most of them hauing the temper of their mettall poysoned so that not one amongst fiue hundred that is wounded with them in the bodie escapeth with his life The Handles of these Weapons are either of Horne or Wood curiously carued in the likenesse of a Diuell the which many of them do worship In their Warres their fight is altogether with Pikes Dartes and Targets of late some few of them haue learned to vse their Peeces but verie vntowardly The Gentilitie both men and women neuer goe abroad but they haue a Pike borne before them The apparrell of the better sort is a Tucke on their Heads and about their Loynes a faire Pintado all the rest of their bodies naked Sometimes they will weare a loose Coate somewhat like a Mandillion of Veluet Chamlet Cloth or some other kind of Silke but it is but seldome and vppon some extraordinarie ocasion The common sort weare on their heads a flat Cap of Veluet Taffata or Callico Cloth the which is cut in many peeces and seamed with a faire stitch to make them sit flatte and compasse About their Loynes they weare a kinde of Callico cloth which is made at Clyn in manner of a Silke Girdle but at the least two yards broad beeing of two cullours Also there commeth from thence many sorts of White cullours which they them selues doe both die paint and guild according to the fashions of that Countrey Likewise they can weaue a kind of Striped stuffe both of Cotten and Rinds of Trees but by meanes of their layâ—sinesse there is very little of that worne The men for the most part haue verie thicke curled haire on their heads in which they take great pride and often will goe bare headed to shew it The Women goe all bare headed some of them hauing their haire tucked vp like a Cart-horse tayle but the better sort doe tucke it vp like our riding Geldings tayles About their Loynes they weare of the same Stuffes which I haue before mentioned alwayes hauing a faire Girdle or Pintado of their Countrey fashion throwne ouer one of their Shoulders which hangeth downe loose behinde them The principallest of them are most Religious but they very seldome goe to Church They doe acknowledge Christ to be a great Prophet whom they call Naby Isat and some of them do keepe of Mahomets Priestes in their houses But the common people haue very little knowledge in any Religion onely they say there is a GOD which made Heauen and Earth and them also Hee is good they say and will not hurt them but the Diuell is naught and will doe them hurt wherefore many of them for want of knowledge doe pray to him onely for feare least he should hurt them And surely if there were men of Learning which were perfect in their Language to instruct them a number of them would be drawen to the true Fayth of Christ and also would be brought to ciuilitie for many which I haue reasoned with concerning the lawes of Christians haue liked all well excepting onely their pluralitie oâ— Women for they are all very lasciuiously giuen both men and women The better sort which are in authoritie are great takers of Bribes and all the Iauans in generall are badd pay maisters when they are trusted notwithstanding their Lawes for Debts are so strict that the Creditour may take his Debtour his Wiues Children and Slaues and all that hee hath and sell them for his Debt Likewise they are all much giuen to stealing from the highest to the lowest and surely in times past they haue been no better then Man-eaters before trafficke was had with them by the Chyneses which as I haue heard some of them say is not aboue one hundred yeares since They delight much in Ease and Musicke and for the most part they spend the day sitting crosse legged like a Taylor whitling of Stickes whereby many of them become very good Caruers to carue their Cryse handles and that is all the worke of most of them indeuour to doe They are very great eaters but the Gentlemen allow their Slaues nothing but Rice sodden in Water with some Rootes and Hearbes And they haue a certaine Hearbe called Bettaile which they vsually haue carryed with them wheresoeuer they goe in Boxes or wrapped vp in Cloath like a Sugerloafe and also a Nutt called Pâ—â—ange which are both in operation very hott and they eate them continually to warme them within and keepe them from the Fluxe They doe likewise take much Tabacco and also Opium The Iauans them selues are very dull and blockish to mannage any affaires of a Common wealth whereby all Strangers goe beyond them that come into their Land and many of the Countrey of Clyn which come thither to dwell doe grow very rich and rise to great Offices and dignitie amongst theÌ„ as their Sabendaâ— their Caytomongon and others but especially the Chyneses who like Iewes liue crooching vnder them but robb them of their wealth and send it for Chyna The Chyneses are very craftie people in trading vsing all kind of cosoning deâ—eit which may possible be deuised They haue no pride in them nor will refuse any labour except they turne Iauans as many of them doe when they haue done a murther or some other villanie then they are euery whit as proud and as loftie as the Iauans For their Religion they are of diuers sectes but the most of them are Atheists And