[ch16 is page 441-470]
441
An.1687
C H A P. XVI. They depart from the Bashee Islands, and passing
by some others, and the N. End of Luconia,
St. John's Isle, and other of the Philippines,
they stop at the two Isles near Mindanao;
where they re-fit their Ship, and make a Pump
after the Spanish fashion. By the young Prince
of the Spice-Island they have News of Captain
Swan, and his men, left at Mindanao : The
Author proposes to the Crew to return to him;
but in vain : the story of his Murder at Min-
danao. The Clove-Islands, Ternate, Ti-
dore, &c. The Island Celebes, and Dutch
Town of Macasser. They Coast along the
East side of Celebes, and between it and other
Islands and Sholes, with great Difficulty. Sky
Turtle. Vast Cockles. A wild Vine of great
Virtue for Sores. Great Trees; one excessife-
ly big. Beacons instead of Buoys on the Sholes.
A Spout : a Description of them, with a story
of one. Uncertain Tornadoes. Turtle. The
Island Bouton, and its chief Town and Har-
bour, Callafusung. The Inhabitants. Visits
given and receiv'd by the Sultan. His De-
vice in the Flag of his Proe : his Guards,
Habit, and Children. Their Commerce. Their
different esteem (as they pretend) of the En-
glish and Dutch. Maritime Indians sell
others for Slaves. Their Reception in the
F f 4 Town. [+++---] 442
An.1687
N. E. end of Luconia, and Isle of St. John.
Town. A Boy with 4 Rows of Teeth. Para-
kites. Crockadores, a fort of White Parrots.
They pass among other Inhabited Islands, Om-
ba, Pentare, Timor, &c. Sholes. New-
Holland : laid down too much Northward. Its
Soil, and Dragon trees. The poor Winking
Inhabitants : their Features, Habit, Food,
Arms, &c. The way of fetching Fire out of
Wood. The Inhabitants on the Islands. Their
Habitations, Unfitness for Labour, &c. The
great Tides here. They design for the Island
Cocos, and Cape Comorin. [---+++]
THE third day of October 1687. we sailed from
these Islands, standing to the Southward;
intending to sail through among the Spice Islands.
We had fair weather, and the wind at West. We
first fteered S.S.W. and passed close by certain small
Islands that lye just by the North end of the Island
Luconia. We left them all on the West of us, and
past on the East side of it, and the rest of the Phi-
lippine Islands, coasting to the Southward. [---+++]
The N. East end of the Island Luconia appears to
be good Champion Land, of an indifferent heighth,
plain and even for many leagues: only it has some
pretty high Hills standing upright by themselves in
these Plains; but no ridges of Hills, or chains of
Mountains joyning one to another. The Land on
this side seems to be most Savannah, or Pasture:
The S. E. part is more Mountainous and Woody. [---+++]
Leaving the Island Luconia, and with it our Gol-
den projects, we sailed on the Southward, passing
on the East side of the rest of the Philippine Islands.
These appear to be more Mountainous, and les
Woody, till we came in sight of the Island St. John;
the first of that name I mentioned: the other
spake [+++---] 443
An.1687
West side of Mindanao. Spanish Pumps.
spake of on the Coast of China. This I have alrea-
dy described to be a very woody Island. Here the
Wind coming Southerly, forced us to keep farther
from the Islands. [---+++]
The 14th day of October we came close by a small
low Woody Island, that lyeth East from the S. E.
end of Mindanao, distant from it about 20 leagues.
I do not find it set down in any Sea-Chart. [---+++]
The 15th day we had the Wind at N. E. and
we steered West for the Island Mindanao, and arri-
ved at the S. E. end again on the 16th day. There
we went in and anchored between two small
Islands, which lye in about 5 d. 10 m. N. Lat.
I mentioned them when we first came on this
Coast. Here we found a fine small Cove, on the
N. W. end of the Easternmost Island, fit to Careen
in, or hale ashore : so we went in there, and pre-
fently unrigged our Ship, and provided to hale our
Ship ashore, to clean her bottom. These Islands
are about 3 or 4 leagues from the Island Mindanao :
they are about 4 or 5 miles in circumference, and
of a pretty good heighth. The mold is black and
deep; and there are two small Brooks of fresh
Water. [---+++]
They are both plentifully stored with great high
Trees: therefore our Carpenters were sent ashore
to cut down some of them for our use; for here
they made a new Boltsprit, which we did set here
also, our old one being very faulty. They made
a new Fore-Yard too, and a Fore Top-Mast: and
our Pumps being faulty, and not serviceable, they
did cut a Tree to make a Pump. They first squa-
red it, then sawed it in the middle, and then hol-
lowed each side exactly. The two hollow sides
were made big enough to contain a Pump-box in
the midst of them both, when they were joyned
together : and it required their utmost skill to close
them exactly to the making a tight Cylinder for the
Pump [+++---] 444
An.1687
A Prince of a Spice Island.
