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
Portugales who are great enemies to those of Ternate R. The hole or gappe where all the ships must passe for all along by the towne it is full of rockes and shoels at which rockes the people with their boates catch fishe when the water is lowe which they find in little plashes or puddles of water betwéene the rockes S. Is a boate of pleasure T. Is their manner of fishing for great fishe first they catch some small fishe with a little casting net then setting a long cane right an ende in the foreparte of the boate in the ende whereof they make a hoale thorowe which is put a long rope or corde and in the ende of the corde is fastened a fishehooke with a leafe ouer it that thereby the line may drine with the winde then one that sitteth behinde casteth out his small fishe towards the hooke which they kéepe hanging close aboue the water whereby they deceiue the great fishe and so with the booke take them Also they vse certaine baskets which they lay in the water so that they sinke to the ground and hauing so line one tyde they looke ouer the boates side to sée if any fishe be in the baskets or not wherein if they perceiue any fishe one of them tumbles ouer boorde and diuing into the water bringeth vp the basket and so take out the fishe Here might be obiected by some how it might be possible that they should see and discerne 15. 16. or 17. fathome déepe whether there were any fishe in the baskets or not let this sufflie for answere that the water is there so cléere that a man may out of the ship sée the anchors very plainely as they lye in the water and easily beholde multitudes of fishes swimming yea in the very bottome of the sea as manifestlie as if it were but a foote déepe V. Is a Marchants ship of Ternate which goeth from one Island to another laden with Rice Sagge and spices No. 16. THe King of Ternate going to the Temple to offer sacrifice before whom goeth a young boye with a sworde on his shoulder carrying a booke in the other hand then followe a certaine number of the Kings men of warre after whom commeth one bearing a Franckensence-pot or vessell and is followed by the King ouer whose head is borne a Tyresol or canopie then come others of his souldiers or men of warre with their Ensigne displayed being now come before the Musquita or Temple they wash their hands and féete to which ende certaine water-pots full of faire water are prepared that done they enter into their saide Musquites where they spreade a white cloth on the grounde and falling on their knées knitting their hands together doe often lay their faces on the grounde mumbling certaine wordes or prayers to themselues In the saide Musquites is placed a pulpit hanged with a white cloth and in stéede of a clocke there hangeth a kinde of Drumme whereupon they smite with a greate stricke They haue also a bell hanging in their Musquita but without a clapper whereon they smite at such time as any rumor or other sturre is in hand at what time euery man rich and poore must come out of his house some with Pikes some with Sables and shieldes some with Muskets and some with gunnes but of these are not many so armed To conclude their order is such that it would make a man laugh to sée them No. 17. THe King of Ternate his galley hauing stages on either side made of Spanish réedes or canes manned with slaues that rowe sitting two and two together and so made that the outer parts are passed euen with the water and that some may sit within the galley and rowe hauing a sheaffe of arrowes lying by them In stéede of oares they vse shouels casting the water from them along by their sides Aloft sit certaine men knocking vpon Drummes and basons and is appoynted with seuen brasse Bases with certaine pikes standing right an end which are much longer than any vsed in our Countries Also on the galley is placed a bedstead wrought all ouer and gilded whereon was hanged the breast and backe parts of the Kings armour with his helmet all couered with red veluet and on the bed was spread a very fine wrought couerlet whereon sometimes the King sitteth and sometimes lieth alwaies shaking his legge as if he had the Palsie and hauing one by him with a fanne fanning ouer his face The King was a verie thicke and corpulent man well set hauing a great head and all his members correspondent he is a mightie Prince hauing vnder his obedience thréescore and ten Islands and is meruailouslie honoured and feared of all his subjects No. 18. ARe fencers of the Moluckish Islands called in their language Bakeleyers wearing an headpeece beautified with a Paradice bird instead of a feather When they méete to fight or fence one with another they stand alwaies vpon one leg thereby being the