FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



suffering a night of martyrdom, he got better, and the self-inflicted 

 cauterisation contributed to a rapid recovery. 



As we again approached the Mekong, present misery and future 

 fears caused several desertions among the mafous, with whom, un- 

 fortunately, some of our effects also usually disappeared. We experi- 

 enced a feeling akin to elation on regaining the banks of the great 

 Asiatic river on which our campaigns, our old advanced claims, and 

 our explorations have bequeathed so many rights to France. With 

 its name are indissolubly linked those of the dauntless men who gave 

 their lives to establish French supremacy in its valley, from Manhat, 

 Lagree, and Massie, down to the unknown heroes of the Thibet 

 Mission. Athwart its waves that rolled their waters from the far 

 Thibetan snows, my mind's eye caught the three colours of our flag ; 

 and there arose before me the record of conquest in all its steps. 

 First, the acquisition of Cochin China in the south ; the rule of the 

 admirals ; then the advance northwards into the interior ; the ex- 

 plorations ; the mighty task begun by Lagree and ended by Garnier ; 

 with the excursions of Manhat, Harmand, N^ris, and how many 

 others! Possessions increased; the Indo-Chinese empire was 

 created ; Annam was placed under our protectorate ; and whilst we 

 let Upper Burmah escape us in the west, in the east our troops 

 sealed the work of Jean Dupuy by giving us Tonkin. In face 

 of England's ever-growing appetite, Jules Ferry made certain re- 

 servations relative to the Mekong valley ; but years passed, and the 

 territory which statesmen had acquired was like to be lost again. 

 Backed by the English, Siam stood at the door of Hue, whilst tracts 

 on the left bank of the Mekong were counterclaimed by the English 

 Foreign Office. Our timorous diplomacy, clogged by the fear of 

 complications, seemed unable to grasp the situation. It needed a 

 death like Massie's, or a bold stroke, such as that of Commander 



94 



