NORTH BORNEO. 
29 
him as far as Sandakan, which few of us entertained the slightest hopes of him reaching 
alive. It was not until late that we were able to start, the two remaining officers being 
busy with their despatches, which we were to take to Sandakan, until midnight. 
In the cabin of the ‘ Kimanis ’ the Resident discussed his future actions : his fellow 
officer was for returning on the morrow and burning the Bajow village ; here I regret that 
I expressed my opinion that as the actual culprits had suffered the extreme penalty for 
their crime, it would be a somewhat useless action, besides it could be easily carried out at 
another time if necessary. I mention this fact as some years later I received a communi¬ 
cation from one of the Company’s officials, and, amongst other charges, was that by following 
my advice on this occasion the affairs of the Kawang Bajows were still in an unsettled 
state; and yet the very mouth-piece of the Government distinctly states that “ none of the 
Bajow villagers took part in the disturbance.and consequently no punishment was 
inflicted on the village.” Later on, however, they were ordered to pay a fine, which I am 
doubtful if they ever did, most of the Bajows leaving their village for good. 
It was not until midnight on the 12th that the 4 Kimanis ’ left with l)e Fontaine and 
eight wounded Sikhs on board, one of the Company’s officers being in charge of this floating 
hospital. On the horrors of the next three days and nights I will not dwell: several times we 
thought De Fontaine’s end had come—but no, he must still suffer and finish this last terrible 
journey: at times even the sea was rough, and, as if to make his agony the greater, our steamer’s 
machinery broke down close to the island of Malawalli for several hours ; the very sun 
baked our suffering wounded: a few’ more days of such a voyage would have turned my hair 
grey. Several of the Sikhs were severely wounded, one had a bullet-hole right through his 
chest: it was wonderful to see with what fortitude these brave fellows bore their sufferings, 
with hardly a murmur; later on all these men recovered in the hospital of Sandakan. 
Poor De Fontaine reached Sandakan on the morning of the 15th at 3 p.m. ; there he 
lingered on until the evening of the 17th, when kind Death relieved him from further 
suffering. On the following evening we saw the last rites performed over one we had 
almost learned to love in his dire affliction, and many an eye was dimmed ere we turned 
from his last resting-place. He was buried beside the late Frank Hatton, who met with 
his death by the accidental discharge of his -rifle. On the 19th I returned to Labuan, the 
events of the last few days having a very depressing effect; here my second Chinese servant 
refused to go any further, having seen rather more than he cared about in his short visit to 
North Borneo, so I had to employ a native who knew little or nothing of his duties. On 
the 1st June we sailed across to the Padas River, landing at Mempakol: there I waited two 
days for the officer in charge, who intended to make a long stay inland, travelling by the 
same river; but as he did not seem quite certain as to the day of his departure, we did not 
wait any longer. 
Mempakol is one of the Company’s stations on the sea-coast, not far from the em¬ 
bouchures of the Padas River; it consists of a few Chinese shops and a sago factory, also in 
Chinese hands. The village is built close to the sea on a narrow sandspit, and at the back 
is, at low water, a filthy stinking mangrove-swamp ; the whole country round about is swamp 
for miles, and a more depressing and unhealthy-looking place I have seldom seen. The 
officials of the Company who are doomed to this place of exile must have a sorry time 