Pump-box ; being unaccustomed to such work.
We learnt this way of Pump-making from the Spani-
ards; who make their Pumps that they use in their
Ships in the South Seas after this manner : and I am
confident that there are no better Hand-pumps in
the world than they have. [---+++]
While we lay here, the young Prince that I
mentioned in Chapter the 13th, came aboard. He
understanding that we were bound farther to the
Southward, desired us to transport him and his
Men to his own Island. He shewed it to us in our
Draft, and told us the Name of it : which we put
down in our Draft, for it was not named there:
but I quite forgot to put it into my Journal. [---+++]
This Man told us, that not above 6 days before
this, he saw Captain Swan, and several of his Men
that we left there, and named the Names of some
of them, who, he said, were all well, and that now
they were at the City of Mindanao : but that they
had been all of them out with Raja Laut, fighting
under him in his Wars against his Enemies the Al-
foores : and that most of them fought with un-
daunted Courage; for which they were highly
honored and esteemed, as well by the Sultan, as
by the General Raja Laut: That now Captain Swan
intended to go with his Men to Fort St. Geosge, and
that in order thereto, he had proffered 40 ounces
of Gold for a Ship; but the Owner and he were
not yet agreed : and that he feared that the Sultan
would not let him go away till the Wars were
ended. [---+++]
All this the Prince told us in the Malayan tongue,
which many of us had learnt; and when he went
away he promised to return to us again in 3 days
time, and so long Captain Reed promised to stay
for him (for we had now almost finished our busi-
ness) and he seem'd very glad of the opportunity of
going with us.
After [+++---] 445
An.1687
The Murder of C. Swan at Mindanao.
After this I endeavoured to persuade our Men,
to return with the Ship to the River of Mindanao,
and offer their service again to Captain Swan. I
took an opportunity when they were filling of
Water, there being then half the Ships Company
ashore: and I found these all very willing to do it.
I desired them to say nothing, till I had tried the
minds of the other half, which I intended to do
the next day ; it being their turn to fill Water then:
but one of these Men, who seemed most forward
to invite back Captain Swan, told Captain Read
and Captain Teat of the project, and they presently
disswaded the Men from any such designs. Yet
fearing the worst, they made all possible haste to
be gone. [---+++]
I have since been informed, that Captain Swan
and his Men stayed there a great while afterward :
and that many of the Men got passage from thence
in Dutch Sloops to Ternate, particularly Mr. Rosy,
and Mr. Nelly. There they remained a great while,
and at last got to Batavia (where the Dutch took their
Journals from them) and so to Europe; and that
some of Captain Swan's Men died at Mindanao; of
which number Mr. Harthope, and Mr. Smith, Cap-
tain Swan's Merchants were two. At last Captain
Swan and his Surgeon going in a small Canoa
aboard of a Dutch Ship then in the Road, in order
to get passage to Europe, were overset by the Na-
tives at the Mouth of the River; who waited their
coming purposely to do it, but unsuspected by
them : where they both were kill'd in the Water.
This was done by the General's Order, as some
think, to get his Gold, which he did immediately
seize on. Others say; it was because the General's
House was burnt a little before, and Captain Swan
was suspected to be the Author of it ; and others
say, that it was Captain Swan's Threats occasioned
his own Ruine; for he would often say passionate-
ly, [+++---] 446
An.1687
They arrive at the Island Celebes.
