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
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
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
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
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
we were by the same Island and had fiue degrées To the Easte of this Island Botton lye thrée other Islands from whence many corners and shoels stretch to seaward toward the South-east In sayling towards Amboyna the said three Islands must be left on the starboord and so running forward out by Botton there lye other two Islands to the Northward which must be left on the larboorde sayling forth betwéene both this is to be well obserued by reason of the sholes in that place stretching from those thrée Islands The 20. day wée passed thorowe the straight betwéene Anno 〈◊〉 the 20. of October Selebes and the Soles where two Islands lye right in the middest of the gap betwéene which we ran they lye a good league one from the other it seemed that there was a fire in one of them we might sée boates passe from one Island to another This gappe lyeth from Bantam some 30. leagues and as we returned homewards we left many Islands on our starboorde which lye in 5. degrées and 50. minutes The 21. day we had 5. degrées and 50. minutes to the Southward of Selebes sayling thorowe the straight This land stretcheth for the most part West and by North and East and by South here we made an ende of our last smoked fleshe and euery messe had a kan of Wine The 22. day we passed by the Island Selebes which stretcheth West and by North and East and by South from the straight it is some 20. leagues long Westward with lowe grounde lying before it and thereon very hye and hillie ground as it were doubled or indented the South end whereof lyeth in 5. degrées and 50. minutes and as a man passeth from the West ende forward in comming towards it sayling some eyght or ten leagues along by it there appeareth a round high hill like vnto a cocke of haie in the fieldes séeming to lye farre off from the rest outward but approaching néere thereunto it lyeth plainelie farre within the Land the ground before it being very lowe and stretching at least two degrées thorow the Line on the North side so that it is aboute some eyght degrées long South and North. The 23. day we sayled ouer a shallow of sixe fathome déepe wending West and by South in fiue degrées and sixe and fiftie minutes about some eyghtéene leagues from the Land the winde being Southeast at what time we had sight of a small Island from our Maine top lying to the Northwarde of vs. The same euening we sayled ouer the shallowe at 12. 13. 14. and 15. fathomes which continued thrée glasses wending West and West and by North. The 24. day at noone we had a dish of Rice and a Kan of Wine being the first day since the 30. of August that we sayled without view of Land The 25. day halfe the night time we sayled againe ouer the shallowes the winde West and West and by North at some twentie fathomes depth and as we gessed wee were about 90. leagues from the west ende of Selebes The 29. day wée sawe the Land of Madura as wée guessed where we had béen imprisoned hauing fortie and fiftie fathome with claye grounde The last day we were againe allowed a dish of Rice Anno 1599. the 29. of October we saw Mednra seeing euery day Land but could not haue any certaine knowledge what Land it was The 2 day of Nouember we had sight of the length of the maine Land of Madura to the Northwards wherof lyeth the Island Laybock some 18. leagues distant We ran betwéene them hauing sight of land euery day The 5. day we left the Island Carman Iava behinde vs lying some 20. leagues from Laybock most East and West a sunder finding sometimes 30. 35. 40. 45. and 50. fathome depth all good clay ground The 9. day we passed by another Island where eyght or ten trées stand in the water a little from the Island lying some 20. leagues from Karmen Iava most West and by North and East and by South from each other where we sayled about by the North. The 13. day we came before Saketra where we made some prouision of Rice and were God be thanked deliuered of our former penurie and hunger héere we heard that the Vizadmirall was departed from Bantam about thrée moneths past The 16. day we sayled from Saketra anchoring the same day before the fresh Ryuer where we furnished our selues with water the Chinans brought vnto vs Aracca and Rice in most plentifull sorte which we bought for some fiue pence the pound The 17. day wee sayled thence towards Bantam where two Dutch ships lay The 18. day we spoke with them they were the Long barke and the Sunne which had lyne eyght moneths and tenne dayes before Bantam and were departed from thence in the night time not refreshing themselues where they had so néerely bartered all that in the ende for want of money they trucked also the whistles from about their neckes and yet had not effected any great matter for both the ships had but 60. last of Pepper and Cloues together and farther were weakened 55. men The 19. day wée arriued before Bantam where wée We arriued before Bantam The price of Pepper Maces Cloues were much made of Iohn Martsson hauing taken in his first Pepper but the fifth of this moneth and bought the same by the bagge euery bagge waying fiftie pounde for the which they paide