Chapter VI: Part 6

While this affair was taking place, the 'Dido,' 'Childers,' 'Blonde,' 'Modeste,' 'Proserpine,' 'Nemesis,' and 'Queen,' were employed in blockading the mouths of the Grand Canal above the city, where they detained a vast number of trading junks. They also were engaged in obtaining fresh provisions for the fleet, which were strictly paid for. The officers had indeed established friendly relations with the authorities of some of the neighbouring towns; and it is worthy of remark, that they were actually enjoying the hospitality of some of them while the attack on Chin-keang-foo was taking place.

These triumphant successes of the British had at length brought the Emperor to reason, and when the fleet and the troops were brought in reality before the walls of Nankin, he no longer concealed his anxiety to sue for peace. The capture of the trading junks had also struck a heavy blow at the commerce of the country, the worse effects of which he was eager to avert. General Schoedde's brigade, with a few other troops were left to occupy the heights round Chin-keang-foo, while the expedition proceeded on to Nankin.

It was not, however, till the 4th of August that, in consequence of the prevalence of contrary winds, the fleet could stem the current of the Tang-tse-keang, when the transports with Lord Saltoun's brigade, were able to proceed.

The 'Queen,' having Sir Henry Pottinger on board, towed up the 'Marion,' head-quarter ship, and on the 5th anchored off Nankin. The 'Cornwallis' had got up on the previous day, but the entire fleet did not reach the anchorage till the 9th. The walls of the city surround an immense space, containing within them a separate Tartar city. Perhaps not more than an eighth part is covered with houses.

The British force consisted of 4,500 effective men, besides the marines and seamen of the ships. It was thought necessary to make a demonstration to bring the Chinese more speedily to terms.

The 'Cornwallis,' 'Blonde,' and heavy steamers, were accordingly placed in position, the first within 1,000 paces of the Ifung gate, with her broadside bearing on a sort of demi-bastion, which it was proposed to breach; the 'Blonde,' so as to take the defence of that bastion in flank; and the steamers so as to destroy the parapet of the wall on either side the point to be breached.

General Bartley's brigade was to enter at this point, while Lord Saltoun's was to attack the opposite gate. Fortunately these demonstrations had their due effect on the Chinese.

The true state of affairs was represented to the Emperor, and on the 20th of August, his Commissioner came on board the 'Cornwallis,' with authority to treat for peace. On the 24th, the visit was returned by Sir Henry Pottinger, Sir Hugh Gough, Sir William Parker, and upwards of a hundred officers.

On the 29th, the treaty of peace for which the British had been for so long contending was happily signed on board the 'Cornwallis' by Sir Henry Pottinger, on the part of Great Britain, and by Ke-ying, Elepoo, and New-Kien, on the part of the Emperor of China.

The following were the most important provisions of the treaty:--

1st. The establishment of lasting peace and friendship between the two empires.

2nd. China was to pay 21,000,000 dollars in the course of the present and three succeeding years, to defray the expenses of the war.

3rd. The ports of Canton, Amoy, Too-choo-foo, Ningpo, and Shang-hae, were to be thrown open to British merchants. Consular officers were to be appointed to reside at them; and regular and just tariffs of import and export, as well as inland transit duties, were to be established and published.

4th. The island of Hong Kong was ceded in perpetuity, to Her Britannic Majesty, Her heirs, and successors.

5th. All subjects of Her Britannic Majesty, whether natives of Europe or India, imprisoned in any part of the Chinese empire, were to be unconditionally released.

6th. An Act of full and entire amnesty was to be published by the emperor, under his imperial sign-manual, and sent to all Chinese subjects, on account of their having held service under the British Government or its officers.

7th. Correspondence was to be conducted on terms of perfect equality between the officers of both Governments.

8th. On the Emperor's assent being received to this treaty, and on the payment of the first 6,000,000 dollars, Her Britannic Majesty's forces were to retire from Nankin and the Grand Canal, and also from their position at Chin-hae; but the islands of Chusan and Ku-lang-sin were to be held until the money payment and the arrangements for opening the ports were completed.

We give the above articles of the treaty to show the moderation of the terms dictated by the conquerors, and to prove that the only object the British had in carrying on the war, was the establishment of a lasting peace and a permanent commercial intercourse with the Chinese.

It has been the custom somewhat to disparage the war in China, and to speak of the Chinese as contemptible and cowardly in the extreme.

Their mode of fighting was certainly different to that of the British; but we have shown that they are possessed of as much perseverance and personal bravery as can be exhibited by any people in the world; and that with more science and practical experience, they would indeed have been formidable enemies.

The war was thus ended. The troops returned to India, and the ships were dispersed over various parts of the world. We shall have to record the exploits of several of them, named in this account, in our future pages.

Late events have shown that the consequences of this war have been far more serious than was at first supposed. By it, a tremendous blow was struck at the despotic power of the Emperor, and his subjects were taught to despise the man who was compelled to succumb before a people whom he had contemptuously designated as barbarians. The Chinese were also taught to respect the British, and to discover their own deficiences, which, acute and quicksighted as they are, they have made many efforts to remedy. A powerful party was soon after organized, which has within the two last years obtained power sufficient to threaten the overthrow of the Tartar rule, and which proposes the re-establishment of a native monarchy, the reformation of government, the improvement of science and education, and the purification of religion. If the liberal party succeed, as there is every probability it will, we may hope to see not only China opened to the commerce of the world, but the blessings of civilization, and Christianity itself, diffused throughout that fertile and wealth-producing land.

