Ioost Janson of Amsterdam looking ouer-boord to sée if any part of the sayle hung in the water suddenly as he was putting his head ouer the ships side the mayne yarde fell loose from the mast aboue and smote the said Ioost Ianson on his head starke dead which was a great mischance and he was the first man that dyed this voyage in that ship The 7. day in the morning we cast the said Ioost Ianson ouer-boord The 9. day his goods were sold before the maine mast which were well solde for that one Ryail of 8. was accounted for 8. Gildernes and a halfe The same day wee were put to our first allowance of Oyle to wit wéekely two Mutskins which maketh of our wine measure about halfe a pinte The 12. day the Vice-Admirall came aboord our ship to minister iustice which was the first execution of iustice that he did in these ships The same day we had sight of an Island and were in the night come néere to the land before we wist thereof for it was a very low land then we discharged a péece to warne the other ships thereof then wended and put roome-ward The 13 day we saw thrée other small Ilands wherevpon the little Pinnase sayled that euening before vs to see if we might saile on the farther side of one of the Ilands or not but the water was too shallow for there lay out a great necke or corner of the Island therefore wee cast about to seaward and the same euening we cast our sounding lead in the first quarter and had 20. faddome and casting the lead againe found but 15. faddome the third time 11. faddome and the fourth time 9. faddome insomuch that we were in great danger of the sholes but God preuented the same for we held our ship turning and suddenly came into the deepe escaping the great danger wee were in to lose our ship and our liues for doubting greatly that we should méet with great stormes and tempests betwéene the Islands we were drawne out of the right way and brought into this error The 15. day wee had againe shallowe water at 13. faddome but wee were out of sight of any land which was a great wonder to finde such a shallow in the Sea so farre from any shore for we could not sée any land at all The same day we had againe a faire winde so that we must hale in our sheates and set our course East and by South and East Southeast the same day we shot a great Toonny whereof there were in that place very many wherewith we made good chéere The 16. day of the saide moneth in the morning wée had sight of another Island so that we let slip our sheates to sayle beyond it This Iland stretcheth to the South and North and lyeth very low and pleasantly to sée to in the euening we were past this Island and pulled in again our sheates we held our course most East and by South and East Southeast The 22. day in the afternoone wee had much rayne with a stouts gale of winde so that wée were constrayned to take in our top-sailes the same night it lightened wonderfully The 24. day the Vice-Admiral gaue signe by putting out his streamer or banderoll that all the Pilots should come aboord him to take counsell together what course were best to be kept The 25. 26. and 27. dayes wee had very still and calme weather but towards the euening the wind came South southwest and wee helde our course most East southeast The 28. day in the morning the wind slacked and we directed our course East and East and by North wee turned by the wind the weather being very faire in the night the winde came Westerly so that we shaped our course East southeast and Southeast and by East The 30. day the Vice-Admirals preacher came aboord our shippe where hee made vnto vs a godly and learned Sermon The first day of December we had the wind faire and December the same day wee began first to eate of our smoaked or dryed flesh which remained as yet very good and swéete The 2. 4. 5. 6. and 7. dayes we had calme and still weather with variable winds and some while a pretie little gale and sometimes small showres of rayne this day we might beholde squales and snakes driuing in the water whereby we knew that we were néere vnto the land The 8. day wee had also mutable windes with some small showres and gusts of rayne with thunder the weather being very still and calme and towards the euening it began to blow a fine swéete gale from the West northwest so that we haled in our sheates and held our course East southeast the same night a flying fish came flying into our ship The 9. day it blew a fine gale the wind westerly and we held our course for the most part East Southeast about noonetide one of our company fell from the sprit-saile yard and was drowned for before we could hoyse out our boat he sunke his name was Gerbrand Iacobszen of Alckmar and a common marriner There fell another ouer-boord also who was one of the vnder Shipwrights and was browned with the other His name was Tymon Ianszen of Amsterdam so that this day we lost two of our company The same day also dyed one aboord the Vice-Admirall and one aboord the Pinnase Thus in this one day we lost foure men in in our fléete of fiue ships The 10. day the wind continued fayre shaping our course most East Southeast the weather faire at noone we tooke the height and found we were eight degrées to the South of the Equinoctiall line The 12. 13. and 14. dayes continued faire weather except new then a little missing raine and the same day we saw multitudes of birds and scum of the sea driuing vpon the water which caused vs to iudge that wee were not far from the land The 21. day our Vice-Admirals boate came aboord vs at which time happened an extreme storme of winde and rayne so that wee were constrained to take in our top sailes and because the storme continued long it was thought good to take in the Vice-Admirals boate aforesaid fearing least our boat should haue drawne her vnder water wherfore we cast about to Lée-ward to take in the boat but in hoysing it ouer the rope which was fastened before to the boat brake and therewith one of the quarter masters fell ouer boord but we help him presently and saued his life The 25. day in the night about thrée houres before day-light we had a shrewd gust of raine and wind so that we were glad to take in our sailes The 26. day in the morning wee could sée but 2. of our 15 shippes but in the euening we came againe together and with our fore-sailes euery one of vs put loofe fearing wee should come too néere the sholes and the Moone was so barke that we could hardly discerne the length of a ship from vs.
to consult together what was to be done and it was thought best to set our course towardes Iaua for we could not reach Amboyna where our Admirall lay We sayled for the most part South and South and by West The 7. day we had a fine gale from the South-east holding our course all the forenoone South South west and at after noone we haled in our Sheates and held our course West South west the weather faire The 8. and 9. dayes we held our course West South west at after noone we tooke the height and found 4. degrees and an halfe Southward of the line Aequinoctial the weather being very faire The 10. day we continued our course West South west we had sight of the Iland Cebesse and perceiued that it was parted in 7. or 8. little partes or portions with a great necke or corner lying out 6. or 7. leages in length wherefore we durst not sayle forwards that night The 11. day in the morning we held our course West South west and South west towardes the Iland Bouton And at noone taking the height found 6. degrees about the middest of Bouton The 12. day in the morning we sayled beyonde the Iland Combayna At noone we tooke in our sayles and lay still vntill the last quarter before day that we might be before the straight of Celebes by day light for in that place it is narrow The 13. day in the euening we passed the straight of Celebes and founde that there ran a mightie streame or currant The 14. day in the morning it was calme and at after noone it began to blow a litle gale The 15. and 16. dayes we made a great way holding our course most West and South west and by South and sometimes West and by North. At after noone we saw two small Ilandes the one lying from vs South South east and the other South South west The 17. day we tooke the height finding 7. degrees lacking one quarter At noone we had sight of the East ende of Madura lying South west off vs. We helde our course along the coast of Madura West and West and by South The 18. day in the euening we were hard by the towne of Arosbay lying on the West end of Madura in which place we lost our men outwardes bound as is before declared The 19. day we were against the land of Iuban and Sydaye holding our course West and by North and at after noone North west towardes the high land of Iapan The 20. day we saw the high land of Iapan The same euening dyed one of our Marriners called Renier Reyneirszen vander Schellingh The 21. day we draue in the calme vnder the high land of Iapan The 25. day we helde our course directly for we knew not where we were Towardes the euening we sawe the Ilandes of Iaketra And the same night we let fall our Anchors The 26. day in the morning we set sayle againe and had sight of the east corner of Iaketra And in the after noone we Anchored before Iaketra The 27. day our Boate rowed a shore to buy freshe victuals The 28. and 29. dayes we were busie to make prouision of victualles as Rice Hennes Coquers and such like The same day the King sent a young Steere to our Vice-Admirall The. 30. day our Boate went againe a shore to buy Rice for there were two Ships come thyther with Rice which came in good season for vs. The 1. 2. and 3. dayes of August we spent in buying August 1599. of fresh victualles In the euening came to vs from Bantam a long Boate from the Ships of Zealand the long Barke and the Sunne shewing vs that they had lyen at Bantam 4. monthes and an halfe and now waighted for the next season or haruest The 4. day the Admirall with the Marchants went a shore to speake with the King In the euening the Boate returned towards Bantam The. 5. day we made further prouision of fresh victuals on the shore The. 6. day we sayled from Iaketra to the fresh Riuer to take in water About noone we ariued and let fall our Anchors before the sayd fresh Riuer beginning the same day and so continuing all night to bring water a boord making all the haste we could to haue in our water The. 8. day about noone we sayled towards Bantam casting our Anchors the same night about some 4. leages from Bantam The. 9. day in the morning about 10. of the clocke we set sayle againe in the euening we let fall our Anchors before Bantam where presently the Maisters and Marchantes of the aforesayd Barke and of the Sunne came aboord vs declaring that there were 36. of their men dead so that they were hardly able to sayle their Ship The. 10. day our Comisares or Marchantes went a shore to buy some Purselayne Dyshes and other thinges The. 14. day about noone the Gouernour of Bantam came aboord vs accompanied with some 400. men viewing our Ship and offering great friendship requiring our Vice-Admirall to go with him a land The 19. day we departed from Bantam meeting with a sharpe gust of wind and raine which continued some hower The 20. day in the morning we were past the coast of Iaua shaping our course the most part of the day South-west The same day our alowance of water was againe lessened to wit euery day one Ran a Mutskin of Arake a Wine which the wild people of the countrey vse themselues to drinke making it with Rice and is a very strong Wine in taste The 22. day about noone it rained thundred lightned with so great a winde that we were forced to take in all our sayles This storme continued two howers The 23. day it was very faire weather we shaped our course as before the wind East South-east About noone the Carpenter of our Ship died called Peter Lauwelssen of Harllem which was the third man that died in our returne homewardes The 24. day in the night foule weather the wind South South-east keeping our course most part West and Southwest and by North bearing onely our mayne-sayles The 25. 26. 27. 28. and 29. dayes ill sayling weather the wind South South-east in so much that it was as much as we could do to beare our mayne-sayles The 31. day the weather began to be somewhat fairer so that we might put out our top-sayles The first day of September we tooke the height were September in 15. degrees lacking 3. quarters at noone we sent our Boate aboord the Zealand to fetch the Maister and Pilot to th end we might confer togither what course were best to be kept their conclusion was to sayle West South-west vntill we should come to 20. degrees for the storme droue vs far to the Southward We held our course West south-west with a fine gale from the South south east The 4. day in the night we had the wynd East south east with faire weather shaping our course most South west by
south and haled in our sheats The 8. day we were in twenty degrees holding our course west south west the wind being East south east with a fine gale in the morning we cast a man ouer board who died of the bloody flixe his name was Daniell Kogher of Hamborgh In the euening we shaped our course one poynt lower running for the most part west and by south with a fine gale The 10 day we were in 21. degrees 14. minutes keepeing our course for the most part west and by south the wind being South east The 14. day the wind was contrary blowing from the South west with ill weather so that we were glad to take in our sailes The 15. day in the morning we sayled west north west with variable winds and as we iudged we were vnder Tropico Capricorno The 20. day we were in 26. degrees lacking 15. minutes shaping our course west and by south with still weather being 150. leagues from Saint Lawrence as we gessed The 24. day the wind was contrary blowing very hard from the North west and raynie weather The 26. day we had fairer weather shaping our course most West and by south the same day we were in the height of 29. degrees 15 munites The 30. day we had 28. degrees and an halfe holding our course North west and by west the wind westerly and we iudged our selues to be 100. leagues off Cape de Roman The first day of October the wind came faire towards the October euening holding our course West and by south The 2. day the wind continued good holding our course most West and by south the wind South east with very faire weather The 5. day we were in 30. degrees and an halfe shaping our course westerly the wind blowing from the South The 12. day we had the wind contrary from the North north-west with a great tempest so that we were forced to take in our topsailes and to beare onely our maine sayles The 14. day we were in 34. degrees and 20. minutes keeping our course West south-west with ill weather the wind blowing from the North west here we saw many Birds The 19. day a contrary wind out of the South-west and West south west with a great gale The 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. and 25. dayes the weather was very still and calme with a South-east wind keeping our course for the most part West and by North. The 29. day it blew a mighty storme out of the North and North-west so that we tooke in our sayles the same night it lightened and thundered mightily The 30. day we were in 33. degrees and an halfe gessing that we were 150. leagues off the Cape and as we iudged West and West and by North from vs toward noone the weather cleared vp We shaped our course most Northwest and by West the wind being South-west and West South-west The first day of Nouember we continued our course Nouember North-west and North west and by North the wind being Westerly and West south west The 2. day still weather but towards the euening blew a fine gale East north-east sayling most West and West by North. The 3. day continued a faire East and East north-east wind holding our course for the most part West with a fine gale and cleare weather but towards the Euening grew a great Storme so that wee were gladde to take in our sayles shaping our course West the wind being North-east In the night the winde came againe about to the West South-west with a stout gale The 4. day we fardelt vp our Maine-sayle holding our course most North-west and North-west and by North with a stoute gale The 5. day we tooke a Turtle Doue which came flying into our Ship whereby we presumed that we could not be farre from land The 10. day at noone tide we saw the land of Ethiopia in the height of 32. degrees and a halfe namely the neck land of Lahnera Towardes the euening the wind came about to the Eastward our course was South and by West and South South-west In the night time our sprit sayle was rent from the Yard The 11. day we shaped our crurse most part South South-west with a contrary wind from the East and East South-east with darke weather At this place was great store of fish whereof we caught some store The same night was a rousing storme from the East East South-east we kept our course most South-west and South-west and by South The 12. day it continued very blustering weather In the night we tooke the height and found 35. degrees as we gessed 15. leagues from the land The same euening we sayled south-west making hard way the wind being at south-east The 13. day in the morning the Zealand was as farre behind vs that we could hardly discerne her from our sterne wherevpon we tooke in our Maine-sayle making way with our fore-sayle keeping our course most South-west with darke weather a very ill wind blowing from the south east And in the morning after we had brooke our fast we shaped our course West south-west At noone we tooke the height and found 36. degrees and sailed West iudging the Cape de Anguillos to be some 5. leages off vs West and by North. The 15. day we had 37. degrees and 15. minutes holding our course west south west the wind being west north-west The 16. day about none the wind came about to the north-east we sayled West north west with very faire weather at after noone we had store of raine with lightning contrary and changable windes In the euening it cleered somewhat vp yet it blew very hard from the North east we shaped our course most West North-west sayling onely with our fore-course about which time many of our people began to fall sicke in so much that at this present 22 men lay sicke At noone we shaped our course Northwest the wind being East South-east with a fine gale The 18. day we were in 37 degrees 15. minuts our course north-west gessing the Cape Anguillos to lie northerly of vs. The 20. day we were in 34 degres 22. minutes holding our course North west the wind South east at East with a fine gale cleere weather The Cape de bona Esperançe lying East and East by South off vs some 28. leagues The 21. day and so to the last day of this moneth the wind continued South-east shaping our course most of the time North-west making good way having very faire weather The 30. day we were in 23 degrees and 15. minutes at noone we passed the Tropique of Capricorne holding our course yet North west the wind being South east The first day of December we had 22 degrees 20 minuts the same day we had the Sunne againe right ouer our heads December The 2. day we had 20. degrees and an halfe continuing our course North west the wind South east the same day we mounted and cleered our Ordnance The 6.