foure péeces of Ryals of 8. and an halfe but at the last foure Ryals of 8. for a bag The Maces and Cloues are bought by the Baer waying 500 pound the Maces for 80. and the Cloues for 65. péeces of Ryals of 8. The 15. of Ianuarie 1600 our Admirall went a shore to the Magistrates of Bantam bestowing on them sundrie presents and giftes and dealt with them about farther trade wherein they agréed very well with thankes and due salutations on both parts which done he tooke his leaue after he had giuen the boate vnto the Gouerner of Bantam wherein he came ashore hanged with Skarlet cloth and appoynted with two murthering péeces but those people haue small knowledge how to vse the same The 20. day we brought all our Marchants aboorde hauing almost solde all their wares The 21. daye one of our Marchants went againe ashore with a small parcell of Veluet and returned Veluet with twentie bagges of Pepper made of the sayde Veluet The discription of Bantam THE manners and policie vsed in Bantam are very strange for when a man dyeth leauing behinde him any goods whether he haue children or none the King seazeth vpon the widow children and goods appropriating all to himselfe making the Mother his slaue and if a man of China desire to buye the Mother or daughter he selleth them and if afterwards they chance to haue children betwéene them it happeneth to her againe as it did after her first husbands death if the King doe vnderstand of any goods left by the deceased such
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
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
wee rowed aboord the Admirall to fetch the Preacher for there were two of our saylers both yong men which desired to be instructed by him in some poynts of the Sacrament of Baptisme and to be baptized The first day of March wee arriued néere vnder the March Island of Blau which lieth on the East end of Boera then might wee behold before vs three other small Islands the one called Atybotty the second Manipa and the third Gyra these little Islands lie before Amboyna The second day we sayled beyond Blau and towards the euening came two Prawes or little boates vnto our Admirall refusing to come into his ship but kept themselues behind and lying by the Admirals boate in the meane while the Vice-Admirall sent his boate aboord the Admirall to know what newes those Prawes brought but so soone as they marked that our long boate rowed towards the Admirall they presently rowed away in al haste towards the shore we holding our course directly towards Amboyna The third day in the morning wee came before the Straight of Amboyna which was verie narrow after we were entred into the mouth thereof the weather fell calme so that we droue backe againe by reason of the strong streame or currant About noone there came thrée Prawes or small boates aboord vs from a little towne called Matel lying on the Mountaines of Amboyna and in the euening we came before a little towne called Itou or Iton situated in the Island of Amboyna The description of the Island Amboyna and the situation thereof with the weapons behauiour and inclination of the people of their going in their apparrell and maner of their Gallies THis Island Amboyna lyeth néere so the Islands of The situation of Amboyna Moluccas about some 24. leagues from the Northwest side of Banda In this Island groweth great plentie of Cloues and great aboundance of fruit as Oringes Lemons Citrons Cokars Bononas Sugar-canes and such like which things are to be had there maruallous cheape for a man may haue 80. Orringes for a button insomuch that here wée found our selues wonderfully accomodated with all kind of fresh victualles The inhabitants are very simple people their apparrell for the most part like to theirs of Banta and so go likewise all the people of the Islands of Moluccas they liue for the most part by the trade of Cloues néere and hard in their dealings their weapons are commonly Pikes the end armed with iron in maner of a broade arrow head or of an harping iron which they throw with great strength and assurance insomuch that they will hit the breadth of a dallar they vse also shields in their warres and Curtelaxes The poorer sort of people commonly carrie a great knife in their hands wherewith they doe their worke They bake great Cakes of Rise with Sugar and drie Almonds which they carrie to the adioyning Islands to sell or change for other wares They vse much Rise in making of great loaues of bread after the shape and fashion of a Sugar-loafe which commonly they eate as bread with other meates They haue also the vse of Gallies whereof they are very proud and boast not a little of them they row them maruailous swiftly and are made after the shape and fashion of a Dragon before is a Dragons head and at the sterne it is shaped like vnto a Dragons taile hanged and decked with flagges and pendons as we our selues saw when we came first before Amboyna at what time the Admiral of the Seas there came aboord vs with 3. very rich gallant Gallies ful of men well appoynted which they call in their language Karkollen they rowed about our ships with great ioy mirth singing and playing vpon Copper Basons long Droomes which they carrie vnder one arme and with one hand they played vpon the Droome in accord with the sound of the Basons wherunto the slaues sung likewise in accord as they