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
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
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
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
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
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-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
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