readâ—er to leape and spring forward or backeward Now when the one leapeth in towards the other the same springeth a good way backwarde alwaies resting himselfe but vpon one foote and thus they spring forward and backward with such agillitie and nimblenes that it is a thing very pleasant to beholde Their apparell is a Pytigen made of Callicute cloth with bréeches of the same or some other stuffe of silke cut vpon very faire white and made after the fashion of the Spanish bréech The women of Moluccas going abroade and hauing their heads couered from the Sunne with Callicute cloth their garments are made of Callicute drawne out with sundrie and diuers cullours When they fetch their water they vse a very thicke cane some fathome and an halfe long wherein they put or lade the water with a dish and so carrie it home on their shoulders The 19. day we set sayle from Ternade to shorten our voyage The 21. day we crossed the Lyne néere vnto an Island called Macha and is one of the Islands of Molucca The 22. day was our last ordenarie flesh day remaining onely but for two or thrée seethings insomuch as all our victuals was spent except a little oyle and drie bread which was full of wormes and some small store of Rice and water and were allowed but one Mutskin of wine daylie The 30. day we had sight of the Isle of Oba sayling to the Northwarde thereof the same is a very great Island The 6. day we came to the west ende of Oba to the Anno 1599. the 6. of September westwarde whereof lye so many Islands that it is hardly possible to tell them and full of sholes which greatlie amased vs. These Islands lye some two leagues and an halfe to the west of the Lyne The 10. day a chéefe waying some seuen pounde was The price of an Hollands cheese aboord the ship solde for 12. Gilderns 10. Styuers which is fiue and twentie shilliugs sterling The 11. day we let fall our anchors vnder an Island
second time that the sunne was right ouer vs. ⧠A description of the Island de Cerne which was now named Mauritius lying 21. degrees to the South of the Equinoctiall line THe Island de Cerne named by the Hollanders Mauritius lyeth 21. degrees to the South of the Equinoctiall line and is in compasse some sixe miles or leagues verie little more or lesse Such as will saile into this Island must bring the two highest hilles into one leauing the sixe small Islands on the right hand kéeping tonne fadome water On the left side of vs lay a small Island which we named the Island of Hem◠kerken and the bay of the sayd Island of Cerne we called after the name of our Vice-Admirall The bay of Warwick it hath a very faire hauen where fiftie shippes maylie defended from all windes and weather This foresaid Island Mauritius is not inhabited nor neuer was by all that we could iudge for many and often times we ranne vp into the countrie and found no people but we iudged by the tamenesse of the birds and fowles that it must bee an vnfrequented place by reason that men might take them plentifully with their hands It is a verie hie hillie land so that for the most part it is couered with cloudes and somtimes there passeth such a smoke or mist ouer the land that a man can hardly see The scituation and fertilicie of Cerne one another For the most part it is all stonie ground not withstanding very aboundant of wilde trees which are there in innumerable sort standing so thicke that a man can hardly passe by them These trees are as faire euen wood as may be found in any Countrey as blacke as pitch and as smoothe as a bone on the out-side is a verie thicke greene barke and vnder the barke is the black Eben some with verie faire redde wood and other some yellow as waxe of which three sorts of wood wée brought a little from thence for a proofe and is found to be excellent faire and good Also it hath Palmites trees whereby we were greatly Palmites trees refreshed they grow like to the Cokar-trees aloft in the toppe it carryeth the branches thicke and spreading the same we cutte downe and hauing taken out the pith did eate we made sometimes sallads thereof which strongly purged and refreshed our bodyes We landed in this Island almost all our people and found the same to be verie good and healthsome so that we erected there some tents and cabbins wherin we laid our sicke and diseased which we brought from our ships and there remained vntill they were recouered which was in verie short time whereby wee noted that this Island was of a sweete and wholesome ayre After wee were all landed wee had a Sermon in the forenoone and another in the afternoone thanking and praysing God that hee had brought vs to a place of so good refreshing for if we had not come to this place many of vs had not liued to tell newes for the scuruie disease beganne