many of them hold opinion that when they die if they be good men they shal be borne againe to great Riches and be made Gouernours and if they be wicked men then they should be turned into some vglie Beast as a Frogge or a Toad They burne Sacrifice euery new Moone mumbling prayers ouer them with a kinde of singing voyce and as they sing they ring a litle Bell which at the end of euery prayer they â—ing out as fast as euer they can This Ceremonie they also vse when any amongst them of acount lyeth a dying The maner of their Sacrifice is this They furnish their Altars with Goates Hennes Duckes and diuers sortes of Fruites the which are sometimes dressed to eate and sometimes raw and then are dressed afterwardes and eaten all that they burne is onely Papers painted and cut out in curious workes and valued by them at a certaine price I haue many times asked them to whom they burne their Sacrifice and they haue answered mee to GOD But the Goserats and Turkes which are there say they burne it to the Diuell If they doe so they are ashamed to confesse it They are many of them well seene in Astronomie and keepe a good account of their Months and Yeares They obserue no Sabboth nor one day better then other except they lay the Foundation of a House or begin some other great worke which day they euer after obserue as a Holiday When any of them that are wealthie die in Bantan their bodyes are burnt to ashes which ashes they put vp close in
did not keepe good watch that there was a crew that ment to enter sodainlie vpon vs and to cut our throats in so much that we being but foure at that house what with our watching and what with the disease that raigneth much in that Countrey which is loosenes of the bodie we were growne to very great weaknes and two of vs neuer recouered it The 19. of Aprill 1603. there came into the Road 9. Sayle of Hollanders ouer whom was Generall Wyborne van Warwycke who shortly after sent two of them for Chyna two for the Molluckos two laded at Bantan one went to Iortan Also he dispatched a Pinnis to Acchyn to will certaine Ships that went from thence by Cap. Spylbecks directions to Zelon to win a small Fort from the Portingales to come to Bantan in the meane time he with one Ship stayed vntill their ariuall We are very much beholding to this Generall for Wine Bread and many other necessaries and curtisies receiued of him He would often tell vs how Sir Richard Luson relieued him when he was likely to perish in the Sea for the which he would say he was bound to be kind to English men where soeuer he met them and to speake the thruth there was nothing in his Shippes for the comfort of sicke men but wee might commaund it as if it had been our owne Also he in his owne person did verie much reuerence the Queenes Maiestie of England when he talked of her The 25. day of Aprill died Thomas Morgan our second Factor heere who had been sicklie a long time Also M. Starkey began to grow very weake The 28. day came in our Pinnis which was sent for Banda hauing lost one of hir Factors William Close and the rest but weake and sicklie About this time there came certaine of the Kings Officers and forbad vs to goe forward with our House the reason whereof as I do iudge was because the new Protector had not as yet receiued a Bribe and the Sabyndar and hee beeing at that time not friends he could do vs litle pleasure wherefore wee complained to Cay Tomongono Gobay the Admirall who in deed is the Father of all Strangers in that place Hee presently made a great Feast and inuited all the principall of the Court At which Feast he began to discourse of our cause telling them what a shame it was that the King and they would not keepe their words to the English Generall and Marchants and that rather then he would breake his word hee would goe dwell in a small Cottage him selfe and wee should haue his House But after much adoe hee made them graunt that wee should go forward with our House the which in short time after was finished Our principall Marchant fearing Pepper would be deare by reason of the Hollanders shipping that was there present and the rest that were to come bought vp as much Pepper as he could and because our House was not as yet readie hee disbursed his money before the Pepper was waighed and by reason the Fleminges are not curious in receiuing their Pepper when wee came to waigh ours wee were forced to receiue it as they did or elâ—e we should haue neither money nor Pepper so that wee had in that parcell much foule and bad Pepper About the fine of Aprill came in Capt. Spylbeck who was at the taking of the Shippe of S Thomy with our Generall and had an eight part with vs whereby he somewhat hindered our market Shortly after him came in Generall Hymskerk with the rich Shippe of Machane The 10. of May wee lost one more of our Companie Iames Haward Likewise M. Starkey caused the Pinnis to be new sheathed thinking she should proceed of her Voyage againe Also hee went and lay at an Iland to see if hee could recouer his health there but he grew euery day weaker and weaker wherefore it was thought best of vs all to make sale of the Pinnis to Captaine Spylbeck who was desirous of her and to