At soengei Mantangei the reports gained were just as unsatisfactory. The natives knew nothing and could tell nothing beyond describing the visits which had been made there. At last, after long deliberation, it was resolved to row up the [[142]]Kapoeas as far as Kwala Hiang, to seek information there, and afterward, assisted by part of the garrison of that fort, to take such further measures as might be found advisable.
“You will see, sir,” the old Tomonggong said, “that we shall do best by going there. The fugitives would not possibly endeavor to escape by the Doesson, where their lives would not be safe for a moment.”
“I sincerely hope you are right,” the Colonel replied, “for I am heartily tired of this groping in the dark.”
The journey was then continued and presently the first important information was gained. Damboeng Papoendeh’s canoe was met, but the sufferers were still in such a critical condition that nothing positive could be learned from them. They told all they knew; that they had heard a heavy rifle fire during the night, which induced them to pay a visit to Lake Ampang. They gave an account of their being attacked by the bees, and finally described the assistance rendered to the sufferers by Bapa Andong and the occupants of the raft. But all this threw very little light upon the subject, as they persistently declared that they had seen no white men. The only part of their narrative which struck both the Tomonggong and the Colonel as being remarkable was the statement that a strongly-built Dayak, after having carefully treated the patients, had taken away the two Dutch flags. Diligent search was made for the written instructions which had been given to Damboeng Papoendeh, but they could not be found, although nobody could positively assert that the document had been stolen.
The Colonel and the Tomonggong looked at each other for a [[143]]few minutes. Neither of them could give shape to his thoughts, nor did they seek to interchange their impressions. The Colonel, however, decided to continue the journey as far as Kwala Hiang, feeling convinced that he would obtain further intelligence there.
About one in the morning they sighted the mouth of the soengei Hiang; but nothing was to be seen of the fortification which used to be situated at that opening.
“What has become of the kotta?” the Colonel asked, surprised.
“I was also looking for it,” was the Tomonggong’s answer. “I cannot understand; it used to be on that spot.”
Whilst uttering these words he pointed with his finger in the direction in which he expected to find the fort.
Upon a nearer approach the travellers discovered the charred remains of what had once been the kotta. It was now clearly evident that the benting had been burned down. But was that demolition the result of an accident? or did it mean anything else?