The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-25
THE REsULUS OF THE NETHERLANDS


MARY N. Prescott in st. Nicholas for July
TAE REGULUS OF THE NETHERLANDS
In 1855. far away across the Atlantic
and Indian oceans, in the tropical island
of Java, the city OF Batavia was daily
growing in Importance. Adherlng to
their habits in the old'country, the Dutch
built on the lowest land, and by means
Of canals, dug with great labor, mer-
destination. Batavia was already a
central point of commerce with Hindos.
tan and China. Thence vessels sailed,
laden with spices and tea, and all the
rich products of the tropics, enriching
the small but energetic republic OF the
Netherlands.
To-day the island of Java, Sumatra,
Ce1ebes and part Of Borneo, with pop
ulation of nearly S0,000,000, are under
Dutch dominion; but in 1865 part of the
island OF Java was yet in possession of
native chiefs, under the titles OF sssul-
tansn and ~rajahs" protesting the Ma
hometan creed, and anxious 10 maintain
themselves against the increasing do
minion OF Europeans. Among them the
Sultan of Padang waged fierce ana
treacherOus war upon the Hollanders.
His bands OF h0rselnen were the terror
OF the planters, and even the natives
looked with dismay as they thundered
past, maddened with opium, and ready
to throw away their lives to gain the sem
sual paradise OF Mahomet. But the Ne
therlanders with their guns and blum
derbusses made sad havoc among the
maddened columns, and Sultan Musha
was soon forced to retreat. His strong
bold, the kraai OF Borang, was nearly
surrounded by European soldiers, who,
overcome by tropical heat and the fatigue
of continual warfare, while guarding
their posts felt that desperate sortie
would he hard to withstand.
81 tell you, General" said Haringsma,
the army chaplain, the SECOND evening
alter their encampment, "the men can
not bear this long; have been around,
and tried my best TO give them words of
but they are down.
hearted. Hall our best men, they. say,
are gone, and many OF the rest are fever
stricken. Numbers oil the soldiers are
ying down, and would not care ii the
nfidels made an end of them this very
night"
sRather hard" answered the General,
safter such brave fighting to come TO
uch passl LII we break up and re-
reat, we shall never reach home; for
I'm sure the Sultan OF SOerang is on the
ookout, and will join Musha as soon as \
e has u chance."
"M thinks we might propose such
srms AS would lead TO peace" said 4
laringsma, and if thou wilt, shall be
ne bearer.o
"That is It. You are acquainted with
ae4f Language, and have a ready tongue,
3 our soidies can testify. PA call my
fficers in council"
'om his seat, ~ shall make a round in
he camp. There are some who will not
De the morning sun. In an hour will
q here."
Alas! 1t was not to be so. The kind
nd stout-hearted pastor went upon his
rrand OF mercy. Many were encour-
ged by his cheering words; many went 4
4 peaceful slumber to their last rest; |
iany said "Fot morgen Dominic n who
ever saw the morrow. Absorbed in |
mat to him was his iite- work, the chap
ain not only forgot his appointment,
ut, moving through the tangled brush
n which tue troops we're camping, he
ost his way. Going on and on, he was
augnt by some Jayenese, who were
70 owing like tigers around the camp.
lad he been a soldier, u stab wou d have
nished Aim; but. we'll they knew the |
riest Of the Nazarene, and as prize OF
aiue they brought him to the kraal.
In vain be asked to see the Sultan.
Not before the sun has risen, thou in.
del! Dost think we will disturb his
est for theeW So he passed the night
0 anxious prayer until the morning
un arose and cast its CLEAN of light ever
ne dark and gloomy kraai, with its mud
'alls and narrow gates, then over the
brush, where could be seenJ
ere and there the tents of Velden's
luch reduced army.
A IL at once there was a roar of drums
nd horns in the camp. From the prison
eil where Haringsma was kept he could
ee the tri-colored flags moving, and
luadrons forming, while wild '.Hur-
inp ecnoed In strong contrast with the
uietness at the kraa1. Yes, they had
lissed tneir cnapiin--they knew he was
i the hands OF the heathen. Fever and
que were disregarded; tney would save
i'm if alive, or ayenge him il dead.
Two rough looking Maiays took hold
resence OF Sultan Musna, who, with a
eaeherous light burning his sleepy
res, said TO the prisoner:
s.Kneel down, thou intidel1"
Haringsnia stood with arms crossed
FER his breast. 81 kneel before none
1t AllahW
"Thou art right for once, o unbe-
aver" said Musha, almost subdued by
% GOODNESS Ut the man. "But oanst
0u tell what this stir in the camp
cans? Our walls are, strong, and we
low the lever is with thy. brethren"
"Send flag OF truce, mighty Sultan"
id Haringsma, s'and let US talk mat
rs over. My people do not wish thy
in; they know thou art powerful, and
.st many allies. Send tiag Of truce, !
ID will carry thy conditions. There !
. been bloodsned enough, mighty Sui
D.; let US have peace"
'sThe Magazine speaks WELL" said /,
lsha, turning TO Abuallah, his prime :
mister, IL
'sSend q flag OF truce to arrange ford
ar'nistice OF twenty-fopr hours. The
shall follow with our condi-
ms"
It was done, and the roar in the Dutch !
mp snbsided.
ruxntng to his prisoner, Musha said:
'Nazarene, art thou acquainted with I.
. cause al my warFWlth tiny pe0ple3 =
Il am"
srhey want me to recognize them as
3 lords and masters OF my land, to pay
pertain amount OF money, to abstainil !
I'm trading in slaves, and to admit I
cir imaums TO speak Rgainst The
ODhet. Aazarana yNp eap nnt .suAsntt \