If such prove to be the results of the war in China, we have no cause to repine at the cost.

While the British fleet remained in the China Seas, several gallant acts, well worthy of record, were performed by some of the officers of the ships. I possess notes of a few of them, which I give, though I am well aware that many other traits of courage were exhibited (independent of the gallantry all displayed in action) of which I have no accounts.

GALLANTRY OF MR. H. F. M'KILLOP, MIDSHIPMAN OF
H.M.S. 'BELLEISLE,'

June, 1842.

"AT daylight, on the 15th of June, 1842, when H.M.S. 'Belleisle,' Captain Kingcome, was at anchor in one of the passages to the entrance of Chusan, in the China Sea, when there was a strong tide running, Mr. H. F. M'Killop, midshipman, was heard to cry, 'A man overboard!--I'll jump after him.' The quarter-master said, 'You had better not, sir; there is a very strong tide running.' The reply was, 'I will--the man can't swim.' He instantly plunged overboard, and, to the satisfaction of all, he was seen to lay hold of the man, whom he kept afloat for a considerable period, until the boat had been lowered, and sent to pick them both up."

COURAGE OF MR. TURNER, MATE OF H.M.S. 'SERPENT,'

August, 1842.

"On the 8th of August, 1842, the pinnace, belonging to H.M.S. 'Serpent,' was caught in a gale of wind, in Chimmo Bay, China. At midnight, a heavy squall caused a junk she was riding by to drive, forcing the pinnace so suddenly ahead that, in her heavy pitching, she foundered. In a moment, seven men were struggling for their lives, five of whom were saved by the extraordinary exertions of Mr. Turner (mate), who, in his praiseworthy efforts, was nearly jammed between two junks, and was only just hauled up in time, but not before he had seen two of his best men hauled up before him."

SEAMAN'S LIFE SAVED BY LIEUTENANT R. C. WHYTE,

January, 1844.

"On the 15th of January, 1844, at which time H.M.S. 'Pelican' was lying in the Ningpo River, on the north-eastern coast of China, a seaman, named Joseph White, while working in the main-rigging, missed his hold, and fell overboard. Lieut. Robert C. Whyte, senior of that ship, in the most gallant manner, instantly jumped after him, with his clothes on; and, although the man had sunk twice, and was actually swept by the rapidity of the tide under the bow of a large Chinese boat, succeeded in saving him. It was the greatest chance that Lieut. Whyte's life was not sacrificed in this his gallant attempt. From the well-known rapid tide, and dangerous undertow in the large rivers of China, particularly the Ningpo, it had always been supposed that any person falling overboard would inevitably have been drowned; and so strong was this opinion on board, which was well known to Lieut. Whyte at the time, that the ship's company had always refrained from bathing during the fine seasons.

"This was the second time in which Lieut. Whyte succeeded in saving this seaman's life, and the third man he had saved within a very few months."

LIEUTS. CALDWELL AND VANSITTART, R.N., HONG KONG,

December, 1843.

"On the 13th of December, 1843, as the men of H.M.S. 'Agincourt,' at Hong Kong, were exercising aloft, one of them unfortunately lost his hold, and fell from the main-yard arm: striking against the rigging, he bounded with frightful force from the spare topsail-yard, and fell insensible into the sea. Lieuts. Caldwell and Vansittart instantly dashed overboard after him; the former officer was, however, from his position, unable to make way against the tide, and to reach the sinking man. Happily, Mr. Vansittart was nearer to him, and with almost superhuman exertions (being burdened with the whole of his uniform), saved the poor fellow's life, supporting him for a considerable time, until a boat could be lowered. This gallant action endeared the young officers to every man on board."

THE LIFE OF THE HON. FREDERICK WILLIAM WALPOLE
SAVED BY MR. R. DEW, MATE OF H.M.S. 'COLLINGWOOD,'
AT CALLAO,

August 20th, 1844.

Her Majesty's ship 'Collingwood,' Captain R. Smart, was lying off the port of Callao, in China, on the 20th of August, 1844. There were at the time two mates on board, Mr. Roderick Dew and the Hon. Frederick William Walpole. The latter officer had, it appears, in the afternoon gone on board a cutter-yacht belonging to a gentleman at Callao. As night came on there was a fresh breeze blowing, which knocked up a short chopping sea. It was also very dark, so that objects at any distance from the ship could scarcely be discerned. The officer of the first watch on that night was Lieutenant Richard R. Quin, and the mate of the watch was Mr. R. Dew. In those seas the currents run very rapidly, and where the ship lay there was a very strong tide. Just as the quarter-masters had gone below to call the officers of the middle watch, it being then close upon 12 o'clock, the look-out man forward reported a boat ahead under sail. The Lieutenant of the watch, on going to the gangway, observed a small cutter on the starboard bow, which, as well as he could make out, through the obscurity, appeared to be hove-to. He judged, from the position of the cutter, that she wished to communicate with the ship, but it was impossible to see what was taking place on board her. Shortly afterwards a dark object was observed on the water on the starboard bow approaching the ship, but it did not look like a boat. When it was at the distance of 70 or 80 yards, it was hailed by the sentry. An answer was returned, but too indistinctly for the officers aft to understand what was said. The sentry, however, on the forecastle seems to have made out the answer, for he instantly sung out the startling cry of "A man overboard!" No boats were down at the time, and in that hot tideway in another minute the drowning man would have been swept past the ship, and carried, in all probability, out to sea, where he must have perished. Mr. Dew was forward; whether or not he knew who was the person in peril of his life, I cannot say, probably any human being would equally have claimed his aid; but without a moment's hesitation, he jumped fearlessly overboard, and swam to the assistance of the man he supposed was drowning. He struck out bravely, but could not at first succeed in the object for which he was aiming. Meantime the order for lowering a boat was given, but long before she was got into the water, the figure of a human being was discerned close to the ship. The sentry again hailed, when a voice, which was recognised as that of Mr. Walpole's, answered with a cry for help. Mr. Dew cheered him up, by letting him know that he was coming to his assistance, and very soon after he got up to him, and found him clinging to a small boat, full of water, and as he was encumbered with a heavy pea-coat, holding on with the greatest difficulty. Mr. Dew, who was lightly clad and fresh, enabled him to guide the swamped boat up to the ship, near which the current was of itself carrying her. As they passed near the gangway a coil of rope was hove to them, which they getting hold of, the boat was hauled alongside, and Mr. Walpole and his gallant preserver, Mr. Dew, were brought safely upon deck. Mr. Walpole then gave an account of the accident which had befallen him. He had shoved off from the cutter in her dingy, which was very soon swamped, and as the tide would not allow him to regain her, he was being carried rapidly to destruction, and would, he gratefully asserted, have inevitably perished, had it not been for the heroic conduct of Mr. Dew, who, under Providence, was thus the means of preserving his life.

