Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/127

 The death of Teuku Asan at Ulèë Lheuë occurred under such peculiar circumstances that the Achehnese onlookers gathered therefrom that Allah in his wisdom had determined to take this warrior to himself as a martyr (shahīd). There was indeed an unusual want of caution displayed by Teuku Asan on this occasion, when without any previous organisation he marched into the territory of Meuraʾsa at the head of a few followers. In the gampōngs he passed on his way he enjoined all who had noticed his presence to keep it a secret, promising that he would spare them, as he had come, not to punish the men of Meuraʾsa for their defection, but to fight with the Dutch. He earnestly besought his followers to abstain from plunder on this occasion.

After a brief engagement he was badly wounded; most Achehnese attribute the fatal shot to the followers of Teuku Neʾ, though it was really fired by the soldiers who occupied the mosque of Ulèë Lheuë. Teuku Asan was rescued by his comrades, but died on the way home.

The epic now approaches the period of the "concentration" and the appearance on the scene of Teungku Tirò, who first came to Lam Panaïh, his following being composed chiefly of men from Pidië. This ulama gave a great impetus to the holy war. All who came from the Gōmpeuni's territory to join his standard had first to go through the ceremony of re-conversion to the true faith. A spy from Lhōʾ Nga who was taken prisoner by the Teungku's people was put to death without mercy.

The ulèëbalangs who were on good terms with the Gōmpeuni, now exhibited respect for the Teungku, not unmixed with fear. Thus Teuku Aneuʾ Paya (ulèëbalang of the IV Mukims, who has a wife in the gampōng of Meureuduati within the "linie") when chosen to act as guide to the Dutch troops on an expedition against Teungku Tirò's folk, secretly informed the ulama of the plans of the Gōmpeuni.

The kupalas were now more alarmed than ever and held aloof as much as possible from the Gōmpeuni. Now that the ulama had charge of the holy cause, not only the free lances, but many of the common people as well, took part with zeal in the resistance. Teungku Tirò applied a portion of the contributions which flowed into his coffers to the giving of solemn feasts, which added to the number of his adherents.

Teuku Uma also returned once more from the West Coast and began to give trouble to the Gōmpeuni at Peukan Bada. During this period he had a ceremonious meeting with Teungku Tirò in the IV Mukims,