retaine her men at Bantan for M. Starkey beeing not likely to liue it had been no wisedome to leaue the whole state of our busines vpon the life of one Factor and so small a crew of men as was there besides Likewise finding his time to grow neere to an end hee thought good vpon the last of May to giue ouer his authoritie and to spend the rest of his time with Generall Warwicke who also lay vpon this Iland for his recreation and albeit hee wanted nothing that either his Doctor or Surgeons could minister but nothing will preuaile when God please to call so that vpon the last of Iune hee ended his dayes whose Buriall Generall Warwicke caused to be honored with a voley of Slot and Pikes the which with the Collours were â—rayled vpon the ground according to the order of Souldiers buriall The 4. of Iuâ—e the great Market on the East side of the Riuer was by villanie of certaine Iauans who thought to get some spoyle of the Chyneses goodes set on fire In which Fier some Chyneses that were indebted to vs lost all that they were worth so that we escaped not without some losse by it The 17. of Iuly deceased Thomas Dobson one of the Factors lâ—â—t for Banda The 27 day the Towne was burnt againe on the East side of the Riuer The 5. of August at 10. a clocke at night there came to our House Capt. Spylbeck Capt. Iohn Powlson and some other Dutch Captaines who told vs they had that day bin with the Protector about some busines who asked them if they would take our parts if he should do any violence to vs To the which they answered as they sayd that we and they were neere neighbours wherefore they might not see vs wronged They sayd more that he straightly charged theâ— â—â—at whatsoeuer hee should doe vnto vs that they should not be offended nor ayde vs any way This sodaine newes caused vs much to maruell for not past 4. or 5. dayes before he sent many of his Slaues to build the vpper worke of our House for indeed because it was somewhat higher then any other Houses in the towne many of the chiefest did enuie at it so that we could get no workmen that durst do it and wee had more trouble about this then wee had when the foundation was first laide I was minded the very next day following to haue gone to the Protector and to giue him a Present also to giue him thanks for his men but hearing this newes I thought it best first to goe to Cay Tomongon Gobay the Admirall whom I knew to be our friend to certifie him what we had heard by the Hollanders desiring him as he had alwayes professed to be our Father that he would tell vs whether the Protector would do vs any violence or no. He told mee the Protector would do vs no harme without his knowledge and further he bid vs feare nothing for so long as he liued wee
a pan to stop it at an instant if fire should take vs ouer head he looked behind his trunk where hee might plainly perceiue the smoak to steme vp out of the hole then presently he came into my chamber and tould mee our cloath warehouse was a fire I hearing this word fire although I was fast a sleepe yet it was no need to bid me rise neither was I long a slipping on my clothes but presently ranne downe and opened the doores wherat came out such a strong funke smoake that had almost strangled vs this smoake by reason it had no vent was so thick that we could not perceiue vvhere abouts the â—yre was and all that time wee had twoe great Iars of powder standing in the warehouse which caused vs greatly to feare blowing vp yet setting all feare aside we weÌ„t to it and plucked all things off that lay on them which â—eeled in our hands very hott the pouder vvee got out and caryed into our backside then vvee searched boldly for the fyre and found it wee lighted candels but the thicknesse of the smoke put them out then vvee tyâ—d twelue great wax candles together and lighted them all which continued a light wee plucked out packes so â—ast as wee could but by reason of the heat and smoake which choaked vs beeing so few as wee were could doe little good vppon it wherefore wee let in the Chyneses then came in as well those that had done it as others hoping to get some spoyle those that were minded to helpe vs which were but few durst not for feare of our powder for they knew well wee had some there vntill they had beene in the backside and showed where it stoode then they would haue had me broken vppe the seeling ouer head and there to haue powred downe water the which I would by no meanes but still desired them to helpe pluck out packs for if we should haue giuen the fyre vent it would haue flamed vp to the theatch before wee should haue gotten halfe water enough and when wee had beene a fyer ouer our head and vnder foote and all the houses round about vs it had not beene possible to haue saued the worth of one groate then they would haue had mee haue broken downe the house where the fyre was but this was but to haue many wayes in to haue stolne our goods neither could I get aboue twoe or three to helpe our men to pluck out packs as for Maister Towerson and my selfe wee had worke enough to stand by with our swordes to keepe them from throwing them ouer the pales after they were out Also they were not without their