Sketches from Formosa.

WORK OF THE EARLY DUTCH MISSION 343
described by Nieuhoff :
"
Among the Dutch prisoners
taken in the country was Mr. Hambroek, a minister.
This man was sent by Koxinga to Governor Coyett with
terms for surrendering the Fort ; but, in case of refusal,
vengeance would be taken on the Dutch prisoners.
Mr. Hambroek came into the Castle, being forced to
leave his wife and children behind him as hostages, which
sufficiently proved that if he failed in his negotiations,
he had nothing but death to expect from the Chieftain.
Yet he was so far from persuading the garrison to sur-
render, that he encouraged them to a brave defence by
hopes of relief, assuring them that Koxinga had lost
many of his best ships and soldiers, and began to be
weary of the siege. When he had ended, the Council of
War left it to his choice to stay with them or return to the
camp, where he could expect nothing but instant death.
Every one entreated him to stay. He had two daughters
within the Castle, who hung upon his neck, overwhelmed
with grief and tears to see their father ready to go where
he knew he must be sacrificed by the merciless enemy.
left his wife and
But he represented to them that, having
two other children in the camp as hostages, nothing but
death would attend them if he returned not ;
and so, un-
locking himself from his daughters' arms, and exhorting
every one to a resolute defence, he returned to the camp,
telling them on parting that he hoped he might prove
serviceable to his poor fellow-prisoners. Koxinga
it to be
received his answer sternly ; then, causing
rumoured that the prisoners incited the Formosans to
rebel against him, ordered all the Dutch male prisoners
to be slain. This was accordingly done ; some being
beheaded, others killed in a most barbarous manner, to
the number of five hundred ;
their bodies stripped quite
naked, and buried fifty and sixty in a hole. Nor were
the women and children spared, many of them likewise