their fortune was to strike a young one which plaied like reakes as the first did and continued for a good time and then they hal'd vp the boat somewhat neere and wounded her in diuers places with iauellins the great whale all this time would not depart from the little one although it had receiued many wounds but stood to the last to fight it out against al our boats somtimes giuing one boat a blow and sometimes another and would come vnder our boats and lift them almost out of the water she bestowed one bange on the Generals Pinnesse that split all the timbers and boards so that he was faine to take another boat to saue himselfe for she was presētly full of water yet with much a doe they saued the Pinnesse brought her on land where it cost all our Carpenters three dayes worke to repaire her And when the young Whale began to be wearie the old one would take the young vpon his backe and carrie him but the old one seeing that would not preuaile against vs would leaue his carriage and betake himselfe to his fight which was to cast his tayle out of the water and to strike so valiantly that if hee had taken any of our boats with one of these blowes he would haue split it all to peeces It was verie good sport to stand and looke on but verie dangerous to them in the boats To conclude of this matter the young Whale could not be killed till the sunne-set the old one neuer forsaking her whilst it had any life So after it was dead wee towed it to our landing place and at hye water hal'd it so hye as we could The occasion why we killed this Whale was for lacke of oyle for our lampes for in all the shipps we had great lacke the oyle was put in verie bad caske and leaked out But whereas wee hoped to haue had oyle inough out of this Whale to haue serued all our turnes it did scarce yeeld foure gallons it was so young and leane The 8 day the Generall sent a dozen of our men to buy fresh victuals for that wee had not any left So they were out all day and brought home but two sheepe at their returne which was late the Generall demaunded of the Purser of the Hector which was cheefe purueyer what was the occasion they stayed out so long and that they brought no more cattell He answered that the people had sould them good store of cattell which hee had payd for but being so fewe of our men in companie and they weaponlesse they would abuse them in snatching their yron from them and not to suffer them to driue the cattell away they payd for The Generall seeing how they vsed him thought by policie to goe beyond them and this it was Hee himselfe with 120 men in his companie would goe by night and lye in ambush in a wood nere the place where our men did barter with them and when it was faire day the purueyor and his crewe should come as other times and bargaine with them for so many as they would sell And when they had sufficient to make a signe and then the Generall and his companye should come out of their lodgings and driue them away This matter was put in practise this night and the Cenerall three houres before day departed from the tents and had imbosked himselfe and all his followers to their owne contents only three fellowes of captaine Stiles his companie to tast of a bottell of wine they caried for their captaine and in the meane while they were drinking they had lost sight of their Generall and all his company and took a contrary way neuer staying til they came to the houses of the Negroes they seeing three men armed to come to their houses began to suspect some false measures these fellowes seeing they had mistaken themselues retired backe to the woods and in sight of the Indians hid themselues in the bushes at that time the Sunne being vp halfe an houre after these fellowes had hid themselues came our weaponlesse Merchants from the tents and beganne to barter with them for two or three sheepe which of purpose they had sent downe to our people to keepe them busie while they were getting their heards of Cattell to runne away Which our merchants perceiuing they presently vnarmed as they were went amongst them and sent worde by one of them to the Generall to come away with all his people for that he and all his companie were discouered so that the Generall was enforced to breake out of his ambushmēt to rescew his men which were amongst them without weapons but before he could come to their rescew they had wounded one of our men with foure dartes sticking in his body which being downe done they betooke them to their heeles and al the cattel before them as fast as they could driue to the mountaines Our men as then hauing the raines in their owne handes pursued after them in such scattering maner that if the people of the countrey had been men of any resolution they might haue cut off most of them The Generall caused a trumpet to sound a retreat but could not cause them to leaue their chase And whilest that he was taking order to send the hurt man to the tents he was halfe a mile from the neerest of our men and not past fiue men in his company so hee and those men in his company were faine to runne to ouer take some of them which were before that in the end they were a dozen in his company Yet the Generall tooke it greeuous to see his men scatterred ouer all the Playne scarce three of them together in a company which if the people of the countrey had ioyned together and set vpon them beeing so scattered they had cut most of them off which thing the Generall greatly doubted yet God be thanked it sorted better For some of our men ouer-tooke some of the Negroes at the foote of the mountaine and draue them away from some of their Catttle and made a stand by them till more of their company came vp and so retorned homwardes with a hundred Kyne and Calues which was welcome to our sicke men But in our absence from our Tentes Captaine Colthurst with the Master and such as were left being very doubtfull all was not well with vs thought it best to send our Pinnesse to the bottome of the Baye to helpe vs if we stood in need but master Cole being ouer-bold in his pinnesse to goe a shore both hee and the boat were cast away and two more that presumed of their swimming were drowned the rest escaped very hardly came running naked along the sands to vs wardes and there certyfied the Generall of all that happened which was but forrowfull newes to him The next day the Generall sent sufficient store of men to march by land to the place where the boat was cast away and found her dry vpon the
