I was 
 in the large house of the Eue aux Herbes your image 
 came between me and everything ; which ever way I 
 turned your voice called me. And then, Walter, in 
 my loneliness I wept for many hours." 
 
 " You wept ? You wept, Adelaide ?" said the 
 young man, deeply touched. " Why ?" 
 
 " You may undoubtedly imagine why. Because 
 you were no longer with me." 
 
 " And now you can leave without sorrowing ?" 
 
 " Now, Walter, aU is over ; these tears could not 
 last forer-er." 
 
22 BATATIA. 
 
 "Alas!" said the young man, grieved and in a 
 plaintive voice, " you will have forgotten me before 
 reaching the harbor of Amboine !" 
 
 Tears trickled down his cheeks, and he fastened 
 upon the young girl a bitter look of reproach which 
 seemed to surprise and pain her. 
 
 "Walter, Walter!" she said, in a voice full of 
 emotion, " this is unkind of you to make the mo- 
 ment of departure bitterer for me ! Be assured you 
 wiU have forgotten me before I do you. Eosahe will 
 bear witness that I think and speak of you all day." 
 
 The servant, who stood a few steps off and had 
 heard the greater part of the conversation between 
 the two young people, now approached and said, in 
 a slightly ironical tone, 
 
 " You ask which of you two will forget the other 
 sooner. This is not difficult to say ; it will certainly 
 be Mr. Walter." 
 
 "I!" exclaimed he, "I forget her! EosaJie, 1 
 beg you will not joke." 
 
 " It is quite easy to see how," replied the servant. 
 " Adelaide thinks of you from morning until night : 
 what wiU it be over there ? She will have neither 
 companions to amuse, nor friends nor acquaintances. 
 Of what shall we think at Amboine, do you sup- 
 pose ? Of our dear Holland, of Amsterdam, and of 
 those with whom we lived. Ton, Walter, will be- 
 come a physician, will make a fortune, marry, and 
 by slow degrees forget those who are gone. This is 
 the way things always happen." 
 
 " Yes, yes," said Adelaide ; " you are even the 
 
BATAVIA. 23 
 
 happier in this : you inhabit our heautiful country, 
 while I am going many thousand miles away, with- 
 out knowing whether I shall ever revisit it." 
 
 "And you do not deplore this departure?" ex- 
 claimed Walter, in ill-restrained accents of sorrow. 
 
 " Of what use would it be ?" said Adelaide. "As 
 a submissive daughter I am compelled to follow my 
 father, and find my consolation in accomplishing 
 this duty." 
 
 The young man trembled in every limb, as if 
 her gentle words irritated him. 
 
 The servant laughed maliciously and said, 
 
 "These complaints are useless. Nothing is so 
 soon forgotten as the friendships of childhood. 
 Mademoiselle is right not to grieve too much. Ee 
 assured, "Walter, that in a year or two you, as well 
 as Adelaide, will scarcely remember you ever felt 
 any affection for each other. And nothing can be 
 done about it ; we must accept our lives ia the way 
 God intended." 
 
 Overwhelmed with the conviction that neither 
 Adelaide nor Eosalie understood the nature of his 
 sorrow, he covered his face with his hands. 
 
 The young girl watched him in silence for a few 
 moments, then suddenly a great joy irradiated her 
 face, and leaning her head on the young man's 
 shoulder, she whispered in his ear, 
 
 " "Walter, I know a way not to be long separated 
 from you." 
 
 " "What way ?" exclaimed he, with a happy smile. 
 "Speak." 
 
24 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Come also to India, "Walter." 
 
 "Ever the same tMag," said tlie young man, 
 sighing. 
 
 " It is indeed the only way," remarked the 
 servant. 
 
 " Oh ! promise me you will," replied Adelaide. 
 " I will await you ; I shaU be always expecting and 
 looking for the ship that is to bring you." 
 
 " And my poor mother ?" 
 
 " Take her with you, Walter ; then we will all be 
 together as before." 
 
 "At last, there you are!" cried out Yan den 
 Broeck, advancing towards the quay. " You will 
 make us miss the tide in losing so much time. 
 Which way did you come here ? I think there is 
 but one Hue aux Herbes at Amsterdam." 
 
 "Now, do not get angry for such a trifle," replied 
 his wife. " We came in aU haste as far as the Corn 
 Exchange to shake by the hand once more our 
 friend the wife of the money-changer." 
 
 "Well, well, let us hasten," said the Captain, in 
 an imperative tone. " Let the farewells be spoken 
 and go on board at once ; otherwise they will last 
 forever." 
 
 " Good-by, Walter," said Adelaide, taking his 
 hand. " You know what I told you. I shall ever 
 think of you, and will await your coming with im- 
 patience." 
 
 The young man made great efforts to control his 
 emotion, and was scarcely able to stammer forth one 
 word of farewell. At the same moment the Cap- 
 
B ATA VI A. 25 
 
 tain's wife was affectionately embracing the aged 
 widow who for so many yed,rs had been her friend. 
 Abundant though silent tears fell from the eyes of 
 both women. 
 
 The sight of these warm expressions of regard 
 and his mother's sorrow overcame the young man, 
 who also shed tears. 
 
 "I had gathered up great strength," exclaimed 
 Adelaide, " but if your courage gives way I shall 
 not be able to endure much longer. Alas! alas! 
 how unhappy I am! What suffering to have to 
 leave you, "Walter !" 
 
 With these words the poor child melted into 
 tears. 
 
 The little Congo, who observed this scene at a 
 short distance off, had cowered for some time with 
 his head between his knees. 
 
 " On board ! on board !" exclaimed the Captain, 
 gently pushing his wife and daughter towards the 
 ship. " Another handshake. Dame Peterson ; and 
 for you too, "Walter, until we meet again ! Hi ! 
 Congo, what are you still doing on shore ? Make 
 haste, or else — " 
 
 The negro ran towards Walter once more, kissed 
 his hands, on which tears rained, Kfted his eyes to 
 heaven with a strange expression, then hastily 
 boarded the ship. Madame Van den Broeck and 
 Adelaide were already on deck, and had placed 
 themselves near the rudder, at a distance from the 
 soldiers and sailors. 
 
 A few moments after all sails were set, and the 
 
26 BATAVIA. 
 
 vessel, convoyed by two cagues, left the wharf. Its 
 crew bade adieu to the town of Amsterdam by 
 triple hurrahs, and the trumpeter on board one of 
 the cagues played the Holland national air, " Wil- 
 liam of Nassau." 
 
 "Walter saw Van den Broeck, his wife, the negro, 
 and even the servant making signals in the distance, 
 as if to continue saying good-by as long as possible. 
 He also saw that Adelaide remained seated by the 
 rudder, her head in her hands, weeping bitterly. 
 This proof of her sorrow was some consolation to 
 his oppressed heart, and he enjoyed, so to speak, the 
 young girl's pain, until the ship and the two cagues 
 disappeared from sight. Then he dejectedly allowed 
 his head to fall upon his breast, while he remained 
 standing mute and sorrowful, as if he had forgotten 
 where he was and what had happened. 
 
 " Come, "Walter, let us go," said the widow. " May 
 God be- praised that this terrible moment is over !" 
 
 "Walter followed her without a word ; stifled sighs 
 escaped from his breast, and qnidk and convulsive 
 gestures betrayed his despair. 
 
 " My good "Walter," said the mother, " this part- 
 ing is a cruel one for you, is it not? Your loving 
 heart deplores the loss of your playmate as if it 
 were a terrible misfortune. Be calm, and do not 
 lose courage, my child; by to-morrow the pain will 
 already be softened — " 
 
 "A playmate!" exclaimed the young man, in 
 heart-rending accents. " Oh ! mother, if it were 
 no more — " 
 
 The aged woman gave him a look of surprise. 
 
BATAVIA. 27 
 
 "She 18 gone. I can now mate to you an 
 avowal of my misery," lie continued, "l^o, no, 
 mother ; she was no longer my playmate. It was 
 rash, perhaps foolish, but I thought the future held 
 something for me, and I dreamed that one day per- 
 haps Adelaide would be my wife ; that she would 
 become a daughter to my good and excellent 
 mother, when each should endeavor to rival the 
 other in rendering her last days comfortable and 
 happy. Could I but have cherished that hope, I 
 should have been enabled to perform miracles 
 whereby I might have shone among the physicians 
 of Holland for my scientific attainments and devo- 
 tion to duty. But now the star that lighted me on 
 my way has gone down in darkness." 
 
 " Poor Walter !" said the widow, with a sigh, 
 " how can you allow your thoughts to carry you 
 away in this manner ? It is not well for man to set 
 his heart on impossible things. What you dreamed 
 could never have been realized, even had Adelaide 
 remained near us many years. How many times 
 has Capt. Van den Broeck said in our presence that 
 none but a brave ofiicer, a captain like himself, 
 should obtain the hand of his daughter ? He looks 
 down on every other profession but that of bearing 
 arms. Though he is mistaken, what would you ? 
 The good man on this point has a very decided 
 opinion. Ton, Walter, with your peaceful and 
 sweet disposition are called to serve your country 
 elsewhere than on its battle-fields." 
 
 Walter made no answer, but walked along ia an 
 absent manner, his eyes fixed on vacancy, finding 
 
28 BATAVIA. 
 
 within himself food for thought. Suddenly he 
 stopped and took his mother by both hands ; looking 
 her in the face, he said in an excited tone. 
 
 " Mother, you love me, do you not ? You would 
 do and endure much for my happiness ? To rescue 
 me from everlasting sorrow you would sacrifice, if 
 necessary, your habits of life, your quiet ? Is it not 
 so, mother, is it not so ?" 
 
 " What is it you wish, "Walter ?" asked the widow, 
 alarmed at the emotion he showed. 
 
 " Oh, mother, I beg, I supplicate of you, go with 
 me to India !" 
 
 " I, a poor old woman, delicate and feeble," she 
 said, utterly overcome, — " I to set sail with you on 
 the great ocean ! What an idea, my son ! The Lord 
 would recall me to himself on the journey were I 
 guilty of such a foolish act. No, I wish to die 
 with those that belong to me. Walter, my child, 
 your mind is wandering !" 
 
 A soul-stirring exclamation of despair escaped 
 from Walter. 
 
 " Oh !" he said, shaking his head as if to rid him- 
 self of the thought that possessed him, "I am mad, 
 it is true. Come mother, come, it will pass away. 
 I will endeavor to forget. But be not afraid ; 
 come what may, I will not leave you, my beloved 
 mother ! No, never as long as I live. Come, 
 let us go." 
 
 Madame Peterson followed his rapid footsteps as 
 well as she could, and they both disappeared behind 
 the Kamperhoofd. 
 
BATAVIA. 
 
 1618. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Not far from the Javanese toTvn of Jacatra, three 
 Dutchwomen and a black slave were seated one 
 morning under the shadow of some trees that pro- 
 tected them from the burning rays of the sun of 
 India. 
 
 These trees seemed really to have been planted 
 on the plain to afford a pleasant retreat against the 
 noonday heat, for their somewhat regular distribu- 
 tion appeared rather the act of man than the work 
 of nature. 
 
 Amid a clump of shrubbery on whose green 
 leaves shone fruits and grapes of all colors and 
 shapes, the patty with its light green leaves was 
 discernible, so valued by the Javanese because of 
 its thick and shady foliage ; the beautiful dadap, 
 each leaf of which is marbled and pointed like a 
 flower; the superb katapner, which bears at one 
 time buds, blossoms, and fruits ; and the majestic 
 jambosier, which, like a lombardy poplar, towers 
 almost to the sMes. 
 
30 BATAVIA. 
 
 Under the shade of the thickest patties, on a 
 bench formed of bamboo and rattan interwoven, 
 was seated a person no longer young, the richness 
 of whose attire proclaimed her at once as the wife 
 of a wealthy Dutch merchant or that of an officer. 
 Her head was bent over a book on which her eyes 
 were fastened, but, be it from the heat of the atmos- 
 phere or the sombre silence that reigned around, 
 she appeared inchned to drowsiness, closing her 
 eyes and disposing herself to yield to sleep. 
 
 By her side on the same bench sat a young girl 
 who appeared to be under twenty years of age ; her 
 light hair and blue eyes betrayed her northern 
 origin, though a long residence in India had spread 
 over her face a delicate tint of brown. She was 
 dressed entirely in white, without any head-dress 
 but the heavy curls of her hair, which were brought 
 forward so as to form a crown. Except bracelets 
 of the golden champaka,* she wore no ornaments 
 but those sweet gifts with which nature had en- 
 dowed her. 
 
 The sun's rays through the leaves produced a 
 thousand colors and played around her in varie- 
 gated tints. The jambosier scattered upon her its 
 vivid red flowers ; magnificent butterflies, in every 
 color of the rainbow, attracted by the shrubs and 
 trees in full bloom, flitted above her head. Scara- 
 bees, flies, a thousand insects moved about and glis- 
 tened as if bom of the fire, humming, fluttering, 
 
 * Mechelia champaka, a favoiite Javanese flower. 
 
BATATIA. 31 
 
 and whispering in that beautiful pavilion of ver- 
 dure. 
 
 The young girl, however, appeared insensible to 
 her surroundings ; her eyes were cast down and she 
 did not alter her position. It seemed as though 
 she were plunged in an absorbing revery which made 
 her utterly forgetful of facts. 
 
 Perhaps she dreamed of that beloved country she 
 had quitted in her youth, probably forever ; per- 
 haps she deplored the absence of one whose image 
 pursued her in sohtude. But whatever the cause, a 
 secret sorrow gnawed at the heart of the young 
 girl and was written on her face, which, though 
 attractive and fascinating, bore the traces of a lin- 
 gering decline and evident weakness. 
 
 After keeping her eyes for some time dreamily 
 on the ground, she suddenly lifted iip her head 
 as if startled by the silence around her, then cast 
 a furtive glance towards the person beside her, 
 who held the book on her knee and had quietly 
 gone to sleep, then turned partly around to 
 seek her attendant through the branches of the 
 trees. 
 
 The servant slept, leaning against the massive 
 trunk of the billingbing.* The negro alone was 
 awake ; he held in one hand a closed parasol and 
 in the other a basket of freshly gathered fruit. His 
 bright eyes were fastened upon his mistress and 
 seemed to ask whether she wanted anything ; but she 
 made a sign to him to remain where he was. 
 "^Averrhoa bilimbi. 
 
33 BATAVIA. 
 
 The young girl then resumed the same attitude, 
 though this time she cast her eyes towards the 
 plain, and with a long look seemed to take in the 
 beautiful landscape unfolded to her by the vegetar 
 tion of India. 
 
 Looking to the left she beheld the cocoanut-trees 
 that bordered the coast, lifting up their tall crests 
 like gigantic plumes under the soft touch of the 
 land-breeze ; behind, in the distance, she saw the 
 masts of the ships that had brought them to Jaca- 
 tra, and farther ofE still the wide expanse of ocean, 
 whose bosom in that part nearest the shore was 
 studded with little green islands lying close one to 
 the other like charming kiosks of verdure extend- 
 ing into the distance, where they melted away by 
 degrees into a limitless horizon, mingling with the 
 azures of the skies. 
 
 Facing her there rose a little way off the shops 
 and habitations of the Dutch factory. The fortifi- 
 cations by which they were surrounded scarcely 
 reached the height of a man, but the work was pro- 
 gressing with ardor. The young girl saw Dutch- 
 men, negroes, Chinese, in spite of the sun bringing 
 stones, mortar, earth, and, as if over-excited by 
 feverish activity, rivalling each other in zeal to build 
 up a rampart that was to protect the fortress of the 
 IsTetherlands. 
 
 At a distance behind the factory appeared the 
 Javanese town of Jacatra, with its airy abodes con- 
 structed of bamboo and rattan half hidden under 
 the shadow of the. thick kelors, and sheltered on 
 
BATAVIA. 33 
 
 all sides by fruit-trees whose dark shining leaves 
 were distinctly defined against- the sky. By the 
 side of and between the houses, the pysang, or 
 banana-tree, stretched out its gigantic leaves, and 
 the aree, a species of palm, shot on high its broad 
 top resembling a parasol, while the turyboa* grew 
 gracef uUy around its light and delicate stem. Here 
 and there the tontar or hunter's tree, displayed its 
 fan-shaped leaves, on which in past times the 
 Indians wTote their alas, or letters. In the environs 
 of the town were situated the rice-fields ; in some 
 the eye was captivated by the delicate and exqui- 
 site green, while others reflected the golden hue 
 of maturity. 
 
 The young girl, casting her eyes to the righ^, 
 saw, towards the interior of the dominion, a 
 splendid carpet of green through which two or 
 three lovely rivers meandered. The whole sur- 
 face of the plain where it was not broken by 
 groups of cocoanut-trees was bright with flowers of 
 every hue and shade ; from the very bosom of the 
 water the tong-yong tratty lifted its lovely flower- 
 cups, and the sweetness of its perfume vied with 
 the vividness of its color. Here her eye spauned 
 the limit where man's work ceased, and reached 
 the skirt of those impenetrable forests at the foot 
 of the hills, which, possessing themselves of the 
 soil, grow in great size and majesty, spreading 
 over all the great island, even up the sides of 
 
 * A species of vine. 
 
34 BATAVIA. 
 
 high mountains, the summits of which soar heaven- 
 ward and rise five thousand feet above the level of 
 the sea. 
 
 It is only within these forests that one can form an 
 idea of the wonderful fruitf ulness with which prodi- 
 gal nature has endowed this spot of earth. There, 
 gigantic trees, strange plants, overhanging vines, 
 seem to dispute the light and air with one another. 
 In this struggle to obtain a narrow space, the power- 
 ful vegetable kingdom interlaces closely its tranks, 
 branches, and shoots, so that only hatchet in hand 
 can man conquer a passage for himself ; and as if the 
 ground did not suffice for all the plants that spring 
 up from a luxurious vegetation, some throw their 
 r&sts into the trunks of others, and plants and 
 shrubs grow vigorously on the tops even of the 
 highest trees. Thousands of vegetable parasites 
 strange and wonderful in form cover the bark of 
 the venerable pinkons, langsars, pinangos, surents, 
 and interlace their branches so as to form an im- 
 mense and iaextricable network falling to the 
 ground, rising to the skies, and in their turn afford- 
 ing nourishment to the vines growing from tree to 
 tree, suspending themselves like delicate ropes from 
 every branch, throwing out new roots, rising boldly 
 to the highest summits, and there with their thick 
 and luxuriant foliage forming a roof of green which 
 even at mid-day only admitted a doubtful light in 
 this luxuriant vegetation. 
 
 In the sombre depths of the virgin forests of 
 Java live and swarm a world of animals. The 
 
BATAVIA. 35 
 
 monkey has a home here with its mate and little 
 one amid the same trees where the charming gold- 
 finch and gay parrot display their magnificent plu- 
 mage; the frightful fiying dog hides here during 
 the day; the flying lizard darts without ceasing 
 from branch to branch; the royal tiger reigns 
 here masterfully ; the iguana, which resembles a 
 crocodile, watches for its prey ; venomous scorpions 
 and hideous centipedes abound beneath the fallen 
 leaves. 
 
 The young girl's eyes were fixed for some time 
 on the majestic forests and the cloud-clapped moun- 
 tains bordering the horizon on the land side ; then, 
 as though this contemplation had given her neither 
 pleasure nor comfort, she shook her head in 
 apathy, and fastened her eyes on the ground, 
 where they encountered the purple flowers dropped 
 at her feet by the jambosier. Again her mind 
 seemed to wander away, for she remained silent and 
 immovable, and presently carried her hands to her 
 eyes as if to conceal the tears that escaped her in 
 spite of herself. 
 
 The woman seated beside her lifted her head and 
 gazed for an instant on the sorrow-stricien girl 
 with an expression of affectionate interest, then 
 taking her hand said, 
 
 " Adelaide, Adelaide, this is not well. Only 
 yesterday you promised your father to bear up 
 against your grief. Tou told him now you were 
 consoled and would await patiently our return to 
 our native land. Your promise afforded so much 
 
36 BATAVIA. 
 
 hope and confidence to my motherly heart that, you 
 see, I allowed sleep to overtake me beside yon. 
 For a moment you are left alone, and when I awake 
 I find your eyes full of tears. Have you no pity, 
 my child, for my pain ?" 
 
 " Do not be angry with me, my good mother," 
 stammered the young girl. " I struggle energeti- 
 cally against my sorrow, but it is stronger than my 
 will. Tears alone biing some comfort to my poor 
 heart." 
 
 " The thoughts that pursue you, Adelaide, are 
 fatal. Instead of hugging them to your heart you 
 should endeavor to combat them courageously ; then 
 you would soon be rid of them." 
 
 "Yes, mother, this is truly what I should do; 
 you are right," replied the young girl. " Could I 
 but command my thoughts ! That dream, that ever- 
 recurring dream ! Holland, Amsterdam, all that 
 surrounded my infancy with joy and happiness, — 
 this is what is sapping my strength, fills my soul 
 with sorrow, and renders me ungrateful towards my 
 father, and to you who are such a good and tender 
 mother to me. Alas ! alas ! this is cruel and most 
 culpable of me. But do not let your heart be set 
 against me, my beloved mother ; I cannot help it." 
 
 Seated on the ground a few steps off, the negro 
 fastened his brilliant eyes on Adelaide's lips, and 
 though he could not catch the conversation, which 
 took place in low tones, he appeared to understand 
 the meaning of the young girl's words. His face 
 also expressed profound compaasion, and every now 
 
BATAVIA. 37 
 
 and then his thick lips were contracted with a look 
 of ill-will and anger. 
 
 The mother said gently, 
 
 " In two or three months from this we will re- 
 turn to our country. Is not that thought sufficient 
 to give you courage and strength, Adelaide ?" 
 
 "You nurse this illusion out of love for me, 
 mother ; you deceive yourself that you may deceive 
 me too. For the last four years I have been buoyed 
 up with the same hope. When we set sail from 
 Amboine I was made to believe that we were going 
 home, and already five months have passed away 
 since we reached Java. Ah ! I feel it, mother, my 
 foot will never more tread the soil of Holland." 
 
 " Poor, foolish child ! Do you dwell upon nothing 
 except what aggravates your disease ? I tell you we 
 are to return to our country as soon as the fortress 
 is constructed — three months at the latest. Tour 
 father said this morning in my presence to the 
 Governor-General that nothing in the world, neither 
 treasures, nor dignities, nor even the sentiment of 
 duty, should prevent his return to Holland that his 
 daughter might be cured of the terrible home-sick- 
 ness which is destroying her under our very eyes." 
 
 " What ! is this really true, mother ?" asked the 
 young girl, her joy mixed with fear. 
 
 " I will beg Governor Koen * to substantiate 
 what I say, if you refuse to credit me. You are 
 
 *The Governor-General of India for the Dutch Company 
 was at this time Jean Pierre Koen. 
 
38 BATAVIA, 
 
 right, Adelaide : I have deceived you in the past 
 because of my pity and afifection for you. But 
 what I tell you now is true." ^ 
 
 The young girl clapped her hands with joy, a 
 heavenly smile of happiness beamed from her face, 
 and she exclaimed with enthusiasm, 
 
 " I win again see my beloved Holland ! This 
 would be so great a happiness. I very much doubt 
 if it will ever be mine. But I believe you, mother. 
 I will try to find comfort in the sweet hope that has 
 been given me. I will no longer weep, will be joy- 
 ful ; I will await, will await with patience, the hour 
 that shall at last strike for my deliverance." 
 
 Then recovering herself as if another thought had 
 struck her, she exclaimed "with warmth, 
 
 " Mother, how shall we find our friends over 
 there ? What has become of them ? The wife of 
 the money-changer; the old merchant; Lise, the 
 grocer's little daughtel- ; Good Dame Peterson — she 
 was so feeble and iU? It may be — Ah ! no, I wiU 
 not think of anything so dreadful. And "Walter — he 
 must be a doctor now, do you not think so ? Who 
 knows whether any of these friends stiU remember 
 us?" 
 
 Madame Van den Broeck shook her head with 
 sad impatience ; she knew by experience such 
 thoughts but aggravated the malady from which 
 her daughter suffered, and caused her to relapse into 
 a prof ounder melancholy. That she might divert 
 the conversation into another channel she feigned 
 not to, have heard Adelaide's complaints and said, 
 
BATATIA. 39 
 
 " So, my cHld, you sincerely promise me to await 
 with resignation the moment of our departure ; is it 
 not so?" 
 
 " Yes, mother, I feel contented already, and have 
 become so strong." 
 
 " That you were in low spirits at Amboine I can 
 perfectly understand : it is a dull abode ; the air is so 
 charged with salt that it excites and fatigues one. 
 But here at Java nature is so fruitful and generous ! 
 Everything is brilliant with magnificence and 
 beauty; all that man requires is here found in 
 abundance. If any one treading the soil of Java 
 wished to picture to himself a terrestrial paradise, 
 where could he find a better exemplification of 
 it ? The sentiment that makes us long for our own 
 country is a very natural one, but it should not be 
 allowed to become fanaticism, rendering us blind to 
 the marvels and good gifts of the Creator which he 
 has showered down with open hands upon this 
 favored comer of the earth." 
 
 "You say what is true, mother," replied the 
 young girl. " Here nature is beautiful and full of 
 grandeur, and indeed of great magnificence." Then 
 she added in impressive accents, " But nothing has 
 the charm and beauty of our dear and peaceful 
 Holland." 
 
 " Yes, yes !" exclaimed the negro, " Holland beau- 
 tiful country ! There Walter — good master to me !" 
 
 A stem look given him by Madame Van den 
 Broeck made the Congo draw back with his hands 
 clasped together at the foot of a cocoanut-tree. 
 
40 BATAVIA. 
 
 There was a short moment of silence, ■when the 
 mother said to the daughter, 
 
 " Adelaide, my child, show some resolution. Let 
 your father see that you mean to await with confi- 
 dence and courage the promised moment. This 
 will make him so happy ! What he is about to do 
 for you ■wall be the greatest test of lore a father can 
 ^ve a child. Just reflect : the superior command 
 of this new country has been offered to him already. 
 It will soon become the principal colony of impor- 
 tance to the Dutch in India, and your father would 
 in consequence hold the first rank after the Governor- 
 General. The hope of becoming with time the 
 Governor-General of the Indian IS'etherlands is not 
 interdicted to him. Nothing could better satisfy 
 his manly pride and dignity. And yet, Adelaide, 
 he is about to renounce this brilliant future through 
 love for his daughter — through love for you." 
 
 "Oh, may God in his goodness permit of my 
 return to Holland !" said Adelaide, sighing, " and I 
 shall know how to recompense my good father for 
 the affection without stint which he bears me. All 
 that causes him joy — " 
 
 At that moment the discharge of a cannon was 
 heard : it was the salute of a ship entering the port. 
 
 Adelaide rose suddenly and looked towards the 
 shore. She was much moved, and trembled in every 
 member. 
 
 "Foolish girl!" sadly said her mother, "why 
 become so unstrung ? It is the ship La Fleche, sent 
 to reconnoitre at Bantam, ■with orders to return 
 
BATATIA. 41 
 
 to-day. She has been expected since the morn- 
 ing." 
 
 The negro, on hearing the discharge of cannon, 
 had climbed up the cocoanut-tree, and clung to the 
 trunk at a height of sixty feet. He also looked to- 
 wards the sea with eager curiosity. 
 
 For a moment Adelaide gazed towards him with 
 moist and glistening eyes, seeming to ask him what 
 he saw ; but the look of indifference on Congo's face 
 discouraged her. She reseated herself in silence 
 beside her mother, but lifted her eyes every few 
 moments towards the black slave, who was attempt- 
 ing to reach the top of the tree. 
 
 The servant, too, had been awakened by the dis- 
 charge of the cannon, and arose ; but perceiving 
 that her mistresses kept their seats on the bench, 
 she sat down again without speaking, with her back 
 to the trunk of the billingbing. 
 
 " What possible interest can the poor Congo take 
 in every ship that comes in?" said Madame Van 
 den Broeck, in a low voice ; " one would think he 
 expected some one, for he, at least, cannot be home- 
 sick." 
 
 . " Do you know what it means, mother ?" said 
 Adelaide. " In his simplicity he imagines Walter 
 Peterson is to come to India. Congo has a good 
 heart ; the poor slave has retained of Holland but 
 one remembrance : that he found in that country a 
 man who protected and loved him as if he had not 
 been a poor black, thrown upon the world as an 
 outcast." 
 
42 B ATA VIA. 
 
 " He is crazy, and adds by his folly to yoiir suf- 
 ferings. — Alight from that tree, Congo, and keep 
 quiet; otherwise I will complain of you to the 
 Captain." 
 
 The negro slipped down from the top of the 
 cocoanut-tree, standing, when he reached the bottom, 
 with bowed head and clasped hands. 
 
 " Come, Adelaide," said Madame Yan den Broeck, 
 rising, " let us return to the factory. Tour father 
 awaits me at this hour. Let him see a smiling face, 
 my child, and thank him from the bottom of your 
 heart for the affection which prompted him to say 
 what he did to the Governor-General." 
 
 " It is so cool here, mother," said the young girl, 
 in a beseeching voice, " and the air is so heavy and 
 stifling at the factory among all those workpeople. 
 Oh, remain with me a little longer under the shade 
 of these trees 1" 
 
 " Il^o, Adelaide, I must return, but only for an 
 instant. Stay here, if you wish it ; I shall rejoin 
 you almost immediately. In the mean while keep 
 quiet, my child, and do not think any more about 
 sad subjects." 
 
 By a movement of the hand she ordered the servant 
 to seat herseK near Adelaide, and directed her own 
 steps towards the factory. The young girl followed 
 her mother with her eyes for an instant, then looked 
 down and fell into a re very, though Eosalie had 
 seated herself beside her and tried to arrest her 
 attention with bright and playful talk. 
 
 As soon as Madame Yan den Broeck had disap- 
 
BATAVIA. 43 
 
 peared behind the enclosure which Bnrrotinded the 
 factory, the negro flew towards the cocoanut-tree, 
 and climbed up the trunk until he reached the 
 top ; but hardly had he cast an eye in the direction 
 af the sea than he began crying out, while gesticulat- 
 ing joyfully, 
 
 " Holland ! hurrah ! Holland !" 
 
 The name of that well-beloved country produced 
 a powerful impression upon the young girl. She 
 rose quickly, and asked in a trembling voice, 
 
 " What do you see, Congo ?" 
 
 " It comes from Holland," exclaimed the negro, 
 with enthusiasm ; " the deck is crowded with sailors 
 and soldiers. Oh, do let Congo go and see !" 
 
 Without awaiting the young girl's consent, the 
 negro slid rapidly down, picked up the parasol 
 from the ground, pushing it into the servant's 
 hand, placed the basket of fruit on her knees, 
 and, giving a cry of joy that resounded afar, flew 
 across the plain with the speed of an arrow escaping 
 from the bow. 
 
 On reaching the quay, he encountered on shore 
 a detachment of soldiers, and noticed boats com- 
 ing from the newly arrived ship which were di- 
 rected towards the land, there to disembark a por- 
 ^tion of the crew. Some persons, among whom 
 were Dutch women and children, had hastened from 
 the factory, and were engaged in clasping the 
 hands of friends and acquaintances or asking news 
 of home. Congo ran with strange precipitancy 
 around the soldiers, looking at each one attentively 
 
44 BATAVIA. 
 
 from head to foot, drinking in with greedy ears all 
 that was said. He had already been roughly shoved 
 aside many times, but each time returned to the 
 charge, walking with rapid step along the files 
 of soldiers, as if trying to recognize one among 
 them. 
 
 Discouraged finally by the ill success of his efforts, 
 he squatted down upon his heels against a post and di- 
 rected his gaze sadly towards the boats, which were 
 still plying between the ship and the shore. 
 
 He had remained immovable a long time, when 
 suddenly his eyes sparkled and a smile in which 
 uncertainty mingled with surprise caused him to 
 show all his white teeth. 
 
 At a great distance from him there was a young 
 soldier whose uniform betokened him either a non- 
 commissioned officer or a sergeant. Congo could 
 only partially see his face, for the sergeant turned 
 his back to the coast to give orders to the crew of a 
 boat that had just approached. The negro's emo- 
 tion increased as doubt gave place to certainty. 
 
 All at once, by some movement on the part of 
 the young man, Congo was enabled to catch sight 
 of all his features. The negro bounded up from the 
 ground with a cry of joy, ran towards the sergeant, 
 fell upon his knees before him, seized his hands, 
 covered them with kisses and watered them with 
 tears, and was so overcome with emotion that he 
 could not articulate a single word. 
 
 The spectators contemplated the scene with aston- 
 ishment ; many laughed at the strange and unre- 
 
BATAVIA. 45 
 
 strained pantomime of the negro. The sergeant 
 himself looked confused for a moment at the strange 
 being who had possessed himself of his hands in such 
 an unexpected manner. Suddenly he recognized 
 him, drew him up all in a tremble, and exclaimed, 
 
 " By Heavens ! it is Congo ! My good Congo, 
 what are you doing here? Are your masters also 
 at Jacatra ? Where is Adelaide ?" 
 
 But the poor negro was so overjoyed and excited 
 that he did not hear the question. He danced, 
 screamed, and went through so many contortions 
 that a general laugh broke forth from the spectators. 
 
 The young sergeant seemed equally impressed, 
 though in a different fashion from that of Congo. 
 He permitted the negro to continue his eccentric 
 demonstrations of joy ; advanced towards the cap- 
 tain- who commanded the detachment, speaking 
 with him for a few moments ; then preceding the 
 negro in the direction of a clump of trees, said 
 to him, 
 
 " Follow me, Congo, and calm yourself." 
 
 As soon as they reached the shelter of the trees, 
 away from the vicinity of soldiers and sailors, the 
 sergeant stopped the negro, took his hands, and ex- 
 claimed in accents full of joy and affection, 
 
 " How tall you have grown, my poor Congo ! I 
 scarcely recognized you. But you have not forgot- 
 ten "Walter ; your joy bears witness to your faithful 
 heart." 
 
 Congo joined his hands, raised them to heaven, 
 and exclaimed, 
 
46 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Thanks, tnanks, my God ! Again I see my good 
 master. For the last four years Congo has waited 
 by the sea — by the great silent sea ; but my master 
 is here at last ! Lord of heaven, be blessed ; you 
 have listened to the prayer of the poor slave !" 
 
 " How well you speak Dutch now !" said "Walter. 
 " It is true you have had four long years. But try 
 to compose yourself, Congo, and listen to me quiet- 
 ly. Is Captain "Van den Broeck at Jacatra ? Is his 
 wife with him ?" 
 
 The negro could only shake his head affirmatively. 
 
 " And Adelaide — ^is she married ?" 
 
 " No," said Congo, with some effort. " No ; but 
 she is ill, very ill !" 
 
 " Adelaide ill ! Heavens I What is the matter 
 with her?" 
 
 The slave placed his finger on the left side of his 
 breast and answered, 
 
 " ' Sakit hady,' as the black men say ; she suffers 
 with her heart." 
 
 " You terrify me, Congo ! Is her illness serious, 
 do you think ?" 
 
 " She is very ill, master, and has been so for the 
 last three years. She looks like a flower with a 
 worm at its root." 
 
 . The sergeant leaned his head on his breast and 
 gave a stifled moan. 
 
 "Do not be sorrowful, m,y good master," said 
 Congo, taking his hand. " JS^ow our young lady 
 will soon be cured. Oh, how happy she will be t 
 Come, come ; she is not far from here." , 
 
BATAVIA. 47 
 
 "With these words, Congo toot the sergeant by 
 the hand to draw him towards the plain. Walter, 
 entirely preoccupied, allowed him to do so, and for 
 some moments followed his guide in silence. At 
 last Congo stopped the young man, and pointing 
 his finger towards a grove of large trees, said, 
 
 " See, master, over there near that large hilKng- 
 bing is a woman — ^that is Rosalie ; and under the 
 patties is another — it is Mademoiselle Adelaide." 
 
 Walter cast ' an eager glance in the direction 
 pointed out to him. Though he saw the two 
 women, he could not at that distance recognize 
 their figures, and still less their features ; more- 
 over, the thought that he beheld Adelaide agi- 
 tated him so that his knees bent under him, and 
 he was compelled to lean his hand on Congo's 
 shoulder. 
 
 The negro tried to make him hasten his steps ; but 
 Walter, as if seized with secret fear, slackened his 
 speed more and more, and appeared to hesitate 
 about following his guide. 
 
 Congo could no longer contain his impatience. 
 He clasped his hands and said beseechingly, 
 
 " Let me carry the good news. Come, come, 
 master, Congo flies. Oh, my poor young lady ! how 
 happy she will be !" 
 
 These words had scarcely left his lips, than he ran 
 with all his might across the plain. 
 
 When Adelaide and Eosalie saw him approach 
 and heard his joyful exclamations, they both arose 
 quickly and gave a cry of surprise, for the negro's 
 
48 BATATIA, 
 
 gestures were so excited that they seemed to an- 
 nounce some great event. 
 
 " Lord ! Lord ! what does he say ?" exclaimed 
 Eosalie, in a weak voice. " Walter ! Can "Walter 
 have reached Jacatra ? Listen ; this is certainly 
 ■^hat he says." 
 
 At this unexpected revelation, the young girl 
 paled suddenly, and began trembling so violently 
 that she was obliged to steady herself against a 
 tree. The servant came to her assistance and 
 wished to support her; but Congo arrived out 
 of breath, crying out with the same uncontrolled 
 gestures, 
 
 " Walter, my good master Walter, is here ! Look 
 look over there ! He is a sergeant ; yes, a sergeant ! 
 We will remain at Java ; we will not go back to 
 Holland now. Hurrah ! hurrah !" 
 
 As if the young girl had gathered strength from 
 the certainty that her sweetest hope was realized, 
 she abandoned her support, and, transported with 
 joy, lifted her hands to heaven. A radiant smile 
 illumined her features, and warmer blood gave to 
 her cheeks a delicate rose-tint. 
 
 " Walter ! it is Walter !" she cried. " Ah, blessed 
 be God for all his mercies ! 'Now I shall no longer 
 be unhappy ; Walter will talk to me of Holland 
 and tell me all that has happened. It will be as if 
 I stiU were there. Oh, Walter ! it is he ; there he 
 comes !" 
 
 The young girl, touched to the very bottom of 
 her soul, clapped her hands like a child. '- The ser- 
 
BATAVIA. 49 
 
 vant laughed for joy ; the negro jumped about and 
 danced, making the while all sorts of exclamations. 
 
 The sergeant was soon sufficiently close to be re- 
 cognized. Adelaide was astonished and somewhat 
 troubled that he should make no sign of joy. 
 Perhaps she found something wanting of the charm 
 of her early memory when, instead of the old and 
 dear comrade of her childhood, she saw herself ap- 
 proached by a full-grown man whose walk and ex- 
 pression bespoke rather respect and reserve than an 
 open and outspoken affection. 
 
 In truth, the young man, who expected to find. 
 Adelaide with her father and mother, suddenly re- 
 membered the distance there was between a humble 
 sergeant and a captain, and was preparing himself 
 to appear before them with all the consideration and 
 deference exacted by their superior rank. He had 
 therefore suppressed his emotion. By this time he, 
 could be seen, and was really a fine-looking young 
 soldier. The mustaches that covered his lip, and the 
 growing beard, gave his face a manly expression. 
 He advanced with head erect, and his uniform was 
 so good a fit that Rosalie exclaimed admiringly, 
 
 " Heavens, what a fine-looking soldier ! One must 
 be assured it is "Walter to believe it. How tall and 
 strong he has grown !" 
 
 But after making this remark she said no more, 
 and they were all agitated and silent while thpy 
 fixed their eyes on "Walter, who was now but a 
 short distance from them and commenced hastening 
 his steps. 
 
50 BATAVIA. 
 
 The young man was quite tremulous, and though 
 a smile of pleasure played upon his face, he was 
 very pale. He took off his hat and bowed respect- 
 fully to Adelaide, while he stammered out some 
 polite formulas. 
 
 But she could not contain herself, and seized 
 Walter's two hands with artless joy, exclaiming, 
 
 " Walter, Walter, how happy I am ! May God 
 be praised for bringing you to India. Sit there 
 quite near me. How sadly you look at me, Wal- 
 ter ! I am ill, am I not ? It is nothing ; I shall soon 
 , be well now. What is happening in Holland ? Is 
 life as sweet and pleasant as ever in Amsterdam ? 
 Walter, this is a beautiful country. We will go 
 together with my mother and take long walks, 
 while we talk of our beloved country and the 
 happy days of old. It will give me so much cour- 
 age and strengthen me. This terrible disease may 
 be dispelled. But, Walter, you too say something 
 to me. Let me hear your voice." 
 
 The young man contemplated Adelaide with sad 
 joy, and appeared even more harassed than happy ; 
 he muttered in an almost unintelligible voice, 
 
 " Thank you, thank you, mademoiselle, for your 
 kind welcome !" 
 
 " ' Mademoiselle ' !" exclaimed the young girl, smil- 
 ing, though in a slight tone of reproach. " What 
 does this mean, Walter ? Can you have forgotten 
 my name ? Call me Adelaide as you used to. I do 
 not wish to be on those ceremonious terms with 
 you." 
 
BATAVIA. 51 
 
 " I am only an unpretending sergeant," said Wal- 
 ter, sighing, "Tour father is a captain; the re- 
 spect — " 
 
 "The respect! Are we not old friends? Oh, 
 "Walter, I do not like this way of being talked to; 
 first of all yon must be happy, you must let me be- 
 hold a Joyful face." 
 
 Instead of being satisfied -with the young girl's 
 cordial welcome and ingenuous simplicity, the ser- 
 geant seemed, on the contrary, to be overwhelmed 
 with sadness. He perhaps hoped to find in her a 
 deeper sentiment than the infantile joy she ex- 
 pressed at meeting him. 
 
 The young girl mistook the nature of his emo- 
 tion and said, again taking his hand, 
 
 " It gives you pain, does it not, to see me so thin 
 and suffering ? I thank you cordially, Walter, for 
 your affectionate pity; but fear no more, I am 
 cured. I do not understand how it has come 
 about, but I feel strong and happy now. Since I 
 saw you, all appears so beautiful, the air so soft, 
 and nature so smiling. But tell me how it has 
 happened that you are here. I thought of you as a 
 physician and in HoUand, and meet you a soldier in 
 Java." 
 
 Walter forced himself to reply to the young 
 girl's question. As if he had taken a sudden resolve, 
 he said, at first with some hesitation, but becoming 
 more and more earnest and impressive, 
 
 " Well, I yield to fate. Perhaps I shall never 
 again be alone with you as I am now, Adelaide. I 
 
52 BATAVIA. 
 
 will tell you how it is I am in India. It is with 
 some hesitation I have decided to answer you, but 
 I hope you will forgive a poor wretch should any 
 of his words come by accident to wound you." 
 
 " Why, you frighten me, Walter ! What, then, 
 have you to say to me ?" 
 
 "Permit me to speak, Adelaide, and may your 
 pure and beautiful soul comprehend, or at least find 
 excuses for me ! Do you remember on the shores 
 of the Ye when I was about to succumb to the 
 grief which possessed me, do you remember you 
 said in a low voice, ' Come to India too, Walter ; 
 I will await you' ? Those words you perhaps let 
 drop through mere compassion ; perhaps it was the 
 wish of a child who would welcome her playfellow 
 with joy. This may be possible, but those words, 
 Adelaide, sealed my fate. From the moment the 
 ship in which you sailed disappeared on the hori- 
 zon I have had no rest. Wherever I was, night 
 or day, in the midst of all my thoughts, a voice 
 sounded saying, ' Come to India, Walter ! ' At 
 first I tried to banish the idea, through love of 
 my sick mother. I struggled despairingly with the 
 thought that possessed me. The effort was useless. 
 My medical studies, which heretofore had interested, 
 now became odious to me, and I gave up the career 
 forever which my parents had destined me for. 
 Had I been free from any ties I should have left 
 my country, but I owed every care to my poor 
 mother, and remained. Yet I devoured eagerly 
 every book, every account, and every history that 
 
BATAVIA. 53 
 
 told of India ; I wislied to know what snn gave you 
 Kght, what trees sheltered you, what flowers bent 
 beneath your feet. Oh ! during those four years — 
 four centuries of vain hopes and bitter torture — 
 despair took possession of me frequently ; but when 
 I wept in solitude and aU hope seemed about to 
 abandon me, you, Adelaide, would come — you or 
 your spirit — ^to give back to my heart courage and 
 strength with those few words, ' I will await you.' " 
 
 The young girl at first had kept her eyes ingenu- 
 ously fixed on those of the sergeant, and had listen- 
 ed to his voice with as much pleasure as would have 
 been given her by ravishing music; but soon her 
 growing emotion overcame her, and now with bent 
 brow and cheeks blushing with shame and a look of 
 almost fright she listened tremblingly to the young 
 man's avowal. Walter's words were not what caused 
 her confusion; she could have used the same to 
 portray her own feelings ; but his agitation and the 
 constraiat he put upon himself, as well as the deep 
 tones of his voice, made her tremble, and her soul 
 was terror-stricken at the very suspicion of a senti- 
 ment yet unknown to her. 
 
 "And may I dare tell you why I became a 
 soldier?" resumed Walter, with more decision. 
 " By Heaven ! I should keep it to myself out of re- 
 spect for you, Adelaide ; but when can I teU it you 
 if not now ? I have the hope you will pardon my 
 audacity ; and if my dream be but a wild illusion, 
 have pity upon a poor fool who has only obeyed the 
 fate he could not resist. Adelaide, I could also have 
 
54 BATAVIA. 
 
 come to India as a surgeon or physician ; I could 
 have presented myself to you under another dress 
 than that of a sergeant ; hut my only end in life — I 
 scarcely dare avow it — ^is now to become a captain ; 
 and I can only reach this end in the way I have 
 chosen. Your words brought me to India, but a 
 promise from your father made a soldier of me." 
 
 " A promise from my father ?" asked Adelaide, in 
 joyful surprise, as if that name had renewed her 
 courage. " Has my father promised you anything, 
 Walter?" 
 
 The young man lowered his eyes, and muttered 
 in a choked voice, 
 
 " It was also on the shore of the Te ; your father 
 said to me, ' Enter the service of the India Com- 
 pany ; seek distinction ; become a captain : and then 
 I will give you Adelaide for a wife.' " 
 
 A cry escaped from the young girl. 
 
 " Did my father say this ?" exclaimed she, bow- 
 ing her head in her hands to hide the teai'S that 
 welled forth. 
 
 Walter trembled violently and appeared ex- 
 tremely agitated. 
 
 " Mademoiselle," he stammered, " if the revela- 
 tion of my rash hope has wounded you, believe me 
 when I say that no one in the world holds you in 
 higher honor than the wretched being whose life is 
 now utterly ruined by a cruel disenchantment. The 
 poor sergeant wiU. now go to fulfil his duty. 
 Farewell, mademoiselle ; forget the audacity — " 
 
 " But what are you talking about ?" stammered the 
 
BATAVIA. 55 
 
 young girl. "What do you wish? What answer 
 must I make? My head is confused; my mind 
 wanders. Stay, stay ! Poor Walter ! you wish to 
 become a captain, but this is impossible." 
 
 "Indeed!" said the servant, "become a captain 
 when you are yet only a sergeant ? I pity you, Mr. 
 Peterson ; if you continue in this course you will 
 only become a captain by brevet when you are 
 sixty years old. And you wish mademoiselle to 
 wait until then ?" 
 
 " No, no ; you are mistaken," said the sergeant, 
 Adelaide's words having raised his courage. "I 
 have letters from the Directory of the East India 
 Company to the Grovernor-General. In these let- 
 ters they not only recommend me to his particular 
 care and good-will, but beg he will send me where 
 some risks may Jbe run and they need brave and de- 
 termined men. I will expose my life a thousand 
 times, win throw myself iu the ranks of my ene- 
 mies, my superiors shall be astonished by my cour- 
 age, and if it be necessary I will sacrifice my life 
 for the good of Holland. Ah! how should I be 
 wanting in courage, Adelaide, when you appear be- 
 fore me like a gentle star of hope ?" 
 
 As he appeared then, his face beaming with noble 
 and manly pride, his look full of fire and enthusi- 
 asm, the young man was truly handsome. Adelaide 
 surveyed him with admiration mixed with fear, 
 for she beheld him already in imagination amid his 
 enemies, aind trembled at the' thought that some 
 misfortune might overtake him. 
 
66 BATAVIA. 
 
 The servant followed the quick nervous gestures 
 which accompanied the young man's words with 
 surprise. 
 
 " Heavens, what a determined fellow !" she said 
 to Congo, who stood behind the bench ; and seeing 
 that the negro had opened his knife with which he 
 was notching the trunks of the trees, she added 
 under her breath, 
 
 " That is good ! There is that stupid black play- 
 ing his pranks. "What is the matter with him too ? 
 Be quiet, Congo." 
 
 A voice was heard in the distance — that of a 
 sailor coming from the shore, who seemed to be 
 calling the sergeant. 
 
 "Adelaide," said Walter, deeply moved, " do you 
 mean to allow me to leave you without giving me 
 a single word of encouragement ? Adelaide, may I 
 hope, may I believe you will not go back from your 
 word ? Tou do not answer me." 
 
 " It is my father who disposes of me," sadly an- 
 swered the young girl. 
 
