[ch14 is page 375-402] 375 An.1687 C H A P. XIV. [---+++] They depart from the River of Mindanao. Of the time lost or gain'd in sailing round the World: With a Caution to Seamen, about the allowance they are to make for the difference of the Suns declination. The South Coast of Mindanao. Chambongo Town and Harbour, with its Neighbouring Keys. Green-Turtle. Ruins of a Spanish Fort. The Westermost point of Mindanao. Two Proes of the Solo- gues laden from Manila. An Isle to the West of Sebo. Walking-Canes. Isle of Batts, very large: and numerous Turtle and Manatee. A dangerous Shoal. They sail by Panay be- longing to the Spaniards, and others of the Philippine Islands. Isle of Mindora. Two Barks taken. A further account of the Isle Luconia, and the City and Harbour of Ma- nila. They go for Pulo Condore to lye there. The Shoals of Pracel, &c. Pulo Condore. The Tar-tree. The Mango. Grape-tree. The Wild or Bastard-Nutmeg. Their Animals. Of the Migration of the Turtle from place to place. Of the Commodious Situation of Pulo Condore; its Water, and its Cochinchinese Inhabitants. Of the Malayan Tongue. The custom of prostituting their Women in these Countries, and in Guinea. The Idolatry here, at Tunquin, and among the Chinese Sea- men, and of a Procession at Fort St. George. Bb 4 They [+++---] 376 An.1687 Change of time in compassing the World. They refit their Ship. Two of them dye of Poyson they took at Mindanao. They take in Water, and a Pilot for the Bay of Siam, Pulo Uby, and Point of Cambodia. Two Cambodian Vessels. Isles in the Bay of Siam. The tight Vessels and Seamen of the Kingdom of Champa. Storms. A Chinese Jonk from Palimbam in Sumatra. They come again to Pulo Condore. A bloody fray with a Ma- layan Vessel. The Surgeons and the Authors defires of leaving their Crew. [---+++] THe 14th day of January 1687, at 3 of the clock in the afternoon, we sailed from the River of Mindanao, designing to cruise before Ma- nila. It was during our stay at Mindanao, that we were first made sensible of the change of time, in the course of our Voyage. For having Travell'd so far Westward, keeping the same course with the Sun, we must confequently have gain'd some- thing insensibly in the length of the particular days, but have lost in the tale, the bulk, or num- ber of the days or hours. According to the diffe- rent longitudes of England and Mindanao, thi Isle being West from the Lizzard, by common computation, about 210 degrees, the difference of time at our arrival at Mindanao ought to be about 14 hours: and so much we should have anticipated our reckoning, having gained it by bearing the Sun company. Now the natural day in every par- ticular place must be consonant to it felf: but this going about with, or against the Suns course, will of necessity make a difference in the calculation of the civil day between any two places. Accord- ingly, at Mindanao, and all other places in the East Indies, [+++---] The necessity of allowing for change of Time. 377 Indies, we found themreckoning a day before us, An.1687 both Natives and Europeans; for the Europeans com- ing Eastward by the Cape of Good Hope, in a course contrary to the Sun and us, where-ever we met they were a full day before us in their Ac- counts. So among the Indian Mahometans here, their Friday, the day of their Sultans going to their Mosques, was Thursday with us; though it were Friday also with those who came Eastward from Europe. Yet at the Ladrone Islands, we found the Spaniards of Guam keeping the same computation with our selves; the reason of which I take to be, that they settled that Colony by a course Westward from Spain; the Spaniards going first to America, and thence to the Ladrones and Philippines. But how the reckoning was at Manila, and the rest of the Spanish Colonies in the Philippine Islands, I know not: whether they keep it as they brought it, or corrected it by the Accounts of the Natives, and of the Portuguese, Dutch and English, coming the contrary way from Europe. [---+++] One great reason why Seamen ought to keep the difference of time as exact as they can, is, that they may be the more exact in their Longitude. For our Tables of the Suns declination, being cal- culated for the Meridians of the places in which they were made, differ about 12 minutes from those parts of the World, that lie on their oppo- site Meridians, in the months of March and Sep- tember; and in proportion to the Suns declination, at other times of the year also. And should they run farther as we did, the difference would still in- crease upon them, and be an occasion of great er- rours. Yet even able Seamen in these Voyages are hardly made sensible of this, tho so necessary to be observed, for want of duly attending to the reason of it, as it happened among those of our crew; who after we had past 180 degrees, began to [+++---] 378 Town of Chambongo, Islands, &c. An.1687 to decrease the difference of declination, whereas they ought still to have increased it, for it all the way increased upon us. [---+++] We had the Wind at N. N. E. fair clear Wea- ther, and a brisk gale. We coasted to the West- ward, on the South side of the Island Mindanao, keeping within 4 or 5 leagues of the shore. The Land from hence trends away W. by S. It is of a good heighth by the Sea, and very Woody, and in the Country we say high Hills. [---+++] The next day we were abreast off Chambongo; a Town in this Island, and 30 leagues from the Ri- ver of Mindanao. Here is said to be a good Har- bour, and a great settlement, with plenty of Beef and Buffaloe. It is reported that the Spaniards were formerly fortified here also: There are 2 shoals lie off this place, 2 or 3 leagues from the shore. From hence the Land is more low and even; yet there are some Hills in the Country. [---+++] About 6 leagues before we came to the West end of the Island Mindanao, we fell in with a great many small low Islands or Keys, and about 2 or 3 leagues to the Southward of these Keys, there is a long Island