strand split and full of sand but with much trouble she was freed and sent aboord Also we found master Cole vpon the strand and brought him to our Tentes and buryed him This night and the next after our sentenels had spied the cuntrey people lurking about our rents so that alarome was giuen and they fled vpon the 14. of August we departed all a board our ships where we ridde tell the 19. the wind not seruing to carry vs out which then serued our turnes we put to Sea and stood to the Westwards and the 25. day we dubled the cape of Good hôpe with very fauourable windes tell the fift of September and after that time we met with the wind scarse and now and then calmes and here began the scuruy to grow amongst our men and euery day did the disease encrease Here might some what be said of the ignorance and vncharitablenes of him that was shipt for our phisition as a caueat to them that shall go hereafter to be better prouided but for 2. respects I forbear the one in regard of his other calling but chiefly for that he is since dead in the voyage where for my part I wish his faults may be buried with him The 19. of December we had sight of Ingana an Iland lying neere Sumatra the 20. we had sight of Sumatra the 21. we ankerd within the Ilands where we were put to great trouble to haue vp our yardes and get vp our ankors our men were exceeding weak we were faine to send men out of our ship to helpe the rest and so with much a doe we came to Bantam rode The occasion why we first ankered was because the Assention shot off a peece of ordenance within night which was contrarie to our articles we doubting she was in some great distresse came suddenly to an anker to tarie to know what was the matter which prooued to bee nothing but that there Gunner was dead and throwne ouer board and had that peece for a farewell which folly of theirs put vs to great trouble causing vs to anker in the Sea in 25. fadomes then windes all westerlye which brought in a great seagate that the next day morning we had much a doe to get vp our anker and as for the other ships they were not able to wey without our helpes which we sent them and so with very much trouble we got vs all vnder sayle steering away East and by North and East North East tell wee came to anker between the Iland and the maine at the entrance of Bantam bay in 7. fadomes sandy ground This night at 7. a clock came a Hollands boat a board vs from Bantam sent by a Generall of 12. ships which came there two dayes before vs in which boat came the vise admeral of the fleet with refreshing froÌ„ shore presenting it to our Generall with offer of any kindnes they could doe vs which afterwards they effected towards vs in sending their boats to setch vs water many other curtisyes besides we of our selues not able to doe the same our weaknes being so great This fleet had passed along the cost from Mosimbique to Selon and had taken diuers ships and burned a Carrick and afterwards came hither withall their men in good health An howre after their comming a board of the hollanders came a prawe or a canow from Bantam with master Scot others of our men left their the last voyage by whome the Generall knew the estate of their busines the 23. at 2. a clock we came to anker in Bantam rode and saluted the towne and Hollanders with most of our ordinance and were answered again with the like from all the Hollanders the 24. day our vise-admerall was sent vnto the king to excuse the Generals not comming a land for that he was not well This day being the 24. came in 2 saile of hollands fleet a shippe and a pinnes the same day one of the theeus that had set our house on fire was stopped to death According to the order of the countrey The 26 day the General gaue new articles to all the ships wherein euery man was absolutely forbidden to buy any spice and diuers other articles for the good demenor of his men which here I omit to write The 27. 28. the 29 nothing happened worth writing The 30. day the Generall of the Hollanders and most part of the principall of his fleet dinied a board with our Generall The 31. our Generall went on land with a letter from our Kings Maiestie and a present to the King of Bantame which he deliuered him and were very acceptably receiued The King but 13. yeares of age and gouerned by a protector the 3. day we had order to ruÌ„mage our hould to take prouition of water and marchants goods for that we were appoynted the Assenssion to go for the molucas the other ships to take in their lading of peper and to go home likewise this day we tooke in diuers fardells of Marchandize and so continued taking in water and Marchandize tell the 8. day and then our Generall came a board and appoynted such men as should go a long with him to the molucas amongst which number master Tauerner was remooued from the Susan to the Assenssion we continued busie in taking in of Marchandize and vittelles of the Hector and the Susan tell the 15. day we made an end of taking in of marchandize This day our pursser William Griffen and master Foster dyed both of the flixe The sixteenth day our Cenerall departed from Bantam and came a bord to proceed on his voyage to the Mollocos this night dyed Henry Dewbrey of the Flixe also the same day maister Surâ—flict was appointed to goe home in the Hector to the great contenting of all in our ship likewise one of our maisters mattes maister Smith was appointed for Maisters Mate in the Hector The 17. day dyed of the Flixe William Lewed Iohn Ienkens and Samuel Porter the 18 day the Generall hauing dispatched his letters went aboard the Hector and the Susan and tooke leaue of them and after diner wayed and stood to the sea-ward till night and then ankred in 8. fadomes of water the 19. in the morning we weyed againe and proceeded with a faire wind till 6 a clocke at night then came to anker in 14. fadome of ye grounde faire by a small Iland the 20. by breake of day we weyed steering along the land with a faire winde this day dyed Henry Stiles our M. Carpenter and Iames Varnam and Iohn Iberson all of the Flix The 21 and 22 dayes we held on our course with blusting rainie weather the 22. day dyed of the Flixe Iames Hope the 24. day in the morning wee fell with the shouldes which lye off the East North east part of Iaua this day dyed Iohn Leay and Robert whitthers of the Flixe Ianuarie the 25. wee held on our course with very much winde and raine at night
