om
the rebels caused us to prepare for an attack; but it proved to be
nothing but lights moving about the hill-side, with what intent we
were ignorant. The jungle on the left bank having been cleared, we
did not much expect any skirmishers; but some spies were heard near
our boats. With this exception the night passed away unbroken on
our part, though the rebels kept up an incessant beating of gongs,
and from time to time fired a few stray shots, whether against an
enemy or not was doubtful.

"_25th._--The grand army was lazy, and did not take the field when
they possessed themselves of two eminences, and commenced forts on
each. About 11 A.M. we got intelligence that the enemy was collecting
on the right bank, as they had been heard by our scouts shouting one
to another to gather together in order to attack the stockades in
the course of building. Even with a knowledge of their usual want of
caution, I could not believe this, but walked nevertheless to one of
the forts, and had scarcely reached it when a universal rebel shout,
and a simultaneous beating of the silver-tongued gongs, announced,
as I thought, a general action. But though the shouts continued loud
and furious from both sides, and a gun or two was discharged in the
air to refresh their courage, the enemy did not attack, and a heavy
shower damped the ardor of the approaching armies, and reduced all to
inaction. Like the heroes of old, however, the adverse parties spoke
to each other: 'We are coming, we are coming,' exclaimed the rebels;
'lay aside your muskets and fight us with swords.' 'Come on,' was the
reply; 'we are building a stockade, and want to fight you.' And so the
heroes ceased not to talk, but forgot to fight, except that the rebels
opened a fire from Balidah from swivels, all of which went over the
tops of the trees. Peace, or rather rest, being restored, our party
succeeded in entrenching themselves, and thus gained a field which had
been obstinately assaulted by big words and loud cries. The distance
of one fort from Balidah was about 800 yards, and manned with sixty
Malays; while a party of Chinese garrisoned the other. Evening fell
upon this innocent warfare. The Borneons, in this manner, contend with
vociferous shouts; and, preceding each shout, the leader of the party
offers up a prayer aloud to the Almighty, the chorus (or properly
response) being the acclamation of the soldiery. We, on our side,
kept up a firing and hallooing till midni