stretching N. E. and S. W. about 12 leagues. This Island is low by the Sea on the North side, and has a ridge of Hills in the middle running from one end to the other. Be- tween this Island and the small Keys, there is a good large Channel: Among the Keys also there is good depth of Water, and a violent Tide; but on what point of the compass it flows, I know not, nor how much it rifeth and falls. [---+++] The 17th day we anchored on the East side of all these Keys, in 8 fathom water, clean Sand. Here are plenty of green Turtle, whose flesh is as sweet as any in the West Indies: but they are very shy. A little to the Westward of these Keys, on the Island Mindanao, we saw abundance of Coco-nut Trees; Therefore [+++---] Ruins of a Spanish Fort. The Coasts, &c. 379 Therefore we sent our Canoa ashore, thinking to An.1687 find Inhabitants, but found none, nor sign of any; but great tracks of Hogs, and great Cattle; and close by the Sea there were the ruins of an old Fort. The Walls thereof were of a good heighth, built with Stone and Lime, and by the Workmanship seem'd to be Spanish. From this place the Land trends W. N. W. and is of an indifferent heighth by the Sea. It run on this point of the Compass 4 or 5 leagues, and then the Land trends away N. N. W. 5 or 6 leagues farther, making with many bluff points. [---+++] We weigh'd again the 14th day, and went thro between the Keys; but met such uncertain Tydes, that we were forced to anchor again. The 22d day we got about the Westermost point of all Mindanao, and stood to the Northward, plying under the shore, and having the Wind at N. N. E. a fresh gale. As we sailed along further, we found the Land to trend N. N. E. On this part of the Island the Land is high by the Sea, with full bluff points, and very Woody. There are some small sandy Bays, which afford streams of fresh Water. [---+++] Here we met with two Proe's belonging to the Salogues, one of the Mindanaoan Nations before mentioned. They came from Manila laden with Silks and Calicoes. We kept on this Western part of the Island steering Northerly, till we came a- breft of some other of the Philippine Islands, that lay to the Northward of us; then steered away towards them; but still keeping on the West side of them, and we had the Winds at N. N. E. [---+++] The 3d of February we anchored in a good bay on the West side of an Island, in lat. 9 d. 55 m. where we had 17 fathom Water, good soft oaze. This Island hath no name that we could find in any book, but lieth on the West side of Island Sebo. [+++---] 380 Canes. Isle of Bats. An.1687 Sebo. It is about 8 or 10 leagues long, Mountain- ous and Woody. At this place Captain Read, who was the same Captain Swan had so much railed a- gainst in his Journal, and was now made Captain in his room (as Captain Teat was made Master, and Mr. Henry More Quartermaster) ordered the Carpenters to cut down our Quarter Deck, to make the Ship snug, and the fitter for sailing. When that was done we heeled her, scrubbed her bottom and tallowed it. Then we fill'd all our Water, for here is a delicate small run of Water. [---+++] The Land was pretty low in this Bay, the Mould black and fat, and the Trees of several kinds, very thick and tall. In some places we found plenty of Canes, such as we use in England for Walking-canes. These were short jointed not above two foot and a half, or two foot ten inches the longest, and most of them not above two foot. They run along on the ground like a Vine; or taking hold of the Trees they climb up to their very tops. They are 15 or 20 fathom long, and much of a bigness from the root, till within 5 or 6 fathom of the end. They are of a pale green colour, clothed over with a coat of a short thick hairy substance, of a dun colour: but it comes off by only drawing the Cane thro your hand. We did cut many of them and they proved very tough heavy Canes. [---+++] We saw no Houses, nor sign of Inhabitants; but while we lay here there was a Canoa with 6 men came into this Bay; but whether they were bound, or from whence they came, I know not. They were Indians, and we could not understand them. [---+++] In the middle of this Bay, about a mile from the shore, there is small low woody Island, not above a mile in circumference: our Ship rode a- bout a mile from it. This Island was the habita- tion [+++---] Vast numbers of monstrous Batts. 381 tion of an incredible number of great Batts, with An.1687 bodies as big as Ducks, or larger Fowl, and with vast Wings: For I saw at Mindanao one of this sort, and I judge that the Wings stretcht out in length, could not be less afunder than 7 or 8 foot from tip to tip; for it was much more than any of us could fathom with our Arms, extended to the utmost. The Wings are for substance like those of other Batts, of a dun or mouse colour. The Skin or Leather of them hath Ribs running along it and draws up in 3 or 4 folds, and at the joints of those Ribs and the extremities of the Wings, there are sharp crooked Claws, by which they may hang on any thing. In the evening as soon as the Sun was set, these Creatures would begin to take their flight from this Island, in swarms like Bees, directing their flight over to the main Island; and whether afterwards I know not. Thus we should see them rising up from the Island till night hindred our fight, and in the morning as soon as it was light, we should see them returning again like a Cloud, to the small Island, till Sun rising. This course they kept constantly while we lay here, affording us every morning and evening an hours diversion in gazing at them, and talking about them; but our curiosity did not prevail with us to go ashore to them, our selves and Canoas being all the day time taken up in business about our Ship. At this Isle also we found plenty of Turtle and Manatee, but no Fish. [---+++] We stay'd here till the 10th of February 1687, and then having compleated our business, we sailed hence with the Wind at North. But going out we struck on a Rock, where we