one of our men leaped ouer-board hauing the Callenture and three more dyed of the Flixe their names were William Bellidine William Pooter Gedyon Marten and Robert Vennes the 26. day stering our course with a faire wind suspecting no danger vpon a sodaine wee saw the ground vnder the ship heauing ouer the lead wee had but 4 fadoms water this night dyed of the Flixe George Iohnes and Frances Buck-man and Gilbert Mesterson the 27. day in the morning wee stered away East and by South wee came into should water which lyeth to the south-ward of Ruinata so that we were faine to stand South and by West and South to get cleare of the shouldes till noone and then wee came into deepe water and so bearing vp we stered Est and by south and by by we were in fine fadomes so that we stood to the south-ward some three leages and then held on our former course this day dyed of the Flixe Robert Smith and Thomas Dawson the 28 day we fell with Selebis being high land and at 4. a clocke in the euening we came to an anchor in 26. fadome sandy ground foure leages from land the 29. in the morning we weyed steering Est along the land and the Generall went in our pinnesse alongst the land to seek for fresh water for that he greatly doubted it was the Bantam water that killed our men but hee lost his labour and returned without any for there was none to be found at night we ankered in 30. fadomes water this morning dyed William Paret of the flixe the 30. day we passed the straites of Selibis and shaped our course for the Iles of Beton the 31. in the morning we were faire by the land of Betton and all the night lay by the Lee. The first of Februarie we held on our course with a faire winde the second dyed of the flixe Henry Lambert the third day dyed of the flixe Edward Smith the 4. in the morning we had sight of Blewe and Barrow being two Hands this day dyed Henry Iames the fifth day Richard Miller dyed of the Flixe the sixt day we were faire by the land Blewe and our Generall went in the pinnesse to seeke for fresh water and went with the people of the Countrey and they brought him to a fine sandy Bay where there was very good water and there they tooke in three Baricoes and brought aboard and would spend no longer time there because it was towardes night and Amboyna so neere at hand the seuenth day wee had sight of Amboyna and of a ship which played off and on the land but would not come and speake with vs this afternoone we were faire by Amboyna and the winde very variable but it fell calme so that wee could not get in the eight day at ten a clocke came vp a gale of winde which brought vs to Amboyna shoare where we costed with our ship very nere but could not haue any groūd to anker in for that all the Ilands haue very deepe water hard aboard the shoare wee came to a Bay where we found sixtie fadomes water and thēre we ankered and the Indiaus brought vs some fruits to sell this after-noone we sawe two Hollanders pinnisses vnder the shoare of Verranula which came out from vnder the land to showe themselues to vs but did returne backe The people of Verranula be great enemies to the Portugals and had sent to Bantam to the Hollanders desiring their ayde to expell the Portugals out of these Ilands which if they performed they would become subiect to them and sell none of their Cloues to any other Nation but them This I knew to bee true for that the parties who were sent to Bantam I haue often spoken withall this day dyed of the Flixe our Master his mate Thomas Michell The ninth day wee waterred but could not come to the speech of any of the countrey people this after noone dyed Thomas Eldred of the Flixe The tenth day wee weyed anker and stood to the Easter ende of Amboyna and came to an anker in an hundred fadomes water fayre by the shoare fayre by a towne called Mamalla Before we came to an anker there came an Indian aboard of vs which spake good Portugese also there came a letter to our Generall from the Captaine of Amboyna but it was directed to the Generall of the Hollenders or any other Captaine of his fleete supposing vs to be Hollenders _____ The effect of his Letter was to desire them to certifie them of some newes of Portingale and to send an answere by any of his people of his letter who should bee verie welcome and should both safely come and goe The Generall went this day a land and deliuered a present to one they called their King and other great men and did desire to know whether wee might haue trade or no they made answere that they could not trade with vs without licence of the Fort this night dyed of the flixe Marke Taylor The 11 day our Generall sent a letter by Iohn Rogers to the captaine of the Fort and diners of the principall of the towne of Mamalla accompanied him thether to haue licence to trade with vs which they had granted them by the captaine the effect of our Generals letter was to certifie him of the death of our Queen peace between England and Spaine with other news of Christendome for better confirmatiō of truth he sent the captain of the sort our kings Maiefly the princes pictures with diuers of his Maiesties new coine in conclusiō as there was peace with our Princes and their subiects in Christendome he desired that the like might be between vs for that our cōming was to seeke trade with them and the Amboynians which he hoped he would not deny him The party which caried our Generals letter was very kindly entertained by the Captaine and Souldiers but that night permitted not him to come within the fort but lay in a good lodging without the walles where he was viseted by the principall of them This euening 5 sayles of Hollanders were entered into the mouth of the harbor and turnning vp for the fort The 12. the forenamed Hollanders came to an anker within musket shot of the fort the Portugals not offering to shoote at them this afternoone Iohn Rogers returned with an answere of the letter and their came in his company a Portugall Souldier which brought a warrant from the Captaine to the Gouernor of Manillia to trade with vs and like wise to giue Iohn Rogers for his pains a Bahar of cloues which was presently deliuered him before the comming away of Iohn Rogers the Portugals with a flagge of truce went a board the dutch Admerall to knowe wherefore they came thither if in friend shippe they should be welcome if otherwaies to giue them a direct answere the dutch Generall made answere that his comming thither was to haue that Castell from them and willed them to
