xxiv] THE CHINESE REBELLION 



what had taken place at Kuching, had started, taking with him 

 all the righting men he could collect at the moment, and leaving 

 behind directions that all those who would join him were to follow 

 at once. 



The meeting at Maratabas was indeed a fortunate one. The 

 steamer towed up the boats containing the Dyak warriors, and 

 came unexpectedly before Kuching. The rebels were taken by 

 surprise, and when the guns of the steamer opened fire on them 

 with grape, they scattered and gave way, although they were 

 supported by their fellow-countrymen settled in the town, numbering 

 no less than 4,000. 



The Kuching Malays, encouraged by the unlooked-for help, 

 at once resumed the offensive, obliging the Chinese to retreat 

 towards their head-quarters on the Upper Sarawak. They were 

 now closely pursued and attacked by a strong party of Sakarrang 

 Dyaks, who had by this time joined those from Lingga and from 

 the nearer villages. In the end most of the Chinese rebels perished, 

 and only a small number succeeded in reaching the Dutch territory 

 of Sambas. 



Thus, by a happy chance, with the exception of material damages 

 and losses, the Chinese revolt did nothing to lessen the prestige 

 and authority of Rajah Brooke. Sarawak soon shook off the 

 effects of that memorable episode which had come so near to destroy- 

 ing the young State and the master-mind under whose rule it was 

 developing in so wonderful a manner. The insurrection was in 

 a certain way useful in showing the advantage arising from the 

 ethnic and religious diversities of the population of Sarawak, 

 which by maintaining an antagonism amongst the various com- 

 munities renders a joint action against the ruling power practically 

 impossible. 



As is always the case, there have not been wanting those who, 

 short-sighted and narrow-minded, or worse still, moved by envy 

 or still baser motives, have severely blamed the actions of Rajah 

 Brooke's Government, and, unwilling to recognise the civilising 

 action resulting from the suppression of piracy, have stigmatised the 

 latter as a barbarous waste of human life. But the evidence of facts 

 soon silenced these calumnies, and the name of Brooke will always 

 have an honoured place in the history of the development of 

 civilisation in the Far East. 



Sarawak, before Brooke came, was in a state of complete anarchy, 

 and laid waste by continual wars. Malay fought against Malay, 

 and one tribe of Dyaks against the other ; whilst from without 

 piratical expeditions scoured its coasts with fire and sword, now 

 siding with the Malays, now with the Dyaks. And if at the present 

 day strife, pillage, and murder have ceased, and peace reigns 

 and trade flourishes, it is all due to the enterprise, wide views, 



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