CAPTURE OF THE CARTHAGENIAN FLEET,

BY LIEUT. DE COURCY,

February, 1841.

Among the numerous states which have arisen from the fragments of the Spanish empire in South America is that of Carthagena on the northern coast, and on the eastern shore at the entrance of the Gulf of Darien. The inhabitants, like those of all the other states of Spanish origin on that continent, have continually been quarrelling among each other, and one party has always been found ready to set up a Dictator, President, or Governor in opposition to the man who happens to be in power. It appears that the British brig 'Jane and Sarah,' in company with a sloop called the 'Little William,' were lying at Sapote, a harbour of Carthagena, when, on the 6th of February, 1841, some Carthagenian ships-of-war, under the orders of General Carmona, attacked the two vessels and plundered them, to a large amount, of goods and specie. A Colonel Gregg and other passengers, together with their crews, were taken on shore and imprisoned. We are not aware of what crime Colonel Gregg and the other persons were accused. They found means, however, to communicate their condition to the British Consul resident at Carthagena, who immediately interested himself on their behalf, and applied to the government for their release. His intercession was perfectly unsuccessful. As soon, therefore, as he was able, he sent off a despatch to Lieutenant De Courcy, commanding Her Majesty's brig 'Charybdis,' stationed on the coast to protect British interests, and which was fortunately then in the neighbourhood. Immediately on receiving the communication, Lieutenant De Courcy came off the port of Carthagena, and despatched a boat, with an officer, bearing a letter to the Commodore of the squadron, then at anchor inside, demanding the release of Colonel Gregg and the other British subjects.

The Carthagenian squadron consisted of a corvette, a brig, and three schooners-of-war. When the officer got on board the corvette, he found the Commodore, who treated him with great insolence, observing, that as the letter was not written in Spanish, he could not understand it, and therefore could not receive it, treating the threatened interference with the greatest contempt. The unfortunate Colonel Gregg, it appears, was shot immediately after the application for his release had been made, so that, probably, the Commodore was acting under the orders of the Government, who were little aware of the punishment they were about to draw down on the head of the Commander of their ships. As soon as the British officer had returned on board the 'Charybdis,' and reported these circumstances, Lieut. De Courcy determined to compel attention to his communications. The 'Charybdis' was rated as a 6-gun brig, but she carried only one long gun amidships, and two carronades, and her full complement of officers and men was but 55. Nothing daunted, however, he boldly entered the port, and was passing up to an anchorage, when, without any provocation, he was fired into by the corvette, the Commodore's vessel, and the forestay of the 'Charybdis' was shot away. This was an insult not for an instant to be borne, and, in spite of the small size of his vessel, and the apparently overwhelming force opposed to him, he immediately took up a position, and opened his fire on the corvette. His officers and crew enthusiastically seconded him, and working their guns with a will, so rapidly was their fire delivered, and so well was it directed, that in a short time, the corvette hauled down her colours and surrendered, when, on taking possession of her, it was found that the Commodore and 25 of his men had been killed. In the mean time, a brig-of-war had been coming down to the assistance of the corvette, followed by three schooners, and scarcely had the first been disposed of, when she came into action. Unexhausted by their exertions, the gallant crew of the 'Charybdis' fought their guns as before, and, in five minutes after they had been brought to bear on the brig, she sank, and in a short time, the schooners, after exchanging a few shots, also surrendered. Thus, in the course of less than an hour, the whole of the Carthagenian squadron was captured and destroyed,--the victor remaining at anchor in their port, with his prizes, to await the decision of the Admiral on the station as to their disposal. Although, probably, the vessels of the enemy were neither well-found nor well-manned, still, their force was so immensely superior to that of the British brig, that we must allow, that not a more spirited or gallant action has been performed since Her Majesty came to the throne than that of Lieut. De Courcy's capture of the Carthagenian fleet. He, in consequence, at once received his promotion to the rank of Commander.

SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY IN BORNEO AND
THE EASTERN AECHIPELAGO.

SKETCH OF RAJAH BROOKE.

Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak, has proved himself to be, not only a benefactor to his country, but also to a large number of the human race. He went out as a cadet to India, where he distinguished himself in the Burmese war, and being wounded there, he returned home. A warm admirer of Sir Stamford Raffles, by whose enlightened efforts the flourishing city of Singapore was established, and British commerce much increased in the Eastern Archipelago, he took a voyage there to form a personal acquaintance with those interesting islands. He found the people groaning under oppression, piracy unchecked, and commerce undeveloped. He here secretly resolved to devote his life to remedying these evils. On his return, home he purchased a yacht, the 'Royalist,' of 142 tons, and with care and kindness, for three years, he trained a crew zealously ready to follow his fortunes.

She was armed with six six-pounders, a number of swivels, and small arms of all sorts. She anchored off Borneo, on the 1st of August, 1839, and on the 15th reached Sarawak. Here Mr. Brooke visited the Rajah Muda Hassim, who was engaged in a war with some rebellious subjects in the interior. The Rajah asked his aid to put down the rebellion, but he refused, and devoted his time to making himself acquainted with the character of the natives, and the productions of the country,--after which, he went back to Singapore. Borneo is a vast island lying under the equator. The interior is but little known, nor were even the coasts at that time. The aboriginal inhabitants are called Dyaks, but large numbers of Malays are settled on the coast and along the banks of the rivers. The Emperor of Borneo, as he is called, is merely a chief, claiming power over the northern portion of the island. On Mr. Brooke's return, he found the rebellion still going on, and, in the hopes of bringing about a cessation of hostilities, he acceded to Muda Hassim's request, and joining the Rajah's army with some of his crew, and a gun from the 'Royalist,' the rebels were soon compelled to sue for pardon. In return for this assistance, the government of Sarawak was conferred on Mr. Brooke. His first step was to proceed to Singapore, where he purchased the 'Swift,' schooner of 90 tons, and loading her with a suitable cargo, he returned to Sarawak with his two vessels, in April, 1851. In consequence, however, of the intrigues of a chief called Macota, it was some time before he became completely invested with the powers of government. The moment he became governor, 24th September, 1841, he set himself actively to work to reform abuses, to improve the cultivation of the country, and to secure peace and happiness to the people. A great variety of tribes inhabit the country, who were constantly making predatory attacks on each other for the purpose of taking the heads of their enemies, while the shores were infested with piratical fleets, who robbed and murdered wherever they roved. Numbers of British and other merchant vessels had fallen into their power. Having arranged the internal affairs of his government, Mr. Brooke turned all his efforts to put a stop to these nefarious practices. Having secured the approval of the Sultan of Borneo-Proper to his holding Sarawak, and at the same time obtained the release of the Hindostan crews of two English ships, he went back to Singapore, for the purpose of asking the aid of some ship-of-war to put down piracy. The 'Dido,' the Hon. Captain Keppel, was accordingly sent to assist him in carrying out his object. The Dyaks of Saribas and Sakarran, were the first pointed out, by Rajah Muda Hassini, as determined pirates, living entirely by plunder, more especially of vessels trading between Borneo and Singapore. Before, however, we give an account of the expedition against them, we have to mention some of the exploits of the 'Dido' and her boats.

CAPTURE OF PIRATICAL PRAHUS BY BOATS OF 'DIDO,'
UNDER LIEUT. HORTON,

May 13th, 1842.

As soon as the 'Dido' arrived off Sarawak, Mr. Brooke went on board one of his boats, and proceeded with a few others, all under the command of Lieut. (now Captain) Horton, in search of a fleet of Illanun pirates whom he had heard of as being in the neighbourhood. They soon came on a fleet of prahus, which made off at their approach. The next morning, however, the pinnace having grounded, Lieut. Horton and Mr. Brooke proceeded in one of the cutters to reconnoitre. As they neared the south-west point, they were met by six prahus, beating their tom-toms as they advanced. Lieut. Horton judiciously turned to rejoin the other boats; and the pinnace having floated, he formed his little squadron into line abreast, cleared for action, and prepared to meet his formidable-looking antagonists. Mr. Brooke, however, believing them not to be Illanuns, raised a flag-of-truce on his spy-glass, but a discharge of small arms was the only reply he received.

The pirates then detached their three smallest vessels in shore to command a cross-fire, and to cut off the retreat of the 'Dido's' boats, and the rest advanced, their shot cutting through the rigging, and splashing in the water all around. It was an anxious moment for the 'Dido's' little party. Not a word was spoken. The only gun of the pinnace was loaded with grape and canister, and kept pointed at the largest prahu. The men waited with their muskets in hand for permission to fire, but it was not until within pistol-range, that Lieut. Horton poured into the enemy his well-prepared dose. After exchanging shots for a few minutes longer, the largest cried for quarter, but the other five keeping up a fire to the last, made for the shore chased by the two cutters. The prize proved to be a prahu mounting three brass guns, with a crew of thirty-six men. Ten of them were killed, and eleven (four of them mortally) wounded. The crews of the three smaller prahus escaped on shore with those only slightly hurt. Captain Keppel gave orders that the wounds of the rest should be dressed by Mr. Simpson, the assistant-surgeon, and the prisoners were afterwards set at liberty. Lieut. Wilmot Horton and Mr. W. L. Partridge, mate, who commanded the pinnace, were promoted for their gallantry on this occasion.

ATTACK ON THE JOLLY BACHELOR.