his kindenes So dinner being ready the pledges come from the shore they dined all with our Generall departed euery man to his home The 12. day being sunday the Portingal captain with 6. of the principall of thē came aboard to dine with our General intreating him to go with thē to the Dutch admiral be a meanes to hasten their departure which he did and at his intreaty they were sent away in three Pinnasses and a frigat to Manillia for which they gaue the Generall great thankes The 12. day the Generall sent his Pinnasse to Tarnata with prouision of victualls to our men which were there they returned the next day brought our Generall worde of the death of his seruant Iohn Abell for whom he was very sory This 13. day our Generall and the Maister went to the King of Tornata to know whether hee would let him leaue a factory in his Ilād of Tarnata He answered he should but willed him to returne the next day for that he would call a counsell concerning the matter and then would giue them an answer Frō thence the Generall went aboard the Dutch Admirall and there told him how the king of Tarnata had promised he should haue a factory there yet neuerthelesse if he would buy such wares as we had left and make paiment at Bantam he should haue them Who answered he thought the King of Tarnata would not forget himselfe so much as to graunt vs a Factory considering he had written to his excellency and likewise promised him that they would trade with no nation but with them And as touching our commodityes he would not deale withall for that they had two ships which were sent one to Bengalla and the other to Cambia to buy such cōmodities which they dayly expected Our Generall said he had no reasō to crosse him for leauing a factory there for that Sir Francis Drake had trade in Tarnata before the names of the Hollanders were knowne in those parts of the world So for that time they parted either part to take their best aduantage for their aduentures The 14 day the Generall went againe to the King to know his answer concerning his factory he found him aboard a Carticole one of the Dutch Captaines in his company The Generall told him his cōming was according to his appointment The king made present answer he could grāt him no factory for that he had made promise by writing and word to the Hollanders that no nation should haue trade with him or his people but onely they The Generall demanded why he had not told him so when he saued him from the Tydorians and then he could haue told what to haue done He said both he and his subiects were willing we should tarry there But the Hollanders did still vrge his promise The Generall seeing he could not leaue a factory desired him to send such order to Tarnata that hee might haue leaue to carry those small quantity of cloues as his factors had bought and payed for aboard and he would trouble neither him nor the Hollanders The king answered that within seauen dayes he would be there himselfe desiring the Generall to ride still He made answer he liued at too great charges to lye still and doe nothing and therefore could stay no longer but wold be gone the next morning and so departed from him The 19. day the Generall went a land and tooke his leaue of the King of Tydore and al his Noble men and all the Portingals they being all sory for his departure The 20. day we weighed in the morning for Tarnata and at 5. a clocke in the euening came to an anchor againe on the north-east side of Tydore This day died of the flixe Thomas Richmond The 21. day at 4. of the Clocke in the morning we weighed and about 10. a clocke came to an anchor in Tarnata rode in 16. Fadomes fayre by one of the Dutch ships which two dayes before vs came from Tydore this ship was to take in her lading of Cloues here This after noone the Generall sent his Pinasse to knowe if the King had sent word to the Sabendor to see the deliuery of such cloues as was there of ours The pinnasse brought word M. Browne was very sick and all the company which were with him This after noone came aboard to our Generall the Kings vncle of Tarnata called Cichell Gegogoe To this man our generall told how vnkindly he had beene vsed by the King and the Hollanders and howe the King would neither giue him leaue to buy cloues whiles he tarried here nor permit him to leaue a factory there contrary to the promise he made him when hee saued both him the Hollands factors frō enimies hands which good turne both the one and the other haue quite forgotten likewise he said he thought the king had beene as our Kings in Christiandome are which neuer will promise any thing but they wil performe it Chichell Gegogoe hearing this said he would that night go to the King and then would tell him how much he did dishonour himselfe to be so ouerruled by the Hollanders and therfore willed the Generall not to haue doubt of leauing a factory and likewise to trade so long as they tarried here in the despight of the Hollanders And vppon the same seeming to be angry he departed promising the next day to returne againe This man could speake Portugais wherby the General let him vnderstād his mind to the full He knew Sir Francis Drake when he was at Tarnata and had beene aboard his ship with him The 22. day the Generall sent his brother againe to the towne to know if the Sabendor were come from the King with order to deliuer the cloues Captaine Middleton found him now come to towne brought him to our Generall who told him he had order to deliuer the cloues and likewise that hee should haue free liberty to buy and sell aswell as the Hollanders that the King desired the Generall not to depart til he came which should be shortly after the messenger All this friendship Chiche Gegogoe procured The Sabendor and his two sonnes supped and lodged in the Generalls cabin that night The 26. being sunday Chiche Gogogoe was al afternoone with the General in his cabin where he feasted him in the best manner he could gaue him a very faire caliuer set with bone many other things The 28. day the pinnasse went to the towne to fetch such cloues away as the Marchants should buye The Generall or his brother stil going or comming in her at this time it was Captain Middletons chance to be in her as he and the Marchants were busie buying weighing of cloues in came a Tarnatan told them that there was a man that was indebted vnto vs that had brought a Canoa laden with cloues to pay his debts the Hollanders had both carried him and the cloues to their house because the mā