lay two hours: It was very smooth Water, and the Tide of flood, or else we should there have lost our Ship. We struck off a great piece of our Rudder, which was all the damage that we received, but we more narrow- ly [+++---] 382 Isle of Panay. Isle of Mindora. An.1687 ly mist losing our Ship this time, than in any o- ther in the whole Voyage. This is a very dange- rous Shoal, because it does not break, unless proba- bly it may appear in foul weather. It lies about two mile to the Westward, without the small Batt Island. Here we found the Tide of flood setting to the Southward, and the Ebb to the North- ward. [---+++] After we were past this Shoal, we coasted along by the rest of the Philippine Islands, keeping on the West side of them. Some of them appeared to be very Mountainous dry Land. We saw many fires in the night as we passed by Panay, a great Island settled by Spaniards, and by the fires up and down, it seems to be well settled by them; for this is a Spanish custom, whereby they give notice of any danger or the like from Sea; and 'tis probable they had seen our Ship the day before. This is an unfrequented Coast, and 'tis rare to have any Ship seen there. We touched not at Panay, nor any where else; tho we saw a great many small Islands to the Westward of us, and some Shoals, but none of them laid down in our draughts. [---+++] The 18th day of Feb. we anchored at the N. W. end of the Island Mindora, in 10 fathom Water, a- bout 3 quarters of a mile from the shore. Mindora is a large Island; the middle of it lying in lat. 13, about 40 leagues long, stretching N. W. and S. E. It is high and Mountainous, and not very woody. At this place where we anchored the Land was neither very high nor low. There was a small Brook of Water, and the Land by the Sea was very woody, and the Trees high and tall, but a league or two farther in, the Woods are very thin and small. Here we saw great tracks of Hogs and Beef, and we saw some of each, and hunted them; but they were wild, and we could kill none. While [+++---] They cruise off Manila. 383 While we were here there was a Canoa with 4 An.1687 Indians came from Manila. They were very shie of us a while; but at last, hearing us speak Spanish, they came to us, and told us, that they were go- ing to a Frier, that liv'd at an Indian Village to- wards the S. E. end of the Island. They told us also, that the Harbour of Manila is seldom or ne- ver without 20 or 30 Sail of Vessels, most Chinese, some Portuguese, and some few the Spaniards have of their own. They said that when they had done their business with the Frier they would return to Manila, and hoped to be back again at this place in 4 days time. We told them, that we came for a Trade with the Spaniards at Manila, and should be glad if they would carry a Letter to some Merchant there, which they promised to do. But this was only a pretence of ours, to get out of them what intelligence we could as to their Shipping, Strength, and the like, under colour of seeking a Trade: for our business was to pillage. Now if we had really designed to have traded here, this was as fair an op- portunity as Men could have desired: for these men could have brought us to the Frier that they were going to, and a small Present to him would have engaged him to do any kindness for us in the way of Trade: for the Spanish Governors do not allow of it, and we must Trade by stealth. [---+++] The 21st day we went from hence with the wind at E. N. E. a small gale. The 23d day in the morning we were fair by the S. E. end of the Island Luconia, the place that had been so long de- fired by us. We presently saw a Sail coming from the Northward, and making after her, we took her in 2 hours time. She was a Spanish Bark, that came from a place called Pangasanam, a small Town on the N. end of Luconia, as they told us; probably the fame with Pongassinay, which lies on a Bay at the N. W. side of the Island. She was bound to Manila, but [+++---] 384 Of the Acapulco Ship, and Isle of Luconia. An.1687 but had no Goods aboard; and therefore we turned her away. [---+++] The 23d we took another Spanish Vessel that came from the same place as the other. She was laden with Rice and Cotton-cloath, and bound for Manila also. These Goods were purposely for the Acapulco Ship: the Rice was for the Men to live on while they lay there, and in their return; and the Cotton-cloath was to make Sails. The Master of this Prize was Boatswain of the Acapulco Ship which escaped us at Guam, and was now at Manila. It was this Man that gave us the relation of what strength it had, how they were afraid of us there, and of the accident that happen'd to them, as is before men- tioned in the 10th Chapter. We took these two Vessels within 7 or 8 leagues of Manila. [---+++] Luconia I have spoken of already: but I shall now add this further account of it. It is a great Island, taking up between 6 and 7 degrees of Lat. in length, and its breadth near the middle is about 60 leagues, but the ends are narrow. The North end lies in about 19 d. North Lat. and the S. end in about 12 d. 30 m. This great Island hath abundance of small Keys or Islands lying about it; especially at the North end. The South side fronts towards the rest of the Philippine Islands: of these that are its nearest Neighbours, Mindora, lately mentioned, is the chief, and gives name to the Sea or Streight that parts it and the other Islands from Luconia; be- ing called the Streights of Mindora. [---+++] The body of the Island Luconia is composed of many spacious plain Savannahs, and large Moun- tains. The North end seems to be more plain and even, I mean freer from Hills, than the South end: but the Land is all along of a good heighth. It does not appear so flourishing and green as some of the other Islands in this Range; especially that of St. John, Mindanao, Batt Island, &c. yet in some places p. 385 An. 1687 A Prospect of y Coast of y I. Luconia near: A Prospect of y Coast of y I. Luconia near: Place this at