In the billiard-room, I remarked a Javanese of diminutive stature, but stoutly formed, with a noble intellectual head; his manner was free and independent, but at the same time pleasing; he was accompanied by a young lad, (his brother-in-law.) This individual turned out to be no other than the celebrated chief Santot, or (as at present known by his assumed name) Ali Bassa; he was a leader of the rebellious party during the late insurrections, under Diepo Nagoro, and by going over to the Dutch, was the means of bringing the late Javanese war to a favourable issue; since that time he has held the rank of colonel in the Dutch service, with the command of eight hundred native troops, and had recently been sent on the expedition to Padang, in Sumatra, where the Dutch are making strenuous efforts to conquer and oppress the natives. Santot (or Panjerang Ali Bassa Pranredo Dudjo) was attired in white trowsers, waistcoat, and a coat of blue cloth with gilt buttons; he wore also a turban, in the usual Javanese style; his brother-in-law was dressed in a blue cloth jacket and trowsers. The intellectual head, and intelligent countenance of Santot would induce one to regard him as a second Napoleon. As I have just stated, he was one of the leaders in the late rebellion, and made strenuous exertions to expel the oppressors of his country: this was nearly effected, when he attacked a Monsieur de l’Eau,[135] then a lieutenant commanding a small fortress in the interior of Java, with a small garrison of only twenty European soldiers, but who were well supplied with arms and ammunition. Ali Bassa made the attack with a strong force, but, after losing fifty men, he forwarded a message to Lieutenant de l’Eau, to the effect, that if he would come alone to him, he would make conditions to surrender himself to the Dutch government; Lieutenant de l’Eau, with some confidence, ventured. On being introduced, Ali Bassa, who was seated on a mat, desired the lieutenant to sit down by him; and the interview terminated by Santot surrendering to him, on condition that he should not be beheaded. Having entered the Dutch service, he was sent, with the regiment of native troops under his command, to the seat of war in the island of Sumatra. The cause of his return to Batavia was a suspicion entertained by the resident at Padang, of his being in secret correspondence with the enemy, and the following stratagem was practised to convey him as a prisoner to Batavia.