mightily to raigne among our people and our water for the most part stunke and was as blacke as kennell water this happened iust when in foure months and twentie dayes before we had not set footing vpon any land Being now in the Isle Mauritius we rowed with one of our boates to another place of the land to search what inhabitants wee could find but found none onely wee came to a fresh riuer which fell from the mountaines where we tooke in fresh water for our ships Some of our companie went a fishing in a small Of the multitude of fish cocke with a nette which the Vice-Admirall had brought with him and we found that there was wonderfull plentie of fish so that at one draft we tooke néere two barrels and a halfe of fish and could hardly draw the net by reason of the great number of fishes therein and we tooke euerie day so great quantitie of fish that we were not able to spend the same while it was fresh and sweet Here we took a Chorn-backe that was so big that wee with the Marriners of our ship had sufficient to eate thereof at two meales Here are great numbers of Torteyses which are so big that 4 of vs might stand vpon some one Torteyse and yet it crept away with vs in the shelles or shieldes whereof tenne of vs haue had roome to sit This Island is very fruitfull and plentifull of fowles The fertilitie of Cerne as of Turtle Doues whereof there are such plentie that 3. of vs haue in one afternoone taken 150. and if wee had beene able to carrie them we might haue taken more with our bare hands killed them with cudgels There are also great plenty of russet Parrets of other colours there are also other great fowles as big as our Swans hauing great heads vpon their heads a skin as if they had caps on their heads they haue no wings at all but in place of wings they haue 3. or 4. black quils and where their taile should be they haue 4. or 5. small curled feathers their colour is grayish Wee named these fowles Walghfowle partly because they were tough in eating how long time soeuer they sod yet the crop breast were very good meat but specially because we could take store of Turtle Doues which were more delectable in taste There are yet other sorts of fowles good to bee eaten which are called Rabos Forcados because their tayles are like in fashion to a taylers shéeres These fowles are so tame that a man may take them with his hands as they sate on their nest and also kill them with staues and cudgels insomuch that in the space of one halfe howre we could fill a boate with them whereby we presumed that there had neuer béene any people in the Island for the birdes shunned no man yea they scarcely would forbeare to come and sit on our heades and so suffer themselues to bee taken In this Island we did set vp a Smithes sorge where our Smith made and mended some Iron workes and the Shipwrights made also a boate for the Vtricht for she had lost her boat before Saint Laurence Island In this Isle de Cerne before mentioned we found about 300. pound waight of waxe whereon stood Gréeke Letters We found also a Netting with a Capsten bar and a great Maineyard whereby iudged that some ship had there suffered wracke In this Island our Vice-Admirall caused a shield of wood to be made fastned to a trée to the end that if any The Ad mirall nayleth a boord or a shield to a tree the reason thereof ships arriued at that place they might perceiue the Christians had béen there thereupon was carued these words following Christianos Reformados reformed Christiās with the armes of Holland Zealand and Amsterdam Also there is in this Island a very large plain wherof our Vice-Admirall caused a garden to be made
aforesayd parted from vs. The 12. day in the night we lost the company of the Zealand by reason of the mist The 13. day we heard nothing of her In the night we ran Northward taking in our top-sayles to th end we might come together agaiue The 14. day in the morning we were neare to Faire Lee hauing sight of a Flecte of 30. Sayle but could vnderstand nothing of the Zealand About noone we saw Douer Clifts hauing a fine South west wind a long the coast of Fraunce The same night we left Douer behind vs. The 15. day in the morning we saw Callice Dunckerk where we met with a Northerly wind and at noone turned towarde Douer Roade at what time the Zealand came againe to vs and the same euening we let fall our Anchors in Douer Roade The 16. day in the morning the Boate rowed to the shore to buy some fresh victualies the Wind North North west with a very hard gale The 20 day came a Post to vs from London with Letters which he deliuered with other newes to our Vice-Admirall Afterwardes with great ioy to all the Marchantes and Owners whom it concerneth were ariued God be thanked in safetie in the