p. 384 Manila, at 6 L. off Shore, y highest Pike bearing East . [---+++] Thus the Islands Pulo Condor appear : p. 389 at 8 L. distance bearing South . [---+++] The Great p. 390 Island of Pulo Condor The Harbour The Lesser Island [---+++] A Rock p. 421 The Bashee Islands the first Coming in Orange Island Grafton Isle Goat Isle Bashee Isle Monmouth Isle +++---p. 386 An. 1687 [Blank Page] [---+++] [Blank Page] +++---p. 387 An. 1687 Isle Luconia. Manila City and Harbour. places it is very woody. Some of the Mountains of this Island afford Gold; and the Savannahs are well ftockt with herds of Cattle, especially Buffaloes. Thefe Cattle are in great plenty all over the Eaft-Indies; and therefore 'tis very probable that there were many of thele here even before the Spaniards came hither. But now there are alfo plenty of other Cattle, as I have been told, as Bullocks, Horfes, Sheep, Goats, Hogs, &c. brought hither by the Spaniards. [---+++] It is pretty well inhabited with Indians, moft of them, if not all, under the Spaniards, who now are mafters of it. The Native Indians do live together in Towns; and they have Priefts among them to inftruct them in the Spanish Religion. [---+++] Manila, the chief, or perhaps only City, lies at the foot of a ridge of high Hills, facing upon a fpacious harbour near the S. W. point of the Ifland, in about the Lat. of 14 d. North. It is environ d with a high ftrong Wall, and very well fortify'd with Forts and Breaftworks. The Houfes are large, ftrongly built, and covered with Pan-tile. The Streets are large, and pretty regular; with a Pa- rade in the midft, after the Spanish fafhion. There a great many fair Buildings, befides Churches and other Religious houfes; of which there are not a few. [---+++] The Harbour is fo large, that fome hundreds of Ships may ride here: and is never without many, both of their own, and ftrangers. I have already given you an account of the two Ships going and coming between this place and Acapulco. Befides them, they have fome fmall Veffels of their own; and they do allow the Portuguefe to Trade here, but the Chinefe are the chiefeft Merchants and they drive the greateft Trade; for they have commonly 20 or 30, or 40 Jonks in the Harbour at a time, and a great many Merchants conftantly refiding in the City, befide +++---p. 388 An. 1687 John Fitz-Gerald an Irishman. befide Shop-keepers, and Handy-crafts men in a bundance. Small Veffels run up near the Town, but the Acapulco Ships, and others of greater bur- then, lye a league fhort of it, where there is a ftrong Fort alfo, and Store-houfes to put Goods in. [---+++] I had the major part of this relation 2 or 3 years after this time, from Mr. Coppinger our Surgeon; for he made a Voyage hither from Porta Nova, a Town on the Coaft of Coromandel, in a Portugueze Ship, as I think. Here he found 10 or 12 of Cap- tain Swan's men; fome of thofe that we left at Mindanao. For after we came from thence, they bought a Proe there, by the inftigation of an Irifh- man, who went by the name of John Fitz-Gerald, a perfon that fpoke Spanish very well; and fo in this their Proe they came hither. They had been here but 18 months when Mr. Coppinger arrived here, and Mr. Fitz-Gerald had in this time gotten a Spanish Muftefa Woman to Wife, and a good Dowry with her. He then profeffed Phyfic and Surgery, and was highly efteemed among the Spaniards for his fuppofed Knowledge in thofe Arts: For being al- ways troubled with fore Shins while he was with us, he kept fome Plaifters and Salves by him; and with thefe he fet up, upon his bare natural ftock of knowledge, and his Experience in Kibes. But then he had a very great ftock of confidence with- al, to help out the other, and being an Irifh Roman Catholick, and having the Spanish Language, he had a great advantage of all his Conforts; and he alone lived well there of them all. We were not within fight of this Town, but I was fhewn the Hills that over-looked it, and drew a draft of them as we lay off at Sea; which I have caufed to be ingraven among a few others that I took my felf; See the Table. +++---p. 389 An. 1687 They arrive at Pulo Condore. The time of the year being now too far fpent to do any thing here, it was concluded to fail from hence to Pulo Condore, a little parcel of Iflands on the Coaft of Cambodia, and carry this prize with us, and there careen if we could find any conve- nient place for it, defigning to return hither again by the latter end of May, and wait for the Aca- pulco Ship that comes about that time. By our Drafts (which we were guided by, being ftran- gers to thefe parts) this feemed to us then to be a place out of the way, where we might lye fnug for a while, and wait the time of returning for our prey. For we avoided as much as we could the going to lye by at any great place of Com- merce, left we fhould become too much expofed, and perhaps be affulted by a force greater than our own. [---+++] So having fet our Prifoners afhore, we failed from Luconia the 26th day of Feb. with the Wind E. N. E. and fair weather, and a brisk gale. We were in lat. 14d. N. when we began to fteer away for Pulo Condore, and we fteered S. by W. In our way thither we went pretty near the Shoals of Pracel, and other Shoals which are very dange- rous. We were very much afraid of them, but efcaped them without fo much as feeing them, on- ly at the very South end of the Pracel Shoals we faw 3 little fandy Iflands or Spots of Sand, ftand- ing juft above water within a mile of us. [---+++] It was the 13th day of March before we came in fight of Pulo Condore, or the Ifland Condore, as Pulo fignifies. The 14th day about noon we anchored on the North fide of the Ifland, againft a fandy Bay 2 mile from the fhore, in 10 fathom clean hard Sand, with both Ship and Prize. Pulo Condore is the principal of a heap of Iflands, and the only inhabited one of them. They lye in lat. 8 d. 40 m. North, and about 20 leagues South and +++---p. 390 An. 1687 Ifles of Condore. The Tar-tree. by