was likewise indebted vnto thē Out ran our men with weapons but she was gone before they came or else if they had not made the more hast they had not carried them away so easily as they did The marriners were hired by one of those factors whose head the Generall so lately had saued for a Royall of 8. a man to do this braue exploit at their comming aboard They told the Generall how the Holland factors vsed thē which hee tooke very euill The 29. day the Generall went to the towne with 20. armed men some shot and some pikes and Halberts and at his cōming he sent word to the Dutch-house they should restore the cloues they had taken away They told our Generall that the party had bin in their debt these two yeares and they could not get him to any paiment that the King had made proclamation that no man that was indebted vnto the Hollanders should sell him any cloues yet neuerthelesse they would not be their owne iudges but would stand to the iudgement of the King when he should come the cloues to remaine in the Sabendors hāds till the matter was tried So the General was pacified threatning to giue the bastinado to the factor which was the cause but after that time he durst not passe by our dores This breach betwixt vs and the Hollanders caused the king to make the more haste for that hee doubted we wold go by the eares with thē hauing very few men in the towne he doubted the worst for that the Hollanders are not beloued of the countrye people the cause is their manyfold disorder in their their drunkennes against men but principally against the women The first of Iune about 1. of the clock at night came a Caracole frō Tydore rowing by our ship calling to the watch The Generall hearing it knew it was the King that spake and rose out off his bed saluted him by his name the King did the like to him asked him how he knew him in the darke The Generall by his interpretor said that he knew him by his voice which caused him to laugh And so spending some little time in talking he willed our Generall to meete him at the towne in the morning The Generall gaue him 5. peeces of Ordinance at his departure which he tooke very kindely They delight much to heare ordinance to go off at pleasure so that they be not at the cost When it was day the General went to the towne had not staied in his house halfe an houre but the king came spent al the forenoone with him The Generall was desirous to know of him whether he should leaue a factory or no. He answered he could not tell for that it was to be determined by a counsell which he had not leasure to cal as yet by reason of much businesse He said the Hollanders did threaten him to forsake his coūtry to establish a factory at Tydore if he did let the English tarry in the country and establish a factory They saying we were theeues robbers and so if he did trust vs he should finde vs saying that Holland was able to set out 20. ships for Englands one and that the King of Holland was stronger by sea then all Christiandome besides with many vntrueths of their owne people Countries commendations the disparagement of our people and country and of al other Christian princes If this frothy nation may haue the trade of the Indiās to thmselues which is the thing they hope for their pride insolencie wil be intollerable The Generall answered what Hollander so euer hee were that had told his highnesse so he lied like a traytor said he would iustifie it to their faces and for their country if the Queenes maiesty of England had not pittied their ruine in sending her forces to withstand the Spaniards their country had bin ouer-run they marked in the faces for traitors and slaues many yeares ago And therfore desired the King to inquire of a Spanish Renegado which was in the towne he would certifie him of the trueth Then the Generall demanded whether he should haue those Cloues which the Flemings had carried away by force Hee answered we should haue so many of thē as should paie the debt the Hollāders should haue the rest which was in the afternoone performed The king told our General that the morrow he must returne for Tidore where he must spēd 3. or 4. daies before he could returne In the meane time he gaue him leaue to buy sell with his people And at his returne he should haue an answer whether he should leaue a factory or no. The general intreating him whilest he tarried in the country hee would let him haue a house to lodge in where hee might be nere his businesse and not be forced euery night to go aboard The king promised he should and so tooke his leaue departed An houre after he sent his Sabendor to the Generall who brought him to a faire chāber the king sending him a faire gilded bedsted a Turkie carpet to lie vpō so after that the Generall was not enforced euery night to go aboard as before time he had done The 2. day about 8. a clocke at night came a light prawe of Tydore aboard with a letter to out Generall the effect was that the king of Tydore found himselfe agreeued with the Hollanders for taking part with the King of Tarnata against him that vpon his sending away of the Portingales they had shot into his towne demanding Taffasoa to be surrendred to procure his peace The General answered he thought he needed not feare the Hollāders for that their shipping would shortly be disposed of to other places that at any time for that towne if so it need he might make his peace With which answer they returned making a bold attēpt to either come or go the sea being full of their enimies The 5. day the King of Tarnata the Hollanders admirall came frō Tarnata to cōclude of our banishmēt The 6. day the king sent our Generall word that both hee and the Dutch admirall should come face to face before him his coūsell to heare what either could say against other The Generall sent the king word he had nothing to say against the Dutch vnlesse he withstood his leauing of a factory there which if he did he desired his highnes that they might meete face to face before him to heare what either could say the king sēt word it should be so The Dutch admiral came to our generalls chāber to visit him Our Generall asked whether he came to procure his banishment He answered he was bound to do the best he could for his aduēturers The Generall told him the king was minded the next day to know why we should not haue a factory in the country as wel as they He said he would chalenge the kings owne writing and promise The