day we were in 17. degrees 8. minutes and continued our course North west The 7. day in the morning after breakfast we had sight of the Iland of S. Helena lying off vs West North west towards the euening we tooke in our sayles letting the Ships driue for we were not able to reach the Iland this day The 8. day about noone we let fall our Anchors in the Roade at 30. fadome some two shot length from the shore our Maister and vnder Comissarie presently rowed a shore to looke for freshe Water And the same euening they brought a boord Goates and Hogges which were caught on the land The 9. day we carried all our sicke people to the shore and afterwards filled fresh water some of our people running vp into the land to seeke after Cattell brought some a boord our Shippes with them which made our Marriners very gladde but wee founde no Orenges whereof we had most neede for those that were trubled with the scuruie disease The 14. day out people raunging about to seeke for Goates and Swyne as God would came to a very faire pleasant valley of Orenge trees whereof they plucked some 4000. and brought them aboord which meruelously refreshed and cheered vs all The 31. day wee brought out sicke againe a boord the Shippes The first day of Ianuary we departed from S. Helena Anno. 1600 First day of Ianuarie homewards shapeing our course most North-west with a very fine gale blowing from the South-east The 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. and 8. dayes we continued our course North west with faire and cleare weather the wind being South-east and East South-east Here we saw many flying Fishes The 14. day we began to haue small shewers of rayne the wind at South-east we continued our course North-west makeing faire way The 18. day at noone wee crossed the Aequinoctiall line with a fine South-east gale This day we saw plenty of Fishe swimming called Dorados whereof wee tooke some store The 22. day maruelous calme with rayne lightning and thunder The 23. 24. 25. 26. and 27. dayes still weather with some small showers and little gales of wind now and then the wind very mutable in the meane while we made good cheere with Dorados where of we caught plenty The eight and twentie day continued still weather vntill the first quarter in the night the wind comming to the East South-east with a full gale we held out course North west The thirteth day in the morning the Moone has eclipsed being in 5. degrees in the foote of the Crosse wee helde our course North-west the winde being at North North-east The first day of February to the 5. day we continued our Februarie course West north-west the wind being North and by East with a fine gale in our top sayles at what time we began first to haue sight of the North Pole which we had not seene in long time before The 6. day at noone we had 8. degrees we sayled North-west the wind blowing North north-east with a fine gale running close by the wind towards the euening we held our course North north west the wind being East and by North. The 7. day we were in 9. degrees houlding our course North west and North west and by north with a North east wind The 10. day we were in 12. degrees continuing our course North west and by north the wind North east The 13. day we had 15. degrees iudging the Ile de Mayo 150. leagues east off vs. The 14. day in the morning the wind came againe to the South east and East South east but very calme weather our course most Northerly The 22. day 23. degrees and an halfe iudging our selues then vnder Tropuo Cancri holding our course North northwest The 25. day we saw great store of Saragassa driuing on the Seas with a great gale out of the North east our course was North North west The 26. day in 28. degrees holding our course North North east with a fine gale We iudged the I le of Palme 300. leagues East off vs. The 11. day of March 41. degrees our course North east March and by East In the euening the wind contrary blowing from the North east with much raine and wind The 12. day the wind continued very high so that we were faigne to take in our toppe Sailes and the weather so darke that we could not take the height The 13. day we tooke in our Sayles letting our Ships lie at hull for it blew a mightie storme from North east The 14. day some two howers before day the tempest began to ceasse we put out our Sayles shaping our course North and by East being in 42. degrees The 15. day blew againe a very hard storme from the East South-east so that we sayled onely with our courses sayling North-east and by East The 16. day the storme continued so that we were faigne to strike our top Mastes and runne with our courses Southerly The same day our alowance of wine was lessened and made but two Mutskins for a messe The 24. day we were in 48. degrees our course East North-east The same euening we sounded but founde no ground We iudged that we were too farre about the West The 25. day we were in 48. degrees and an halfe shaping our course Easterly to th ende we might reach the length of the Channell for we were shot too farre Westward the wind scant in the euening we cast our Lead but found no ground The 29. day mistie weather so that the Zealand discharged a peece supposing they had seene land but it was a banke of mist The 30. day in the euening we had sight of England supposing that we were some 6. leagues from land The same night blew a mightie storme out of the North North-west In the second watch of the nyght we saw two Shippes but we spake not with them The 31. day in the after noone we turned Westward the storme continuing very hard The same night we saw an other sayle but spake not with them The second day of Aprill the Zealand made a signe to vs Aprill to send our Boate aboord them about some conference and counsayle that was to be taken for their Bolt-sprite was broken so that they could put no Sayle therevnto At after noone the wind was againe contrary The 3. day it blew a very stoute gale from the North-east Our alowance of Oyle was deminished to two Mutskins a day The 6. day we spake with two French-men These were the first Shippes we had spoken with the wind being Northeast The 10. day we spake with a smal Shippe that came from Calis Malis laden with Wine whereof we had two Pipes The same was bound for Callice in Fraunce The Shippe and Maister were of Euckhusen the Maisters name was Iohn Frantslen but the company were all French-men The 11. day we passed by the Kaskets The same morning Anno 1600 the 11. day of Aprill the small Shippe
anker and sayled after the other ships which were vnder sayle in sight hauing a fayre wind we kept our course East South east to reach the Cape of Saint Sebastian and the 29. day in the morning we left the said Cape behind vs. The 30. day wee passed the Cape de Iulian and were becalmed the wind contrarie and darke weather The 4. day of September all the Marchants and Masters September went aboord the Vice-Admirall where it was amongst thē debated whether wee should put into the bay of Antongil or direct our course towards Bantam but in the end it was concluded to kéepe our course The 5. day of September wee were allowed againe three mutskins of wine and foure of water without The I le de Cerne other wise called the Iland Mauritius porrage by reason of the scarcitie of water the same day we had also a good wind so that we held our course East and East and by North. The 17. day wee had sight of an Island called Ile de Cerne which seemed to be verie hillie so that we had good hope there to find fresh water whereby wée were al greatly reioyced for our ships began to be vexed with the skuruie disease How they came to the land Mauritius wher they found a very fit and faire hauen fresh water and birds which they caught with their hands The 20. of Septē ber most of our people were on shoare where a Sermon was made in the forenoon another in the afternoon The 18. day in the morning wée rowed with two boates towards the shoare of the Isle de Cerne to sée if we might there find any fresh water or releefe of victualles and comming néere the land wee rowed along the shoare but could not find any open place conueuient for landing whereupon our boate with the Committees went aboord the Vice-Admirall where it was appoynted that our boate should row to another part of the Island to search for some conuenient place of landing whereupon the boate manned with seuen men after they had rowed to shoare and made diligent search found a very faire ciosed hauen where fiftie ships might lie defended from all winds and good ground for ankeridge towards the euening the boate returned and came aboord the Vice Admirall bringing with them eight or nine great birds and many small which they had taken with their hands also they found there very faire and swéete water that came from the hilles which caused great ioy in the shippes among our people that they might haue their bellies ful of fresh water This hauen is the fairest and fittest that a man may possibly find for refreshing And the ninetéenth day we went further vp into the Island where we found passing good ground to anker and rode at fouretéene fadome clay ground The 20. day the most part of all the people went a shoare where they heard a Sermon made by a Minister of the Vice-Admirals shippe It was now iust foure moneths and twentie dayes since wee had set foote on any shoare and that day we had double allowance of wine for a remembrance of the Faire kept the same day at Amsterdam and the same day we did nothing because it was Sunday but heard two Sermons in the morning and at afternoone praysing and giuing heatlie thankes vnto Almightie God that he had conducted vs to this wished place of refreshing for if wee had not found this place many a man had not liued to tell what hee had séene for the scuruie disease beganne mightily to vexe our people and our water for the most part stunke and was as blacke as kennell water and as the Pilot affirmed wee were then 500. leagues from Bantam wee named this Island Mauritius The 21. of the same month in the morning our boate rowed to another place of the Island to sée if they could find any inhabitants in the end they came to a fresh riuer which descended from the mountaines but they could not sée any people in the land At this place wee fetched our water for a man may row in with a boat and with ease strike the same into the boate so that it is a maruailous commodious place to water In this riuer our people tooke so great quantitie of fowle as they were all able to eate for when we came neere them they sate still and could not flie from vs so that we with our handes might easily take them whereby wee noted that the land was not inhabited The 23. day certaine of our people went out with a small boate to fish with a net which the Vice-Admirall had brought with him for there was excéeding great plentie of fish The 24. day certaine were appoynted to row with a long boate to the land to search if they could finde any other hole or place to come forth beside the same which we had alreadie passed by reason that the wind was contrarie so that wee could not returne the same way wee came The 25. day some that had beene sent abroad returned but they found not any people in the land the same day all of vs with great diligence carried water aboord our shippes The 27. day was another Sermon made so the common Another Sermon preached in the land Mauritius Marriners on the land and there was an Indian one of those which was brought into Holland in the last voyage from Madagascar who willingly became a Christian and receiued Baptisme and was named Laurence The same day the long boate returned but could find no depth for our shippee to passe out The 29. day some of our people returned which had béene sent into the land without any desired newes but onely that they had found a place where many Cokar-trees grew bringing some of the nuttes with them and we furnished our selues with fresh water The 30. day some of our people went a shoare to get Cokar-nuts at which time we had our first allowance of bread to wit euerie day one pound and a quarter The second day of October we had a faire wind and October The second day of October wee sayled from the Island named by vs Mauritius we set sayle but in the mouth of the hauen wee were becalmed so that wee were forced to tow the shippes out with out boates but our Vice-Admirall was put backe when the other shippes were out we sent our boate manned to helpe him also out but so soone as they were come aboord it began to blow a little gale whereby the Vice-Admirall got out and then wee directed our course towards Bantam East and East and by North. The 17. day we made an end of our last butter and the wind was verie scant The 28. and 29. of October the Sea was of a wonderfull white colour so that we imagined that wee were neere to some land but wee could not discrie any land at all and the same day in the morning wee had the sunne ouer our heades and this was the