The 'Emily' schooner-yacht, belonging to Mr. Whitehead, of Singapore, being expected from thence, Captain Keppel sent a boat lent by Mr. Brooke, called the 'Jolly Bachelor,' fitted with a brass six-pounder long gun, and with a volunteer crew of a mate, two midshipmen, six marines, and twelve seamen, and a fortnight's provisions, under the command of the Second Lieut. Mr. Hunt, to cruise off Cape Datu. Mr. Douglas, who spoke the Malayan language, volunteered his services. After being out five days, all hands being overcome with fatigue, they had dropped an anchor close to some rocks, and had fallen asleep. Just as the moon was about to rise, Lieut. Hunt happening to awake, observed a savage brandishing a kris, and performing his war-dance on the little deck, delighted at the ease, as he supposed, with which he had got possession of a fine trading-boat. The lieutenant's face, unsurmounted by a turban, gave the first intimation to the savage of his mistake. He on this plunged overboard, and before Lieut. Hunt knew whether or not he was dreaming, or could rouse up his crew, a discharge from three or four guns, and the rattle of the various missiles with which they were loaded, convinced him there was no mistake. As the men were lying down, no one was hurt; but on jumping on their legs, they found themselves pressed by two large war-prahus, one on each bow. To return the fire, cut the cable, man the oars, and back astern, was the work of a moment. The men fought as British seamen always do: the deadly aim of the marines prevented the pirates from reloading their guns. The Illanun prahus are built with strong bulwarks or barricades, grape-shot proof across the fore part of the boat, through which ports are formed for working the guns. When these bulwarks were cut away by round-shot from the 'Jolly Bachelor,' the musketry, grape, and canister told with fearful effect. In the mean time the prahus had been pressing forward to board, while the 'Jolly Bachelor' backed astern; but as soon as this service was achieved, the men dropped their oars, and seizing their muskets, dashed on: the work was sharp but short, and the slaughter great. While one pirate-boat was sinking, and an effort was being made to secure her, the other effected her escape by rounding the point of rocks, where a third and larger prahu, hitherto unseen, came to her assistance, and putting fresh hands on board, and taking her in tow, succeeded in getting off, although chased by the 'Jolly Bachelor.' The other being set on fire, blew up and sunk. The captured boat, when boarded, presented a dreadful sight, filled with the mangled forms of the dead and dying.

ATTACK ON SAREBUS PIRATES BY BOATS OF H.M.S. 'DIDO.'

The 'Dido,' after leaving Sarawak, proceeded to the island of Burong, which was appointed as the place of rendezvous. The force selected for the expedition consisted of the 'Dido's' pinnace, two cutters, and a gig, with the 'Jolly Bachelor,' carrying a long six-pounder brass gun, and 30 of the 'Dido's' men. Several chiefs sent their fleets, so that the native force was considerable, and it caused no little trouble to keep them in order. The command of the expedition was given to Lieut. Wilmot Horton, and in the pinnace with him were Mr. W. L. Partridge, mate; Dr. Simpson, assistant-surgeon; and Mr. Hallowes, midshipman; with 14 seamen and 5 marines. In the first cutter was Mr. D'Aeth and Mr. Douglas, from Sarawak, and Mr. Collins, the boatswain; and in the second cutter, Mr. Elliot, the master, and Mr. Jenkins, midshipman. The 'Jolly Bachelor' was commanded by Lieut. Tottenham, and Mr. Combes, midshipman, with Mr. Brooke's medical friend, Dr. Treacher, and an amateur gentleman, Mr. Ruppel, from Sarawak. The force from the 'Dido' consisted of about 80 officers and men. Capt. Keppel, with his accustomed gallantry, accompanied the boats in his gig, in which Mr. Brooke also embarked. Lieut. E. Gunnell, in the second gig, had the difficult duty assigned to him of preserving order among the extensive fleet of native boats. A variety of motives had brought together this curious assemblage of Europeans, Malays, and Dyaks. The British wish was to put down piracy; the Malays came for plunder; the Dyaks to revenge themselves for the atrocities committed by the Sarebus and Sakarran pirates. On the 9th June, 1843, the expedition had got 30 miles up the river, and Captain Keppel laughingly says, as he pulled along the line of his tiny fleet, he felt as proud as Sir William Parker could when leading 75 British ships up the Teang-se-Keang River into the heart of the Celestial Empire.

Captain Keppel being ahead, soon afterwards fell in with a couple of boats evidently belonging to some pirates which had been chased the previous day. He fired his rifle, when the crews took to flight and escaped among the jungle. At a place called Boling, they met with a dangerous obstacle, called a bore. It is caused by the tide coming in with a tremendous rush, as if an immense wave of the sea had suddenly rolled up the stream. Then finding itself confined on either side, it extends across like a high bank of water, curling and breaking as it goes, and from the frightful velocity with which it passes up, it carries all before it. In certain bends of the river the bore does not break across, and it was therefore the aim of the boats to gain these spots between the times of its activity.