 " If he does not force any other marriage upon 
 you, will you await the day that I become a 
 captain ?" 
 
 " Oh, "Walter, what do you ask of me ? I dare 
 not answer you," exclaimed the young girl, trem- 
 bling and with eyes cast down. 
 
 " But do you wish me success ?" 
 
 " I wish it," she murmured, in so low a tone as 
 hardly to be heard. 
 
 " My God, I thank you !" exclaimed "Walter, lift- 
 
BATAVIA. 57 
 
 ing his eyes to heaven. " Forgive me that I should 
 have doubted of your goodness; and now you 
 overwhelm me, so unworthy as I am, with joy and 
 happiness." 
 
 The far-off voice of the sailor was now heard 
 more distinctly. 
 
 " I cannot remain longer with you, Adelaide," 
 said the sergeant, quickly. " I am called for yon- 
 der, and must be present at the landing." 
 
 " Going so soon ?" sadly said the young girl. 
 
 " To become more worthy of you, should I not 
 learn obedience to all my duties ? I hope, however, 
 to see you shortly. Will you announce my arrival 
 to your parents ? As soon as I become freed from 
 my obligations I wish to pay my respects to the 
 Captain and your lady mother. They also will be 
 astonished to see me in India, will they not V 
 
 " Oh, "Walter, they will be so glad ! Almost every 
 day we spoke of you." 
 
 "I must go. Good-by — no, to the pleasure of 
 meeting. Is that not better ?" 
 
 Adelaide silently held out her hand to him. The 
 young man pressed it with respectful joy, and 
 went towards the shore. 
 
 The young girl remained a moment longer dream- 
 ily seated on the bench, but a happy smile suddenly 
 irradiated her face ; she rose quickly and darted to- 
 wards the factory, crying out, " Come, Rosalie, 
 come ! I must run to tell my father." 
 
 "What are you about there, Congo? Wasting 
 your time at what ?" grumbled the servant. " Take 
 
58 BATAVIA. 
 
 the parasol and basket of fruit. Do you not see 
 mademoiselle is returning home ?" 
 
 Adelaide was already far ahead. 'Now she held 
 her head high and bounded with a light step in the 
 path that led to the factory. A reflex of her in- 
 ward joy lighted up her face ; her eyes had recovered 
 their brightness, and, tinged with happiness, her 
 cheeks had renewed the rosiness of her early years. 
 
 When she had gone along a portion of the path, 
 she saw her mother leave the factory and copie to- 
 wards her. An exclamation of joy escaped her. 
 Lifting her hands towards heaven, she began to run 
 as if her strength had not been enfeebled by ill- 
 ness. 
 
 Madame Yan den Broeck stopped and looked 
 with surprise at her daughter. For years she had 
 not seen Adelaide run in this way. What unknown 
 power had then restored her strength and activity ? 
 Some danger, perhaps. But Adelaide was smiling, 
 and her gestures denoted nothing but joy. 
 
 "Mother, mother!" exclaimed the young girl, 
 " "Walter has come ! Walter is in Java !" 
 
 " Walter !" repeated the mother, in surprise. 
 " Walter Peterson ! Who gave you this news V 
 
 " I have seen and spoken with him, mother. In a 
 little while he will make my father a visit. Come, 
 come ; I want to announce it to him. Ah ! my 
 well-beloved mother, I am at last cured. You see 
 how well I run. It appears to me I never have 
 been ill. I feel like dancing and seem to have 
 wings." 
 
BATAVIA. 59 
 
 "This is good news," said Madame Van den 
 Broeck. " He has doubtless attained manhood ?" 
 
 " Yes, yes ; a handsome man." 
 
 " And how is his mother ?" 
 
 " I forgot to ask him." 
 
 " But it should surely have been of her he first 
 spoke." 
 
 " Yes, no doubt ;^ but he said nothing," muttered 
 Adelaide, abashed, and her cheeks covered with a 
 vivid red. 
 
 " Eh ! eh !" said Madame Van den Broeck, as- 
 tonished. ""What does this mean? Of what did 
 you speak, then ?" 
 
 " He spoke of something — something very 
 strange — " 
 
 " Of what ? You seem embarrassed, Adelaide. 
 You stammer." 
 
 " "Well, mother," replied the young girl, " I will 
 tell you all, you are so good to me. Come !" 
 
 She took her mother by the hand and dragged 
 her rapidly towards the factory. 
 
 Madame Van den Broeck shook her head doubt- 
 fully, as if "Walter's arrival and Adelaide's emotion 
 had given her cause for serious reflection. 
 
 They both soon after disappeared behind the en- 
 closed partition of the factory wall. 
 
60 BATAVIA. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Dutch factory whicli was erected between 
 the river Tjiliwoeng and the Javanese town of 
 Jacatra formed a rather large oblong sqnare, 
 around which at this time a heavy wall and earth- 
 bastions were being constructed. On one side, a 
 few steps from the ramparts, were two immense 
 stores or warehouses, wherein were reserved several 
 fine and well-aired apartments intended for the head 
 functionaries of the Dutch Company. On the other 
 side more modest buildings served as barracks for 
 the soldiers or temporary lodging-places for the sail- 
 ors belonging to the ships that put into port at Java. 
 
 The front of all these buildings was hidden by 
 the thick foliage of the kelors; here and there in 
 front of the houses extended small gardens filled 
 with fiowers, and even the banana-tree there dis- 
 played its broad leaves before the open windows. 
 In the middle of the factory a large space had been 
 reserved whose smooth and level surface was dotted 
 only by the slender trunks of a few cocoanut-trees. 
 
 When the Dutch commenced fortifying their 
 factory, the Pangerang* or Sultan of Jacatra, whose 
 
 * The princes who reign over the Indian islands are given 
 several titles: Pangerang, Sultan, Radja, Panumbuhan, Soes- 
 vehronan and Maharadja. 
 
BATAVIA. 61 
 
 good-will had to be conciliated by rich presents, 
 made no diflBculty about it whatever ; and though 
 the Javanese had. expressed very clearly that they 
 looked upon these works with displeasure, the men 
 belonging to the Company of the Netherlands were 
 permitted to begin the foundations of their ram- 
 parts without any obstacle being put in their way. 
 
 For some days past, however, new causes for un- 
 easiness had reached the Governor-General. Pri- 
 vate dispatches informed him that the English and 
 Portuguese of Bantam, an important commercial 
 town situated twelve miles from Jacatra, had united 
 all their efforts to persuade the Sultan of that local- 
 ity to use force in preventing the construction of 
 their fortress by the Dutch. The English seemed 
 lately to have done the same thing with respect to 
 the Pangerang at Jacatra, and of having secretly 
 sent him powder and cannon that he might have it 
 in his power to drive the Dutch from the island of 
 Java. 
 
 The reports reaching the Governor-General were 
 unreliable and threw no light on the intrigues of 
 the enemies of Holland in India. He had long 
 known that the English and Portuguese lost no 
 opportunity of annoying the Dutch, whose increas- 
 ing numbers became more and more formidable 
 every day. On the other hand, it was not to be 
 supposed that one of the Pangerangs, or even both, 
 in a time of peace and without preliminary negotia- 
 tions, would commence hostilities against the Com- 
 pany of the Netherlands. One particular circum- 
 
62 BATATIA. 
 
 stance, however, inspired the Governor with great 
 uneasiness. The Javanese were shortly to assemble 
 in the environs of Jacatra for the celebration of 
 one of their religious festivals. If it were true 
 they were projecting some important enterprise, it 
 was there the final arrangements would be per- 
 fected. 
 
 "Whatever eflEorts the Governor had made to dis- 
 cover their intentions, he had learned nothing that 
 gave him concern, nor yet had he learned anything 
 definite ; for the Javanese, a people both sharp and 
 astute, knew perfectly how to guard a secret. 
 
 Though the Dutch commander did not anticipate 
 hostilities, yet he had caused the works on the forti- 
 fications to be hurried on with all possible dispatch, 
 and by way of not exhausting in such hard work 
 and under so burning a sun the crews of the ships 
 and the troops belonging to the company, he hired 
 innumerable foreign workmen, negroes, Chinese, 
 and Toepassen, who are found in great numbers in 
 the Sunda Islands. 
 
 There also reigned extraordinary activity within 
 the factory ; and though the sun's rays fell almost 
 perpendicularly upon the earth, work was carried 
 on with vigor and the walls grew rapidly. There 
 was a perpetual going and coming among the work- 
 men and overseers, ordej-s were given in four or 
 five languages, and the most heterogeneous costumes 
 were mingled indiscriminately. Chinese were to 
 be seen with their flowing robes and wide sleeves 
 doing mason's work and preparing the mortar; 
 
BATAVIA. 63 
 
 Toepassen or Mardykers,* entirely habited in 
 striped cotton cloth, were bringing earth to prop 
 up the ramparts ; negroes, who were almost naked, 
 rolled the heavy masses of stone on the ground 
 by the mere strength of their muscular arms ; 
 and among all these people of different nation- 
 alities the soldiers and sailors of the Dutch Com- 
 pany, under command of their sergeants, were 
 everywhere putting their shoulders to the wheel, 
 and by their example exciting the zeal and interest 
 of the workers. 
 
 On the squafe distinguished Javanese were 
 promenading here and there who were easily re- 
 cognized by their yellow-brown complexions and 
 the proud scorn of their countenances. They con- 
 templated defiantly and with secret annoyance the 
 growing ramparts, more especially the cavaliers or 
 raised batteries which were in process of construc- 
 tion at the four angles of the factory. But they 
 did not express their displeasure openly, and con- 
 tented themselves with exchanging with one another 
 remarks in a low voice and an air full of mystery. 
 
 Beneath the cocoanut-trees were gathered three 
 or four Malay merchants perfectly indifferent to 
 what was passing around them, and entirely ab- 
 sorbed in chewing the betel-nut, the juice of which 
 reddened their lips as if with blood. 
 
 Congo, Captain Yan den Broeck's slave, was 
 
 * Toepassen or Mardykers belong to difEerent tribes of In- 
 dians. 
 
64 BATAVIA. 
 
 squatted on Hs heels under the shade of a plantain- 
 tree by the door of one of the two principal houses, 
 and his eyes were directed towards the shore. 
 "When he perceived in the distance a soldier enter 
 the factory he would rise in joyful haste and walk 
 a few steps along the square, but disappointed in 
 his expectations would return each time to seat 
 himself discontentedly under the plantain-tree. 
 
 Rosalie, the servant, appeared at the house-door 
 and asked him in a subdued voice, 
 
 " Well, Congo, have you not yet seen him ?" 
 
 The negro rose and answered, * 
 
 " He stays away very long ; shall I run and seek 
 him on the shore ?" 
 
 " It has been forbidden you ; you know it well." 
 
 "That is true," said the negro, sighing and shak- 
 ing his head impatiently. " Then we must wait, 
 Rosalie." 
 
 " What a strange thing, is it not, Congo ?" said 
 the servant. " Who would have suspected our young 
 lady's illness was only caused by her thoughts of 
 Walter Peterson? She may not perhaps have known 
 it herself ; for had it not been so, how could she 
 have concealed the f eehng for so long a time ? She 
 was always talking of Holland and her friends in 
 general, of the joys of her childhood ; but no one 
 could have known that these words only meant 
 love. Her parents know it perfectly now." 
 
 " Has she acknowledged that she wishes to be- 
 come my good master's wife ?" 
 
 " Who says anything about that, empty head ? It 
 
BATAVIA. 65 
 
 would be a pretty thing for mademoiselle to say that 
 to her parents. She has told them all Walter Peter- 
 son said. Of course this was not easy ; the words 
 did not seem to wish to cross her lips ; but by de- 
 grees, and piecemeal, trembling and blushing, she 
 ended by telling all." 
 
 " Did you hear it, Rosalie ? "Were you there ?" 
 
 " Yes, in the beginning ; and what was not told 
 in my presence I heard through eavesdropping." 
 
 " And how do matters stand now f 
 
 " Mademoiselle is very reserved and silent, but so 
 great a joy shines in her eyes that it touches me every 
 time I look at her. She is as fresh as a rose, Congo, 
 and, what is more astonishing, has dressed herself in 
 a green velvet gown which had not seen the light of 
 day for a year and a half. She again has on the 
 gold earrings she wore when we left Amsterdam, 
 and made me dress her head with Japanese hair- 
 pins. She wishes to make herself beautiful and 
 bewitching." 
 
 Congo clapped his hands with great animation. 
 
 " She will recover ; our good young lady will re- 
 cover !" exclaimed he. " May the good God be for- 
 ever blessed! And our employers, Rosalie, how 
 did they receive the news ?" 
 
 " Madame is both pleased and sad. Pleased be- 
 cause she sees Adelaide's joy ; and the certainty that 
 her daughter may recover inclines her heart towards 
 it. Sad because she considers a sergeant somewhat 
 too much below her daughter's position to hope he 
 will ever be able to raise himself to her level." 
 
66 BATAVIA. 
 
 " But the Captain ? tlie Captain ?" asked Congo, 
 anxiously. 
 
 " What do you suppose I know about it ?" re- 
 plied Rosalie. "At first he drew a long face, 
 shook his head with an air of displeasure, and seem- 
 ed very angry." 
 
 " Oh, heavens ! I was afraid of this," said Congo. 
 
 " But when he learned that Walter Peterson had 
 come to India to obtain a captaincy, and his in- 
 tention was to wait before recalling his promise, our 
 master's displeasure vanished by degrees. Now he 
 laughs at the project, says jokingly it is a wild idea, 
 and does not look upon the matter at all in a serious 
 light. There is perhaps something else that has 
 restored his good-humor. Mademoiselle has ex- 
 pressed herself as not wishing shortly to return to 
 Holland ; she thinks she may be able to recover her 
 health at Java. This must greatly have rejoiced 
 the Captain ; he was extremely sorry to give up his 
 position." 
 
 " Now, Kosalie, this is well. The Captain will 
 give a kind welcome to Mr. Walter; do you not 
 think so ?" 
 
 " When he first calls he probably will ; for the 
 visit on Mr. Peterson's part will only be fulfilling a 
 duty. But afterwards you can well understand a 
 sergeant may not b'e a frequent or familiar visitor 
 at a captain's house, and our master will know how 
 to make him understand it." 
 
 " Do you believe this, Eosalie ?" asked the negro, 
 sorrowfully. 
 
BATATIA. 67 
 
 " How can it be otherwise ? I heard the Cap- 
 tain himself say so to his wife." 
 
 Congo dropped his head upon his breast and re- 
 mained silent, but he closed his hands convulsively 
 and ground his teeth with displeasure or anger. 
 
 The servant looked at him with an ironical 
 smile. 
 
 " And be careful, Congo, never to speak any more 
 of Walter in the Captain's presence ; otherwise you 
 may feel upon your polished shoulders the disagree- 
 able caresses of the rattan." 
 
 " Yet I will speak !" growled the negro. 
 
 " That is your business, Congo ; but though your 
 hide may be as thick and rough as that of an ass, 
 yet the rattan will certainly not be pleasant." 
 
 "The rattan! What do I care for the rattan?" 
 exclaimed Congo, making a grimace that displayed 
 his white teeth. " My good master will be mademoi- 
 selle's husband ; he has said so, and it must be !" 
 
 " You will help amazingly, sorry chatterer that 
 you are !" said the servant, with the evident inten- 
 tion of making the negro lose patience. "One 
 would suppose you had any amount of courage. 
 Let the Captain appear, and you will grovel beneath 
 his feet at his slightest look of displeasure." 
 
 "This is true," said the negro; "I am a slave. 
 But Mr. Peterson has been good and kind to me ; 
 I shall always be grateful to him and render him a 
 service whenever I can, even were the rattan for- 
 ever suspended over my head." 
 
 " You are crazy, Congo. In your place I would 
 
68 BATAVIA. 
 
 not mix myself up in this matter. Do yon know 
 what the Captain said to the madam one day when he 
 was speaking of your affection for "Walter ? The 
 Captain said he would sell you to the yellow men. 
 You will not be so happy there as with the Dutch." 
 
 The poor slave began trembling from head to 
 foot. His eyes filled with tears ; he lifted them to- 
 wards heaven, and with a moan he said, 
 
 " Sell Congo ! sell him to the yellow men ! O 
 my God who art on high, deliver me from so great 
 a sorrow !" 
 
 " Ah ! ah ! there he already begins to tremble 
 like a leaf, the courageous fellow !" said the servant, 
 ironically. " JSTothing was said about you, Congo ; 
 I was only joking." 
 
 " This was not well of you, Rosalie," said Congo 
 in a reproachful tone. " You are always tormenting 
 me and making me die of fear. Have some com- 
 passion for me. Am I not always doing everything 
 to please my employers? You should not wish 
 me ill if I love Walter Peterson. You know it was 
 he who taught me to know the Lord of heaven, and, 
 as he has frequently told me with joy, he is himself 
 my brother in Christ. Should I not be grateful to 
 him?" 
 
 The servant seemed touched by the negro's words. 
 
 "Come, Congo," she said, "do not distress your- 
 self . I said all this in jest ; one cannot always be 
 serious. Do not think I wish you ill because you 
 love Mr. Peterson. I too would aid him if it were 
 in my power ; it might cure our young lady of her 
 
BATAVIA. 69 
 
 terrible home-sickness. But we are servants, Con- 
 go, and should be prudent." 
 
 " There he is 1 there he is !" cried Congo, joy- 
 fully, as if he had already forgotten what had hap- 
 pened. "Ahl there is my benefactor !" 
 
 " I am going in to announce his visit to my mas- 
 ter," said the servant. " Conduct him to the back 
 drawing-room; he will be received there. My mas- 
 ter made me place a bottle of Spanish wine for him." 
 
 The sergeant approached the negro, and placing 
 his hand on his bare shoulder said, 
 
 " My good Congo, friendship and gratitude 
 beam from your eyes. I will speak with you di- 
 rectly ; I want to know how you have been since 
 you left Amsterdam. Should God take me under 
 his protection, I wiU testify my gratitude by as- 
 suring your happiness too, Congo." 
 
 The negro seemed excited beyond patience. He 
 seized Walter's hand and dragged him into the 
 vestibule, saying, 
 
 "Thank you, thank you, master. Make haste; 
 you have been waited for some time. Congo can do 
 nothing for you but pray to God as you have taught 
 him, and he will do so every morning, every night, 
 and aU day. Come on. God for the second time 
 wiU hear me. Be of good courage. My employers 
 will see you here. Wait a moment ; I will an- 
 nounce your arrival.^ 
 
 Saying this, he opened a door in front of Walter 
 and returned to the vestibule. 
 
 The room the sergeant entered waa beautifully 
 
70 BATAVIA. 
 
 furnished after the Javanese fashion. The floor 
 was covered with a finely woven matting, the de- 
 signs upon it being flowers of other lands. The 
 walls, too, were hung with shining mats, and 
 before the two open windows were hung blinds 
 constructed of rattan. The chairs, too, were manu- 
 factured of bark interwoven with Indian reeds. 
 The large table in the centre of the room alone 
 seemed to denote a European origin ; it was probably 
 made in Java, by some Dutch workman, of the wood 
 of the kyati, which never decays. 
 
 Along the walls, on light and delicate etageres, 
 were placed numberless Chinese and Japanese 
 articles, such as dishes and cups of transparent 
 porcelain, idols of steatite, sculptured ivory fans, 
 and a quantity of those small objects that even 
 then the Dutch were beginning to bring from China 
 and Japan as curiosities. Between the two windows 
 were hung swords of sandal-wood, fine steel pon- 
 iards, arrows whose points were poisoned, shields 
 made of rhinoceros-hides, and other Indian weapons. 
 
 All these objects were new to Walter. Under 
 almost any other circumstances they would most 
 certainly have riveted his attention ; but while 
 awaiting the important moment that was approach- 
 ing he was entirely absorbed in thought, and noticed 
 nothing that surrounded him ; moreover, he had 
 been but a few moments alone when the steps of 
 several persons were heard overhead, showing they 
 were about to come down to receive him. 
 
 The Captain was the first to enter, and with a 
 
BATAVIA. 71 
 
 look of surprise inspected the sergeant from head 
 to foot, who saluted him. The expression of his 
 face, however, was softened by a kind smile, and it 
 was with frank cordiality that he took the young 
 man's hand and said to him, 
 
 " Tou are welcome in Java, Mr. Peterson. So 
 you came to India? Good-looking fellow, fine sol- 
 dier, truly ! How a man changes in a few years I 
 When I left Amsterdam you were, so to speak, still 
 a child, and here you are a handsome full-grown 
 man, with whiskers and mustaches. I am happy 
 to see you here, Mr. Peterson." 
 
 "While "Walter stammered some words of thanks, 
 the wife and daughter of the Captain also entered 
 the drawing-room. 
 
 "When she first came in, Madame Van den Broeck 
 appeared cold and distant ; but when she looked at 
 Walter and observed his frank and open counte- 
 nance, and his bright eyes fixed upon her with an 
 expression both affectionate and beseeching, her 
 country, hallowed by all its pleasant memories, rose 
 to her mind, and she also smiled with pleasure. As 
 to Adelaide, she stood behind and cast upon the 
 young man from time to time a furtive glance. A 
 bright blush colored her cheeks, she seemed over- 
 come with confusion, and had it not been for a ray 
 of joy beaming in her eyes, one might have thought 
 a cloud of sorrow weighed upon her heart. 
 
 "When the Captain and his wife had exchanged 
 friendly salutations with Walter, and spoken words 
 of welcome to him, Van den Broeck said. 
 
72 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Tliere, let us sit down, Mr. Peterson, and let us 
 t;alk while we empty a glass of Spanish wine. Take 
 that glass and drink with me, to your safe arrival in 
 India." 
 
 " You are too good, Captain," muttered "Walter. 
 " Your cordial welcome overcomes me so I cannot 
 find words to express my thanks. May God listen 
 to the fervent prayer with which I invoke with 
 all my heart the welfare and happiness of you 
 each !" 
 
 " Sit down, Mr. Peterson, and let us converse," 
 said the Captain. 
 
 " But, Mr. Peterson," said Madame Yan den 
 Broeck, when they were all seated, " you have said 
 nothing to Adelaide about your mother." 
 
 " She would have been too much grieved," said 
 the sergeant, whose face was suddenly clouded with 
 pain. 
 
 " Heavens ! this is what I feared," exclaimed 
 Madame Yan den Broeck. " She fell a victim to 
 her disease ? My poor friend !" 
 
 " God took her to himself, madam," replied the 
 young man. " Had it not been for this I should 
 never have crossed the ocean, however irresistibly 
 drawn towards India. I could never have gained 
 my own consent to leave my sick mother." 
 
 " Shall I then never see that dear Dame Peter- 
 son again ? You do not know, Mr. "Walter, how 
 sorely my heart is touched by this sad news. Your 
 mother was goodness itself. God in his mercy 
 doubtless granted her an easy death ?" 
 
BATAVIA. 73 
 
 " She died peacefully and without pain, in my 
 arms, full of hope in the life to come. I have a 
 message, madam, from my mother to you." 
 
 "Forme?" 
 
 " The last words she uttered distinctly were a 
 blessing on you, Mademoiselle Adelaide, and the 
 Captain ; a blessing, and also an ardent prayer for 
 your hajjpiness in India. The only thing she told 
 me when dying was to convey to you that last re- 
 membrance." 
 
 Madame Yan den Broeck was profoundly touched 
 by her old friend's last message; she bent her 
 head and remained silent. Adelaide wept bit- 
 terly. 
 
 " This is what I call a joyful meeting !" exclaimed 
 the Captain. " Is this not everybody's fate, and as 
 God willed it ? Come, Adelaide, cease your tears ; 
 and you, wife, do not set such an example of weak- 
 ness to your daughter. Tell me, Mr. Peterson, 
 how is our brave Prince Maurice getting along over 
 there ?" 
 
 " Yery well, sir," replied the sergeant ; " and he 
 has lately inherited the principality of Orange in 
 consequence of the death of his brother, Philip 
 William." 
 
 " And how comes on the Director Huygens ? 
 You must know him ; your mother has told me that 
 he was an excellent friend of your father's." 
 
 " Do I know him, Captain ? He is my patron, 
 and it was he who procured for me letters of recom- 
 mendation from the Chamber of Directors in Am- 
 
74 BATAVIA. 
 
 sterdam for the Governor-General.* He commis- 
 sioned me expressly to salute you for him." 
 
 " Ah, indeed ! he is your patron ? His influence 
 is great in the affairs of the Company, and later on 
 he may be useful to you." 
 
 Madame Yan den Broeck lifted her head and 
 listened in an abstracted way to the conversation, 
 and Adelaide, though her eyes were still sufEused, 
 cast a look at "Walter every now and then. 
 
 There was a period of silence ; it seemed as if, 
 after all the usual questions and answers had been 
 given which are usual when those meet again who 
 have been separated, no one had anything more to 
 say. This state of things annoyed the Captain ; for 
 though he had only conversed with the sergeant by 
 way of politeness and because it was usual, yet he 
 felt it was too soon for the conversation to be allowed 
 to come to an end. 
 
 While filling the glasses once more, he said, 
 
 " You arrived in the Mouette, and your captain 
 is Peter Yan Eay ; is it not so ? I know him ; he is 
 a brave soldier, but he judges too lightly of people, 
 and talks too much. Come, drink another glass, 
 and tell me what sort of voyage you had. The 
 effect is a strange one on body and soul to be at the 
 mercy of the winds and waves of the great ocean 
 
 * These directors formed a council in the mother-country 
 for the administration of the business of the India Company. 
 There were chambers of directors at Amsterdam, Middelburg, 
 Delft, Rotterdam, Hoorn, and Enkhuisen.. 
 
BATAVIA. 75 
 
 for the first time, do you not think so? and to see 
 nothing but sky and water for so many months." 
 
 "We did, in truth, encounter three terrible 
 storms, three 'travados,' * Captain, and we were in 
 great danger of beiag carried into Barbary as slaves ; 
 but Heaven protected us. After a four hours' combat 
 we escaped from the pirates." 
 
 Adelaide had risen, and was listening with feeling 
 to what the young man said. 
 
 " Ah ! have you already encountered the enemy ? 
 And was the engagement a hot one ?" 
 
 " Twenty kiUed ; and one mast crushed, which was 
 repaired at the Cape of Good Hope." 
 
 " And you, Mr. Peterson, how did you comport 
 yourself during the battle? The roaring of the 
 cannon and the smell of powder did not frighten 
 you?" 
 
 " I did my best. Captain, until a ball struck me in 
 the side and laid me prone upon the deck." 
 
 A piercing cry escaped from Adelaide, and she 
 hurried towards her mother, throwing herself upon 
 her breast, and ready to faint, saying in plaintive 
 tones, 
 
 "Mother, mother, a ball struck him! his blood 
 has been shed !" 
 
 „ The Captain shook his head impatiently, and said 
 with displeasure, 
 
 " Wife, you know I wish to remain a little while 
 
 * A Portuguese word which was used at that time to express 
 a storm or tempest. 
 
76 BATAVIA. 
 
 alone with Mr. Peterson. Go witli Adelaide up- 
 stairs. ■ I did not suppose the matter was so serious ; 
 now I shall know what I am about." 
 
 Madame Yan den Broeck and her daughter left 
 the drawing-room and disappeared without uttering 
 another word. 
 
 The Captain closed the door behind them, and 
 turning towards "Walter, who had risen to bid good- 
 by, he said, 
 
 " Be seated again, sergeant ; I wish to have some 
 serious conversation with you. You pale ? Com- 
 pose yourself, I have no intention of saying hard 
 or disagreeable things ; but you must be loyal and 
 frank towards me. What were your intentions 
 when you set sail for India ?" 
 
 " My intentions, Captain, my intentions ?" stam- 
 mered the young man, taken aback by this unex- 
 pected question. 
 
 " Come, speak plainly ; you have taken the liberty 
 of telling them to Adelaide." 
 
 "Walter gathered up all his courage, and at first 
 said hesitatingly, but soon in a firmer and more de- 
 cided tone, 
 
 " My sense of respect makes me hesitate ; but 
 since you ask, I will tell you frankly what brought 
 me to India. Remember, Captain, what you prom- 
 ised me on the quay at Texel when you were about 
 to leave. You said, ' Enter the service of the India 
 Company, endeavor to distinguish yourself, become 
 a captain, and I will give you Adelaide for a wife.' 
 Those words fell upon my heart like sparks which 
 
BATAVIA. 77 
 
 were soon to kindle an inextinguishable flre. From 
 that moment my fate was decided ; and if I did not 
 endeavor sooner, Captain, to fulfil the conditions 
 you imposed upon me, it was because my mother's 
 illness and the sacred sentiment of duty prevented 
 me. Now I have given up everything, have re- 
 nounced a brilliant career, to become a simple ser- 
 geant in the service of the India Company, with the 
 determined purpose of flying in the face of destiny, 
 and with the hope that God will bless my efforts. 
 My intention. Captain, was not so soon to remind 
 you of your promises ; I did not know you were at 
 Jacatra ; accident alone brought me where you are. 
 I wished to become a captain first, then should 
 have come and respectfully begged you to keep 
 your promises. This is still my intention, Cap- 
 tain." 
 
 Yan den Broeck was surprised at the resolute 
 tone in which the young man spoke. 
 
 " Poor Peterson !" he said. " I am sorry for 
 your presumption. That promise was given in joke. 
 How could you have supposed it was meant to be 
 serious, when I still regarded you as a child ?" 
 
 " It appeared so serious to me. Captain," replied 
 "Walter, " that it gave to my life a new impetus and 
 new interest, which colors all my actions. "When 
 sometimes I was assailed with doubt and I asked 
 myseH if you would hold to your promise when I 
 fulfilled the conditions required, my Hps would 
 mutter involuntarily the old adage of our fathers, 
 ' A Hollander never breaks his word.' " 
 
78 BATAVIA. 
 
 "But, Mr. Peterson," said Van den Broeck, 
 smiling, " what would my promise avail you, even 
 supposing I regarded it as serious ? Under the con- 
 ditions in whieli we are now living you could not 
 be a Captain I within ten years even were fate pro- 
 pitious ; and if it is not, you will never be. I sup- 
 pose you do not imagine 1 shall keep my daughter 
 waiting for you until she becomes an old woman ?" 
 
 " Oh, Captain, do not be so cruel to me !" said 
 the young man. " Do not ruin my life's hope ! 
 Remember, I bring letters from the directors of the 
 Company to the Governor-General in which they 
 particularly recommend me to his kindness and beg 
 him furthermore to send me as soon as possible 
 where I may see service." 
 
 " This no doubt may contribute to your advance- 
 ment ; but a captain, a captain in a few years — do 
 you hope for that ?" 
 
 " And if I should realize this in spite of what you 
 think, would you keep your promise ?" 
 
 " This is a childish question," replied the Captain. 
 " I cannot trust my daughter's fate to what is im- 
 possible. Come, now, do not let us any longer 
 speak of such unreasonable hopes. Become a cap- 
 tain if you can ; and if then Adelaide is still unmar- 
 ried, there will be nothing to prevent your repeating 
 what you said just now ; but I will enter into no 
 present engagement, and shall reserves entire liberty 
 in refusing you Adelaide's hand, even though you 
 come as a captain to claim it." 
 
 As if this harsh language had entirely broken 
 
BATAVIA. 79 
 
 the young man's courage, lie bent Lis head down 
 on his breast, his face was contracted, and he re- 
 mained silent. 
 
 The Captain looked at him for a few moments 
 without saying anything; then taking his hand 
 compassionately, 
 
 " Let us see, Mr. Peterson ; what have I said of 
 so unreasonable or cruel a nature that you should 
 be so completely crushed ?" 
 
 " Oh, nothing, Captain," replied the sergeant, 
 in a voice of deep f eehng, and his words became by 
 degrees mournful and despairing. " Tou have been 
 very good to me, and I thank you from the bottom 
 of my heart ; but with the hope your words have 
 dispelled, a bandage falls from my eyes. I have 
 dreamed, dreamed since four long years, and now 
 awaken with a wound at my heart. All is empti- 
 ness around me ; I awaken from a long trance. Oh, 
 how bitter and hateful life appears to me to-day !" 
 
 " "Why these mournful words, Mr. Peterson ?" 
 asked the Captain, touched. " I trust you will not 
 yield to cowardly despair." 
 
 " No, Captain, I was brought up to fear God ; but 
 the incentive that might have given me the cour- 
 age and strength of a hero lies dead in my heart. 
 I am good for nothing now ; I shall return to my 
 country, and there droop untU I find a grave be- 
 side my mother. Let me bid you farewell ; forget 
 the absurd hope I dared to nurse, and forget also 
 the unsophisticated youth who so strangely mis- 
 understood the meaning of words that were without 
 
80 BATAVIA. 
 
 significance or intention. Farewell, Mr. Van den 
 Broeck, farewell 1" 
 
 "While speaking these last bitter words, he rose 
 np ; but it would seem as though his limbs refused 
 to carry him from this spot, for in spite of painful 
 efforts he only succeeded in taking two or three 
 steps. Finally, gathering up all his strength, he 
 went towards the door, and raising his hands to 
 heaven, exclaimed sorrowfully, 
 
 " Adelaide ! poor Adelaide !" 
 
 Yan den Broeck, who up to this time had watched 
 all his movements in great surprise and deep con- 
 cern, took him by the hand and led him back to the 
 drawing-room. 
 
 " People do not part in this way," he said. " Sit 
 down a moment longer, Mr. Peterson. You are a 
 strange man. I have been mistaken about you ; the 
 intensity of your feelings surprises me. Sit down, 
 I say." 
 
 The young man permitted himself to be taken to a 
 chair, seated himself and lowered his eyes to the floor. 
 
 " Come," said the Captain, " I want to be good to 
 you in memory of the affection you and your 
 mother always testified towards my family. I will 
 therefore say to you, Mr. Peterson, that I shall con- 
 sider it a great happiness for myself and Adelaide 
 that you should some day make it possible to be- 
 come her husband." 
 
 Walter had lifted his head, and with beating heart 
 fixed his eyes upon the Captain; a ray of hope 
 brightened them. 
 
BATAVIA. 81 
 
 " And I -will tell you sometMng more, since it 
 may save you from the deep despair which has 
 taken possession of you. I will keep my word, Mr. 
 Peterson, though in the past I had no other idea 
 than a joke. Should you become a captain before 
 Adelaide gives herself away, — for in this I will never 
 force her inclinations, — if, I say, you should become 
 a captain, come to me wherever I may be, and I 
 will give you my daughter as your wife. Are you 
 satisfied now ?" 
 
 Walter had risen abruptly, and was stammering 
 some unintelligible words of thanks, while a torrent 
 of tears streamed from his eyes. The Captain did 
 not give him time to express his joy and gratitude. 
 
 " Mr. Peterson," he said gravely, " be so good as 
 to listen to me quietly. You are a sergeant ; your 
 position is a humble one, and it would not do for 
 my subordinates to know of the relations that with 
 my consent are to exist between you and Adelaide. 
 For this reason it will be imperative that you should 
 leave Jacatra as early as possible. Do you consent 
 to do so with a good grace ?" 
 
 "Yes, I desire it warmly. Captain," replied 
 "Walter. " Your request is noble and just. I too 
 feel what respect, duty, and public opinion demand 
 of me." 
 
 " And since you wish to obtain rapid promotion 
 sword in hand, I will tell you that an opportunity 
 presents itself to set to work immediately. Day 
 after to-morrow two ships leave this port for Ben- 
 jar-Massen, in the island of Borneo. The savages 
 
82 BATATIA. 
 
 who inhaMt those parts have cut the throats of a 
 dozen of our sailors who had gone ashore to get 
 wood. We are going to teach the inhabitants on 
 the coast of Borneo how the Dutch take vengeance 
 when such massacres occur. Well, you may form 
 one of the expedition, Mr. Peterson." 
 
 "Walter's face was overspread with so radiant a 
 smile that one would suppose some great happiness 
 had just been announced to him. 
 
 " Thank you ! thank you !" he cried. " To fight 
 and struggle sword in hand for the honor of Hol- 
 land, to spill my blood that I may attain my life's 
 hope! Ah! I ^despaired, and here suddenly and 
 unexpectedly I see joy smile upon me. I wiU go, 
 Captain ; but be so good as to speak a word for me, 
 for my captain is so fond of me that he might per- 
 haps oppose it and essay to keep me at Jacatra. It 
 would cause me real vexation." 
 
 " i^onsense ! that is nothing. I will settle mat- 
 ters with the Governor. So you are thirsting for a 
 fight ? Tou are as much pleased as if you expected 
 to find your captaiii's sword in Borneo." 
 
 " IS'o, no, Captain ; I do not think this," replied 
 the young man ; " but let the occasioh present itself 
 to me and I will give proof of so much courage and 
 intrepidity, fulfil my duty with such zeal and fer- 
 vor, that they will be forced to advance me. Let a 
 real war come and I will become a captain or sink 
 under the task I have imposed upon myself." 
 
 Yan den Broeck gave the young man a look of 
 
BATAVIA. 83 
 
 some eommiseration, and shook his head in a preoc- 
 cupied manner. 
 
 " No," he said suddenly, " you shall not go to Bor- 
 neo. The people are cruel and fierce. You might 
 perish there without honor or fame. You will 
 leave in the Lion d'Or in eight days for Am- 
 boine, and will there await a better opportunity." 
 
 " Oh ! let me go to Borneo !" said "Walter in a 
 beseeching voice. " I do not deceive myself as to 
 my position,, Captain ; I shall be running the 
 gauntlet with death ; and the stakes will be the 
 sword of a captain, and the happiness you have 
 promised me. Let me enter upon and follow up 
 the game ; there is no other way for me to hasten 
 the issue and to ascertain what fate holds in store 
 for me." 
 
 Suddenly voices were heard in the vestibule. It 
 seemed to be a discussion between some one wish- 
 ing to enter and another who was trying to prevent 
 it. 
 
 " "Wait ! wait !" said one, " the Captain has com- 
 pany with him. You shall not enter !" 
 
 "Stupid negro!" exclaimed the other, "get out 
 of my way or I will break this rattan across your 
 shoulders. I come sent by the Governor-General, 
 and you wish to prevent my entering ?" 
 
 Yan den Broeck himself opened the door to re- 
 ceive the Governor's messenger. 
 
 One of Mr. Koen's clerks entered and said, while 
 making a low bow, 
 
84 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Captain, the Governor-General begs you -will go 
 to hini at once to take part in a council of war." 
 
 " What ? Can there be danger ?" said the 
 Captain. 
 
 "The Governor has received important news. 
 What the subject is I do not know," replied the 
 messenger. " Go as quickly as possible, Captain ; 
 the matter is urgent." 
 
 "Say to the Governor-General I wiU obey his 
 orders." 
 
 When the messenger had retired, the Captain 
 took Walter's hand and said, 
 
 " I must leave you on important business. I will 
 inform my wife. Kemain with the ladies a few 
 moments longer, for the sake of politeness. I put 
 my trust in your honor, Mr, Peterson. We ■ will 
 talk further a little later or this evening. Under 
 any circumstances, you will only return to my 
 house to bid us good-by before leaving. But you 
 shall not go to Borneo ; I do not wish it. ^o ; I 
 repeat, I do not wish it." 
 
 Saying this, he left the drawing-room. Walter 
 heard the Captain's heavy step, hastening towards 
 the Governor-General's, and the lighter steps of 
 Adelaide and her mother coming downstairs to 
 keep him company a little while longer. 
 
BATAVIA. 85 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 The hall in wHch the council of war was to be 
 held was on the first floor of the larger of the two 
 warehouses which we have already spoken of, and 
 its three windows looked down into the inner court 
 of the factory. The, walls of the haU were bare 
 and still wore the marks at different heights of the 
 bales and barrels which formerly had been stowed 
 there. A large table, occupying the centre, and ten 
 arm-chairs constituted all the furniture. 
 
 There were within the hall five or six persons, 
 talking together, who were evidently awaiting some 
 one. Mr. Yan den Broeck was seated at a table 
 between two merchants or factors of the India Com- 
 pany, and was discussing with them in a low voice 
 the probable motives for convening the Council so 
 suddenly. At one of the open windows stood two 
 captains, also engaged in private conversation, one 
 of whom contented himself with shaking his head 
 and making occasional exclamations by way of re- 
 ply — " Indeed ! indeed !" while the other en- 
 deavored to make his phlegmatic companion com- 
 prehend him by numerous gestures and noisy bursts 
 of sound. He who, so to speak, did not open his 
 mouth was Peter Dircksz, a large man with light 
 hair and mustaches, with a countenance essentially 
 cold and impassive. The one conversing with him 
 
86 BATAVIA. 
 
 was Captain Van Eay, who in contrast was tliin and 
 tall, with hair and mustaches as black as jet. This 
 one had only reached Jaeatra that very day with 
 the ship Mouette, and was giving the other an ex- 
 planation of the religious quarrels between the Ee- 
 monstrants and Non-Eemonstrants, which were 
 then agitating all Holland. Van Eay seemed to be 
 defending one side with all the energy of passion ; 
 but whatever efforts he made towards inducing 
 Peter Dircksz to participate in his sentiments, he 
 remained perfectly indifferent and continued mut- 
 tering his " Indeed ! indeed !" 
 
 Their conversation, which had only lasted a few 
 minutes, was interrupted by the arrival of the Gov- 
 ernor-General, John Peter Keen. 
 
 This latter was a tall man whose hair was begin- 
 ning to turn gray. Though his countenance de- 
 noted calmness and moderation, yet in his look there 
 was a lightning spark which, though half veiled, 
 allowed one to see that in that athletic body there 
 dwelt a soul both brave and intrepid. 
 
 On entering the hall he bowed coldly, walked 
 with rapid steps towards the large arm-chair, seated 
 himself, and said, 
 
 " Excuse me, gentlemen, for making you wait a 
 little while. Be so good as to take your places. I 
 have grave matters to lay before you." 
 
 Those present placed themselves around the table. 
 
 " Gentlemen," said the Governor-General, " you 
 know that for several days past the Javanese have 
 assembled in large numbers between Jaeatra and 
 
BATAVIA. 87 
 
 Bantam to celebrate a great religious festival. I 
 had reason to fear some evil scheme was being 
 concocted ; I knew that the English and Portu- 
 guese, who, in spite of peace, have remained se- 
 cretly our enemies, would not neglect so precious 
 an opportunity for rousing and exciting the natives 
 against us. That I might be advised of what was 
 taking place during their ceremonies, I sent among 
 them Chinese and negro spies. Until this morning 
 all the advices I received were either without inter- 
 est or not unfavorable. All seemed to denote that 
 the Javanese showed no hostility to the Dutch. 
 Within a short time information of quite a different 
 nature has reached me. One of my agents came to 
 me in person, and this is what he assures me he has 
 learned : the English and Portuguese have advised 
 the Pangarang of Jacatra and his people to declare 
 war against us, and the Javanese have resolved to 
 come at once, without dispersing, to lay siege to us 
 in our factory." 
 
 " Will you permit me, your Excellency," said one 
 of the Company's factors, " to ask you who brought 
 this news ?" 
 
 "A Chinese merchant in whom I think I can 
 place some confidence," replied the Governor. 
 
 " A Chinaman !" said the factor, ironically. " The 
 Chinese are the greatest liars and the most shameless 
 impostors on earth. One must always believe just 
 the contrary of what they say." 
 
 " These observations will be listened to in their 
 turn," calmly replied the Governor. " I shall con- 
 
88 BATAVIA. 
 
 timie. The Pangerang of Bantam consented to 
 march against ns with the people of Jacatra ; and 
 what is still more serious, gentlemen, is that the 
 English disembarked secretly last night six pieces 
 of artillery, to place them at the disposal of the 
 Pangerang. They will protest that they bartered 
 the pieces and the necessary powder for their use 
 for a considerable quantity of pepper ; but, to 
 teU the truth, this is only a hidden means of 
 helping our enemies. This is the news that has 
 reached me. I beg you will deliberate carefully 
 on the situation, presupposing that the accounts I 
 have received, though they may be false, may 
 also be true." 
 
 The factor who had already spoken, and who 
 seemed the representative of the pecuniary interests 
 and civil authority of the Company, again resumed 
 his speech and said, 
 
 " The advices received are false or otherwise ; 
 that is not a question we need make ourselves uneasy 
 about. If, on the other hand, they be true, there is 
 not the slightest doubt as to what we should do ; 
 but as it is impossible for us to understand just now 
 how matters are, my opinion is that we should at- 
 tempt nothing which might aggravate the bad 
 feeling of the Javanese ; for, supposing they did not 
 desire to declare war, it would be very quickly 
 awakened did they see us make any warlike prepara- 
 tions." 
 
 " Then your advice, sir, is that we should act as 
 if we knew nothing about it 2" 
 
BATAVIA. 89 
 
 " Yes, your Excellency, that is my advice." 
 " And you, Captain Van den Broeck ?" 
 " The information under discussion may he true or 
 not," replied the Captain. " As it is perfectly impos- 
 sible to know anything certain on this subject, I 
 should prepare myself in any case as if it were well 
 founded. A soldier should never permit himself to 
 be surprised ; and admitting that the Javanese ob- 
 serve our preparations with an evil eye, and take 
 that opportunity to declare war — well, they wUl 
 find us ready to repulse all their attacks victoriously. 
 Moreover, we need not proceed noisily with our 
 preparations. Let a few cannon be placed on the 
 bastions ; and let the bridge be cut which crosses the 
 river, to protect us from attacks on that side ; see 
 that the night-patrols be doubled, and let the men 
 be secretly advised to hold themselves in readiness 
 for the first signal of alarm. This, according to my 
 ideas, is all that is necessary to be done." 
 
 " Excuse me, gentlemen, if I ask to be heard once 
 more," said the factor, " and believe that the solicitude 
 I feel for the Company's interests alone would induce 
 me to speak. You are soldiers ; and as your mis- 
 sion is to put an end to all differences by the power 
 of the sword, you sometimes forget that there are 
 more pacific measures by which favorable solution 
 may be obtained. I think that before we openly 
 prepare for resistance we should first send an am- 
 bassador to the Pangerang to demand of him his in- 
 tentions. We can remind him that we bought for 
 the price of good money the land upon which our 
 
90 BATAVIA. 
 
 factory is built, and it is therefore legitimately ours. 
 If it pleases us to build ramparts around the fac- 
 tory, it is not to arm ourselves against the Javanese, 
 but only for protection from any sudden and un- 
 expected aggressions on the part of our enemies, 
 the English and Portuguese. Should he be ill dis- 
 posed to Hsten, we can win him over with gifts, and 
 in this way, losing neither time nor men, we may 
 perhaps succeed in completing the fortress and ac- 
 complishing without impediment the task which has 
 been confided to us." 
 
 The Governor made a motion with his head by 
 which he seemed to approve the factor's opinion. 
 
 " According to my ideas, there is much that is 
 good in what you have just proposed," he said to 
 the factor. " As to the question whether we should 
 remain altogether inactive on our side, that is a point 
 it behooves us to examine more closely. What does 
 Captain Yan Kay think about it ?" 
 
 " I, your Excellency — ^what I thiak ?" replied Yan 
 Eay. "I think the matter is perfectly clear, and 
 that the numerous and lengthy discussions that are 
 taking place here are perfectly useless as to the so- 
 lution." 
 
 " I thank you for the compliment," said the fac- 
 tor, offended. 
 
 " I am a soldier, you see," continued Yan Eay, 
 " and do not know how to express what I have to 
 say in fine phrases. I am of opinion that instead of 
 allowing ourselves to be attacked we should be the 
 aggressors. Let us hasten to put our men under 
 
BATAVIA. 91 
 
 arms, and before anybody suspects it fall upon the 
 town of Jacatra and the Javanese." 
 
 " And what if the attack did not succeed ?" said 
 the factor, in disdainful accents. 
 
 " Not succeed ! How ? Tou think the Javanese 
 could hold out against the Dutch ? Let them give 
 me two hundred men, and if I do not turn all that 
 work that you see over there upside down, I will be 
 willing to be considered a wretched boaster !" 
 
 " Do not speak so lightly, Captain," said the 
 Governor ; " according to the advices I have re- 
 ceived the Javanese number four thousand." 
 
 "Oh, your Excellency, what matters to us the 
 number? When have the Dutch ever counted 
 their enemies? Moreover, the Javanese are only 
 armed with bows, swords, and lances. With some 
 guns and a little powder and shot we can drive back 
 into the woods a host of such enemies as that." 
 
 "You are mistaken, Captain," replied the Gov- 
 ernor ; " the Javanese are a determined people, f uU 
 of resolution and tenacity. It is true that, as you 
 say, they are badly armed, happily for us. Do not 
 think we shall get the better of them without 
 trouble. They are good soldiers and do not easily 
 beat a retreat. Still, your opinion shall have some 
 weight. Our friend Dircksz has not yet given his." 
 
 " It matters little to me what decision they come 
 to," replied Captain Dircksz. 
 
 " What do you mean ?" asked the Governor, with 
 astonishment. 
 
 " The matter appears so simple to me that I have 
 
92 BATAVIA. 
 
 not even listened to the long harangue delivered by 
 the factor." 
 
 The factor rose with excitement, and exclaimed 
 sharply, 
 
 " One attends a council of war for deliberation, 
 and he who is too presumptuous to lend an ear to 
 what others say, he, I maintain, would do better to 
 absent himself from this assemblage. You consider 
 what I said as unreasonable and useless. Let us 
 hear what you have to tell us that is better." 
 