aforesayd parted from vs. The 12. day in the night we lost the company of the Zealand by reason of the mist The 13. day we heard nothing of her In the night we ran Northward taking in our top-sayles to th end we might come together agaiue The 14. day in the morning we were neare to Faire Lee hauing sight of a Flecte of 30. Sayle but could vnderstand nothing of the Zealand About noone we saw Douer Clifts hauing a fine South west wind a long the coast of Fraunce The same night we left Douer behind vs. The 15. day in the morning we saw Callice Dunckerk where we met with a Northerly wind and at noone turned towarde Douer Roade at what time the Zealand came againe to vs and the same euening we let fall our Anchors in Douer Roade The 16. day in the morning the Boate rowed to the shore to buy some fresh victualies the Wind North North west with a very hard gale The 20 day came a Post to vs from London with Letters which he deliuered with other newes to our Vice-Admirall Afterwardes with great ioy to all the Marchantes and Owners whom it concerneth were ariued God be thanked in safetie in the Texel where the Nutmegs were vnladen and put into bagges and sent to Amsterdam to the great admiration and comfort of the people where they were layde vp in Warr-houses which with the other Spices yeelded a most pleasant sweete smell to all the neighbours dwelling there aboutes And it is most true that these Nutmegâ—es were so fresh that Dyle was pressed out of them the like whereof were neuer brought from Lysborne Hauing thus finished and declared the ariuall of these two Shippes in the Texel we will returne to the other two namely the Amsterdam and the Vtrecht which after they had lyen two months at Amboyna before Tuban and could not there finde sufficient store of lading sayled thence the 8. day of May towards the Ilands of Moluccas THe 13. day of March Anno 1599. March the two Ships lying before Tuban there ariued three Ships of warre from Iaua full of Souldiers which were sent for by the Tubans to ayde them against the Portingals and to take a Castle which they there helde committing dayly great outrage and mischiefe against those of Tuban because we were suffered to lie there These Iauaners were receiued with great ioy and triumph who after their landing fell to making of Boothes and Cottages running ouer all the land clyming the Coquar trees and gathering the fruites to the great damage dissyking of all the people of Amboyna The 20. day some of vs were a shore to kill fowle with our Peeces where wee killed greene Pidgions as great as Duckes The 25. day Iohn Cornelissen of Edam died who was the first man that was buried there on the land The 29. day was a letter sent to the Vice-Admirall lying at Banda The 30. day some lading in small quantetie was brought aboard for that they could not agree on the prises The last day the Admirall went ashore to agree about the price of wares but effected nothing The first day of Aprill Isack Henricksen of Rees died Aprill was buried on the land The 2. day Gisbrecht Wolfertsen died also and was buried on the land The 10. day the price of Cloues was agreed viz. for 35. The price of Cloues peeces of Ryals of eight the Baer the Baer waying 550 li. The 12. day was agreement made for the price of head peeces viz. 250. li. of Cloues for euery head peece of Murrion The 13. day we tooke in some Cloues The 19. day the long Boate returned from the Vice-Admirall at Banda which is some 28. leagues from Tuban from whom we vnderstood that the said Vice-Admirall had taken into his Ship some 30. Last of Nutmegs and Maces and it was supposed that at this time he had in his full lading for the Boate had been 5. dayes on the way and that the other Ship of Melcknap began to lade also The 20. day the Portingales attempted to take a little Towne in the Iland of Amboyna not effecting any thing but that they killed two men for the people of the Iland assembling made head against them in the ayde of the towne in which company 4. of our Marriners went in the Boate with the King of Ternates his Brother which seemed strange vnto them and as a mirracle that the Hollanders would take their partes in their warrs as enemies to the King of Spaine and Portingall May. The 2. day of May Iohn Martsen a Wallon and our Trumpeter died and was buried on the land The 8. day we bartered for some small quantitie of Cloues of which commoditie was no great store in this Island to bée had but wonderfull plentie of Rice insomuch that for a looking glasse of a blancke or of a pennie of sterling money we had fiftéene or sixtéene pounde of Rice and so accordingly after the same rate for all other wares In the end we set saile and departed thence towards the Island Moluccas carrying with vs a Gentleman belonging to the King who gaue himselfe out to be the Kings brother but it was not so This gentleman tolde vs that the Kings father of Amboyna had in his life time 70. married Wiues besides his other concubines and that the King now liuing had 40. married wiues besides his other women or concubines The 14. day died Albert Petersen in Iohn Martsens ship The 16. day in the night wée crossed the Line hauing sight the next morning of the Island Ternate and Tidore The 22. day towards the euening we let fall our anchors Anno 1599. The 22. of May. vnder the Island of Ternate and rode at fiftéene fathome The 25. day dyed one Iacob a Flemming and was buried on the land The 28. day the King of Ternate came aboord vs but The King of Ternate commeth aboord not into our ships desiring our Admirall to come into his gallie which the Admirall did betwéene whom was long conference by interpreters so that we supposed he would haue come into our ships but hée would by no meanes excusing himselfe first that the ladder had no conuenient couering although there was a péece of woollen cloth cast ouer it then it was too late for him and it was now time for him to goe to his prayers for said he the Sunne is now very lowe The 29. day the King came the second time to vs In what triumphant manner the King came the second time with 32. gallies maruailouslie well trimmed and appointed with some hundred bases of brasse rowing in triumphant maner thrice about ourships with great noyse of singing drummes and copper basons In the meane while we made our selues readie with our ordenance muskets pikes and other artillerie placing some of our men aloft and other some beneath to make resistance if nèede had béen and that if they had offered vs any violence but
fowle weather and the two and twentieth day we came to the Texell where wee remained eight dayes for a good winde to carrie vs thence The first day of May we set saile from the Texell hauing Anno 1598. The. 1. day of May we sailed from the Texell the wind at South east The third day we passed by Douer where we spake with certaine ships of warre and the fourth day wee had sight of Wicht Portland and Beuiser The tenth day came a small ship of Enchusen into our fleete in the Spanish seas which came from Aueren and about two houres after our smaller Pinnases sayled after her with letters and brought some ten thousand Oringes with her which were distributed among the ships so that euerie man had eight Oringes The 11. day we were in the height of the Burlings at which time 25. men in the shippe called Gelderland were christened The 15. day we had fight of the Iles of Madera and Sartes The 17. day before noone we were passed the Ilandes of Canaria namely Gomera and the Palm The 23. day we passed by the salt Ilands to wit the I le of May and S. Iago The nine and twentieth day being in the height of fire degrées wee were forced to strike our sayles by reason of tempests and fowle weather which continued about two howres The first day of Iune we tooke a Torteyse waying an A Torteyse take waying 143 pounds hundreth thrée and fortie pounds The 5 day Gerrit Ianszen of Alkmar leapt ouer boord into the sea out of the great Pinnase The 6. day came a flying fish into the ship called Gelderland which was very strange vnto vs. The 8. day we passed vnder the Equinoctiall line with a fine fresh gale and then euerie messe had a canne of wine allowed them The 25. day euery messe had thrée cannes of wine allowed The sho els of Brasilia passed for which was great ioy among vs. for ioy that wee were passed the shoels of Brasilia lying 18. degrées south the Equinoctiall line The 26. day the small Pinnase lost vs by reason of the mists and the twentie seuenth day the Admirall sent out the Shippe called Hollandia to seeke the saide Pinnase The eight and twentieth day of the saide Moneth in the morning wee sayled towardes the Iland and after wee were approached neere vnto the shore we manned two boates and rowed on land to seeke for some refreshing The 29. day the ship Hollandia returned into the fléete with the small Pinnase at which time the first execution of iustice was done aboord the ship called Gilderland at this place wee saw mightie shoels of birds as great as Storkes The 24. of Iuly we tooke the height of Cape de Bona Esperance which lieth 33. degrees from the Equinoctiall line The 27. of the said month we saw driuing on the water great long logges or truncks of wood whereof some were 20. or 25. fadome long we saw also great store of great birds which is a verie good marke of the Cape de Bona Esperance The 28. day of the sayd month wée fastned againe our Cables to our Ankers the same night we had a great storme so that we were forced to take in our sayles and we saw the same night a Corpus sanctus in our maine The 29. of Iulie foure of our ships lost our cōpanie being in the height of C. Bona Esperance Euery measure or mutskin is the eight part of a quart top mast or a light burning as cléere as a candle The 29 day wée lost the companie of foure of our ships but betwéene the 30. and the 31. day in the night thrée of them returned vnto the fléete so that wee wanted but one which was Claes Ianszen Melknap of Horne The 31. of Iuly in the morning we had sight of Cape Bona Esperance The 2. day of August we dranke our last Béere and we beganne our first allowance to drinke water foure mutskins or measures euerie day and thrée of wine The 7. of August wee had againe a stout gale of wind at South east so that wee were forced to strike our top masts The 8. day towards the euening it lightned and thundred mightily so that we were glad to take in our sailes The same night we lost our Admirall the Hollandia and the small Pinnase by meanes of the great thunder and lightning The 14. day our Committées and masters had bene aboord the Vice-Admiral and had diminished our allowance of wine ordayning vs one and a halfe mutskins or measures of wine and sixe of water for euerie messe The 15. of August wee saw a little place in the Sea where the water séemed to boyle as a kettle that seetheth on the fire the water was of a berie gray colour it extended the length of an arrow shot and in breadth the length of a shippe we sayled through it but wee perceiued not any great strangenesse therein The 17. day iustice was executed in our shippe for some offences therein committed The 18. day we met with a contrarie winde and we kept our course for the most part South east the same day we saw many Whales The 20 day we had store of raine with thunder and lightning at which time the Vice Admiralles fore-top-mast was broken in three peeces the same day the wind changed so that we held our course East Northeast making good way The 22. day of the sayd month the ship called the Zeland returned to our fleete which was about 25. dayes after she had beene missing so that now wee were fiue ships in companie The 24. of August the companie of the Zealand fetched another mast out of the Gelderland to make another fore-mast for shee had lost her mast in the foresayd storme when she parted from vs and had beene in great daunger The same day wee had sight of the land called Saint Laurence or Madagascar which gaue great ioy and comfort to all in our shippes and the 25. day we made to the land for wee saw wee could not passe the necke land of Madagascar therefore we ankered neere vnto the necke of the land which was the first time that we did cast any anker since we departed from the Texell The 26. day in the morning we manned foure boats Foure boates rowed to the shore of Madagascar what happened vnto them neere the shore and rowed to the land to see if wee might there find any refreshing comming neere the shoare the beate of the Vtrecht was with the folke therein ouerturned and one of the quarter masters of the boate drowned called Iohn Pamer of Amsterdam and the same day we had a storme so that we were forced to depart thence for our Vice Admirall the Amsterdam the Zealand the great Pinnase and the ship of the deanerie Chapter of Vtrecht lost euerie one of them an anker but the Gelderland rode out the storme The 17. day of the sayd month in the morning wée wayed our