Just below Boling, the river branches off to the right and left; that to the left leading to a nest of pirates at Pakoo, who are in communication with those of Paddi, the place first to be attacked. A vessel, called a 'Tope,' laden with provisions and ammunition, had been brought up thus far, and she was here left, with a strong body to guard her. The advancing force now consisted of the 'Dido's' boats, the three Datus from Sarawak, and some Sow Dyaks eager for heads and plunder. On the 11th, as they passed rapidly up the stream, the beating of gongs and the loud yelling warned them that they were approaching their enemies. A sudden turn in the river brought them in front of a steep hill, which rose from the bank. As they hove in sight, several hundred savages rose up, and gave one of their war-yells. "It was the first," says Captain Keppel, "I ever heard. No report from musketry or ordnance could ever make a man's heart feel so small as mine did at that horrid yell. I had no time to think, but took a shot at them with my double-barrel as they rushed down the steep, while we were hurried past." As the large boat came up she gave them a dose from her heavy gun. A barrier of stakes was now encountered, but the gig pushed through, and found herself in the presence of three formidable-looking forts, which immediately opened a heavy fire on her. Luckily their guns were elevated for the range of the barrier, a few grape shot only splashing the water round her. The boat was drifting fast towards the enemy. The banks of the river were covered with warriors, who yelled and rushed down to secure her. With some difficulty the long gig was got round, and, Rajah Brooke steering, she was paddled up against the stream. During this time Captain Keppel and his coxswain kept up a fire on the embrasures, to prevent the enemy reloading before the pinnace could bring her twelve-pound carronade to bear. Unfortunately she fell athwart the barrier, and had three men wounded while thus placed. With the aid, however, of some of the native auxiliaries, the ratan-lashings which secured the heads of the stakes were cut, and the first cutter got through. The other boats then followed and kept up a destructive fire on the fort. Mr. D'Aeth, who was the first to land, jumped on shore with his crew at the foot of the hill, on the top of which the nearest fort stood, and at once rushed for the summit. This mode of warfare--this dashing at once in the very face of their fort--was so novel and incomprehensible to the enemy, that they fled panic-struck into the jungle, and the leading men of the British could scarcely get even a snap shot at them. That evening the country was illuminated for miles by the burning of the capital, Paddi, and the adjacent villages. The guns in the forts were also taken, and the stockades burnt. The banks of the river were here so narrow, that it was necessary to keep vigilantly on the alert, as a spear even could easily be thrown across, though for the greater part of the night the burning houses made it light as day. In the evening Drs. Simpson and Treacher amputated the arm of the captain of the forecastle on board the 'Dido.' In the morning a fleet of prahus came sweeping towards them, and were only discovered to be friends just in time to save them from a deadly discharge from the six-pounder.

In the evening a party under Lieut. Horton, who was accompanied by Rajah Brooke, was sent up the left stream. Capt. Keppel was at supper on board the 'Jolly Bachelor' when the sound of the pinnace's twelve-pounder carronade broke through the stillness of the night. This was responded to by one of those simultaneous war-yells apparently from every part of the country. Captain Keppel, on this jumping into his gig, pulled off to the aid of his friends. From the winding of the stream, the yells appeared to come from every direction, sometimes ahead, sometimes astern. Proceeding thus for nearly two hours, a sudden and quick discharge of musketry warned him that he was approaching the scene of action.

He kept his rifle ready for use on his knee, and to give an idea that he was bringing up a strong reinforcement, he ordered the bugler he had with him to strike up "Rory O'More." This was immediately responded to by three British cheers, followed, however, by a death-like silence, which made him suppose that the enemy were between him and his friends.

Seeing some human forms before him, he hailed, and receiving no answer, fired, supposing them to be Dyaks, when to his horror, Lieut. Horton exclaimed, "We are here, Sir." Providentially no one was hurt. The sound of the current had prevented his hail being heard. The party had taken up a very clever position on the top of a bank from which the jungle had been cleared for about thirty yards, and which rose perpendicularly from a little bay just big enough to hold the boats. Here Lieut. Gunnell was posted with seven royal marines as a rear-guard. This was an important position, and one of danger, as the jungle itself was alive with the enemy; and although spears were hurled from it continually during the night, no shot was thrown away unless the figure of the pirate could be distinctly seen. The rain fell heavily, the men wore their great coats to keep their pieces dry. Often during the long night a musket was raised to the shoulder, and lowered as the enemy flitted by. These in the boats below stood facing the opposite hank of the river, with their arms in their hands. It appears that the enemy had come down in great force to attack the boats from that side; and as the river was there very shallow, and the bottom hard, they could, by wading not more than knee-deep, have approached to within five or six yards of them:--but in the first attack they had lost a good many men, and it is supposed that their repeated advances during the night were more to recover their dead and wounded, than to make any attack on the compact little force of British, whose deadly aims and rapid firing had told with such effect, and who certainly were, one and all, prepared to sell their lives as dearly as possible. For some object they had begun felling some large trees, and their torches showing their position, Mr. Partridge kept up a hot fire on them from the pinnace, and a signal rocket fired among them made them take to flight. Two natives and one marine of the British party were wounded; and the latter poor fellow, a gallant young officer named Jenkins, already distinguished in the Chinese war, volunteered to convey in the second gig, with four boys only, down to the 'Jolly Bachelor.' He performed this duty, and was again up with the party before daylight. At dawn the pirates began assembling in some force, but as the boats advanced up the river towards a spot where they had left their wives and children, they sent in a flag-of-truce. Several chiefs soon appeared, and the result of the conference was, that they undertook to abandon piracy if their lives were spared. This was agreed to, and they have strictly adhered to their promises.

The expedition now advanced towards Rembas, and early in the morning came up with a succession of formidable barriers very difficult to cut through. About a mile below the town, 700 Linga Dyaks were landed, under command of Sheriff Jaffer and his fine-spirited son. Captain Keppel managed in his light gig to get through the barriers, and as the other boat came up, he opened a fire on the stockade, which was full of men, this, with the war-yell cries from Sheriff Jaffer's party, threw them into the greatest confusion, and made them fly on all sides. On this the crews landed, and took possession of Rembas, which was found to be the largest town they had yet seen. As a severe lesson to the pirates, the place was given up to the native allies to plunder, and was afterwards completely destroyed.