 " Oh ! this is the temper of your mind, Mr. Fac- 
 tor? Yery well! very well! But those are no 
 reasons at all." 
 
 " Be seated, I beg," said the Governor, retaining 
 his calmness, to the factor. " I shall beg Captain 
 Dircksz to express his opinions more fully to us." 
 
 " Well, this is the way I reason, your Excellency," 
 replied Peter Dircksz. " If the Javanese are pro- 
 jecting nothing against us, they will remain over 
 there. If they have allowed themselves to be de 
 ceived by the English and Portuguese, they will 
 attack us ; and if they come, we will receive them 
 so well with grapeshot and bullets as a beginning, 
 then later on with pikes and swords, that they 
 will be a long time demanding the rest of their ac- 
 count. I am of the same opinion as my friend Van 
 den Broeck, that some precautions must be taken ; 
 but, at all events, we can, as we did before, sleep 
 peacefully." 
 
 The Governor seated himself more comfortably in 
 his arm-chair, as if about to deliver a long discourse. 
 
BATAVIA. 93 
 
 " Gentlemen," he said, " you each have expressed 
 your opinion. After listening to what you had to 
 say, I shall teU you in my turn what I think of the 
 situation. Captain Yan Kay's opinion strikes me 
 as rash and imprudent. Our country is at peace 
 with England and Portugal, as well as with Java. 
 "We should not be the first to disturb this peace ; it 
 would be to throw a great responsibility on the 
 United Provinces. In what the factor has said I 
 find much wisdom, which I will endeavor to profit 
 by ; I will therefore, according to his coimsel, send an 
 ambassador to the Pangerang. For the rest, I am 
 quite of the opinion of Captain Van den Broeck and 
 Captain Dircksz. I think we should hold ourselves 
 secretly prepared, that we maybe in no wise surprised 
 by any event. To further this end you must each 
 of you do what your duty requires to carry out the 
 measures I shall prescribe to you. Until the work 
 of the day is over we must act as if we knew 
 nothing ; but when the foreign workmen have left 
 the factory, we will all assist our own soldiers in 
 placing cannon on the bastions and transporting, in 
 haste, earth to place on that portion of the intrench- 
 ments whose construction is least advanced. During 
 this time I shall take care to have landed further 
 ammunition, consisting of powder, balls, and bullets. 
 Twenty men from each company wOl remain under 
 arms all night with their matches lighted, and they 
 will place sentinels on the top of the ramparts and 
 outside, to spy out what may be taking place 
 around." 
 
94 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Most assuredly, your Excellency ; you are per- 
 fectly at liberty to give any orders you please. We 
 have no rights here except as simple counsellors to 
 express our opinion. Permit me, however, to ob- 
 serve you are going farther in the precautions you 
 advise than the other members of the council! The 
 measures you prescribe could not be more complete 
 were the enemy already upon the ramparts*." 
 
 " This is true, sir," replied the Grovernor ; " in time 
 of war all half-measures are prejudicial to those who 
 have recourse to them. Either do nothing or do it 
 well. One can but choose between two extremes. 
 Moreover, to-morrow morning by sunrise a deputar 
 tion of four persons will be sent to the Pangerang, 
 and I pray you, as well as Captain Yan den Broeck, 
 who also converses very well in Malay, to form a 
 part of the embassy. Gentlemen, the object of our 
 meeting is accomplished. Tou know my inten- 
 tions. In case of need I will give or send you more 
 exact orders." 
 
 Peter Yan Eay, replying to a question of Captain 
 Yan den Broeck's, was boasting of the intrepidity 
 of his men. The Governor, attracted by the loud 
 voice and animated gestures of Yan Eay, ap- 
 proached him. 
 
 " Captain," he said, " while estimating the forces 
 we have at our disposal, and which, with the crews 
 of the ships, number about six hundred men, I 
 naturally included those under your command. I 
 doubt, however, whether they can hold their own as 
 well as our old soldiers. They are for the most part — 
 
BATAVIA. 95 
 
 are they not ? — ^raw recruits that have just entered 
 the Company's service, or who, at least, have never 
 been under fire. They appear depressed and dis- 
 couraged." 
 
 " How ? Depressed and discouraged, your Excel- 
 lency !" exclaimed Peter Yan Ray. " My men are 
 lions, true Uons !" 
 
 " One would never suppose so. And how can 
 it be possible ? "We know too well that raw recruits 
 on their arrival are wanting in the self-command 
 necessary to a soldier." 
 
 " Tour Excellency is right ; but my men have 
 had particularly good fortune. I had on board a 
 young sergeant. I .do not know what the fellow 
 was thinking about, but from the day we set sail he 
 talked to the crew of nothing but war, combats, 
 glory, one's country, of the old Batavians, and a 
 thousand other things of the same sort. He is 
 very well informed, most eloquent, and has filled 
 the minds of my men with such a thirst for combat 
 that from the most irresolute of them he fashioned 
 a hero. Yes, yes ; I am not joking. Events proved 
 what I say to be true." 
 
 "What is this sergeant's name?" asked Captain 
 Yan den Broeck. 
 
 " His name is Walter Peterson. He studied in 
 Amsterdam to become a physician, and the desire 
 alone of engaging in war has made a soldier of him." 
 
 Yan den Broeck smiled, as if happy to hear 
 Walter's praises, and perhaps because he knew 
 another reason for Walter's bravery. 
 
96 BATAVIA. 
 
 " I saw that sergeant perform an action," replied 
 Peter Yan Eay, " an action that could only have 
 been looked for in an old soldier. It was in a 
 terrible encounter with some African pirates." 
 
 " It seems indeed that the encounter was a pretty 
 warm one," remarked the Governor. " TeU us in a 
 few words how the thing happened." 
 
 " You will find a complete account in my jour- 
 nal, your ^Excellency." 
 
 "And we," said Van den Broeck, interrupting 
 him, " we too are interested." 
 
 " So be it ; I will readily comply with your wish," 
 said Peter Yan Eay. " This is the adventure : We 
 had reached the latitude of thirty-nine degrees, the 
 cape to the southeast, when in the afternoon we 
 perceived to windward two Turkish vessels that 
 were bearing down upon us with all sails set. My 
 men were uneasy, for there was no escape, and 
 slavery in Barbary was the only fate that awaited 
 us. I encouraged all to sell their lives dearly, and 
 insisted it would be better to be blown up with the 
 ship than to fall into the hands of the Africans. 
 My words had produced little effect ; but all of a 
 sudden my sergeant sprang upon a cannon, and 
 from there made the men an address so soul-stirring 
 and full of fire that, transported with enthusiasm, 
 they wept and called on God to witness that they 
 would die with me and with their sergeant for the 
 honor of Holland. This was no idle talk, gentle- 
 men ; they kept their word. We at once cleared the 
 deck of all that might impede the action, and we 
 
BATATIA. 97 
 
 manned the batteries. The flag was hoisted and the 
 trumpet called the crew to combat. When the two 
 vessels, whose decks were crowded with our enemies, 
 were within fire, the chief of the pirates gave ns a 
 broadside that cut in two our topgallant yard. We 
 were nearly side by side, and found our turn had 
 come, so let the enemy have a broadside which 
 struck them full amidships and probably somewhat 
 thinned their ranks, for having less ballast than we 
 they could offer less resistance. 
 
 " But the Turks did not remain in arrears with us ; 
 cannon and musket soon poured forth their iron 
 hailstones, and we had five or six dead, with a large 
 number of wounded. Things were going ill. My 
 sergeant did wonders. One would have supposed 
 him at the Kermes : he laughed and cried out joy- 
 fully while aiming at the enemy, and his warm ex- 
 citing words helped to keep up the men's courage. 
 We expected the Turks to board us, and even 
 wished it ; but they had sprung a leak, and had so 
 much difficulty in reniedying it that they were 
 obliged to move a little distance off. During this 
 time we encouraged each other once more in fighting 
 to the death. I made my men drink wine mixed with 
 powder, according to custom. They gave us short 
 breathing-time. The action was about seriously to 
 begin again. The two vessels bore down upon us 
 once more together, and poured into us such a terri- 
 ble broadside of grape and shot that a great number 
 of my men fell. 
 
 " The Turkish commander was at the back of the 
 
98 BATATIA. 
 
 boat with, a turban on his head. My sergeant, 
 Peterson, who is an extremely good shot, said to me 
 suddenly, 'Captain, that pagan with the turban 
 must take himself off. Observe ; he is dead.' And 
 in truth the sergeant takes aim, fires, and the com- 
 mander tumbles down. At the same moment my 
 sergeant is struck in the side with a ball and falls 
 backward on the deck, giving a cry of pain. It gave 
 me real sorrow to see so brave a soldier fall, and I 
 immediately gave orders that he should be placed in 
 my cabin and his wound dressed. But though he 
 was bleeding profusely, the sergeant would not leave 
 the deck ; his wound had to be dressed there ; and 
 while the combat lasted he did not stop encouraging 
 the men to hold firm. 
 
 " Things were going along pretty badly. "We were 
 enveloped in a cloud of fire and smoke. The roaring 
 of the cannon, the fire of musketry, the creaking of 
 the ship whose body was being crushed, the Turks 
 crying -victory, the moans of our wounded — all this 
 was a frightful scene ; a scfene such as I have never 
 witnessed, though I have already taken part in a 
 number of aJffairs of the same kind. At last, when 
 night was falling, a voice that came fij-om the Turk- 
 ish admiral's ship called out to us in excellent 
 Dutch to surrender ; but I with a lighted wick in 
 my hand swore that the flames should dance if he 
 dared board our ship, and made him understand 
 we would all perish together, our enemies and our- 
 selves. Until night had fairly set in, broadsides and 
 the rattle of musketry continued to be heard on 
 
BATAVIA. 99 
 
 either side. Then they cried out they would not 
 thus loosen their hold, but that on the next morn- 
 ing hostilities should recommence. During the 
 night a stiff breeze blew up. We made every eflFort 
 to take advantage of it, and succeeded in changing 
 our course. The next day there were no more 
 Turkish vessels to be seen, and we thanked God for 
 having delivered us so miraculously from the hands 
 of the pirates. This is the whole history, gentle- 
 men. The rest may be guessed." 
 
 " And your brave sergeant ?" asked the Governor. 
 
 " He is here at Jacatra with me," replied Yan Eay. 
 " He has a letter for your Excellency from the di- 
 rectors of the chamber at Amsterdam, and will ask 
 an audience of you to-morrow that he may hand 
 it to you." 
 
 " Then his was not a mortal wound ?" 
 
 " ^0 ; the ball struck him in the side and became 
 flattened against a rib. After spending some weeks 
 on a pallet, the sergeant is re-established and braver 
 than ever. He is a fellow who will go a long way, 
 I take my oath." 
 
 " What do I see ?" exclaimed the factor, looking 
 out of the window. " I am not mistaken." 
 
 " What do you see that is so surprising ?" asked 
 the others, approaching the window. 
 
 " Look over there at the extremity of the square, 
 at the factory door : six Javanese orang-kays.* The 
 
 * Orang-kay in Malay signifies respectable man, and this 
 was the name given to the old and persons of distinction. 
 Dommagon means the same as Governor. 
 
100 BATAVIA. 
 
 Dommagon of Jacatra is with 'them. They are 
 waiting at the door for admittance. We were think- 
 ing of sending an embassy to the Pangerang, but 
 he anticipates us and himseK sends his deputies, 
 ifow, at least, we will know what to be at." 
 
 The Governor looked out of the window in the 
 direction pointed out, and turning to his assistants 
 said, 
 
 "Captain Yan den Broeck, and Mr. Factor, I 
 wish you to go at once and meet the Javanese orang- 
 kays, and to bring them before me if they seem 
 to desire it. You, gentlemen, I beg will remain, 
 that you may hear what these emissaries have to 
 say." 
 
 Van den Broeck and the factor went towards the 
 stairs to fulfil their mission, and soon reached the 
 spot where the Javanese were. 
 
 Yan den Broeck, who knew the Malays, asked 
 them what they desired ; and upon their declaring 
 that they brought to the chief of the Orang-Wol- 
 landa — this was the designation they gave to the 
 Dutch — a message from the Sultan of Jacatra, 
 begged the ambassadors to follow him. He en- 
 deavored on the way to engage in conversation 
 with them, hoping he might learn something of im- 
 portance ; but he soon discovered that the envoys 
 were not at all disposed to converse. 
 
 The Javanese crossed the square with slow proud 
 steps, casting scrutinizing glances around them. 
 They were quite well formed and somewhat robust. 
 Their complexions were of a yellow-brown, and 
 
BATAVIA. 101 
 
 their features flat. Their teeth were as black as jet ; 
 heavy jaws, thick eyebrows, and eyes shaped some- 
 what like those of the Chinese. Their costume was 
 formed of one garment called ja/rit; some wore it 
 of silk, others of fine cotton covered with flowers, 
 only reaching their knees. Over their shoulders 
 they wore a long cloth scarf which was wound 
 around the body two or three times, and finally was 
 made to fall in graceful folds at the side. Yet the 
 upper portions of their bodies were uncovered and 
 their feet bare. Their head-dress consisted of a 
 simple sUk handkerchief. At their left side glis- 
 tened the handle of the mo, or national poniard, 
 that the Javanese never go without. 
 
 Between the Dommagon, or Governor, of Jaca- 
 tra and his companions there was but this differ- 
 ence, that the first wore more gold upon his garments 
 and the handle of his eric was ornamented with a 
 greater number of precious stones. ' 
 
 One of the Javanese carried a small casket or 
 jewel-box made of red sandal-wood, richly inlaid 
 with gold and mother-of-pearl. 
 
 When the envoys were introduced by Captain 
 Yan den Broeck into the councU-chamber, the 
 Dutch had resumed their first places and stood 
 near the table. The Javanese ranged themselves 
 near the windows, behind their Dommagon. With 
 the exception of some words of salutation that 
 were almost incomprehensible, no one spoke, and a 
 solemn silence reigned for some moments within 
 the haU, until the Governor asked the ^nvQjs ^q 
 
102 BATAVIA. 
 
 good Malay to what cause he owed the honor of 
 receiving them in the Dutch factory. 
 
 The Dommagon received the casket from his 
 companion's hands, and opened it. He took from 
 within a leaf of the tontar, or hunter's tree, upon 
 which some characters seemed to be traced, and 
 then replied to the Governor in the Malay lan- 
 guage. 
 
 "My master and Sultan, Wydurk-Eama, Pange- 
 rang of Jacatra, sends, through me, his Dommagon, 
 this ola to the Dutch who inhabit his dominions." 
 
 And fixing his eyes on the ola, he read the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 " Since the Orang-Wollanda have taken advan- 
 tage of my goodness to them, and have dared with- 
 out permission to fortify their factory, it has 
 seemed well to me to withdraw my favor from 
 them, and to forbid their sojourning longer in the 
 jurisdiction of Jacatra. My will is that they leave 
 the factory at once. Should they submit immedi- 
 ately, I will be generous enough to allow them to 
 take away all that is theirs, people and effects. 
 Should they not do so, I will have them all put to 
 death and will confiscate their possessions. I de- 
 mand a positive answer be given me through my 
 Dommagon, who will place this letter in your hands. 
 Tour deliberations must not be long, and do not 
 permit any foolish hardihood to accomplish your 
 ruin. Not far from your factory five thousand in- 
 trepid men await a sign from my finger to reduce 
 
BAT AVI A. 103 
 
 your walls to atoms. Do n6t depend upon your 
 muskets ; I am as well provided as you. 
 
 " "Wtduek-Kama." 
 
 The members of the council looked at each other 
 interrogatively; all understood Malay sufficiently 
 to comprehend the sense of what the Dommagon 
 had just read. Peter Van Kay was radiant with 
 joy, and rubbed his hands. Peter Dircksz seated 
 himself while darting a look of disdain at the Java- 
 nese. The Governor and Van den Broeck alone 
 retained entire calmness. 
 
 " In the name of God, endeavor to gain time, 
 your Excellency," said the factor, in Dutch ; " we 
 are not prepared to repulse such an attack, for — " 
 
 A severe look from the Governor, and a grimace 
 of disapprobation from the captains, caused the 
 words to expire.on his lips. 
 
 The Governor then said in a very cahn voice to 
 the ambassadors : 
 
 " Sir Dommagon, you bring me news from the 
 Pangerang of Jaeatra that astonishes me greatly. 
 It is very sure the English and Portuguese have de- 
 ceived your generous Sultan. Have I not myself, 
 in your presence, Sir Dommagon, explained to the 
 Pangerang what we had the intention of doing to 
 fortify our factory ? Did I not tell him that we were 
 taking these measures to protect ourselves from the 
 aggressions of our enemies ? And did not the Pan- 
 gerang say he saw no motive for preventing the 
 construction of our projected fortress ?" 
 
104 BATAVIA. 
 
 The Dommagon Wks sileat, and permitted the 
 Governor vainly to wait for an answer, who con- 
 tinued : 
 
 " As to the motives for displeasure that the Pan- 
 gerang fancies he has against the Dutch, we are all 
 disposed to treat in a friendly manner with him on 
 this subject, and to grant him everything that is 
 compatible with the honor of Holland." 
 
 The Dommagon replied in a tone of cold deter- 
 mination : 
 
 " My Sultan wants the factory ; he will receive 
 no envoys. He knows the Dutch always resort to 
 many words that they may gain their end, whether 
 legitimate or otherwise. He will no longer lend 
 himself to this artifice, and gave me decided orders 
 to bring back a concise answer to his ola. Will 
 you be ready to-morrow morning to carry off all you 
 possess to your ships, and to leave Jacatra forever 
 before the return of night ?" 
 
 The Governor lowered his eyes and remained 
 some moments plunged in deep meditation. He 
 then lifted his head, and said to the ambassador, 
 while still remaining perfectly cool : 
 
 " Sir Dommagon, here is our answer : The Dutch 
 like to live at peace with the natives of this coun- 
 try, and they regret that their friendly relations 
 with the Pangerang of Jacatra should be disturbed 
 by the intrigues of their enemies. Yet if you un- 
 justly declare war against them, they will accept 
 the war, and will soon prove to you how mistaken 
 you have been about them. Say to the Pangerang 
 
BATAVIA. 105 
 
 from me that tlie Dutch •will defend the ground 
 which he sold to them to construct this factory as 
 long as one among them has the strength to carry a 
 lance; and tell him, moreover, that we will hold 
 him responsible for all damage that may occur. It 
 is to him and not to us that all the evils must be 
 imputed that may come from a war he has pro- 
 voked. Go ! leave this factory ! And since your 
 Sultan does not wish to hear negotiations spoken of, 
 let cannon hereafter be the only messengers between 
 us!" 
 
 "So let it be. May fire and sword decide be- 
 tween the Orang-Jawa and the Orang-Wollanda !" 
 muttered the Dommagon. 
 
 The Javanese went silently towards the door, and 
 left the hall with slow steps. By order of the Gov- 
 ernor they were accompanied by one of the two 
 factors. 
 
 "When they had disappeared, the Governor said, 
 in a strong and decided voice, to the members of 
 the council of war : 
 
 " War is declared ! Tou are all tried soldiers ; it 
 is needless to stimulate your zeal and courage. 
 Tou will remember you are sons of the If ether- 
 lands. Moreover, should any motive be necessary 
 to excite your ardor and magnify the energy of 
 your efforts, it will doubtless be the thought 
 that upon the holding of this place depends the 
 future of our country in India. Were we to lose 
 our station of Jacatra, that of Amboine would 
 soon follow, and probably the very name of Hoi- 
 
106 BATAVIA. 
 
 land not long be remembered in tbis part of tbe 
 world. If, on the contrary, we bold tbe fortress, it 
 will become tbe centre of our dominion in India ; it 
 will be for our well-beloved country a source of 
 greatness, of ricbes, and of glory. Go collect your 
 men; let all work cease for tbe moment. See 
 tbat tbe arms and matcbes are in good condition. 
 I sball at once give tbe order to send away all tbe 
 foreign workmen. Shortly, wben your companies 
 are organized, we will take steps to place tbe artil- 
 lery on tbe bastions and protect ourselves against 
 any nocturnal attack." 
 
 Tbe captains left tbe ball. Yan Hay's beart 
 bounded witb joy. Dircksz rose slowly from bis 
 cbair, and was the last to leave, while muttering, 
 
 " Oh, oh ! the yellow men are tired of life. Non- 
 sense ! why should I run ? Why hasten ? There 
 is plenty of time." 
 
 "Wben Captain Yan den Broeck came down in 
 hjs turn, bis face suddenly darkened, as, with eyes 
 cast upon tbe ground, he turned bis steps towards 
 home. 
 
 "My poor Adelaide!". be murmured pensively; 
 " will not anxiety aggravate her disease ? Will she 
 be able to endure tbis new trial ?" 
 
 When be raised his bead be saw Sergeant Walter 
 crossing the square. Yan den Broeck in passing 
 bim said, 
 
 "There is no longer a chance of leaving, Mr. 
 Peterson. War is declared. By to-morrow we shall 
 bear tbe cannon thundering on the plain." 
 
BATAVIA. 107 
 
 "Walter lifted his eyes to heaven, and seemed to 
 be thanking God with warmth at this happy news. 
 
 Van den Broeck went into his house to get a 
 small musket, and said to his wife and daughter, 
 
 " I bring you bad news. "We are going to have 
 war. The Javanese are going to attack us." 
 
 Madame Van den Broeck paled. Adelaide, on 
 the contrary, replied to this terrible news with a 
 smile, and exclaimed joyfully, to the great surprise 
 of the Captain, 
 
 " War ! We are to have war 1" 
 
 " Come, come, do not be uneasy ; fear nothing," 
 said Van den Broeck to his wife. " It will perhaps 
 not last long. I must go out and assemble the men. 
 I shall join you in a little while. Be strong and 
 courageous; a captain's wife must expect such 
 things. Good-by for the present. 
 
 With these words, he went out and hurried to the 
 square to rejoin his soldiers. 
 
108 BATAVIA, 
 
 CHAPTEE lY. 
 
 DuumG the greater part of the night the Dutch 
 had labored to place the cannon on the bastions, and 
 to build up the walls with the earth that had been 
 brought, more particularly on the side looking to 
 the town of Jacatra. The officers, and even the 
 Governor himself, had not left the men for a single 
 instant, and had stimulated the zeal and courage of 
 all, for they felt certain that by daylight they would 
 be obliged to repel a violent attack from the Java- 
 nese. 
 
 Yet two hours before the first light of morn 
 showed itself on the horizon work had ceased, that 
 the soldiers might have some time for rest ; most of 
 them were assembled on the centre square of ,the 
 factory, where they were seated on the ground, a 
 musket in one hand and a lighted match in the other. 
 
 On the ramparts they had posted a great number 
 of sentinels, who walked up and down, and endea- 
 vored to pierce the darkness with their eyes, that 
 they might know what was passing afar off. And 
 in truth a dull confused murmur was heard. An 
 indefinable rustling, yet sufficiently loud, as if, at 
 some distance from the factory impossible to define, 
 thousands of men were awake and working at some 
 occupation both hard and painful. 
 
BAT ATI A. 109 
 
 On the top of tte ramparts and all the inner 
 * square the light of the matches were seen waving 
 about in the darkness like jack-o'-lanterns, and 
 at the summit of one of these bastions a great num- 
 ber of these luminous points could be observed 
 closely gathered together in a circle. 
 
 At this spot were encamped a great part of Cap- 
 tain Van Kay's Company, so that in case of an 
 unexpected attack the alarm might at once be given. 
 Sergeant Walter Peterson was seated on a gun- 
 carriage in the midst of about thirty soldiers, who 
 listened to him in silence, but with strong emotion. 
 The lieutenant — an old soldier — ^his elbow leaning 
 on the cannon, seemed also to be listening atten- 
 tively to the stories "Walter recounted with so much 
 animation and patriotic enthusiasm. Beside the 
 lieutenant stood the standard-bearer, a young and 
 chivalric x)fficer, in whose soul the sergeant's strong 
 words awakened an ardent thirst for combat and a 
 warm desire to signalize himself by deeds of valor. 
 
 During the voyage from Amsterdam to Jacatra 
 this ensign had shown Walter especial friendship 
 and sympathy ; and though their difference of rank 
 seemed to be against it, yet a loyal and solid friend- 
 ship had grown up between them. He was the only 
 man to whom Walter had told in part the sentiment 
 and hope that had induced him to come to India. 
 At this moment the young ensign alone permitted 
 himself to express any approval, and occasionally 
 interrupted the sergeant's narrative to give it more 
 force and expressiveness by his warm assent. 
 
110 BATAYIA. 
 
 That "Walter should iinder sucli circumstances and 
 in the middle of the night have undertaken to nar- 
 rate anything will prove to have been a happy 
 chance. That night the Governor had given Batavia 
 as the password ; and some of the soldiers who did 
 not know what this meant, exactly, had asked their 
 learned sergeant for the explanation. 
 
 Walter had taught them that from the time oi 
 the Eomans Batavia was the name for Holland, 
 and this had given him the opportunity of relating 
 how Claudius Civilis, at the head of the Batavians, 
 had cut to pieces numberless Boman legions, and 
 been himself alone very nearly the ruin of the 
 Empire. From this he drew the conclusion that 
 even before the light of Christianity had come to 
 illumine the people of old Batavia they were justly 
 renowned for their love of liberty and wonderful 
 bravery. He cited to substantiate his assertions the 
 testimony of Boman writers themselves, and con- 
 cluded by beseeching his men to show themselves 
 in the war they were about to engage in worthy of 
 the noble and generous blood they inherited as 
 Batavians or E'etherlanders from their glorious an- 
 cestors. 
 
 Excited by the discussions and questions of his 
 comrades, he had then hastily turned upon the prin- 
 cipal events in the history of Holland, that he might 
 more strongly show forth during the course of cen- 
 turies the heroic courage of its people. He dwelt 
 particularly on the war against Spain, recounting 
 the alternations of that long and stupendous duel. 
 
BATAVIA. Ill 
 
 the hundreds of engagements that make of this 
 struggle an uninterrupted chain each link of which 
 is a brilliant victory. He vaunted the political 
 •wisdom of "William of Orange, of Prince Maurice, 
 and the unconquerable determination of the Dutch 
 who during half a century sacrificed their lives and 
 their fortunes for the cause of liberty. 
 
 Then turning to another source of the greatness 
 and glory of the Netherlands, he showed how from 
 a few fishermen's boats and some small coasting 
 vessels, which dared attack the powerful Spanish 
 galleons themselves, an imposing fleet had grown up, 
 and said that the Dutch flag floated at that moment 
 on every sea in the world, and was saluted by the 
 greatest nations with respect, if not with fear and 
 envy. He described several naval battles, among 
 others that of the Admiral Wolfart Herman, who 
 in 1601 with only five vessels dared open fire in the 
 port of Bantam against twenty-two galleys and eight 
 Portuguese galleons, sinking many of them. He 
 related how Admiral Stephen Van der Hagen in 
 1605 wrested the Island of Amboine from the Por- 
 tuguese, seized the fortress they had built, and gave 
 the name of Victoria to that place which had since 
 remained the principal naval station of the Nether- 
 lands in India. 
 
 Already a feeble light announced the breaking of 
 day. "Walter was recounting the great naval battle 
 that had been fought in 160T before Gibraltar, where 
 the heroic but unfortunate Admiral Heemskerk 
 annihilated a fpnnidable Spanish fleet and obtained 
 
112 BATATIA. 
 
 the greatest victory that has ever distinguished the 
 Dutch navy. The sergeant painted in vivid colors 
 and in a voice trembling with emotion the heat of 
 the combat and the valor of Dutch seamen. 
 
 "Cannon," he said, "were dealing -without inter- 
 mission destruction and death on both sides — thou- 
 sands and thousands of fiery mouths roared uninter- 
 ruptedly. The sky was overcharged with fire and 
 smoke ; several ships were burning ; the sea was red 
 with blood ; buUets, grapeshot, balls fell upon the 
 combatants like a rain of death. Nothing was 
 heard but the roaring of cannon, the moans of the 
 wounded, the splintering of the masts that were 
 giving way. The issue is uncertain ; none can 
 foresee to whom God will give the victory. At 
 that moment Heemskerk seems to wish to coerce 
 fortune, and by a desperate effort to decide the 
 bloody combat in favor of Holland. He sees the 
 Spanish admiral sheltered behind three galleons, and 
 resolves at any cost to go towards him and board 
 his ship. Heemskerk encourages his men to follow 
 him in his perilous enterprise ; he promises a hundred 
 rials to him who will haul down the Spanish admi- 
 ral's flag. The latter understands the intention of 
 the Dutch, and to make his escape cuts the cable 
 fastened to the anchor ; but Heemskerk pounces upon 
 him like an eagle, soon reaches him and clings to 
 him closely. A terrible combat ensues. The Span- 
 iards defend themselves bravely; blood flows in 
 torrents between the two ships ; friends and enemies 
 are mingled together, fight hand to hand and yell 
 
BATAVIA. 113 
 
 with rage while pressing close to one another. In 
 a short while the Dutch have reached the deck of 
 the Spanish ship, and soine one has pulled down 
 the admiral's flag belonging to the enemy. Heems- 
 kerk stands near the mainmast of his ship and gives 
 his orders with perfect coolness, though the balls 
 and shot are whistling aronnd his head. He sees 
 the Spanish flag lowered, and salutes with a cry of 
 joy this presage of a glorious victory. But at the 
 same instant a bullet flies towards and strikes our 
 brave admiral ; Heemskerk falls, bathed in his blood. 
 His wound is mortal, for his leg has been wrenched 
 from the socket. Another would have asked for 
 succor, would have had his woimd dressed, and 
 gathered up all his vital energy for the only hope 
 left him of being saved. Heemskerk feels death 
 approaching ; he knows but a moment is left him. 
 "With a courage so resolute and determined that all 
 who surround him are astonished, he speaks yet a 
 few more words to his men, begging that they will 
 hold firm. He appoints Captain Peter Yerhoef the 
 commander of the ship, and to those around who 
 weep he says, while closing his eyes forever, ' Weep 
 not for me, comrades ; my fate is a happy one. I 
 have given my life for Holland. I commit my 
 soul to God !' His head then fell forward on his 
 breast. The great Dutch captain was dead, and 
 bullets and balls still beat the air above his corpse. 
 This is the way, comrades, that a true son of the 
 Netherlands dies." 
 Walter was here interrupted by the arrival of a 
 
114 BATAVIA. 
 
 corporal from tlie ramparts, who said to the lieu- 
 tenant, 
 
 " Lieutenant, the sentinels are certain they see in 
 the distance a large number of Javanese. I notice, 
 too, in the twilight an appearance that seems to in- 
 dicate a great mass of men, but cannot see distinctly 
 what it is. Day is breaking, and we will soon know 
 what mean the strange rumors of the night. Come 
 and take a look from the top of the ramparts. Lieu- 
 tenant." 
 
 The officer accompanied the corporal, and was 
 followed to the intrenchment by most of the men. 
 All looked in the direction of Jacatra, and used their 
 best efforts to discover the meaning of the sombre 
 gray cloud that seemed under the darkness of night 
 to be moving and undulating on the surface of the 
 earth. 
 
 Soon, however, the morning light increased, and 
 they could distinguish the force of the enemy 
 camped in the distance in several detachments be- 
 tween the town of Jacatra and the Dutch factory. 
 
 "Walter rubbed his hands joyfully and exclaimed, 
 
 " Comrades, the matter will be serious ! "We have 
 the opportunity of showing that the pure blood of 
 the Netherlands courses in our veins. Would that 
 we were already fighting the yellow men ! my heart 
 bums with the desire of engaging in battle." 
 
 " Walter, Walter," cried the ensign with enthu- 
 siasm, " we wiU fight like lions for the glory of 
 Holland. Let the battle begin, and I shall carry 
 my colors so far within the enemy's lines that we 
 
BATAVIA. 115 
 
 will all be forced to accomplisli wonderful feats of 
 valor." 
 
 " But what are the Javanese doing to the left of 
 their troops ?" said the lieutenant. " It looks as if a 
 great number of them were harnessed to a car, draw- 
 ing a heavy load. I see in the partial daylight an 
 object sparkling that resembles a piece of artillery 
 constructed of metal." 
 
 " It is so truly, Lieutenant," said the nearest sen- 
 tinel. " My eyes are perhaps better accustomed to 
 the partial light than yours. I see over there, 
 straight before you, in the direction of Jacatra, a 
 bastion, and again on the other wing of the enemy's 
 camp another one." 
 
 " Yes, indeed !" replied the lieutenant ; " I think 
 I perceive them too. There is the explanation of 
 the muffled sound we heard all night. The Javan- 
 ese have been bringing earth and raising intrench- 
 ments. They intend to salute us also with bul- 
 lets. Yes, yes ; the matter is more serious than we 
 thought." 
 
 " See, see, a Dutchman on the Javanese bastion," 
 said the sentiael. " He wears a long coat, and a hat 
 adorned with feathers and ribbons." 
 
 "What is it? a Dutchman on the enemy's in- 
 trenchments?" said the lieutenant, laughing. "E"o, 
 no, that is the Englishman, my boy ; the English- 
 man who is at peace with us, and who here gives 
 the Javanese powder and cannon and teaches them 
 how to fight us. But let one of them faU into my 
 hands and we will see !" 
 
116 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Let us put a good face on it, comrades," ex- 
 claimed the ensign. " Tlie Governor is mounting 
 the ramparts accompanied by the captains." 
 
 Governor Koen, followed by Captains Yan den 
 Broeck, Dircksz, and Yan Ray, appeared some mo- 
 ments after, and for a long time observed the en- 
 emy's troops, vfhose innumerable ranks were drawn 
 up in the distance. He noticed the bastions also, 
 and could perceive, too, the cannon that they had 
 just placed there, 
 
 Walter and his companions had fixed their eyes 
 on the Governor, who was at that moment speaking 
 with the captains ; the soldiers endeavored to make 
 out what he said by his gestures and the movement 
 of his lips. 
 
 It was evident the Governor was taking council 
 with the captains as to what was to be done under 
 the circumstances. Should they await the enemy's 
 advance within the factory, or attack them on the 
 outside, spike their cannon, and destroy their in- 
 trenchments ? 
 
 " Hurrah for our brave captain !" said "Walter in 
 a voice that was half constrained. " He says we 
 should attack the enemy. Oh ! I trust his advice 
 will carry the day." 
 
 " How can you tell what our captain is saying ?" 
 remarked the lieutenant, smiling; "he is at least 
 fifty feet off." 
 
 <' Eut see how he thrusts his pike into the ground 
 and shakes his fist at the enemy," replied the ser- 
 geant. "The fire of heroism lights up his eye. 
 
BATATIA. 117 
 
 Ah! the Governor makes an affirmative sign; he 
 seems to be on the side of the captain." 
 
 A cannon-shot resounded over the plain, and the 
 ball whistled past the Governor's head; who did 
 not notice it and continued his conference with 
 the captains a few moments longer, until they 
 seemed to have come to some determination. 
 
 " Here are our officers from the ramparts," said 
 Walter. " The thing is going to begin." 
 
 And warmly shaking hands one by one with 
 many of the soldiers, he said, 
 
 " Comrades, let the sentiment of duty make your 
 hearts beat and swell your breasts, and emulate the 
 heroism of your ancestors. Our blood is about to 
 flow for the glory of Holland. I can count upon 
 you, is it not so ? You will follow me and second 
 me in doing what will cover our flag with glory ? 
 You will conquer or die with your officers and me, 
 Walter, your sergeant and your friend ?" 
 
 The soldiers, deeply touched, promised with tears 
 in their eyes to follow their chiefs intrepidly. They 
 swore more especially never to desert their sergeant, 
 even if they had to perish with him in the midst of 
 their enemies. Captain Van Ray's company should 
 be mentioned that day, and the newly-arrived re- 
 cruits would let the old soldiers see they too had 
 hearts within their bosoms. 
 
 They had already passed resolutions among them- 
 selves to show great bravery, but as yet no orders 
 had reached them. From time to time a bullet 
 would fly over their heads, and though they jested 
 
118 BATAVIA. 
 
 at the bad shots of the Javanese, yet were becoming 
 discouraged, and thought themselves deceived in 
 hoping for an immediate engagement. They soon 
 saw a body of armed seamen climb the ram- 
 parts. A part of them came to man the bastion, 
 and their chief told the lieutenant he had been 
 relieved and was obliged to go with his soldiers to 
 the factory square. At this moment the drums 
 beat to arms. 
 
 When the lieutenant reached the square with 
 his men the two other companies were already 
 drawn in line. He placed his men in the position 
 reserved for them on the left wing. The captains 
 were assembled in the front of the line of battle 
 and seemed attentively listening to what the Gov- 
 ernor said. He was probably giving them orders 
 and showing them in detail how he comprehended 
 the projected attack, and how he wished it to be 
 executed. 
 
 The forces ready to march who were collected 
 there amounted to about three hundred men. They 
 were divided into three companies, each company 
 containing about fifty musketeers and fifty pikemen. 
 The first were armed with muskets or arquebuses, 
 which they held in their hands in a straight line 
 from their feet ; in the left hand they held the fork 
 upon which they rested the musket when about to 
 fire. Between their fingers shone their matches 
 lighted at both ends, for at this time the fiint-lock 
 was not known. Each musketeer carried a cross- 
 
BATAVIA. 119 
 
 belt to wliich was suspended upon the breast by 
 small cords a dozen measures made of leather, and 
 filled in advance with powder. To this belt was 
 again suspended, on the right side, a leather poctet 
 full of bullets, and behind a good number of 
 matches wound off into two balls. The only of- 
 fensive weapon carried by the pikemen was a pike 
 nearly ten feet long and surmounted by an iron 
 point. They wore a helmet of iron, a breastplate, 
 gorget, and immense thigh-armor, and were, so to 
 speak, almost entirely covered with iron ; yet as 
 their arms and legs were not so heavily protected, 
 this armor did not hamper their movements. 
 
 The captains carried a pike like those of the pike- 
 men ; the lieutenants were known by a lance called 
 a partisan, bent at each end and double-edged. The 
 sergeants were distinguishable by their halberds, 
 with a staff made of the wood of the ash five feet 
 long, provided with a large lance-head to pierce, 
 and a hatchet to strike. This weapon in the haiids 
 of a brave and experienced soldier might become 
 terrible when, during the combat, they should fight 
 hand to hand and man to man. 
 
 In advance of every company there was an officer 
 bearing the flag, who because of the duty was called 
 a color-bearer.* 
 
 * All these details as to the arming and organization of com- 
 panres at this period are exact in every particular. Tlie work 
 entitled "Expose des Exercices et Manoeuvres de Guerre," 
 etc., par Jeau Boxel, La Haye, 1675, may be consulted. 
 
120 BATAVIA. 
 
 After receiving the orders and instructions of the 
 Governor for some further time, the captains joined 
 their companies. 
 
 Peter Yan Eay called up to him outside the line 
 of battle the lieutenant, the ensign, the two ser- 
 geants and three corporals, and said to them : 
 
 " We are about to encounter the enemy ; it would 
 be superfluous to ask that you should conduct your- 
 selves like brave men. We made each other's ac- 
 quaintance on shipboard. The mission with which 
 we have been entrusted by the Governor is that 
 the three companies separately are to attack the 
 Javanese. What the other two are doing is none 
 of our business. As to ourselves, we are to take the 
 bastion raised to the right of the factory, spike the 
 cannon, and if possible destroy the enemy's works 
 at that point. Kemember, too, that an excess of 
 ardor during the combat may be fatal to us. Our 
 adversaries are to be counted by thousands : we are 
 but three hundred. If we penetrate their ranks im- 
 prudently, we must perforce be overcome, even were 
 each of us to destroy twenty of the enemy. It costs 
 me a great effort to talk to you in this way ; I too 
 should like to throw myself resolutely with you 
 into the midst of these half -naked Indians, but the 
 Governor does not wish it, and he is right. Tell 
 your men, then, to pay the greatest attention to the 
 smallest order from their leaders, and moreover 
 that they must beat a retreat and retire slowly from 
 the combat as soon as they hear from the walls of 
 the factory a single shot fired. This will be the 
 
BATAVIA. 121 
 
 signal for a general retreat ; whoever disobeys will 
 be driven from the company, and sent to Holland 
 by the first ship as guilty of insubordination. These 
 are the Governor's express orders. He will himself 
 stand upon the ramparts and see which of the com- 
 panies behaves the best. Go, and let each man do 
 his duty !" 
 
 At this moment a soldier approached the captain 
 and gave him a hammer and some long nails. Walter 
 was called back, and the captain said to him, while 
 placing in his hand the hammer and nails : 
 
 " Sergeant, I depend upon you for carrying out 
 the most important part of the task we are to ac- 
 complish. Tou will remain with the pikemen, and 
 when I give you the order you will take the bastion 
 by assault, and will spike the enemy's guns. Ar- 
 range matters so that there shall be no failure. And 
 now hasten to join your men. The drum beats ; 
 We go." 
 
 Captaiu Yan den Broeck's company was the first 
 to move, that of Dircksz followed, then that of 
 Peter Yan Eay took up the march in its turn. 
 The small army crossed the square slowly to the 
 beat of the drum. 
 
 "Walter was to pass with his company before the 
 house where Adelaide lived ; his heart beat tumul- 
 tuously in his breast as he neared the house. "Was 
 he not going to engage in a combat that might be 
 terrible and murderous? Suppose he was killed! 
 He would see her no more on earth. This thought 
 made him shudder, and it was with deep emotion 
 
122 BATAVIA. 
 
 that in passing by he cast his eyes on Van den 
 Broeck's house. 
 
 He saw the window open, and Adelaide seated 
 beside it. She gave him a smile of inexpressible 
 sweetness, a smile in which pity, hope, love, min- 
 gled in confusion ; then joining her hands and rais- 
 ing her eyes to heaven, she seemed to wish Walter 
 to understand that during the battle she would pray 
 to God for him. 
 
 The young man's emotion increased ; he cast down 
 his eyes and passed out of sight in a revery. But he 
 soon lifted up his head ; a smile illumined his face, 
 and courage sparkled in his looks. Adelaide ac- 
 companied him in thought, and while he was 
 about to risk his life to render himself worthy of 
 her, she would pray for him, mingling his name 
 with that of her father. She would pray for him. 
 This thought alone filled him with an ardent desire 
 to engage m combat, and his heart swelled with im- 
 patience. 
 
 When the companies had gone forth from the 
 factory they scattered themselves at a great distance 
 one from the other ; Dircksz was to assail the left 
 bastion, Yan den Broeck to attack the Javanese 
 centre, and Yan Kay to attempt to carry the bastion 
 on the right. 
 
 The order to march was given, and the compa- 
 nies advanced slowly towards the plain. 
 
 When within reach of the enemy the musket- 
 eers commenced firing, and each time one rank 
 had discharged its arms the one behind advanced 
 
BATAVIA. 123 
 
 a few steps to fire in its turn. They approaclied 
 the enemy in this manner slowly, but without 
 stopping. 
 
 Most of the balls reached their mart, because the 
 arras that sent them rested on forks, and this firm 
 support gave great precision to the firing. More- 
 over the Javanese were crowded in their ranks, and 
 though still at a great distance, the balls did not the 
 less easily strike their almost naked bodies. 
 
 "When the enemy perceived that the Dutch were 
 directing their attention to the bastion, a consider- 
 able number of archers came to the front and sent 
 a cloud of arrows into the midst of the assailants, 
 who, thinking the arrows might be poisoned, seemed 
 to hesitate in exposing themselves to this terrible 
 danger, and besought their captain to give them 
 the order to march more rapidly upon the enemy. 
 
 YauEay brought forward the pikemen, and divid- 
 ing them into two detachments, placed one under 
 the charge of the lieutenant, and the other was to 
 receive its orders from Sergeant Walter. Then he 
 told them in concise and rapid words how they 
 should mount to the assault of the bastion on two 
 sides at once. As for himself, he would undertake 
 to advance upon the enemy with his musketeers 
 during this time, and engage their attention. 
 
 To the command " Forward !" the two drums beat 
 the charge, and the musketeers, divided into two 
 companies, precipitated themselves with intrepid 
 courage upon the Javanese archers. 
 
 The pike in the hands of the Dutch was a weapon 
 
124 BATAVIA. 
 
 essentially formidable, for its length was so great 
 that the Indians found they were struck without 
 being able to use their swords or poniards. But a 
 few moments had passed, when already a large 
 number were weltering in their blood. 
 
 "Walter performed marvels with his halberd ; he 
 thrust, hacked, and pierced in every direction. His 
 weapon flashed like lightning in his hands, and if 
 he had not remembered the captain's orders he 
 would unaccompanied have penetrated the ranks of 
 the Javanese to the foot of the bastion. 
 
 However great was the slaughter effected among 
 the Javanese by Walter and his pikemen, the enemy 
 was reinforced by new men to supply the places of 
 those that had fallen ; and such were the yells and. 
 cries all along the line of battle belonging to the 
 Javanese that it resolved itself into one tremendous 
 reverberation that even drowned the roar of the can- 
 non. 
 
 At last the pilcemen, who had not been without 
 loss on their side, found they had struck down so 
 many of their adversaries that their heaped bodies 
 formed a sort of embankment, which was a ram- 
 part for the Dutch against the enemy. Just at 
 this time the Javanese seemed panic-stricken and 
 wavering from the overwhelming havoc of the 
 pikemen. 
 
 " Come on, comrades !" exclaimed Walter, sud- 
 denly ; " one more effort ! Forward ! forward ! 
 The bastion is ours !" 
 
 Stimulated by his voice and encouraged by his 
 
BATAVIA. 125 
 
 example, the pikemen trampled upon all those that 
 were in their way, and, following their brave ser 
 geant, soon reached the summit of the enemy's in- 
 trenchments. Struck 'with surprise by this daring 
 onslaught, and severely repulsed by the Dutch 
 pikes, the Javanese took to their heels and ran 
 down on the other side of the bastion, helter-skelter. 
 "Walter had in a moment spiked the four cannon 
 that were there, then placing his hat on the end of 
 his halberd, waved it in the air, sending over the 
 plain a cry of triumph : 
 
 " Hurrah ! hurrah !" 
 
 But all at once he perceived at the foot of the 
 bastion the lieutenant with his detachment, and the 
 captain himself with the musketeers, surrounded 
 by a thousand of the Javanese, struggling desper- 
 ately against these overwhelming numbers. A cry 
 of rage escaped him when he saw his friend the 
 ensign lying prostrate on the ground and a Javan- 
 ese chief possess himself under his very eyes of the 
 company's flag. 
 
 " Hasten, comrades ! Give help over there !" he 
 exclaimed. " The enemy has taken our flag !" 
 
 When the musketeers, who were unexpectedly 
 attacked at that point, could no longer use their 
 arquebuses, they had but small means of defence. 
 Though they fought with the butt-end of their 
 muskets, and cracked the skulls of a large number 
 of their opponents, yet many among them were 
 wounded, and others found death in this unequal 
 combat. Doubtless all would have succumbed had 
 
126 BATAVIA. 
 
 not Walter, at the head of his victorious pikemen, 
 hastened to their relief from the summit of the 
 bastion. 
 
 The sergeant with his men came suddenly upon 
 the Javanese from behind, and felled numbers of 
 them to the earth before they had time to turn 
 about and defend themselves. Transported with 
 rage, he penetrated the enemy's lines, and even 
 reached his captain. This diversion extricated at 
 the same time the lieutenant, who was enabled to 
 join the other men of the company. 
 
 Strengthened by the meeting, they cut and 
 thrust at the Javanese with renewed vigor, until 
 there was a circle around them entirely free from 
 their enemies. 
 
 Walter then saw a few steps off the Dutch flag 
 floating over the ranks of his adversaries. 
 
 " Captain," he exclaimed, " may I venture a des- 
 perate move ? Our flag is captured. Let me re- 
 cover it, I beseech you !" 
 
 An aflarmative gesture on the captain's part suf- 
 ficed him. 
 
 " Follow me, pikemen, follow me !" he cried. 
 " Our flag or death !" 
 
 And precipitating himself in the midst of the 
 Javanese with his faithful companions, like the 
 heavy carcass of a vessel of war which, beaten 
 about by the storm, ploughs the ocean's mighty 
 billows, he carried everything before him that 
 stopped his course. With his hatchet he clove the 
 head of a Javanese chief who attempted to escape 
 
BATAVIA. 127 
 
 with the flag, and brought back to his captain the 
 glorious trophy. 
 
 At that moment a cannon-shot resounded across 
 the plain. The signal came from the factory : it 
 was to beat a retreat. Still fighting, and followed 
 closely by the Javanese, the Dutch fell back 
 slowly, until they were under cover of the artillery 
 of the fortress, which having discharged in the 
 midst of the Javanese a volley of grapeshot which 
 fearfully decimated their ranks, the enemy gave up 
 the pursuit and fell back to resume their first posi- 
 tion at the top of the bastions. 
 
 The Congo was, at the factory door; he had 
 climbed up a small hillock and watched the return 
 of the soldiers as if seeking to recognize one among 
 them. "Walter perceived the black slave from afar, 
 and waved his hand to him. Congo gave a cry of 
 joy ; he cut wild capers on the top of the hillock, 
 raising his hands to heaven and making joyful ex- 
 clamations, and at once ran to the door and disap- 
 peared like an arrow in the interior of the factory. 
 
