This naturally aroused the anger of their countrymen, and an expedition was fitted out at Sambas to revenge the deed. They marched into the Sarawak territory, and advanced nearly as far as the town of Siniawan, then occupied by Malays, but found a strong stockade built across the path. The Chinese numbered about seven hundred men, while their opponents were at first scarcely twenty, but protected by their position and numerous guns. Confident in their numbers, the assailants rushed to the attack, almost reaching the foot of the defences, but receiving a severe fire from the guns in position, loaded with nails, bits of old iron and shot, they were beaten back. The Malays acknowledge the Chinese kept up the attacks all day; but, after their first repulse, they principally confined themselves to a distant fire, though they occasionally made attempts to turn the position, but were repulsed by the ever-increasing numbers of the Malays. Towards evening the Chinese withdrew to the banks of the river, and made preparations to pass the night; while the Malays, who had been reinforced by many of their friends, determined to try the effect of a surprise. They were commanded by the gallant patinggi Ali, whose exploits and death are recorded in the _Voyage of the Dido_; and just at sunset they started in their light boats with a gun in each, and pulled with an almost silent stroke towards the Chinese encampment, where they found their enemies cooking rice, smoking opium, or shouting or talking, in fact, making so great a noise as to prevent the possibility of hearing the sound of paddles, cautiously pulled. When all were ready, patinggi Ali gave the signal to fire, and the next moment they yelled and sprang ashore. The startled Chinese fled, and were pursued relentlessly by the Dayaks, who had come down from the hills to share in the struggle. It is said half the invading force was destroyed, and that the old, dried skulls I had noticed in the Dayak villages were the trophies of the fight. Being thus exposed to every kind of ill-treatment, it is not surprising that the Chinese did not care to settle in the country; but, after Sir James Brooke was established in Sarawak, they began to increase in numbers, though always inclined to be troublesome. When I arrived, in the year 1848, it was considered there were about six hundred living there, mostly engaged in gold-working, and even these were much inclined to have an _imperium in imperio_, though too weak to carry out their views. They had formed themselves into an association called the Santei Kiu kunsi, or company.