Eaft from the mouth of the River of Cambo- dia. Thefe Iflands lye fo near together, that at a diftance they appear to be but one Ifland. [---+++] Two of thefe Iflands are pretty large, and of a good heighth; they may be feen 14 or 15 leagues at Sea; the reft are but little Spots. The biggeft of the two (which is the inhabited one) is about 4 or 5 leagues long, and lies Eaft and Weft. It is not above 3 mile broad at the broadeft place, in moft places not above a mile wide. The other large Ifland is about 3 mile long, and half a mile wide. This Ifland ftretcheth N. and S. It is fo conveniently placed at the Weft end of the biggeft Ifland, that between both there is formed a very commodious Harbour. The entrance of this Har- bour is on the North fide, where the two Iflands are near a mile afunder. There are 3 or 4 fmall Keys, and a good deep Channel between them and the biggeft Ifland. Towards the South end of the Harbour the two Iflands do in a manner clofe up, leaving only a fmall paffage for Boats and Canoas. There are no more Iflands on the North fide, but 5 or 6 on the South fide of the great Ifland. See the Table. [---+++] The Mold of thefe Iflands for the biggeft part is blackifh, and pretty deep; only the Hills are fomewhat ftony. The Eaftern part of the biggeft Ifland is fandy, yet all clothed with Trees of di- vers forts. The Trees do not grow fo thick as I have feen them in fome places, but they are gene- rally large and tall, and fit for any ufes. [---+++] There is one fort of Tree much larger than any other on this Ifland, and which I have not feen any where elfe. It is about 3 or 4 foot diameter in the Body, from whence is drawn a fort of clam- my juice, which being boiled a little becomes per- fect Tar; and if you boil it much it will become hard as Pitch. It may be put to either ufe; we +++---p. 391 An. 1687 Mangoes. Achar of feveral forts. ufed it both ways, and found it to be very fervice- able. The way that they get this juice, is by cut- ting a great gap horizontally in the body of the Tree half through, and about a foot from the ground: and then cutting the upper part of the body aflope inwardly downward, till in the mid- dle of the Tree it meet with the traverfe cutting, or plain. In this plain horizontal femicircular ftump, they make a hallow like a Bafon that may contain a quart or two. Into this hole the juice which drains from the wounded upper part of the Tree falls: from whence you muft empty it every day. It will run thus for fome months, and then dry away, and the Tree will recover again. [---+++] The Fruit-trees that nature hath beftowed on thefe Ifles are Mangoes; and Trees bearing a fort of Grape, and other Trees bearing a kind of wild or baftard Nutmegs. Thefe all grow wild in the Woods, and in very great plenty. [---+++] The Mangoes here grow on Trees as big as Ap- ple-trees: Thefe at Fort St. George are not fo large. The fruit of thefe is as big as a fmall Peach; but the long and fmaller towards the top: It is of a yellow- ifh colour when ripe; it is very juicy, and of a pleafant fmell, and delicate tafte. When the Mango is young, they cut them in two pieces, and pickie them with Salt and Vinegar, in which they put fome Cloves of Garlick. This is an excellent fawce, and much efteemed; it is called Mango Achar. Achar, I prefume, fignifies Sawce. They make in the Eaft Indies efpecially at Siam and Pegu, feveral forts of Achar, as of the young tops of Bamboes, &c. Bambo- Achar and Mango-Achar are moft ufed. The Mangoes were ripe when we were there, (as were alfo the reft of thefe Fruits) and they have then fo delicate a fragrancy, that we could fmell them out in the thick Woods if we had but the wind of them, while we were a good way from them and +++---p. 392 An. 1687 Wild Grape-tree. Wild Nutmeg. could not fee them: and we generally found them out this way. Mangoes are common in many places of the Eaft Indies: but I did never know any grow wild only at this place. Thefe, though not fo big as thofe I have feen at Achin; at Maderas, and Fort St. George, are yet every whit as pleafant as the beft fort of their Garden Mangoes. [---+++] The Grape-tree grows with a ftrait body, of a Diameter about a foot or more, and hath but few Limbs or Boughs. The Fruit grows in Clufters, all about the body of the Tree, like the Jack, Du- rian, and Cacao Fruits. There are of them both red and white. They are much like fuch Grapes as grow on our Vines, both in fhape and colour; and they are of a very pleafant Winy tafte. I never faw thefe but on the two biggeft of thefe Iflands; the reft had no Tar-trees, Mango's, grape-trees, nor Wild Nutmegs. [---+++] The Wild Nutmeg-tree is as big as a Walnut- tree; but it does not fpread fo much. The Boughs are grofs, and the Fruit grows among the Boughs, as the Wallnut, and other Fruits. This Nutmeg is much fmaller than the true Nutmeg, and longer alfo. It is inclofed with a thin Shell, and a fort of Mace, encircling the Nut, within the Shell. This baftard Nutmeg is fo much like the true Nutmeg in fhape, that at our firft arrival here we thought it to be the true one; but it has no manner of fmell nor tafte. [---+++] The Animals of thefe Iflands are fome Hogs, Lizards, and Guanoes; and fome of thofe Crea- tures mentioned in Chap. XI. which are like, but much bigger than the Guano. [---+++] Here are many forts of Birds, as Parrots, Para- kites, Doves and Pigeons. Here are alfo a fort of wild Cocks and Hens: They are much like our tame Fowl of that kind; but a great deal lefs: for they are about the bignefs of a Crow. The Cocks do +++---p. 393 An. 1687 Of the Turtles moving from Sea to Sea. crow like ours, but much more fmall and fhrill; and by their crowing we do firft find them out in the Woods, where we fhoot them. Their flefh is very white and fweet. [---+++] There are a great many Limpits, and Mufcles, and plenty of green Turtle. [---+++] And upon this mention of Turtle again, I think it not amifs to add fome reafons to ftrengthen the opinion