The kind-hearted and talented Dr. Simpson having slipped overboard while suffering from fever, caught a cold, which soon ended his days. The 'Dido,' soon after this, sailed for Singapore and China.

ATTACK ON THE SAKARRAN PIRATES,

August 7th, 1844.

[An extract from a characteristic letter of Rajah Brooke to Captain Keppel will best introduce the following subject:]--

Sarawak, 26th May, 1844.

"There is plenty to do here, and the sooner you can come the better for all of us, especially for your poor friends the Dyaks. Bring with you as much force as you can to attack Sakarran. The case stands thus: Sheriff Sahib, quite frightened at Sadong since last year, enraged likewise at his loss of power and his incapability of doing mischief, collected all the Sakarran Dyaks, and was joined by many of the Dyaks of Sarebus, and some Balows. He likewise had a good many Malays, and bullied every one in his vicinity. This force met at the entrance of the Sadong Delta, and committed depredations. They were not less than 200 Dyak boats, and some 15 or 20 armed Malay prahus, besides others. Sheriff Sahib, with this force, has started to-day for Sakarran, and I was not strong enough, with my eight native boats, to attack him.

"It is his intention, on his arrival there, to fortify the place and await our attack, and in the mean time to send out his Dyaks along the coast and inland to such places as they dare venture to attack."

The 'Harlequin,' Captain Hastings, was in the neighbourhood of this fleet, but her First-lieut., H. Chads, having been severely wounded, and several of his men killed just before in a severe affair off Acheen Head, her gallant Commander judged it imprudent to attack them, with the few boats he possessed.

Since the 'Dido's' last visit to Sarawak, Her Majesty's ship 'Samarang,' Captain Sir Edward Belcher, had come there, and grounding on a long shelf of rocks at the top of high water, and with the ebb-tide rolled off, filling with the succeeding flood. She was nearly a fortnight in this position, when, by the skill and almost unparalleled exertions of her captain, officers, and crew, she was hove off, and again made ready for sea.

Monday, 5th August, 1844.--The expedition left Sarawak. It consisted of Her Majesty's steamer 'Phlegethon,' the boats of Her Majesty's ship 'Dido,' boats belonging to Rajah Brooke, and a fleet of prahus, under the Pangeran Budrudeen, the brother of the late Rajah.

Having entered the river Batang Lupar, which, for some way up, is from three to four miles wide, they proceeded, on Wednesday the 7th, towards Patusen, the place to be attacked, it being the stronghold of Sheriff Sahib. The difficulty was now to keep back the native allies, who were eager for heads and plunder.

Weighing at 11, they advanced with a strong tide in sight of the fortifications of Patusen, which were not to be despised. The boats of the 'Dido' and 'Phlegethon' having formed alongside the latter vessel, were directed to pull inshore, and attack the forts in succession. However, Mr. Wade, the gallant First-lieutenant of the 'Dido', who had the command, was the first to break the line, and to pull directly in face of the largest fort. His example was followed by the others, and dividing, each boat pulled for the fort which appeared to the officer in command to be the one most likely to make a good fight. The forts were the first to open fire on both steamer and boats, which was quickly and smartly returned. From the defective state of the detonating priming-tubes, the guns from the 'Phlegethon' would not go off; so the boats had all the glory to themselves.

They never once checked in their advance; but the moment they touched the shore, the crews rushed up, entering the forts at the embrasures, while the pirates fled by the rear.

In this sharp and short affair, a fine young man, John Ellis, captain of the main-top, in the 'Dido,' was killed--cut in two by a cannon-shot, while in the act of ramming home a cartridge in the bow-gun of the 'Jolly Bachelor.' This, and two others badly wounded, were the only casualties.

The killed and wounded, on the part of the pirates, must have been very severe. There were found, in and about the forts, 64 brass guns of different sizes, besides many of iron, which were spiked and thrown into the river.

The Sarawak followers, both Malays and Dyaks, behaved with the greatest gallantry, dashing bravely in under the fire of the forts. The town, which was very extensive, after being given up to them to plunder, was set on fire, and made a magnificent blaze.

After the men had dined, another fort higher up the river was taken, in which Sheriff Sahib resided, and where a large amount of his plunder was captured.

During the day the habitations of 5,000 pirates had been burnt to the ground, four strong forts destroyed, together with several hundred boats; upwards of 60 brass cannon captured, and about a fourth that number of iron spiked and thrown into the river, besides vast quantities of other arms and ammunition; and the powerful Sheriff Sahib, the great pirate patron of the last 20 years, ruined past recovery, and driven to hide his diminished head in the jungle.

The 8th and 9th were passed in burning and destroying the rest of the straggling town, and a variety of smaller boats.

On the 10th, the stronghold of Macota, another pirate chief, was destroyed; but he had fled into the mountains.

Captain Keppel now divided his force, to attack, at the same time, various forts, situated up several rivers running into the main stream. One party under Lieut. Turnour, with Mr. Combes, in the 'Jolly Bachelor,' and a division of native boats, went up the Undop; another, under Mr. D'Aeth, up the Lupar; while Mr. Wade, accompanied by Mr. Brooke, ascended the Sakarran.

