326 



A NATURALIST IN CELEBES 



able to understand and appreciate the religion which suits 

 them best. 



Since the commencement of the colonisation of Mina- 

 hassa the sway of the Dutch Government has been dis- 

 tinguished by a remarkable share of peace and prosperity. 

 There have been one or two affairs with the Bantiks, that 

 brave and independent race of people living near Manado, 

 and in 1809 the Dutchmen were obliged to carry a flotilla 

 of boats to Lake Tondano and suppress the revolt of the 



Tondanese. About thirteen 

 years ago, too, there was 

 trouble with some natives 

 from the district Bwool, who 

 came in some twenty large 

 praus one morning early, 

 and before the military 

 could disperse them slaugh- 

 tered in cold blood a num- 

 ber of peaceful citizens in 

 themarket-place, attempted 

 to burn the Eesidency, and 

 actually tried to storm the 

 fort itself. History does 

 not give us details of the 

 numbers of these poor mis- 

 guided wretches who fell be- 

 fore the fire of the soldiers' 

 rifles, nor of the number 

 who escaped to tell their 

 friends the story of their 

 bold but disastrous attack 

 upon the stronghold of the 

 'Orang blanda.' 

 Through the kmdness of Mr. Harmsen, of Manado, I 



Fig. 33. — Speav used by the natives 

 of Bwool. 