Texel where the Nutmegs were vnladen and put into bagges and sent to Amsterdam to the great admiration and comfort of the people where they were layde vp in Warr-houses which with the other Spices yeelded a most pleasant sweete smell to all the neighbours dwelling there aboutes And it is most true that these Nutmegâ—es were so fresh that Dyle was pressed out of them the like whereof were neuer brought from Lysborne Hauing thus finished and declared the ariuall of these two Shippes in the Texel we will returne to the other two namely the Amsterdam and the Vtrecht which after they had lyen two months at Amboyna before Tuban and could not there finde sufficient store of lading sayled thence the 8. day of May towards the Ilands of Moluccas THe 13. day of March Anno 1599. March the two Ships lying before Tuban there ariued three Ships of warre from Iaua full of Souldiers which were sent for by the Tubans to ayde them against the Portingals and to take a Castle which they there helde committing dayly great outrage and mischiefe against those of Tuban because we were suffered to lie there These Iauaners were receiued with great ioy and triumph who after their landing fell to making of Boothes and Cottages running ouer all the land clyming the Coquar trees and gathering the fruites to the great damage dissyking of all the people of Amboyna The 20. day some of vs were a shore to kill fowle with our Peeces where wee killed greene Pidgions as great as Duckes The 25. day Iohn Cornelissen of Edam died who was the first man that was buried there on the land The 29. day was a letter sent to the Vice-Admirall lying at Banda The 30. day some lading in small quantetie was brought aboard for that they could not agree on the prises The last day the Admirall went ashore to agree about the price of wares but effected nothing The first day of Aprill Isack Henricksen of Rees died Aprill was buried on the land The 2. day Gisbrecht Wolfertsen died also and was buried on the land The 10. day the price of Cloues was agreed viz. for 35. The price of Cloues peeces of Ryals of eight the Baer the Baer waying 550 li. The 12. day was agreement made for the price of head peeces viz. 250. li. of Cloues for euery head peece of Murrion The 13. day we tooke in some Cloues The 19. day the long Boate returned from the Vice-Admirall at Banda which is some 28. leagues from Tuban from whom we vnderstood that the said Vice-Admirall had taken into his Ship some 30. Last of Nutmegs and Maces and it was supposed that at this time he had in his full lading for the Boate had been 5. dayes on the way and that the other Ship of Melcknap began to lade also The 20. day the Portingales attempted to take a little Towne in the Iland of Amboyna not effecting any thing but that they killed two men for the people of the Iland assembling made head against them in the ayde of the towne in which company 4. of our Marriners went in the Boate with the King of Ternates his Brother which seemed strange vnto them and as a mirracle that the Hollanders would take their partes in their warrs as enemies to the King of Spaine and Portingall May. The 2. day of May Iohn Martsen a Wallon and our Trumpeter died and was buried on the land The 8. day we bartered for some small quantitie of Cloues of which commoditie was no great store in this Island to bée had but wonderfull plentie of Rice insomuch that for a looking glasse of a blancke or of a pennie of sterling money we had fiftéene or sixtéene pounde of Rice and so accordingly after the same rate for all other wares In the end we set saile and departed thence towards the Island Moluccas carrying with vs a Gentleman belonging to the King who gaue himselfe out to be the Kings brother but it was not so This gentleman tolde vs that the Kings father of Amboyna had in his life time 70. married Wiues besides his other concubines and that the King now liuing had 40. married wiues besides his other women or concubines The 14. day died Albert Petersen in Iohn Martsens ship The 16. day in the night wée crossed the Line hauing sight the next morning of the Island Ternate and Tidore The 22. day towards the euening we let fall our anchors Anno 1599. The 22. of May. vnder the Island of Ternate and rode at fiftéene fathome The 25. day dyed one Iacob a Flemming and was buried on the land The 28. day the King of Ternate came aboord vs but The King of Ternate commeth aboord not into our ships desiring our Admirall to come into his gallie which the Admirall did betwéene whom was long conference by interpreters so that we supposed he would haue come into our ships but hée would by no meanes excusing himselfe first that the ladder had no conuenient couering although there was a péece of woollen cloth cast ouer it then it was too late for him and it was now time for him to goe to his prayers for said he the Sunne is now very lowe The 29. day the King came the second time to vs In what triumphant manner the King came the second time with 32. gallies maruailouslie well trimmed and appointed with some hundred bases of brasse rowing in triumphant maner thrice about ourships with great noyse of singing drummes and copper basons In the meane while we made our selues readie with our ordenance muskets pikes and other artillerie placing some of our men aloft and other some beneath to make resistance if nèede had béen and that if they had offered vs any violence but