THE Last East-Indian Voyage CONTAINING MVCH varietie of the State of the seuerall kingdomes where they haue traded with the Letters of three seuerall Kings to the Kings Maiestie of England begun by one of the Voyage since continued out of the faithfull obseruations of them that are come home ⸪ AT LONDON Printed by T. P. for Walter Burre 1606. To the Reader READER THe beginner of this relation following would no doubt if he had liued haue himselfe set it out to thy good liking but this I assure thee that both his this continuation of it is set forth with as much faithfulnes as could be gathered out of the best obseruations of them that are come home If I find it to thy liking looke shortly for an exact and large discourse written by Maister Scot chiefe factor or at Bantam euer since the first voyage containing whatsoeuer hath happened since their first Arriuall there to trade in those parts reade this looke for the other and soe farewell VV. B. THE LAST EAST INDIAN VOYAGE Containing many memorable matters of the state of the Countreys where they haue traded March the 23. 1603 4. BEing prouided of all thinges necessarie for so long a Voyage with leaue taken of the Gouernour and others of the Commities wee departed from Grauesend the 25. of March being Sunday at night and the tuesday following came to the Downes where the Generall before wee came to an anchor gaue order to the Purser to call the company and take their names which being done there was found 40 men lacking of the copelment of our Ship so that wee were forced thereby to come to anchor to tarrie for them The Generall gaue order presently the Pinnesse should be man'd and sent the Master with his brother and the Purser for better dispatch to Sandwich where they escaped verie neere drowning The Assention Pinnesse likewise put off to set their Pilate a land and so was cast away which when the Generall heard of he was exceeding angry with Captaine Stiles that hee would offer to go a land at such a time without his order The last of March the Master Captaine Middleton and the masters Mate came aboord The first of Aprill we weighed anchor in the Downes and twarth Douer we found our men in Ketches readie to come aboord wee tooke them all into our shippe being 28 men which was farr short of that number wee expected But howsoeuer the Generall was determined to proceede although hee lacked fortie men rather than loose the benefite of so faire a winde so the same day of Beachey the Generall gaue order to the Boatsswayne to take new muster of our men and he found wee had twentie more than our copelment aboord the Admirall and trarrying to speake with the rest of the ships wee hal'd them one after another and found they had euerie ship more than their copelment the cause of which errour could not bee imagined without fowle weather caused them to hide themselues at such time of generall muster or else that some of them misdoubting they should be set on land played least in sight but howsoeuer this ouer-plus of men was as grieuous to the Generall as the lacke he had afore To see how he had been deluded to come to anchor with a faire wind for lacke of men and now of force must put into some place to set them againe a land So the Generall gaue order to the Master hee should haue a care he did not passe Plimouth that night for that hee was minded to put in there to discharge those men So the next day morning at day breake wee were readie with tacks aboord to stand into the sound of Plimouth and stood in a good while till such time as it began to be gustie weather And the wind to souther vpon vs so that we were enforced against the Generals liking to proceed on our Voyage steering alongst the land with much winde and in the afternoone we lost sight of England and so continuing our course with a faire wind vpon thursday being the 6. day of Aprill wee were twarth Cape Fennester and the 7 day of the Rocke And vpon Easter day being the 8 day of Cape Saint Vincences with the wind large and faire weather and continuing our course till the 15 wee came to the Canaries where in the calmes triall was made to take in the Hectors boat but shee could not stoe her by reason she was both too long and too broad which if she could haue done the Generall was minded not to touch in any place til he doubled the Cape so that was the principall cause he went to the Islands of Cape-deuerde so the same night wee departed from the Canaries and directed our course for Maio one of the foresayd Islands The 22. day we had sight of Boa Vista the 24. day we anchored at Maio vpon the south west side where the Generall with the rest of the Captaines and marchants went a land to seeke fresh water but there was none to be found but a small Well which would yeeld scarse a Hogs-head a day Presently after our landing there came to our General a Portingale that had wounded one of his fellowes desiring to saue his life and vpon that conditiō he would giue him al the welth he had which was some 500 dryed Goats 7 he Generall would giue no eare to him nor his request for that he would giue no occasion of offence to them of the Island yet by intreaty of the Vise admirall the other captaines he was contented to take his Goats and him aboard which presently was effected also the same after-noone there came two Portingales more of the Island to our Generall who came verie kindly vnto him and bad him welcome so after some discourse the Generall desired them that for his money he might buy some liue goats of them for the refreshing of his men they presently made answere againe they would sell none but that we might kill as many as wee would and no bodie would be offended thereat and so presently they went with the Generall and shewed him how we should enclose them and so set our dogs vpon them and hauing killed halfe a dozen of goats they tooke their leaue in friendly maner for that night promising in the morning to returne and bring their dogs with them and to helpe vs to so many Goats as wee would desire so the Generall with all the rest came presently a board The next day the Generall would not goe a land but sent Captaine Stiles Captaine Keeling and Captaine Middleton with expresse order to keepe their people from straggling and when all their companie were landed Captaine Stiles called them all together giueing them warning to keepe companie together and not range one from the other which speech was reitterated againe by Maister Durham saying that whosoeuer was found straggling should be seuerely punished and therefore willed them all to take good heed And so after this warning