consorts on the other side to receiue them When I sawe that these damned Chyneses would doe vs little good but rather harme I was almost in dispayre and hauing at that time a thousand pounds in Golde which I had receiued of Generall Hemskerke for pepper in my Chest aboue stayres I ranne vp thinking to fetch it and to throw it into a ponde on our backe side But when I câ—me to my chamber doore my minde altered and I thought I would goe see once againe what might be done and comming thorow our house I chaunced to cast my eye into our dyning roome which was right ouer the place where the fire was where there was Chyneses that had remooued the table and were breaking vp the brickes of the seeling Amongst which was one vnkinde neighbour which was the principall Actor I bid them leaue and get them downe the which they would not vntill I began to let flie amongst them When I had driuen them downe I went downe after them and desired some Merchaunts that stood by with whome wee had dealings that they would vrge the rest of the Chyneses to helpe vs plucke out packes promising they should bee well paid for their paines It pleased God to put so much good in their minds which I thinke neuer had any before not since So that they fell to worke of all handes and presently the roome was cleared out of which came fiftie and odde packes wherof sixteene were a light fire and also they emptied the next roome for wee knewe not all this while how the fire came not yet how farre it went but the Chyneses did know the most parte of them For when the first roome was emptie and the fire on the walles quenched fewe of them would set their handes to one packe in the next roome saying that the fire was quenched and the danger all past when the fire was all out I stood musing alone by my selfe how this fire could come being verie much grieued in minde Then came to comfort mee two or three Chyneses who â—olde mee I did not giue sacrifice to God wherefore this mischaunce was happened vnto mee I tolde them I did giue sacrifice to God euerie day but not after their manner nor neuer would but had wee knowne then that the Chyneses had done it wee should haue sacryfised so many of them that their bloode should haue helped to haue quenched the fire so soone as wee were at leysure I gaue to euerie one of them a ticke of my hand who were about fortie in number and willed them to come in the morning and I would pay them for they would not set a hand to helpe vntill I had promised to pay them All this while our house and yarde lay like a small Towne that had beene newly sacked by the enemie and goods laye some hafe burnt and some troden in the myre and durt and what with fire and water much was spoyled so soone as it was day the Chyneses came for their money the which they are euer exceeding greedie of I profered them a peece of eight a man which they much scorned I asked them if it were not enough for halfe an houres worke they aunswered againe that if they had not helped vs we had had our house burnt and so had lost all I tolde them againe that it was not long since that if I had not helped them they had had their throats cut when they coulde get no more they tooke that some of them wishing our house had beene consumed although they spake it not before vs for if they had wee should haue banged them such is their wicked minde Now wee beganne to call to minde who had beene in the warehouse the day before then wee remembred that there were certaine Mullaynes there to looke vpon goods Also one of our men had beene there with a Candell for we could neuer shew any goods but we were forced to light a Candell But Maister Towerson was there all the while who said hee neuer came neere that roome where the fire was neyther was the doore euer opened but eyther hee or I was there who did euermore looke to the Candell our selues wee thought then that some of those Mullays beeing hyred by some Portugals had secretly as hee passed by that roome tossed in a Ball of fire
which he might bring closely for the purpose There was at this time a certaine Chynes a bricklayer which wrought at the Dutch house who in the morning tolde a Fleming that had beene long in the countrey that certaine Chyneses had doone it but hee saide they were fled hee said more if wee looked well in the roome wee should finde the manner how it was done The Dutchman tolde an English surgeon what hee had heard and willed him to come and tell vs and hee himselfe because he was perfect in the language would goe and inquire after them The English surgeon came to mee and desired mee hee might see the roome where the fire was I presently called for a Candell and showed him the roome hee going to one corner found a little round hole which was burned thorow one planke of the flower whereat I put downe a long sticke which I had in my hand but could feele no ground Then I called for an Axe and as softly as wee coulde wee wrinched vp the planke where vnder was a way that the greatest chest or packe in our house might haue gone downe Which when I sawe as secretly as I could I called three of our men and went to the house from whence the mine came hauing our weapons I set one in the doore