second time that the sunne was right ouer vs. ⧠A description of the Island de Cerne which was now named Mauritius lying 21. degrees to the South of the Equinoctiall line THe Island de Cerne named by the Hollanders Mauritius lyeth 21. degrees to the South of the Equinoctiall line and is in compasse some sixe miles or leagues verie little more or lesse Such as will saile into this Island must bring the two highest hilles into one leauing the sixe small Islands on the right hand kéeping tonne fadome water On the left side of vs lay a small Island which we named the Island of Hem◠kerken and the bay of the sayd Island of Cerne we called after the name of our Vice-Admirall The bay of Warwick it hath a very faire hauen where fiftie shippes maylie defended from all windes and weather This foresaid Island Mauritius is not inhabited nor neuer was by all that we could iudge for many and often times we ranne vp into the countrie and found no people but we iudged by the tamenesse of the birds and fowles that it must bee an vnfrequented place by reason that men might take them plentifully with their hands It is a verie hie hillie land so that for the most part it is couered with cloudes and somtimes there passeth such a smoke or mist ouer the land that a man can hardly see The scituation and fertilicie of Cerne one another For the most part it is all stonie ground not withstanding very aboundant of wilde trees which are there in innumerable sort standing so thicke that a man can hardly passe by them These trees are as faire euen wood as may be found in any Countrey as blacke as pitch and as smoothe as a bone on the out-side is a verie thicke greene barke and vnder the barke is the black Eben some with verie faire redde wood and other some yellow as waxe of which three sorts of wood wée brought a little from thence for a proofe and is found to be excellent faire and good Also it hath Palmites trees whereby we were greatly Palmites trees refreshed they grow like to the Cokar-trees aloft in the toppe it carryeth the branches thicke and spreading the same we cutte downe and hauing taken out the pith did eate we made sometimes sallads thereof which strongly purged and refreshed our bodyes We landed in this Island almost all our people and found the same to be verie good and healthsome so that we erected there some tents and cabbins wherin we laid our sicke and diseased which we brought from our ships and there remained vntill they were recouered which was in verie short time whereby wee noted that this Island was of a sweete and wholesome ayre After wee were all landed wee had a Sermon in the forenoone and another in the afternoone thanking and praysing God that hee had brought vs to a place of so good refreshing for if we had not come to this place many of vs had not liued to tell newes for the scuruie disease beganne mightily to raigne among our people and our water for the most part stunke and was as blacke as kennell water this happened iust when in foure months and twentie dayes before we had not set footing vpon any land Being now in the Isle Mauritius we rowed with one of our boates to another place of the land to search what inhabitants wee could find but found none onely wee came to a fresh riuer which fell from the mountaines where we tooke in fresh water for our ships Some of our companie went a fishing in a small Of the multitude of fish cocke with a nette which the Vice-Admirall had brought with him and we found that there was wonderfull plentie of fish so that at one draft we tooke néere two barrels and a halfe of fish and could hardly draw the net by reason of the great number of fishes therein and we tooke euerie day so great quantitie of fish that we were not able to spend the same while it was fresh and sweet Here we took a Chorn-backe that was so big that wee with the Marriners of our ship had sufficient to eate thereof at two meales Here are great numbers of Torteyses which are so big that 4 of vs might stand vpon some one Torteyse and yet it crept away with vs in the shelles or shieldes whereof tenne of vs haue had roome to sit This Island is very fruitfull and plentifull of fowles The fertilitie of Cerne as of Turtle Doues whereof there are such plentie that 3. of vs haue in one afternoone taken 150. and if wee had beene able to carrie them we might haue taken more with our bare hands killed them with cudgels There are also great plenty of russet Parrets of other colours there are also other great fowles as big as our Swans hauing great heads vpon their heads a skin as if they had caps on their heads they haue no wings at all but in place of wings they haue 3. or 4. black quils and where their taile should be they haue 4. or 5. small curled feathers their colour is grayish Wee named these fowles Walghfowle partly because they were tough in eating how long time soeuer they sod yet the crop breast were very good meat but specially because we could take store of Turtle Doues which were more delectable in taste There are yet other sorts of fowles good to bee eaten which are called Rabos Forcados because their tayles are like in fashion to a taylers shéeres These fowles are so tame that a man may take them with his hands as they sate on their nest and also kill them with staues and cudgels insomuch that in the space of one halfe howre we could fill a boate with them whereby we presumed that there had neuer béene any people in the Island for the birdes shunned no man yea they scarcely would forbeare to come and sit on our heades and so suffer themselues to bee taken In this Island we did set vp a Smithes sorge where our Smith made and mended some Iron workes and the Shipwrights made also a boate for the Vtricht for she had lost her boat before Saint Laurence Island In this Isle de Cerne before mentioned we found about 300. pound waight of waxe whereon stood Gréeke Letters We found also a Netting with a Capsten bar and a great Maineyard whereby iudged that some ship had there suffered wracke In this Island our Vice-Admirall caused a shield of wood to be made fastned to a trée to the end that if any The Ad mirall nayleth a boord or a shield to a tree the reason thereof ships arriued at that place they might perceiue the Christians had béen there thereupon was carued these words following Christianos Reformados reformed Christiās with the armes of Holland Zealand and Amsterdam Also there is in this Island a very large plain wherof our Vice-Admirall caused a garden to be made
at one draft we tooke two barrels and a halfe of many sorts To the gentle Reader IT is to be vnderstood Gentle Reader that all the eight shippes kept companie vntill they came neere to the C. de Bona Esperance where they were parted and seuered by tempests and foule weather namely the eight day of August 1598. but these fiue ships kept together to wit the Amsterdam the Zealand the Gelderland the Vtrecht and the great Pinnase called Freesland which happened to fall with the Island Mauritius where we lay foureteene dayes without any knowledge what was become of the other three shippes the Mauritius our Admirall the Hollandia and of the small Pinnase called the Ouer-Ysel which three shippes came from the Island of Saint Marie and from thence sailed to Bantam Of which three shippes we will make some relation and of such matters as befell them in the Island of Saint Marie at Bantam and in their returne After that these thrée shippes were parted and seuered How 3. ships arriued at the IslaÌ„d S. Mary tooke the king thereof prisoner by storme and foule weather from the company of the other shippes they were driuen vnder the Island of Saint Mary where they tooke the King prisoner and afterwards ransomed him for a Cow and a fatte Calfe In this Island we found not any great matter comming thither in a time out of season for the Orringes were but blossomed and the Lemons verie small but we found some Sugar Canes Hennes and such like And the people of the Countrey came to vs with two or three small Oringes Here we saw a strange manner of The manner which the IndiaÌ„s vse to take whales hunting there were certaine Indians in a Canoas or boate which had spied a Whale at Sea who with their boate made out to take her and after they had struck into her body an harping Iron whereunto was fastened a long rope made of the inner barkes or péelings next to the bodyes of trées the Whale finding her selfe wounded descended into the deepe and they viering the rope to the whole length not withstanding the Whale drew the boat after him as easily as if it had been a straw but the Indians assuring theÌ„selues vpoÌ„ their expert swimming feared not drowning nor the ouerturning of their boate Now after they had thus continued a while vntill the Whale had tyred her selfe and was out of breath they towed her to the shoare betwéene wind and water and afterwards at low water they hewed her in peeces and euerie one of them tooke as much as hee desired Wee might haue taken thereof at our pleasures but it looked so greazie bacon like that it went against our stomacks Afterwards wee sayled to the great bay of Antongil where we filled our vessels with water Our Indian whose name was Madagascar might haue remained at this place but hee excused himselfe that he would rather go with vs apparrelled then remain in a place naked where he was vnknowne Wee went vp the fresh riuer with our long boate to seeke for fresh victuals but the people of the Countrey made signes vnto vs to returne for that there was nothing here to be had yet wee rowed thrée leagues higher but wee sped according to the sayings of the Indians This scarcitie was by reason that the Kings of the Island had warre whereby all things were spoyled and wasted insomuch that the inhabitants themselues dyed with hunger and penurie One of their Kings was slaine wherefore wee stayed there but fiue dayes but sayling from thence we directed our course towards Iaua and with Gods helpe arriued at Bantam with all our thrée shippes as before to wit Mauritius our Admirall whose master was Gouert Ianssen and Corneles Hermskerck one of the Commitees the ship Hollandia wherein Simon Lambertsen Mau was Master S. Wte Nâ—â— Committees who died before Bantam in whose place was chosen Iohn Ianson Smit The third being the small Pinnase called the Ouer-Ysil whose Master was Simon Ianson Arent Hermanssen of Alkmer was Commissioner and Iacob van Neck was Admirall and chiefe Commaunder of the whole Nauie in the end we arriued with great celeritie before Bantam the 26. day of December 1598. As soone as we were come vnto Bantam we practised How 3. shippes procured the friendship of those of Bantam what gifts they presented to the king with all possible spéed to attaine the friendship and good liking of these of Bantam to which end Hemskerck was sent before to the town to offer them trade and dealings in Marchandize for they suspected we had been the same that had been there the last yeere that kept themselues so long at sca and that wée were Pirates théeues as the Portingales had heretofore perswaded them but wee excused ourselues and made sufficient answere after wee had sent Abdol vnto them who was of that place and brought thence the last yeere The sayd Abdol hauing declared the good and friendly entertainment hee had found with vs together with the rarities singularities which he had séene in our Countrey that wee had now many yéeres maintained mortall wars against the king of Spaine and Portingall wee had fauourable audience and presented our gifts vnto the king being but a child but the chiefe gouernour â—ephate who had the kinglike authoritie receiued our gifts in the kings name in verie thankfull manner the gifts were a gilded cup certaine péeces of veluet and other draped silkes with faire drinking glasses gilded looking glasses withall were presented letters of credite vnder the hand seale of the worthie Lords the States and of his Excellencie Graue Maurice which were with great reuerence and créeping on their knées receiued After that all these matters were finished we began to buy and sell with those of Bantam insomuch that the 4. day after we began to lade before the end of 4. or 5. weekes the ships were almost laden Thus after we had remained there some foure wéeks our other 5. ships came sailing towards vs in good safety hauing none of their people or but very few sicke Then we put out our flags auncients and streamers saluting each other with our great ordinance in the best order Immediately after came certaine of their Praus or boates aboord vs bringing great plentie of Hens egges Cokar-nuts Bonouas Sugar Canes and Cakes of Rise This was eucrie day to do changing and bartring with them for wrought Tin wee had for a Tin spoone as much victuals as a man was able to eate in seven dayes Abdol did vs great hurt for hee had not onely reported that there were fiue ships to come after vs but also that there were more ships in rigging to come thither out of Zealand which was cause that whereas at the first we The prices of pepper at BantaÌ„ payed but 3. péeces of royals of eight for 55. pound of pepper afterwards they raised it to 4. royals of eight it was all royals