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
at one draft we tooke two barrels and a halfe of many sorts To the gentle Reader IT is to be vnderstood Gentle Reader that all the eight shippes kept companie vntill they came neere to the C. de Bona Esperance where they were parted and seuered by tempests and foule weather namely the eight day of August 1598. but these fiue ships kept together to wit the Amsterdam the Zealand the Gelderland the Vtrecht and the great Pinnase called Freesland which happened to fall with the Island Mauritius where we lay foureteene dayes without any knowledge what was become of the other three shippes the Mauritius our Admirall the Hollandia and of the small Pinnase called the Ouer-Ysel which three shippes came from the Island of Saint Marie and from thence sailed to Bantam Of which three shippes we will make some relation and of such matters as befell them in the Island of Saint Marie at Bantam and in their returne After that these thrée shippes were parted and seuered How 3. ships arriued at the IslaÌ„d S. Mary tooke the king thereof prisoner by storme and foule weather from the company of the other shippes they were driuen vnder the Island of Saint Mary where they tooke the King prisoner and afterwards ransomed him for a Cow and a fatte Calfe In this Island we found not any great matter comming thither in a time out of season for the Orringes were but blossomed and the Lemons verie small but we found some Sugar Canes Hennes and such like And the people of the Countrey came to vs with two or three small Oringes Here we saw a strange manner of The manner which the IndiaÌ„s vse to take whales hunting there were certaine Indians in a Canoas or boate which had spied a Whale at Sea who with their boate made out to take her and after they had struck into her body an harping Iron whereunto was fastened a long rope made of the inner barkes or péelings next to the bodyes of trées the Whale finding her selfe wounded descended into the deepe and they viering the rope to the whole length not withstanding the Whale drew the boat after him as easily as if it had been a straw but the Indians assuring theÌ„selues vpoÌ„ their expert swimming feared not drowning nor the ouerturning of their boate Now after they had thus continued a while vntill the Whale had tyred her selfe and was out of breath they towed her to the shoare betwéene wind and water and afterwards at low water they hewed her in peeces and euerie one of them tooke as much as hee desired Wee might haue taken thereof at our pleasures but it looked so greazie bacon like that it went against our stomacks Afterwards wee sayled to the great bay of Antongil where we filled our vessels with water Our Indian whose name was Madagascar might haue remained at this place but hee excused himselfe that he would rather go with vs apparrelled then remain in a place naked where he was vnknowne Wee went vp the fresh riuer with our long boate to seeke for fresh victuals but the people of the Countrey made signes vnto vs to returne for that there was nothing here to be had yet wee rowed thrée leagues higher but wee sped according to the sayings of the Indians This scarcitie was by reason that the Kings of the Island had warre whereby all things were spoyled and wasted insomuch that the inhabitants themselues dyed with hunger and penurie One of their Kings was slaine wherefore wee stayed there but fiue dayes but sayling from thence we directed our course towards Iaua and with Gods helpe arriued at Bantam with all our thrée shippes as before to wit Mauritius our Admirall whose master was Gouert Ianssen and Corneles Hermskerck one of the Commitees the ship Hollandia wherein Simon Lambertsen Mau was Master S. Wte Nâ—â— Committees who died before Bantam in whose place was chosen Iohn Ianson Smit The third being the small Pinnase called the Ouer-Ysil whose Master was Simon Ianson Arent Hermanssen of Alkmer was Commissioner and Iacob van Neck was Admirall and chiefe Commaunder of the whole Nauie in the end we arriued with great celeritie before Bantam