American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-07-17
VOL. XIV.

many allies. Send a flag of truce and
will carry thy conditions. There has bee
bloodshed enough, mighty Sultan; let L
have peace
"Thc Nazarene speaks we'll" sal
Musha, turning TO Abdallah, his prim
minister. "Scnd a flag of truce to arrang
for an armistice of twentyfour hour
The Nazarene shall follow with our cond
TONS"
1t was done, and the roar in the Dutc
camp subsidized.
Turning to his prisoner, Musha said:
"Nazarenc, art thou acquainted with til
cause of my war with thy people?"
a am"
They want me to recognize them a
the lords and masters of my land, to pay
certain amount of money, to abstain iron
trading in slaves, and to admit thei
imauns to speak against the prophet MAJ
arenc, we cannot submit to these require
ments. We were masters here long befor
thy people made their appearance. Ell
change of prisoners, and peace so long a
VIC arc left alonc-that is our last word
the Nazarcnes will make peace on tina
basis, they can return undisturbcd whcnc,
they came"
Haringsma stood amazed. He knew
the losses which the Malays had suffered
he knew that they were brought to bay
|
almost half his men and that the Rajah O
Soerang was near at hand to aid hi.
countrynlen in the impending despcrat,
| struggle.
" Is that thy last word?" he said
NaZarene, my lastr' and the Sultan.
eyes glistened with fierce anger. eco
and carry my message. If thy chic
agrees, thou art free to remain; if not
thou art my prisoner and must return
l Rot I<I
".Wilt remain heres Thou canst Be
fore the sun is high the Sultan of Soerang
will be here, and then woe to the Naza,
renes! Not one of them shall return to
tell of itI'
For a moment Haringsma was unde-
cided. He knew the Soerang hortles were
on the march he knew the disabled con-
dition of Velden's soldiers; he knew there
would be bloody fight and a doubtful
| issue.
81 will 60" he said. land give thy
And return if they are not accepted g''
asked Musha.
And return"
Thou swearest?' 90
never swear-my word is yes or no. -
Indeed, thy word is as good as swear
ing by thy liar of a Nazarene. Upon thy
word thou goest, upon thy word thou re-
turnest-f thou canst not persuade the
misbelicvers"
"Sparc thy insults to a prisoner, o
Musha! Thy Allah is our God; Him we
adore as thou, only we come nearer to
Him through Christ than thou through
Mahomee'
The Malay's passion rose but for mo-
ment; to compare his prophet with the
Nazarenc seemed blasphemy. After few
minutes silence he seemed to master his
anger, and said, in a voice threatening by
its very slowness:
go. and keep thy word"
When Haringsma arrived at the Gener-
ais tent he was received with joy The
blast of horns and sounds of drums early
that morning had indeed been beginning
of wild and relentless attack on the
krdat, and the tired soldiers were reused
to fury by the capture of their beloved
chaplain; but Gen. Vcldcn had not allowed
fresh troops had not arrived the preceding
night. Col. Wendell left Batavia with a
regiment of musketeers and two compa-
mics of cavalry. He yielded to the entreat-
ties of Martha, the wife of Haringsma,
and allowed her, though reluctantly, to
accompany him with her baby boy. A
stranger in strange country, she thought
herself safest near her brave husband, and
submitted chcerfully to the dangers and
eOiIo VI q AudiCuluS COiumQ.
For many days the Colonel had followed
the track Of the contending armies, until
he reached camp not long after the disap-
Pearance OF Haringsma became known.
His arrival had given new energy to the
already excited spirit of the soldiery. An
attack had been Immediately resolved up
on, when the flag of truce intcrfered for
twenty-four hours.
Haringsma stated his message, together
wit In, -&s<,x1y. J.. TT
fused to enter the Generals tent. and re-
luctantly shook hands with the officers,
who besieged him with questions and con-
gratulations.
am prisoner" said he, cat the
mercy of a mcrciless foe. If his condi-
tons are accepted I shall again be free
II not, remain a prisoner, and must re-
turn to redeem my plighted word"
The General gave orders to have a
council of war assembled; he thought per-
haps some concessions might be made,
which, besides saving Haringsma, would
prevent deadly fight and bloody struggle |
The council was ready, and Haringsma
introduced to state again the conditions of
Musha.
ImpOssiblcI" was the unanimous cry.
' 1t would he treason to our Government
Haringsma asked, though reluctantly,
: if they were aware that the Rajah of
5oerang would be there with numerous
troops ?"
So much the bcttery' exclaimed Col
Wendell. I'VE can make an end of the
.wo-my 1000 men are worth 10000 Of
heirs"
Gentlemen" said Haringsma, with |
an unmOvcd voice, is that your definite |
answerg"
1t ISL answered Gen. Velden; land
I'll send herald to tell those infdels that
o morrow morning they may be ready"
No need of that" was the slow, firm
eply. :" am the messenger, and bound
'y word and honor to bring the answer
myself"
Silence came over all again, and Har-
ngsma was leaving the tent when Gen.
Velden exclaimed:
But, Chaplain, think-your wife and
;hild! They are in the camp. They
anne last night. Your poor wifer'
Haringsma paled.
Don't let her know. 1t is hard, a lit
le But even she would say: BE man
md keep thy word Farewell, gentlemen
IND friends, tot ue dcrzten!"
And the hero left the amazed council.
With steady foot he walked under escort
d nag and soldiers until the gates of the
eraM were opened and shut after him.
When in the afternoon the far. off buple
sounds and drums of the approaching
roops of SOerang were heard it was diff
cult TO restrain the Dutch soldiers from
the kraaI. But Gen. Velden
Kept his word of truce and EMPLOYED the
time in organizing such an at
ack as should crush the enemy, now ex-
1lting in double strength.
With the rising sun the three columns
If attack began to march. Many fever