The 27. day in the morning wee put out againe all our satles to make more way hauing a fine full gale from the West Northwest with faire weather and at afternoone we saw an Island called the Isle de Gano wherewith we were all greatly comforted and reioyced The same night wee had a very hard tempest with contrary winds which lasted two houres and then the winde was againe good and we shaped directly our course towards the maine land of Sumatra The 28. day in the morning wée sawe the mayne land 1598. The 28. December we saw the maine land of Sumatra of Sumatra which is a very high Countrey declining with a point towards the Strait All this day wee sayled for the most part East Southeast towards the shore In the euening wee spake with our Pinnase and demaunded if they knew the place and the Master answered vs that hee knew the place very well wherewith wee left off to demaund any farther but sayled forth Southeast and by East The 29. day in the morning wee had a shrewd gust of rayne and winde with very darke weather In the euening the Pinnase cast about to Lee-ward and stayed for the shippes to speake with vs whereupon wee tooke in our Wee came into the straight of Sunda sayles and ranne with our fore-course onely to the end we might by daylight be before the strayts The 30. day in the morning beeing come into the Straites of Sunda in the after-noone wee discryed fiue small sayle vnder the shore but they came not aboord vs by reason that the wind was very great blew a mightie storme we layled along the shore to wit the coast of Iaua The same day all the ships cléered all their ordinance in the euening we cast our Ankers a good mile from Bantam néere vnto two small Islands for we would not come before the towne in the night time The 31. day we wayed our Ankers and sailed towards We arriued at Bantam Bantam in the way came a small boate of our other ships aboord vs with foure mē declaring vnto vs that our Admirall the Hollandia and the smal Pinnase were at Bantam almost fully laden and that they had beene there a moneth and foure dayes with which good newes we were all maruailously reioyced and in the afternoone we came into the roade with exceeding ioy where our sayd other three ships lay at which time were but fifteene of our men dead since our comming from Holland Presently came many of the Countrey people aboord vs bringing vs Hennes Egges and many other sorts of fresh victuals fruits which seemed very strange vnto vs. The first day of Ianuarie many commodities were Ianuary brought aboord vs to barter and trucke as Hens Egges fruits and such like The second third dayes their Prawes or boats continued to come aboord vs so aboundantly with all kind of Marchandize which they offered vs in truck that we could hardly passe through them in our ships some with Hens some with Bonanas some with garlicke and other fruits The 4. day the Admirall came aboord all the ships giuing order to seperate the fléete namely that the 4. laden The ships seuer thē-selues ships should returne homewards the other 4. should saile to the Islands of Moluccas the Vice-Admirall in the ship called Amsterdam was made Admirall one of our Committees Iacob HemskerckVice-Admirall in the Gelderland of these sayd foure shippes appoynted to goe to the Moluccas and Iohn Ianssen Carel was appoynted to bee Vice-Admirall in the Hollandia in stead of Wybrandt Warwick Corneles Ianson Fortuiin was appoynted master in the great Pinnase Iohn Cornelisson was appointed master in Melcknaps place and Melcknap was put master into the Amsterdam and Woulter Willekins Committees in the Vtrecht was placed in the great Pinnase the Pilot of the Amsterdā was shipped into the great Pinnase and the master of the sayd Pinnase was againe appoynted to sayle in the Amsterdam which was Admirall of the fleete for the Moluccas The fift sixt seuenth dayes many Prawes or small boates continued to come aboord vs offering vs fresh victualles in trucke The eight day in the euening we hoysed our sayles and The 8. day of Ianuary the 4. ships departed from Bantam towards the Islands of Moluccas departed from Bantam with our foure ships towards the Moluccas to wit the new Admirall Wybrandt van Warwicke the Vice-Admirall Iacob Hemskerck the Zealand whereof Iohn Cornelisson was master and the Vtrecht whereof Iohn Martssen was master or shipper The 11. day we ankered before a riuer lying betwéene Bantam and Sakentra and is about some foure leagues from Sakentra two little Islands lying right ouer against it and fiue other Islands right before you about some halfe league from Sakentra The 12. day we made prouision of water with all possible diligence for two of our ships were appoynted to sayle before to make prouision of fresh victualles by noone wee had in all our water and then wee and Melcknap sayled together away and the next morning we cast our ankers before Sakentra about a league from the land The 13. day in the morning the Sambander or gouernour came aboord vs with one of their Prawes or little boates demaunding what wee came for because wée rode in that place with our shippes Our Vice-Admirall made answere that wee came to buy fresh victuals with which answere they were well pleased saying there was inough of all things to bee had and offered vs a present of a certaine fruit which they call Maugenus which our Vice-Admirall receiued remune rating him with a looking glasse and a couple of drinking-glasses of small valewe The afternoone following he departed again from whence he came with two of our Committees to make prouision of fresh victualles The same euening our Admirall with the Vtrecht came vnto vs. The 14. day in the morning one of our boates rowed ashore The king fendeth a Bull vnto the Admirall for a present to buy more fresh victualles who returned aboord towards the euening bringing much good victualles vnto the Admirall with a Bull sent vnto our Admiral by the king which was distributed among the foure shippes The 15. day in the morning so ne of our boates were sent againe to the shore for more fresh victualles who returned at noone and after dinner wee wayed our ankers and sayled from Iaketra The 16. day in the morning we let fall our ankers because the weather was very darke for wee could not passe the neck of the land which there stretcheth out about some three leagues from Sakentra at noone we sayled thence but towards the euening wee cast out our Ankers againe The seuenteenth day wee wayed our Ankers againe sayling forward with a Northwest wind and very faire weather The 20. day of the sayd moneth we saw the Island called Lybock and in the afternoone we saw that it lay Eastward of Iaua with three other small Islands
force and gouerne his horse in the best and most gallant maner Their Speares or Launces are cōmonly of a very light wood made round smal which they vse very finely cunningly in all their Turnyes warlike exercises chasing running after each other with such fury as if they had to do with their enemies or meant the matter in good earnest when the one commeth néere vnto the other the hindmost which runneth after the other declining or abasing his staffe passeth forth before the other then is he followed by him that was before the foremost who setting spurs to his horse giuing him the bridle followeth as fast as his horse can run vntil he bee before him then the other followeth him again bidding ech other the base in this sort vntil their The ma ner of running with their Launces on horsbacke horses bee wearyed This their maner of war-like exercise on horse backe wee saw there the 23. day of Ianuarie 1599 accomplish to by many gallant Gentlemen in the Market place to honour and welcome our Marchants who were there present made to the end we might sée their brauerie cunning in riding whereat the king himselfe was present on horsebacke whose apparrell was a mantle or Pytgin of veluet cast ouer his vnder-garment a dagger hanging by his side with a golden haft hauing thereon the picture of a Diuell They had great changing of horses for as soone as one horse was wearied a fresh was presently brought and the other led away they shewed themselues very magnificent and stately in their riding running and chasing in this their war-like pastime At this place we found great plenty of fresh victuals as The fertilitie of the Countrey 1599. 24. Ianuarie Oxen Goates Hennes Egges Fish other fruits as Cokar-nuts Lemons Bonanas Maugas many other sorts very good holsome to be eaten also wee bought very good Rice here at a reasonable price so that we found this place very good and fit to make prouision of fresh victuals The sayd twenty fourth day in the night we hoysed our sayles and departed thence with two of our ships namely the Zealand and the Vice-Admirall for the Admirall and the Vtrecht remained there at Anker for they were to receiue of the King Cattell and Rise for certaine wares which the King had bought of them The 25. day at noonetide we sayled by Sydago where Schellinger was murthered in the first voyage we passed forward along the coast vntill we came vnder the shore of Iaua where we cast our ankers the same euening for we could not reach the corner or necke of the land which stretcheth from Madura where wee sent out our boat to sound the depth but returned the next morning to the ships with small intelligence by reason that there grew a great storme The 26. day the Admirall and the Vtrecht came vnto vs casting their Ankers vnder the land of Iaua and Madura for the water is very shallow before the straight of Madura insomuch that our Admiral sate al the night aground not receiuing any hurt at all for it was in that place a very soft clay ground The 27. day in the morning wee and Melcknap sayled The 27 day wee ankered in the straights of Madura by reason of great tempests thence but the Admirall and the Vtrecht stayed behinde for our Admirall durst not venter ouer the shallowes but afterwardes they sayled thence to the East end of Madura and anchored before a little towne called Arosby to buy Rise and other fresh victualles The same day at noone wee cast our Ankers betweene Madura and the Land of Iaua to wit in the straight of Madura where a mightie streame runneth so that wee were forced to stay for the Tyde at afternoone wee sayled thence and towards the euening let fall our Ankers before a little Towne called Iortan where one of our Comittees went ashore with the long boate to inquire for a Pilot to bring vs vnto the Islands of Moluccas but returned the same euening with a Lambe which the King had bestowed on our Vice-Admiral not bringing any Pilot with them which was the principall cause of our comming thither for here at Iortan is the Roade where all the shippes of Iaua lie The 28. day in the morning we sent a long boat to the shore to buy Rice and other necessaries but they returned presently bringing with them the Sabander and in the afternoone the Kings brother came aboord vs with a Present which he gaue to our Vice-Admiral The same day some of our companie spake with a Dutchman that dwelled there in the Country exercising great trade in Pepper Nutmegs and Cloues The 29. day our long boate went ashore againe and bought all prouision of fresh victuals The 30. day we sent againe to land to buy Rice and to enquire after a Pilot which wee found the same night came a boate aboord vs with folke therein shewing vs that néere fortie of our men of the Admirals ship and of the Vtrecht were taken and imprisoned in a very strong little Towne of the Countrey of Madura called Arosbay The 31. day the before mentioned Renegado of Tuban The king of Tuban sendeth a present to Graue Maurits came to vs at Iortan bringing from his King a very faire present to be deliuered vnto his princely Excellencie which was a Kriis or dagger and two speares or launces made after their maner verie faire and costly vpon the handle of the dagger was the kings owne counterfeit or picture made all of pure gold and set with precious stones worth 500. Gildernes or 50. pound starling and the blade of the dagger was indented and made after their fashion The first day of Februarie we arriued before Madura Februarie anchoring néere vnto our Admirall hauing with vs the Renegado of Tubā aforesaid who had promised to do his best to procure libertie to our imprisoned people but found no good successe by reason that the King demaunded so great a ransome for the prisoners whereby wee were driuen to attempt by force to redéeme our people which fell not out to our best contentment notwithstanding I will bréefely relate the same vnto the courteous Reader A true declaration of our attempt in the Island of Madura before a little Towne called Mosbay done by vs for the releasement of our people by force of armes that were there imprisoned and of our ill successe in the said attempt N o. 4. THe Island Madura lyeth on the North side of Iaua Maior The situation of the Island of Madura stretching out to the East end of Iaua The Inhabitants are apparelled as the people of Iaua they are very industrious and painefull in all their actions On the West end of Madura is situated a smal towne named Arosbay strongly walled with gates and stages whereon they kéepe watch in the night which are verie fit and aptly placed to serue them at such times as they are
