Retold by Satoto Kusasi
Kapten Van Ruys came with his soldiers in a line, drum-band at front line and a horseman hold a flag of Dutch Nation. While Kapten rode a horse at front line; he has his confidence to capture the prisoners easily, even he conceited.
However, Kapten don’t know yet that Untung at this time is differend than that Untung before; now he has been elected as a King with more than one thousand soldiers with full weapon, supported him. Even Untung himself has surprised, “How God Dewa Batara has answered my praying so quick”.
But he has to has his contribution to his Country; that is for killing Dutch soldiers as his promised, when he talked with Matius Makara.
Suddenly, a Dutch soldier at the rear line murmur, got puncture by arrow then he fell down on earth to death. After that, so do a second soldier; then third and so on. The line became panic since they have been attacked by their enemies on top of the hill, hidden. They tried to shoot to above disordered.
Finnaly, Kapten gave his command, “retreat quick!”
Kapten is right to give command retreat before more casualty will fall down. Then the line disperse, each of them run away, come back to Batavia.
Untung and his soldiers went down from the hill, kill reminder enemies without hesitate.
Surprising, Untung can seize two canons with its ammunition. The result make Untung and his soldiers proud and confidence. On the other hand, the Dutch are shameful.
The legion of Untung went home to their camp.
Untung spoke to his people, “ We got our winning chasing our enemies away and also we can seize two canons of theirs. Now we are pleased with our good result, nevertheless, we have to prepare their next attack that we predict will happen soon with their huge armies of theirs.
Might we have to hidden, not because of frighten but avoid more victim of ours.”
Patih Gendut asked, “Shall we go to leave Mataraman Village, my Lord?”
“We shall, but not now. I heard from our secret agent, many Dutch soldiers have gone to western for preparing attack against Banten Kingdom. Therefore, we slow down since I am sure no attack for next of moment because our enemy still busy with their opponent at western.” Untung answered.
“I am sure they will come, but I don’t know when. Therefore, we must prepare the war; don’t waste time. Let us build fortification, traper, and so on. I propose to make canal over there to obstruct enemy’s movement.” Patih Gendut said.
“You are genius, Patih, c’mon friend let us work.” Untung said
Untung said again, “I want you to have your power, your energy or your supremacy in this strugle to face VOC. Therefore, I propose our slogan, ‘ We would be better die as a hero than live as VOC’s slave.’ Do you agree? I mean the slogan can wake-up your spirit and loyalty to our Country of Nusantara.
“We agreed.”
Chapter 6
Banten Kingdom at west of Java is trade competitor of VOC. Their King named King Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, rule at year 1631 – 1683. He has two sons; the eldest is Sultan Haji as Prince and the second is Pangeran Purbaya.
Obviously, Banten Kingdom has agreemnet with VOC, that spices comodity is control product of VOC that mean just VOC can trade that thing. However, Banten broke the rule of agreement, because it wasn’t fare.
Banten Kingdom got benefit since they broke the rule, on the other hand, VOC face bankrupt.
Therefore, Dutch VOC prepared war attack straight to Serang City, but they have to wait good moment.
The political situation in Banten was bad since Sultan Haji got cruel with his own father. King Tirtayas knew that his son has made a secret agrreement with VOC; of course the new agreement can make loser for Banten market and make beneficial for VOC’s trade. Therefore, King Tirtayasa decided to shift the title Prince to Pangeran Purbaya.
The situation became worst that force Sultan Haji has to go out from Palace and run escape to a village, Sorosowan Village. Sultan Haji and his follower make military defence against Banten soldiers that want to catch him.
That is a good moment for VOC to turn into chaos and help their friend, Sultan Haji. However, they waited again until Banten’s civil war has broken up already and the two opponent has become weaker. That was deceitful play of VOC that the bad trick always be used in every Kingdom in Java.
Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa attacked his own son at Sorosowan Village. Sultan Haji was almost being defeated and captured by his own father, but suddenly Dutch soldiers came up and help Sultan Haji. Many Dutch soldiers came at sudden, led by Kapten Tack. They brought contemporary military equipment as canon. Sultan Ageng Army also have canon but not as much as VOC has.