the 26. day of December 1598. As soone as we were come vnto Bantam we practised How 3. shippes procured the friendship of those of Bantam what gifts they presented to the king with all possible spéed to attaine the friendship and good liking of these of Bantam to which end Hemskerck was sent before to the town to offer them trade and dealings in Marchandize for they suspected we had been the same that had been there the last yeere that kept themselues so long at sca and that wée were Pirates théeues as the Portingales had heretofore perswaded them but wee excused ourselues and made sufficient answere after wee had sent Abdol vnto them who was of that place and brought thence the last yeere The sayd Abdol hauing declared the good and friendly entertainment hee had found with vs together with the rarities singularities which he had séene in our Countrey that wee had now many yéeres maintained mortall wars against the king of Spaine and Portingall wee had fauourable audience and presented our gifts vnto the king being but a child but the chiefe gouernour â—ephate who had the kinglike authoritie receiued our gifts in the kings name in verie thankfull manner the gifts were a gilded cup certaine péeces of veluet and other draped silkes with faire drinking glasses gilded looking glasses withall were presented letters of credite vnder the hand seale of the worthie Lords the States and of his Excellencie Graue Maurice which were with great reuerence and créeping on their knées receiued After that all these matters were finished we began to buy and sell with those of Bantam insomuch that the 4. day after we began to lade before the end of 4. or 5. weekes the ships were almost laden Thus after we had remained there some foure wéeks our other 5. ships came sailing towards vs in good safety hauing none of their people or but very few sicke Then we put out our flags auncients and streamers saluting each other with our great ordinance in the best order Immediately after came certaine of their Praus or boates aboord vs bringing great plentie of Hens egges Cokar-nuts Bonouas Sugar Canes and Cakes of Rise This was eucrie day to do changing and bartring with them for wrought Tin wee had for a Tin spoone as much victuals as a man was able to eate in seven dayes Abdol did vs great hurt for hee had not onely reported that there were fiue ships to come after vs but also that there were more ships in rigging to come thither out of Zealand which was cause that whereas at the first we The prices of pepper at BantaÌ„ payed but 3. péeces of royals of eight for 55. pound of pepper afterwards they raised it to 4. royals of eight it was all royals
all this day we had the wind Westerly for the most part keeping our course East and East and by South The 21. day the Committées and Masters of the The 21. Ianuarie 1599. we came before the Iland Tuban shippes were commaunded to come aboord the Admirall where they sate together in counsell The same day wée made with the land and in the night wee came before a Towne called Tuban The 22. day in the morning two long boates were manned and sent to the shore with two of the Vnder-Committées to sée if they might there make any prouision of fresh victuals The same day in the euening the long boats returned to the shippes bringing with them a Portingall gentleman of the Countrey which had renounced the Christian religion and taken vpon him the religion of the Countrey This sayd Renegado spake with our Admirall saying wee should at that place haue lading sufficient to our contentment if we would slay there thrée or foure moneths The 23. day in the morning a long boate with thrée cocke-boats rowed againe to the shore to buy Rice and other victuals The same day in the euening we saw many people assembling in euery stréete with their weapons in very gallant comely sort after their manner hauing very many Gentlemen among them on horse-backe which could very well ride and mannage their horses in running Tourneis breaking of lances and hunting which pastimes we sawe the same euening on their market place Tuban is a little Towne wherein is vsed a very large Description of Tuban trade of all kinde of Marchandize as of Silkes Lynnen Chamblets and many garments wherewith they clothe themselues and of all other sortes of commodities At this place is plentie of fresh victualles to be had In this Towne dwell many rich Gentlemen vsing great trade in pepper which they send to other Townes from thence in shippes which they call Ionken These gentlemen are marueilous proud and stout their apparell is like vnto theirs of Bantam bragging with their daggers hanging at their sides Also these gentlemen haue many slaues and seruants insomuch as they go not once out of their doores