Lieut. Turnour, with Mr. Combes, made a very spirited attack on a stockade situated on the summit of a steep hill, while Mr. Allen, the master, performed a similar service on the opposite side of the river.

Having again collected his whole force, Captain Keppel proceeded up the river Sakarran, 20 miles from the mouth of which was situated the fortified town of Seriff Muller. When, as they knew by the noises they heard that they were close to the town, they found a strong barrier built across the river. A little in advance of it was a farm-house, which, for the night, Captain Keppel occupied with a party of 50 volunteers, consisting of Messrs. Steward, Williamson, and Combes, a corporal and four marines, his gig's crew, and some Malay and Dyak followers.

At daylight they were joined by Lieutenant Wade and Mr. Brooke; and soon after 8 o'clock, the barrier being cut through, the town was entered, plundered, and burnt.

Having ascertained that the pirates had retreated to a Dyak village, situated on the top of a hill some 25 miles higher up the Undop, at daylight on the 13th, Captain Keppel, with the lighter boats, went in pursuit. On this day Lieut. Wade, jealous of the advanced position of the lighter boats, obtained a place in Captain Keppel's gig. Overcoming a variety of difficulties through rain and darkness, they at last anchored for the night. On the 14th they pushed on, and hearing of two landing-places leading to the village, proceeded in search of one immediately under it. Several boats were destroyed in their progress, and they had some sharp encounters with others on which they unexpectedly came. Sheriff Muller was nearly taken; and his war-prahu, full of plunder, was captured. Not finding the looked-for landing-place, Captain Keppel and Lieut. Wade disembarked at a clear green spot, to breakfast, and await the arrival of the other boats. While the crew were busily employed in cooking, Captain Keppel and Lieut. Wade fancied they heard the suppressed voices of many people. Taking their guns, and creeping into the jungle, they soon came in sight of a mass of boats concealed in a snug little inlet, the entrance to which had escaped their notice. These were filled with piratical Dyaks and Malays, and on shore, at various points, were placed armed sentinels.

Not noticing Captain Keppel's caution, Mr. Wade dashed on, discharged his gun, and called on their men to follow. The astonished enemy instantly fled, and the British, nine in number only, headed by Lieut. Wade, followed towards the Dyak village on the summit of the hill. During the heat of the pursuit, although too anxious to advance to await the arrival of his men, finding a poor, terrified Malay girl who, by her imploring look, touched his heart, he stopped to conceal her in a place of security. Then, he once again cheered on his men in the pursuit. Entering a small encampment of the enemy, Lieut. Wade's party drew up to re-form and load, and then, seeing the arrival of the other boats at the landing-place, again rushed on in pursuit. Before arriving at the foot of the steep ascent, on the summit of which the Dyak village stood, they had to cross a small open space of about 60 yards, exposed to the fire from the village, as well as from the surrounding jungle. Before crossing the plain, Captain Keppel again cautioned Mr. Wade to await the arrival of his men, of whom he was far in advance. Immediately afterwards two rifle shots struck him, and falling mortally wounded, at his captain's feet, he died instantly. Captain Keppel remained with the body of his lamented and gallant lieutenant till his men came up, and, giving it in charge to some of them, the village was carried without further check or accident. As it was by a shot from it poor Wade had been killed, it was instantly destroyed. Throughout the expedition there was a friendly rivalry between the crews of the 'Phlegethon' and 'Dido's' boats, and one of the officers of the former wounded, with a pistol, the man who had killed poor Wade.

In the fort, among other plunder, were found some English writing-desks, and on the brass plate of one was engraved the name of "Mr. Willson." That evening, the village and piratical boats being destroyed, the expedition returned down the river, and, with the deep regret of all hands, by whom he was universally beloved, the body of Lieut. Wade was committed to the deep.

Returning to the steamer on the 15th, Captain Keppel waited till the 17th, to rest his men. During the time their native friends were much molested by the hostile Dyaks concealed in the jungle. On the 17th, the expedition started up the Sakarran. It consisted of the 'Dido's' pinnace, two cutters and gig, the 'Jolly Bachelor,' and the 'Phlegethon's' first and second cutters and gig, with a division of light native boats under old Patingi Ali, with whom Mr. Stewart embarked, while 30 native boats followed as a reserve.

We do not dwell on the difficulties of the navigation, and the heavy rains they experienced, or the wild beauty of the scenery.

A war-boat was taken, and a party of Dyaks surprised on the 18th. On the 19th, at nine o'clock, Captain Keppel having stopped to breakfast with Mr. Brooke and Mr. Jenkins in the second cutter, he gave permission to Patingi Ali to advance cautiously with his light division, with positive orders to fall back on the appearance of an enemy. After the pinnace and second gig had passed up a quarter of an hour, the report of a few musket-shots told Captain Keppel that the pirates had been fallen in with. Pushing on, the firing from the British boats, and the war-yells of some thousand Dyaks, showed him that an engagement had commenced. Dreadful was the scene of confusion which met his view. About twenty boats were jammed together, forming one confused mass--some bottom up; the bows or sterns of others only visible, mixed up pell-mell with huge rafts, amongst which were nearly all the advanced squadron. Headless trunks, as well as heads without bodies, were lying about in all directions; parties were engaged hand-to-hand, spearing and krissing each other; others were striving to swim for their lives; entangled in the common _mêlée_ were the British advanced boats; while on both banks thousands of Dyaks were rushing down to join in the slaughter, hurling their spears and stones on the boats below.