Now the war became more cruel since there were new enemy that come unexpected in front Sultan Tirtayasa. Sultan Tirtayasa surprise to face Dutch soldier at sudden. The battlefield spread out of Sorosowan Village, near Serang and Palace too. Every young men of Banten and also Makasar sailor helped the Banten Army as voluntary soldiers. The soil of Banten wet by blood of good young men warrior and also blood of Dutch enemies.
Finnaly, Dutch soldiers led by Kapten Tack won and captured Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa.
Pangeran Purbaya and his family and also some soldiers escaped and run to Gede Mountain at west Java, hidden in the dark forest.
Sultan Haji was elected as a new King of Banten Kingdom. He has to write down his signature on the paper of agreement letter that could make Banten people become poor; on the other hand would made VOC become rich.
The Dutch announcced to the World that they didn’t attack Banten Kingdom, but they just helping the people of Banten making their chaos become clear and peace after that the Dutch went home to Batavia without occupation any territory.
Chapter 7
Kapten Tack still can’t rest because he has another duty to catch Pangeran Purbaya and his soldiers in the forest. That is hard duty for Kapten Tack and his soldiers. How hard to find some people in the large forest. Some Dutch soldiers got malaria sick and death.
They frustrated and even his soldiers propose to withdraw the duty; leave Pangeran in the forest, as long as he didn’t make trouble.
However, duty from VOC is mandatory to be established, no deny to avoid it. Because Pangeran Purbaya is an important leader of Banten Kingdom that VOC predicted that he could lead Banten people to fight VOC again.
Kapten Tack made camp in the bank of river, Cigundul River. He supposed that Pangeran Purbaya was somewhere at upper stream of the river. Kapten waited patiently with his soldiers at down stream river. One week has pass by, but Pangeran didn’t appear. Kapten wants depart to leave his camp, when he saw a bottle of beer floating on the river; Pangeran Purbaya could be has drunk beer at upper stream.
A Dutch soldier take the bottle and gave to his commandant; Kapten open the plug and found a letter wrote in Dutch language: I want to surrender,but if I have been picked up by a native high officer of Dutch military. Pangeran Purbaya.
Kapten Tack gave comment, “Pangeran Purbaya is clever by his manner to write a letter to me. If he send a messenger to me then I would have forced the messenger to find his hiding palce.”
No one native could hold high ranking officer in Dutch military. That is the problem of Kapten Tack.
He discussed the letter with his staffs. One of his staff sugested, “I have known a native as our escaping prisoner, his name is Untung. He was eligible to be our soldier since he could defeated Van Ruys; when Van Ruys wants to catch him.
We should give amnesty and ask him to be our soldier, including his entire soldiers. Then we could send him to catch Pangeran Purbaya. And last but not least, we could use his military talented to strength our Army. We would get another beneficial that we will haven’t enemy named Untung and his gang.”
“Do you trust him? I am afraid he hate us as colonial Dutch.” Kapten asked.
“Even he has ever married with a Dutch woman, therefore, I hope he was in our side.”
“If no other suggestion, so I will take this propose to discuss with my boss; let us go home now.”.
Chapter 8
Untung and his friends discussed the Banten war. They talked about Dutch’s dirty player of that war. Now they were hearing the report of secret agent from Banten war when he came to give information.
“The rifle of Dutch soldiers isn’t good as we though. They must put powder, put bullet into and also clean the tube before they ready for next shooting; then it needs time. Even I have seen a soldier was getting nervous, then he need more time. On the other hand, Banten soldier who used bow and arrow could shoot some arrows, one after the other continuously.”
Untung comment, “That is bad side of Dutch rifle, even though the result wound is more fatal than arrow.”
Patih Gendut asked to secret agent, “If so, why Banten lose?”
“That is an easy answer, because VOC soldiers got deceitful playing. They join the war, going into batlefield after the two groups of civil war are becoming weakness. Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa had never known that Dutch soldiers will come and help Sultan Haji. If he had been known about that by his seceret agent then he would make peace with his son and then both could fight together against VOC. I want to say, how important the seceret agent is.”