giuen they marched vp into the countrie to kill some Goates where they met with two Portugals which did as sift them in all the might in the meane while they were at their sport a land The Generall with therest were busie in slowing the Heetors long boot for that he was minded to goe to Sea so soone as they had done but they could not stowe her without cutting of her stem part of her bowes which seeing no other way was presentlie efected And so drawing toward night our land men repaired aboorde with some few Goates they had killed And after supper the wind comming of the land the Generall gaue order to the Maister to wey and that a warning peece might be shot of And so presently the Cable was brought to capstaine and our shippe was presently loose but before we had vp our anker Captaine Stiles sent word one of their Marchants was missing so that wee came presently to Anker againe and did ride tell day Hee that lost himselfe was the partie which was so carefull to giue other men warning which tooke none himselfe Day no sooner appearing but the Generall sent Captaine Stiles with at least 150. men to seeke for him And if it were possible to speake with some of the Portugals but all that day was spent in vaine and no news of him so the Generall would spend no longer time there but left him to learne the language so the 16. of May wee passed the line where many of our men fell sicke of the Scuruy Calenture Bloudy flix and the Wormes being left to the mercie of God and a smale quantitie of Lyman iuyce euery morning our phisition shipt for that purpose being as vnwilling as ignorant in any thing that might helpe them A great ouersight in the company and no doubt wil be better lookt to hereafter And to our proceeding voyage the 13. day of Iuly being Friday we had sight of Cape Bona Esperansa the wind at South-west a gentell gale the Generall commaunded the tackes a boord intending to go about the cape But our sick men cryed out most lamentably for at that present there were sicke of the scuruy at the least 80. men in our ship not one able to helpe the other who made a petition to the Generall most humbly entreating him for Gods sake to saue there liues and to put in for Saldania other wayes they were but dead men The Generall perusing there pitifull complaint and looking out of his cabin dore where did attend a swarme of lame and weake diseased criples who behoulding this lamentable sight extended his compasion towards them And graunted their requests that night the wind came vp at the South and continued tell the 17. day before we could get into the rode The next morning being Wednesday the Generall went on land with prouision to set vp tents a little way from our landing place the Negroes had their houses which were no other then a few croked sticks set in the grownd and mattes cast ouer them and they had great store of Cattell both beeves and sheepe grasing faire by them Our Generall and the captains went to batter with them for small peeces of Iron and bought some 12. sheep and more would haue sold vs till that they saw vs begin to set vp our tents which as it seemed was to their disliking for that incontinent they pulled downe their houses and made them fast vpon their Beasts backes and did driue away yet all meanes possible was sought to drawe them to sell vs more but in no case they would abide any lōger with vs but droue away with all the speed they might It lay in the generals power to haue taken them all from them as some counselled him to doe but he in no case would giue eare therevnto but let them depart not doubting but that they would returne againe seeing we offered them no wrong when it was in our powers to dispossesse them of all their cattell The 19. day we got our sicke men on land and the 20. our boats were sent to the Island where wee found such infinite number of seales that it was admirable to behold all the sea-shore lyes ouer-spread with them some sleeping some trauelling into the Island and some to the sea-ward Besides all the Rockes which lie a prettie distance off so full as they can hold thousands at a time going and as many comming out there bee many of them as bigge as any Beare and as terrible to behold And vp towards the middle of the Island there be infinite numbers of fowles called Pengwines Pellicans and Cormerants The Pengwines bee as bigge as our greatest Capons wee haue in England they haue no winges nor cannot flye but you may driue them by thousands in a flocke whether you will they bee exceeding fatte but their flesh is verie ranke for that they liue vppon fish there bee so many of them vpon this small Island which is not aboue 5. miles about to lade a shippe of 50 tonnes with all Vpon Sunday the 23 the first man that died out of our ship Vpon munday morning the Generall went into the Countrey to buy fresh victuals but the people of the countrey seeing so many in company fled But the General caused all the company to make a stand and then sent 4. to them with a bottell of wine and victuals with a Taber and a Pipe they seeing no more in company came to them and did eate drinke and daunce with them so they seeing with what kindes they were vsed tooke hart vnto them and came along withour Generall to our tents where they had many toyes bestowed vpon them As pins points beads and branches so they returned all very well pleased making signes to returne the next day with Cattell but foule wether preuented them for 3 dayes The forth day after being the 26. they brought vs 44. sheepe and the next day 23 sheep and two kine and the next day 15. sheepe and one bullocke and the 30 day we bought 120. sheepe and 6. Beeves the next day 9. sheepe and three beeves and the 2. of August 3. sheepe The 3. of August the Generall went in his pinnes and other boats with him to kill whales for all the bay is full of them they stroke diuers with harping Irons and especially they in the Susans pinnes stroake their harping Iron into one of them very sure and veered their boate a good scope from her shee feeling her selfe wounded towed the boat for the space of halfe an hower vp and downe the bay with such swiftnesse that the men were faine to go all of them and sit in the starne and let the whale towe them which was with such swiftnes that she seemed to flie but in the end they were Inforced to cut their rope to keepe their boat from sincking they were caried so swiftly throw the Sea The next that stroak one was in the Generals pinnes and there were two of them together and