 It was evident to "Walter that the negro had been 
 sent there by Adelaide that he might take her news 
 of his safety. Though worn out with the fatigue of 
 the engagement, and still tremulous from the ner- 
 vous excitement the encounter had caused, the ser- 
 geant forgot all that had happened, and with his 
 head bent down thought of her whose sweet sym- 
 pathy had followed him amid the dangers and hor- 
 rors of the conflict. 
 
 "When Captain Van Eay with his brave soldiers 
 
128 BATAVIA. 
 
 reached the interior square of the factory, Yan den 
 Broeck and Direksz's companies were already in 
 battle array to be reviewed by the Governor. Dur- 
 ing the combat they had carried off the wounded 
 from the battle-field as well as they could. The 
 number was somewhat large, and they were ex- 
 tended on mats under cocoanut-trees, where sur- 
 geons were engaged in dressing their wounds. 
 
 Van den Broeck had done no less damage than 
 Van Kay in the centre of the Javanese forces. As 
 to Dircksz, he had not been able to seize the left 
 bastion, but his men had trampled under foot hun- 
 dreds of the enemy, and it was evident what carnage 
 had been effected from their garments being more 
 stained with blood than those of their comrades. 
 Peter Dircksz had been wounded in the head, and 
 though it had not yet been dressed, the imperturba- 
 ble captain was walking in front of his men, and 
 said to the lieutenant who advised him to seek the 
 surgeon, " Nonsense ! nonsense ! it is nothing ; a 
 shred of flesh with a few hairs hanging from my 
 forehead ; the surgeon will soon replace all that." 
 
 The captains were called to the front of battle by 
 the Governor, who asked for a return of their losses. 
 This resulted in the statement that they had left no 
 fewer than fifty dead upon the field, which had to 
 be considered a great loss for a body that only num- 
 bered three hundred men all told. In consequence 
 a look of pain and anxiety overspread the Gov- 
 ernor's face, and he shook his head reflectively, 
 saying, 
 
BATAVIA. 129 
 
 " Gentlemen, I gave the signal of retreat, for I 
 was convinced that our brave companies, spite of 
 their intrepid courage, ran the risk of being an- 
 nihilated by an enemy so superior in numbers. "We 
 must change our plans. We can most assuredly 
 claim a victory in what has already been done, for 
 we have disabled more of the enemy than we had 
 men ; but two or three such victories would even- 
 tually be our ruin. The Javanese can be reinforced 
 continually : we could not replace one disabled sol- 
 dier. To-morrow we must see that some of our 
 vessels approach the coast sufficiently near that 
 their broadsides may reach the enemy's camp and 
 intrenchments. Meanwhile we will remain behind 
 our walls and content ourselves with the defence 
 of the fortress. Now give me an account of your 
 respective operations, and call by name those of 
 your men who have been most particularly distin- 
 guished for their bravery." 
 
 Van den Broeck and Dircksz proceeded at once 
 to give the Governor some of their men's names, 
 who were to receive as a recompense for their good 
 conduct some months' pay ; four or five among them 
 were promoted to the rank of corporal or sergeant 
 in the places of their dead comrades. 
 
 When Captain Yan Eay's turn came round and 
 he narrated Walter's exploits, how alone with a 
 handful of men he had taken the bastion, and had 
 extricated the musketeers hemmed in by the Javan- 
 ese, and had recovered the flag by penetrating the 
 ranks of his enemies, the Governor appeared to 
 
130 BATAVIA. 
 
 Ksten with great pleasure, and by expressive ges- 
 tures testified Ms approbation and even his admira- 
 tion. He made a sign with his finger to some one 
 standing a few steps behind him, and gave him an 
 order in a low tone. This person, who was prob- 
 ably a clerk or a merchant, left at once, going in 
 the direction of the warehouses. 
 
 The Governor, turning once more towards the 
 captains, conversed stUl further upon the actual 
 situation, and pointed out to them the measures 
 they were to take to tend the sick and wounded 
 and give a little rest to the available men, yet using 
 all care against surprise. The seamen were to keep 
 watch on the ramparts until evening ; half of the 
 musketeers were then to take up the night-watch. 
 Until then the muskets should be stacked, the 
 lighted matches beside them, and the tired soldiers 
 would be permitted to take some hours' rest. 
 
 The man whom the Governor had sent to the 
 warehouses was now seen in the distance, returning. 
 He held a sword, and on his arm was a silk scarf, 
 and a gray felt hat with a waving plume was in his 
 hand. 
 
 "Captain Yan Eay, command your sergeant 
 Walter Peterson to come forward," said the Gov- 
 ernor. 
 
 Van Eay took a few steps, and called the desig- 
 nated sergeant by name. Walter, led by his cap- 
 tain, came before the Governor, who said to him : 
 
 " Sergeant, you have conducted youjself with 
 honor and have shown such intrepidity that I es- 
 
BATATIA. 131 
 
 teem it my duty to recompense you in behalf of our 
 country. May the flag which you took back from 
 the midst of your enemies be confided to your care 
 in the future ! "Walter Peterson, I name you stan 
 dard-bearer, to fill the place of him who to-day so 
 generously gave up his life on the field of battle 
 for the glory of Holland. Lay down your halberd, 
 gird on this sword, tie this scarf to your shoulder, 
 and be a worthy and chivalrous soldier." 
 
 The men of Walter's company, seeing the Gov- 
 ernor himself investing him with the scarf and 
 placing the plumed hat upon his head, gave way to 
 noisy acclamations, as if the honor had been done 
 to themselves, and saluted their new ensign by a 
 triple hurrah. 
 
 Walter's head had fallen on his breast ; he trem- 
 bled with emotion in thinking of the happiness thai 
 had come to him. He gave himself up to the joy- 
 ous thought of being able to show Adelaide the 
 sword he had won, which was a forerunner of the 
 greater successes he hoped to conquer in the future. 
 
 When going towards home, the Governor said to 
 Walter, 
 
 " Accompany me, ensign. Last night you handed 
 me a letter which was sent me by the directors of 
 the Company. I must speak with you for a moment 
 about its contents." 
 
 The new ensign followed the Governor. Some 
 little time after hfi left that gentleman's house think- 
 ing to join his company, but Captain Yan den 
 Broeck, who seemed to be waiting for him on the 
 
132 BATAVIA. 
 
 square, took his hand, and, shaking it warmly, 
 said: 
 
 "I congratulate yon, sir ensign, with all my 
 heart ! I did not put entire confidence in your fine 
 promises, but must confess now that you possess 
 sufficient energy and courage to distinguish yourself 
 gloriously. You cannot think how happy Adelaide 
 is on account of your promotion. Come, let her 
 see your sword and handsome scarf." 
 
 " Pardon me, Captain," stammered Walter with 
 feeling, " I must rejoin my company ; the Governor 
 has confided to me a message for my captain." 
 
 " I will not delay you long ; you are yet but an 
 ensign, Mr. Peterson," replied Van den Broeck, with 
 a smile in which pleasantry and good- will were both 
 expressed. " And furthermore, from what my col- 
 league Peter Van Ray says, you behaved so bravely 
 that I feel towards you now greater esteem as well 
 as sympathy. Come with me to see Adelaide. 
 Make her your bow that she may at least see you, 
 then go and acquit yourself of your mission. Come, 
 sir ensign ; your visit will be well received." 
 
 Van den Broeck entered his house with Walter, 
 and said, opening the door of the drawing-room, 
 where sat his wife and daughter, 
 
 " Ladies, I have the honor to present to you our 
 friend the ensign Walter Peterson." 
 
 " Walter, Walter, you an ensign !" cried Adelaide, 
 holding out her arms as if she wished to fly to the 
 young man's embrace ; but she threw herself into 
 those of her mother, exclaiming, 
 
BATAVIA. 133 
 
 " He is an ensign ! Oh, how good and merciful 
 God is !" 
 
 " Come, Adelaide," said the Captain, drawing his 
 daughter by the arm towards him, " offer your hand 
 to the new ensign and congratulate him quickly, 
 for he must return to his post immediately." 
 
 Pale with emotion, the young girl placed her 
 hand in that of Walter. They were both trembling 
 and remained silent, but exchanged with a single 
 look what many words could not have afforded them 
 of hope and happiness. 
 
 " Go now, ensign, where duty calls," said the Cap- 
 tain ; " and if you wish to come after midday and 
 converse more at your ease for a short hour with us, 
 you will be welcome, for I see you wiU end by 
 making me keep my promise." 
 
 " Thank you, thank you all !" stammered Walter ; 
 and beside himself, with tears in his eyes, he left 
 the room and the Captain's house. 
 
134 BATAVIA. 
 
 CHAPTEE Y. 
 
 Five days had elapsed since the first sally of the 
 Dutch was made. As they did not doubt the 
 enemy would assail the fortress, they were on guard 
 night and day to repalse any attack. 
 
 That the assault should be imminent, and might 
 be desperate, did not disquiet them in the least. One 
 of the most extended faces of the fortress was pro- 
 tected by the river Tjiliwoeng, which almost laved 
 the rampart. There was nothing to be feared on 
 that side, and all the available forces could be used 
 to defend that looking on the town of Jacatra. 
 Furthermore, the soldiers, and more especially the 
 sailors, had turned the time to account in building 
 the intrenchment visibly higher in that direction, 
 and in placing guns there of heavier calibre. 
 
 The Javanese must have lost in the battle a con- 
 siderable number of dead and wounded. Perhaps the 
 slaughter they had suffered in their ranks had broken 
 down their courage ; perhaps, as a Chinese deserter 
 announced to the Governor, they had given up all 
 ulterior intentions until the arrival of new auxil- 
 iary troops and heavier guns promised them by the 
 Enghsh at Bantam. Whether this was true or not, 
 the Javanese remained encamped in the same place. 
 They remained continually under arms in front of 
 
BATAVIA. 135 
 
 their camp, a stone's throw from the cannon at the 
 factory, and appeared to cover the plain reaching to 
 the town of Jacatra. Seen from the summit of the 
 Dutch intrenchments, this cloud of men presented 
 the appearance of an immense ant-hill in motion. 
 
 The Javanese, or rather the English, had placed 
 additional cannon upon the bastion which Walter 
 Peterson had taken for a moment by assault. The 
 enemy seemed to be content to fire bullets continu- 
 ously, which, owing to their imperfect aim, passed 
 over thjB factory. Up to this time but two soldiers 
 had been struck. The Dutch on their side retorted 
 by a discharge of cannon, and without doubt did 
 more damage to the enemy, for their artillery was 
 of a superior calibre, and their guns placed in better 
 position. 
 
 For five days nothing had been heard but the roar 
 of cannon and the whistling of bullets. At first 
 this formidable sound caused some anxiety to the 
 men as well as to the women and children ; but 
 they soon became accustomed to these discharges, 
 and at the time we speak of they did not appear to 
 mind it at all, for the wives and children of soldiers 
 and sailors ran about the square and walked behind 
 the ramparts as if there were no danger. 
 
 Yan den Broeck had invited Walter to dine with 
 him. 
 
 The young ensign, whose face erpressed both 
 happiness and respectful deference, was seated be- 
 tween the Captain and his wife. Adelaide was 
 placed on the other side of the table, beside Peter 
 
136 BATAVIA. 
 
 Dircksz, her father's corpulent friend, whose head 
 was still bandaged. 
 
 , Dinner was not yet served ; the guests while 
 waiting were partaking of a glass of Spanish wine, 
 and talked without reserve on many subjects. The 
 negro, Congo, stood behind them with a white nap- 
 kin over his arm, and was watchful in filling the 
 glasses as soon as they were empty. Yet when 
 "Walter conversed the negro seemed to forget his 
 office and listen with admiration to the ensign's 
 words, and more than once the sharp voice of his 
 master recalled him to himself. 
 
 Adelaide was truly scarcely recognizable : her 
 cheeks were fresh and rosy, a calm but radiant 
 smile hovered about her lips, and, though reserved 
 and modest, her eyes beamed with joy. 
 
 Since Walter by his intrepidity had conquered the 
 admiration of all, and had so gloriously won the 
 sword of an ensign, Yan den Broeck had become 
 both affable and affectionate towards him ; he had 
 openly shown that he did not disapprove of the lik- 
 ing that existed between the two young people. 
 It is true he maintained the position that he had 
 taken in giving his promise, but under existing cir- 
 cumstances, being fully convinced Walter would 
 become a captain, he treated him already in a cer- 
 tain way as his daughter's affianced husband. He 
 had even confided to Dircksz the motive which had 
 brought the young man to India. Then, too, the 
 ensign, spite of the cordiality of his reception, used 
 so much reserve and discretion in his intercourse 
 
B ATA VIA. 137 
 
 with Adelaide, that Van den Broeck was brouglit 
 to esteem and love him greatly when he perceived 
 the delicacy and dignity of his conduct. 
 
 The evident satisfaction of her parents had taken 
 from Adelaide the fear that her affection for Walter 
 might displease them. A feeling of happiness and 
 gratitude usurped the place in her heart of timidity 
 and constraint. Her voice, when she took part in 
 the conversation, was frank, easy, and vivacious, 
 which lent it a great charm. 
 
 Her mother talked httle, and seemed suspended 
 between anxiety and joy. She was uneasy at the 
 continual rumbling of the cannon, which made her 
 house shake and reminded her every instant that 
 the situation was one of peril; but she sought 
 for consolation and strength in Adelaide, whose 
 look always expressed interior joy and signs of a 
 speedy restoration to health. She had beheld her 
 child, her well-beloved Adelaide, sinking slowly 
 towards the grave, and her maternal heart deplored 
 in advance the most terrible of sorrows, l^ow 
 vital force asserted itself in her daughter as if 
 by a miracle, and aU told her that God in his 
 mercy had averted death from her house. "While 
 the war that was going on frightened her, since all 
 engaged in it whom she loved were exposed to im- 
 minent danger, she consoled herself with her daugh- 
 ter's great improvement, and controlled or concealed 
 the secret disquietude that agitated her. 
 
 The conversation for some little time had fallen 
 upon the rapid and glorious development of the 
 
138 BATAVIA. 
 
 Netherlands. The young ensign, who knew per 
 fectlj the history of his country, replied to a ques- 
 tion of Adelaide's father : 
 
 "In truth, Captain, there is something almost 
 miraculous in the inexhaustible energy displayed by 
 the Dutch in their struggle with Spain. "Weak be- 
 cause of numbers, on a contracted territory, they yet 
 found in the love of liberty and the tenacity of their 
 Dutch character sufficient resources to defend for a 
 period of forty years the independence they had 
 conquered against the two most powerful kingdoms 
 of the world. "While their troops were fighting 
 the redoubtable armies of the Duke of Alva, of 
 Don John, and the Duke of Parma, or causing 
 them to succumb from fatigue or exhaustion, that 
 small nation sent from all its ports a host of ves- 
 sels in pursuit of the united fleet of Spain and 
 Portugal to break down at sea their dominion, which 
 now extended to the four quarters of the globe. 
 Tes, the Netherlands dared develop the plan of 
 disputing India and her commerce in spices 
 with Spain and Portugal to the strongest in 
 war." 
 
 " "What is more astonishing yet," said Van den 
 Broeck, " is that this bold project was formed by 
 burghers and merchants. The first fleet is said to 
 have consisted of only six ships." 
 
 " If you will permit me, only four, Captain," said 
 "Walter. " It was in the year 1595 nine Dutch mer- 
 chants united together to undertake a voyage to 
 Sumatra and to Java. This partnership succeeded 
 
BATAVIA. 139 
 
 in its first enterprise, and the example instigated 
 others. Finally, all those small commercial associa- 
 tions which were founded under the protection of 
 the United States of the ^Netherlands were merged 
 into one. And this was the beginning of that pow- 
 erful East India Company in which service we now 
 are."* 
 
 " It seems now," said Peter Dircksz, " if I have 
 understood aright the Governor's words, that the 
 intention is to abandon the island of Amboine to 
 establish here at Jacatra the Company's general com 
 mercial station. This does not strilie me as pru- 
 dent." 
 
 " Ton mistake," said Van den Broeck; "that is not 
 the intention of the directors. Amboine will not be 
 given up, but Amboine is too far from the Sunda 
 Islands. It never would have been deemed neces- 
 sary to fortify our factory at Jacatra if the Portu- 
 guese and English did not interfere with our trade 
 in the Sunda Islands, and did not threaten us with 
 hostility spite of the twelve years' truce which con- 
 cluded to-day between those kingdoms and the 
 United States of Holland. I cannot make known 
 to you more explicitly what the Governor confided 
 to me with respect to the views of the directors ; but 
 be assured, if we are enabled to hold this fortress, 
 our country will some day govern the East Indies. 
 Ah! here is dinner. Come to the table, gentle- 
 men, and let us say grace, for I will not conceal 
 
 * Van Meteren, History of the Netherlands, fols. 353 and 465. 
 
140 BATAVIA. 
 
 from you that the Spanisli wine has sharpened my 
 appetite." 
 
 Eosalie, aided by Congo, had placed some dishes 
 on the table and again left the room. 
 
 During the first moments of the dinner there was 
 a long interval of silence, only interrupted occasion- 
 ally by casual remarks. 
 
 Suddenly a violent shock shook the house to its 
 foundation, and a noisy din of broken tiles was 
 heard. It was caused by a bullet which had 
 whizzed past the roof. 
 
 Adelaide's mother and the young sergeant both 
 rose and paled; the others, on the contrary, re- 
 mained seated impassively, and only expressed their 
 impression of what had happened by a mocking 
 smile. 
 
 That Madame Van den Broeck should be agitated 
 by the bewilderiag tumult that had come to sur- 
 prise the guests seemed but natural; but that "Walter, 
 the brave "Walter, should have bounded up trem- 
 bling, no one could understand it. 
 
 "Oh! oh! Mr. Peterson," growled out Dircksz 
 in an unflattering tone, " your nerves are too deli- 
 cate! "Want of experience; this will mend itself 
 with time." 
 
 The ensign had resumed his seat and kept silence. 
 The blush of shame tinged his brow as if he were 
 himself surprised and disconcerted by his action. 
 
 Van den Broeck said, shaking his head with ill- 
 concealed displeasure, 
 
 " You must still keep a watch over yourself, Mr, 
 
BATAVIA. 141 
 
 Peterson. Coolness in a soldier is a quality mncli 
 more desirable than bravery; for if you commanded 
 a company and your men observed any such, agitation 
 as you have just shown, they would become intimi- 
 dated and possibly lose courage. It is attributable 
 to your youth and the want of experience, as Dircksz 
 
 "Walter, perfectly dumbf oundered by this remark, 
 did not at first laiow what answer to make. Only 
 when he noticed that his silence saddened Adelaide 
 he made an effort over himself, and said, in a tone 
 both calm and gentle. 
 
 " Gentlemen, it is difficult for a man in my posi- 
 tion to excuse a like emotion ; but let me justify 
 that of Madame Yan den Broeck in your eyes ; you 
 will then perhaps not deem me blameworthy. I 
 respectfully put the question to Madame Van den 
 Broeck whether it was for herself she trembled? 
 When that sharp report reached her ears she cast 
 her eyes at once upon one dearer to her than life. 
 She shuddered for the danger which menaced one 
 she loved above all others. I will add no more 
 to excuse myself, but trust, gentlemen, your own 
 hearts will interpret for me." 
 
 "Walter had uttered these last words with so much 
 feelingj and his explanation, ppite of its conciseness, 
 was so clear and impressive, that it produced a great 
 effect upon all. 
 
 " Bravo ! that is well said. You are a fine fellow !" 
 exclaimed Dircksz. " I too have a wife and child. 
 "When they were with me I suffered anguish. One 
 
142 BATAVIA. 
 
 is never brave wlieii danger threatens those they 
 love." 
 
 Van den Broeck grasped the ensign's hand. 
 
 "I thank you, Walter," he murmured; " you are 
 a brave and excellent young man." 
 
 Adelaide had bowed her head, trembling with 
 happiness in the presence of an avowal that had 
 Just been made her with so much dignity and de- 
 corum. Her mother shook her head affirmatively, 
 and thanked the ensign by a look of approval. 
 
 " It is strange," said Dircksz, after a moment of 
 silence, " that the Javanese should be so unskilful ; 
 they have already sent us some hundreds of balls, 
 and have scarcely touched the roofs of our factories 
 in more than three or four places." 
 
 " And yet it is not unusual to see both Enghsh 
 and Portuguese mounted on their bastions," ob- 
 served Van den Broeck. 
 
 " They must be merchants," replied Dircksz ; 
 " those people know nothing about the use of can- 
 non. They have only taken their places among the 
 Javanese to incite them against us. If they had no 
 other counsel to give them than to waste their pow- 
 der uselessly, that ant-hill over there and all that 
 noise would soon resolve itself into smoke." 
 
 "Time will not be permitted them to become 
 tired of the game," said Van den Broeck. " I talked 
 with the Governor a considerable time this morn- 
 ing. He had at first given up the idea of taking 
 advantage of our ships being in sight, because the 
 sea was too low and the project could only be real- 
 
BATAVIA. _ 143 
 
 ized by miiiiiiig great risks. Now that the wind 
 has gone down somewhat, launches will be sent 
 along the coast to take soundings. If a good anchor- 
 age is found, the vessels will approach the shore and 
 place themselves in position to give a vigorous can- 
 nonading to the Javanese camp, and as soon as they 
 have done some damage or created confusion we 
 will make another sortie." 
 
 " Good, good !" muttered Direksz ; " this will 
 give me an opportunity to demand an account of 
 my wound. Come, this is good news you give 
 us." 
 
 And turning towards "Walter. 
 
 " As to you, Mr. Peterson, you will no doubt 
 achieve wonders ; is it not so ? I see your eyes be- 
 ginning to sparkle at the very thought of fighting. 
 But what am I saying? An ensign cannot fight, 
 or at least the opportunity is very rare. The flag 
 is an embarrassing weapon ; it cannot even be used 
 in self-defence." 
 
 " I obtained an audience with his Excellency the 
 Governor yesterday, and called his attention to this," 
 said Walter. " He promised me if there was fight- 
 ing to give me the opportunity and the means to 
 obtain rapid promotion. I owe his Excellency 
 thanks for his great kindness to me; he wishes, 
 he says, to aid me in attaining my life's end." 
 
 " Have you spoken of your hopes to him ?" said 
 Van den Broeck, astonished, interrupting the young 
 man. 
 
 " No, Captain," replied the ensign ; " but I have 
 
144 BATAVIA. 
 
 an idea he knows the incentive I had for coining to 
 India. If you did not tell him yourself, Director 
 Huygens probably learned it from my mother and 
 conveyed it to him in a letter." 
 
 " There is no harm in it, at all events. The most 
 important thing is that the Governor should favor 
 your advancement." 
 
 Walter said joyfully, 
 
 "When I was leaving he clapped me on the 
 shoulder and gave me reason to hope that if I 
 again distinguished myself the first vacant lieu- 
 tenancy should be mine. Lieutenant, and then 
 one step more. "Oh! I am protected by an in- 
 visible power. There is some one in heaven watch- 
 ing over me." 
 
 " So," said Peter Dircksz, " the Governor too has 
 given you his sympathy and interest ? I do not 
 know how it is, but you have only been a few 
 days in Java, and already every one loves you. 
 Even my soldiers speak of you with affection and 
 admiration. Do your best. Ensign ; you will suc- 
 ceed." 
 
 " Yes, I will do my best. Captain !" said Walter, 
 enthusiastically. " The love of country, the desire 
 for glory, honor, alone would be a sufficient motive 
 to incite me ; but the recompense awaiting me is a 
 life of happiness and joy. Were death staring me 
 in the face, I would risk it and defy it and scorn it 
 to obtain the laurel branch which is to give me the 
 right to the inestimable treasure that Captain Yan 
 den Broeck has generously promised me. And I 
 
BATAVIA. 145 
 
 will earn it ; if not — But no ; God on high -wiU 
 surely grant my mother's prayers." 
 
 Congo, who with napkin over his arm stood be- 
 hind liis master's chair, forgetful of all, was listen- 
 ing attentively to the young man's last words, and 
 giving expression to his joy by strange contortions. 
 A sharp cry finally escaped him involuntarily. 
 
 ""What is the matter with the idiot?" said Yan 
 den Broeck. " He seems to be in a frenzy to approach 
 you, Mr. Peterson, and follows you afar where- 
 ever you go. As soon as he lays his eyes on you it 
 is useless to expect any good work from him. Pic- 
 ture it to yourself, gentlemen ; this morning when 
 I arose I found him in this room with a shield upon 
 his arm, a huge sword in his hand, cutting and 
 thrusting the air about him as if he were combat- 
 ing an entire corps of the enemy. It is your lan- 
 guage, Ensign, that has inspired my slave with 
 such warlike instincts. If he does not lose his head 
 there will not be much harm done." 
 
 And turning towards the negro, the Captain said, 
 in a tone of authority, 
 
 " Be quiet and make yourself useful as you are 
 required to do." 
 
 The slave clasped his hands and said, 
 
 "My good master, may Congo say a word in 
 your presence?" 
 
 The negro's attitude was so prayerful, and the 
 expression of his face so extraordinary, that Van 
 den Broeck was somewhat curious to know what the 
 slave coTild have to say to him. 
 
146 . BATAVIA. 
 
 " Speak 1" lie said. 
 
 "Master," stammered the negro, "I am a poor 
 slave and liave no country, but was so happy at 
 Amsterdam that I learned to love Holland. I hate 
 the yellow men, for they are the enemies of the 
 Dutch. Let Congo march to the combat with you ; 
 let him risk his life for the honor of Holland. I 
 beg you will not refuse him this favor ; he wiU show 
 that beneath his black skia there beats a generous 
 heart." 
 
 "What nonsense are you talking there?" said 
 Yan den Broeck, laughing. " Did I not say so, Mr. 
 Peterson ? You have awakened heroic courage even 
 in the heart of a negro! Come, Congo, banish 
 such wild thoughts from your mind." 
 
 " Ah ! ah !" said Dircksz, " Congo wishes to be- 
 come a soldier. "Well, the time may come when 
 we will need every man here, both black and white ; 
 who knows? We are not free from trouble yet. 
 But what do I hear ? Is it not the drum beating an 
 alarm ?" 
 
 They listened, and heard in truth the drum sud- 
 denly beat the general ; the same signal resounded 
 aU at once from every angle of the factory, and one 
 or two trumpets mingled their vibrating tones with 
 the beating of the drums. 
 
 All the astonished guests rose suddenly. 
 
 " There are the Javanese coming to attack us !" 
 exclaimed Van den Broeck. 
 
 And after embracing his wife and daughter, he 
 said, in as calm a tone as he could assume, 
 
BATAVIA. 147 
 
 " Remain calm ; the matter is not dangerous. 
 Have pity rather for those stupid Javanese who 
 come uselessly to be killed beneath our intrench- 
 ments. Good-by for the present ! Good-by for the 
 present !" 
 
 Adelaide flew towards "Walter, seized his hand, 
 and murmured, 
 
 " Go, Walter ; your mother in heaven will not be 
 the only one to pray for you. Be courageous ! be 
 courageous !" 
 
 Congo ran towards his master, who was already 
 in the vestibule, and besought him to allow him 
 to take part in the combat; but Van den Broeck 
 repulsed him, ordering that he should stay at home. 
 
 Some of the soldiers were already drawn up in 
 line on the square, which was the rallying-point ; 
 others were seen running in all directions with their 
 arms. 
 
 Every eye was fixed with astonishment and anx- 
 iety upon the Governor, who stamped with impatience 
 a little farther away, and appeared to be ealHng the 
 officers with repeated gestures. 
 
 "When he was surrounded by his captains, he said, 
 in a short, firm voice, 
 
 " We are signalled by our ships the arrival of an 
 English fleet of about eight sails, carrying the battle- 
 flag. "While peace exists we are attacked unawares 
 by a large naval force. This is infamous treachery. 
 I have given orders that all shall be prepared for a 
 determined resistance, and that launches be sent 
 to the shore for men. I intend to take the position 
 
148 BATAVIA. 
 
 myself of admiral of tlie fleet. I need about sixty 
 musketeers to arm our two largest vessels. Captain, 
 let me have thirty men at once under the command 
 of your lieutenant, and you, Captain Van Ray, 
 furnish me with as many, but place them under 
 that of Ensign Peterson. Confide the flag until 
 our return to your oldest sergeant. Captain Yan 
 den Broeck, you will represent me during my 
 absence as commandant of the factory. Be on the 
 alert and do not allow yourself to be surprised. 
 The time has come for us all to show what can be 
 accomplished by the blood of the Netherlands. 
 Now make haste and send those musketeers to the 
 coast, that are to accompany me." 
 
 While giving this last order the Governor had 
 neared the side of the factory ; he walked with rapid 
 step towards the shore, and was almost immediately 
 followed by the sixty musketeers commanded by the 
 lieutenant of Dircksz's company and by Ensign 
 Walter. 
 
 Tan den Broeck undertook on his side the chief 
 command of the garrison and factory. He placed a 
 strong guard at the door, and stationed the rest of 
 the men behind the parapet to make ready to 
 repulse any attack. He himself went with his col- 
 leagues Dircksz and Yan Eay upon the bastion 
 which faced the coast looking upon the sea. 
 
 The Javanese had ceased their cannonading and 
 precipitated themselves in a mass towards the coast. 
 Yan den Broeck also had silenced the guns at the 
 factory, and thus without any intention a momentary 
 
BATAVIA. 149 
 
 lull had been established in the passage at arms of 
 the land-forces. 
 
 On both sides it seemed to be understood that 
 the issue of the war would be decided at sea ; on 
 both sides every eye was fixed on the five Dutch 
 ships that set all sail, cleared their decks, and 
 weighed anchor. 
 
 The launches sent to the coast for the Governor 
 and the musketeers soon reached the ships, and were 
 saluted by a triple hurrah. 
 
 On the horizon, in a misty distance, could be seen 
 the English vessels, which at first had appeared but 
 as little white spots, but which grew larger and 
 larger, and finally approached near enough for the 
 muskets to be seen glistening in the hands of the 
 sailors. 
 
 While this was happening, the Dutch fleet had 
 weighed anchor and sailed in the face of the wind 
 towards the northeast to get away from the numer- 
 ous islands in the bay and go in pursuit of the 
 enemy. 
 
 On the bastion, several captains followed the 
 movements of .the two fleets, with numerous mer- 
 chants and agents of the Company; there were 
 even women and children, that the interrupted firing 
 and curiosity had attracted to watch the combat 
 about to take place on the waves. 
 
 When the first discharge of artillery announced 
 the beginning of the combat, the heart of all the 
 spectators stood still. Yan den Broeck and his col- 
 leagues themselves appeared to suffer from deep 
 
150 BATAVIA. 
 
 anxiety. The Dutch had only five vessels. The 
 enemy's fleet, now approaching, numbered eleven 
 powerful galleons. In this unequal contest the 
 maintenance of the power of the Netherlands in 
 India was about to be decided. A defeat on this 
 day did not only signify the loss of the factory at 
 Jacatra ; it was the ruin of Dutch power in India, 
 the extinction of an inexhaustible source of riches 
 and glory for the budding republic. The very 
 thought of so great a disaster made every Hollander 
 tremble. None of them, though, betrayed their feel- 
 ings in words ; but all eyes followed the combat, 
 and a mournful and solemn silence reigned on the 
 ramparts of the factory. 
 
 In the Javanese camp, on the contrary, joyous 
 acclamations were heard ; thousands of hands holding 
 swords and cries waved in the air, as if to let the 
 Dutch understand that, attacked at sea and menaced 
 on land, no hope was left to them. However 
 intrepid they had shown themselves in their recent 
 sally, the Javanese could not believe that five vessels 
 could hold their own against eleven strong ships 
 well equipped and manned by brave soldiers. 
 
 Yet the two fleets had approached so near to each 
 other that the balls were beginning to tell. The air 
 vibrated, being violently disturbed by the roaring 
 cannon, and clouds of smoke rose up from the sea 
 towards the sky. During a few moments longer 
 the captains contemplated silently with a sense of 
 oppression the combat which was now beginning 
 to be seriously waged. 
 
BATAVIA. 151 
 
 " See, see !" suddenly exclaimed Yan Eay joy- 
 fully ; " the Governor has changed his tactics. I 
 wager he is about to attack the English admiral's 
 ship. Our brave comrades will board it. I would 
 give ten years of my life to be there ! There will 
 be fine slaughter ; I feel a presentiment that it will 
 be sp from the beating of my heart !" 
 
 " I think you are mistaken as to the Governor's 
 designs," remarked Yan den Broeck ; " he is pos- 
 sessed of great coolness, and is not the man to ad- 
 venture rashly against so formidable a foe." 
 
 "There, do you see how directly he is sailing 
 towards the English admiral's ship ? He is nearly, 
 alongside of him, and is endeavoring to give him a 
 broadside in the breast. "Well, what did I tell 
 you?" 
 
 A frightful report resounded on the water, and 
 the admiral's mizzen-mast crashed down upon the 
 deck with its yards and sails. 
 
 Above the roaring of the cannon could be heard 
 the hurrahs of the Dutch at this masterly achieve- 
 ment. 
 
 " Yery well ! very well, my brave boys !" mut- 
 tered Peter Dircksz. " Forward, hatchets and grap- 
 pling-irons ! Aboard !" 
 
 They could readily understand by the movements 
 and manoeuvres rapidly taking place on the Dutch 
 admiral's ship that the crew were preparing to cast 
 the grappling-irons upon the English vessel, and to 
 board it ; but two of the enemy's ships, perceiving the 
 danger that their admiral ran, made great haste to 
 
152 BATAVIA. 
 
 come to his relief, and before the Dutch Governor 
 could carry out his intention they -were near enough 
 to force him to act on the defensive. On their side 
 the Dutch vessels hastily surrounded their admiral 
 to extricate him. The combat, which up to this 
 time had taken place at a distance, was now con- 
 fined to narrower limits, and the repeated discharge 
 of cannon and muskets produced a thick cloud of 
 smoke which covered the two fleets with an impene- 
 trable veil. 
 
 From the top of the bastion they could only dis- 
 tinguish the fawn-colored hght that now and then 
 penetrated the curtain of smoke when the whole 
 range of cannon thundered forth at the same time 
 and mingled in a single flame the fire that burst 
 from twenty mouths of fire. With the roar of 
 cannon and the discharge of musketry was mingled 
 a din of voices, confused cries, the crackling of 
 masts and yards, and in the uncertainty as to what 
 was taking place within that gray cloud the hearts 
 of the spectators beat both with fear and anguish, 
 confidence and hope. 
 
 The struggle was not prolonged with so much 
 violence. At the end of half an hour the cloud 
 extended over the surface of the sea. It soon after 
 dispersed somewhat, and again the ships engaged in 
 combat could be seen. The Dutch fleet appeared 
 through the force of the action to have been carried 
 before the wind, and sought by means of additional 
 sails to go towards the east and keep out of the way 
 of the enemy. 
 
BATAVIA. 153 
 
 At that moment the Captain's attention was at- 
 tracted by a new occurrence. There came from a 
 distance a launch filled with soldiers, who rowed 
 with great energy. In the midst of the English 
 bullets it was speeding toward the shore with won- 
 derful rapidity, and was hotly pursued by two other 
 armed launches. In all probability these would not 
 reach them, but a third launch sent from another 
 ship was about to run across it, bar its way, and 
 place it between two fires. 
 
 " Those are the Dutch that are flying !" exclaimed 
 Van Ray. " "What does this mean ? Can the bat- 
 tle be lost ?" 
 
 " Poor brothers !" said Yan den Broeck, follow- 
 ing the movement of the launches and foreseeing 
 that the Dutch would not escape the danger men- 
 acing them. " One man against three ! And we 
 four here are condemned to the pain of seeing them 
 overcome, to see them massacred under our eyes ! 
 Oh, this is frightful !" 
 
 " Nonsense, nonsense !" said Dirclcsz ; " this is yet 
 to be seen. On a launch one may fight as well as 
 on terra firma; it may become a hand-to-hand fight, 
 and matters end very diiierently. Look, look ! the 
 struggle is beginning ! "Who is that fellow at the 
 prow who is attacking the English so furiously with 
 his halberd ? See ! he has already demolished four 
 on the first seat ! Well, it is very well, my fine 
 fellow." 
 
 " Heavens ! that is Walter Peterson !" exclaimed 
 Van den Broeck. " May God protect him !" 
 
154 BATATIA. 
 
 " Ah, yes, it is in truth the ensign," said Dircksz. 
 " It would be a pity should he fall ; he has the 
 heart of a hero. Look at him ; he fights like a 
 lion !" 
 
 Yan Ray did not articulate anything distinctly, 
 but he stamped with sorrow and rage. His ensign, 
 the valiant Walter, ran the risk of being killed and 
 must infallibly succumb, for the two launches pur- 
 suing him were but a stone' s-throw away. 
 
 "Ah! ah! the English are succeeding! He will 
 get the better of them, he will get the better of 
 them !" 
 
 Walter Peterson and his companions had aimed 
 go well and struck and thrust so bravely among the 
 men of the enemy's launch that these permitted 
 themselves to drift while awaiting the two other 
 boats ; but seeing this, the Dutch had used their 
 oars with such vigor and placed such a distance be- 
 tween them that, in spite of the efforts made by the 
 English, they were soon far beyond reach. 
 
 The Dutch launch touched land somewhere be- 
 tween the factory and the Javanese camp. The 
 crew were about to leap on shore and get under 
 cover of the fortress, but a large number of Javan- 
 ese, running in all haste towards the shore, ob- 
 structed their landing. 
 
 " Comrades," exclaimed Walter, " the enemy is 
 before and behind us ! We have no choice. Let 
 us make a gap in that yellow brood ! Follow me ! 
 Forward ! The ]S"etherlands ! the Netherlands I" 
 
 At this appeal the Dutch, who numbered about 
 
BATATIA. 155 
 
 thirty, fell upon the Javanese. The sight of this 
 little body, much diminished by the recent com- 
 bat, strugghng with the energy of despair against a 
 vastly superior number, was a sight wonderful to 
 behold. Walter felled with his halberd the most 
 redoubtable of his enemies, his companions crush- 
 ing the skulls of the Javanese with the butt-end of 
 their muskets, which they used like clubs. 
 
 l^evertheless the number of Dutch heroes di- 
 minished visibly, and Walter already beheld pros- 
 trated before him five or six of his men. He 
 roared with rage and despair ; he beheld death tri- 
 umphantly awaiting him, and the name of his be- 
 loved fell from his lips in token of a sad farewell. 
 He was about to succumb, and realized it. As if 
 this horrible conviction had increased his strength, 
 he precipitated himself with renewed animosity on 
 the thick of the Javanese, and overcame a dozen 
 adversaries. But the condition of things was not 
 changed. The circle in which he struggled with 
 his men against the enemy's assaults became so 
 much narrower that the courageous ensign felt his 
 last hope of safety vanish. But suddenly, not far 
 from him and behind the Javanese, he heard the 
 battle-cry of the Netherlands, " Holland ! Hurrah !" 
 
 When from the summit of the bastion Captain 
 Van den Broeck saw the Javanese precipitate them- 
 selves towards the sea-shore to assail the launch's 
 crew, he gave the order to fire a volley upon the 
 compact body of the enemy. They hurriedly de- 
 scended from the rampart, gathered in haste about 
 
156 :batavia. 
 
 sixty pikemen, and cleared the door with this body 
 to run to the assistance of the Dutch engaged in the 
 struggle. 
 
 Struck in the rear by the arms of the pikemen, 
 and surprised by a volley from four guns of large 
 calibre, the Javanese took to flight immediately, 
 going beyond the reach of the cannon. Walter was 
 rescued. 
 
 Van den Broeck clasped the gallant ensign to his 
 breast, and testified as much joy in seeing him safe 
 and sound as if Walter had been his own son. 
 Touched by this cordial welcome, the young man 
 did not know how to express his gratitude. Tears 
 filled his eyes, which were lifted to heaven in 
 thanks to God for all his, mercies. 
 
 The Dutch were engaged in removing their dead 
 and wounded from among their enemies' dead 
 bodies. 
 
 " Well, my brave Walter, how have matters gone 
 over there ?" asked the Captain, with evident uneasi- 
 ness. 
 
 While appearing to seek something under his 
 doublet with one hand, and wiping the blood and 
 sweat covering his face with the other, the ensign 
 answered, 
 
 " The thing did not last long, but it was very 
 warm. Blood flowed in torrents on the deck of 
 the admiral's ship. Oh, Captain, I saw death 
 smiling at me as if this time it had won the game 
 against me; but my mother's prayers gained the 
 victory." 
 
BATAVIA. 157 
 
 And drawing from his doublet a sealed letter, he 
 said, 
 
 " Captain, the Governor charged me to give you 
 this. It is doubtless a message of some importance, 
 for Mr. Koen besought me with clasped hands to 
 give it to you, even should one alone survive to do 
 so." 
 
 Yan den Broeck broke the seal and cast his eyes 
 over the contents of the letter. It did not seem 
 long, for soQn after the Captain issued orders to re- 
 turn to the factory. While walldng at the head of 
 his men he looked over the letter several times, 
 and seemed to reflect upon its contents. 
 
 When all the men had re-entered the factory. 
 Van den Broeck made a sign to his colleagues 
 Dircksz and Van Eay, and said to them, 
 
 " Listen ; this is what the Governor writes : 
 
 " ' I cease fighting that I may not uselessly sacrifice 
 so many brave soldiers under the crusliing weight of 
 superior numbers. I shall go in search of the other 
 Dutch ships which may be in the other ports of the 
 Sunda Islands. I confide to you the care and 
 command of the factory. Hold it until there is not 
 one man left. Do not despair. I shall hasten to 
 avenge a base act of treachery. Captain Dircksz's 
 lieutenant has been killed. I name in his place 
 Walter Peterson the ensign. 
 
 " ' Jonir Petee Koen.' " 
 
 The captains remained several moments in con- 
 sultation, after which Van den Broeck summoned 
 
158 BATAVIA. 
 
 the drum-major and ordered him to beat the roll- 
 call. As soon as the men who were not guarding 
 the ramparts were assembled on the square, the 
 commandant placed them in a circle, and, after read- 
 ing the Grovemor's letter, said in a firm, determined 
 voice : 
 
 " Comrades, you hear ; the safety of the factory 
 is confided to our courage and bravery. We have 
 been tried together under fire and steel. I would 
 do you injustice did I dare doubt your inflexible 
 and heroic courage. Our enemies are numerous, 
 and our situation is perhaps dangerous ; but how 
 shall we achieve the glory we seek, if the oppor- 
 tunity for proving the courage of Netherlanders be 
 wanting? Let this thought be yours, that the 
 genius of your country soars over this corner of the 
 world and looks upon you. Confound your ene- 
 mies not only by your intrepidity, for this you 
 have proved, but by a greater virtue, that of 
 patience. Let history some day relate to the honor 
 of the N'etherlands that three hundred of her sons, 
 abandoned on the coast of Java, valiantly and vic- 
 toriously held out against thousands of their ene- 
 mies. Perhaps, even now, the English, Portuguese, 
 and Javanese are rejoicing over our fall, perhaps 
 are dividing among them the riches that the 
 I^etherlands have heaped up here. But, comrades, 
 swear with me, and may the Grod of heaven hear 
 your oath! Swear that they will only put their 
 feet within the factory by passing over our dead 
 bodies. We will hold it, or at least defend it, until 
 
BATAVIA. 159 
 
 there is not one man left. And if treachery carries 
 the victory, there must not remain one JSTetherlander 
 to behold that infamous triumph !" 
 
 The Captain's harangue was received with loud 
 acclamations. All the men lifted up their pikes 
 and muskets and repeated the oath of their leader. 
 Amid these confused outcries there was nothing 
 distinguishable but "Hurrah! Holland!" "To the 
 last man !" " Until death !" 
 
 " I thank you in the name of our beloved country," 
 said Van den Broeck, deeply touched ; " go and unite 
 with this noble courage those equally noble senti- 
 ments of duty and obedience. I bless God for 
 placing me over such brave men ! Go, brothers ; we 
 will perform miracles on this land." 
 
 The men were about leaving, but Captain 
 Direksz signed to his soldiers to remain, then went 
 towards Walter, who was a little distance off beside 
 his flag and was making Congo wipe away the blood 
 that stained his garments. Direksz took the ensign 
 by the hand and led him before the company, and 
 said to his soldiers, 
 
 "Soldiers, your brave lieutenant has fallen in 
 combat, but the Governor has replaced him with a 
 valorous officer. This ensign whom you all know, 
 admire, and love, this ensign is your lieutenant. 
 May he be welcome, to you !" 
 
 " Hurrah ! hurrah for our lieutenant !" cried out 
 the men several times, with every appearance of sin- 
 cere pleasure mingled with respect. 
 
160 BATAVIA. 
 
 "la lieutenant ?" stammered Walter, tremtling 
 with surprise. " All ! this is not possible !" 
 
 Yan den Broeck, who had approached, seized 
 Walter's hand and said to him, 
 
 " I congratulate you, Mr. Peterson ; such astonish- 
 ing promotion is wonderful, but your heroic cour- 
 age is not the less so. Keep on in this manner, 
 Lieutenant, and I will joyfully fulfil my promise." 
 
 And drawing him nearer the centre of the square, 
 he pointed Adelaide out to him standing at the en- 
 trance of the house, with her eyes eagerly fastened 
 on the group of soldiers. 
 
 " She awaits you," he said. " Her heart doubt- 
 less beats anxiously, for she must have heard from 
 Congo you were with the fleet. Go comfort and 
 console her. I have a few more orders to give, then 
 will come and join you ; and we will drink a glass 
 of Spanish wine in honor of your promotion." 
 
 Walter, transported with joy and wild with hope, 
 directed his steps towards Yan den Broeck's house. 
 From afar he saw the young girl hold out her arms 
 to him, and heard her well-beloved voice cry out, 
 
 " My Grod, I give thee thanks ; he still lives !" 
 
BATAVIA. 161 
 
 CHAPTEE YI. 
 
 Immediately after the battie the English fleet 
 had come up and cast anchor among the islands in 
 the bay of Jacatra. Their artillery could not reach 
 the factory, but their very presence took from the 
 Dutch all hope of assistance on the side of the sea, 
 at least, until the Governor returned with the prom- 
 ised help. 
 
 Persfladed that the Javanese, emboldened by the 
 apparent victory of the English, who would here- 
 after second them energetically, must now soon as- 
 sail the factory, "Van den Broeck ordered that the 
 parapet around the wall of enclosure belonging to 
 the fortress' should be made higher by means of valu- 
 ables and merchandise taken from the Company's 
 warehouses. The most precious stuffs — ^flowered 
 garments from Camboja, raw silk from China, fine 
 cotton tissues from Bengal, and even gold and silver 
 cloths from Japan — were piled upon the unfinished 
 walls, where they were fastened by means of sUm 
 stakes which they propped from the inside with 
 heaps of earth. As all had worked night and day 
 with great industry, the ramparts attained in less 
 than two days a height which was inaccessible, 
 and it was perhaps for this reason alone that the 
 Javanese permitted two weeks to slip by without 
 undertaking any steps against the factory. 
 
162 BATAVIA. 
 
 During this time the Dutcli were not idle. To 
 save as much as possible of the Company's mer- 
 chandise, they had continued the work on the ram- 
 parts by carrying earth up there ; and as the work 
 progressed they returned the valuable articles 
 to the warehouses from whence they had been 
 brought. 
 
 The soldiers were animated by a great spirit of 
 unity and with wonderful zeal ; and though in situa- 
 tions as critical as this, discipline and the respect 
 for authority always becomes weakened, up to this 
 time there had been no evidence given of discour- 
 agement or unwillingness. 
 
 It was to Walter Peterson and to his influence 
 without limit over the men that they were indebted 
 for this happy good-will. The young lieutenant 
 was always in the midst of the soldiers, worked with 
 them, talked to them with enthusiasm of honor and 
 their country, reminded them of the ancient glory 
 of the ISTetherlands, and made their hearts beat 
 with pride and heroism. There was, moreover, so 
 much gentleness, affability, and nobleness in his 
 words and his conduct that all the inmates of the 
 factory admired and loved the young man. He was 
 the friend of all, and when there was a question of 
 obtaining from the men something diflScult, whether 
 the giving up their hours of rest or the execution 
 of some painful and long-continued work, one 
 word from the lieutenant was -an order to which 
 they submitted with kindly devotion. 
 
 During the first days following the departure of 
 
BATAVIA. 163 
 
 I 
 
 tie fleet, the Dutch were surprised to find that the 
 Javanese allowed them quietly to continue the 
 works on the fortress. They could not understand 
 that the enemy should not make a single effort to 
 impede their work. Their astonishment was still 
 greater when on the tenth day they saw envoys ap- 
 pearing from the pangerang charged with making 
 peace propositions. "Without placing confidence in 
 the loyalty of the Javanese, the council of war did , 
 not refuse to enter into negotiations: this was a 
 means of gaining time while awaiting the promised 
 succor ; furthermore, they were beginning to fear 
 the scarcity of powder, and to engage in parleying 
 was to save ammunition. 
 
 Already twice that day the embassy had returned 
 from the Javanese camp to the factory, and each 
 time been charged with new conditions, which the 
 Dutch considered impossible to accept: being nothing 
 less than a demand to raze to the ground the in- 
 trenchments and pull down the walls of the fortress. 
 The Pangerang demanded, moreover, a considerable 
 indemnity in money. 
 