ly, that he had been abused by the General, and
that he would have satisfaction for it ; saying also
that now he was well acquainted with their Rivers,
and knew how to come in at any time; that he also
knew their manner of fighting, and the Weakness
of their Country ; and therefore he woud go a-
way, and get a Band of Men to assist him, and re-
turning thither again, he would spoil and take all
that they had, and their Country too. When the
General has been informed of these discourses he
would say, What, is Captain Swan made of Iron,
and able to resist a whole Kingdom? Or does he
think that we are afraid of him, that he speaks
thus ? Yet did he never touch him, till now the
Mindanayans kill'd him. It is very probable there
might be somewhat of truth in all of this ; for the
Captain was passionate, and the General greedy of
Gold. But whatever was the occasion, so he was
kill'd, as several have assured me, and his Gold
seiz'd on, and all his things; and his Journal also
from England, as far as Cape Corrientes on the Coast
of Mexico. This Journal was afterwards sent away
from thence by Mr. Moody (who was there both a
little before and a little after the Murder) and he
sent it to England by Mr. Goddard, Chief Mate of the
Defence. [---+++]
But to our purpose; seeing I could not persuade
them to go to Captain Swan again, I had a great
desire to have had the Prince's company: but
Captain Read was afraid to let his fickle crew lye
long. That very day that the Prince had promised
to return to us, which was November 2. 1687. we
sailed hence, directing our course South West, and
having the Wind at N. W. [---+++]
This Wind continued till we came in sight of
the Island Celebes ; then it veered about to the W.
and to the Southward of the West. We came up
with the N. E. end of the Island Celebes the 9th
day, [+++---] 447
An.1687
I. Gilolo, Ternate, Tidor, &c. Macasser.
day, and there we found the current setting to the
Westward so strongly, that we could hardly get on
the East side of that Island. [---+++]
The Island Celebes is a very large Island, extend-
ed in length from North to South, about 7 de-
grees of lat. and in breadth it is about 3 degrees.
It lies under the Equator, the North end being
in lat. 1 d. 30 m. North, and the South end in
lat. 5 d. 30 m. South, and by common account the
North point in the bulk of this Island, lies nearest
North and South, but at the North East end there
runs out a long narrow point, stretching N. E. a-
bout 30 leagues: and about 30 leagues to the East-
ward of this long Slipe, is the Island Gilolo, on
the West side of which are 4 small Islands, close
by it, which are very well stored with Cloves.
The two chiefest are Ternate and Tidore; and as the
Isle of Ceylon is reckoned the only place for Cin-
namon, and that of Banda for Nutmegs, , so these
are thought by some to be the only Clove Islands
in the World; but this is a great error, as I have
already shewn. [---+++]
At the South end of the Island Celebes there is a
Sea or Gulph, of about 7 or 8 leagues wide, and
40 or 50 long, which runs up the Countrey al-
most directly to the North; and this Gulph hath
several small Islands along the middle of it. On
the West side of the Island almost at the South
end of it, the Town of Macasser is seated. A Town
of great Strength and. Trade, belonging to the
Dutch. [---+++]
There are great Inlets and Lakes on the East
fide of the Island ; as also abundance of small
Islands, and sholes lying scattered about it. We
saw a high peeked Hill at the N. end: but the Land
on the East side is low all along; for we cruized
almost the length of it. The mold on this side is
black and deep, and extraordinary fat and rich,
and [+++---] 448
An.1687
They coast along the Isle of Celebes.
and full of Trees : and there are many Brooks of
Water run out into the Sea. Indeed all this East
side of the Island seems to be but one large Grove
of extraordinary great high Trees. [---+++]
Having with much ado got on this East side,
coasting along to the Southward, and yet having
but little Wind, and even that little against us, at
S. S. W. and sometimes Calm, we were a long time
going about the Island. [---+++]
The 22d day we were in Lat. 1 d. 20 m. South,
and being about 3 leagues from the Island standing
to the Southward, with a very gentle Land wind,
(about 2 or 3 a clock in the morning, we heard a
clashing in the Water, like Boats rowing: and
fearing some sudden attack, we got up all our
Arms, and stood ready to defend our selves. As
soon as it was day, we saw a great Proe, built like
the Mindanayan Proe's, with about 60 men in her;
and 6 smaller Proe's. They lay still about a mile
to. Windward of us, to view us; and probably de-
sign'd to make a prey of us, when they first came
out: but they were now afraid to venture on us. [---+++]
At last we shewed them Dutch Colours, thinking
thereby to allure them to come to us; for we could
not go to them: but they presently rowed in to-
ward the Island, and went into a large opening;
and we saw them no more; nor did we ever see
any other Boats, or Men, but only one fishing Ca-
noa, while we were about this Island; neither did
we see any House on all the Coast. [---+++]
About 5 or 6 leagues to the South of this place,
there is a great Range of both large and small
Islands : and many shoals also that are not laid
down in our Drafts; which made it extremely
troublesom for us to get through. But we past be-
tween them all and the Island Celebes, and anchored
against a sandy Bay in 8 fathom sandy ground,
about half a mile from the main Island: being then
in lat. 1 d. 50 m. South. Here [+++---] 449
An.1687
Shy Turtles. Vast Cockles. A Drug.