bound together and three of them were shrewdly wounded those which we meant to haue rescued were carried to other places separated in two companies The 6. day they were remoued from the place where 1599. the sixt of Februarie they were kept and on the way met all together except 6. which were led to another place the rest were carried a mile into the Countrey where they were put into a caue vnder the ground and kept with a strong gard here the Trumpeter and the Corporall were released of their bands and shackles The 7. day they were brought againe out of the den The Prisoners are brought out of the den how it befell them afterwards The prisoners raniome made for 2000. ryals of eight the Trumpeter and the Corporall being led apart before the King the said Corporall was by the king demanded if he would stay serue him promising to bestow on him 2. of his wiues many other rewards Whereunto the Corporall answered his desire was rather to liue with his fellowes aboord the shippe hoping that his Captaine would find means for his release if it were possible TheÌ„ were they led againe to their companion prisoners and in the gate of the towne they met the rest of their company being then 51. in number all prisoners from whence they were led al together to a little Islandlying on the towne-ditch hard by the towne where they were night and day garded with a strong watch The eight day we beganne againe to parle about the prisoners ransome and in the end it was agréed to pay 2000. péeces of Rials of eight in spice or in wares at the Kings pleasure The 9. day eight of the Prisoners were sent aboord and their ransome carried a shore The 10. day were 12. deliuered and their ransome sent to the King and this continued the 11. and 12. vnto the 13. day vntill all the prisoners were released The 14. day wee had all our folke aboord two except whereof one was taken with the rest the other had in the night hid himselfe which two willingly remained behind greatly to the disliking of our Admirall The same day the Vtrecht discharged three peeces of Ordinance for ioy that our people were deliuered and hauing hoysed our sayles departed thence and the same euening came to the other shippe and sayling together in company wee shaped our course East and by North along the coast of Madura hauing the wind West South-west at which time our ships being vnder saile our Master Iacob Martssen dyed A breefe repetition of the Island of Madura MAdura is a very fruitfull land hauing such plentie of Description of the Isle of Madura Rise that it spareth and nourisheth al the adioyning and bordering places thereabouts This graine or Rise groweth there on a most fat fruitful clayey ground comparable to any ground in our ground and is so plentifully watered that when the ground is plowed the Oxen and plowmen goe in the water halfe knee deepe or more and the Rise like wise groweth knee high in great aboundance so that their neighbours cannot misse the helpe of this Island but it wanteth shipping by reason of the sands or shallowes that stretch all along the coast thereof The people thereof liue most by théeuerie and spoyle of others taking with their smal boats or prawes all they can get at Sea as wel from their neighbours as from strangers and yet their neighbours so robbed and daily spoyled by them dare not reuenge themselues for feare lest they should shut vp the passages and not suffer any thing to bee transported out of their Countrey whereby they should want meanes of sustentation and food neither is it an easie matter to hurt them for that no shipping can come neere them Touching their weapons and vse thereof they are like vnto the same of Iaua as well for Elephants Horses Pikes Launces and Targets and besides they haue the vse of Curtelares and Daggers with the Diuels picture on them The Kings seruants are all Gentlemen hauing their Kruiislen or Daggers trimmed and garnished with siluer but none else of the land may weare the like The 15 day we cast the dead Shipper aforesaid ouer-boord within sight of the Clifts of little Iaua The 16. day the Admirals boat fetched the Vice-Admirall aboord their ship to choose new officers for the Admirall in place of those that were lost at Madura wée held our course East and by North with a fine gale The 17. and 18. dayes we had sight of the Island Celebes kéeping our course East and East and by North. The 19. day in the morning we saw the Island Combayna which lyeth some 18. leagues from Celebes and the same day we had sight of another Island called Bouton and stretcheth East South-east from Combayna some eight leagues The 20. day wee sayled about the Island Bouton A sandy banke not noted in the Card. where the Admirall called aboord him all the Masters and Committees to aduise themselues in their affayres The 21. day in the morning wee were vnder the Island Cebesse where wee found a shole which appeared not vnto vs in the Card we had sayled the same night beyond it aboue the length of a shot with a great péece before we perceiued the danger wherefore wee must acknowledge that the Almightie God preserued vs. This banke or shole is some two leagues long stretching for the most part East and West and ought to bee regarded and well noted it lyeth betwéene these two Islands Bouton and Cebessa almost in the mid-way heere wee found that our Compasse drew againe towards the North-east The 22. and 23. dayes the weather was raynie wee holding our course North-east towards Amboyna The 24. day the Vice-Admirall came aboord the Admiral to conferre with him at which time the Commissioner of the Zealand was shipped into the Vtrecht and the Commissioner of the Vtrecht was placed in the Zealand The same day died a boy aboord our shippe of the Bloudy Flix called Lieuen Rooeckessen and was keeper of the Masters Cabben in the euening we threw him ouer-boord The 25. day we had sight of the Island Boora in the 25. Februarie 1599. a quarter-master fell from the top into the sea morning was a great gust of wind and raine so that wée were forced to take in our top-sayles at which time one of the Quarter-masters fell out of the top into the Sea but he chaunced to hold fast by a small rope whereby we haled him againe into the shippe without any hurt at all which was greatly to be wondred at for it blew so â—â—out a gale that wee were hardly able to beare our courses the wind came about to the South-west wee held our course North-east towards the next land in sight The 26. and 27. dayes the weather being calme we droue along the shore of the Island of Blau hauing now and then a small gale of wind very variable The 28. day in the morning
and that it was three Moneths since they departed thence and they brought with them great plenty of Nutmegs Maces Cloues and said there was lading plenty to fraight our Ships The 16. day about noone the Sabander came abord to speake with the Vice-Admiral at which instant Melcknap let fall his Anker by vs at 14. fadome sandie ground The. 17. day an other Sabander came aboard vs from a little Towne called Ortattan we offered to bestow on him a present but he refused it saying he would the next day come againe aboard vs. The. 18. day the Sabander came againe aboard vs Agreement made with the Sabander for liber tie of trade A Baer is 100. li. of their waight with whom it was agreed freely to buy and sell and to trade with all Marchants at that place paying 4. Baers of Maces for Anchorage and Toll or Custome of our goods promising vs a Ware-house to lay our Marchandize in Towards the euening he returned to land we honoured him with the ten peeces of ordinance The. 19. day out two Committes went a shore with Carpenters to mend and repaire our Ware-house The. 20. day the great Turke of Bantam came aboard vs to speake with our Admirall saying we should haue store of Marchandize there to lade our Ships The. 23. day we began first to discharge and carrie some goods a shore into the Towne Ortattan The. 24. day we began first to buy and sell The. 25. day the Vice Admirall sayled to the other side We began to buy and sell of the Iland meaning there to hire an house because more resort of people was on that side then els where for there all the â—auaners dwell which bring yearly Marchandize thither and are great dealers The. 26. day we began to trimme and Kauke our ship that we might be ready as now then to take in lading The. 27. day they began to buy and sell on the other side of the Iland in a little Towne called Nera The. 28. day we began first to rummege our holde to take in lading as it came aboard receiuing the same day Our first sales buyings and time that we began to lade store of Nutmegs and Maces The. 29. and 30. dayes we were busie on all hands in buying and selling The 31. day the other Ship tooke in her first lading to wit Nutmegs The. 1. 2. 3. dayes of Aprill we were all very busie Aprill occupied about the sale of our wares buying coÌ„modites The. 4. day we receiued letters from our Admirall lying before Amboyna aduertising vs that there was little lading to be had there by reason that the Inhabitants had great wars with the Portingals who finding themselues grieued with our being there sought to haue our trade forbidden at that place that our people should not there come a shore for the Portingals had a little Castle on the west side of Amboyna wherewith they greatly annoyed the people of the Countrey The. 5. day they of Nera tooke our waights from vs forbidding vs to vse our trade any longer vntil we had agreed with the Gentlemen for they sought demaunded to haue some beneuolence or reward bestow vpon them wherupon we shut vp our doores This 6. day of April we receiued the first goods aboord The. 6. day of March 1599. the waightes were taken from vs by those of Nera our Ship from Ortattan namely Nutmegs The. 7. day the Commissarie of the Zealand went ashore at Nera where he agreed with the Gentlemen to bestow on them 60. li of Mace whereupon the waights were againe deliuered vnto vs with licence to buy and sell as deare and as good cheape as we could The. 8. day we laboured on all hands to discharge and land our commodities The. 14. day we sent our long Boate manned with 14. men to Amboyna to vnderstand how all thinges went with our Admirall The 26. day the said long Boat returned from our Admirall declaring that he had not aboard the Ship aboue 5. Last of Cloues but that he hoped very shortly to haue more The. 28. and. 29. dayes we were very busie on shore in buying and selling and we began as well as our other Ship did to buy of the â—auaners Maces Nutmegs The price of Nutmegs Cloues and Mace and Cloues we bought the Baer of Mace for 60. peeces of Ryalls of eight the Baer of Cloues for 45. Ryals of eight and the Baer of Nutmegs for 6. Ryals of 8 a Baer is 100. li. of Bandas waight euery pound is fiue pound and a quarter of Hollands waight These prises lasted not long for they sought to enhaunce their Spices This moneth we laboured dayly in discharging and landing our marchandize battering the same for Nutmegs Cloues Mace our goods was in great estemation and good request going so fast from vs that we could hardly serue the buyers so continued all day from morning to the euening waighing with two paire of ballances as fast as we could waigh insomuch that somtimes in one day we receiued a Last of goods some dayes two Last which we thus wayed and receiued by small waightes From the first to the last day of May we continued May. these affaires dayly sending aboard and lading our Ships The. 8. day a great mightie Snake of II. foote long came creeping in at the hance of the Zealand which the company killed and did eate The. 5. of Iune they of Labbetacken came with foure Iune Galleyes before Nera skirmishing with the inhabitants of the said towne of Nera where some men were slaine and many hurt Nowbeit that these two townes lie so neare together that a man may go betweene them in an houre space or there abouts they are mortall enemies to each other not sparing one the other vpon any opportunitie or aduantage that they can take keeping very strong watch in the woods and on the shores where they waite for their enemies They vse shields about some foure foote long with verie heauie Sables or Curtelaxes the haftes or handels whereof are couered with tinne and are very cunning and expert in the vse of them They haue some Calyuers and Baesses of brasse which they vse in their Galleyes and for defence of their townes when they go into the field against their enemies euery man carrieth with him two Dartes or Iauellings made of very hard wood some fadome and a halfe long in casting whereof they are so perfect and exact as may be yea they throw them with such force that they slay their enemies therewith and hauing spent their dartes they draw their Sables wherwith and with their shields they stoutly incounter each other pel mel They haue also Caliuers as is aforesaid but not many They make great account of Salads and head peeces for if they get one of them on their heads they thinke themselues well defended from all perrills The same day was our Vice Admirall on the