“Yes you right, how important of you as our secret agent. However, I want to say that the entire my soldiers, are important, no gradation in this mater.” Untung said.
“I hate Dutch soldier; they are digusted really” Patih Gendut said.
“You right Patih, That was my grand father saying, therefore, we are the third generation have to continue strugle against Dutch VOC.” Suromenggolo Said.
Haji Mat Toha said to Untung, “My Lord, I am sorry that I want to ask you something private mater concerning your marrying with a Dutch woman. I think you have to clarify your marrying that every person in Mataraman Village had talked about it, then the impact would be not good to you. Will you?”
Untung kept silent. He seriously think and try to get good explanation to the people that hate Dutch very much. He knew that they are second generation of Mataram soldier who have to continue war against Dutch VOC as their father willing.
Every body waited the answer of Untung seriously since marrying a Dutch woman is ‘haram’ (=against the Islam rule) among the people of Maraman Village.
Finnaly, Untung said, “I loved my wife, Suzzane very much, as you loved your wife each. Did I wrong? Suzzane is Muslimah and I did my married as Islam rule in front the judge of Haji Mat Toha himself and Lukman as witnes. I want to ask you again, did I wrong?”
Every body kept silent, no one wants to give comment. How Untung has a charismatic leader.
He continued, “The man who did wrong is a man who forbid us to marry. Suzzane is a creature of God, the same as you all. Even though she was borne from a womb of Dutch woman.
But God has another willing that I have been called for this struggling against Dutch soldier. Then suddenly I have been among of you to fight together against Dutch, right?
Supposing that my father in law loved, hugged and welcome me, then I would had been in a Head Quarter of Dutch military as an officer of theirs; I would had my beloved wife Suzzane on beside and also some children of mine.
But in fact Suzzane has gone to Holland.”
The last sentence is saying in soft voice as clue that Untung was in sadness; he broken hearted. Every body saw tears dropped from his eyes.
Some body shouted, “Untung, you are not Dutch officer, please come back to us. You are our King in Mataraman Village, please don’t go!”
Untung continued, “Alhamdullilah (=thanks to God) that God’s willing, in fact I have been among of you.
We are human didn’t know and will never know what the scenario of God or God’s willing.
You can ask God not me, why my wife is a Dutch woman? That we call in term ‘Gaib’(=mysterious)’ or God’s willing.”
Every body kept silent, when Untung talked about ‘gaib’, no body know about it.
Patih Gendut said, “My Lord, if some one betray by giving secret information of us to Dutch. The betray man said, it was God’s willing, please don’t blame me.”
“No, it was satan(=devil) willing. I said satan willing because satan will whisper in every ear of yours every day, saying bad purpose, include to be betray soldier.
Therefore, I command you, Haji Mat Toha to lead praying in five time praying, will you?”
Haji Mat Toha said, “Untung you are just ‘Mualaf’ (= a person that just join Islam religious) but you are more Islam than that of us. You are amazing.
Friends, let us pray regulary, increase your devout to Allah. We believe we could defeated satan that will whisper bad purpose into your ear every time. We also can be honest and avoid being betray soldier as Patih Gendut saying.”
“Thank you for your pricing to me Haji Mat Toha.” Untung said.
Chapter 9
A guard came, faced and gave information to Untung, “My Lord, there is a Dutch man came who wants to give a letter to you; he came with peace purpose.”
The Dutch gave a letter. Untung openned it; the letter content, Dear Untung. We are Commandant of Dutch Army recommended you for joining us. We propose you that you can take the position as Lieutenant position in our Army. All of your friends also will have their position as armies, if they want to. Kapten Tack.
“What is the reason that VOC offer on me?” Untung asked to the Dutch man.
“I don’t know.” The Dutch said and then he asked permit to go.
Untung discussed with Patih Gendut and others staff, “ That must be a trick to catch me and all of you. How VOC could recommend their own prisoner as their soldiers? Its strange, isn’t it?”.