that I have given concerning thefe Crea- tures removing from place to place. I have faid in Chapter 5th, that they leave their common feeding places, and go to places a great way from thence to lay, as particularly to the Ifland Afcention. Now I have difcourfed with fome fince that fubject was printed, who are of opinion, that when the lay- ing time is over, they never go from thence, but lye fome where in the Sea about the Ifland, which I think is very improbable: for there can be no food for them there, as I could foon make appear; as particularly from hence, that the Sea about the Ifle of Afcention is fo deep as to admit of no anchor- ing but at one place, where there is no fign of Grafs: and we never bring up with our founding Lead, any Grafs or Weeds out of very deep Seas, but Sand or the like only. But if this be granted, that there is food for them, yet I have a great deal of reafon to believe that the Turtle go from hence; for after the laying time you fhall never fee them, and where ever Turtle are, you will fee them rife, and hold their Head above water to breath, once in 7 or 8 minutes, or at longeft in 10 or 12. And if any man does but confider, how Fifh take their certain feafons of the year to go from one Sea to another, this would not feem ftrange; even Fowls alfo having their feafons to remove from once place to another [---+++] Thefe Iflands are pretty well watered with fmall Brooks of frefh Water, that run flufh into +++---p. 394 An. 1687 The convenient Site of Pulo Condore. the Sea for 10 months in the year. The latter end of March they begin to dry away, and in April you fhall have none in the Brooks, but what is lodged in deep holes; but you may dig Wells in fome places. In May, when the Rain comes, the Land is again replenifhed with water, and the Brooks run out into the Sea. [---+++] Thefe Iflands lye very commodioufly in the way to and from Japan, China, Manila, Tunquin, Co- chinchina, and in general all this moft Eafterly Coaft of the Indian Continent; whether you go through the Streights of Malacca, or the Streights of Sunda, between Sumatra and Java: and one of them you muft pafs in the common way from Eu- rope, or other parts of the Eaft Indies; unlefs you mean to fetch a great compafs round moft of the Eaft India Iflands, as we did. Any Ship in diftrefs may be refrefhed and recruited here very conve- niently; and befides ordinary accommodations, be furnifhed with Mafts, Yards, Pitch and Tar. It might alfo be a convenient place to ufher in a Commerce with the Neighbouring Country of Cochinchina, and Forts might be built to fecure a Factory; particularly at the Harbour, which is capable of being well fortified. This place there- fore being upon all thefe Accounts fo valuable, and withal fo little known, I have here inferted a draft of it, which I took during our ftay there. [---+++] The Inhabitants of this Ifland are by Nation Cochinchinefe, as they told us, for one of them fpake good Malayan: which Language we learnt a fmat- tering of, and fome of us fo as to fpeak it pretty well while we lay at Mindanao, and this is the com- mon Tongue of Trade and Commerce (though it be not in feveral of them the Native Language) in moft of the Eaft India Iflands, being the Lingua Franca, as it were, of thefe parts. I believe 'tis the vulgar Tongue at Malacca, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo; 395 An.1687 The Inhabitants. Proflituting of Women. Borneo ; but at Celebes, the Philippine Islands and the Spice Islands, it seems borrowed for the carrying of Trade. [---+++] The Inhabitants of Pulo Condore are but a small people in stature, well enough shaped , and of a darker colour than the Mindanayans. They are pretty long visaged ; their Hair is black and streight, their Eyes are but small and black, their Noses of a mean bigness and pretty high, their Lips thin, their Teeth white, and little Mouths. They are ve- ry civil people, but extraordinary poor. Their chiefest employment is to draw the juice of those Trees that I have described, to make Tar. They preserve it in wooden Troughs, and when they have their Cargo they transport it to Cochinchina, their Mother Country. Some others of them im- ploy themselves to catch Turtle, and boil up their Fat to Oyl, which they also transport home. These people have great large Nets, with wide meshes to catch the Turtle. The Jamaica Turtlers have such ; and I did never see the like Nets but at Ja- maica and here. [---+++] They are so free of their Women, that they would bring them aboard, and offer them to us ; and many of our men hired them for a small mat- ter. This is a custom used by several Nations in the East Indies; as at Pegu, Siam, Cochinchina,and Cam- bodia, as I have been told. It is used at Tunquin al- fo to my knowledge, for I did afterward make a Voyage thither, and most of our Men had Women aboard all the time of our abode there. In Africa, also, on the Coast of Guinea, our Merchants, Fa- ctors, and Seamen that reside there, have their black Misses. It is accounted a piece of policy to do it, for the chief Factors and Captains of Ships have the great Mens Daughters offered them, the Mandarins or Noblemens at Tunquin, and even the Kings Wives in Guinea, and by this sort of Alliance the [+++---] 396 An.1684 An Idol Temple. Chinese Idols. the Country people are ingaged to a greater friend- ship: And if there should arise any difference about Trade, or any thing else, which might provoke the Natives to seek some treacherous revenge, (to which all these Heathen Nations are very prone) then these Dalilabs would certainly declare it to their white friends, and so hinder their Country- mens designs. [---+++] Thesse People are Idolaters : but their manner of Worship I know not. There are a few scattering Houses and Plantations on the great Island, and a small Village on the South side of it ; where there is a little Idol Temple, and an Image of an Ele- phant, about 5 foot high, and in bigness propor- tionable, placed on