people sitting with them in the side of the Tent to heare what was sayd Are Hollanders with their Trumpets appoynted now and then to sound wherein these Nobles and the rest tooke great pleasure delight woondring greatly thereat A description how those of Banda vse to make them selues terrible vnto their enemies when they ioyne in fight No. 8. COmmonly when the people of Banda enterprise any matter of warfare they haue great assembles and meetinges the reason whereof is the Iland hauing 5. or 6. Townes and as I sayd before being seuered into three partes or factions deadly hate and malice each other Nera is the principallest Towne of the Iland Labbetacke Combeer Waeyer Townes of the same Iland ioyne together in mortall hatred against the Nerans On the other part Lontoor lying on the other side of Nera with two other Ilandes lying some leage from Banda called Polleuine and Poelway hold and take part with the Nerans Now when any of these confederats pretend any attempt against those of Labbetacke they come with their Gallies to Nera where the people of Banda prouide a Banquet euen against the instant that the execution of their attempt is appoynted inuiting al their people therevnto holding the same openly in the streets and sitting side by side there is brought and layde before them a peece of a leafe of the Bonanas plant for or in stead of a trencher with a peece of their bread which they call Sago then is set before euery one a messe of sodden Rise in a dish or porrenger made of the leafe of a tree and therein a bit of flesh wherevnto they fall with good appetite like rauening beastes casting the Rise with their fingers into their mouthes in the meane season and while they sit thus at their victualls commonly the Gentlemen with their weapons in their handes come into the streetes where this good cheere is kept dauncing and fighting as they daunce one with an other while their drummes and basons standing one against an other make them musique after the sound whereof they daunce and play at fence vntill they are weary then are their weapons taken from them they ledde thence to their houses in whose place an other dauncer succeedeth and thus continueth as long as they are at their banquet No. 9. The Gallies of Banda vsed by them in their warres called in their language Caracora are light and swift neither are they vnexpert to row them in very good order They make them commonly weake of timber cut out of one peece for the inner part of the Gallie the outside is made of planckes lyned vpon the ioyntes and bound together with roopes and commonly the same roopes are fastned therevnto with the lyninges euery lyning is some faddome one from another in the finishing whereof the lyninges are so placed that they lie leuell vppon euery plancke which are pinned in the inside of the Gallie on both sides of the lyninges for the strengthning binding together of the worke then they Rauke her with a certaine substaunce made of the inner barke or peeling of the Indian Nut-tree which they call Clappus after the same hath bin beaten with an hammer vntill it be like vnto Towe Pitch they hane none but instead thereof they daube all the seames chinkes and ioyntes with Lyme tempered with some other substaunce which lyeth so fast that the water cannot wash it away A. Is a slaue of Banda which they call Leschar comming from the Garden with fruite and wine of Palme which they themselues drinke B. A poore Woman comming from the wood with all kind of fruites which the carrieth to the Market to sell hauing the same in a Mat made of Canes which they carrie behind them fastned for their ease to a hood on their heades hanging downe at their backes No. 10. Is the description of our House in Nera wherein was our Warehouse to buy and sell in for money or in barter shewing how the people came to the same bringing their wares to be waighed Their waightes are iust and true called Katti in their language One pound of their waightes maketh fiue pound and a quarter of our pounds The Beame is made of wood which we receiued with the waightes of the Sabander or Gouernour after which waight all others that they vse are made No. 11. A litle Turke named Goeytyen of whom we bought much wares and receiued great friendship A Gentleman as he goeth in the streetes with a slaue after him commonly apparrelled after their manner whereof they are very proud A woman of Banda as she goeth in the streetes with a woman slaue commonly waighting on her which carryeth a Hatte for her Mistresse to keepe her from Sunne burning when she putteth off her tire No. 12. Is a Mappe shewing the maner of their Foote-ball play spurning the Ball one to the other standing round and one man in the middle one of them smiteth the Ball first to his fellow as high as a man is able to throw it It is made of Spanish Reede interlaced one with another of the fashion of a Sylera mundi being a great shame and reproch to him that misseth and hitteth not the Ball with his foote when it commeth to him for then the rest and others standing by mocke him and laugh him to scorne This play is greatly esteemed among them sometimes they will spring leape vp and hit the Ball as it reboundeth and sometimes turne them selues round about as the Ball reboundeth and yet smite the Ball to his fellow before it shall come to the ground No. 13. When the Inhabitantes of Banda go out in Warfare they carry a Shield in one hand and a Sabel in the other which they call Padaug and commonly they haue also a Speare or Picke which they cast at their enemies and after the same is so cast they vse their Sables which they hould with their hand behind the Shield vntill they haue discharged them selues of the Picke The. 5. day of Iuly in the morning we set sayle and Anno. 1599 the 5. day of Iuly we set sayle from Banda departed from Banda discharging all our Ordinance for our farewell which they liked very well About noone we were past Banda and directed our course North-west towardes Amboyna with a faire gale The. 4. day in the morning we saw the Iland Noeseleau the Inhabitantes whereof are Canibals or eaters of mans flesh from thence we sayled to the straight of Cera but by reason of the storme that we then had we were fallen too low missing the right channel or entrance wherefore we turned vp and downe thinking to passe at the Westerne gappe of Amboyna but the wind came contrarie with very foule weather raining lightning and thundring so that we were forced to take in our Sayles The 6. day we shot off two peeces before the Westerne gap of Amboyna to th end that the Maister and Committes of the Zealand should come a boord
lying to the westwarde of Oba where manie other Islands are but we knew not their names for in the Pylots Cardes were found but two Islands in the place where all these Islands are this place is excellent good for anchoredge where we had 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. and 23. fathome faire sandie grounde the next morning we set sayle againe The 12. day we let fall our anchors againe vnder the same Island by reason that Iohn Martsson sayled from our companie to séeke way betwéene the Islands but the next day came againe to vs for the Admirall discharged a péece to the ende he should returne The 13. day Iohn Martsson returned to vs and then we sayled thence together but towards noone we cast out our anchors againe for that Iohn Martsson could not kéepe vs companie by reason of a great tempest that then blew but towards the euening he came to vs and then sayled thence together but could not goe farre by reason of the shoels wherefore we cast out our anchors againe and rode at 9. 10. 12. and 15. fathome The 14. day wée hoysed vp our sayles and went thence but at afternoone let fall our anchors againe at what time came a boate or Praw from the land vnto vs telling vs that the Island was called Bankore and the other next was Sabobe and warning vs of the great number of shoels in that place and moreouer shewed vs that to shun them we must sayle to the aforesaid Island Sabobe where we might prouide our selues of water and other fresh victuals Their King as he sayd dwelled behinde Sabobe in an Island called Mithare these Islands lye in two degrées southward the Lyne The 16. daye we sayled thence towards the Islands The 16. day we were compassed with Islands from whence we came at afternoone we let fall our anchors againe and within an houre after set sayle againe and in the euening cast out our anchors againe then some of our Saylers went vp to the maine top Mast from whence they discried and tolde some thirtie Islands lying round about vs within the compasse of fouretéene or fiftéene leagues but by no meanes wée could get out of them The 17. day in the morning we hoysed vp sayles againe with a South Southeast wind shaping our course South Southwest and Southwest and by South to seawards whereby with Gods helpe and prouidence wée got cléere of the Islands sayling thorow a very narrow channell or gappe leauing the necke of the land that lay out on our star boorde side where we found a little narrowe place to get out for on our larboorde lay thrée little Islands where many shoels were to the southward and as farre as we could discerne we might sée a fyre and at afternoone we saw another great fyre in the open Seaes some foure leagues from land which we left on our starboord hauing a very fine gale of winde The 18. daye in the morning wée sawe againe high land which stretched out a great length The 22. day we came néere to this aforesaid land meaning to sayle about that way to the Eastward but for want of winde could not in conclusion we agréed to shape our course along the coast Eastward and to goe about to the Westward and so put forth our foresailes The 23. day Iohn Martsson discharged a péece being very néere aground hauing but two fathome and a halfe water and was faine to towe the ship with their boate from the shoels the weather being very cléere and faire as God would and afterward came aboord vs declaring that he had séene sixe boates but not spoken with any of them neither could he learne what Island that the same was our Pylots supposed it to be Boere The same night Iohn Martsson came agrounde but wound himselfe off with a bowe anchor but lost a planke of his ship some fathome and an halfe long howbeit the ship God be praysed remained tight it was an vncertaine or vnéeuen ground for hauing cast his leade and finding 40. fathome before they could cast out the leade againe the ship sat fast aground but being now off we ran East Southeast of that place The 25. day Iohn Martssons folke were a shore where They goe ashore at Tabocke they spake with some of the people who tolde them that the land was called Taboke and that there was plentie of Rice Goates and Hennes This is a very great Land for by all iudgement we had sayled some 30. leagues along the coast thereof and now at last were come where was abundance of sholes and yet could sée no ende of the land insomuch that we were constrained to returne the same way we came The land lieth so bending with corners that it cannot be well described except it were explained corner by corner The first day of October 1599. The first day of October was allowed a kan of Wine to euery messe for toye that we had reached the East ende of Tabocke where we found many other small Islands The same night Iohn Martsson droue a ground on the East ende of the said Island the weather being very calme the ship sate before aground hauing behind twentie fathome water whereupon they cast out their bowe anchor behinde at the gallerie and so in winding her off she swayed to the sholeward but wound her off againe with the Capsten and pulling vp their anchor they found the same to be broken for the shanke was in two peeces but they got them vp into their ship by reason that the Buy rope was twisted about the Cable The 2. 3. and 4. dayes we lay at hull about some two degrees Southward of the Lyne by reason of extreame winde and tempestious weather the Sunne being for the most part ouer our heads The 5. day Salomon Dirikson of Harlyng dyed who was a quarter Master and before had béen the Stowers mate The 6. day our last Rice was spent in so much that the Cooke drest vs no more victuals our féeding was then bread and water with one Mutskin of Wine and A Mutskin is the eight part of a quarte one of Honie euery day to a messe The 9. day our allowance of bread was increased so that we had some fiue pounde of bread allowed for fiue dayes this day we made an end of our fishe The 10. day was a kanne of Wine allowed to euery messe because there was nothing else to eate but drie bread The 11. day William Hermanson Klock of Alckmer was appoynted quarter Master in place of Salomon Dirickson so that he was both quarter Master and Corporall The 12. day Wouter Egbertsson of Bréewolt was appoynted Gunner The 16. day our allowance was appoynted to be fiue poundes and one halfe of bread for seuen dayes The 17. day we sawe two Ioncken or boates but spake not with them being then at the East ende of Botton and hauing fiue degrées and sixe minutes now we knew where we were for outward bounde towardes Amboyna
