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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
( August, 1920
On seeing the vessels the Prince burst out laughing, and remarked that the Chinese in invading his position in this fashion must have little regard for their lives, and he at once gave orders for the batteries to be in readiness to treat the fleet to a broadside on its nearer approach. Thus he expected to annihilate the invaders at one stroke.
Whilst still chuckling to himself, the tactics of the leading vessel, which were being carefully followed by the rest, came under notice. First she tacked to the north, then went about to the eastward, and again altered her course to the north ; until finally she and her consorts came to an anchor without passing under the guns of the batteries. The Prince turning to the staff observed that heretofore the channel which the Chinese fleet had come through was thoroughly impracticable and it was strange that they had not shoaled and come to utter grief. Whilst pondering over these matters, he still gave the order to open fire; but owing to the long range, the firing was ineffectual. His next move therefore, was to direct one of his subordinates, Li-ying-san(?), to thoroughly man the Dutch vessels in port, and to proceed to dispute the advance of the enemy.
By the time the Dutch troops were in order night was drawing on apace; and as the tide was flooding, Li-ying-san soon became aware that a whole fleet was investing Chihkhan (Sakkam), and that a landing party had been disposed on shore in fighting array. At this juncture the Prince Kwei [Coyett], fearing lest his own position should be assailed, recalled the force he had sent on shipboard, and directed Li to advance vid Kwen-shin to the assistance of the Chih-khan garrison. On reaching San-kwen-shen, Li was met by Lang-ho-ke who stated that the force he was advancing with was too small to be of any material avail; and who proceeded to report to the Prince that the enemy were such a soldier-like lot that before attacking them it would be advisable to call in, and hold in readiness, all auxiliaries.
In reply, the Prince, after enquiring as to where the enemy had come from, called out all his infantry, and made preparation for marching on the morrow. At daylight Cheng became aware from the bugling and drumming which was audible in the direction of An. ping that the Dutch were about to advance; 80, sending for his several Commanders, he informed them that the Dutch would rely principally on their artillery, and he disposed of his forces as follows:
500 infantry armed with muskets, and 200 heavy gingals 100 were formed into three divisions under a Commander, who had orders to march on Kwen-shen-wei and engage the Dutch as they advanced : 500 shield bearers under another Commander were ordered to take up their position to the left of Kwen-shen and to attack the enemy's flank when oppor: tunity offered : another body of troops manned some 20 small junks, and were directed, on observing the Dutch to have passed Tseih-kwen-shen and to be about to open fire, to wave their flags and shout vigorously; at the same time making a feint of attacking the city by heading their boats in ite direction. This proceeding it was hoped would be noticed by the Dutch force, and throwing them into a state of perturbation, would cause disorder in the ranks; thus rendering their defeat oomparatively easy.
The above disposition of foroes having been made, the balance of Cheng's force was drawn up as a reserve.
In due course the Dutch force arrived at Tseih-kwen-shen-wel, and were about opening fire when they were horrified by noticing & movement amongst the junks, which appeared to betoken an attack on the An-ping position from the water. Whilst still in doubt as to what steps to take, the shield-bearing force commenced its flank attack, the result being that the Dutch gave way, and with a loss of half their numbers retreated on the stronghold whence they had issued.
200 Gingall, jingall, Hind. janjal, a swivel or wallpicoe, word of uncertain origin (see Yule, Hobson. Jobson, e.v. Gingai).
1 Tho narrator seems to have drawn largely on his imagination for these detaile.