one side of the Temple ; and a Horse, not so big, placed on the other side of it ; both standing with their Heads towards the South. The Temple it self was low and ordinary, built of Wood, and thatched, like one of their Houses ; which are but very meanly. [---+++] The Images of the Horse and the Elephant were the most general Idols that I observ'd in the Tem- ples of Tunquin, when I travell'd there. There were other Images also, of Beasts, Birds, and Fish: I do not remember I saw any humane shape there ; nor any such monstrous Representations as I have seen among the Chinese. Where-ever the Chinese Seamen or Merchants come(and they are very numerous all over these Seas) they have always hideous Idols on board their Jonks or Ships, with Altars, and Images burning before them. These Idols they bring a- shore with them : and beside those they have in common ; every Man hath one in his own House. Upon some particular solemn days I have seen their Bonzies, or Priests, bring whole armfuls of painted Papers, and burn them with a great deal of Ceremony, being very careful to let no piece escape them. The same day they kill'd a Goat, which [+++---] 397 An.1687 A Procession of the Idolaters at Maderas. which had been purposely fatting a month before: this they offer or present before their Idol, and then dress it and feast themselves with it. I have seen them do this in Tunquin, where I have at the same time been invited to their Feasts: and at Ban- couli, in the Isle of Sumatra, they sent a Shoulder of the Sacrific'd Goat to the English, who eat of it, and ask'd me to do so too ; but I refused. [---+++] When I was at Maderas, or Fort St. George, I took notice of a great Ceremony used for several nights successively by the Idolaters inhabiting the Suburbs : Both men and women (these very well clad) in a great multitude went in solemn Procession with lighted Torches, carrying their Idols about with them. I knew not the meaning of it. I observ'd some went purposely carrying Oyl to sprinkle into the Lamps, to make them burn the brighter. They began their round about 11 a clock at night, and having paced it gravely about the streets till 2 or 3 a clock in the morning, their Idols were carry'd with much Ceremony into the Temple by the chief of the Procession, and some of the Women I saw enter the Temple, particularly. Their Idols were different from those of Tunquin, Cambodia, &c. being in humane Shape. [---+++] I have said already that we arrived at these Islands the 14th day of March 1687. The next day we searched about for a place to careen in ; and the 16th day we entered the Harbour, and imme- diately provided to careen. Some Men were set to fell great Trees to saw into Plank ; others went to unrigging the Ship: some made a House to put our Goods in, and for the Sailmaker to work in. The Country People resorted to us, and brought us of the fruits of the Island, with Hogs, and sometimes Turtle ; for which they received Rice in exchange, which we had a Ship load of, taken at Manila. We bought of them also a good quantity of their pitchy [+++---] 398 An.1687 Two Men poyfoned at Mindanao dye here. pitchy Liquor, which we boyled, and used about our Ships bottom. We mixed it first with Lime, which we made here; and it made an excellent coat, and stuck on very well. [---+++] We staid in this Harbour from the 16th day of March till the 16th day of April; in which time we made a new Suit of Sails of the Cloath that was taken in the Prize. We cut a spare Main-top-mast, and sawed Plank to sheath the Ships bottom; for she was not sheathed all over at Mindanao, and that old Plank that was left on then we now ript off, and clapt on new. [---+++] While we lay here 2 of our men dyed, who were poyfoned at Mindanao: they told us of it, when they found themselves poyfon'd, and had lingred ever since. They were open d by our Doctor, accord- ing to their own request before they dyed, and their Livers were black, light and dry, like pieces of Cork. [---+++] Our business being finished here, we left the Spanish Prize taken at Manila, and most of the Rice, taking out enough for our selves : and on the 17th day we went from hence to the place where we first Anchored, on the North side of the great Island, purposely to water ; for there was a great stream, when we first came to the Island, and we thought it was so now. But we found it dryed up, only it stood in holes, 2 or 3 Hogsheads, or a Tun in a hole : Therefore we did immediately cut Bamboos, and made Spouts, through which we conveyed the Water down to the Sea-side ; by ta- king it up in Bowls, and pouring it into these Spouts or Troughs. We conveyed some of it thus near half a mile. While we were filling our Wa- ter, Captain Read engaged an old man, one of the Inhabitants of this Island, the same, who, I faid, could speak the Malayan Language, to be his Pilot to the Bay of Siam: for he had often been telling us, [+++---] 399 An.1687 Pulo Uby. us, that he was well acquainted there, and that he knew some Islands there, where there were Fisher- men lived, who he thought could supply us with Salt-fish to eat at Sea; for we had nothing but Rice to eat. The Easterly Monfoon was not yet done ; therefore it was concluded to spend some time there, and then take the advantage of the begin- ning of the Western Monfoon, to return to Manila again. [---+++] The 21st day of April 1687 we sailed from Pu- lo Condore, directing our course W. by S. for the Bay of Siam. We had fair weather, and a fine moderate gale of Wind at E. N. E. [---+++] The 23d day we arrived at Pulo Uby, or the Island Uby. This Island is about 40 leagues to the Westward of Pulo Condore ; it lies just at the en- trance of the Bay of Siam, at the S. W. point of Land, that makes the Bay ; namely, the point of Cambodia. This Island is about 7 or 8 leagues round, and it is higher Land than any of Pulo Condore Isles. Against the South East part of it there is a small Key, about a Cables length from the main Island. This Pulo