without x or xx persons following them which waite with great diligence and care The 24. day in the morning two long boats rowed ashore to receiue the king for he had promised to come aboord to sée our ships to which ende our Vice-Admirall went ashore with the saide long boats who was by the king brought into his pallace shewing him all his wiues women and maydens and all his horses which were marueilous faire At noone the Vice-Admiral returned aboord the shippes bringing the Kings sonne with him for the King himselfe would not come In the euening wée brought him againe to the land honouring him with sixtéene great shot out of the 4. ships wherein hée receiued great pleasure and contentment The description of Tuban which is a Towne scituated in the Island called Iaua Maior where we arriued the 22. day of Ianuarie 1599. finding therein store and great plentie of fresh victuals No. 3. THis Towne of Tuban is a very fine place or Town The scituation of Tubā and of the estate of the king and people ther. for trade in marchandize walled round about hauing gates of wood made very trim and gallant after their countrie fashion the King is a Prince of great power and as is there by the Inhabitants reported hee is the mightiest King of all the countrie of Iaua insomuch that when he goeth into the field he is able to raise within the space of 24. houres many thousand men both on foot and horsebacke The King holdeth himselfe very maiestically accompanied with many Gentlemen of great state and qualitie his Court is royall and very stately worthy to be séene of strangers In this Towne dwell very many Gentlemen which are great dealers in buying and selling of silkes Chamlets Calikuthes of apparell which they vse to weare and are there made in the Countrie They haue shippes which they name in their language Ionken these ships they lade with pepper sending the same to Baly where they barter for slight or simple apparell made of Cotton Their dealings in trade of marchandize cloth or Callikuts whereof great store are there made And after they haue so made change of their pepper for these wares they send the same to Banda Ternati Phlippina and other adioyning Countries rechanging that apparell for Maces Nutmegs and Cloues and hauing laden their shippes with those commodities they returne home The common people for the most part get their liuing with fishing and bringing vp of cattell whereof they haue great plentie They driue their cattell out in the morning and in the euening they fetch them in againe They goe apparelled like vnto those of Bantam wearing a cloth about their middles their bodies vpward being naked and a dagger which they call their Kriis at their side Commonly the Gentlemen cast ouer their bodies a mantle made of Camels haire which they call a Pitguen whereof and of their daggers they are not a little proude Such as are of any calling or countenance haue many seruants and slaues which waite on their masters at an inch so that if they go but out of their houses ten or twelue of these slaues followe them and wheresoeuer they goe a small chest is carried after them with béete leaues which they eate with chalke or lyme and gréene Nuts called in their language Ladon the same being so chawed vntill all the moysture be out they spit it out of their mouthes ⧠A declaration of the maner of their Horses and comely fashion vsed in decking and trimming them together with their order in Turneys and running with their Launces shewed vnto our Marchants the 23. day of Ianuarie to congratulate or welcome them which was by those people accomplished very gallantly THe Gentilitie of Tuban haue great delight pleasure Of their Horses howe they are trimmed in their Horses for all such as are of any abilitie wil kéepe a horse wherin they take great pride Their Horse are of a very small stature their legs are small but they run very swiftly vsing rich costly Saddles made of Veluet and some of Spanish Leather painted with grisly Dragons fearefull Diuels for the most part gilded the saddles are made like vnto ours but with lower backs behind the seate Their bridles are garnished with precious stones which are as white as Alablaster the bits are also made very fine costly with 2. bosses of siluer whereof some are white some gilded according to th' estate degrée of the master or owner of the horse some of those bosses are made of copper also for the meaner sort of people They ride oftentimes out of the towne 3. or 4 in a companie more or lesse bragging out-facing bearding each other as they ride run or turne their horses striuing who can best run the ring spring leape cariere manage
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
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