they came without sauing a couple of Goats the king sent our Generall for a present The king of this I le vsed our men very kindly and feasted them being very glad to heare of the health of our Queene he asked for Sir Francis Drake this king was at Tarnata when Sir Fraucis Drake was there The two and twentieth day we ankered vnder Manipa on the South west side in 50 fadomes this day dyed Thomas Harman of the Flixe the three and twentieth we weyed with very much adoe for our anker was foule of a rock we broke one of the flooks thereof before we could way it The 24. day most part calme in which calmes we were caried very neer Manipa shore all sayles standing and vpon a sudden came a gust which had like to haue put vs vpon a ledge of rocks which we had no way to auoyde but all sayles standing came to an anker we ankerd within a quoits cast of the rocks and so escaped that danger The 25. day died Thomas Beynes the 27. day much raine the winde westerly March the first the windes all Northerly this day dyed of the Flixe Thomas Wheeler the second day the winde at the North west for the most part this day dyed of the flixe Richard Hedges and William Flud The third day we came faire by an Iland not specified in our cards it lieth West South west from the Southermost Iland of Bachan some foureteene leagues this I le of Bachan we gaue to name Hathowling for that in 7. dayes sailing we got not a mile the fourth and fift dayes we plied all we might but could doe noe good and those few sound men wee had were tyred with contiuall labour wee at this present lacking both woode and water came to an anker vnder Halbowling in sixtie fadomes this time the Maister and boatsone were both very sicke of the flixe insomuch that the Generall was in great doubt of their recouery the sixt day very much wind at North west our Generall went a land to seeke for fresh water but could find none but digging a well in the sand wee founde verye good water as for Woode wee needed not to seeke for that the Island yeelded nothing but wood to the sea-side that one was scarce able to passe the trees and brakes were so thicke here our portingal souldier was verie sicke of the flixe and the Generall was verie carefull of him for that he hoped by his meanes to haue trade with the Portingales of Tydore for Cloues The 7.8 and 9 dayes wee spent in wooding and watering which wee got all aboard the ninth day the windes continuing northerly with much raine This day died of the flixe William Elmesmore The 10. day wee weyed but had much adoe to gette vp a small anchor our weakenesse was so great that wee could not start it without tackles this day dyed Dauid Flud The 11. day raynie weather the winde at north-west wee stood to the northeast-ward this day dyed one of our Marchants called Master George Ware of the flixe The 12 13 and 14 dayes wee spent in turning to wind-ward sometimes vpon one tacke sometimes of the other The 13. day dyed Edward Ambrose of the flixe The 15. and 16. dayes the windes easterly wee made some 19. leagues north west The 17. day wee were in 10. minutes of south latitude the windes all westerly and wee ranne some 10. leagues north this day we had sight of all the Cloue-Islands that is to say Makian Muter Tidore and Tarnata all of them picked hilles in forme of a sugar-loafe The 18 and 19 dayes wee were faire vnder the land of Makian Betweene that and Gâ—olr where the people of Makian came aboard of vs with fresh victuals but sould verie deere they sayd they had good store of Cloues in the Island but they could not sell vs any without leaue of the King of Tarnâ—… The 20 and 21. we spent plying to winde wards with little wind between Makian Muter This Island of Muter is vninhabited but hath great store of Cloues vpon it this Island standeth between Tidor Makian but neerer to Makian by one third of the way thaÌ„ it is to Tidore the people of this Island haue been slaine most part in the wars between Tarnata and Tydore for sometime it was subiect to one King and sometime to another The 22. day we got vnder the land of Tydore and bearing vp between a small Island called Pulo Cauallie and Tydor there came rowing two of their Galleys from Tarnata making all the speed possible they could toward vs the headmost of the two weuing with a white flagge vnto vs to strike sayle and to tarrie for them At the same time came 7. Tydore Galleys rowing betwixt vs and the shoare to chase the Turnatanes Galleys wee not knowing their pretence they in the Tarnate Galleys did all they might to ouertake our Ship weauing with two or three flags at once to tarie for them which our Generall seeing caused the top-sayles to be strucke and lay by the lee to knowe what was the matter so that the formost of these Galleys or Caracolles recouered our shippe wherein was the King of Tarnata and diuers of his Noble-men and three Dutch Marchants when they had fast hold of the ship the Dutch Marchants shewed themselues to vs looking pale and desired our Generall for Gods sake to rescue the Caracole that came after vs wherein were diuers Dutch-men which were like to fall into the enemies handes where there was no hope of mercie but present death wherevpon our Generall caused our Gunner to shoote at the Tydore Galleys yet that would not cause them to leaue their chace but within shot of our ordinance discharged all their shot at the Tarnata Galley and presently boarded them and put all to the sword sauing three men which saued their liues by swimming and were taken vp by our men in our boate there were no Dutch-men in her as they reported but all Tarnatanes if wee had not tarryed as wee did the King of Tarnata and those with him had fallen into his enemies hand where no hope of mercle was to bee expected the Dutch-marchants comming aboard told our Generall they thought wee had beene Hollenders and bound for Tarnata and that was the cause they had put themselues in such danger and likewise to know whether wee were bound our Generall told them that he was going then for Tydore to seeke trade with the Portugals with whom we were in amitie they diswaded the Generall not to attempt any such thing for there was no other thing to bee expected at their handes but trecherie the Generall answered hee knew them well enough but minded to worke so warily with them that hee doubted not of any harme they could doe him The Dutch-men seeing our Generall minded to goe to the Portugall-towne of Tydore desired him that he would not let the king of Tarnata and them fall into their enemies hand whom so lately