Uby is very woody, and it has good Water on the North side, where you may anchor ; but the best anchoring is on the East side against a small Bay ; then you will have the little Island to the Southward of you. [---+++] At Pulo Uby we found two small Barks laden with Rice. They belonged to Cambodia, from whence they came not above two or three days before ; and they touched here to fill Water. Rice is the general food of all these Countries, there- fore it is transported by Sea from one Country to another, as Corn is in these parts of the World. For in some Countries they produce more than enough for themselves, and send what they can spare to those places where there is but little. The [+++---] 400 An.1687 The Seamen of Champa. The 24th day we went into the Bay of Siam: This is a large deep Bay, of which and of this Kingdom I shall at present speak but little, because I design a more particular account of all this Coast, to wit, of Tunquin, Cochinchina, Siam, Champa, Cambodia, and Malacca, making all the most Easterly part of the Continent of Asia, lying South of China ; but to do it in the course of this Voy- age, would too much swell this Volume ; and I shall chuse therefore to give a separate relation of what I know or have learnt of them, together with the Neighbouring parts of Sumatra, Java, &c. where I have spent some time. [---+++] We run down into the Bay of Siam, till we came to the Islands that our Pulo Condore Pilot told us of, which lye about the middle of the Bay ; but as good a Pilot as he was he run us aground ; yet we had no damage. Captain Read went ashore at these Islands, where he found a small Town of Fishermen, but they had no Fish to sell, and fo we returned empty. [---+++] We had yet fair weather and very little wind ; so that being often becalmed, we were till the 13th day of May before we got to Pulo Uby again. There we found two small Veffels at an anchor on the East side : They were laden with Rice and Laquer, which is used in Japaning of Cabinets. One of these come from Champa, bound to the Town of Malacca, which belongs to the Dutch, who took it from the Portuguese : and this shews that they have a Trade with Champa. This was a very pretty neat Veffel, her bottom very clean and curiously coated, she had about 40 men all armed with Cortans, or broad Swords, Lances, and some Guns, that went with a swivel upon their Gun- nals. They were of the Idolaters, Natives of Cham- pa, and some of the briskest, most sociable, with- out fearfulness or shyness, and the most neat and dexterous [+++---] 401 An.1687 A Jonk from Palimbam or Sumatra. dexterous about their Shipping, of any such I have met with in all my Travels. The other Veffel came from the River of Cambodia, and was bound towards the Streights of Malacca. Both of them stopt here, for the Westerly winds now began to blow, which were against them, being some- what belated. [---+++] We anchored also on the East side, intending to fill Water. While we lay here we had very violent Winds at S. W. and a strong current fet- ting right to Windward. The fiercer the Wind blew the more strong the current set against it. This storm lasted till the 20th day, and then it began to abate. [---+++] The 21st day of May we went back from hence towards Pulo Condore. In our way we over- took a great Jonk that came from Palimbam, a Town on the Island Sumatra : She was full laden with Pepper which they bought there, and was bound to Siam: but it blowing so hard, she was afraid to venture into that Bay, and therefore came to Pulo Condore with us, where we both an- chored May the 24th. This Veffel was of the Chinese make, full of little Rooms or partitions like our Well-boats. I shall describe them in the next Chapter. The men of this Jonk told us, that the English were settled on the Island Samatra, at a place called Sillabar : and the first knowledge we had that the English had any settlement on Sama- tra was from these. [---+++] When we came to an anchor, we saw a small Bark at an anchor near the shore ; therefore Cap- tain Read sent a Canoa aboard her, to know from whence they came ; and supposing that it was a Malaya Veffel, he ordered the men not to go aboard, for they are accounted desperate fel- lows, and their Veffels are commonly full of men, who all wear Creffets, or little Daggers by their fides. [+++---] 402 An.1687 A bloody Fray with a Malayan Veffel. fides. The Canoas crew, not minding the Cap- tains orders, went aboard, all but one man that stay'd in the Canoa. The Malayans, who were about 20 of them, seeing our men all armed, thought that they came to take their Veffel : therefore at once, on a signal given, they drew out their Creffets, and stabbed 5 or 6 of our men before they knew what the matter was. The reft of our men leapt over-board, some into the Canoa, and some into the Sea, and so got a- way. Among the reft, one Daniel Wallis leapt into the Sea, who could never swim before nor fince : yet now he swam very well, a good while before he was taken up. When the Canoas came aboard, Captain Read manned two Canoas, and went to be revenged on the Malayans : but they seeing him coming, did cut a hole in their Veffels bottom, and went ashore in their Boat. Cap- tain Read followed them, but they run into the Woods and hid themselves. Here we stayed ten or eleven days, for it blew very hard all the time. While we stayed here, Herman Coppin- ger our Surgeon went ashore, intending to live here : But Captain Read sent some men, and fetcht him again. I had the same thoughts, and would have gone ashore too, but waited for a more convenient place. For neither he nor I, when we went last on board at Mindanao, had any knowledge of the Plot that was laid to leave Captain Swan, and run away with the Ship; and being sufficiently weary of this mad Crew, we were willing to give them the slip at any place from whence we might hope to get a paffage to an English Factory. There was nothing elfe of moment happened whilst we stayed here. [---+++]