of which human science and ingenuity have created Tandjong Priok. And high up above all this is the spotless blue sky, against which the silhouettes of Java's great volcanoes stand out in dark tints; rising far

above the southern horizon we have the Pangerango, the Gedeh and the Salak.

In the midst of all the confusion an unusually long train approaches

in stately fashion; it comes from Batavia and carries the Commander-inchief and the second-in-command of the expedition with their respective staffs, accompanied by hundreds and hundreds of people. The station at Weltevreden had been crowded at half past three in

the afternoon-for it was from this point that the Commander-in-chief started on his momentous expedition. Various civil and military authorities, amongst whom, the commander of the army, members of the council, the head of the Internal Administration, the Resident of Batavia,

the Governor-General's Adjutant as proxy for His Excellency, were all assembled there to take leave of them and it was almost impossible to get near the officers, surrounded as they were by relations, friends and acquaintances. Both the national guard and the regimental bands had

played in turns and when the hour for departure struck, all who had been able to secure tickets went with the train to Tandjong Priok. As soon as it stopped at Batavia a large concourse of people was already waiting in the carriages which had to be hitched on to the departing train.

This dense crowd renders it somewhat difficult to get on board the Maetsuycker" on which the two native companies of the 9th battalion had embarked in the morning.

Finally they have succeeded and the whistle of the steamer gives the signal for departure; there is barely time to shake hands for the last time.... but the hawsers are unloosed and the steamer glides away. The band strikes up, a thundering hurrah ascends from the quay and echoes and re-echoes from the iron archway to the departing ship.

Handkerchiefs and helmets and officers' and soldiers' caps are waving away, fiery rays shoot forth from the big black eyes of the brave native soldiers and here and there a stray tear is seen glistening in the eyes of the officers, promising volumes for the future, and expressing more earnestly than words, how deserving these gallant men are to be entrusted with their country's honour.

The hearty chorus of cheers is taken up by all the boats as the steamer passes by and on the quay the broad stream of people keeps up with the ship, advancing slowly at first and then walking more hurriedly as the ship moves more rapidly and then with hastening footsteps to the point where the foundations of Tandjong Priok plunge into the sea of Java; all are desirous of exchanging farewells as long as possible, of watching that tiny speck growing less aud less every minute and bearing away such a precious cargo.

Once more the band plays the national Anthem and ere the last sounds have died away the Maetsuycker is already out at sea on her way to an unknown future. Alas! what disasters and sorrows were hidden in it!

Accompanied by the remainder of the infantry from Batavia and Meester Cornelis the two European companies of the 9th battalion had left Weltevreden on the previous day-28 June-at 7.30A.M. Various officials, amongst them the commander of the army and General Vetter, and the bands of the national guard and of the regiments, together with a great mass of people had met them there also. Those about to leave took their seats in the carriages waiting, while the 10th and 11th battalions were posted outside the enclosure.

The train had steamed out of the station amidst loud cheering at SA.M. Before embarking the men were taken to a shed at Tandjong Priok. There Colonel Kalff addressed them, pointing out to the soldiers what was expected of them and telling them that all eyes were directed upon them, not only here but even in their homes in Holland, whence Her Majesty the Queen was watching them with intense interest and pride! After once more toasting the officers and the Resident's saying a few words to the soldiers in the name of the citizens, who had shown their sympathy by the distribution of various dainties, the embarkation began; one division after another crossed the gangway of the Gouverneur-Generaal's Jacob, the 3rd squadron of cavalry having gone on board at 6A.M. Not less cheering had been the departure on that same morning of the two native companies of the 9th battalion; what a splendid collection

of men it was! what large numbers of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers were decorated with the medals for six or more years' service-some even wearing the Atcheen medal, not awarded since 1874!

Lieutenant-colonel van Lawick van Pabst might well be proud of commanding such a body of men, for who would dare to oppose them in the open field?

Alas! even he himself was not proof against assassination. The different bands had contributed gay music, friendly hands had reached forth fragrant bouquets and amidst waving of hands and lusty cheers, the train steamed out of Weltevreden at SA.M.; the 10th and 11th battalions present arms and salute the departing colours of the 9th; one more encouraging speech in Malay at Tandjong Priok from the commander of division, offerings of material sympathy from the citizens of Batavia and the men with all their hopes and illusions embark on the "Maetsuycker".

The same morning the pikol horses of the train had been embarked on the Graaf v. Bijlandt and the "Prins Alexander"; their embarkation however was not effected with as little trouble as that of the soldiers. The pikol is a curious beast: in size, it is a little larger than a donkey and somewhat smaller than a mule.... viewed from the front it looks like a calf, it is so narrow-chested; its back is clipped or covered with a saddle of white hair marking where the heavy loads have been carried; looked at from behind it resembles a deer in consequence of its bow legs; whilst viewed sideways it reminds one of a cow suffering from foot and mouth disease, so oddly do its bones project; on the whole it looks like a sheep. As a colt in its golden youth it skipped about merrily by its dam's side until, even before losing its milk teeth a load was put on its poor little back! Almost from the day of its birth it seemed to move about with the great square wooden saddle, that has bent its back, and it looked old and wizened even in