STORY OF CYPRIPEDIUM PLATYTAENIUM 209 



they showed such a lawless spirit from the outset, that the 

 Rajah's government took alarm. But as yet all was quiet 

 enough. 



Smidt had obtained a note from one of the Chinese 

 merchants at Sarawak, with whom his employers did business, 

 to the head of the Kunsi — the Gold-diggers' Union, as we 

 should say. That personage invited him to use his house. 

 Unwillingly did Ahtan accompany his master. He bowed 

 before the Kunsi chief, and made a long discourse with 

 downcast eyes and folded hands. The chief answered shortly 

 and motioned him to go about his business. 



If Smidt made inquiries about that wonderful organisa- 

 tion, the Kunsi of the gold-diggers at Bau, so soon to be 

 crushed in a mad revolt, assuredly he found matter to 

 interest him. The parent society in Sambas has annals dating 

 back two hundred years, and its system was imported, they say, 

 from China without alteration. There is no reason to doubt 

 the statement. Anyhow, we find among these immigrants, 

 two centuries ago, a perfected system of trade union, benefit 

 clubs, life assurance, co-operative stores, and provision for 

 old age, such as British working-men may contemplate with 

 puzzled and envious despair at the present day. Every detail 

 is so well adjusted — by the experience of ages — that disputes 

 scarcely ever arise ; when they do the Council gives judgment, 

 and no one questions its decision. The earnings of the 

 whole body are stored in the Treasury, There is a general 

 meeting once a fortnight, when the accounts are audited in 

 public, and each member receives his share as per scale, 

 subject to the deduction for veterans' past work, widows and 

 orphans, and also for the goods he has bought at the co- 

 operative store. But I must not linger on this fascinating 

 theme. 



Next day Smidt started to explore the famous hill with 

 Ahtan, who carried the tambok — the luncheon basket. He 



p 