“Yes my Lord, it must be a trick. So, we must be allert from now on that they will come to attack us! Shall we ready to combat?” Patih Gendut said.
“Yes I agreed with you. Call on your subordinates for ready to combat.” Untung gave command.
In the next morning, ten Dutch horsemen soldiers came into Mataraman Village. One of them held a white flag and the other held Dutch Nation flag.
Untung held his telescope, watched who has come is. The horseman in front the line is Kapten Tack himself.
Kapten Tack rode straight to main office of Untung, confidently. His guards waited at veranda, while Untung soldiers were guarding tightly, ready combat.
Kapten Tack went into the room without any one please him; he really conceited that he saw low opinion to Untung.
Untung spoke in Dutch language fluently; he shook hands friendly, “Please sit down!”
Even Untung asked his servant to serve sweet tea to his guest and his guards too.
After drink tea Kapten asked first politely, “How are you?”
“Fine thank you.” Untung answered.
Untung thought, “If he has done something bad or fight, we will ready”.
“Did you read my letter yet?” Kapten asked.
“Yes I did.”
“And so what the answer of yours?”
“I want to ask you concerning your offering, what was the reason since we are just as your prisoner that is mean your opponent. That is mean we should fight you, right?”
“Because of you are talented in military term since you can defeated Van Ruys easily.”
“Thank you for your estimate.”
“And we came to you in peace condition to give you official pardon from VOC; your sin as our prisoner be discarded. Then we hope we could be friend and more even could be our soldier; included all of your friend.”
Untung kept silent. He mused, “I still didn’t trust him, it must be a trick to catch me and my soldiers by easy way. I don’t want to go into his trap.”
Kapten look at Untung’s face. He knew Untung didn’t trust him as wrinkle on the front head of Untung as clue.
Finnaly, Kapten gave another reason for asking Untung to be his side. “Every body talk about you that you have married with a Dutch woman; that was mean you are our society in Dutch people. Are you?”
Untung answered, “Who say? You, especially my father in law has broken the marrying, I hated Dutch society. I hated Dutch society since I have being slave of Dutch at Makasar.”
The room became quiet, the conversation being stuck. Kapten’s face became red. And the situation crucial seems both were ready to kill and to be killed.
Untung asked Kapten to drink their cup of tea each together, to make it cool again.
After a while, Kapten gave the last reason to ask Untung, “ Actually, I want to borrow your face to ask Pangeran Purbaya be surrender.”
“Oh, that is the right reason of you. Hi Kapten Tack you are actually a high ranking of Dutch military then you should say straight to the point; your word has make me confuse as if you are a hoodlum in the crowded market to cheat the victim.”
Kapten Tack is going up right position and hold his pistol. “I will shoot you if you insult me again!”
“Did you realize that you are in crocodile nest now, look at my soldiers they are ready combating you. You are look like male lion that just came from hunting place at Banten Kingdom. I wonder to my self that the lion could be pleased to go inside my room now, but I am ready to fight you.”
The room became quiet again for the second round. The face of Kapten became red and sweat dropped from his front head.
Again Untung asked Kapten, “Would you please to drink your tea Meneer.”
Now Kapten anger subside little by little. “Did you see that I hold my Nation flag that was mean I came hear on behalf of Dutch Government or VOC.”
“And so what?”
“You should be polite to me, don’t insult me again. Now I want to ask you once more, do you agree to take Pangeran Purbaya and send to us. Pangeran said that he wants to surrender.”
Untung mused, “Pangeran Purbaya is an important man that must be respected; then I have to help him to surrender to VOC.
If I refused Kapten Tack asking then war can’t be avoid, then more victim will falling down.”
Finnaly Untung said, “Yes I agreed with you”
“Some one of you could come to my Head Quarter to take uniform of Dutch soldier and also rifle. Your position is Lieutnant, you are Lieutnant Untung.” Kapten said.
“If you cheated on me, I will kill you Kapten Tack, I warn you.” Untung warned
(To be continued)
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