as haue any wealth haue no other meanes to preuent this mischiefe but onely to marrie their children while they are young whereby they may inherite their Parents goods wherefore they are married when they are but twelue or thirtéene yeares of age and younger if they be of very rich Parents and which is more strange sometimes such rich children haue two or thrée Wiues according as they abounde in wealth and this is done to preuent the King of the possessions of their goods after they are dead In their trade and traffike they are meruailous théeuish both the people of China and lava in so much that they let not to helpe themselues with false waights falsefying and mingling their Pepper with blacke sand and small stones to make it weigh heauie they are also false of their word or promise and giuen to man-slaughter for if it so chaunce that two fight and the one killeth the other he which liueth knowing that he must dye will stab and kill euery one where he can or may sparing netther man woman nor childe no not the children sucking the Mothers breast so long vntill he be ouercome by force and multitude of people then is he brought before the Gouernour who pronounceth sentence vpon him and after such iudgement giuen hee is thrust into the breast with a dagger that he falleth to the ground but it chaunceth seldome that such an one is apprehended alsue for commonly they are slaine before they be taken The 21. day of Ianuarie we set sayle from Bantam towards Holland but at afternoone we lay still by reason of the calme yet towards the euening we hoysed vp our sayles againe The 26. day we were put to our allowance to wit euery day sixe Mutskins of Atack at which time we were not passed the Islands of Iava The 28. day we were in the height of 8. degrées the euening still and calme the wind Westerlie The 3. day of Februarie we had the winde at Southwest so that we sayled Southeast and South Southeast with a fine gale The 4. day of Februarie we were in the height of 10. degrées and could not sayle higher then South and by East and South Southeast with a reasonable gale the winde being Westerlie The 12. day our chiefe Barber master Christopher an Easterling dyed The 14. day the Sunne passed ouer our heads in the height of 13. degrées and 12. minutes The 16. day our Corporall Iohn Peerson being an Englishman borne dyed in Iohn Martssons ship The 26. day we were in the height of 19. degrées with a fine gale shaping our course for the most part West Southwest with a full gale The 27. day a flying fish flew into the Amsterdam at the hause The 3. day of March we were in the height of 23. degrées 50. minutes we sailed with a forewinde according to our hearts desire The 16. day we were in the height of 35. degrées holding our course West and by North. The 18. day was a Mutskin of Aracks bestowed on the most of the chiefe officers to the number of sixtéene persons after the second watch according to the Admirals direction the winde being then Northerly so that we could not saile neerer than West Northwest The 19. day the common Marriners made request to haue one Mutskin of Arack in the night as the officers had which was denied except they would content themselues with one lesse of their allowance in the day and drinke the same in the night so that the officers had soure Mutskins and the rest thrée at euery meale the winde as before The 22. day in the night we had the winde againe at Southest with a fine gale setting out course Northwest and West Northwest The 23. day Iohn Iacob sonne of Medenblick dyed in the Amsterdam The 26. day wee had the winde contrarie at West Northwest which blew very hard The 29. day in the night the winde came faire againe from the North and then wée kept our course West and by North and West Northwest all these dayes the winde was so variable as it might possible be in our owne countrie and as the Pilots sayd wee were two hundred leagues Estwards of Capo de Bonna Esperance The first day of Aprill wee turned by the winde hauing a storme from the West The second day being Easter day we were allowed to our Easter egges a dish of small beanes with a dish of dried fish and a kan of Sacke in liew of Arack The third day Iohn Ianson of Ossenbrugh Cooper in the ship of Iohn Martssen dyed The 6. day of the sayd moneth the winde was againe faire at Northest but it lasted not long for here the windes are marueilous variable with very many durable stormes The 13. day wee had sight of land about some 70. leagues Estward of the Cape in the height of 34. degrées and an halfe and found ground at 80. fathomes or thereabouts being yet as wee gessed fiue leagues from the land we turned again by the winde being West Southwest with a storme The 17. day wee had the winde faire againe at Est Southest the Pilots held a parley and iudged the Capo de bonna Esperance to be from vs 68. leagues Northwest and by West The 19. day the winde was contrarie from the West The 22. day wée were in the height of 37. degrees and 40. minutes wee wended to passe the Cape and then for the most part wee sailed North Northwest and Northwest and by North. The 24. day wee saw land againe wherefore wee put someward yet we could not saile higher than South and by West The 25. day wee had againe faire weather the winde first South afterwards Southest and so Esterly The 27. day we were in the height of 34. degrees and 40. minutes Westward of the Cape and as the Pilots sayd 16. leagues from the land the winde as before The first day of May wee had a fine gale from the South and were in 32. degrées The 9. day of the sayd moneth we were in the height of 22. degrées fiue minutes we saw euery day Trombus or Reedes driuing which as men report driue néere about the Cape the winde Northwest The sixtéenth day about noone wee had sight of the Island of S. Helena wherewith wee were all greatly comforted The 17. day in the morning we had sight of a Carrack néere vnto the land being the Admirall of the Portugals Fléete sayling into the roade of S. Helena where lay at anchor thrée other Carracks whereby wee were forced to put into the old Roade which is the first valley that you come vnto after you are passed the Northwest corner or necke of the land and the Roade where the Carracks lay is the third valley beyond the sayd necke of the land so that we lay within Sakar or Minion shot of each other wee sent vnto them foure men to parley with them but I cannot write what communication passed The same euening came another Carrack making towards the Roade sailing
about the Northwest necke hard vnder the shore insomuch that she came so néere vnto vs that they haled vs and demaunded of whence wee were and vnderstanding that we were Hollanders seeking to refresh our selues in that place refusing the land they cast about and directed their course Northwest to seaward The 18. day foure of our men went vp into the land at S. Helena it is a very high hillie land beautified and inriched with very faire and pleasant valleys with great aboundance of Goates and some store of Swine wee meant to prouide our selues there of fresh water but the Portugales would not suffer vs so that we were without hope to make any prouision of water at this place for they had ordained a strong watch on the shore which was the onely cause that wee could not here refresh our selues The 21. being A scention day wee sailed thence with God his helpe homewards and being vnder saile wée descried another Carrack making towards the Roade which was the sixt Carrack that we had now seene wée directed our course Northwest and by West Furthermore touching the Island of S. Helena the same is a very fruitful and an healthsome land with such incredible multitude of fish in the Roade that it may seeme a thing hardly to be beléued the most part Mackerell and some other small fishes as Breames and other sorts which haue great eyes like vnto Haddocks but their bodies more flat The 25. of the same moneth wee were in thirtéene degrées with a Northest winde but it lasted not long before it turned againe to the Southest and so it continued for the most part after we were past the Cape The 30. day in the morning we had sight of the Island called Ascention which lieth eight degrées Southward the Line and the same euening we cast our anchors neére to the shore thereof The same night we set men ashore to take view of the place and the next morning wee sent more of our people to search and view all places but found no fresh water no not so much as one draft This Island is full of stonie rocks holes like vnto the sinders of Sea-coales which are thorowly burnt wee saw some Swine also in this Island not without great marueile how they could there liue for there is neither trée leafe nor grasse and that much more is a man is not able to describe the badnes and barrennes of the ground but a man may there with endgets hill plentie of Seamewes although some store of people remained there for a time Also we tooke there some Tortesses whereof we brought foure aboord our ships which were so great that some of them were esteemed to weigh foure hundred pound There was also some reasonable store of fish to be taken The last day of May in the euening wee wayed our anchors hoysed our sailes and departed from the Island Ascention with God his helpe sailing homewards with a fine gale from the Southest shaping our course Northwest and by West In the end after great paynes trauaile and sicknes which we specially suffered for want of fresh water these two ships arriued in the Texell and afterwards being discharged of our lading we came with great comfort to Amsterdam to the incredible ioye of the owners and Marchants as may well be thought seeing now all the eight ships were with great profit safely returned to to their wished home which had béen sent out the first day of March 1598. in companie to the Islands of the East Indes The Almightie God be blessed and praised therefore who with his mightie hand gouerned and brought vs home thorow the fearful waues and raging gulfes of the Sea Some words of the Malish speech which language is vsed throughout the East Indies as French is in our Countrie wherewith a man may trauell ouer all the Land The Portugals speech is apt and profitable in these Islands for there are many Interpreters which speake Portugall ALtogether Samoanga Aske it Minta Ashamed Malon Any thing Bacabaren Alas Saya BKing it againe Combaly a Bull Carboo a Brother Addollaley a Beard Tganga a Boane Backy Better Parma Blood Darna to let Blood Bewangdarner Bookes Kytab to Buye Bilby Baked or burnt stones Batta Blacke Ita Bagges Corni a Boye Catsion to Burne Baccar a Bat that flyeth Lavo a Bird Borron Beastinesse Cheehoo a Billet Cayo a Boate Prau the Bellie Penot Beholde Doduer a Borer Alforees COme hither Maree to cut off Pang a Crab Horra Charge the péece Sombo bedyl Cloues Syncke a Cyuet Cat Gatto d'algalia Calamus Dirimguo Copper Tambagle Custome or vse Esteedat Chuse Damare a Cap Nasse a Childe Buda a Curtesan or wooer Cemoeda a Cast péece Bedyl the Cough Capello DEath Mattu two Dayes past Balmarys d'aula Ducks Bebe a Dogge Hanghee I Desire it not Tyeda mau to Demaunde Betaugia to Dye Bantaren Dishes Pyennig the Day Arys EGges Teloor to Eate Makan Eyes Martye Eares Talynga Eye browes Alys Early Pagy FOlly Bengo Found Botonuum Faire Apon Feare Tacat Fish Ican Farther off Bapa Friendship Pondarra Forehead Batock Fingers Iaryiary Forget Lampa to Fight Baccalayo Flesh Lalyer to Forgiue Ampo a Foote Goumo my Father Beta babpa a Frend Maety pooty Fyer Apy GVnpowder Ooby a Goate Camby God be with you Tyngal Guts Perot Go Pegy Go we Mary Giuen Berny Gréene Ise Great Basaer Glasse Lora Good Bayck not Good Tyeda bayck Gold Mas Good morow Tabea Goe a way Tachghy to Gaine Menang Galingal Lancuas Ginger Alia Gréene herbs Dyngin HEe Itowen the Hye priest Cadda How much Batapa Héere Chyny How doe you Bygimana the Hart Aly to Help Toulong Hayre of the head Ramboret the Hand Tanga the Head Kokodang Heauie Brat How sell you that Barappeitu a Henne Ayam an House Roema I haue it not Tyetada I Haue it Ada a Hog or swine Saby Hard waxe Caiu Lacca I Thanke you Teymacache I am sicke Byte secata I Manyte Inke Mangsy Is there Beeff an Interpretor Iorbissa It is much Soeda Is out Pacasuyra KEepe good watch Tage a Knife Pieson to Kill Benue Kéepe silence Dyem Know Kiunal a King Rutgee LEaue Sone Leade Tyma a Lampe Palyta Light Arynga to Liue Lagaua Lye downe Baryng Leaue off Ganga Let it alone Iangemast Lyme Capyer a Lord Queay a Looking glasse Sarmi a Lawnce or pike Tomba Lips Lambbyder to Leaue fréely Lepas to léese Ilan Little Selykit MErcifull Caruguanler a Marchant Fetor to Make Bretoun to Morrow Ysouck a Man Orang Money Sarfy to Marry Barwin a Master or Lord Queay the Maner of the Countrie Negry Mustard séed Saiani Many or much Banghe NO Tieda the Night Malam Newes Yrotdon Néere Gyla a Naiel or spike Koko a Néedle Naroen Nutmegs Palla Nuttes Calappey the Necke Goulon Oyle Nuagia Ours Quitabota Olde Tua an Olephant Catgha an Ore Saby Out of that Padyni Out of the way Lalau POore Backeyen a Pearcer or borer Alforces to Pay Chyny Put vp Passai Pens Calamp Paper Cartas Pepper Lada Pearle-mother Neffa Pinnes Caluenetten long Pompions Iacca a Pillow Bantel RIce Bras to Reache Dusta to Rise vp Bangs Rye Balacca a Ring Chynsyn a Rope Taly SMall Citghel Synamon Caiumains Sad Chynta Skarlet Faccalata miera to Sweare Sempa Sweete Manys the Sabbath day Ionmahet Salute Baesart Sister Addeparapas the Shoulders Baon Salte Matary Siluer Peca Sicke Sabyt I am sicke Byte secata Should Tehylacca Stéele Negle a Sword Padang Shéeres Goethieng a Shield Salwacke Strike Pockul a Smith Goeda Small Kytchyl Spicerie Oberbedyl Strong Cras a Ship Capal Siluer Salacha a Stone Batu Salte Garram to Sell Iou wal a Swéetcheart Nay moeda a Swine or hog Saby TAke away Ambel There Sana to Thinke Engat They Dya I Thanke you Tarrima casse Téeth Anton Tongue Ilat Tarrie a little Nanthy Tamaryndis Aassa VIneger Tsuyka an Vncle Mana to vnderstand Taven Vse or custome Esteedat I vnderstand it not Tyeda tau WIthout Blou waer to Worke Kareya to Warre Backelay a Woman Paranpoan a Wooer Cemoeda Where Dymana to Win Menang Warme Penas Woe or alas Saya Wée Dep a Water-pot Lande Where is it Manaoden Water Eyer Well Sousa What say you Abbacatta Wood of Aloes Garro YEasterday Balmary You Pakanera the Yéere Tauwn Young Monda Yce Dalan Some Iauanish words PEpper Syhang Mace Massa Nutmegs Palla Cloues Syancke Water Eyer Water Baya Siluer Salorcka Péeces of 8. Serpy Casses or Cassia Petys Fish Ivack A Dagger Cryssen A Ship Capella There is too little Courang A great péece of Ordnance Bedyl besar A Gun or Péece Bytsyl To eate Mackan Paper Cartaes Wine Arac A Hogge Sieleng An Oxe Alomba Christians Vrangy Strangers Oranleyo Counting in the Molucas tongue One Satu Two Dua Thrée Tyga Foure Enpat Fiue Lyma Sixe Nam Seuen Toufiou Eyght Delappan Nine Sambalan Ten Sapolo Eleuen Sabalas Twelue Duo balas Thirtéene Tyga balas Fouretéene Enpat balas Fiftéene Lyma balas Sixtéene Nane balas Seuentéene Toufiou balas Eyghtéene Delappan balas Ninetéene Sambalan balas Twentie Dua pola One and twentie Dua pola satu Two and twentie Dua pola dua Thrée and twentie Dua pola tyga Foure and twentie Dua pola en pat Fiue and twentie Dua pola lyma FINIS