 The council of war in its turn had formulated its 
 ultimatum : it agreed to make a gift to the Panger^ 
 ang of six thousand rials ; but the factory was to re^ 
 main as it was until the return of Governor Koen 
 allowed other negotiations to be 'opened and a defi- 
 nite treaty to be concluded. Upon this motion the 
 Javanese embassy had retired, without anything 
 further being heard about the business since then, 
 and it was generally believed that the negotiations 
 
164 BATAVIA. 
 
 which had been entered upon would be without any 
 further results. Neyertheless it was agreed upon 
 between the deputies of the Pangerang and the 
 Dutch commander that the hostilities should not be 
 renewed without previous warning, and as up to 
 this time the Javanese had not fired a gun from the 
 top of their bastions, they might still retain some 
 hopes of peace. 
 
 A letter in the Malay tongue, sent during the 
 night by means of an arrow over the factory walls, 
 gave the Dutch the explanation of the strange atti- 
 tude held by their enemies. According to this 
 writing, the Pangerang of Bantam would have for- 
 bidden the English, under pain of declaring war 
 against them, from fighting the Dutch on the soil 
 of Java. He feared this ambitious people, after 
 vanquishing the Dutch, would occupy and fortify 
 the factory at Jacatra. The war would have had 
 no result for the Javanese but that of a change of 
 enemies. As the English did not wish to see their 
 rich and prosperous counting-house at Bantam de- 
 stroyed, they could not openly take part against the 
 Dutch factory. According to the writer of the warn- 
 ing, their refusal of effective co-operation had irri- 
 tated the Pangerang of Jacatra against the English, 
 and his unexpected desire for peace was because of 
 it. " Though the Javanese were a people both de- 
 ceitful and cunning, the Dutch," continued the let- 
 ter, " might feel assured under these circumstances 
 that the propositions made to them by the Panger- 
 ang were both loyal and sincere." The signature 
 
BATAVIA. 165 
 
 to the letter was " Anachoda Wattyng," a Chinese 
 Jew, whose devotion to the Dutch Yan den Eroeck 
 had known how to appreciate before the war. 
 
 They therefore considered themselves as being in 
 no further danger from the Pangerang ; but as the 
 letter itself might have been a trick, they deter- 
 mined to await quietly the course of events, and to 
 continue the work on the fortifications of the fac- 
 tory. That the zeal of the garrison might be ex- 
 cited and to recompense their good-will, Yan den 
 Broeck had promised that on the day when the for- 
 tifications should be concluded he would cause to 
 be distributed to each soldier and each servant of 
 the Company a good measure of Spanish wine, and 
 that they would celebrate with a fete the conclusion 
 of the great work. The council of war had agreed 
 that on this occasion they should give a name to the 
 factory, or rather to the fortress, but would keep it 
 a secret from the garrison, so that when it was pro- 
 claimed on the day of the fete it would impress 
 them the more. 
 
 On the thirteenth day after the departure, of the 
 fleet, the last angle of the parapet was nearly fin- 
 ished, and all seemed to promise that in a short 
 time, an hour perhaps, the promised fete might 
 begin. There were numbers of soldiers on the 
 square who, while shouting and singing, fastened 
 to long bamboo rods flags of all colors. These were 
 red, blue, yellow, green, and even party-colored. 
 "White alone had been excluded. They did not 
 wish to let the enemy imagine they desired peace. 
 
166 BATAVIA. 
 
 A little farther off other men were surrounding a 
 young tree, quite green — a May-pole, ornamented 
 with little pendants, wreaths and roses made of 
 gilded paper. They kept on hanging to the tree 
 glistening strings of glass pearls, to embellish and 
 adorn it, as was the custom in the mother-country 
 on the occasion of a celebration of any happy event. 
 Four sergeants had brought close to the tree an ob- 
 ject covered over with a veil of tri-colored cotton 
 stuff. It was a large board, made of the indestructi- 
 ble wood, the teh, on which had been painted in 
 gigantic letters the new name of the factory, which 
 was to be uncovered with great solemnity during 
 the fete. 
 
 Near one of the two large warehouses about 
 twenty women and as many children were drawn 
 in two lines. They were habited in their best at- 
 tire, and had dressed their hair with the few flow- 
 ers stiU remaining in the factory ; they held in.their 
 hands a branch of moringa, a leaf of the banana or 
 the cocoanut. Every face was brightened by a 
 radiant smile; aU eyes beamed with joy. At 
 some distance from here, before the door of the 
 other warehouse, large tables were placed, which 
 were being covered with bottles of Spanish wine, 
 baskets and stands filled with dried fruits and 
 conserves. 
 
 The men with the flags, those that were around 
 the tree, the women and children, and each one 
 who was at his respective post, awaited every 
 moment the signal that the fete was to begin^- 
 
BATATIA. 167 
 
 a signal that was to be given them from the top of 
 the ramparts. 
 
 There some sixty soldiers and workmen were 
 putting the last touches to the work of defence. 
 Most of them carried earth in baskets or in hand- 
 carts and emptied it on the parapets in the opening 
 still remaining to be filled ; others distributed and 
 spaded it smoothly; others sunk into the ground 
 sticks and stakes to strengthen the work. 
 
 Walter Peterson was in the midst of the soldiers, 
 and encouraged them by word and example. The 
 men did not need this encouragement to continue 
 their work with dispatch. Though the sweat 
 dropped from their faces, they fulfilled their task 
 with earnestness and almost gayly, seasoning work 
 with innumerable jokes upon the appearance of the 
 Javanese camp, on the embassy sent by the Panger- 
 ang, and above all the disappointment that would 
 be experienced by the English. 
 
 Capiam Van den Broeck and his colleagues 
 Dircksz and Yan Eay were upon the rampart, talk- 
 ing in a friendly manner, pleased at observing the 
 zeal of the soldiers ; they too awaited the moment 
 impatiently when the signal was to be given for 
 general rejoicing. 
 
 Finally there was enough earth to fill the last 
 opening in the parapet : a few more touches with 
 the spade, and the factory fortifications would be en- 
 tirely concluded. 
 
 The sergeant overlooking the work then dug his 
 
168 BATAVIA. 
 
 rattan into tLe ground, and, waving his hat above 
 him, cried, " Hurrah ! hurrah ! it is done !" 
 
 All his companions repeated the cry, and made 
 the factory resound with their joyous acclamations. 
 
 Upon a sign from the commandant the drums 
 beat the roll-caU, and the trumpets added their bril- 
 liant notes. All left the ramparts to reach the des- 
 ignated spot on the square. 
 
 While walking along, Yan den Broeck said to 
 Walter Peterson, 
 
 " Lieutenant, go, I pray you, and fetch Adelaide 
 and her mother. I promised you should be their 
 guide during the fete." 
 
 Walter, trembling with joy at receiving this 
 happy mission, walked rapidly in the direction of 
 the Captain's house. 
 
 Eosalie, the servant, was at the door. 
 
 " Walk in, Lieutenant," sh^said to Walter. " You 
 have been long expected. For the last half-hour 
 mademoiselle has not known how to keep still, so 
 impatient is she. She has arrayed herself beau- 
 tifully, you will scarcely recognize her." 
 
 The young man entered the drawing-room, and 
 spite of the servant's hyperbole easily recognized 
 Adelaide. The beauty with which nature had en- 
 dowed the Captain's daughter sufficed to adorn her, 
 though it is but just to say that the richness of her 
 toilet, and above all the exquisite taste which had 
 presided over it, added greatly to the fascination she 
 -exercised. She wore an overdress of green velvet, 
 which fitted her delicate and graceful figure per- 
 
BATAVIA. 169 
 
 fectly. The underskirt was of white satin, with a 
 long train. A head-dress of transparent silk, em- 
 broidered in stitches of gold and silver, surmounted 
 her crown of golden hair like a cloudy veil, reaching 
 the ground. Inward joy and satisfaction beamed 
 in her blue eyes, and it was with a childish cry she 
 welcomed the Lieutenant. 
 
 "Walter! "Walter!' she exclaimed, "is your 
 work done? Are they going to erect the May- 
 pole ? Ah ! this will be a beautiful fete, will it not ?" 
 
 "Yes, our task is 'done, Adelaide," he replied. 
 " Listen to the acclamations ! Your father has sent 
 me for you. I thank him from the bottom of my 
 heart ; he is so good to me." 
 
 ""Who would ever have dared hope it?" said 
 Adelaide. " God in his mercy has visibly and 
 generously given us his grace. Such a little while 
 ago I seemed to see death threatening me ; such a 
 little while when we trembled with fear lest we 
 might fall into the hands of the cruel Javanese. 
 I have recovered. You are already a lieutenant. 
 My father loves you. . The factory is well in- 
 trenched. We may hold this ground for the glory 
 and prosperity of the ITetherlands, and be happy 
 here below, "Walter." 
 
 " Let us make haste, Adelaide," said the lieuten- 
 ant ; " we might else be too late for the return of 
 thanks, and, as you say, God has too visibly pro- 
 tected us not to tmite ourselves with all the fulness 
 of grateful hearts in prayers of thanksgiving and 
 gratitude before indulging in pleasure." 
 
170 BATAVIA. 
 
 They were still awaiting Madame Yan den 
 Broeck, who was putting the finishing touches to 
 her toilet, for she, as well as the rest of the ladies 
 at the factory, had been asked to wear her best 
 attire. 
 
 "Mother, mother," said Adelaide in a hasty 
 voice, " make haste ! "We should not miss pray- 
 ers, and my father would not like us to be late." 
 
 "I only have two more pins to put in their 
 places," replied Madame Yan den Broeck. " Get 
 me my prayer-book, Adelaide, for I do not know 
 by heart the psalm that has been selected." 
 
 " I know it !" exclaimed Adelaide. " I have sung 
 it so often to myself within the last three days that 
 our negro Congo has learned it by ear, and hums 
 that beautiful prayer from morning until night. 
 Come, mother ; there, now you are all adorned and 
 handsome." 
 
 " Give the lieutenant your arm, Adelaide," said 
 Madame Yan den Broeck in joyful tones. " Your 
 father wishes him to be your escort on this beauti- 
 ful occasion." 
 
 The young man, entirely taken aback by this kind 
 invitation, hesitated and stammered forth some unin- 
 telligible excuses ; but Adelaide had already hold 
 of his arm and was dragging him across the vesti- 
 bule. Congo and the servant-girl were there, sup- 
 plied with two large parasols, and ready to foUow 
 their mistresses according to the custom in the In- 
 dies ; Eosalie carried two mats rolled up under her 
 arm. 
 
BATAVIA. 171 
 
 "When the Captain's family appeared on the square, 
 the soldiers, employes, those who had no occnpa- 
 tion, women, children and slaves, were all drawn 
 up in line as if they were going to file ofE in sol^ 
 emn procession. At the head of the troupe stood 
 the drummers and trumpeters ; after them the men 
 carrying the May-pole, and the sergeants in charge 
 of the veiled name of the finished fortress. Then 
 followed soldiers with small flags, and women and 
 children holding green branches in their hands. 
 The rest of the population came after in groups, 
 carrying each one a flag. 
 
 The acclamations were at an end, and were suc- 
 ceeded by profound silence. 
 
 "When "Walter and the two women reached the 
 place for the meeting, the drums gave a muffled 
 roll and all fell upon their knees with solemn 
 and pious recollection. Adelaide and her mother 
 knelt upon the mats brought by Rosalie, which 
 she had hurriedly spread before them. The mar 
 jestic tones of a chant addressed to the Al- 
 mighty from three hundred people rose in pure 
 and simple melody above the kneeling crowd, and 
 like a sublime hymn the following words were 
 wafted to heaven : 
 
 , " 1 have loved because the Lord will hear the 
 voice of my prayer. Because he hath inclined his 
 ear unto me; and in my days I will call upon 
 him. 
 
 " The sorrows of death have compassed me, and 
 in my days I shall call upon him. The sorrows of 
 
172 BATAVIA. 
 
 deatt have compassed me, and the perils of hell 
 have found me. 
 
 "I met with trouble and sorrow and I called 
 upon the name of the Lord. O Lord, deliver my 
 soul. The Lord is merciful and just, and our God 
 showeth mercy. 
 
 " The Lord is the keeper of little ones. I was 
 humbled and he delivered me. Turn, O my soul, 
 into thy rest, for the Lord hath been bountiful to 
 thee. 
 
 " For he hath delivered my soul from death, my 
 eyes from tears, my feet from falling. I will please 
 the Lord in the land of the living." * 
 
 There was something so imposing and soul-stir- 
 ring in the very simplicity of this hymn of thanks- 
 giving addressed to the Lord by the Dutch under 
 the skies of India and within a besieged fortress, 
 that many an old graybeard among the soldiers, 
 even, felt a tear of tenderness steal down his cheek. 
 
 Yet when another roll of the drum announced 
 the conclusion of the hymn, a fete-day smile of 
 pleasure reappeared on every face. The men who 
 headed the cavalcade raised the May-pole on high. 
 The women and children lifted the green branches 
 over their heads, the soldiers waved the banners, 
 and flags, and the drums and trumpets gave the 
 national air of William of N^assau; every one 
 reiterated the hurrahs while clapping hands, and 
 the cortege marched on its way slowly and with 
 
 * Psalm 114. 
 
BATAVIA. 173 
 
 grsat majesty. They walked around tlie square, ap- 
 proacMng the wall of the fortress wall facing the 
 enemy's camp, to erect the May-pole under the very 
 noses of the Javanese that they might show the 
 Dutch had not yet lost their courage or confidence. 
 
 "Walter Peterson had taken with Adelaide and her 
 mother a shorter road towards the point where the 
 May-pole was to be erected ; for the young lieuten- 
 ant had been charged by the' council of war to say 
 something encouraging to the spectators on the oc- 
 casion. When the cortege had reached the top 
 of the ramparts in view of the Javanese camp, 
 banners, and flags were placed higher, and every 
 hand waved its hat with renewed enthusiasm. A 
 tremendous cheer escaped from all, and the cry, 
 " The Netherlands ! the E"etherlands ! Hurrah ! hur- 
 rah !" rolling like thunder in repeated echoes over 
 the plain, resounded as far as the town of Jacatra. 
 
 The Javanese, not knowing what could be taking 
 place in the factory, and astonished at seeing so 
 many flags floating upon the ramparts, hurriedly 
 came out in numbers from their huts and tents, ad- 
 vancing quite into the open country. Full of sur- 
 prise and curiosity, they directed their looks tow- 
 ards the Dutch fortress. 
 
 The May-pole was planted, and saluted with three 
 hurrahs. Then receiving a sign from Captain Van 
 den Broeck, Walter Peterson ascended a small emi- 
 nence which had been constructed on purpose not 
 far from the May-pole, and while all uncovered 
 their heads and remained silent, that they might 
 
174 BATAVIA. 
 
 hear, he said, in a voice tremulous from emo- 
 tion: 
 
 "Companions and friends, the counsel of war 
 has confided to me the honorable mission of address- 
 ing a few words to you, to explain the meaning of 
 the name given by them to the factory, which will 
 soon be shown you. It is the glorious name of a 
 people whose heroic bravery already six centuries 
 ago caused all-powerful Rome to tremble ; the name 
 of an industrious race who, thanks to their perse- 
 verance and peaceful activity, wrested from the 
 very ocean a fruitful soil ; the name of a small 
 nation that for more than forty years has entered 
 the lists against the most powerful kingdoms of the 
 earth, that since then has heaped exploit upon ex- 
 ploit, and astonished the world with its inexhausti- 
 ble energy and unconquerable patience ; the name 
 of a courageous race that in a few years with poor 
 resources has known how to build a redoubtable 
 naval force, and floated its triumphant flag on all 
 the oceans of the world ; the name of a land where 
 are to be found love, liberty, loyalty, piety, and 
 generosity ; a land that cannot count its heroes — he- 
 roes in trade, heroes in work, heroes in art, and 
 heroes in the fight. What name is this, comrades ? 
 You have guessed it already. It is the ancient 
 name of our great and glorious country." 
 
 At this point the sergeants drew off the veil that 
 covered the plank, and raised it above their heads. 
 
 " Batavia ! Batavia !" This cry given by three 
 hundred voices resounded in the air with enthu- 
 
BATAVIA. 175 
 
 siasm, and, many times repeated, awakened all the 
 echoes of the factory. 
 
 Her eyes sparkling with ingenuous admiration, 
 Adelaide kept them fixed on the eloquent oflBcer, 
 and with palpitating heart had, so to speak, seen 
 each word, one by one, drop from his lips. How 
 handsome and touching appeared to her this poetic 
 youth, whose voice at once so sweet and piercing 
 made all those who listened vibrate with sympa- 
 thy ! 
 
 Walter Peterson showed he wished to speak still 
 further, and when silence was re-established he began, 
 in a tone of still greater feeling : 
 
 "Yes, brothers, let this generous land hereafter 
 be known as Batavia. Let it become in the future 
 another country for him who has the blood of the 
 Netherlands within his veins. God himself desires 
 it! God, who has sustained our courage, renewed 
 our patience, and struck our enemies with dismay. 
 There where defeat, slavery, and death seemed to 
 be our portion, the Lord has given us the glory and 
 the triumph. We wiU obey his voice ; shall we 
 not? "We will defend and save Batavia — New Hol- 
 land — even if the carrying ont of this noble and 
 beautiful task shoulfi demand gigantic efforts and 
 rivers of blood ! Yes, we will accomplish it, for 
 this little corner of land from whence our grateful 
 acclamations go up to Heaven is the key to the 
 Sunda Islands, to the sea of the Moluccas, the route 
 to China and Japan. If we are enabled to hold it, 
 some 4ay Holland, queen of the East, will extend 
 
176 BATAVIA. 
 
 her sceptre from here over the richest countries in 
 the universe. If the council has given to this land 
 the name of our beloved ^Netherlands, it is not only 
 that we shall in future love it and defend it like a 
 second country, but also that strangers and enemies 
 when reading this name may remember that behind 
 these walls with the blood of old Batavia will be 
 found their heroic and intrepid courage. A mo- 
 ment more and this name will be placed outside our 
 walls, in sight of the Javanese and seamen of every 
 nation. May it give testimony to our determined 
 resolution never to abandon our adopted country ! 
 May God in his bounty continue to give us his pro- 
 tection! May the flag of Holland always wave 
 above these walls ! May Batavia that we are found- 
 ing to-day become some day a source of riches, of 
 glory and greatness to our dear ^Netherlands ! Hur- 
 rah! Batavia, Batavia!" 
 
 The cry was not taken up immediately as the 
 orator ceased. For some moments after his hearers 
 were still spell-bound by his words. 
 
 But this silence did not last long ; a triumphant 
 sound broke through the air, and " Batavia ! Bata- 
 via !" was loudly vociferated in the direction of the 
 bewildered Javanese. Finally the sign hung by 
 cords to a post was thrown over the walls, and 
 gleamed defiantly in the face of the enemy. 
 
 Then the drums beat for the wine to be distributed. 
 Soldiers, servants, women and children ran down 
 the ramparts with cries of joy towards the ware- 
 house before which the tables had been arranged. 
 
BATAVIA. 177 
 
 Van Kay and Dircksz had come to shake Walter's 
 hand and congratulate him on his address. Van 
 Ray, a warrior both chivalrous and full of sensi- 
 bility, had more especially expressed his admiration 
 in warm words, and vowed to him an eternal friend- 
 ship. 
 
 Adelaide's eyes were full of tears ; with each enco- 
 mium addressed to the young lieutentant, happiness 
 and pride sparkled in the girl's face. She was so 
 proud of her lover that just then, without knowing 
 it, she allowed every one to see into her heart. 
 
 When the captains had left to superintend and 
 assist in distributing the provisions, Adelaide took 
 the young man's hand, and, still trembling with 
 emotion, said to him, 
 
 " Ah, dear Walter, how well you spoke ! There 
 is something so magical in the tones of your voice 
 that it makes the heart beat, filling it with con- 
 fidence and courage. I truly thank God for endow- 
 ing you with so noble and elevated a soul." 
 
 Adelaide's mother in her turn told him how 
 touched she had been by his warm and soul-stirring 
 discourse. While Walter replied in a low tone vrith 
 a few modest words, his heart palpitating with the 
 sweet praises he had received from his best-beloved, 
 he felt some one behind him kiss his hand silently 
 and two burning tears fell upon it. It was the 
 negro, who more than aU others had been affected 
 by Walter's language, and who, kneeling behind 
 him, wept like a child. 
 
 The lieutenant, who was not insensible to the 
 
178 BATAVIA. 
 
 affection the negro felt for him, drew him np, say- 
 ing. 
 
 " Be comforted, Congo. If the Lord continues to 
 protect us, the day of deliverance will come for you 
 too. Your heart is sufBciently noble to beat in a 
 free breast. Keep up your confidence. Some day 
 I hope to be able to take you from the bonds of 
 slavery and give you as a country Holland, that 
 you love so much." 
 
 The negro bounded up, giving a strange cry; 
 more abundant tears fell from his eyes ; he ran to- 
 wards Kosahe, and seizing her arm as if beside 
 himself, exclaimed, 
 
 " Have you heard ? Congo will become a Hol- 
 lander ! Congo will be a free man !" 
 
 " Come, come," grumbled Rosalie, " let me go ; 
 you are mad enough to be tied with cords. You a 
 Hollander! You think perhaps you will be able to 
 rid yourself of your black skin ? Take that parasol 
 and give up your foolish dreams." 
 
 At this moment Captain Yan den Broeck rejoined 
 his family. After saying some congratulatory words 
 to the lieutenant, he took his wife's arm and walked 
 a few steps on the ramparts, no doubt to point out 
 the enemj^'s camp in the distance, and give her some 
 explanation as to his position. 
 
 In the mean time Adelaide and "Walter, holding 
 each other by the arm, were talking in low tones on 
 matters most entertaining to themselves. They 
 spoke of plans for the future, of the quiet happy 
 lives they might still be able to live. The words 
 
BATAVIA. 179 
 
 Holland, Amsterdam, the' Ye, fell from their lips 
 continually with expressions of love and joyful 
 hope. The sun of India was magnificent ; nature 
 was both marvellously rich and fruitful ; but nothing 
 could stifle in their hearts their ardent aspirations 
 towards the beloved soil of their country. They 
 would live in Holland. There their children, with 
 the pure breezes of the beautiful and luxuriant na^ 
 ture of the Netherlands, would imbibe activity, 
 loyalty, and the courage characterizing the people 
 of the Low Countries ; there they would never de- 
 generate ; they would there remain worthy of their 
 ancestors. 
 
 This conversation, the first of the Mnd they had 
 ever dared engage in, touched their hearts with in- 
 expressible joy ; and they would doubtless have for- 
 gotten the fete and the whole world if the cry of 
 " Batavia !" resounding on the factory square, and 
 the piercing sound of the trumpets, had not recalled 
 them to what was passing a few steps off. 
 
 The Captain quitted the rampart and made a mo- 
 tion to Adelaide to follow him with the lieutenant 
 and assist in the rejoicings of the garrison. 
 
 The square had the appearance of a village kir- 
 mes in Holland. Nothing was heard but excla- 
 mations of joy and happy songs. Soldiers, and 
 behind them their wives arm in arm, with jugs 
 in their hands, were coming and going, singing 
 and repeating at intervals the name of their In- 
 dian country — " Batavia ! Batavia !" These cries 
 overpowered all the din of the fete. At one end 
 
180 BATAVIA. 
 
 of the square two trumpeters were under a cocoa- 
 nut -tree. They were playing gay and enticing 
 airs, while a large number of women, children, and 
 soldiers danced around the tree in time to the 
 music. 
 
 In the centre of the square there were soldiers 
 representing a play. On a couple of tables were 
 five or six fellows dressed in fancy costumes. One of 
 them personated an Englishman or a Portuguese ; 
 another had painted his breast yellow and thrown a 
 party-colored eloth over his shoulder, with a paste- 
 board eric at his waist: disguised in this way, he 
 might pass very well for a Javanese orcmg-kay. It 
 was difficult to follow the discourse of these impro- 
 vised actors, but their motions and gestures made 
 one understand that the scene they were enacting 
 was a travesty of their own situation, and upon the 
 disappointment of their adversaries. After many 
 jokes, followed by a lively altercation, and even a 
 battle at fisticuffs, a long nose was given the POrtu- 
 uese or the Englishman, the Javanese had his 
 clothes dragged off him, and both were thrown 
 from the table and ignominiously chased away, 
 amid the applause and hisses of the spectators. 
 
 While this vulgar buffoonery seemed greatly to 
 amuse the women and children, as also the soldiers, 
 Adelaide took no pleasure in it. She took more in 
 the spectacle that was being prepared some ten feet 
 off. 
 
 There, too, were placed two large tables. On this 
 sort of theatre were seated four men furnished with 
 
BATAVIA, 181 
 
 stupendous pipes, who, to the great amusement of 
 the spectators, brought volumes of smoke from their 
 mouths and noses, or, as it was then called, " drank 
 tobacco." 
 
 The habit of smoking tobacco was at this time 
 beginning to spread, more particularly among sol- 
 diers and sailors. The Spaniards and Portuguese 
 had introduced this plant from America into India, 
 and had given the people of this country a taste for 
 it. Yet in the mother-country the use of tobacco 
 was still looked down upon. The Dutch women 
 especially regarded the custom with great aversion. 
 
 As soon as the Captain's family approached the 
 tobacco-drinhers, one of them rose up, and while 
 throwing out more energetically the smoke from his 
 enormous pipe, he sang the following song with 
 many gestures and grimaces : 
 
 " Has any one gone from India who knows any- 
 thing about it ? Has he learned nothing of tobac- 
 co ? Answer me. Is it good truly for man's blood ? 
 Tell me, my friend. 
 
 "All the women hate tobacco heartily, and see 
 nothing of its good quahties. They condemn it; 
 they say its smoke dries man up. Is^ there truth in 
 this? 
 
 " To drink tobacco is a good physic, be sure of it ! 
 Its ashes are good for toothache — try it ; and as to 
 its smoke, though ^but a vapor, it tastes better than 
 garlic. 
 
 "Do everything with moderation. Instead of 
 smoking too much it is better not to do so at all. We 
 
182 BA.TAVIA. 
 
 know this ; but, if your heart craves it, you may here 
 smoke three or four pipes watered with wine or 
 beer."* 
 
 The singer reseated himself gravely and contin- 
 ued to smoke, while the audience saluted him with 
 clapping of hands and roars of laughter. But sud- 
 denly a general movement took place among the 
 crowd assembled on the square. All precipitated 
 themselves towards the gate, without knowing ex- 
 actly what had awakened the general curiosity. 
 
 An imposing and numerous embassy from the 
 Pangerang appeared at this moment within the 
 walls of the factory. The Dommagon of Jacatra, 
 with the Sultan's sjahbamda/r, or treasurer, marched 
 at the head of a dozen of the principal orang-kays, 
 followed by at least twenty attendants carrying bas- 
 kets and boxes covered over with a mantle of yellow 
 silk. The Javanese, usually so grave and reserved, 
 expressed great affability in their countenances, and 
 smiled benignly on the Dutch who went forward 
 with astonishment to meet them. This created the 
 impression that the deputies were bringing good 
 news, and this presumption was strengthened fur- 
 ther by the reflection that the baskets and boxes car- 
 ried by the attendants could only contain presents 
 sent by the Pangerang of Jacatra to the Dutch 
 commander. 
 
 * Fragment of a sixteenth-century song which is found en- 
 tire in the " Collection of Ancient Flemish Songs," published 
 by Willems, No. 40. 
 
BATAVIA. 183 
 
 When he was first notified of the arrival of the 
 Javanese orang-kays, Van den Broeck hastened to 
 convoke the members of the eonncil of war, who 
 had already reached the front of the Captain's house 
 and were ready to receive the embassy. 
 
 After the usual ceremonies, the deputies and their 
 followers were received within the house. 
 
 The Dutch, not doubting that some important 
 question was at issue, forgot their fete to stand in 
 groups before Van den Broeek's dwelling, in the 
 hope of learning, after the departure of the Javan- 
 ese, what had brought them and what had been 
 said. 
 
 The embassy remained with the members of the 
 council of war some considerable time, and when 
 the orang-kays reappeared on the square it was 
 noticed that the baskets and boxes had remained at 
 the Captain's. 
 
 As the council of war followed the orang-kays, 
 accompanying them to the gates of the fortress. 
 Van den Broeck called a drummer and bade him 
 beat the roll-call, but said at the same time to a 
 sergeant that the garrison was to assemble without 
 their arms, to have good news communicated to 
 them. 
 
 The soldiers were already drawn up in line, and 
 the other inhabitants of the fortress had assembled 
 in advance of the line of battle to hear what the 
 commander was about to communicate, when the 
 council of war returned from the walls and walked 
 .through the crowd. 
 
184 BAtAVIA. 
 
 Captain Yan den Broeck opened a paper and 
 Bpoke as follows : 
 
 " Companions, yon know that a few days ago the 
 Pangerang of Jacatra, through his ambassadors, 
 offered us proposals of peace. The council of war 
 thought it expedient not to entertain them ; in fact 
 they demanded that we should demolish the walls 
 of this fortress and thus violate the oath we took 
 before Almighty God. "We, on our side, sent the 
 Pangerang the draft of a treaty in which we con- 
 sented to pay him a certain pecuniary indemnity if 
 he consented to leave us in peaceful possession of 
 our fortress until the return of the Governor-Gen- 
 eral. The Pangerang has accepted this treaty on 
 condition that we shall somewhat increase the sum 
 of the indemnity, and we, in consideration of the 
 immense interests which for our country's sake we 
 should attach to holding the fortress, have not re- 
 fused the advance demanded. The treaty is in- 
 scribed on this paper. The Pangerang of Jacatra 
 has affixed his name. His orang-kays, in testi- 
 mony of their prince's good faith, have offered the 
 gifts usual on these occasions to the council of war. 
 Though we should always be on our guard, never- 
 theless your chiefs are of opinion that we all have 
 reason to trust to the agreement which the Panger- 
 ang has accepted. I take this opportunity to thank 
 you solemnly in our name for your zeal, your good- 
 will, and the brilliant courage that you have dis- 
 played. And to give you still greater motives for 
 blessing God on this beautiful day, and rejoicing in 
 
BATATIA. 185 
 
 Ms bounty, I proclaim, in the name of tlie council 
 of war, the end of hostiUties between the Javanese 
 and ourselves. Go ! let your joyous fete continue. 
 Peace is concluded." 
 
 "Hurrah! peace is accomplished! Batavia! 
 Batavia !" 
 
 " These cries resounded in the midst of the crowd, 
 who soon dispersed in all parts of the factory, each 
 one congratulating himself upon the conclusion of 
 the treaty as if it were a brilliant victory. 
 
 Yan den Broeck approached his daughter, and 
 took "Walter's hand with a smile. 
 
 "You alone. Lieutenant, do not appear pleased 
 with this unlooked-for peace. Though you try to 
 dissemble, I see it in your eyes. You fear not to 
 be able soon to fulfil the bargain between us. Is 
 it not so? Be consoled and do not lose courage, 
 Walter ; as soon as the Governor reaches the newly 
 born Batavia, I will ask a brevet captaincy for you 
 as a recompense for your intrepidity and as a par- 
 ticular favOr for myself. Do not doubt that he wiU 
 willingly accede to my demand." 
 
 "Walter was about thanking the Captain for his 
 kind promise, but Adelaide, transported by the 
 sweet certainty her father's words had just given 
 her, exclaimed, 
 
 "See! see! they are beginning a joyous dance 
 around the trumpeters. Come ! come ! my mother 
 calls us." 
 
 She drew the young man away, and, radiant with 
 happiness, was with him soon lost in the crowd. 
 
186 BATAVIA. 
 
 CHAPTER YIL 
 
 The next day the Javanese thronged in great 
 numbers under the walls of the factory, and talked 
 with many friendly demonstrations to the sentinels 
 placed upon the parapet. Many orang-kays, fol- 
 lowed by servants laden with presents and refresh- 
 ments, presented themselves at the door and were 
 given admittance within the fortress ; but the num- 
 ber of these attendants finally became so numerous 
 that the council of war deemed it prudent not to 
 admit at one time more than thirty within the fac- 
 tory. This appearance of mistrust seemed to sur- 
 prise and wound the Javanese. They were still 
 more wounded to see that not one of the Dutch left 
 the fortress to fraternize with them upon the plain 
 or at Jacatra. 
 
 The Pangerang sent an ambassador, making 
 known his displeasure in terms in which they were 
 made to understand that if this mistrust continued 
 he would put an end to peace and pursue the war 
 with renewed energy. The ambassador added that 
 the orang-kays and the soldiers of the Pangerang, 
 seeing that the Dutch remained on a war-footing, 
 absolutely as if a treaty of peace had not been con- 
 cluded, did not wish to lay down their arms either, 
 and refused to return to their dhesors (villages), 
 
BATAVIA. 187 
 
 The council of war replied to these complaints 
 ■with great dignity, and at the same time in a spirit 
 of conciliation. They declared they were willing to 
 give the Pangerang and his people such marks of 
 confidence as he might desire, provided they were 
 not counter to the military laws of Holland, which 
 demanded that both in times of peace and war they 
 should guard their fortress against all surprise. 
 
 The Pangerang declared himself satisfied with 
 this answer, and caused the Dutch commander to 
 be invited to accompany on the third day the peo- 
 ple who were to bring the eight thousand rials prom- 
 ised. The Javanese prince would on this occasion 
 give the Dutch chief a brilliant fete, testifying suffi- 
 cient friendship and good-will to convince these 
 men that there was no longer any hostility to fear. 
 He insisted that the commander himself shoiild 
 come to visit him, because as a sultan and sovereign 
 it was not proper that he should pay such marks of 
 respect to any one lower in rank. 
 
 After mature deliberation the council of war 
 recognized the fact that it would be dangerous to 
 refuse the Paugerang's cordial invitation, and it was 
 decided that Captain Yan den Broeck should go to 
 him on the appointed day. 
 
 Though the well-known astuteness of the Javan- 
 ese still compelled the Dutch to keep on their 
 guard, they yet thought on this occasion that peace 
 had been honestly concluded ; therefore it was with- 
 out serious uneasiness that Van den Broeck accepted 
 the mission which had been confided to him. His 
 
188 BATAVIA. 
 
 wife saw him make his preparations for tlie visit to 
 the Javanese with secret anxiety ; but as her hus- 
 bajid's duty was to conform to the decision of the 
 council of war, she submitted with resignation and 
 concealed the fears that agitated her. 
 
 At the appointed hour, midway between the fac- 
 tory and the Javanese camp were assembled to- 
 gether about twenty orang-kays and other function- 
 aries of the Pangerang higher in rank, headed by 
 the sjahiwndar, who awaited the Dutch commander 
 to serve him as an escort on the part of the prince. 
 
 Yan den Broeck soon appeared at the factory 
 door ; and after clasping once more the hands of his 
 companions, he advanced towards the Javanese 
 guard of honor. Besides his black slave, who car- 
 ried a large parasol, the Captain Was only accom- 
 panied by one merchant and five soldiers. These 
 last wore no arms but their swords ; two of them 
 bore the coffer containing the eight thousand rials ; 
 the three others carried some pieces of rich stuffs 
 and a couple of klewcmgs, or Javanese sabres, the 
 handles of which were artistically enriched with sil- 
 ver ornaments. These objects were to be offered 
 as presents to the Pangerang in the name of the 
 Dutch Company, besides the promised indemnity. 
 
 The orang-kays received the Captain with a 
 thousand demonstrations of respect and friendship, 
 and when he had reached the sjaJibamdar^s side the 
 rest through respect retired a short distance away. 
 The chiefs of the two embassies thus found them- 
 selves alone in advance of the jest of the troop. 
 
BATATIA. 189 
 
 During this time the orang-kays talked with the 
 Dutch merchant ; and while conversing pleasantly 
 the retinue directed their steps slowly towards the 
 camp where the Pangerang desired to receive the 
 commander in the presence of the people. 
 
 At some distance from the first intrenchment 
 were gathered a great number of orang-ketjil (the 
 people). . There were women, children, and the popu- 
 lace who had hastened to see the Dutch ambassadors. 
 When the orang-kay approached, the orang-ketjil 
 respectfully opened a way, going to either side of 
 the road, allowing the embassy a broad passage. 
 
 In that crowd of Javanese it was difficult to re- 
 cognize the men from the women. All wore a cov- 
 ering of cotton cloth, with a black or light-brown 
 ground, ornamented with flowers. They had 
 gathered their hair in a knot on the top of the 
 head, and in honor of the day's importance their 
 bodies were rubbed with oil. Amid the multitude 
 could be distinguished Chinese, Malays, negroes, in- 
 habitants of the Celebes, Molucks from the island 
 of Timor, and people of innumerable other nations. 
 
 Captain Yan den Broeck remarked upon the di- 
 versity of elements constituting the population of 
 Java, and discussed the subject with the sjahbandar, 
 who walked at his right. The Pangerang's treas- 
 urer, who, besides the ancient and modern dialects 
 of Java, spoke Portuguese very well and had had 
 frequent intercourse with Europeans, was consid- 
 ered among his compatriots to be a, learned and dis- 
 tinguished man. JEe therefore hastened io^ve the 
 
190 BATAVIA. 
 
 Dutcli commander all tlie information he wanted. 
 While walking slowly across the path, he said, in 
 perfect Malay, 
 
 "Commander, the Javanese who, like myself, 
 know our ancient works and our wayongs, or 
 old dramatic poems, think they have reason in 
 believing that we are of the same origin as the 
 Brahmins of great Hindostan. Formerly on the 
 island of Java one religion alone prevailed, the doc- 
 trine of Buddha, who offered for our veneration a 
 triple divinity — Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the 
 Preserver, and Siva, the Destroyer. The Kawi, 
 an ancient Javanese idiom in which our poems 
 are written, contains indubitable proofs that we be- 
 long to the same race as the people of Hindostan. 
 In the interior of Java there are still many dhesos, 
 or villages, and even entire colonies who follow the 
 teachings of Buddha, and in the island of Bali, 
 which you call Little Java, this is still the religion 
 of all the population. At the time of which I 
 speak, Commander, the Javanese were a power- 
 ful and civilized people. I will cite in proof of 
 what I am advancing the monuments and beautiful 
 temples that are found in the interior of the 
 country, and which, though in ruins, still speak of 
 our ancient grandeur.* "What proves it still fur- 
 ther are our ancient poems that I have heard many 
 
 * In Java there are still found a great number of gigantic 
 monuments. One of the principal of these ruins is at Bram- 
 batan, situated in the centre of the island, and Is known 
 under the name of Chandy Pewn, or Thousand Temples. 
 
BATAVIA. 191 
 
 times greatly praised and admired by Portuguese 
 priests who had not hesitated to go to the trouble 
 of learning the Kawi.'^ According to our tradi- 
 tions, it was about three centuries ago that the 
 Arabs conquered Java and taught us the doctrine 
 of Mahomet. Since then we have had to undergo 
 numerous internecine wars. Different peoples, 
 drawn here by the riches of this country, have 
 come to live among us. Under the weight of mis- 
 fortune and the influence of strangers, the Javanese 
 have, so to speak, lost a consciousness of their 
 identity." 
 
 At this point the sjaHba/nda/r lowered his voice 
 and said, , 
 
 " I know who could free my country, and I have 
 frequently made an effort to make others think like 
 me; but neither the Sultan, nor the orang-kays, 
 nor the people understand what I mean to convey. 
 A country which is too rich and fertile is a misf or- 
 time for those who dwell in it. Commander. An 
 easy life enervates man ; it is want and aspirations 
 which make them strong and great. Tojo. Hol- 
 landers come to lis from the other side of the 
 world; so do the Portuguese, the Spaniards, and 
 the English. A restless ambition and untiring in- 
 dustry sustain you. "With time the Javanese will 
 have to submit to your dominion, for they have not 
 the strength to struggle with foreigners. If their 
 
 *The Javanese still possess a great number of old poems. 
 One of the principal is the Beata Yudha, or the Holy War. 
 It contains 1719 yada, or strophes. 
 
192 BATAVrA. 
 
 Adats, or traditional laws, are left them, and they 
 are permitted to venerate the tombs of their fathers, 
 they will bow with docility to a power they do not 
 regard themselves able to resist." 
 
 They had already entered within the camp, and 
 were walking between a double line of Javanese 
 armed with tombaks, or pikes. 
 
 " But, Sir Sjahbanda/r" said the Captain, " it does 
 not seem to me your men are wanting either in 
 courage nor love of country ; I need only give in 
 proof their presence here." 
 
 The sjahbomda/r replied, ia a voice constrained 
 and sad : 
 
 " Love of country ! The Javapese, my compa- 
 triots, would still be capable of the sentiment, but 
 our rulers and chiefs understand nothing but ease, 
 luxury, and cupidity. Do you know why the Dutch, 
 in spite of their small numbers, have been able to 
 hold out so long against some thousands of Javanese ? 
 On account of their bravery, think you ? JSTo, no ; 
 this was not the true motive. Our Pangerang, the 
 Pangerang of Bantam, the English and Portuguese 
 have not ceased wrangling over the riches enclosed 
 within your factory. Love of country ! If there 
 were a single spark in our hearts, there would not 
 remain by to-morrow one single foreigner on the 
 soil of Java. Peace is now established. May 
 Buddha permit it to be a lasting one ! for of what 
 use would a war be but to raise the English and 
 Portuguese to the detriment of the Dutch, and to 
 hasten our ruin ?" 
 
BATAVIA. 193 
 
 " Do you then fear, Sir Sjahhamda/r, that peace 
 has not been loyally accepted by your Sultan?" 
 asked Yan den Broeck, disquieted. 
 
 " I have no particular reasons for thinking so," 
 replied the sjahbomda/r. 
 
 " Yet you are one of the Sultan's principal minis- 
 ters, and if there were anything to fear you would 
 know it." 
 
 "No, no, Commander; I am not liked over there 
 at the dhahn" * (and he pointed with his finger to- 
 wards the sovereign's dwelling, which domiaated 
 all the buildings iu the city). " This Pangerang only 
 hstens to two men, to the Dommagon and the grand 
 panghonlon — ^that is to say, the supreme chief of 
 our priests. These two personages detest me, for 
 they look upon me as a man wishing to introduce 
 a new order of things. ^ We approach. Captain, 
 the point where our Sultan will receive you. 
 Follow me ; I will tell you what you have to 
 do." 
 
 They entered a spacious square closed in on all 
 sides by heavy ranks of Javanese under arms. To 
 one side of this quadrangle the earth had been slightly 
 raised to serve as a seat for the Pangerang, who had 
 not yet arrived. Upon this elevation were extended 
 many-colored stuffs and artistically braided mats. 
 On either side, a little distance off, stood several 
 orang-kays, the crio uncovered to the handle. Not 
 far from these were to be seen a diozen panghonlons, 
 
 * Sultan's palace. 
 
194 BATATIA. 
 
 or Mohammedan priests, habited in white, with tnr- 
 baned heads. 
 
 Facing the sovereign's seat, on the other side of 
 the square, were some players of the gatnelcmg — his 
 musicians. They were numerous, and held instru- 
 ments differing both in form and use : gongs, or 
 large metal plates and scales, which they struck 
 with a stick ; Tcempouls, composed of many small 
 gongs suspended from a frame ; ja/rdbonangs, instru- 
 ments formed of copper plates and bamboo ; rebaps, 
 a kind of violin with two strings ; and 'tijas, a 
 sort of drum. As long as the Pangerang was absent 
 these instruments were so lightly touched by the 
 musicians that only a mild din and imperceptible 
 sounds were heard, but on the appearance of the 
 sovereign they were to create a deafening noise. 
 
 The sjalibandar conducted the Dutch comman- 
 der five or six feet from the Pangerang's seat, and 
 pointed out some costly mats extended on the ground. 
 They were destined for himself and followers. 
 
 Yan den Broeck seated himseH beside the sjah- 
 handa/r I the merchant and principal orang-kays 
 who had accompanied the embassy stood a little 
 way in the background. The soldiers carrying the 
 coffer and presents remained standing. Congo 
 still held the parasol over his master's head. 
 
 The Captain contemplated for some moments the 
 numerous troops that surrounded him on all sides, 
 and was astonished that with such forces the Javan- 
 ese had not attempted a more serious assault against 
 the factory. He inwardly realized that the sjah- 
 
BATATIA. 195 
 
 handar had said witli truth there would not be one 
 foreigner left in Java the day after if the Javanese 
 chiefs were animated by real love of country. 
 
 Plunged in these thoughts and allowing his eyes 
 to wander through the ranks of Javanese warriors, 
 Van den Broeck perceived at the extremity of the 
 square some English and Portuguese merchants, 
 who observed him in the distance and seemed to 
 be smiling mockingly. He fancied he had surprised 
 an expression auguring no good upon the counte- 
 nances of these men who were jealous of the pros- 
 perity of Holland, and became absorbed in uneasy 
 preoccupation ; but the sjaKbandar, who thought he 
 was observing the warriors, said : 
 
 " The numerous body before you. Commander, 
 compose my sovereign's army. They are the war- 
 riors of Jacatra. Those orang-kays who wear 
 sparkling klewangs are the pcmal/rus, or chiefs of 
 the great villages, and the few others whose tomtak 
 is encrusted with silver are the adhvpatis, having 
 each several villages under their command. Behind 
 you and on the two longest sides of the square is the 
 auxiliary army sent us by the Pangierang of Bantam. 
 It is happy for you peace is concluded, for in a few 
 days two thousand warriors from Bantam are to join 
 us, under the command of the Dommagon, brother 
 of the Sultan of Bantam. If peace had not been 
 signed on his arrival, they probably would not have 
 dared entertain it any more. The sovereign of 
 Bantam is of a very warlike nature. If raj infor- 
 mation is correct, the commander of the trpops at 
 
196 BATATIA. 
 
 Bantam has sent a messenger to his Sultan to ask if 
 he can suhscribe to the treaty. The Prince of Ban- 
 tam will doubtless consent, but will probably claim 
 part of the sum you bring." 
 
 Yan den Broeck scarcely lent an ear to the sjah- 
 bandar's explanation. He saw the Mahometan 
 priests, who were not far from the Pangerang's 
 throne, fasten their eyes upon him with an expres- 
 sion of intense hatred and cold disdain, without, 
 however, betraying their sentiments towards him in 
 any other way. 
 
 The Captain felt his dignity deeply outraged ; and 
 while expressing his anger in words, he wished to 
 rise, but the sjahbandar held him back and said to 
 him, 
 
 " Calm yourself, Commander ; if you value your 
 life, say not a word to the pangh onions !" 
 
 For prudence' sake the Governor swallowed his 
 wrath and remained seated, though he grumbled 
 somewhat. 
 
 " Do you observe that panghonlon dressed in a 
 long white robe? That is the high-priest; he is 
 the irreconcilable enemy of Holland, and sustains as 
 much as lies in his power the English and Portu- 
 guese. Do you know why? The motives are 
 strange ones. Since the old times there has existed 
 a prophecy among the people of the Sunda Islands 
 which says they will at some future day be con- 
 quered by men whose skin is white, hair red, and 
 noses long, and wearing clothes over their entire 
 bodies, even their hands and feet. It was thought 
 
BATATIA. 197 
 
 at first the Portuguese were thej ; at Bantam the 
 English are supposed to be the ones ; but here at 
 Jacatra the panghonlon has convinced the people 
 that the prophecy relates to the Dutch as the con- 
 querors. The panghonlon himself is so convinced 
 of it that you would never have obtained peace if 
 it had depended upon him alone. — I think from 
 the sounds among the crowd that the Pangerang 
 approaches. Eemain where you are, Captain, and do 
 not rise until the Sultan invites you to do so." 
 
 Suddenly all the gongs, the kempouls, the jaron- 
 bonangs, the rebaps, and the tijas sounded in one 
 tremendous peal, and filled the air with vibrating 
 and exciting sounds from the copper plates and the 
 feverish roll of the drums. There was such a 
 roar and din and hubbub that the Dutch would 
 have stopped their ears to escape the exciting dis- 
 cord of the gamelangs if grave motives had not 
 induced an appearance of reserve and resignation. 
 
 The Pangerang appeared at the extremity of the 
 square. All heads were inclined and every eye 
 lowered towards the ground, for it would have been 
 highly improper to fasten their eyes on a prince. 
 
 Some orang-kays of distinction walked, with the 
 klewang lifted, beside their prince. Behind them 
 followed some twenty attendants, each one carrying 
 some valuable object destined for the use of the 
 Pangerang : one held the betel-box ; another, a gourd 
 filled with odoriferous oil of the kalappus ; a third, 
 tobacco; a fourth, a lighted match; a fifth, the 
 tsjeripons, or slippers belonging to the sovereign. 
 
198 BATAVIA. 
 
 Many others walked in the retinue bearing golden 
 images of several animals ; six young radhens, or 
 nobles, carried a silver bench and velvet cushion. 
 
 These attendants were followed by thirty or forty 
 young Javanese girls, all dressed very richly and 
 carrying a ladjo, a sort of handsome vest made of 
 silver cloth, and a short satin tunic made of satin or 
 cotton cloth with rich colors. Their heads were 
 ornamented with plaques of gold and flowers, and 
 their hair, necks, and arms were so saturated with 
 odoriferous oil that they seemed enveloped in a 
 perfumed cloud. These were the hedegos, or danc- 
 ing women of the prince. 
 