Here we stayed several days, and sent out our
Canoas a striking of Turtle every day ; for here is
great plenty of them; but they were very shy, as
they were generally where-ever we found them in
the East India Seas. I know not the reason of it,
unless the Natives go very much a striking here:
for even in the West Indies they are shy in places
that are much disturbed: and yet on New Holland
we found them shy, as I shall relate; though the
Natives there do not moleft them. [---+++]
On the sholes without us we went and gathered
Shell-fish at low water. There were a monstrous
sort of Cockles; the Meat of one of them would
suffice 7 or 8 Men. It was very good wholsom
Meat. We did also beat about in the Woods on
the Island, but found no game. One of our Men,
who was always troubled with sore Legs, found a
certain Vine that supported it self by climbing
about other Trees. The leaves reach'd 6 or 7 feet
high, but the strings or branches 11 or 12. It had
a very green leaf, pretty broad and roundish, and
of a thick substance. These leaves pounded small,
and boiled with Hogs Lard, make an excellent
Salve. Our Men, knowing the virtues of it,
stockt themfelves here : there was scarce a Man in
the Ship but got a pound or two of it; especially
such as were troubled with old Ulcers, who found
great benefit by it. This Man that discovered these
leaves here had his first knowledge of them in the
Isthmuſ of Darien, he having had this Receipt from
one of the Indians there: and he had been ashore
in divers places since, purposely to seek these leaves,
but did never find any but here. Among the ma-
ny vast Trees hereabouts, there was one exceeded
all the rest. This Captain Read cauſed to be cut
down, in order to make a Canoa, having lost our
Boats, all but one small one, in the late Storms;
so 6 lusty Men, who had been Logwood-cutters in
the [+++---]450
An.1687
A great Tree. Beacons set on Sholes.
the Bays of Campeachy and Honduras (as Captain
Read himself, and many more of us had) and so
were very expert at this work, undertook to fell it,
taking their turns, 3 always cutting together : and
they were one whole day, and half the next, be-
fore they got it down. This Tree, though it grew
in a Wood, was yet 18 foot in circumference, and
44 foot of clean body, without knot or branch :
and even there it had no more than one or two
branches, and then ran clean again 10 foot higher ;
there it spread it self into many great limbs and
branches like an Oak, very green and flourishing :
yet it was perisht at the heart, which marr'd it for
the service intended. [---+++]
So leaving it, and having no more business here
we weighed, and went from hence the next day,
it being the 29th day of November. While we
lay here we had some Tornadoes, one or two
every day, and pretty fresh Land Winds which
were at West. The Sea breezes were small and
uncertain, sometimes out of the N. E. and so
veering about to the East and South East. We
had the Wind at North East when we weighed,
and we steered off S. S. W. In the afternoon we
saw a shole a head of us, and altered our course
to the S. S. E. In the evening, at 4 a clock, we
were close by another great shole: therefore we
tackt, and stood in for the Island Celebes again; for
fear of running on some of the sholes in the night.
By day a Man might avoid them well enough, for
they had all Beacons on them, like Huts built on
tall Posts, above high-water mark, probably set up
by the Natives of the Island Celebes, or those of
some other neighbouring Islands; and I never saw
any such elsewhere. In the night we had a violent
Tornado out of the S. W. which lasted about an
hour. The
451
An.1687
Shoals near Celebes. A Tornado and Spout.
The 30th day we had a fresh Land Wind, and
steered away South, passing between the 2 Shoals,
which we saw the day before. These Shoals lye
in lat. 3 d. South, and about 10 leagues from the
Island Celebes. Being past them, the Wind died
away, and we lay becalmed till the afternoon;
Then we had a hard Tornado out of the South
West, and towards the evening we saw two or
three Spouts, the first I had seen since I came into
the East Indies; in the West Indies I had often met
with them. A Spout is a small ragged piece, or
part of a Cloud, hanging down about a yard,
seemingly from the blackest part thereof. Com-
monly it hangs down sloping from thence, or
sometimes appearing with a small bending, or
elbow in the middle. I never saw any hang per-
pendicularly down. It is small at the lower end,
seemingly no bigger than ones Arm, but 'tis fuller
towards the Cloud, from whence it proceeds.