rowed which was very pleasant to heare Euerie one of these Karkollen or Gallies had 3. Bases all which they discharged to honour and welcome vs wee discharged also all our Ordinance to congratulate and answere their courtesie and then let fall our Ankers kéeping good watch all the night for we vnderstood that they kept a watch all night on the shore which wée might easily discerne Afterwards the Admirall came aboord vs demaunding to what end we came thither and what we desired Whereunto was answered that we came in trade of Marchandize to that end had brought with vs all sorts of Marchandize with which answere he seemed to vs to be glad willing vs to come aland where he would agree with vs. The next day the Vice-Admirall went ashore to accord conclude some great bargaine where he was in very friendly sort welcommed and receiued bringing him into a Tent made of their sailes vnder a trée where they conferred with each other about trade and full lading of our ships Another description of the Iland Amboyna where we arriued with our foure ships the third day of March 1599. Together with the maners and fashions vsed by the people of the countrey No. 5. IS a Boore or countrey man dwelling in some country town or village as he goeth to his labour in the woods or forrests commonly carrying a knife in his hand Is a common man that is of some better qualitie then the other with a pike about some saddome a halfe long which they commonly carrie with them in casting whereof with great force they are very expert Is a woman going to the market to sell her wares carying the same with her band aloft Is the Admirall of the sea as hee bseth to go with his seruants after him whereof one holdeth a Tiresol or Canapie ouer his head His apparell is a Pitgin with wide sléeues which commonly he turneth vp vpon his shoulders hauing a coat made of silke most like to the fashion vsed by the Portingals Is the Gallies which they name Karkollen they row them very swiftly and are made after a marueilous Anno 1599. March 4. great store of fruit brought aboord strange maner and fashion THe 4. day in the morning great store of al sorts of fruits were brought aboord our ships to truck as Oringes Lemmons Citrons Cokars Bononas many others which they sold vs very good cheape for for one Cinne spoone we had so great store of all sorts of fruites that we knew not what to doe there with They brought vs also great plentie of their bread to be sold for money or in change the same was made with almondes and sugar very medicinable for a loose bellie wherewith our people were vexed Towards the euening we remoued more Eastward off the Towne where our shippes might haue better rode for wee lay first at 36. faddome very ill ground but now we rode at 50. faddome sandy ground The 5. day the Admiral of the sea came aboord to view The Admirall of the sea
cōmeth aboord our ships our ships wondring not onely at our great Ordinance muskets and other artillerie but also that we were so well prouided of all other necessaries hee was a very readie man with a péece wherein he tooke most delight The 6. day in the morning the Vice-Admirall with 3. of the Committées went ashore to conferre with the Captaine and to know whether we could there be prouided of sufficient lading for our shippes or no. After that they were landed they were mette by the chiefe Lordes of the Land saluting and reuerencing each other after their Countrey maner shewing themselues very glad of our comming and said that we should there haue sufficient fraight for two of our ships which we were very glad to heare afterwards bringing the Vice-Admirall vnder a place of shaddow from the Sunne they remayned together in conference néere 3. houres In the afternoone the Vice-Admirall returned to the ships bringing with him the King of Ternates his brother with many gentlemen desirous to sée our ships and afterwards toward the euening they returned to the shore at what time wee honoured them with fiue great shot whereof two were laden with bullettes for so they had desired of the Admirall The seuenth day in the morning they brought vs great store of fruit aboord our shippes offering the same in change The 8. day in the morning our vnder-Cōmittees were sent ashore to speake to the Gouernour of the land for an house to lay in our wares which was presently granted and to that end one appoynted vs. The 9. day all the Committees and Masters were aboord the Admirall where they deliberated and conferred together what ships should bee chosen to séeke their lading at some other place for we vnderstood that here we should not find sufficient fraight for all our foure ships The same day about noone Carpenters were sent aland to repaire and make fitte the house which was appoynted vs for our wares The 10. day Iustice was executed in our shippe the Gelderland The same day store of fruits was brought aboord our shippes and wee were very earnest to hasten the repairing of the house To the Reader THe Gentle Reader may please to vnderstand that the foure shippes namely the Amsterdam the Vtrecht the Zealand and the Gelderland arriued the third day of March before Amboyna where perceiuing that they should not find sufficient lading for all the foure ships after consultation had it was determined to separate the ships to send 2. of them to Banda namely the Zealand whereof Iohn