 The Pangerang slowly crossed the sqiiare, as- 
 cended the mound prepared for him, and seated 
 himself on the dcunvpar, or silver bench. His at- 
 tendants extended themselves on either side of their 
 master, on mats placed upon the ground ; the dancers 
 retired to the background, placing themselves in a 
 row in front of the gamelang-players. 
 
 Upon an almost imperceptible motion from the 
 Pangerang, the musicians ceased their bewildering 
 clatter and a prof ouud silence reigned through the 
 square, the more striking that it had succeeded such 
 an uproar. 
 
 The Javanese prince, "Wydurk-Eama, was a man 
 of middle age. His face appeared of a lighter yel- 
 low than that of the orang-kays ; he kept his eyes 
 partially closed, and his look was both irresolute 
 and crafty, which betrayed the astuteness and per- 
 haps the narrowness of his mind. When his lips 
 
BAT A VI A. 199 
 
 were apart his teeth could be seen, black as ebony 
 by means of the betel : a peculiarity observable also 
 among the greater part of the orang-kays, and 
 more or less among all the Javanese. The Sultan 
 wore on his head a red turban, around which was 
 fastened a jewelled necklace. A dodotrhdba/r, or 
 sweeping robe of yellow silk, fell in long folds be 
 hind hira ; a precious scarf embroidered in gold and 
 silver encircled his waist several times. The handle 
 of the eric which he wore on the right side glis- 
 tened with diamonds, and the scabbard, which was 
 lined with perfumed wood hardened by fire, was 
 encrusted with the most precious metals. All the 
 fingers were laden with rings. His feet were 
 bare ; a portion of his breast was uncovered, and 
 one could see that his body, too, was rubbed down 
 with the oil of kalappus. But to this oil he had 
 added, as did most of the orang-kays, a paste made 
 of sandal-wood reduced to powder, with other color- 
 ing matter. 
 
 After a somewhat lengthy silence, during which 
 all the spectators had remained immovable, the Sul- 
 tan slowly turned his looks to the spot where sat 
 the Dutch commander. Seeing this, the sjahbandar 
 advanced a few steps from his sovereign, standing 
 before him and lowering his eyes ; he did not dare 
 approach the Pangerang until he received the order 
 to do so, and then said to him, while bowing almost 
 to the ground, that the Dutch commander had come 
 in person to ofier the promised sum and other pres- 
 ents. 
 
200 BAT A VIA. 
 
 When the Sultan, after putting some questions 
 relative to the eight thousand rials, gave him the 
 order to bring the Dutch commander to him, the 
 sjahbandar bowed still lower and retired, sapng, 
 " Cahoela sam2>ejan" — a formula of respect, which 
 means, " Your slave is at your feet." No one could 
 take leave of the Sultan without uttering this hum- 
 ble salutation. 
 
 The sjahbandar caused the Dutch commander 
 and the men carrying the presents to advance, and 
 escorted them towards the sovereign. At that in- 
 stant the eyes of all the army were fixed upon the 
 Dutch, to see what reception the Sultan would give 
 them, for there were certain formulas known to all 
 by which they could judge of the degree of con- 
 sideration accorded by the sovereign to those he re- 
 ceived. 
 
 The prince gave to the Dutch commander the 
 title of radhen-senapati, which signifies general-in- 
 chief, and begged that he would show him the pres- 
 ents. They were placed at the Sultan's feet. He 
 took little notice at first of the rich stuffs and Javan- 
 ese klewangs, but desired the box should be opened 
 so he might see the silver. After fastening his eyes 
 for some moments with evident satisfaction on the 
 pieces of money, he caused the coffer to be closed, 
 then took in his hands the stuffs and the klewangs. 
 Upon a sign which he gave, some servants removed 
 the coffer and the presents ; the sjahbandar headed 
 them, and they crossed the square to convey the sil- 
 ver and rich stuffs to the dhalm, or palace. 
 
BATAVIA. 201 
 
 The Parigerang pointed out to Yan den Broeck a 
 mat beside him ; and when the Captain, to please him, 
 had seated himself, the prince said, in the Malay 
 language, 
 
 " Eadhen-senapati, I thank you for your gifts. 
 My sjahbandar will shortly count the money and 
 give you a receipt. So peace is established? I 
 hope the Orang-Wollanda ' will show themselves 
 grateful for my goodness." 
 
 Yan den Broeck replied with composure ; while 
 lavishing protestations of friendship and showing 
 great marks of respect, he essayed to make the Pan- 
 gerang understand the Dutch had neither desired 
 nor provoked the war ; that they were even willing 
 to make great sacrifices in the interest of peace. 
 He also complained of the conduct of the English 
 and Portuguese ; but already for some time he had 
 not been listened to by the Pangerang, who held 
 out to him, from habit or for something to do, his 
 betel-box. The Captain excused himself, saying he 
 never used betel. The prince cast a disdainful 
 look upon him, which under any other circumstan- 
 ces would have made the bipod of the brave Hol- 
 lander boil in his veins. Without appearing to no- 
 tice the expression of discontent that spread over 
 his host's face, the Sultan "Wydurk-Eama took 
 from the box a betel-leaf powdered with pounded 
 shell, added to it a piece of the arrec-nut with some 
 camphor, folded it all together and placed it in his 
 mouth. 
 
 Immediately after an attendant brought to the 
 
202 BATAVIA. 
 
 Sultan, whose lips were as red as blood, a silver 
 vase. 
 
 Without continiiing the conversation with the 
 Captain, the prince chewed the betel for some con- 
 siderable time, exchanging now and then words in a 
 low tone with the great panghonlon. 
 
 Yan den Broeck did not feel at ease. Though 
 the Pangerang, ia seating him beside him, giving 
 him the honorary title of radhen, -and even offering 
 hijn his betel-box, seemed to wish publicly to show 
 that frank and cordial friendship reigned between 
 the two people, it seemed to the Captain that all 
 these demonstrations were feigned, and that at bot- 
 tom the Javanese prince held quite the opposite 
 sentiments from those he manifested. But as he 
 was surrounded by several thousand of his enemies, 
 without means of resistance or hope of succor, he 
 concealed his fear and dissatisfaction. He even 
 tried to persuade himself he was mistaken, and that 
 his suspicions were not justified by the Sultan's 
 conduct. 
 
 The prince made a sign with his finger to game- 
 lang-players, who began to strike with all their 
 strength the gongs, kempouls, and tijas, while the 
 young girls were preparing to dance. 
 
 A single bedego at first came from the row of 
 dancers. She was not wanting in grace and was 
 rather pretty, but her complexion was a very dark 
 brown, and her teeth so black that they glistened like 
 cut jet beads between her lips of a dark red. She 
 bowed before the Sultan while dancing, threw her- 
 
BATATIA. 203 
 
 self backward with a quick movement, and again 
 danced with a certain degree of elegance. In a 
 short while another bedego darted to her compan- 
 ion's side ; they danced together, approaching and 
 going away from each other by turns, expressing 
 in a quick and passionate manner some deed the 
 Dutch understood imperfectly. 
 
 Finally the two bedegos appeared to quarrel, and 
 described rapid circles while pursuing each other, 
 until one of them held out her hand to her compan- 
 ions as if imploring their assistance. Then the forty 
 young girls all mingled in the dance, which became 
 such a confusion of gestures, postures, and figures 
 that the eyes were dazzled. One could see, how- 
 ever, that there was a certain sequence in the dance, 
 for sometimes the young girls all stopped at once 
 with perfect accord, and then began the movement 
 again with entire understanding. The Dutch ob- 
 served then that the music, which seemed so con- 
 fused, nevertheless obeyed a certain rhythm, a 
 rhythm by which the dancers regulated their steps. 
 
 Under other circumstances Van den Broeck would 
 have taken great pleasure in witnessing this singu- 
 lar dance; it was a spectacle indeed not without 
 charm, the sight of these forty bedegos, chosen from 
 ^. among the prettiest girls of Jaeatra, intenningling 
 in light and graceful evolutions. But the Captain 
 was a prey to too sombre preoccupations to give the 
 dancers much of his attention. The noise of the 
 gongs and kempouls was even painful and irritating 
 to him at such a moment, and he felt within him an 
 
204 BATAVIA. 
 
 intense desire soon to see the conclusion of the fete, 
 and it was only when the gamelang-players finally 
 ceased their din that a faint smile cleared his coun- 
 tenance. 
 
 A profound silence again reigned for some mo- 
 ments. The Sultan partook of another dose of be- 
 tel, rose, descended from the mound to the square, 
 and walked off slowly without observing the Gap- 
 tain. All the attendants and the guard of honor of 
 the orang-kays followed him. The Dommagon ap- 
 proached the Dutch and made them a sign to take 
 their places in the retinue. They at once accepted 
 the honor, and the Dommagon himself walked be- 
 side the Captain to bear him company. 
 
 Van den Broeck walked some time without mak- 
 ing any remark, for he regarded the Dommagon as 
 the warm enemy of the Dutch. The ambassadors 
 were made to walk around the square ; they con- 
 ducted them with evident design before a;ll the 
 troops that were collected together there. The 
 Pangerang wished by these means to impress them 
 by letting them have a close view of the formidable 
 forces he had at his command. 
 
 Having reached a certain point where the ranks 
 of the Javanese were very crowded, Yan den Broeck 
 turned his head around by accident dnd saw some 
 orang-kays, and common soldiers too, extend their 
 cries towards him menacingly, accompanied with 
 malicious and vengeful laughter. Wounded at this 
 insult, he said to his Javanese guide, 
 
 " Sir Dommagon, I do not know what I should 
 
BATAVIA. 205 
 
 think of the strange reception we are given here. 
 During the whole time I was seated near your Sul- 
 tan the pangh onions looked into my face in a man- 
 ner which in Holland would be called at least im- 
 "polite — " 
 
 The Dommagon placed his finger on his lips and 
 muttered, with a certain amount of dismay, 
 
 " Do not speak of the panghonlons. Commander. 
 If they heard you, some misfortune might overtake 
 you." 
 
 " A misfortune overtake me?" repeated the Cap- 
 tain in a constrained voice, not without showing 
 some annoyance. " But, I have come among the 
 Javanese as an ambassador, Sir Dommagon ; I here 
 represent my country's Sultan, and, according to 
 the laws of all nations, you must show me respect 
 in this position. I think in no case can misfortune 
 overtake me here. If any among you dared forget 
 as far as this what is due my Sultan and, above all, 
 to the powerful people in whose name I am here, it 
 would be sufficient to give rise to a bloody war be- 
 tween the Javanese and the Dutch, which would be 
 prolonged without doubt until the town of Jacatra 
 and all its inhabitants had disappeared from the face 
 of the earth." 
 
 The Dommagon smiled, and made a movement of 
 incredulity. 
 
 " You shrug your shoulders !" said Yan den 
 Broeck, with constrained anger. " Our Governor- 
 General may return any day with a numerous fleet; 
 do you think. Sir Dommagon, on his return the 
 
206 BATAVIA. 
 
 Javanese can hold out against us ? Do not be too 
 presumptuous — " 
 
 " But, Commander," said the Dommagon, inter- 
 rupting him, " I do not understand of what you 
 complain. Did not my Sultan make you sit beside ' 
 him ? Did he not offer you his betel-box ? Did 
 he not make his bedegos dance before you ? He 
 could not have conferred greater honor on the Em- 
 peror of Mataram. Now you will accompany him 
 to his palace, where he will receive you, share in 
 the feast with you, and present you to his mother, 
 Katoe-Kentjono. What can you desire more ?" 
 
 Yan den Broeck did not know how to answer this 
 argument, though he felt but slightly reassured. 
 
 " If this be the ease, then many of the orang- 
 kays and warriors have not as much respect for their 
 Sultan as they should have." 
 
 " Oh ! what are you daring to say ?" muttered his 
 guide. 
 
 " If your Sultan really showed me friendship, as 
 I ought to think, how was it that orang-kays, and 
 even common soldiers, dared threaten me with their 
 cries ?" 
 
 " You mistook their intention, Commander," said 
 the Dommagon, laughing ; " or if such things really 
 happened as you say, they were probably Bantam 
 men who thus conducted themselves. They are 
 displeased that our Sultan should conclude a treaty 
 of peace with the Dutch. I thought the Orang- 
 Wollanda feared nothing. Be tranquil ; no harm 
 will happen to you." 
 
B ATA VI A. 207 
 
 They had 'already entered the town of Jacatra, 
 and traversed a long street between a double line of 
 warriors. The houses, constructed of bamboo and 
 rattan, were of charming elegance and cleanliness. 
 Over their fronts extended a penthouse which pro- 
 tected them from both sun and rain, and all were 
 shaded by trees with luxuriant foliage. Behind the 
 rows of soldiers, and between the trees planted be- 
 fore the houses, a compact crowd of women, chil- 
 dren, and old men pressed forward. "When the 
 Sultan passed they bent their heads and prostrated 
 themselves ; but when the Dutch came by they 
 showed by murmurs of hate the displeasure they 
 felt in seeing them surrounded by so many 
 honors, going to the dhalm in the suite of the 
 sovereign. 
 
 At last the retinue approached the Sultan's palace, 
 a high and vast edifice which was only distinguished 
 from the other habitations by its greater extent and 
 a richer outward ornamentation. 
 
 On reaching a sort of enclosure that the wa/ringa,* 
 or sacred tree, shadowed by its majestic summit, the 
 Dommagon warned Yan den Broeck that the mer- 
 chant and black slave alone could accompany him 
 to the interior of the dhalm, and that the soldiers 
 would be received elsewhere. After this warniug, 
 an orang-kay accompanied them by a side door, and 
 Yan den Broeck silently followed the Dommagon, 
 
 * Ficus religiosa (Ficus Indica). Tliis tree is found before all 
 the Indian temples, because it is believed that under its sliade 
 Buddha taught men. 
 
208 BATAVIA. 
 
 wlio led him through a double row of 'orang-kays to 
 a spot where there were no armed men. When 
 there, the Dommagon said he would ask permission 
 to introduce the ambassador into the Sultan's pres- 
 ence, and disappearing behind a curtain at the foot 
 of the hall, he left the Dutch to themselves. 
 
 The negro lifted up his hands to heaven, as if the 
 lengthy silence he had been obliged to keep choked 
 him, and said, sighing, 
 
 "Lord, Lord, deliver my good master from the 
 trap into which he has fallen !" 
 
 " What do you mean, Congo ?" asked Van den 
 Broeck. " Do you also fear treachery ? Do you 
 know anything ?" 
 
 " I know how we came here," said the negro, 
 " but do not know how we are to get away." 
 
 The Captain looked uneasily around him. He 
 noticed that the passage by which they had entered 
 the hair was guarded by numerous orang-kays, with 
 their klewangs lifted and their cries unsheathed. 
 Their eyes seemed to him to glitter with hatred, and 
 a ferocious smile to contract their lips. 
 
 His companion the merchant, seeing the mistrust 
 which his face expressed, said, 
 
 "But what do you fear. Commander? Are we 
 threatened with any trouble ? Yet the Pangerang 
 received us with so much politeness." 
 
 " To die on the field of battle is nothiiig," mut- 
 tered Van den Broeck, aside ; " but to be put to 
 death by those cowards like a dog, to fall under the 
 stabs of twenty poniards! Ah, had I believed 
 
B ATA VIA. 209 
 
 the fatal presentiment I saw expressed in my wife's 
 face ! My poor Adelaide, my vinf ortunate child ! 
 But I shall sell my life dearly ; they shall see what 
 the blood of Captain Van den Broeck will cost 
 them !" 
 
 While uttering these words he clutched the han- 
 dle of his sword as if about to draw it from the 
 scabbard, but the merchant held him back and tried 
 to convince him his forebodings were without foun- 
 dation. These people of India had such strange 
 customs that a stranger could never trust his own 
 judgment on this point. 
 
 One of the principal orang-kays lifted the curtain 
 concealing the door, and, while bowing, said, 
 
 " The Sultan awaits the Orang-"Wollanda in the 
 hangsal* Be pleased to follow me." 
 
 Van den Broeck, with his hand on the hilt of his 
 sword, the merchant, and the negro followed the 
 orang-kay ; but hardly had he entered the other 
 hall than forty orang-kays appeared from behind 
 the curtain. Before the Captain and his compan- 
 ions could defend themselves they were all three 
 knocked down ; they were pressed upon and gagged. 
 Flashing cries were pointed at their heads, while 
 other aggressors tied them hand and foot. In a 
 few moments they were firmly pinioned, and could 
 not make the slightest movement. 
 
 Then they dragged across the floor through several 
 rooms these three victims of an infamous treachery. 
 
 * Large receptionliall; also called mendopo. 
 
210 BATAVIA. 
 
 The cries of rage and distress of the Dutch soldiery 
 could be heard, assailed as they had been, like 
 themselves, unexpectedly. 
 
 In the most retired portion of the dhalm there 
 was a dungeon. The orang-kays dragged the Dutch 
 to the entrance of the black hole, cast them in from 
 the top to the bottom of the pit, leaving them there 
 with their bonds still fastened. They then flew to 
 let the Sultan know their odious scheme had suc- 
 ceeded. 
 
BAT AVI A, 211 
 
 CHAPTEE YIII. 
 
 As long as day lasted, and even to a late hour of 
 the evening, no one at the factory was surprised 
 that Captain Van den Broeek had not returned. 
 The Javanese were in the habit of keeping up their 
 festivals and meetings far into the night. They 
 could still see many lights glistening in the Javan- 
 ese camp, and the joyful clamor of the crowd also 
 reached them. It was more tlian probable that the 
 Dutch commander had been detained until now by 
 the polite and distinguished hospitality of the Pan- 
 gerang. 
 
 However, when a deeper darkness spread over 
 the Javanese camp and all noise had ceased, the 
 Dutch soldiers began to fear their chief was the vic- 
 tim of treachery. The council of war assembled iu 
 the middle of the night, and deliberated with grow- 
 ing anxiety as to what they should do about a mat- 
 ter which, though still uncertairi, seemed already 
 threatening. They finally determined to wait for 
 daylight to make inquiries, and that they would 
 watch until then with lighted matches, to be ready 
 to repulse any unlooked-for attack. 
 
 They then deliberated as to what should be done 
 if the Javanese had really put to death the com- 
 
212 BAT A VI A. 
 
 mander and his suite. In the beginning this sup- 
 position made the council of war shudder with rage 
 and indignation, and nothing less was talked of than 
 a sally with all the forces they had at their com- 
 mand and the utter annihilation of the enemy's 
 troops. But Peter Dircksz soon brought them to 
 take a clearer view of the situation. He told his, 
 colleagues that the Javanese had probably been re- 
 inforced with new troops, and that they desired 
 nothing better than to draw the Dutch away from 
 the fortress ; that there was a scarcity of powder, 
 and their last munitions would be exhausted in 
 this projected sortie, and if they were repulsed 
 they could no longer defend themselves, and the 
 having to surrender the fortress would be the 
 infallible end of so imprudent an attempt; that 
 the desire of vengeance should not make the 
 Dutch lose sight of the principal end of their 
 efforts, and that it was expedient before all 
 things to think of preserving New Batavia to Hol- 
 land. 
 
 All recognized with sorrow that the considera- 
 tions that Peter Dircksz had so ably laid before 
 them were but too well founded. They chose, at all 
 eyents, Peter Yan Eay to command the square, and 
 separated to go and watch over the safety of the 
 factory. Whatever uneasiness they were inspired 
 with by the commander's lengthy stay, they yet felt 
 a firm hope that the next morning would give the 
 lie to their apprehensions. 
 
 More sadness and anxiety were felt in the Cap> 
 
BAT A VIA. 213 
 
 tain's family. Madame Yan den Broeck had con- 
 cealed her uneasiness for a long time, and had even 
 united with Walter in convincing Adelaide she was 
 wrong to allow fear to take possession of her ; but 
 when "Walter Peterson had left the house to comply 
 with his duties, and night was advancing, Adelaide 
 could no longer contain herself, and suddenly burst 
 into tears. The young girl's sobs and her own sin- 
 ister forebodings overwhelmed the brave mother's 
 heart. They both watched while weeping until the 
 first rays of daylight fell upon the window-panes. 
 Walter then came to bring them comfort, saying 
 that a sergeant and a soldier were about to leave the 
 factory to inquire into the causes of the command- 
 er's absence. For while the young lieutenant shud- 
 dered inwardly lest something terrible had happened, 
 he feigned great composure, telling the two women 
 they would soon receive favorable news. 
 
 The sergeant and the soldier in truth left the fac- 
 tory, biit to every one's dismay did not return. More 
 than an hour had slipped by without their seeing 
 them ; the council of war sent a second sergeant to 
 the Javanese camp, but he returned no more than 
 the others. 
 
 What confirmed the painful apprehensions of the 
 garrison was that since daylight they had not seen 
 a single Javanese venture forth from the camp ; 
 whereas the day before they had had trouble in 
 keeping them from coming to the factory in num- 
 bers. This sudden change of conduct could not be 
 without a motive, and what other motive could they 
 
214 BATAVIA. 
 
 have but fear tliat tlie Dutcli would revenge them- 
 selves for the outrage put upon their chief ? 
 
 The soldiers were upon the ramparts viewing the 
 plain and the road leading to Jacatra. The greater 
 number were enraged and poured out imprecations 
 and cries for vengeance against the perfidious Javan- 
 ese. Some among them exclaimed that they should 
 have recourse to arms and make a sally. The 
 officers tried to make them understand that for the 
 time at least this was impossible, but they did not 
 seem at all disposed to view the situation with calm 
 composure. 
 
 WhUe all eyes were centred on the Javanese 
 camp, they saw appear at the entrance of the road 
 leading from Jacatra to the factory three Javanese 
 with a fourth person, who, under their escort, 
 walked before them alone, and immediately took to 
 his heels, running towards the factory with break- 
 neck speed. In his hand he held a letter. 
 
 " It is the Captain's negro ! It is Congo ! We 
 are going to know all !" were the exclamations' on 
 all sides. 
 
 For a moment longer they followed with their 
 eyes the negro's race ; but as he approached the 
 fortress most of the men hastened down from the 
 ramparts, running towards the door that they might 
 the sooner learn the news he brought. 
 
 To all the questions addressed to Congo on his 
 entrance into the factory he replied, " They are 
 prisoners ; they will be put to death ! Where is Lieu- 
 tenant Peterson ? Say, say, where is the lieutenant ?" 
 
BATATIA. 215 
 
 And looking around him in a bewildered manner, 
 he sought to discover "Walter in the crowd. 
 
 Captain Yan Ray went towards him, seized his 
 arm and stopped him short. Congo then remem- 
 bered that he was charged with a message to the 
 council of war ; he handed the letter to the Captain 
 and said, 
 
 " Yesterday they treacherously seized my master 
 and his attendants. They pinioned us and mal- 
 treated us. They threw us into a frightful dun- 
 geon. They will bring the Captain ; he wishes to 
 speak with the council of war; this is written in 
 the letter. Where is Lieutenant Peterson ?" 
 
 " I saw him just now go into Captain Yan den 
 Broeck's," said a soldier. 
 
 "While Yan Eay opened the letter and requested 
 the members of the council of war to follow him, 
 Congo walked rapidly across the square reaching 
 his master's house. He found Madame Yan den 
 Broeck and Adelaide weeping violently in each 
 other's arms, and perceived the lieutenant standing 
 near the window with his hand over his eyes. His 
 entrance drew them all three from the heart-break- 
 ing sorrow into which they were plunged. All 
 three went hurriedly towards the negro, with a 
 feeble smile in which the fear of a terrible misfor- 
 tune was mingled with the hope of hearing some 
 happy news. 
 
 Congo was dismayed. He only understood then 
 how imprudent he had been, and that he was per- 
 ha,ps dealing a mortal blow to his mistresses in re- 
 
216 BATATIA. 
 
 veaHng to them, without their being prepared, the 
 terrible events which had happened. To the first 
 questions they put to him he replied, stammering, 
 that first of all he had something to say privately 
 to the lieutenant, and wished to go with him into 
 another room ; but Adelaide flew before him and in 
 heart-rending accents commanded him to say what 
 had happened to her poor father. In her anguish 
 she spoke of assassination and death. 
 
 The negro stopped and burst into tears, then 
 said, 
 
 " Oh ! madame, mademoiselle, it is quite horrible 
 enough ; do not exaggerate the trouble. My master 
 lives." 
 
 " Ah ! he lives !" exclaimed the Captain's wife in a 
 voice tremulous with happiness. " Then tell me, 
 Congo, what has happened that you should weep 
 thus." 
 
 The negro looked at the lieutenant as if asking 
 whether he could obey his mistress's order. Walter 
 gave him a look which seemed to recommend pru- 
 dence. . 
 
 " Speak, Congo ; speak, for the love of God !" ex- 
 claimed the young girl in a tone of entreaty. 
 
 " I am going to speak," said the negro in a voice 
 choked by sobs. " If I had the power of crushing 
 under my feet those infamous Javanese, by to-mor- 
 row there would not be one alive! "We reached 
 their camp yesterday. The Pangerang falsely fawns 
 upon my master, makes him sit beside him, and 
 causes his bedegos to dance before him; then in- 
 
BATAVIA. 217 
 
 vites him to join in a feast in his dhalm. "We follow 
 him without mistrust ; but hardly have we entered 
 the palace of the perfidious prince than we are 
 seized, and — " 
 
 " Congo, do not hide the truth from us !" ex- 
 claimed Adelaide, who noticed the negro did not 
 dare speak openly. 
 
 " Then," continued the negro, " they pinioned 
 our arms with ropes and conducted us into a hall 
 where a great number of orang-kays kept us until 
 now." 
 
 " Ah ! my poor father, they pinioned him !" said 
 the young girl, sobbing. " The wicked Javanese 
 have maltreated him. But he is not the man to per- 
 mit himself to be pinioned without resistance. O 
 my God, they have perhaps wounded him !" 
 
 Walter put a restraint upon himself and en- 
 deavored to appear calm ; but his hand held on to 
 the handle of his sword with snch convulsive en- 
 ergy that it made his knuckles crack. 
 
 "No, mademoiselle, you are mistaken," said the 
 negro. " They did not injure my master. He did 
 not defend himself because — ^because they had 
 taken his sword from him — and his arms were 
 untied as soon as he had reached the hall which 
 was to serve him as a prison." 
 
 "Heavens! what do I see?" cried Adelaide. 
 " Congo, your eye is all bloody ! And you assert 
 that they did not ill-treat you ?" 
 
 " I — I — " stammered the slave. " Yes, it is true. 
 I received one blow, — one alone." 
 
218 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Congo, you are not telling us the truth !" ex- 
 claimed Madame Van den Broeck, in a voice that 
 ■was heart-rending. Suddenly she hid her face in 
 her hands and wept warm tears. 
 
 When the young girl saw her mother's profound 
 despair, she flew towards the heutenant, and hold- 
 ing out her hands in supplication, she cried, 
 
 " Oh ! "Walter, you are brave ; your word is all- 
 powerful with the soldiers of the garrison. Show 
 now that you are grateful towards my poor father 
 for the goodness he shows you. Ah ! prove that 
 you loved his daughter ! Deliver him from the 
 hands of his murderers ! I will reward you gener- 
 ously for this kindness. I will love you with all 
 my heart and will bless you with my last breath !" 
 
 " Say no more, Adelaide ; indignation and a thirst 
 for vengeance make my blood boil. If intrepid 
 resolve and heroic courage can break your father's 
 bonds, be assured the hour of his deliverance is at 
 hand. Eemain calm, my friend ; the sorrow that 
 has overtaken us is indeed great. I also shed tears 
 of pity and of rage ; but if your father has not been 
 maltreated, it will be a proof the Javanese are not 
 seeking his life. Let us hope God will protect 
 him until we can obtain his freedom. Restrain 
 your tears, and let me ask Congo some questions. 
 Tell me, Congo, had you just left the Captain before 
 coming to the fortress ?" 
 
 " No, Lieutenant ; I left him nearly two hours ago. 
 The Captain was conducted to the Pangerang's pres- 
 ence, but I am quite sure nothing has happened to 
 him since then." 
 
BATATIA. 219 
 
 ""Why did they send you back to the factory?" 
 
 "I brought a letter to the council of war, Lieu- 
 tenant, according to the orangkays who brought 
 me away from the camp. It was a letter from the 
 Dommagon, and I also know its contents. From 
 what they say, my master has asked permission of 
 the Pangerang to speak to the garrison at the facto- 
 ry. He has consented, and the Captain will be 
 brought beneath the ramparts." 
 
 " I shall then see my poor father !" said Adelaide, 
 with tears in her voice. " I shall see him a pris- 
 oner, pinioned; but at least my eyes will behold 
 him alive." 
 
 "Furthermore, Lieutenant, the letter contains 
 something that concerns you more than all the rest. 
 At the first shot, the first act of aggression, and the 
 smallest efEort made for my master's release, the 
 Javnanese will kill him before our very eyes." 
 
 A cry of anguish escaped the young girl ; she 
 again ran towards "Walter with clasped hands. 
 
 " Ah, forget my prayer !" she said beseechingly ; 
 " do nothing for his deliverance. If you love me, 
 stifle every desire of vengeance within your heart. 
 They would kill my poor father, "Walter !" 
 
 At this moment the door was opened ; an ensign 
 entered the room, and said in a quick voice, 
 
 " The council of war has commanded me to con- 
 duct Congo immediately before them. Lieutenant, 
 I am to inform you your presence on the ramparts 
 is absolutely necessary. It is impossible to repress 
 the garrison. The council of war forbids any 
 
220 BATAVIA. 
 
 step to be taken except under orders, counting 
 upon you to keep all the men imbued with a strict 
 sense of duty. Be so good, Lieutenant, as to ac- 
 company me. As we walk along I will tell you, 
 as I am directed by the council of war, the question 
 at issue." 
 
 " Come, mother," cried Adelaide, " come, let us 
 go to see my unhappy father !" 
 
 " No, Adelaide ; remain here," said "Walter. 
 " When it is time I will come for you." 
 
 Madame Van den Broeck took her daughter's 
 hand, drew her silently to her breast, kissed her, 
 sobbing, and thus prevented her from following 
 the lieutenant. 
 
 In the vestibule Congo whispered in the young 
 man's ear, 
 
 " Oh, Mr. Peterson, through pity for our young 
 lady's sorrow I concealed what was most frightful ! 
 They beat my poor master and kicked him ; he has 
 been frightfully ill-treated." 
 
 Walter, a prey to suppressed anger, trembled in 
 every limb. His head fell forward with discourage- 
 ment on his breast, and a hoarse, dall exclamation 
 was his only answer. 
 
 The ensign stopped him yet another moment on 
 the square, and told him hastily what the letter 
 brought by Congo to the council of war contained. 
 He then left the lieutenant and went with Congo to 
 the warehouse, where the council of war were still 
 in session. 
 
 Walter Peterson ascended the ramparts and tried 
 
BATAVIA. 221 
 
 to make the men understand that the slightest at- 
 tempt at revenge would cost the Captain his life. 
 He conjured them through love for their unfortu- 
 nate commander to repress .their thirst for vengeance 
 and indignation. 
 
 It was at first difficult for him to soothe their 
 over-excited minds ; but when they saw a crowd of 
 the enemy leave the camp, when their ranks, like a 
 thick wall, extended from the town of Jacatra to 
 the seashore, each one felt that a sally was out of 
 the question. Mournful discouragement filled their 
 hearts, and, with heads bent, they followed the 
 movements of their foe with sombre looks. 
 
 While the Dutch, whose hearts were overcharged 
 with despair and sorrow, awaited the issue of events 
 from the ramparts, the Javanese made the flecessary 
 preparations for the cruel test to which the poor 
 Captain was to be put in the hope that his courage 
 would give way, and that they would in this manner 
 gain their end without the loss of a single man. 
 
 Some orang-kays entered the dungeon where lay 
 Van den Broeck since the day before. In the morn- 
 ing his hands had been untied to permit of his tak- 
 ing a little nourishment, for they had private mo- 
 tives for wishing to spare his life. The cords were 
 removed from his feet. But they had previously 
 passed a small rope around his neck, by which they 
 dragged him into one of the apartments of the dhalm. 
 
 This apartment contained the Dommagon, the 
 Grand Panghonlon, and other high functionaries of 
 the Sultan's court. 
 
223 BAT^VIA. 
 
 The Dommagon, whose face was contracted with 
 hate, said to the Captain, 
 
 " The Orang-Wollanda are a people both presump- 
 tuous and rash. You dare with some hundreds of 
 men to hold out against thousands of warriors, and 
 hope to keep your fortress on my Sultan's territory 
 against his will. Most assuredly, had he but held 
 up his finger, one day would have sufficed that not 
 one stone of your fort should have been left upon 
 the other. But my Sultan does not wish to spill 
 Javanese blood without reason, and has found a 
 means to cause the factory to surrender. You are 
 to be carried beneath the walls of the fortress, and 
 if you refuse to order your men to deliver it up on 
 the spot with all its contents, fifty cries will pierce 
 your heatt. Reflect upon what you are about to do. 
 If the factory is delivered up to us, we will conduct 
 you and all the Orang-WoUanda to Bantam, where 
 you can leave Java by embarking on English or 
 Portuguese vessels. If you refuse, your blood will 
 be spilled this very day to its very last drop, and all 
 your men will be cruelly put to death." 
 
 The expression of contempt upon Van den 
 Broeck's face was so great that the Dommagon 
 ground his teeth with rage and half drew his eric 
 from its scabbard ; but the Captain did not seem in 
 any wise aflfected by these menacing demonstrations, 
 and replied, 
 
 • "If you think to become masters of the factory 
 thanks to the odious treachery of which I am the 
 victim, you are mistaken, Sir Dommagon, and you 
 
BATAVIA. 223 
 
 can plainly tell your Sultan that he will find himself 
 deceived in this hope." 
 
 " Yain brav^ado ! When the cold steel of the 
 cries have found the road to your heart you will 
 speak difEerently." 
 
 " Try. I am a son of the ^Netherlands !" replied 
 Yan den Eroeck in tones of profound disdain. 
 
 "What! you would accept so horrible an end 
 rather than bend your odious pride?" 
 
 " Eather die a thousand times than to betray my 
 country ! All your efforts are useless ; you will not 
 have the factory." 
 
 " Fool !" exclaimed the Dommagon, irritated at 
 his cool firmness. " You hope to die at once. No, 
 no ; I will cause your blood to flow drop by drop 
 through many small wounds. I will put you to 
 such protracted torture that you will have to ask for 
 mercy. Oh, do not doubt but that the Sultan will 
 bend you to his will !" 
 
 " Ignoble brood !" cried Yan den Broeck with 
 indignation. " You are twenty men against one, 
 and do not dare to seek victory by combat I In- 
 famous treachery, vile craft, odious fraud — those 
 are your arms ! And you, Panghonlon, do you not 
 think Mahomet the prophet should be proud to see 
 his sons so loyal and courageous ?" 
 
 The Panghonlon yelled with fury, flew towards 
 the Captain, and struck him a terrible blow in the 
 face. 
 
 " That will teach you to blaspheme the prophet, 
 dog of a Christian !" he roared. 
 
224 BATAVIA, 
 
 As if this outrage were the signal for greater ill- 
 treatment, the orang-kays who held the Dutch com- 
 mander threw him backward by means of the cord 
 around his throat and dragged him on the ground. 
 They all began trampling him under foot; some 
 spat in his face, and the Dommagon struck him so 
 violently on the head with the handle of his eric 
 that, spite of his courage, Yan den Broeck .could not 
 restrain a cry of pain. 
 
 When the Javanese had finally tired of this hor- 
 rible torture they allowed Yan den Broeck to rise. 
 
 " Well," said the Dommagon, " will you give the 
 command, yes or no, to your men to relinquish the 
 factory ? Be careful how you answer ; this time I 
 shall have your body ground under the feet of my 
 slaves." 
 
 Yan den Broeck's face still retained its expression 
 of scorn, bat in his eyes there was a light expressive 
 of some secret and mysterious design. It was with 
 a calm voice and apparent submission that he said, 
 
 " Carry me towards the fortress ; I will speak to 
 the Dutch." 
 
 " Will you give them the order to relinquish the 
 factory?" 
 
 " I will beg them to." 
 
 " You are deceiving us !" cried the Dommagon. 
 " You will give them the absolute order ?" 
 
 " So be it," replied Yan den Broeck ; " I am 
 ready for everything." 
 
 A smile of triumph appeared on the faces of the 
 orang-kays. They were rejoicing at the thought of 
 
BATAVIA. 225 
 
 having made the inflexible Captain yield, and already 
 fancied themselves in possession of the Dutch fort 
 and the large ambunt of riches collected there. The 
 prisoner was conducted from the apartment and the 
 palace. "WhUe walking, the Dommagon again said 
 to him menacingly, 
 
 " Be very careful ; death will be at your side and 
 hear what you say. One suspicious word and twenty 
 cries will pierce your breast." 
 
 Yan den Broeck made no further reply, and al- 
 lowed himself to be quietly conducted across the 
 camp. From time to time he was still cruelly struck 
 by the orang-kays, but he passively walked along, 
 seemingly insensible to this ill-treatment. 
 
 In the distance he observed some European mer- 
 chants, no doubt English or Portuguese, upon whose 
 faces was imprinted compassion as they saw him 
 pass, testifying by their attitude that they had not 
 participated in the treachery. "Was this duplicity 
 on their part, or had the Javanese truly been alone 
 in committing this atrocious act of violence without 
 taking counsel of the foreigners ? 
 
 Van den Broeck, still with the rope around his 
 throat, was led out of the camp into the plain. He 
 saw his companions assembled on the ramparts, and 
 among them two women who, spite of the distance, 
 already held out their arms towards him. 
 
 The sight of his wife and daughter touched him 
 deeply and broke down his strength for a moment; 
 a tear glistened under his eyelid ; his heart beat pain- 
 fully, and his head fell heavily on his breast. If 
 
226 BATAVIA. 
 
 through devotion to his country he dared death, the 
 unfortunate ones would see their husband and father 
 massacred before their eyes. This blow would per- 
 haps break their hearts ; and if God spared their 
 lives, they would languish in sorrow and mourning, 
 overwhelmed by the remembrance of so horrible a 
 spectacle. Adelaide, a weak and delicate young 
 girl, would without doubt succumb to her beloved 
 father's terrible death. 
 
 While the entire Javanese army advanced some 
 steps upon the plain, the prisoner, accompanied only 
 by about thirty orang-kays, was slowly conducted 
 towards the factory. On the road frightful threats 
 were made him, and constantly the erics were 
 pointed towards his breast ; but he did not turn 
 away his eyes from his wife and daughter. 
 
 The unhappy women shed torrents of tears, and 
 their gestures of despair sufficiently attested the ex- 
 cess of their grief. Eage mingled with despair 
 caused the eyes of the Dutch soldiers to sparkle ; 
 but, convinced of their impotence and obliged to 
 bend under the yoke of a cruel necessity, they 
 seemed as if struck dumb, and gazed with sombre 
 eyes on the Captain approaching. 
 
 If any of the more daring had yet retained the 
 hope of attempting to deliver the prisoner, the hope 
 vanished completely at that moment, for the Javan- 
 ese took 'an oblique direction across the country 
 and allowed it to be seen they did not mean to con- 
 duct the Captain towards the door, but in quite the 
 opposite direction from the factory. 
 
BATAVIA. 227 
 
 The garrison went slowly and in silence towards 
 that portion of the ramparts. 
 
 Yan den Broeck could already hear Adelaide call- 
 ing his beloved name in heart-rending accents, like 
 a last cry of despair ; he saw the tears bathing his 
 wife's face, and by her side "Walter as pale as death, 
 his eyes glistening with sombre fire. 
 
 The escort stopped. All the orang-kays directed 
 their cries towards the Captain's breast, and the 
 Dommagon said to him, 
 
 " Order your men to yield, otherwise this ground 
 will receive your dead body." 
 
 The Captain seemed to hesitate ; the sight of his 
 much-loved Adelaide, who was crying out piteously, 
 filling the air with her lamentations, took from him 
 the strength necessary to endure the terrible ordeal; 
 but after shivering for an instant under the effect 
 of this pity, he suddenly lifted his head, his eyes 
 were illumined with the light of heroism, and he 
 said, addressing himself to the Dutch garrison in a 
 voice which was at first calm, but finally rose by 
 degrees to a pitch of enthusiasm : 
 
 " Brothers, they have conducted me before you 
 with the hope that I will order you to abandon the 
 growing Batavia. Whatever I may say to you, 
 whatever danger threatens me, do not forget what 
 you owe your country. If I am to lose my life, 
 remember that such a fate may await us any day, 
 and that the spot where I am about to fall for the 
 glory of Holland is also a glorious battle-field. Dear 
 wife, beloved daughter, be both consoled by the con- 
 
228 BATAVIA. 
 
 viction that at least I leave you as an inheritance a 
 name without stain." 
 
 The orang-kays did not understand what the Cap- 
 tain was saying ; yet it seemed plain to them he 
 was not obeying their injunctions. They menaced 
 him anew with their erics, and exacted with fury 
 that he should order the factory to surrender. 
 
 " I am engaged in recommending the surrender," 
 replied Van den Broeek. " Let me speak ; I may 
 convince them that all resistance has become use- 
 
 And addressing himself anew to his companions, 
 he said, 
 
 " Do not lose courage, brothers ; your enemies are 
 divided among themselves and quarrelling over the 
 distribution of the bounty. They despair of vic- 
 tory. Eemain faithful to your oath ; defend the 
 factory until there is not one man left. Let your 
 commander serve as an example ; because of his love 
 for his country he accepts a frightful death before 
 the eyes of his poor wife and unfortunate daughter. 
 In the hour of peril and adversity remember you 
 are IS'etherlanders. Adieu. May the Lord sustain 
 your courage until the Governor's return ; may he 
 fill your hearts with an inextinguishable sense of 
 duty ; and may he vouchsafe to our dear Nether- 
 lands a signal victory ! Farewell, wife ! Farewell, 
 my child ! Hurrah ! Batavia, Batavia !" 
 
 "While this act of heroism drew tears from the 
 Dutch soldiers, yet the Captain's last cry did not 
 transport them the less with enthusiasm ; all with 
 
BATAVIA. 229 
 
 one accord lifted their hands to heayen and repeated 
 in powerful tones, 
 
 "Batavia! Batavial" 
 
 Then the orang-kays perceived the Captain had 
 deceived them. Instead of piercing him with their 
 cries, they struck him so roughly in the face with 
 their fists that the blood spui-ted from his mouth. 
 At the same moment they tripped him up and 
 dragged him along the ground in the direction of 
 their camp. 
 
 Two screams so shrill that it pierced the air 
 like a last cry of agony resounded on the factory 
 ramparts. Two women had fallen upon the ground 
 fainting. 
 
 While a lieutenant, a negro, and some soldiers 
 pressed forward to afford some help, the rest of the 
 garrison swayed tumultuously on the crest of the 
 ramparts. Terrible oaths, cries of rage and ven- 
 geance, bloody menaces resounded from the midst 
 of the crowd ; one would have said a sudden revolt 
 had broken out in the factory. The truth was that 
 the thirst for vengeance exasperated the men to the 
 verge of folly ; they wished, in spite of the imminent 
 risk, to cross the entrance and fly to Yan den 
 Broeck's deliverance. Captains Dircksz and Yan 
 Eay tried by every means to compose their minds, 
 but, far from succeeding, their words seemed but to 
 stir up the soldiers' anger and excitement. 
 
 Thanks to this discussion, they gave the Javan- 
 ese time to drag the Captain as far as their camp 
 and bef pre they had come to any decision the orang- 
 
230 BATAVIA. 
 
 kays had disappeared with their prisoner behind 
 their intrenchments. The Dutch then realized they 
 were too late, and that all attempts to rescue the 
 commander must be given up. They looked upon 
 "Walter Peterson, wfio was coming down with the 
 unfortunate daughter of the Captain in his arms, in 
 heart-broken despair ; they followed Madame Van 
 den Broeek sadly with their eyes, who was as pale 
 as death, leaning on the arm of an ensign and walk- 
 ing with tottering steps towards her dwelling; some 
 struck the earth with the butt end of their muskets, 
 others dragged their hair out by the roots, all cursed 
 their impotence and asked vengeance of Heaven. 
 
BATAVIA. 231 
 
 ^ OHAPTEE IX. 
 
 Some hours later, the Sultan of Jacatra was again 
 seated out of doors in the same spot where he had re- 
 ceived the Dutch commander with feigned demon- 
 strations of friendship the day before. Again the 
 square was surrounded by compact rows of Javanese 
 warriors, and the principal orang-kays and some 
 panghonlons stood beside the sovereign. The play- 
 ^ers of the gamelang were placed opposite the Sul- 
 tan, on the other side of the 'square, but the bedegos 
 or dancers were absent. 
 
 In front of the Sultan were the Dommagon and 
 a Portuguese merchant. This latter, who during a 
 long sojourn at Amboine had acquired some knowl- 
 edge of the Dutch tongue, had been commissioned 
 by the Dommagon to visit the soldier-prisoiiers and 
 induce them to advise their commander to give, up 
 the factory. But all his efforts had been in vain, 
 and he had found all the Dutch equally inflexible. 
 
 The ' Portuguese was at this moment giving an 
 account of his mission. It was observable by the 
 'expression on the faces of the orang-kays, and yet 
 more on those of the panghonlons, that the report 
 excited within them great irritation. The immova- 
 ble firmness of the Dutch drew from them cries of 
 rage and vengeance. The face of the Pangerang 
 alone remained impassive. 
 
232 BATAVIA. 
 
 At this moment on the other side of the square 
 appeared some orang-kays with the prisoners. 
 
 " There is one of that arrogant brood !" muttered 
 the Saltan. " I will myself attempt a last effort, 
 and if they refuse longer to submit to my wiU, may 
 their blood flow at my feet !" 
 
 Van den Broeck and his companions, escorted by 
 a strong guard, advanced slowly towards the square. 
 They had riveted to the neck of each one a block 
 of wood which encased at one time their shoulders 
 and the upper part of their arms, so that they wore 
 a yoke like beasts of burden, and could neither 
 move their heads nor their arms. Their faces, how- 
 ever, wore a noble and proud expression, and to the 
 insulting words and gestures of the Javanese they 
 responded by calmly smiling, which struck their 
 enemies vsHlth astonishment if not with admiration. 
 
 They were preceded by five strong men armed 
 with curved swords or klewangs. From the fero- 
 cious cruelty imprinted on the features of these war- 
 riors, and the blood-thirstiness of their looks, it was 
 plain to be seen they had been selected to be the 
 executioners of the Dutch. 
 
 Behind the prisoners advanced some attendants 
 holding in their hands long bamboo stalks. The 
 Javanese had the habit of exposing the heads of- 
 their dead enemies on the top of their long poles. 
 
 They conducted the Dutch to the middle of the 
 square, between the players of the gamelang and 
 the Sultan, obliging them to sit upon the ground. 
 
 Yan den Broeck fixed his gaze with a calm but 
 
BATA.TIA. 233 
 
 proud expression on the Dommagon and panghon^ 
 Ions. He understood perfectly that, before putting 
 him to death with his companions, they wished for 
 the last time to put his courage to the test ; for the 
 Sultan held some writing in his hand, probably the 
 treaty for the surrender of the fortress, which had 
 already been submitted to the captive commander 
 for his signature. 
 
 The Captain having slightly turned his head pen;- 
 ceived behind him some orang-kays, and among them 
 the sjahbandar who had been his guide when he first 
 arrived at the camp and had spoken of his com- 
 patriots in such singular terms. The sjahbandar 
 seemed sorrowful, and looked upon the Dutch pris- 
 oners with an expression of pity; and when his 
 eye caught the reproachful look of the commander, 
 he crossed his arms upon his breast and bowed his 
 head like a man overwhelmed with shame or who 
 wishes to protest his innocence. 
 
 By order of the Dommagon, Yan den Broeek was 
 brought to the foot of the mound where sat the 
 Sultan, who rose and showed the Captain the written 
 paper he held in his hand, and said, with wonderful 
 coolness and indifference : 
 
 " Your presumption is so great that I, Pangerang 
 and Sultan of Jacatra, demean myself by speaking 
 to you. But I wish to exhaust in your behalf the 
 source of my bounty, that you may blush with 
 shame within the tomb itself for your insensate 
 obstinacy. Here is a treaty by which the factory, 
 with the munitions of war and the riches therein 
 
234 BAT A VIA. 
 
 contained, may be ceded to me. By this same 
 treaty I pledge myself to have your companions 
 and yourself escorted to Bantam, women, children, 
 and servants included, free and imshacMed, giving 
 you the means of leaving Java. Why should you 
 refuse your signature to a treaty that I offer you as 
 a proof of my magnanimity ? It is certain that the 
 Orang-"Wollanda, spite of their haughtiness and deter- 
 mination, cannot hold the factory against my will. 
 To-morrow, perhaps to-day, two thousand men from 
 Bantam will be here to reinforce my army. My 
 allies, the English, will disembark more cannon of 
 greater calibre and construct new bastions. In a 
 few days your factory will be so utterly demolished 
 that the winds of the earth will scatter its dust over 
 the great sea. But my heart bleeds at the thought 
 of sacrificing so many of my brave people to attain 
 so small an end, and I wish to prevent the shedding 
 of blood. Be prudent on your side ; by your obsti- 
 nate pride do not doom your men to a death as 
 certain as it is useless. Come, inscribe your name at 
 the bottom of this treaty and your shackles shall be 
 at once removed." 
 