and charged him hee should let none come out whatsoeuer hee were and my selfe with the other two went in where in one roome wee found three men there were two more in an other roome who hearing vs fled out at a backe doore which wee knew not off before wee saw them those three after two or three blowes giuen wee brought away one was a dweller in the house but the other two wee could prooue nothing against them I laid them fast in Irons and presently I sent Maister Towerson to the Protector to certifie him how the case stood and to desire him they might bee sought out and haue Iustice done vpon them which hee promised should bee doone But I thinke neuer a good Protector in the world would haue beene so slacke in performance for such a matter as 〈◊〉 The Dutch merchaunts seeing wee had taken some and doubting the Chyneses would â—ile against vs came veâ—â— kâ—ndely with their weapons and sware they would liue and die in our quartell when wee had laide out those goods that had receiued some water to Ayre then we examined this partie that dwelt in the house who tolde vs the names of sixe that were fled but hee woulde not confesse that hee knew any thing of it Also hee said the other two knewe nothing of the matter neyther could he tell as hee said whether the rest were sled Shortly after the same day came to mee the Kings principall Scrinana called Cay Callybon who in the night time had beene at our house with a great crue of men to see that no Iauans in our trouble should offer vs any violence This man tolde mee that one of our prisoners was his kinsman and knew nothing of the matter wherefore hee desired to haue him released promising that if wee could prooue any thing against him heereafter hee should be forth comming Whereupon I deliuered him many then came to mee and tolde me that the other was a straunger and dwelt at Iortan and that hee was guiltlesse also but hee that dwelt in the house euerie one said hee was accessarie to it Neuerthelesse because that partie had vsed much to the house and had dealings with those that were dwellers theere I would not take their words but still detayned him I haue not knowne a man better beloued in a Towne in my life then this man was there Insomuch that there were some came to mee lamenting and making sute for him euery day but I would alwaies tell both him and them that if hee were not guiltie hee should feare nothing for I woulde not shed his blood wrongfully for all the goods in the world and if hee were guiltie all the world should not deliuer him out of my handes in the meane time I said hee should lye well and eate no worse then I did whereat euerie man was contented hee was a Chynes borne but now turned Iauan and withall a verie lustie proper man as one should see the next day the Protector came to our house to see the mine which when hee saw hee said it was a most villanous peece of worke hee said more hee had heard of Townes and Castles that had beene ouerthrowne by vndermining but hee neuer sawe a mine before Wee still cried to him for Iustice against those that had doone it hee bid vs doe Iustice on those wee had when wee would and so soone as the rest could be found wee should haue them so that if wee had had no more care then hee wee might haue executed one that was not in fault Although hee himselfe could and did tell mee that hee was guiltlesse but I tolde him againe that I greatly suspected him because wee had knowne him a long time verie conuersant with him that was the principall dweller in the house and that hee had layen many nightes in the house which was the greatest suspicion of all Then hee bid mee kill him if I would but I tolde him not for the world except I could euidently prooue that hee was one that did it or knewe of it before it was doone Now wee were in a iealousie that the Protector and some other of the principall of the land had an interest in this act Wherefore I thought good to bring this man that dwelt in the house to some torture to see what I could make him confesse After three or foure daies that wee had trimmed vp our house which was all soyled with smoake and duâ—t by throwing of water and also trimmed and ayred our goods that had receiued some dammage Wee went to worke with this fellow who when hee sawe the Irons ly burning in the fire beganne pittifully to bewayle his owne miserie saying O Fathers and Mothers when you bring your children into the world you doe not know what miserie shall come vnto them Then being demaunded whether hee was one or no hee began a friuolous tale saying that he heard men that went by the gate say that two other put to the fire and that they two were guâ—lâ—lesse The confession of Sawâ—an turne â—ote Then fearing him with hotte Iron but not touching him hee confessed the whole manner of all and that hee did help he said chose 2 out houses were built for that purpose at the first although they put them to other vse because we should not mistrust them and more that the mine was made two months before in which time many nights before they had been in the mine striuing to get into our house but could not Then we demaunded of him who put to the fire and why they did it To the which hee aunswered that because they durst not cut the boards for feare wee should heare them they