Cornelissen was Master the Gelderland whereof Iohn Bruiin was Master The eleuenth day of March therefore these sayd two Shippes sette sayle from Amboyna leauing the other two Shippes behinde them the which remayned there two moneths after where leauing them we will proceede with the nauigation of the other two towards Banda declaring vnto you the rich and speedie lading which they there found and afterwards returne to speake of the nauigation of those other two to wit of the Amsterdam whereof Claes Ianssen Melknap was master and of the Vtrecht whereof Iohn Martssen was Master who also departed from Amboyna the 8. day of May toward the Islands of Moluccas Thus much I thought good to note vnto the fauorable Reader that hee might the better reade and vnderstand the order and whole discourse of this Voyage made by the 8. shippes which sayled from Amsterdam the 13. day of March 1598. to the East Indies THe 11. day of March at afternoone we parted from 1599. March 11. our consorts at Amboyna towards Banda but the Zealand lay still by reason that she could not weigh her anchor wherefore we were faine to stay vntill the shippe was lighted for in that place is very bad anchoring and wee imagined that the Cable was wound about some stone wherefore that night we turned to and fro to haue his companie The 12. day in the morning the Zealand with our 1599. March 12. shippe the Gelderland set sayle together but for that it was calme weather wee could not make any way The 13. day about noone the Zealand came aground in the straight of Ceru néere an Island called Ielau where a mightie currant runneth and the weather very calme so that the streame droue her vpon the banke which lyeth before this little Island but God blessed her sending a fine gale whereby she presently got out an Anker and so wound her off Thus with great ioy and comfort we sayled foorth together At after noone two Praus or Boates came aboord vs telling vs that there lay a Portingale ship vnder the Iland of Noesau which Iland lyeth in the mouth of the straight of Cera towards the east end of Amboyna the people whereof are Canibals or deuourers of mans flesh The. 14. day very calme with a fine gale towards the euening from the north-west we holding our course southeast towards Banda The same euening we had sight of the Iland Banda lying from vs south-east In the night time we came by an Iland called Loel Setton lying on the North-west end of Banda about some 5. Leages This little Iland is not inhabited neither dare any man A strange tale if it be true presume to come into it as our Pylot reported that was in our Ship The people are wonderfully afeard thereof for they are of opinion that it is the habitation of Sathan in so much that when they approach neare vnto this Iland with their shipping they know not how to make haste enough to passe from or by it which we might easely perceiue by our Pylot who tooke a Boate-hooke in his hand placing himselfe before in the Ship where he stood drawing and pulling the hooke towardes him imagining that thereby we should the sooner leaue the land behind vs but after he was wearie with pulling he laide the hooke before ouer the Shippes side not suffering vs to take the hooke away before we were passed this little Iland and when it was a little calme still weather this prettie fellow went whistling with his mouth vp and downe the Ship meaning therewith to call and intice the Diuell whereby we saw that these people were very weake of beliefe The 15. day we saw two Ilands more lying Southwest of Banda some leage and a halfe the one is called Polleway and the other Polleruyn which lie some halfe a league distant from each other At Noone came aboard vs one of the Praus full of people from the Iland Polleruyn they are very nimble and lusty men they were apparrelled with a garment made of Cotton cloth their weapons were Pikes which they throw with their hands In the euening we let fall our Anker in the Riuer of Banda The 15. day we came into the Riuer of Banda but the Zealand stayed yet behind by reason the weather was so calme and still The same euening came many Boates aboard vs telling vs that there had been 2. Portingale Ships laden there
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
in the ende there came none néere our ships but onely the Kings galley who sent into our ship one of his Captaines to confer with our Admirall by an interpreter but the King himselfe would not come aboorde Towards the euening the King returned with two gallies onely the one wherein the King was not had a boate or one of their Praus and rowing a good way from our ships the King in the meane while boorded vs with his gallie and being come into our ship desired after salutations and some other spéeches with our Admirall that our Gunner might make a shot at the Praw or boate which the other gallie had brought and was now a drift a good way from the said gallie to sée how néere he could shoote with the great péece which was accordingly accomplished and a very faire shot made to the great contentment and liking of the King perceiuing well that if the shot had béen made at one of the great gallies it would haue pearced and runne thorow the same The 29. day towards the euening Raynard Reinerdson dyed and was the same night buried on the land The 30. day the King came againe vnto vs with one The King commeth