 Yan den Broeck replied to the Pangerang's allo- 
 cution in calm and dignified tones : 
 
 " My Lord Sultan, you ceded to the Dutch, at a 
 money valuation, the ground upon which the factory 
 was erected. It belongs to us by every title, and be 
 assured we mean to hold it. Put to death myself 
 and my companions, if you wish it ; take our fort- 
 ress by assault, if you can ; scatter its dust over the 
 
BATAVIA. 235 
 
 sea. It will be useless. < The Dutch will make you 
 pay a hundredfold the blood of her sons ; and who 
 knows, my Lord Sultan, if she wiU not demolish 
 your throne in punishment of your infamous 
 treachery ?" 
 
 Hearing this menace, the Pangerang shuddered 
 with inward rage. A panghonlon struck the Cap- 
 tain in the face with his hand ; the orang-kays 
 roared and waved their erics about. But a word 
 from the Sultan imposed silence upon them. 
 
 " "Will you place your name at the bottom of this 
 treaty ?" repeated the prince. 
 
 " Cease your useless endeavors, my Lord Sultan. 
 You have determined to put us to death ; carry out 
 your intention. Do not hope through love of life 
 we will betray our country. My companions and 
 myself are ready to die." 
 
 The Sultan shook his head with vexation, but, as 
 if he still retained a hope of convincing the Captain, 
 he resumed with calmness and said, 
 
 " You have lost your senses. Your heart is like 
 a stone on which the arrows of reason and of feel- 
 ing alike are blunted. You have a wife and child 
 at the factory. You are about to be pierced through 
 with poniards ; your bleeding head will be stuck 
 .upon the top of a bamboo pole and exposed upon 
 the plain, in full view of your comrades. Your wife 
 and child may each day behold the birds of the air 
 tearing the flesh from your skull." 
 
 A cry of anguish escaped from the Captain's 
 breast. 
 
236 BATAVIA. 
 
 " This is the horrible sight you are preparing for 
 those who belong to you," replied the Sultan. 
 " And when for some days they will have endured 
 this cruel martyrdom, the factory will fall into our 
 hands. My warriors will revenge upon your wife 
 and child the blood that has been spilled. I see in 
 spirit already their corpses pierced with a thousand 
 wounds, and their heads beside yours on a bamboo 
 staff. You are a father ; think well of what you 
 are doing!" 
 
 Tears ran down the Captain's ^cheeks, and his 
 breast heaved convulsively. The frightful scene 
 that the Sultan had depicted had filled his soul with 
 terror and anguish. He also saw in spirit his un- 
 happy wife and wretched child writhing with pain 
 at the sight of his head placed on top of a pole. 
 The father, a prey to horrible torture, shuddered in 
 every member, and his broken heart bled within his 
 breast. 
 
 The Sultan permitted him for a few minutes to 
 feel the weight of this terrible misfortune, then said 
 in a tone of triumph, 
 
 "Come, remember you are a parent, and do for 
 the love of your child what you have refused to do 
 as a warrior. Sign the treaty, and to you I will ac- 
 cord my friendship, and to yours my protection." 
 
 Van den Broeck's eyes were lowered, and he made 
 no reply. He seemed completely to have forgotten 
 his present position, and had not heard the Panger- 
 ang's last words ; but an orang-kay seized him by the 
 
BATAVIA. 2B7 
 
 hair, brutally drew his head backward, and ex- 
 claimed, 
 
 " My Sultan speaks, wretch ! Do you not hear 
 him ?" 
 
 " Well, are you going to sign the treaty ?" asked 
 the prince. 
 
 " Never, never !" replied the Captain, shaking his 
 head. 
 
 " Obstinate man !" cried out the Pangerang, with 
 irritation. " Let it then be as you desire, and your 
 refusal to obey be drowned in your blood. Let 
 him be conducted back to his companions. They 
 are to die." 
 
 He turned towards the panghonlons and ex- 
 changed some words with them ; the executioners 
 held their klewangs in readiness, and kept their 
 eyes on their prince, awaiting the death-signal for 
 the prisoners. 
 
 At this moment a tumultuous movement was 
 seen in the distance at the furthest end of the 
 square in the ranks of the Javanese warriors, and 
 a hushed murmur was heard above their heads, as 
 if some incident had occurred that had excited 
 general astonishment. The Sultan and orang-kays 
 for a while forgot their prisoners, and looked in the 
 direction with curiosity to discover the cause of the 
 agitation which manifested itself. 
 
 The enigma was soon solved. A European 
 woman, accompanied by a negro slave, appeared on 
 the square with gestures of pain and despair. 
 
238 BATAVIA. 
 
 Wien her looks fell upon the Captain, who was 
 pinioned, and upon the executioners whose kle- 
 wangs were raised, a piercing shriek escaped her ; 
 she took a step towards the prisoners, and held her 
 hands forward, as if she wished to fly to the em- 
 brace of one of them ; but she remembered why she 
 was there, turned around, and hastened to where the 
 Pangerang sat, fell upon her knees at his feet, and 
 cried, while lifting supplicating arms towards him, 
 
 " my Lord Sultan, be merciful ! be merciful 
 to a miserable woman ! In the name of your 
 mother I supplicate you, grant me the life of my 
 poor husband ! Behold my mortal anguish ; be- 
 hold my tears, listen to my moans ! O magnani- 
 mous Sultan, mercy ! mercy !" 
 
 The Sultan seemed at first very much surprised 
 to see a white woman thus kneeling at his feet, and 
 a lightning glance of pity shone in his eyes. He 
 asked her what she wished. 
 
 "My Lord Sultan," said the Portuguese inter- 
 preter, " this is the Dutch commander's wife. She 
 pleads for mercy for her husband." 
 
 "While the prince fixed his eyes irresolutely on 
 the woman who held out her hands in supplication, 
 the panghonlon approached and spoke to him for a 
 few moments in low tones. The Sultan called to 
 the Portuguese and communicated to him the an- 
 swer he was to make from him to the Captain's wife. 
 
 The Portuguese turned towards Madame Yan den 
 Broeck, and said to her in pretty good Dutch, 
 
 " Else, madame. The Sultan of Jacatra will par- 
 
BATAVIA. 239 
 
 don your husband if he consents to sign the' order 
 for relinquishing the factory. Endeavor to bring 
 him to this determination. The Sultan allows you 
 some few moments. If you do not succeed in 
 your efforts, if the Captain turns from this only 
 hope of safety, he will be put to death before you, 
 and his head, placed on a bamboo cane, shall be 
 given to the birds of prey as food. Go ; and may 
 God give strength to your words, for your position 
 is a terrible one !" 
 
 The poor woman gave a cry of joy, as if the only 
 hope left her was for her unexpected happiness. 
 She rose hurriedly and ran towards her husband. 
 She sat beside him, leaned her arm upon the block 
 of wood which encircled his neck and shoulders, 
 and drawing towards her that beloved head, she 
 kissed it tenderly while weeping more violently. 
 
 " Alas ! unhappy woman, what have you done ?" 
 said Van den Broeck, in an altered voice. 
 "Through love of me you have delivered your- 
 self up to these assassins. You come to be present 
 at my death ! This is to make me die twice ! 
 my God, why did you not spare me this ordeal ?" 
 
 But she placed her hand upon his mouth and 
 stifled these painful cries. A wild laugh contracted 
 her' lips, and she said, 
 
 " Van den Broeck, you cannot die ; I will save 
 you. I promised it to Adelaide ; she awaits my 
 return. Ah, were I obliged to tell her of your 
 death, her soul would take flight with a last sigh 
 of agony ! Sign the surrender of the factory." 
 
240 BATAVIA. 
 
 The Captain, with his eyes fastened on the 
 ground, shook his head in the negative. 
 
 " Oh, you would refuse !" cried the wife, moving 
 her hands about in despair. " This is not possible. 
 If you are only guided by your heroic and intrepid 
 courage that you should die, I understand ; you are 
 a man ; but that at the same time you should so 
 coldly deal a death-blow to your wife and child — 
 no, no, you will not do this ! You remember, Yan 
 den Broeck, do you not, you are a father ? You 
 will take pity on your poor daughter and me ? Do 
 not remain inexorable. "We cannot at any rate pre- 
 serve the factory, and our death will avail our coun- 
 try nothing. I beseech you, sign this treaty." 
 
 "Poor wife, sorrow has unsettled you!" said the 
 Captain. " Alas ! what an effect agony and suffer- 
 ing must have had upon you, for one usually so 
 firm and courageous to counsel my being guilty of 
 an act of cowardice !" 
 
 " An act of cowardice ! Oh, say not so. Van den 
 Broeck," she exclaimed in tones of despair, clasp- 
 ing her hands. " Do not be severe upon my mother- 
 heart. You see me on my knees before you ; what 
 I beg for IS not my life nor yours, it is that of my 
 child !" 
 
 " There can be no hesitation in deciding between 
 honor and infamy," said the Captain, m tones of 
 inexpressible pity. "Listen to me calmly. If as 
 a soldier of the Netherlands I remain faithful to 
 my duty, some day my country will recall my 
 name with gratitude, and after my death will sur- 
 
BATAVIA. 241 
 
 round you and our child witli care and considera- 
 tion. If, on the other side, my courage gives way 
 before the threats of our enemies, if I give up 'New 
 Batavia and its brave garrison into the hands of the 
 Javanese, my name will be forever execrated as a 
 type of treachery and cowardice. Where should I 
 hide, having to bear such opprobrium ? Where 
 escape it? You yourself would no longer re- 
 spect a soldier who, guilty and disgraced, had bar- 
 tered the honor of Holland against the uncertain 
 hope of retaining his life. It would be horrible. 
 Cursed by my companions whom I had betrayed, 
 reddening with shame before my wife and child 
 whose name I had dishonored. And I would seek 
 to save such a life with treachery ! I would make 
 you and my daughter endure such an existence by 
 an act of weakness and cowardice ! Tour heart is 
 noble and magnanimous, my beloved ; be you the 
 judge." 
 
 The unfortunate mother carried her hands to her 
 eyes, while sobbing violently, and remained silent. 
 
 " I knew it well," muttered the Captain, with a 
 look of proud satisfaction. "A Netherlander's 
 heart beats in your breast, wife." 
 
 "My child, my poor child!" exclaimed the 
 mother in heart-rending tones. 
 
 " The Lord in heaven will protect our child," 
 said the Captain. " Walter Peterson will console 
 her, and in the noble and loyal behavior of her 
 father she will find the strength to bear the blow 
 which will have struck her. We must all die, wife, 
 
242 BATAVIA. 
 
 some day, but we have not all the power to choose 
 a glorious death." 
 
 She wound her arms once more around her hus- 
 band's neck, giving him a warm Mss, and with eyes 
 radiant with enthusiasm she said, 
 
 "How I admire you, Yan den Broeck ! You are 
 indeed great and noble in my eyes. No, no, be not 
 guilty of cowardice ; remain worthy of the blood of 
 the Netherlands which courses in your veins. Ah ! 
 may the God of a grateful country protect our child ! 
 I will leave you no more ; I will sustain your cour- 
 age, and be your faithful companion until death !" 
 
 His beloved wife's resignation agitated the Cap- 
 tain terribly ; he also wept bitterly, and, as if his 
 heart were bursting in his breast, he bowed his 
 head and said in agonizing tones, 
 
 "Oh, this is dreadful! it is dreadful!" The 
 Portuguese interpreter approached them and said, 
 
 " "Well, madame, has the Captain made up his 
 mind to surrender the factory? The Sultan has 
 sent me to warn you that in a few moments he wiU 
 give the fatal order. What shall I say to him ?" 
 
 He awaited a reply, but the terrified woman did 
 not dare say a word which she felt would hasten 
 her husband's death. 
 
 " "What am I to say to the Sultan?" repeated the 
 Portuguese. 
 
 "Tell him," replied Yan den Broeck, "that a 
 Dutch soldier does not sell his country." 
 
 The Portuguese appeared sorry and shook his 
 head compassionately. 
 
BATAVIA. 243 
 
 "I admire your courageous and heroic resolu- 
 tion," he said, " and I deplore the necessity that 
 makes me the instrument for executing so barba- 
 rous a sentence. But do not blame me, I beg of 
 you. Accident alone brought me as a merchant to 
 Jacatra, and I have taken no part in the treachery 
 of which you are a victim. 1 should have been 
 glad to announce to the Sultan your submission to 
 his will, but since you reject his proposals I am 
 compelled to repeat the words that will be the sig- 
 nal for your death. May God have mercy on your 
 soul !" 
 
 Returning to the Sultan, the Portuguese said the 
 Captain's wife had not been able, until now, to per- 
 suade her husband, the Dutch commander persis- 
 tently refusing. 
 
 This news seemed to annoy the Pangerang 
 greatly, and it was perceptible that he had trouble 
 in resolving to give the definite order for the death 
 of the Hollanders. "When the Javanese, by deceit- 
 ful overtures of peace, had brought the Dutch com- 
 mander to their camp and had treacherously made 
 him a prisoner, it was not with the design of put- 
 ting him to death, but to oblige him by threats to 
 surrender the fortress. His unexpected resistance 
 disconcerted all their plans. 
 
 The Pangerang, before giving the signal, caused 
 the Dommagon and the Grand Panghonlon to ap- 
 proach, and said to them with displeasure, 
 
 " So, these well-concocted plans and all the trouble 
 we have given ourselves have come to nothing? 
 
244 BATAVIA. 
 
 The prisoner is as inflexible as a djati. All threats 
 are exhausted ; nothing therefore remains but that 
 we shall give the order for them to die." 
 
 " We could still try another means, a powerful 
 and an almost infallible one, my Lord Sultan," re- 
 plied the Panghonlon. " Let us say to the Captain 
 that we wiU begin by putting his wife to death be- 
 fore his eyes. This threat will break his heart, and 
 he will sign the treaty, be assured of it." 
 
 "Do you believe it?" asked the Sultan, doubt- 
 fully. " "What he did not do to save his own life 
 will he do for the love of a woman?" 
 
 "White men never have but one wife, my Lord 
 Sultan," replied the Panghonlon, "and they love 
 them as much as their children. Have the woman 
 cast upon the ground, and let the klewangs glisten 
 above her head, and the dog of a Christian will yield, 
 believe me." 
 
 " Tour advice may be good," said the Pangerang. 
 " At all events, we will try this means ; and if it does 
 not succeed, let them make haste to bring it to an 
 end." 
 
 At this moment all lifted their heads with sur- 
 prise and gazed into the distance as if they heard 
 unlooked-for sounds. 
 
 In truth the resounding of gongs and tijas was 
 suddenly heard a little way off. 
 
 " Here comes the Dommagon of Bantam with his 
 two thousand men," said the Sultan. "We will 
 await his arrival. It is not well that he should 
 reach us through blood that has been spilled. I am 
 
BATAVIA. 245 
 
 surprised he comes in so tmlooked-for a manner. 
 Why did we not hear these gongs sooner ? It would 
 seem as if he wished to surprise us." 
 
 Hardly had these words been spoken than large 
 bodies of orang-kays, with eric and klewang in hand, 
 reached the square. Their number was so great, 
 and they took so much time to collect, that in a 
 short while they covered it entirely, concealing the 
 Sultan from the sight of his own army. The King 
 of Bantam's brother marched at their head. In one 
 hand he held a glittering eric, and in 'the other a 
 casket covered over with a mantle of yellow silk. 
 
 The Sultan understood by this mantle that the 
 bearer was going to deliver a letter to him from the 
 sovereign of Bantam, yet the movement of these 
 new troops seemed to surprise and inspire him with 
 some fear. 
 
 The Bantamites, standing together as firm as a 
 stone wall, advanced towards the Sultan, and seemed 
 to endeavor to draw him within their ranks. Fi- 
 nally their battle-line reached to the prince's very 
 seat. The Dommagon ascended the mound ; ad- 
 vanced towards the Pangerang, who had risen ; took 
 the letter from under the yellow mantle and handed 
 it to him. 
 
 But hardly had the sovereign of Jacatra cast his 
 eye upon it than the pallor of death spread over his 
 face and he trembled visibly. 
 
 "Without giving him time to reply, the chief of 
 the army of Bantam said in a menacing voice, 
 
 " You thought to betray my brother and Sultan, 
 
246 BATAVIA. 
 
 but tie has discovered your perfidious machinations 
 and has sent me here to punish you. You made us 
 believe that the Dutch fortress should be razed to 
 the ground, and you have already secretly sold it to 
 the English. You promised us the half of the 
 riches of the Dutch, and only dreamed of keeping 
 all to yourselves. Your country is confiscated ; you 
 are no longer Pangerang or Sultan. This very day 
 I shall have you conducted to Bantam." 
 
 The Sultan endeavored to stammer some excuse, 
 but the Dommagon of Bantam placed his eric upon 
 his breast and exclaimed, 
 
 "Give yourself up as a prisoner, or I will run 
 you through the heart as truly as that my brother, 
 the Sultan of Bantam, is living !" 
 
 The Pangerang of Jacatra bowed his head and 
 said, with tears in his eyes, 
 
 "Mahomet has abandoned me! Do with me as 
 you will." 
 
 The Dommagon of Bantam turned towards the 
 orang-kays and the panghonlons, silent and dis- 
 mayed, and cried out in a voice of thunder, 
 
 " Those of you who yield submission to the Sul- 
 tan of Bantam will find favor in his sight. Those 
 who do not bend their heads beneath his power will 
 from this time feel the steel of our cries within 
 their breasts !" 
 
 All the orang-kays and panghonlons who were 
 near by prostrated themselves humbly upon the 
 ground and murmured, in tones of absolute submis- 
 sion, 
 
EATAVIA. 247 
 
 " Cahoela sampejom. "We are slaves prostrated at 
 your feet, Lord Dommagon." 
 
 " It is well," replied the chief of Bantam. " The 
 Sultan, my brother, will know how to recompense 
 your good-will. I do not see the English here. 
 Bring me at once the principal ones among them. 
 Let them go after them." 
 
 The orang-kays of Jacatra, desirous of pleasing 
 the new master, showed themselves willing to go to 
 the English bastion to satisfy his wishes. At a sign 
 of assent they hastened their steps across the square 
 and disappeared behind the trees. 
 
 Already the Dommagon of Bantam had delivered 
 up the deposed prince as prisoner of war to some 
 faithful orang-kays. With arms crossed upon his 
 breast, eyes full of tears, and head down, the Pan- 
 gerang found himself upon the square amid the 
 glistening cries of his guards. 
 
 While this was occurring, the Dommagon of Ban- 
 tam had entered into conversation with the pang- 
 honlons, and was probably receiving information as 
 to the state of things in Jacatra; they doubtless 
 spoke to him of the Dutch prisoners, for from time 
 to time he cast his eyes in the direction where they 
 were, still wearing their shackles; but the heavy 
 ranks of warriors hid them and did not allow the 
 Dommagon to see them. 
 
 Some moments after, the orang-kays reappeared 
 on the square witli four English merchants whom 
 they brought before the Dommagon, who cast a 
 haughty and angry glance upon them and said, 
 
248 BATAVIA. 
 
 " My brother, the Sultan of Bantam, has permit- 
 ted you to fight and destroy on the sea Dutch ves- 
 sels, but he has forbidden you to take up arms on 
 Javanese soil. You have misunderstood his wishes, 
 since, in the hope of possessing yourself of the 
 Dutch factory, you have erected bastions, on this 
 spot, and have placed cannon thereon taken from 
 your ships. I am here at Jacatra with sufficient 
 forces to insist upon obedience. You will at once 
 return the artillery to the ships, and quit the soil of 
 Java. If you oppose my brother's will but by a 
 word, he will confiscate your factory at Bantam and 
 all you possess there besides, and if need be cast 
 every Englishman into prison. Go, and let me 
 hear you no more spoken of." 
 
 The English exchanged some words among them- 
 selves in a low tone that they might come to an 
 understanding as to what it were best to do. So 
 much importance was attached to the preservation 
 of their factory at Bantam, that they replied by an 
 immediate assent, inclining their heads and leaving 
 the square. The Dommagon of Bantam followed 
 them with his eyes for a few moments, and gave his 
 orang-kays the order to see to the immediate re- 
 moval of the English artillery. 
 
 "While these events were occurring, the Dutch 
 were still stretched upon the ground, the block of 
 wood around their necks, back of the troops from 
 Bantam. The executioners had lowered their 
 klewangs, for they were aware a new Sultan had 
 become their master. Madame Van den Broeck, 
 
BATAVIA. 249 
 
 kneeling near her husband, lifted her supplicating 
 gaze to heaven. A smile of hope illumined her 
 face. Any event, any change in their destiny, 
 might be to their advantage. 
 
 The sjahbandar approached Yan den Broeck 
 slowly, and said to him, 
 
 " Arise ; you need not fear death now. Perhaps, 
 Commander, you have accused me in your heart of 
 complicity in the treachery. You are mistaken. 
 "What I am witness of since yesterday makes me in- 
 dignant and sorrowful. I have spoken in your 
 favor, but what could I do ? My counsels were un- 
 heeded. I am like a stranger amid my compatri- 
 ots." 
 
 " I am not accusing you, Lord Sjahbandar," re- 
 plied Van den Broeck. " But tell me, I beg of you, 
 what is taking place on this square." 
 
 The sjahbandar inclined his head to one side and 
 muttered, 
 
 "What is taking place? Fraud, treachery, and 
 ambuscade. Our Sultan wished at the same time to 
 deceive the sovereign of Bantam and the English ; 
 the English wished to deceive the Sultan of Ban- 
 tam and ours ; and as a last result it is the Sultan of 
 Bantam who deceives his two allies. This is the 
 way things work in Java. Wherever courage dis- 
 appears, it is supphed with cunning and fraud." 
 
 " And what do you suppose we may hope for ?" 
 
 " I do not know. The Sultan of Bantam covets 
 what coveted the Sultan Wydurk-Eama, — that is 
 to say, your factory with the riches and the money 
 
250 BATAVIA. 
 
 it contained ; but that he should have recourse to 
 the same means for gaining the same end, this is 
 what no one can know but himself. It would be 
 easier to discover the trail of the serpent upon the 
 rock than the secret intentions of our Pangerangs." 
 
 The ranks of the warriors of Bantam opened be- 
 fore the Dutch, and one orang-kay advanced to- 
 wards the prisoners, ordered them to appear before 
 the Dommagon of Bantam, and accompanied them 
 to the mound where he was seated. 
 
 Madame Yan den Broeck knelt, held out her 
 hands in supplication to the Dommagon and im- 
 plored mercy. 
 
 The Dommagon stepped down towards her, 
 raised her up, and spoke some kindly words to her 
 that the poor woman did not understand, it is true, 
 but which nevertheless filled her heart with joy and 
 hope. 
 
 " Let the blocks be taken from the prisoners," 
 commanded the Dommagon. 
 
 When this order had been fulfilled and the Dutch 
 found themselves unshackled standing before him, 
 he said in the Malay language to Van den Broeck, 
 
 " You are the commander of the Orang-WoUanda, 
 and you refuse to give your men the order to aban- 
 don the factory. Yet I have come to take your 
 fortress by the power of strength, and nothing can 
 prevent me. I have seen the treaty which was offered 
 you ; it seems reasonable enough to me. I ask you 
 again will you sign it of your free will, yes or no ?" 
 
 " Lord, I should be very glad to testify my good- 
 
BATAVIA. 251 
 
 will in some other way," said Yan den Broeck, " but 
 while replying to this demand by a refusal, I only 
 fulfil the imperious duty which is imposed upon 
 me as a soldier of the iN'etherlands. I do not sign 
 the surrender of the fortress." 
 
 " Is this your final answer ?" 
 
 " This is my final answer and my irrevocable 
 resolution." 
 
 Madame Yan den Broeck again clasped her hands 
 as if to implore the clemency of the chief of Ban- 
 tam. 
 
 " Is this woman your wife ?" asked he of the Cap- 
 tain. " Tell her she has nothing further to fear for 
 your life. Let her be consoled by knowing no one 
 will molest you." 
 
 The Captain hastened to convey to his wife this 
 reassuring intelligence. Madame Yan den Broeck, 
 almost beside herself with joy, began to cry, and 
 exclaimed in ecstatic ardor, 
 
 " May thou be blessed throughout all eternity, 
 my God, who hast granted my prayer !" 
 
 And seizing the Dommagon's hand, she bathed it 
 with her tears, while words of gratitude fell from 
 her lips. 
 
 " No, you shall no longer be maltreated, nor have 
 a block fastened to you," said the Javanese chief ; 
 " but this very day you shall be escorted to Bantam 
 with your companions as prisoners of war. As to 
 that woman, my wish is that she returns to the 
 fortress whence she came. Tell her so. I have 
 other matters to attend to, and no more time to give 
 
252 BATAVIA. 
 
 to you. Let your wife be told. The order to con- 
 duct her away from the camp shall be given to my 
 orang-kays." 
 
 When Madame Van den Broeck learned she was 
 to be separated from her husband she gave piercing 
 shrieks and besought the Dommagon, in a language 
 he did not understand, to permit her to go to Ban- 
 tam also ; but the Javanese chief made the Captain 
 understand that a woman prisoner was not always 
 sure of being respected. Van den Broeck recalled 
 Adelaide to her and spoke of how happily every 
 thing had turned out, begging her to remember she 
 had been rescued by Providence from almost cer- 
 tain death. At last the woman, half consoled, 
 seemed to be somewhat reconciled to the thought 
 of this separation. Still weeping, she embraced her 
 husband several times, and in a short while, accom- 
 panied by her, servant Congo, she followed the 
 orang-kays who were to escort her to the factory. . 
 
 Van den Broeck and his companions were strong- 
 ly guarded and taken to the dhalm. 
 
BATAVIA. 253 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 The Dutcli had learned, through the Captain's 
 wife, of the arrest of the Pangerang of Jaeatra, and, 
 as the Dommagon of Bantam seemed better dis- 
 posed towards them, they flattered themselves that 
 they woTild soon be enabled to open new and fairer 
 negotiations with them. But the day after they ob- 
 served an iinnsual stir in the enemy's camp, and 
 saw that they worked with great activity in gather- 
 ing together large bamboos, probably to construct 
 ladders for assault. They did not then any longer 
 doubt that the Javanese would soon attack the fac- 
 tory with fury under the command of their new 
 chief. 
 
 The certainty of such an attack filled the officers 
 and the Dutch soldiers with anxiety. It seemed to 
 them truly impossible that they could resist an as- 
 sault made by six thousand of the enemy if the 
 Javanese were led by a chief who had resolution 
 and courage. It is true they could count upon their 
 greater number of guns, but the fortress only con- 
 tained sufficient powder to sustain one single attack, 
 — that is, if it were not protracted too long. And 
 supposing the first assault was repulsed, they would 
 find themselves deprived of every means of holding 
 their own against a second, and the factory with the 
 
254 BATAVIA. 
 
 entire garrison would infallibly fall into the hands 
 of the cruel and perfidious Javanese. Yet, how- 
 ever menacing was the situation, the Dutch soldiers 
 did not lose courage. With the full consciousness 
 of the perils they incurred, they determined to give 
 testimony until death upon the soil of New Batavia 
 of the power of the Netherlands and the bravery of 
 her sons. 
 
 Though the despair of Adelaide and her mother 
 had drawn tears from the eyes of Walter Peterson 
 and filled his heart with sadness, the knowledge of 
 danger once more lifted his soul to the most ardent 
 heroism. It was he who by his eloquence and ex- 
 ample inspired his men with intrepid ardor. He 
 awakened and kept within their hearts the resolute 
 determination to die gloriously in the struggle rather 
 than surrender. 
 
 Means were hastily taken to repulse the enemy, 
 or at least to make them buy their victory as dearly 
 as possible. All the servants were given arms ; the 
 women and children, even, were to take part in the 
 defence : while the men upon the ramparts would 
 combat the assailants with musket and pike, the 
 women would fan the fiames beneath caldrons fiUed 
 with boiling oil, carrying it afterwards to the walls, 
 where it was to be poured upon the half-naked 
 Javanese below. The cannon were loaded with 
 grape to their very mouths. The musketeers no 
 longer quitted the rampart, and, whether sitting or 
 standing, held their lighted matches in their hands, 
 their eyes fastened on the enemy. 
 
BATAVIA. 255 
 
 Congo, the Captain's negro, had bucklea on a 
 large sword and carried the very same halberd with 
 which Walter Peterson had effected such prodigies 
 of valor after the naval engagement. 
 
 The poor slave seemed happy in being able to 
 fight like a freeman for the honor of the ITether- 
 lands under the eye of the lieutenant. His inno- 
 cent pride and the warlike expressions which he 
 unceasingly dropped were even at that critical mo- 
 ment a subject of amusement and pleasantry for 
 the soldiers of the garrison. Nevertheless Congo 
 did not become irritated with their jokes, and his 
 only answer was to cry out, 
 
 " Let the yellow men come. We will see, we will 
 see." 
 
 The Netherlands did not long await the dreaded 
 moment. The third day, after the sun had risen, 
 the Javanese were drawn up in front of their camp 
 to the number of six thousand, ready for the as- 
 sault. Many among them carried bamboo ladders, 
 and other instruments of assault which distance pre- 
 vented from being discernible. A formidable din 
 of gongs resounded on the plain, and a dull, con- 
 fused murmur like that of an enormous beehive 
 soared over the enemy's heads. 
 
 Within the factory walls clouds of smoke as- 
 cended to the skies ; the women and children were 
 there assembled around over twenty boiling cal- 
 drons. Those whose presence near these caldrons 
 was not necessary held themselves ready to take 
 
256 BATAVIA. 
 
 part in the struggle with all their might, and deter- 
 mined to die rather than bate an inch. 
 
 In a short time the enemy's immense line of 
 battle was in motion, and advanced slowly towards 
 the plain. The Dutch did not fire at first, and 
 allowed the Javanese to approach to within a 
 half-range of the cannon, but then, perfectly as- 
 sured of the correctness of their aim, they fired aU 
 their pieces at once. The efEect of this first dis- 
 charge was tremendous, and blood fiowed copiously. 
 Forty mouths of fire, carrying death and destruc- 
 tion among the Javanese, demolished entire ranks 
 before the eyes of the Dutch. 
 
 Stricken with terror at this sudden loss, the 
 enemy hesitated for a moment, taking a few steps 
 backward. During this time the Dutch reloaded 
 their pieces and discharged them several times, 
 always with a like terrible result. 
 
 It seemed as though the Javanese did not know 
 what to decide upon. The garrison beheld the 
 leaders running in every direction to encourage the 
 men to the assault ; they heard meanwhile the dis- 
 charge of artillery, and the gongs redoubling their 
 uproar ; but it would seem that the Javanese war- 
 riors were not inclined to face the Dutch guns, for 
 spite of every effort of their chiefs they remained 
 immovable in the plain, allowing themselves to be 
 overcome by hundreds. This lasted until such 
 time as the Dutch commanders, fearing that the 
 powder would not hold out, gave an order to cease 
 firing, and thus allowed the enemy to recover 
 
BATATIA. 257 
 
 themselves and concert better measures for a plan 
 of attack. 
 
 Soon a wonderful silence prevailed in the enemy's 
 ranks. The gongs were hushed, the noise ceased ; 
 and while they carried the dead and wounded to 
 the rear, the chiefs were moving about in all direc- 
 tions giving orders to the different corps, which 
 were probably only preliminary to a decisive as- 
 sault. 
 
 The Dutch had their eyes fixed on the enemy's 
 forces. The ravages caused by the cannon in the 
 Javanese ranks had filled their hearts with the 
 hope of triumph, and it was with a smile of irony 
 upon their lips that they exchanged jokes upon the 
 stupidity of their adversaries. 
 
 All at once a frightful tumult broke over the 
 battle-line of the Javanese, — thunder wherein were 
 compounded a thousand cries, a tempest of human 
 voices and of gongs, — and like a wall pushed for- 
 ward rapidly by an invisible power, the enemy's 
 forces came towards the Dutch fortress. 
 
 Before the Javanese could reach the foot of 
 the fortifications the artillery showered a cloud 
 of deadly grape twice more into their lines; but, 
 as if a blind courage had suddenly possessed them, 
 nothing could daunt their enthusiasm. Filling 
 the air with tremendous cries of victory, they 
 reached the intrenchments of the fortress and 
 fastened their ladders to the walls, while they 
 swarmed like bees, endeavoring to scale the enemy's 
 
258 BATATIA. 
 
 stronghold ; the Dutch all the while riddling 
 them with balls and overturning boiling oil upon 
 their bare shoulders. 
 
 Fearful burns drew from the Javanese frightful 
 cries; they were seen to bound backward, roll 
 upon the ground, and writhe in terrible convul- 
 sions, while roaring with pain. At several points 
 the enemy withdrew terrified; elsewhere, on the 
 contrary, they succeeded, after considerable loss, 
 in scaling the walls and penetrating into the in- 
 terior of the factory. 
 
 For a long while they struggled violently at the 
 very top of the ramparts. The Dutch understood 
 fully that for them it was a question of life or 
 death. They fell upon the enemy with fury, en- 
 couraging each other by a thousand cries, knocked 
 the Javanese down with the butt end of their mus- 
 kets, hacked them and pierced them through with 
 their pikes and halberds, and fought with an 
 energy that appeared like folly or despair. 
 
 Walter Peterson, with some portion of his in- 
 trepid men, . accompanied by the negro Congo, 
 pushed forward towards that point on the ram- 
 parts where the Javanese were for a short while 
 difficult to overcome. The Dutch soldiers had been 
 driven back bodily, beneath the walls, but the heroic 
 Peterson's arrival averted the danger that was im- 
 minent; he and his brave companions took so 
 many prisoners and shed so much blood that the 
 Javanese withdrew in terror, they themselves driv- 
 
BATAVIA. 259 
 
 ing back their comrades who could not reach the 
 ramparts. Congo performed great feats of valor ; 
 and though a Javanese Mewang had wounded him 
 deeply both in shoulder and breast, he still remained 
 beside Walter, roaring with fury, and astonishing 
 even the most intrepid by his courage. 
 
 Yet the Dutch cannon still hurled their grape- 
 shot into the thick of the Javanese ranks that yet 
 remained upon the plain. At those points where 
 the enemy had not succeeded in scaling the wall 
 they continued to spread the boiling oil, and the 
 musketeers fired their weapons with such precision 
 that nearly every shot told. 
 
 Spite of having held out with such resolution, it 
 was evident the garrison would be obliged to sur- 
 render ; for now that the enemy had penetrated 
 within the factory, the struggle was that of man to 
 man, and whatever. the number of the foe "Walter 
 and his brave companions might overcome, the 
 crowd of assailants was so great that it was inev- 
 itable the Dutch soldiers would have to succumb 
 one by one in this unequal struggle. But an un- 
 expected circumstance came to their relief at the 
 very moment when they saw nothing before them 
 but absolute though glorious death. 
 
 The greater number of the Javanese who thronged 
 at the base of the walls, trying to erect their ladders 
 for an assault, were repulsed several times. The 
 cannon upon the projecting bastions, placed at the 
 angles of the fortress, belched forth on both sides 
 a hail of grapeshot in the direction of the wall, 
 
260 BATAVIA. 
 
 whicli struck the mass of tlie enemy in the rear. 
 The boiling oil ran in streams from the top of the 
 parapet, causing the besiegers to recoil on each oc- 
 casion. Finally, the howls of those whom the burn- 
 ing liquid had reached, and the frightful moans of 
 the dying, filled the Javanese with inexpressible 
 terror. Some soldiers of the highest rank fled far 
 from the walls. Their example demoralized the 
 rest ; in a few moments the panic extended itself, 
 and all took to running in great disorder until they 
 had gone beyond the reach of the guns. When the 
 Javanese who were engaged in a desperate strug- 
 gle on the top of the ramparts perceived that their 
 army had given up the assault and allowed them to 
 pursue the combat alone without help, they also 
 precipitated themselves, one upon another, from the 
 summit of the wall into the plain below. 
 
 The Dutch soldiers acknowledged this unexpected 
 victory by a fervent cry of gratitude to God ; their 
 " Hurrah ! Batavia I Batavia !" rose up towards 
 heaven. But this prayer of gratitude and these cries 
 of triumph did not escape honestly from their op- 
 pressed bosoms. In the tone of all those voices 
 thanking Grod and proclaiming victory there was a 
 something impossible to describe, heart-rending and 
 sad, as if their deliverance was a joy shadowed by 
 sorrow and mourning. 
 
 And indeed, now that the enemy had ceased their 
 assault and were exhausted by a heavy loss of men 
 and retired to their- camp, the Dutch soldiers let 
 their looks wander around upon the spectacle before 
 
BATATIA. 261 
 
 them, and counted with mournful sorrow the corpses 
 of the faithful companions which the struggle had 
 cost them. If the rampart in all its extent was cov- 
 ered with the bodies of the Javanese who had fallen, 
 many Dutch, too, still held their pikes and muskets 
 in their stiffened hands, lying, overthrown forever, 
 among the bodies of their enemies. 
 
 Shut up within the narrow walls of a small fort- 
 ress, living with the same hopes and fearing the 
 same dangers, all these heroes, almost without distinc- 
 tion of grade or rank, had become the friends of one 
 another, and a common bond of friendship and sym- 
 pathy united them all. Those who, with the pallor 
 of death, lay bathed in their blood were well-beloved 
 brothers. Each one who had happily escaped 
 groaned in spirit, with eyes bathed in tears at the 
 sight of the gallant friends who had been felled by 
 the cold steel of the Javanese. Among the dead 
 slept Captain Direksz, the calm but intrepid ISTeth- 
 erlander, and not far from him was extended the 
 body of the poor black slave Congo, who, through 
 . gratitude alone for Walter's country, had combated 
 vahantly until the loss of blood had caused him to 
 fall deprived of consciousness. 
 
 The lieutenant, without considering his rank nor 
 the humble position of the negro, had thrown him- 
 self on his knees beside him, placed the slave's head 
 upon his arm, and endeavored to recall him to life, 
 while sprinkling him with water. At the end of a 
 few moments the negro moved his hands and slowly 
 opened his eyes, but he was so weak and exhausted 
 
263 BATAVIA. 
 
 that these signs of life soon passed away. A cry of 
 joy, however, had escaped the lieutenant, and, per- 
 fectly happy, he lifted the poor slave up himself, 
 took him on his shoulders, and carried him beneath 
 the ramparts to the spot where the physicians were 
 already employed in dressing the wounds. 
 
 After Yan Ray had given some orders for the 
 men who were the least fatigued to remain upon 
 the ramparts to protect the fortress from an unex- 
 pected return of the enemy, he convoked a council 
 of war. At this meeting they weighed seriously 
 the great gravity of the losses they had just sus- 
 tained, and recognized with a degree of terror that 
 the ranks of the soldiery had been thinned by the 
 enemy's last attack, and in the event of a second one 
 it would be necessary to abandon even the remotest 
 hope of safety. If they had possessed more powder 
 they might possibly have repulsed another attack, 
 but all that remained in the fortress would not have 
 suflSced to load the cannon twice. 
 
 Yan Ray raised the question as to whether it 
 would not be better to make propositions of peace 
 to the enemy. They would at least by this means 
 gain time and be enabled to await the return of the 
 fleet and the promised succor. They resolved to 
 have recourse to this method, and to open the nego- 
 tiations on the occasion of burying the dead ; for it 
 was not to be doubted that the Javanese would send 
 that very day orang-kays to ask permission to carry 
 off their dead. It was further resolved that the 
 command of Captain Dircksz's company should be 
 
BATAVIA. 263 
 
 confided for the time being to Lieutenant "Walter 
 Peterson, and that for the future he should have a 
 seat in the council of war. 
 
 As was expected, towards mid-day there appeared 
 on the road to Jacatra some orang-kays bearing a 
 white flag fastened to the end of a bamboo cane, 
 and when a sign was made them that they should 
 be received without any difBculty, they presented 
 themselves at the factory door and asked permission 
 to bury their dead. This permission was given them 
 at once on the condition that all the bodies should 
 be carried away before night and taken some dis- 
 tance from the factory. 
 
 At the same time they delivered a letter to the 
 principal orang-kay for the chief of the Javanese. 
 In this letter the Dutch ofEered the Pangerang of 
 Bantam peace and friendship, and bound themselves 
 to pay him a considerable sum in money, if he con- 
 sented to let them remain provisionally in posses- 
 sion of the fortress until the Governor-General's 
 return made it possible for them to dpen peace ne- 
 gotiations formally, but they declared at the same 
 time that neither force, stratagem, nor privations 
 would induce them ever to abandon New Batavia. 
 
 When the dead were aU removed, at nightfall the 
 orang-kays returned with a letter from their chief, 
 and said they would await an answer in front of the 
 factory door. The Dommagon of Bantam's letter 
 was couched in very haughty terms. He exacted 
 the surrender of the fortress, with everything within 
 it, without any other condition than that of trans- 
 
264 BATAVIA. 
 
 porting the Dutch in Batavia to Bantam, and from 
 thsre to Amboine. The Dommagon gave them to 
 understand he would not attempt a second assault, 
 but have recourse to other means which, according 
 to him, must infallibly overcome the proud obstina- 
 cy of the Dutch. He did not mention what these 
 means were, and finally asserted that he would not 
 enter into any negotiations. '^ 
 
 The Dutch replied they would defend their for- 
 tress to the last man, and that on their side they 
 withdrew their offer of an indemnity, leaving to 
 God and the fate of arms to decide with whom 
 should be the final victory. They sent the orang- 
 kays away with this answer. 
 
 As they learned from the very letter of the Dom- 
 magon that the Javanese had no further intention 
 of taking the factory by assault, confidence returned 
 to all their hearts. They thought themselves able 
 to hold it some months longer against a regular 
 siege or investment of the place, however narrow it 
 might be, because the storehouses were abundantly 
 supplied with rice and they need not fear a famine. 
 The river Tjiliwoeng descending from the moun- 
 tains and bathing the feet of the fortress furnished 
 an abundance of excellent water. The victualling of 
 the fortress was therefore assured for some time. 
 
 This good news was communicated to the soldiers, 
 to whom they gave out at the same time some Span- 
 ish wine. They all again took God to witness that 
 they would not give up Batavia as long as they had 
 the strength to carry a musket or a pike. 
 
BATAVIA. 265 
 
 Some days slipped by before they learned any- 
 thing of the designs of the enemy ; but then the 
 enigma of their apparent inactivity began to make 
 itself clear. 
 
 The Javanese, during the preceding night, had 
 closed the mouth of the river by a sort of dam con- 
 structed of thick bamboos, so that the water could 
 filter through, but nothing could be carried off to 
 the sea. All that floated on the river would, during 
 the ebb tide, be stopped by the dam, and at the flow 
 be thrown back in front of the factory, until it 
 reached a second dike erected beyond this one, which 
 in like manner clogged the course of the stream. 
 
 At first the Dutch did not understand what hope 
 the enemy founded on this work. They thought 
 it possible their intention was to turn away the 
 course of the river to deprive them of drinking- 
 water ; but as it seemed to them ridiculous to wish 
 to stop by means of bamboos the course of an im- 
 petuous river, they gave themselves little concern 
 about the work which the Javanese had this night 
 brought to a conclusion. 
 
 But theysoon realized that the Dommagon of 
 Bantam had invented a powerful weapon against 
 them. At low tide, dead horses, buffaloes, and men 
 came down in numbers from the upper portion of 
 the river, passing slowly with the current before 
 the factory. Later on, the same day, the ebb tide 
 would bring them back, and some hours after they 
 floated in greater numbers than ever, for the third 
 time, under the factory walls. 
 
266 BATATIA. 
 
 Under a burning sty like that of Java, and from 
 the effects of the moist heat which prevails along 
 the low coast extending around Jacatra, these bod- 
 ies soon became putrid and made the atmosphere 
 pestilential, more especially at night, when the fetid 
 vapors reached the furthest point of their habita- 
 tions and prevented the Dutch, so to speak, from 
 breathing. 
 
 When the garrison at the factory saw the danger 
 menacing them in that direction, they essayed to 
 fish up the bodies as they passed along, by means 
 of drag-hooks, that they might burn them during 
 the night at the foot of the walls of the citadel ; but 
 the work was so disgusting that it made even the 
 most resolute men recoil, and it was with invincible 
 repugnance they obeyed the orders of their superi- 
 ors on this subject. 
 
 However many were the bodies that were fished 
 up, the river brought them more and more. The 
 Javanese threw into the water all the impurities 
 that came to their hands. To prevent the Dutch 
 from getting the better, spite of colossal energy and 
 activity, of the terrible means- that had been em- 
 ployed against them, the Javanese had thrown into 
 the river above the first dam a number of putrify- 
 ing bodies ; so that if the garrison had succeeded in 
 bringing up and burying all the filth which floated 
 before the factory, the water would not less have 
 been tainted. Yet for the want of other drink many 
 had gone on taking the river-water ; but a sudden 
 breaking out of sickness came to convince them 
 
BATAVIA. 267 
 
 they could not slake their thirst at that poisoned 
 source. 
 
 Under the impulse of self-preservation they be- 
 gan digging within the factory a number of wells at 
 once ; but the water they found was so saturated 
 with sea-salt, and the taste so repugnant, that it ap- 
 peared as if the putrified matter had there also 
 mingled its deleterious qualities with it. 
 
 The ground on which IS'ew Batavia was con- 
 structed, like the rest of the plain around, was 
 formed of marl or alluvium from the sea, deposited 
 there during centuries, perhaps, at the foot of the 
 mountains, but which, being a mixture of salt, mire, 
 and decayed vegetable matter, still continued to 
 ferment under the foot of man whose habitation 
 was there. 
 
 The water from the wells, however, seemed less 
 repugnant to the Hollanders than that of the river, 
 which they looked upon as death giving, not only 
 because of the decayed bodies it contained, but also 
 on account of the venomous sap of the upas.* 
 They therefore slaked their thirst with the brackish 
 water from the wells, and hoped in this way to un- 
 dermine the cruel machinations of the Javanese, 
 until the arrival of Governor Koen, who, if he en- 
 countered no obstacles at sea, would return to extri- 
 cate the almost exhausted garrison from their peril- 
 ous position. 
 
 * Antiaris toxicaria, a tree whose sap is used by the Javan- 
 ese to poison their weapons. 
 
268 BATATIA. 
 
 Alas! the sufferings of ttese courageous men 
 were not so soon to come to an end. But a few 
 days had gone by, and sickness had claimed many 
 victims ; but as the cases were mostly among the 
 women and children, it was hoped the evil would 
 not extend to the more robust portion of the garri- 
 son, and that, in spite of all the suffetdng, they 
 would be able to await the long-expected moment 
 of their deliverance. 
 
 "Weeks succeeded weeks ; that life full of horror 
 and suffering was protracted without the promised 
 help reaching them. A secret and unacknowledged 
 hopelessness took possession of every mind. 
 
 Madame Van den Broeek was pining and ill, not 
 because the fetid water had tainted the blood in her 
 veins, but because she was pursued by frightful 
 thoughts, and her sorely tried heart was a prey 
 to the constant pain of heart-rending fear and terri- 
 ble apprehensions. She had as yet learned nothing 
 of her unfortunate husband's fate ; this absence of 
 all news convinced her little by little that the Cap- 
 tain had been put to death by the perfidious Javan- 
 ese during the trip to Bantam. She said nothing 
 about this frightful idea to Walter or her daughter, 
 but like a canker it consumed her day by day. 
 When Walter, with affectionate insistance, en- 
 deavored to console her, she feigned to believe in 
 his friendly assurances, while every word the Heu- 
 tenant uttered sadly pierced her heart. 
 
 Adelaide wept in her unhappy mother's arms ; the 
 delicate young girl was losing, under the weight of 
 
BATAVIA. 269 
 
 this sorrow without hope or respite, all the streagth 
 that Walter's presence had so rapidly and miracu- 
 lously restored to her. She was becoming pale ai^d 
 thin, and her head was inclined towards her breast, 
 as if the misfortune whieb bad happened to her 
 father had taken from her all energy and all desire 
 to live. 
 
 Congo, to the surprise of every one, had recov- 
 ered ; bis wound had closed, and, though his strength 
 only returned slowly and he yet wore bandages 
 upon his breast and shoulder, he proved himself so 
 courageous and confident in the help of God that 
 the conduct of the poor slave awakened the admira- 
 tion of all. 
 
 The lieutenant went several times a day to the 
 Captain's quarters and tried his best to comfort the 
 two women by speaking before them of a happy 
 outlook ; but he did not .succeed in softening their 
 grief, and his own heart bled to think that the terri- 
 ble languor that was sapping the health of his be- 
 loved one might have disastrous consequences. 
 
 However, Walter yet felt within bim sufficient 
 strength to struggle against fate with renewed ob- 
 stinacy. It was he who reanimated the flagging 
 courage of his companions, and by words of magic 
 force caused the hope of deliverance to awaken in 
 their hearts, when the energy and determination of 
 some among them seemed ready to succumb to the 
 horrors of the situation. 
 