dutch house escaped though but narrowly wherefore wee borrowed some of their men for it is to bee noted that though wee were mortall enemies in our trade yet in all other matters wee were friends and would haue liued and dyed one for the other Also the Admirall and Sabyndar sent vs men euery night so that wee with our drumme shot pykes lyued soldier-like vntill our fence was made vp and afterwardes too for this was but to showe vs the way and our fence was no sooner vp but wee looked euery houre when it should be burnt downe or borne downe by those that would haue had the cutting of our throats now wee paid a peece of eight for that which was not worth twelue peÌ„ce before yet for feare the rayne and weather would spoyle our goods wee were forced to set sheeds ouer euery house vntill wee could get tymbers to build them againe All which makes our charges of building very great and yet wee are but very badly housed there This burning of the towne was a great hinderance to vs in getting in of pepper for the Chyneses were all so busie a building that they could not go vp to the mouÌ„taines to fetch it About the end of this monthe September began great dissention amongst the principall of the Land which grew by meanes of that troublesome member called Pangean Mandelicko who as I haue written before did seeke all the meanes he could to set our house on fyre but now seeing hee could get nothing at our hands fell to robbing of Iunks which came into the â—oad with ryce and other prouision of victuall Amongst other there was one which came from Iore in this Iunke was great store of Ryce Men and Woemen he fayned a matter gaue it out that there was twoe men in the Iunke that had taken a Iunke of his that was theeuing vpon that coast the which afterwards was prooued to bee nothing so Neuerthelesse this spoyler of a common wealth with a great crue of villaines his slaues â—eazed on the Iunke in the night and carryed away all theryce withall the men and woemen as his prysoners the which was the next way to keepe away all other Iunks which vsed to bring victualls to the towne whereby to starue them all for that land is not able to feede one quarter of the people that are in it The King and his Protecter sent to him commaunding him to deliuer the people and goods the which hee had taken but hee would not but presently fortified himselfe Also the rest of the Pangeanes that were both of the Kings blood and his but beeing all traytors to the King maintained him so that the Kings officers durst not meddle with him The Protector sent to vs willing vs not to ayd the Pangeanes neither with pouder shot nor meÌ„ also hee willed vs to make our selues as strong as we could because they were mynded to banish Mandelickâ— and feared they should haue some hurly burly before they should get him out I answered the messenger that the Protector needed not to feare wee would ayd such a rebell but rather do our vttermost against him and that I was sory I had so few men that I could not lend the King some ayd Also the Sabyndar and the Admirall sent almost euery day to vs willing vs to make ourselues strong and to haue a speciall care of our watch in the night for they all greatly feared that the rebels would surprise our house and the Hollanders in the night which if they could they should haue beene ritcher then the King Especially ours for they should haue had more followers for our commodities then all the Kings in Iaua besides Also they were not ignorant of the hatred the principall rebell bare vs because I would not trust him the rebels grew euery day stronger and stronger and all the people of the country and also straungers began to be in great feare I was forced to borrow some small ordinance of Chyna merchants which were our friends and with chaynes and bushes to fortify our selues our men being busie euery day making of chayne Langrell and Crosbar shot all trade of merchandise was laid aside neither did any in the towne looke after buying or selling and euery day wee should haue the rebels espyalls come into our yeard who would be very inquisitiue what and wherefore those were which our men were all so hard at worke vpon wee would plainly tell them that wee looked euery night for such a mans comming wherfore we made prouision for his entertainment they would view the shot very much and show it one an other and many times would go aside and whisper to themselues One day in the middle of this broyle there came to our house one of the Pangeanes which not long agoe was King of Iackatra and now being kept out by a kindsman of his who held it and doth homage to the King of Bantan for it This Pangean liued like a mal-content and was euery day conuersant with the principall rebell who as we do iudge sent him to our house â—ee asked to see some cloth the which I showed him no sooner he had seene it but he asked me if I would giue him credyt for one hundred Ryalls worth or two hundred Ryalls worth he had beene once with me before when I denyed him and hee was forced to bring a Chyna merchant to giue his word for him wherefore