secretlie aboord vnknowne to vs. gallie in very simple sort to sée how we would behaue our selues giuing vs to vnderstand that the King would come aboorde vs who was in a little boate in person to wed by the said gallie vnknowne to vs supposing that he would come afterwards and comming close to our ship went into the gallie demaunding for many strange things too long to heere repeated The last day was a spirite in Iohn Martsens Cabin about midnight making such a rumbling and iumbling that all that were in the Cabin ran out in great feare The 2. day of Iune all our principall officers were Iune with the King on land with certaine presents which they deliuered vnto him reporting at their returne that Presents carried to the King there were some store of Cloues to be had and that the next day some should be sent aboord vs to see what commodities we had and to make price with vs to the ende we might trucke with them for some of theirs The 3. day some of the people accordingly came aboord vs to see our wares but we could not agrée vpon any barter but for readie money they offered their baer for 120. péeces of Royalls of 8. but we would not make no offer vpon so high a price The 10. day our dyet was shortned to wit euery day once flesh or fish and the other three meales Ryce The 11. day our Marchants went a shoare thinking to speake with the King but could not by reason that it was their Sabboth day The 12. day our people went againe a shore carrying with them some marchandize the same euening the King came aboord vs but not into our ship but desired to haue a gilded Musket which was fréely giuen him but as we A gilded Musket giuen to the King vnderstoode his answere was it should be paide for in his tole or custome rated at two baers and an halfe taking the tenth pennie of his tole The 18. daye wée receiued the first Cloues aboorde The first Cloues brought aboord and 600. viols of glasse solde for one baer of Cloues Three Orkins is a pennie sterling Iulie The price of Cloues namely some two baers and euery day more or lesse for which we bartered for the most part viols of glasse of an orkin the péece and had in trucke one baer of Cloues for 600. of those viols The last day our dyet was againe diminished of flesh and fish and were appoynted weekely but twise flesh and as often fish The 9. day the price was agréed of Cloues for money viz. the baer for 54. peeces of Royals of 8. the baer waying 620. pounde The 11. day the people of Ternate made an attempt vpon a village in the Isle of Tydore from whence they brought swordes and shieldes as trophes whereon hung the eares of their slaine enemies which they presented vnto their King with a woman of Portugal whom they afterwarde solde for a slaue The 24. day they of Ternate made another sallie vpon the said Island of Tydore returning with fiue heads and some prisoners whereof they killed one as hée came on land and cut off the head of another who was a stranger and came in trade of merchandize to Tydore The 25. day the King of Ternate came aboord our ship The King commeth aboord the Admirall viewing the same in euery corner and desired our Admirall that he would leaue some of his people there with him and so going vp and downe the ship all that he sawe liked him well and comming into the Cooke-roome tooke vp the bellowes which he desired to be giuen him and as he stoode blew with the bellowes into his mouth as if he had not been well in his wits The 28. day the King came againe aboord so earnestly viewing the same in all parts and places as if he had ment to buie the ship but his chiefe intent was to haue some of our people to abide with him but there were none that would harken vnto his perswasions The 29. day came a Praw or small boate from Banda signifying vnto vs that our two ships there were almost laden yet we could not vnderstand the certaintie of them for it was sixe wéekes since they came from Banda The 4. of August we receiued some further portion of August lading aboord our ship preparing our selues to departe from this place The 5. day the Admirall went a shore to speake with the King who lay in his galley néere the shore The 6. day the Admirall went againe to the land with store of Merchandize to bestowe on the King The 12. day the Marchants with all their marchandize came aboord to the ende wée might depart thence homeward The 13. day the King came aboorde vs where he barganed in trucke for 250. baers of Cloues to be deliuered the next growth or haruest The 14. 15. and 16. dayes the King and Admirall agréed that fiue men and a boye should remaine there with whom he left great store of commodities and some portion of money to buye and ingrosse all the Cloues against the comming of the next ships their names that were so appoynted to remaine there were Franck Verdoes The names of those that were left in the Island of Ternate for trade cousen german to the Skoute or Sheriffe William Verdoes of Amsterdam Dirick Floritssen of Harlam Iacob Lambertsson of Amsterdam Iohn Iansson of Grol Cornelis Adriausson of Leyden and the boye Hendrick Iansson of Amsterdam A description of the Isle of Ternate lying 28. leagues from Banda IN the Island Ternate is small store of victuals to be had and is without any kinde of cattell except some very few Goates and some small store of Hens and but little fish There groweth no Rice