 The promised succor was not forthcoming. Dur- 
 ing still another month the men composing the garri- 
 
270 BAT AVI A. 
 
 son remained entire days on the ramparts, their eyes 
 fixed upon thie horizon, looking anxiously towards 
 its misty limits. Did they perceive a sail in the 
 distance, their hearts beat with anxious joy, and a 
 my of hope illumined their countenances ; but all 
 sails went on and disappeared as if none in the 
 world knew that on the shores of Jacatra a handful 
 of men were bravely dying of a slow and cruel 
 death for the honor of the Netherlands. ' 
 
 At last the long absence of the fleet rendered the 
 condition of the garrison truly terrible. The use 
 of salt water had at first caused sickness among the 
 women and children and the weaker men, but soon 
 the trouble spread among the more robust and de- 
 termined soldiers, and gathered new victims every 
 day. The form it took was that of an intermittent 
 fever, which was succeeded by a cold chill and burn- 
 ing heat accompanied with, violent headache, which 
 caused delirium. At times they were gnilty of aicts of 
 fury and despair, the dreadful sight of which made 
 the strongest shiver with horror and compassion. 
 This fever did not cause death in a few days ; those 
 stricken grew thin rapidly, their complexions be- 
 came yellow, the lips looked like lead, and their 
 eyes were dull and glassy. More and more ex- 
 hausted by this gradual decline of their vital forces, 
 the unfortunate invalids wandered about the square 
 like living spectres, or remained entire days kneel- 
 ing upon the ramparts, their eyes fixed upon the 
 sea, arms Hfted up to heaven, imploring the Lord 
 for mercy and health. 
 
BATAVIA. 271 
 
 If they could have permitted themselTes to be 
 touched by the tears of so many unhappy beings, if 
 they had listened to their supplications, they would 
 have been in haste to accept the conditions pro- 
 posed by the enemy, and by this means the lives of 
 all at least would have been saved ; but that portion 
 of the garrison which the scourge had not stricken 
 up to this time, inflamed by the exhortations of 
 Walter Peterson, refused to give up the factory and 
 declared with resolute firmness they would keep 
 their word and hold New Batavia for Holland until 
 the last man should fall exhausted upon the soil. 
 
 "Weeks elapsed. The fever attacked great num- 
 bers of the best soldiers. Scurvy, that other ill that 
 saps all strength, laid low a portion of the garrison. 
 Some were victims of dysentery ; one of the first 
 was Rosalie, Madame Yan den Broeck's maid. She 
 succumbed at the end of three days. Her death 
 would probably have inspired the Captain's wife 
 and daughter with fears for their own safety, if 
 another sorrow had not rendered Adelaide and her 
 mother indifferent to the preservation of their 
 lives. 
 
 "With whatever perseverance the eager gaze of 
 the besieged interrogated the horizon and sought to 
 penetrate its depths, from the first rising of the sun 
 until nightfall, the days passed in suffering and 
 despair, without the arrival of the fleet. 
 
 One morning they saw some orang-kays leave the 
 Javanese camp, taking the road to Jacatra, accom- 
 panied by an individual who appeared to be dressed 
 
272 BATAVIA. 
 
 as a European merctiaiit. They could not conjec- 
 ture what the approach of this personage portended ; 
 but situated as the Dutch were, every event, every 
 incident, every change was a source of hope. Their 
 hearts beating with joy and expectation, they came 
 down from the rampart and ran to the door towards 
 which the steps of the embassy were directed ; 
 even the invalids, who, escaping from the stifling 
 heat of their quarters, were stretched upon mats 
 beneath the cocoanut-trees under the shadow of the 
 warehouses, dragged themselves along the ground 
 to learn the sooner the news which was perhaps to 
 bring them deliverance. 
 
 As soon as the door of the factory was thrown 
 open, the orang-kays took the road back to Jacatra. 
 The merchant entered the fortress alone, and was 
 surrounded at once, not only by the members of the 
 council of war, but by the men constituting the 
 garrison, and by the sick, who, holding out their 
 arms beseechingly towards him, seemed to beg for 
 some happy news. This merchant was a Hollander 
 named Abraham Van TJffelen. He had been living 
 at Bantam for over four years, and had charged him- 
 self with a message from the Sultan, and a letter 
 from Captain Van den Broeek for his wife. "When 
 at his request the commander of the fortress had 
 been pointed out to him, he delivered a folded 
 paper to Captain Van Eay, who hastened to read it, 
 while every eye was anxiously fastened upon him. 
 The captain's face darkened as he learned the con- 
 tents of the letter. Finally, utterly disappointed in 
 
BATAVIA. 273 
 
 his hopes, he struck his feet angrily, showing pretty 
 clearly the letter had brought him no good news. 
 
 Overwhelmed with questions as to to its contents, 
 he replied sadly to those around him, 
 
 " Ah, my friends, the demands are extremely un- 
 favorable. They know how terrible is our position ; 
 they consider that we are cast down for the want 
 of water and with sickness, and they ask if we are 
 finally willing to surrender the fortress. They only 
 promise to transport us to Bantam." 
 
 Sorrowful cries of despair escaped from the 
 breasts of the sick, and sombre murmurs arose from 
 the ranks of the soldiers. Many declared that, after 
 holding out so long, they preferred awaiting death 
 than violating their oath. Many even replied to 
 the enemies' proposition with the war-cry, "Hurrah ! 
 Batavia! Batavia!'' But it no longer echoed the 
 enthusiasm of the early days, and was scarcely re- 
 sponded to. 
 
 Yan Ray conversed a short time with the Sultan's 
 envoy, and after asking him many questions, begged 
 him to assist at the meeting of the council of war 
 which was about to be held for deliberation as to 
 the reply that was the best to be made to the Pan- 
 gerang of Bantairi. The merchant said he must first 
 speak to Madame Yan den Broeek, because his con- 
 versation with her would certainly exercise some 
 decisive infiuence upon the deliberations of the 
 council. They permitted him to begin with de- 
 livering his message to the Captain's wife. 
 
 "Walter Peterson, who had partly heard all that 
 
274 B ATA VI A. 
 
 had just been said, wished to accompany the mer- 
 chant ; but the commander ordered the lieutenant to 
 go with himself and the other members of the coun- 
 cil of war to the hall where they met. 
 
 There Captain Van Eay made known the con- 
 tents of the Sultan's letter, which contained no 
 new demand, indeed, but exacted, as before, the 
 surrender of the fortress with the merchandise, 
 silver, and arms -which it contained; but what 
 surprised them in the letter was that they had 
 transported Captain Yan den Broeek from Bantam 
 to Jacatra, to permit of his speaking with the offi- 
 cers of the garrison. If they would be willing to 
 send some among them to Jacatra, said the letter, 
 they would receive from him the order to do what 
 the Sultan wished. 
 
 They deliberated as to this last proposal. They 
 said it could only be another stratagem of the Javan- 
 ese to draw within their nets more men, and that it 
 would be imprudent to expose themselves anew to 
 further treachery, of which they had already once 
 been the victims. They furthermore did not be- 
 lieve that Captain Yan den Broeek would counsel 
 the surrender of the factory. Perhaps, by subject- 
 ing him to the cruel torments the Javanese were 
 accustomed to impose upon their prisoners, they 
 had succeeded in crushing him ; but, however this 
 might be, those now in charge of defending the 
 factory had only to Hsten to the voice of duty and 
 their responsibility towards their country. 
 
 At this nioment a servant came to say that Congo 
 
BAT A VI A. 275 
 
 wished to speak at once with "Walter Peterson. The 
 lieutenant was to go to Madame Van den Broeck 
 without delay, as she had something very important 
 to say to him. 
 
 Having obtained permission to leave the assem- 
 bly, "Walter Peterson went out of the room, and 
 found the negro in the vestibule in tears. 
 
 "What has happened, Congo, that you should 
 weep in this manner?" asked the lieutenant, anx- 
 iously. 
 
 "Come, come quickly," said the negro, sobbing 
 and pulling him by the hand; "my poor mistress 
 will die of grief. Mademoiselle Adelaide is tearing 
 her hair. It breaks one's heart to see her writhing 
 in despair." 
 
 " Is the Captain dead V asked "Walter, in tones of 
 distress. 
 
 " No, no ; but things are scarcely better. I do not 
 exactly know what news was brought to my mis- 
 tresses, but I understand from their lamentations 
 that you alone could save my unfortunate master. 
 Come, come." 
 
 The lieutenant entered the Captain's quarters; 
 but hardly had he appeared in the doorway than 
 the two women held out their arms towards him, 
 pitifully imploring his aid. Upon being closely 
 questioned, Madame "Van den Broeck handed him an 
 open letter, exclaiming, 
 
 " Take it ; read, read, and take pity upon us !" 
 
 The lieutenant, who was already overcome with 
 emotion at the sight of Adelaide's heart-rending sor 
 
276 BATAVIA. 
 
 row, cast his eyes over the letter, reading the con- 
 tents. In the beginning a look of great comraisera- 
 tion overspread his countenance ; then his features 
 were darkened by overwhelming sorrow, and finally 
 he became as pale as death, as if a sudden fright 
 had stopped the beating of his heart. His eyes 
 Were fixed with mute agony upon the fatal letter, 
 while the two women tremulously awaited his an- 
 swer. 
 
 The entire letter was but a sorrowful wail, an 
 agonizing cry of distress written by Van den Broeck 
 to his wife and daughter, and above all to Walter 
 Peterson. In this tearful epistle the Captain con- 
 cisely and vividly depicted the sorrows, outrages, 
 and torture that he had endured since he was made 
 a prisoner, to constrain him to give the order that 
 the factory should be surrendered. They had bur- 
 ied him in a deep dungeon, where he was left for 
 many weeks lying upon the damp ground, a prey to 
 filthy vermin ; he had been allowed to suffer from 
 hunger and cold, and when exhausted with much 
 pain had been dragged anew to Jacatra, to advise 
 the surrender of the factory to the garrison. If 
 this last effort bore no results, he was to be put to 
 death the next day by making him endure frightful 
 torments. The Captain showed it was impossible 
 to hold the fortress, and called it guilty obstinacy to 
 sacrifice the lives of so many unfortunate women 
 and children through a useless and profitless senti- 
 ment of honor to their country, to say nothing of 
 his own life and that of his wretched companions. 
 
BATAVIA. 277 
 
 He besought his wife to come to his relief, and con- 
 JTired his daughter in heart-rending terms to hav^e 
 recourse to all the powers of love and pity to move 
 the soul of Walter Peterson and save her father 
 from a cruel death. For, he added, he knew that 
 Walter was all-powerful with the oflBcers and sol- 
 diers, and a single word from him would suffice to 
 induce the garrison to surrender the fortress. 
 
 The letter was lengthy. The lieutenant remained' 
 silent, with his eyes fastened upon it, and the women 
 thought he still read it. With beating hearts they 
 watched his face while awaiting the answer which 
 was to give life or death' to the unfortunate Captain. 
 
 Suddenly a nervous chill ran through the young 
 man's body ; 'the letter fell from his hand, and he 
 said in a hoarse voice, 
 
 "1! I, Walter Peterson, deliver up Batavia to 
 the enemy ! Will all this blood have been uselessly 
 shed? I betray Holland ! Never!" 
 
 The two women gave a cry of despair. Adelaide 
 fell upon her knees, and in heart-rending tones asked 
 mercy for her unfortunate father. Madame Yan 
 den Broeck had taken one of the young man's hands, 
 watered it with burning tears, and* supplicated him 
 in such despairing accents that her words pierced 
 Walter's heart like so many dagger-thrusts. 
 
 Terrified at finding the influence exercised upon 
 him by the two women's supplication, the lieuten- 
 ant fell back a step or two ; but Adelaide, all bathed 
 in tears, dragged herself after him, her hands ex- 
 tended, imploring his pity. 
 
278 BATAVIA. 
 
 The young man, overcome by Ms sorrow, sank 
 into a chair and murmured, in a voice altered by his 
 deep despair, 
 
 " Pity, pity ! Ah ! why do you not feel pity for 
 me? Why do you wish me to be guilty of cow- 
 ardice? It is frightful! Fate casts me unarmed 
 between treachery, love and hope, between cruelty, 
 infamy and crime. What shall I decide upon ? To 
 give up Batavia and remain eternally under the ban 
 of dishonor and bending beneath my country's 
 curses ? Repulse your prayers, like an executioner 
 without heart or soul, to see your tears flow and 
 condemn your poor father to death? My God, vay 
 God ! why subject thy servant to <*' trial beyond 
 his strength?" 
 
 Tears of despair sprung into his eyes, and he hid 
 his face with his hands. 
 
 The merchant Abraham Yan Uffelen, who was in 
 the room, now approached the young oiEcer and 
 made him a long speech, wherein he tried to con- 
 vince him that the surrender of the factory, far from 
 being looked upon as an act of cowardice, was one 
 of prudence and devotion to his country. It was, 
 he said, the sentiment of all the prisoners and every 
 Dutch merchant at Bantam. The factory could not 
 be held. Certain news had been received that many 
 more weeks and perhaps several months would go 
 by before the Governor-General could reach Jaca- 
 tra with the promised succor. Not only would the 
 Sultan of Bantam increase his army by additional 
 reinforcements, but the Soesoehoenan, or Emperor 
 
BATATIA. 279 
 
 of Mataram, would join the besiegers with some 
 thousands of men. It could therefore not be 
 doubted that the garrison of the fortress, exhausted 
 with sickness, must fall at the first assault, and be 
 massacred to the last man. The women and chil- 
 dren would endure the same fate. Now, it was still 
 possible to save so many precious lives, and it was 
 truly cruel and foolish to persist further in such 
 fatal obstinacy. 
 
 Walter made no reply to the merchant's long ex- 
 hortation ; a hoarse sound escaped from his throat, 
 and his breast rose and fell painfully. 
 
 Madame Yan den Broeck had at first nursed the 
 hope that the lieutenant would listen to her prayers 
 and those of her daughter. She saw him shake his 
 head in token df refusal. This cruel disappoint- 
 ment drew from her a cry of pain. That she might 
 make a last appeal to the inflexible soldier, she also 
 east herself on her knees before him and cried, 
 
 " O Walter ! God himself destined you to be- 
 come my son. He who asks for his life through 
 your generosity is your father, the father of your 
 aflBanced. You wish him to die ! Will not his in- 
 nocent blood rise up and become an everlasting 
 barrier between his child and you ?" 
 
 " Walter ! my well-beloTed Walter," cried 
 Adelaide, " be not unmindful of our tears ! Do not 
 refuse me the life of my poor father ! Infamy, you 
 say ? But I, Adelaide, will love and venerate you 
 as a benefactor, the saviour of him to whom I 
 owe my life. I will not only be your betrothed, 
 
280 BATAVIA. 
 
 but your servant, your slave until death! Oh, 
 mercy !" 
 
 Suddenly the lieutenant rose from his seat and 
 said, with wonderful calmness, 
 
 " The frightful struggle is over ; I yield to pity 
 and to love. Tet I love my country ; but I bend 
 under a hard destiny. Let me go, Adelaide ; the 
 sacrifice shall be accomplished. I will renounce 
 glory, honor, greatness of soul, to live only for your 
 love. Remain here ; be at rest. Walter will save 
 your father, — alas, at what a cost !" 
 
 With these words, he went hurriedly towards the 
 door, and crossed the square with a quick though 
 faltering step, until he reached the commander's 
 residence, where he entered to take his place again 
 in the council of war. 
 
 A short time after he reappeared on the square 
 ■with the members of the council. All faces were 
 darkened by sorrow and humiliation ; their heads 
 were bent upon their breasts, and they were sad and 
 low-spirited. Walter carried a piece of white stuff 
 rolled up under his arm ; it was probably the flag 
 which was to acquaint the enemy with their accept- 
 ance of the peace pro])ositions and willingness to 
 give up the sactory. 
 
 By order of Peter Van Ray, a drum beat " to arms ;" 
 and as the soldiers and sick awaited the decision of 
 ' the council on the square, in a very few moments 
 all the population of the factory had assembled at 
 the general point of meeting. 
 
 The commander made the garrison form in a cir- 
 
BATAVIA. 281 
 
 cle, and announced to the wondering and surprised 
 . soldiers that Walter Peterson would communicate 
 to them, in the name of the council of war, a sad re- 
 solve which had been imposed by absolute necessity. 
 The sight of the white flag carried by "Walter uuder 
 his arm gave the sick a presentiment of what was to 
 happen. The thought that the hour of their deliver- 
 ance was at hand restored hope ; they stood on their 
 toes behind the soldiers, or pushed their heads be- 
 tween them to hear what was said. 
 
 It was with a pallid brow that the lieutenant spoke 
 to his audience. If he endeavored to make his words 
 appear calm and resigned, his voice betrayed the 
 reverse of this tranquillity of soul, for it trembled so 
 terribly as to seem more like the moan of one dying 
 than the firm speech of a chieftain. 
 
 " Friends, brave comrades," he said, " the council 
 of war has delegated me to make known to you a 
 grave determination. Our commander could upon 
 his own responsibility have ordained what he 
 thought just and reasonable ; there would then have 
 been nothing for us to do but obey like faithful sol- 
 diers. But the commandant thought, the members 
 of the council thought too, that your courageous and 
 heroic conduct has given you the right to take part 
 in the determination ,which shall decide the fate of 
 this fortress, so long and lovingly defended. The 
 council of war thinks that enough Netherland blood 
 has flowed in this corner of the earth, and that its 
 soil covers bodies enough belonging to our brothers, 
 and that sickness and privation, with discouragement, 
 
282 BATAVIA. 
 
 would not fail to increase the number of victims. 
 He moreover recognizes there is no reason still to 
 hope for the speedy arrival of the promised succor, 
 and in consequence a longer resistance would only 
 bring about for you all certain death. By my ad- 
 vice — my advice alone — ^the council has adopted the 
 resolution to raise this very day the white flag and 
 to surrender the factory. Oh ! I beg you, bring 
 your hearts to make this act of painful heroism ! 
 Have pity upon your poor wives and children, your 
 sick companions and captive brothers ; upon our un- 
 fortunate commander who is in agony at Jacatra, 
 under the lifted sword of the executioner, and holds 
 out his hands to you imploringly for help." 
 
 " Yes, yes ! peace ! deliverance !" exclaimed the 
 sick, who pressed forward behind the soldiers. 
 
 The greater part of the soldiers sadly lowered 
 their heads, gazing upon the ground in silence ; 
 others, and they were those particularly of "Walter's 
 company, testified by strong murmurs of disappro- 
 bation that they were not disposed to consent to the 
 surrender of the factory, and cast upon their young 
 chief looks full of reproach, as if the sudden change 
 of opinion appeared to them like treason. 
 
 This mute reproach made the lieutenant shudder 
 from head to foot, and in a louder and more accenl;ed 
 tone he cried, 
 
 " O my brothers, I read in your eyes what you 
 do not dare say ! If you knew, however, what pain- 
 ful thoughts fill my heart ! if you could know how 
 sad this heart is at this moment when I fulfil my 
 
BATAVIA. 283 
 
 painful mission ! Believe me, the greatest good God 
 could have granted me upon this earth would have 
 been to die for the JSTetherlands. But doubt troubles 
 my soul ; so great a responsibility terrifies me. If 
 we are masters as to whether we shall shed the last 
 drop of our blood, God has not given us the right 
 inhumanly and perhaps uselessly to sacrifice the 
 lives of our unfortunate brothers, — and for what? 
 To persevere to the end in a rigid determination." 
 
 He went towards his men, took the bravest by 
 the hand, and, with tears in his eyes, said, 
 
 " Ah ! you know me. I never set you an example 
 of cowardice. My heart also bleeds with pain ; de- 
 spair causes my mind to wander and be troubled. 
 But I give up and bow to destiny. Come, friends, 
 do this out of compassion for me. Give your con- 
 sent. I will be as grateful to you as for the great- 
 est good you could do me. If there be any dis- 
 honor, let it fall on me. I will myself raise the 
 white flag, and will assume, in respect to my coun- 
 try, the responsibility of all that is done. But no, 
 nothing will be laid to our charge. What we have 
 suffered, what we have done, will attest that we 
 only bow beneath the weight of a crushing neces- 
 sity. My God, how I suffer ! Why did I not die 
 one day sooner ?" 
 
 While pouring forth these sad plaints, he tore his 
 hair and wept like a child, and seemed to have lost 
 his mind. 
 
 Those soldiers who were the least easily touched 
 were affected. All agreed that, as matters could not 
 
284 BATAVIA. 
 
 be different, they would accept with resignation 
 things as they were. They affectionately grasped 
 the hand of their beloved chief, endea,vored to con- 
 sole him, assuring him at the same time that he had 
 lost nothing of their respect and esteem. "Walter 
 did not reply, but with trembling hands unfurled 
 the white flag, directing his steps towards the ram- 
 parts. A large number of the soldiers and the sick 
 followed him, not so much to see him hoist the flag 
 as because they feared some calamity might happen 
 from his being so utterly overcome with emotion. 
 
 The lieutenant's limbs tottered like one under the 
 influence of drink ; while climbing up to the rampart 
 he even fell beside the parapet. It was not difficult 
 to see he wished to hasten the accomplishment of 
 the sad task ; but his strength failed him, and he 
 could only drag himself slowly towards the pole 
 from the top of which the tricolored flag of the 
 Netherlands had so long and so gloriously floated. 
 Having reached the spot, he was about to fasten the 
 white flag to the pole; but, as if something had sud- 
 denly diverted his attention, he stood motionless, 
 fixing his eyes steadily upon the sea. 
 
 The horizon on this day was overcast, and noth- 
 ing beyond half a league from the coast could be 
 seen on account of a thick fog. The young man, 
 pale, breathless, having lost all sense of the situation, 
 had fixed his eyes on this cloudy barrier. Suddenly 
 a red light pierced this curtain of fog. The dis- 
 charge of cannon resounded in loud echoes upon 
 the surface of the sea. There was a second flash of 
 
j-i-\T,AyiA. 28(5 
 
 light — a third — a fourth. The air was disturbed ten 
 times, at least, by the discharge of cannon. It was 
 a fieet,^ — but which ? 
 
 A cry of mingled hope and fear escaped from 
 every breast. Walter fell upon his knees at the 
 foot of the pole, and lifted his hands up to heaven. 
 All followed his example, and these wretched l)e- 
 ings poured forth a fervent prayer to God who 
 reigns on high, and had finally taken pity on 
 them. 
 
 They did not long remain uncertain. All of a 
 sudden appeared, rounding one of the numerous isl- 
 ands scattered within the Bay of Jacatra, a ship's 
 launch, carrying a number of oars. ISTear the prow 
 of the boat stood a man who raised the Dutch flag, 
 and the sailors waved their hats in token of friendly 
 salutation. 
 
 Then the joy of the soldiers and invalids knew no 
 bounds. They wept warm tears ; they sobbed with 
 happiness, embracing one another; and the cry, 
 "The fleet, the fleet! Hurrah! Batavia! Batavia !" 
 floated towards heaven like a hymn of gratitude. 
 
 As one struck with madness, Walter tore the 
 white flag in pieces, and fell upon the ground, over- 
 come by the excess of his joy. 
 
 The cry, " The fleet ! the fleet ! Batavia 1 Bata- 
 via !" resounded at all points within the factory. 
 
286 BATAVIA. 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 Some hours after about a thousand Dutch soldiers 
 and sailors were ranged in battle array upon the 
 shore, and the launches continued to land the crews 
 of the seventeen ships composing the fleet. The 
 sick, the women and children, went and came 
 towards the soldiers, testifying their joy with cries 
 and gestures. Those whose want of flesh and 
 debility would have assuredly prevented them the 
 day before from standing upon their feet, even they 
 jumped and danced around some tuns of fresh, 
 sweet water that had been brought from the ships 
 to slake their thirst. Not a living being remained 
 within the factory ; all had fled from those narrow 
 walls wherein they had suffered so long and so 
 much, At this moment every evil was forgotten. 
 They thanked Heaven for giving them the strength 
 to endure to the end the painful tests to which he 
 had subjected them. 
 
 Amid all this population transported with joy, 
 two persons alone could scarcely contain their tears. 
 They kept apart from the others, solitary, with heads 
 bent towards the ground. And when at times they 
 exchanged a few words in a low voice, their expres- 
 sions were bitter and sad, as if for them alone the 
 arrival of the fleet had been a sorrow rather than a 
 beneflt. 
 
BATAVIA. 287 
 
 In fact, the Javanese had offered Captain Van den 
 Broeck his freedom on condition that the factory 
 should be surrendered. If the Dutch did not at 
 once consent to the surrender, the unfortunate Cap- 
 tain was to be put to death. The arrival of the 
 fleet was therefore his death-sentence ! Perhaps his 
 blood had already flowed in the Javanese camp! 
 And if he still lived, the enemy seeing all their 
 hopes fade, — would they not revenge their disap- 
 pointment upon the unfortunate prisoner ? To 
 what cruel torments would they not subject him ! 
 
 These were the terrible thoughts that tortured 
 the heart of the Captain's wife, while, sad and alone, 
 she and her daughter remained outside the factory 
 door and saw her late companions in misfortune 
 giving themselves up to every demonstration of 
 happiness, and shouting with joy. 
 
 Already Governor-General John Peter Koen had 
 approached them and had a long conversation with 
 them, endeavoring by his kindly words to offer 
 some consolation to their wounded hearts ; but the 
 mother and daughter had shed torrents of tears on 
 hearing the Governor's sympathetic words, and this 
 sight had so touched him that he turned his head 
 towards his men as if a sudden thought had struck 
 him. 
 
 The Governor-General had no intention of mak- 
 ing any demonstration against the Javanese on that 
 day, though the ships' crews, indignant at the re- 
 cital of the sufferings to which the garrison had 
 been subjected, criedloudly for permission to pre- 
 
288 BAT A VIA. 
 
 eipitate themselves at once upon the enemy ; bat 
 when the Governor had conversed with Madame 
 Yan den Broeck, and sounded the mortal agony eat- 
 ing her heart out, he thought, too, that by taking 
 the enemy unawares they might still save the Cap- 
 tain's life. As the crew desired it so ardently, and 
 in all cases they would be sure of victory, there was 
 no danger in attacking the town of Jacatra without 
 further delay, and destroying it by fire to its very 
 foundation. 
 
 They were engaged in concerting measures nec- 
 essary for the success of the attack. The Gov- 
 ernor- General, surrounded by Ms captains, held a 
 council of war at some distance from the line of 
 battle. "Walter was present also. The act that he 
 had advised in the morning still weighed heavily 
 upon his heart ; he spoke little, and kept his eyes 
 lowered nearly all the while as if ashamed. But the 
 Governor-General, who knew how nobly and bravely 
 he had acquitted himself during the siege, often ad- 
 dressed him, and pressed his hands several times to 
 comfort him and renew the courage within his heart. 
 
 While the chiefs who were gathered together de- 
 liberated upon the mode of attack, the rest of the 
 crew were landed in the boats. 
 
 The army was divided into twelve companies ; 
 ten of them were to be scattered over the fields, 
 taking a position at a little distance one from the 
 other, with the intention of assailing the enemy from 
 all sides at once. The Governor-General was to re- 
 main upon the plain with the* two other companies^ 
 
BATAVIA. 289 
 
 which were to be ready to give help where it would 
 most be needed. 
 
 As the Javanese had already abandoned their camp 
 and retired to Jacatra, the attack was to be directed 
 against the town walls. Men provided with lighted 
 torches were to follow the companies, and set iire to 
 the houses as soon as they had succeeded in sealing 
 the walls of the enemy. They had- also brought all 
 the ladders from the factory, but thought they 
 would not need them, the walls of Jacatra being 
 very low and broken with many openings. 
 
 A few moments after the ofBcers separated, join- 
 ing their companies to give them the Governor's 
 final orders. The torches were lighted and laddei-s 
 lifted. 
 
 Walter Peterson, after telling his men in a few 
 words the position they were to occupy in the action, 
 passed out behind his company, where stood the 
 negro, and said to him, 
 
 " Do your best, Congo, not to become separated 
 from us. I have commissioned ten of my bravest 
 men to watch over your life. Keep up your courage, 
 then. As soon as we have penetrated within the walls 
 of Jacatra, without thinking of anything else we are 
 to run straight to the Sultan's dhalm and seek the 
 prison of your unfortunate master. Do you think 
 you will still remember the way ?" 
 
 " Trust me. Lieutenant," said the negro ; " I 
 could find the dungeon in the dhalm with my eyes 
 shut. Do not be afraid that I shall stay behind. If I 
 cannot yet use my arm, the heart remains all right." 
 
290 BATAVIA. 
 
 " May God grant us still to find the unfortunate 
 Captain alive !" said the Lieutenant, sighing. 
 
 " Yellow men are perfidious and cruel," said the 
 negro ; " but the Lord of heaven is powerful and 
 full of mercy." 
 
 The Governor's voice was heard on the shore. 
 The roll of the drums gave the army the signal to 
 march. Each company successively faced a^out on 
 the spot where they were, advancing into the plain 
 until within musket-range of Jacatra. 
 
 They beheld the Javanese, armed with bows and 
 arrows, swords and pikes, pressing to the top of the 
 walls in such numbers that they scarcely had power 
 to move. The multitude was so great, and such was 
 the tumult and din, that it appeared as if all the in- 
 habitants of the island had rushed to Jacatra to the 
 defence of the threatened town. The Dutch com- 
 mander ordered the advance of his five hundred 
 musketeers, recommending them to aim well, com- 
 manding the pikemen to hold themselves in readi- 
 ness to fall upon the town and mount to the assault 
 of the ramparts as soon as the musketry was dis- 
 charged. A frightful report was suddenly heard, 
 and while a great acclamation of " Hurrah ! hurrah ! 
 Batavia !" awakened the echoes of the plain, the 
 companies of the Netherlanders hastened forward 
 with an irresistible impulse. 
 
 Only two hundred men remained with the Gover- 
 nor upon the plain. 
 
 Walter Peterson, who had found hiniself the cen- 
 tre of the line of battle, and in consequence nearer 
 
BATAVIA. 291 
 
 to Jacatra, was the first to reach the town. Inspirit- 
 ed by his example and his words, his men rushed 
 npon the ramparts with impetuosity, and by their 
 daring attack took the Javanese so entirely by sur- 
 prise that, casting aside their pikes and swords, they 
 abandoned the rampart and fled to the interior of 
 the town in all haste. The lieutenant followed 
 .them step by step, and drove them back like a tor- 
 rent into the streets of Jacatra. Bewildered by 
 terror, the Javanese offered no longer any resistance, 
 and tried to find safety in flight. They could with- 
 out any trouble have been killed by hundreds, for 
 there were great numbers who, while flying, ran 
 into the side streets within range of the Dutch ; but 
 the lieutenant implored his companions not to allow 
 the desire of vengeance to take possession of them, 
 but to seek in all haste with him the Sultan's dhalm. 
 
 After crossing three or four long streets, as point- 
 ed out by the negro, the lieutenant reached the vast 
 plain before the dhalm, and he was about to pene- 
 trate beneath the waringas and enter the palace, 
 when the negro suddenly gave a strange cry of sur- 
 prise and fright, and, trembling all over, pointed 
 with his finger to a street which led to the other 
 side of the town. 
 
 " That way ! that way !" exclaimed Congo. 
 " Quick ! See over there that body of Javanese fly- 
 ing ! They are carrying off the Captain !" 
 
 "Walter cast his eyes in the direction indicated, 
 and darting forward with a rapid step, he exclaimed, 
 
 " Forward ! forward ! A last effort ! I con- 
 
293 BATAVIA. 
 
 jure you, fly ! The Captain lives ! God is with us ! 
 Oh, could we but 'deliver him, what a splendid vic- 
 tory !" 
 
 And followed closely by his faithful companions, 
 he pressed forward in pursuit of the Javanese. But 
 before he was able to come up with them, they had 
 reached one of the outlets of the town and disap- 
 peared under a thick clump of trees. "Walter Peter-, 
 son did not give up the pursuit ; he seemed to have 
 recovered all his courage and strength, and swore he 
 would bring the Captain back dead or alive, were he 
 obliged to go over the entire island. Spite of the 
 dangers he might encounter in the depths of the 
 thick forests, far from the forces of the Netherlands, 
 he rushed on with his men across copse and brush- 
 wood, and soon disappeared beneath the foliage. 
 
 The rest of the Dutch companies had encountered 
 for a time somewhat obstinate resistance, and in 
 some sort their first attempt at assault had been re- 
 pulsed in murderous fashion ; but when the Dutch 
 soldiers had scaled the rampart in five or six places, 
 and had commenced to thin the enemy's ranks, the 
 Javanese saw that all hope for them was lost. They 
 threw away their heavier arms, and flew from the 
 ramparts towards the woods and open country on 
 the other side of the town. The Dutch, transported 
 with fury, cut and thrust in every direction, and 
 pursued the fugitives as far as the town, which they 
 soon left behind them, disappearing into theTvoods. 
 
 The greater number of the Javanese were thus 
 thrown in the rear of Lieutenant Peterson, and the 
 
BATAVIA. 293 
 
 probabilities were that he with hie sixty men would 
 be surrounded by some thousands of the enemy 
 thirsting for vengeance. What fate was reserved 
 for these brave men ; what heroic deeds would they 
 not perform in the sombre depths of the forest ; 
 how many bodies would be heaped around them 
 before the last remaining succumbed, — ^this their 
 companions would never know. 
 
 Piirsued by the same thought that guided Lieu- 
 tenant .Peterson, the officers and soldiers belonging 
 to the factory garrison rushed towards the dhalm 
 with the feeble hope of finding the prisoner Cap- 
 tain still alive. They searched the palace in its 
 most secret corners. They sought in the halls and 
 every apartment, calling on the Captain by name, 
 so that he might hear if he were confined in some 
 hidden spot. As the Javanese, in case of assault, 
 had caused the women, children, and the aged to 
 leave the town in advance, they foxmd neither in 
 the dhalm nor anywhere else any inhabitant who 
 could say what had become of the Captain and 
 what had been done with him. The Dutch soldiers 
 would probably long have kept up their search, but 
 that a voice behind them suddenly cried, 
 
 " Save yourselves ! save yourselves ! The town is 
 in flames !" 
 
 The Dutch hastened to fire the dhalm and to seek 
 the plain again. 
 
 From there they could see clouds of smoke as- 
 cending to the sky from every, part of the town. 
 The crackling of the bamboos and rattans devoured 
 
394 BATAVIA. 
 
 by the flames filled the air with strange and -sinister 
 sounds, which, however, were dominated by the noise 
 of the drums calling the soldiers from the town. In 
 the plain separating the condemned city from the 
 factory, the Governor-General caused the returning 
 soldiers to take their places in the ranks of the regi- 
 ments to which they belonged. The sick, with the 
 women and children, remained behind, and beside 
 the wings of the line of battle, who, seeing the 
 flames waving over the city, clapped their hands 
 enthusiastically, and celebrated the victory with 
 
 Madame Yan den Broeck and her daughter Ade- 
 laide, impelled by anxious waiting, had also ap- 
 proached the soldiers. Trembling and with beating 
 hearts they scanned each one who returned; but 
 when there were no more, and they became con- 
 vinced that the greater number of the men had joined 
 their companies, they could no longer contain their 
 tears. Adelaide placed her arm on her mother's 
 shoulder, hid her face on her breast, and wept and 
 sobbed bitterly. Madame Yan den Broeck sought 
 to console her by saying that there was reason to 
 hope as long as Walter Peterson did not return ; 
 but Adelaide pointed to the city in flames and 
 lowered her head with a shudder, as if to say that 
 in that burning furnace a double misfortune had 
 perhaps overtaken them. 
 
 The fire spread with exti'aordinary rapidity amid 
 the light buildings which composed Jacatra. The 
 thousand fiery tongues which rose on every side. 
 
BATAVIA. 295 
 
 being gently fanned by a soft breeze, were soon 
 confounded in. one single and immense column of 
 flames, in the midst of which the Sultan's dhalm 
 appeared like a palace of fire. The town resembled 
 a burning sea, over which the smoke whirled im- 
 petuously, like a dark storm-cloud. The crackling 
 of bamboos and rattans was so loud that it seemed 
 as though one could hear from the bosom of that 
 burning furnace the discharge of musketry of two 
 armies engaged in battle. 
 
 "While all eyes were fixed on burning Jacatra, the 
 Governor caused the captains to give him returns 
 of the losses sustained by each company. These 
 losses were not very great, with the exception 
 of a few dead and wounded at the time the 
 ramparts were assaulted, who were removed to 
 the rear of the army lines, not a man was miss- 
 ing among those who had come with the fleet ; 
 nor had any one allowed themselves to be surprised 
 by the flames. One thing alone seemed inexplic- 
 able, and soon filled all hearts with great anxiety : of 
 Walter Peterson's command not one man had yet 
 returned. 
 
 At first the Governor thought that possibly the 
 young man had allowed himself to be carried away 
 by his burning courage and pursued the enemy 
 beyond the town. He hoped to see him after a lit- 
 tle while. But Walter's absence became so prolonged 
 that the Governor and other officers began to fear 
 some great disaster. If the victory was to be 
 bought by the loss of an entire company of well- 
 
296 BATAVIA. 
 
 tried soldiers, there would be greater reason for sor- 
 row than joy. 
 
 It was beyond all upon the faces of those that 
 had f ought and suffered with Walter in the factory 
 that the greatest signs of distress and anxiety were 
 noticed. So their brave lieutenant, with sixty of 
 their former companions in misfortune, had suc- 
 cumbed ! After so much suffering and hard trials, 
 he had perhaps been overtaken by death, the very 
 day of their triumph and deliverance ! Their un- 
 easiness and sorrow were soon communicated to the 
 soldiers of the other companies. The very women 
 and children became sad and silent at sight of the 
 despair and dejection that had taken possession of 
 every one. And everywhere each asked the other, 
 with agony in his look, what could have become of 
 the brave lieutenant and his companions. 
 
 The Governor and captains sought the presence 
 of Madame Yan den Broeck, asking her if she could 
 imagine any reason for Walter's non-appearance. 
 The poor woman tried not to break down under the 
 weight of sorrow, and replied she knew none, except 
 that Walter, from early morning, seemed to be un- 
 der the influence of terrible despair, and had per- 
 haps sought death in the ranks of the Javanese. 
 The horrible position of these two unfortunate 
 women ! Adelaide's moans and tears so affected the 
 officers that they vied with each other in kind words 
 to aid in restoring her courage and consoling her. 
 But of what avail were their friendly words in view 
 of the certainty of the Captain's death ? 
 
BATAVIA. 297 
 
 While they were still mating efforts to inspire 
 within the hearts of the unhappy ladies that hope 
 which they themselves had lost, they suddenly saw 
 in the distance appear from a clump of brushwood 
 a Dutch soldier who was lame and dragged himself 
 along with difficulty. He held his hands out and 
 seemed imploring help. The Governor called a 
 sergeant and bade him take some men and go to 
 meet the wounded man. 
 
 The general curiosity was strongly excited, and 
 every eye was anxiously fastened on the new-comer. 
 As there was not a single man missing in the other 
 companies, it must indubitably be one of Walter 
 Peterson's companions. They would now at last 
 learn what had become of the heroic lieuten- 
 ant. 
 
 The wounded soldier was brought before the 
 Governor, who asked what had happened to Mm, 
 and how it was that he alone of all the company 
 had returned. 
 
 " Your honor the Governor," replied the soldier, 
 " we were the first to penetrate into the town, and 
 ran straight to the Sultan's palace. Having reached 
 the square in front of it, we saw in the distance 
 sotne Javanese carrying off Captain Van den Broeck 
 and wishing to escape with him." 
 
 " Heavens ! my father lives !" exclaimed Ade- 
 laide. " He lives, my darling mother !" 
 
 " He lives ! " was echoed joyfully in every 
 tone. 
 
 " Go on, go on," said the Governor. 
 
298 BATAVIA. 
 
 "The lieutenant tore like a lion in pursuit of 
 the Javanese, and we after him," continued the 
 soldier; "but the fugitives were too far in ad- 
 vance of us, and they succeeded in reaching the 
 fields and woods. I do not know what happened 
 later, your honor, and learn with deep sorrow that 
 my brave lieutenant and my companions have not 
 yet returned." 
 
 "But how did you receive this wound?" asked 
 the Governor. 
 
 " An arrow pierced my leg," replied the soldier. 
 " When not far from Jacatra, we penetrated into the 
 thick forests, and again caught sight of the Javanese 
 carrying off the Captain. A host of enemies sud- 
 denly appeared in our rear. I received an arrow in 
 my leg and fell. As I knew I was not in condition 
 to defend myself, I hid myself in the brush. I 
 heard the lieutenant's voice encouraging his men to 
 struggle with all their might. The war-cry of the 
 Javanese then reached my ear ; but after a few mo- 
 ments, silence reigned around me. When I heard 
 nothing more I left my retreat, and while limp- 
 ing and dragging myself along with difficulty, I 
 succeeded in reaching the point where you saw 
 me. This is all I know, your honor the Gover- 
 nor." 
 
 The officers remained silent, while painful 
 thoughts asserted themselves. According to the 
 account of the wounded man, they could scarcely 
 hope the lieutenant and his men were still alive. 
 However great was Walter's intrepidity, it was not 
 
BATAVIA. 299 
 
 to be supposed that with sixty men he could long 
 resist thousands of the enemy. Peter Yan Ray 
 said he would not be at all astonished if Walter 
 Peterson, seconded by his brave comrades, had put 
 to death some hundreds of the enemy, and would 
 return towards nightfall victorious; but no one 
 shared his conj&dence. 
 
 Adelaide, whose heart had bounded with joy on 
 hearing that her father was still alive, overcome by 
 fresh anguish and renewed fears, had dropped her 
 head upon her mother's breast. 
 
 " Come, Adelaide," she said, her tears falling 
 fast, " let us return to the factory. God has over- 
 whelmed us with sorrow and bows us down with 
 suffering. Let us pray, pray in solitude. Perhaps 
 — who knows ? The decrees of God are inscruta- 
 ble." 
 
 She had already taken a few steps towards the 
 factory with her wretched daughter, when suddenly 
 she turned, and, struck by some unusual noise, looked 
 out on the horizon scrutinizingly. 
 
 There was heard a sound beneath the trees on the 
 side towards Jacatra, a confused noise which seemed 
 like the happy shouts of a number of men. "What 
 could this tumult mean ? The question was ex- 
 pressed on every face, and it was with beating 
 hearts that all, officers and men, lent an ear to dis- 
 tinguish this hum, which was rapidly coming 
 nearer, though the shouts, deadened probably by 
 the thickness of the foliage, were still yague and 
 confused. 
 
300 BATAVIA. 
 
 All of a sudden the trramplial cry, "Hurrah! 
 Hurrah! Batavia!" resounded distinctly through 
 the air not far from the burning town, and, almost 
 immediately after, about forty Dutch soldiers ap- 
 peared on the spot where the wounded soldier had 
 been seen a short time before. 
 
 "Hurrah! it is our lieutenant, our brave lieu- 
 tena,nt ! " exclaimed the soldiers, waving their 
 hats. 
 
 It was in truth Walter Peterson, with the men of 
 his command who had escaped the steel of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Adelaide had raised her hands to heaven, and, 
 though she could distinguish none among those 
 men who were running in confusion, her face shone 
 with gratitude and happiness as if a joyful presenti- 
 ment filled her heart. But when the Dutch soldiers 
 emerged from the brushwood, and the young girl 
 could see them, a great cry escaped from her. 
 Transported with joy, she exclaimed, 
 
 " Thanks, thanks, my God ! I once more see my 
 poor father ! He lives, mother ! Walter has saved 
 him." 
 
 With these words she ran hurriedly towards the 
 plain, and as light as a fawn flew towards the 
 soldiers, who on their side approached rapidly. 
 Madame Van den Broeck and the officers went for- 
 ward also to meet them, but were still far away 
 when Adelaide had her arms around her father's 
 neck and bathed his face and shoulders with her 
 tears. In her happy transports she spoke all the 
 
BAT A VI A. 301 
 
 soft caressing words that love, pity, and happiness 
 can inspire. The Captain, mute, beside himself, 
 pressed his beloved child to his -heart, and lifted 
 to heaven eyes whose look expressed a fervent 
 prayer of gratitude. 
 
 His wife approached in her turn ; but when she 
 perceived how sickness and sorrow had altered the 
 expression of her husband's face, when she saw the 
 corpse-like pallor which overspread his emaciated 
 countenance, and the half-closed wounds which 
 upon his brow and cheeks bore testimony to the 
 craelty of the Javanese, she gave a heart-rending 
 cry and fell sobbing into her husband's arms, who 
 with one embrace pressed both his wife and child 
 to his beating heart. The Governor grasped him 
 by the hand. The captains, his friends, sur- 
 rounded and congratulated him warmly. 
 
 The soldiers were deeply touched by this scene, 
 and, carried away with their own joy, quitted the 
 ranks and stood around the oflScers. They waved 
 their hands above their heads, giving joyful cries of 
 triumph. 
 
 " Hurrah ! hurrah ! Long live the Captain 1 
 Long live Van den Broeck ! The victory is com- 
 plete !" Such were the exclamations that escaped 
 from a thousand breasts, in salutation of the pris- 
 oner who had regained his liberty. 
 
 Adelaide, up to this time entirely absorbed in her 
 happiness, had thought of nothing but the joy of 
 seeing her father again. She had thought but of 
 giving expression to her love and joy. But sud- 
 
303 BATAVIA. 
 
 denly her look fell on Walter Peterson, who, with 
 a tender and indefinable smile of happiness, con- 
 templated the touching spectacle of his beloved 
 one's joy. The young girl flew towards him, fell 
 upon her knees before him, and exclaimed, while 
 holding out her hands, 
 
 " Ah ! thank you, thank you ! Ton have given 
 me more than life ! "Walter, Walter, how shall I 
 ever repay the debt of gratitude I owe you ? Sav- 
 iour of my father, may you be blessed !" 
 
 She was continuing the expression of her grati- 
 tude, when the lieutenant drew her up, and the 
 young girl, beside herself, threw her arms around 
 her lover's neck. 
 
 Van den Broeck looked upon this touching spec- 
 tacle for some time with moist eyes, then suddenly 
 coming forward, he said to those who surrounded 
 him, 
 
 "My friends and companions, I thank God for 
 my deliverance. I thank you all who have so coura- 
 geously suffered and fought with me. It is not in my 
 power to testify to you all the liveliness of my grati- 
 tude ; but yet there is one, the bravest among you, 
 whom I can recompense. Behold my beloved child, 
 my gentle Adelaide, almost losing consciousness with 
 love and happiness, her arms around the neck of 
 the liero who saved me from a most frightful death. 
 Walter, Walter, come to my heart; come, that I 
 may embrace you like a valued son ! May Adel- 
 aide become your wife, and God bless this holy 
 union !" 
 
BATAVIA. '60'3 
 
 Wtile Van den Broeck held the young officer 
 and his daughter both at the same time in his arms, 
 the Governor in his tui-n approached, and said 
 smilingly, 
 
 "There is one thing wanting to complete this 
 marriage." 
 
 And clapping Walter on the si^pulder, he added, 
 
 "I will fulfil the last condition. You are a cap- 
 tain, Mr. Peterson. Keep the command of those 
 brave men who so seconded you in your heroic 
 enterprise. You are young, but may a captain's 
 sword always shine in hands such as yours! Be 
 happy, Walter Peterson; you are a worthy son of 
 the Netherlands !" 
 
 The young man scarcely dared believe in so much 
 happiness. While Madame Yan den Broeck spoke 
 words of tenderness and love to the Captain, Walter 
 fixed on space a look both vague and uncertain, and 
 trembled under the weight of unutterable emotion. 
 He suddenly observed Congo, who, standing a 
 few steps off, looked at him, with joined hands 
 and an expression beaming with hope and fervent 
 prayer. 
 
 The young officer at once remembered the entire 
 devotion which the slave had always evinced to- 
 wards him, and what he, Walter, had promised the 
 poor negro. 
 
 He exchanged a few words in a low tone with 
 Van den Broeck, and receiving his assent, hurried 
 towards the slave, took his hand, and said in a voice 
 full of feeling. 
 
304 BATAVIA. 
 
 " Congo, I have understood you ; you were think- 
 ing of my promise, were you not ? I will fulfil it. 
 You have a grateful, faithful, brave heart ; you have 
 shod your blood for the glory of the Netherlands, 
 And why should you not profit by the victory? 
 Congo, the Captain has just given you to me, and I, 
 my good Congo, grant you your freedom." 
 
 The negro gave a cry of joy, fell upon the ground 
 and tearfully embraced the young man's knees, 
 while sobbing forth his thanks in a voice that was 
 scarcely intelligible : 
 
 " Freedom ! freedom ! But to remain with you, 
 my good master, to remain with you !" 
 
 Walter raised him up, and told him he should 
 continue to form a part of his family, promising 
 ever to give him his protection. 
 
 At this moment the Governor ordered the return 
 to the factory, and commanded the drums to beat to 
 arms. All the men joined their companies, placing 
 themselves in position. Van den Broeck wa.lked in 
 advance between his wife and daughter, accompanied 
 by the Governor and Walter. The drums and 
 trumpets made the plain resound with the national 
 air of " William of ll^Tassau," and all, soldiers, wo- 
 men, children, and the sick, commenced clapping 
 their hands and cheering as though they had lost 
 their senses. 
 
 During the journey it was scarcely possible to 
 understand anything amid such a confusion of cries ; 
 but when the little army reached the factory door 
 and caught sight of the sign which had been sus- 
 
BATAVIA. 305 
 
 pended during the unhappy days as an emblem of 
 confidence in the protection of God, all voices were 
 united in one powerful cry of triumph ; and while 
 the brave sons of Holland entered the door of the 
 future capital of the Netherlands in India, thunder- 
 ing acclamations rose up to heaven, 
 "Eatavia! Batavial" 
 
 
 THE END.