I maruailed hee should come againe so soone and as I did before so I gaue him the denyall againe then presently hee bid vs carrye it away asking me if I had any peeces or powder to spare I told him no I had to serue my owne turne and no more hee was very importunate with me to let him haue some I answered him againe that I had none but what was for prouision for our house therefore I could â—ell him none of that though he would giueâ— neuer so much after that hee fell a reasoning with vs where wee lay a nights whether we lay below or aboue vpon the top of our warehouse which had at that time but a shed vpon it I tould him wee lay sometime below and sometimes aboue according as wee saw occasion but wheresoeuer wee were I told him our Dogs lay alwaies ready belowe the most parte of them and wee had some aboue too your dogs said hee which are they then wee pointed him first to one peece then to an other and indeede wee had a dosen stood very orderly said he call you them dogs wee tould him they would barke if occasion serued After he had viewed our shot and our fortifications he departed shortly after this man had a crue of twoe hundred men came from a towne some seauen miles of where hee dwelled who in the night time came downe the great riuer in Prawes presently the Alarum was giuen that the Pangranes were vp and would seaze vpon the King and the Court which after much hurly burly in the
â—arres and carrie it to China to their friends I haue seene when some of them haue lien a dying they haue set vp 7. Odowres burning 4. of them being great and burning light and they were set vpon a Cane which lay crosse vpon two Crotches about sixe foote from the ground and three set on the ground right vnder them beeing verie small and burning dimme I haue demaunded the meaning of it many times but I could neuer haue other answere but that it was the fashion of China and surelie many such like thinges they doe not knowing why or wherefore but onely that it hath been a fashion amongst them They delight verie much in Playes and Singing but they haue the worst voyces that one shall heare any people haue The which Playes or Interludes they holde as Seruice to their GOD In the beginning of which they often vse to burne a Sacrifice the Priestes many times kneeling downe and kissing the ground three times one presently after an other These Playes are made commonly when they thinke their Iunckes or Shipping are set foorth from China likwise when they are ariued at Bantan and also when they set out from Bantan towardes China sometimes they begin at noone and ende not till the next day morning beeing most commonly in the open streete hauing Staiges set vp for the purpose Moreouer they haue amongst them some Southsayers which sometimes rage and run vp and downe the streetes like madd men hauing Swordes drawne in their handes tearing their haire and throwing them selues against the ground when they are in this franticke taking they affirme and other Chineses beleeue that they can tell what shall come to passe aforehand Whether they bee possest with the Diuell or no which reuealeth something to them I know not but manie Chineses vse them when they sende a Iuncke of any voyage to know whether they shall speede well or no and by their report it hath fallen out according as those Souhsayers haue tolde them The Iauans vse Playes too but they haue no more but some Historie painted on a Carde or Mappe the which one maketh relation of with such â—esture as befitteth the matter Likewise there be Puppet playes made by certaine people of Clyn which dwell there the which Puppets are apparrelled like vnto the Christian manner and they haue Lions and diuers kinde of Beastes artificially made with which they performe their sport verie pretilie but these hold the Playes no poynt of Religion or seruice to their Godâ— as the people of China doe The Chineses are apparrelled in long Gownes wearing Kirtles vnder them hanging something lower then their Gownes They are surely the most effeminate and cowardliest people that liue On their heades they weare a Caull some of them beeing made of Silke and some of Haire The Haire of their Heades is verie long which they bind vp on a knot right on the crowne of their heads The Nobilitie and Gouernours weare Hoodes of sundry fashion some beeing one halfe like a Hatte and the other like a French Hood others beeing of Net-warke with a high Crowne and no Brimmes Those people are tall and strong of bodie hauing all verie small blacke Eyes and verie few of them haue any Haire on their Faces They will steale and doe any kind of villanie to get wealth Their manner at Bantan is to buy Women slaues for they bring no Women out of China by whom they haue manie Children and when they returne to their owne Countrey not minding to come to Bantan againe they sell their Women but their Children they carrie with them as for their Goodes they take an order to send some at euerie Shipping for if they die in Bantan all the Goods they haue there is the Kinges And if once they cut their Haire they may neuer returne to their Countrie againe but their Children may alwayes prouided that they neuer cut their haire FINIS