[---+++]
When the surface of the Sea begins to work,
you shall see the Water, for about 100 paces in
circumference, foam and move gently round till
the whirling motion increases: and then it flies
upward in a pillar, about 100 paces in compass
at the bottom, but lessening gradually upwards
to the smallness of the Spout itself, there where
it reacheth the lower end of the Spout; through
which the rising Sea-water seems to be conveyed
into the Clouds. This visibly appears by the
Clouds increasing in bulk and blackness. Then
you shall presently see the Cloud drive along, al-
though before it seemed to be without any mo-
tion; the Spout also keeping the same course
with the Cloud, and still sucking up the Water as
it goes along, and they make a Wind as they go.
Thus it continues for the space of half an hour,
more or less, until the sucking is spent, and then
breaking off, all the Water which was below
[---+++]
G g
the [+++---] 452
An.1687
Of a Spout on the Coast of Guinea.
the Spout, or pendulous piece of Cloud, falls
down again into the Sea, making a great noise
with its fall, and clashing motion in the Sea.
[---+++]
It is very dangerous for a Ship to be under a
Spout when it breaks, therefore we always en-
deavoured to shun it, by keeping at a distance, if
possibly we can. But for want of Wind to carry
us away, we are often in great fear and danger;
for it is usually calm when Spouts are at work,
except only just where they are. Therefore men
at Sea, when they see a Spout coming, and know
not how to avoid it, do sometimes fire shot out of
their great Guns into it, to give it air or vent,
that so it may break; but I did never hear that it
proved to be of any benefit.
[---+++]
And now being on this subject, I think it not
amiss to give you an account of an accident that
happened to a Ship once on the Coast of Guinea,
some time in or about the year 1674. One Cap-
tain Records of London, bound for the Coast of
Guinea, in a Ship of 300 Tuns, and 16 Guns, called
the Blessing; when he came into the lat. 7 or 8
degrees North, he saw several Spouts, one of which
came directly towards the Ship, and he having no
Wind to get out of the way of the Spout, made ready
to receive it by furling his sails. It came on very
swift, and broke, a little before it reached the
Ship; making a great noise, and raising the Sea
round it, as if a great house, or some such thing,
had been cast into the Sea. The fury of the Wind
still lasted, and took the Ship on the Starboard
bow with such violence, that it snapt off the
Boltsprit and Fore-mast both at once, and blew
the Ship all along, ready to over-set it, but the
Ship did presently right again, and the Wind
whirling round, took the Ship a second time with
the like fury as before, but on the contrary side,
and was again like to overset her the other way.
[---+++]
The [+++---] 453
453
An.1687
Isle of Bouton. Fickle Weather.
The Mizen-mast felt the fury of this second blast,
and was snapt short off, as the Fore-mast and Bolt-
sprit had been before. The Main-mast, and Main-
top-mast received no damage, for the fury of the
Wind, (which was presently over) did not reach
them. Three men were in the Fore-top when the
Fore-mast broke, and one on the Boltsprit, and
fell with them into the Sea, but all of them were
saved. I had this relation from Mr. John Canby,
who was then Quarter-master and Steward of her;
one Abraham Wife, was chief Mate, and Leonard
Jefferies second Mate.
[---+++]
We are usually very much afraid of them: yet
this was the only damage that ever I heard done by
them. They seem terrible enough; the rather
because they come upon you while you lie becalm'd,
like a Log in the Sea, and cannot get out of their
way: but though I have seen, and been beset by
them often, yet the fright was always the greatest
of the harm.
[---+++]
December the 1st, we had a gentle gale at E. S. E.
we steered South; and at noon I was by Observa-
tion in lat. 3 d. 34 m. South. Then we saw the
Island Bouton, bearing South West, and about 10
leagues distant. We had very uncertain and un-
constant Winds: The Tornadoes came out of the
S. W. which was against us; and what other
Winds we had were so faint, that they did us little
kindness; but we took the advantage of the smallest
gale, and got a little way every day. The 4th
day at noon I was by Observation in Lat: 4 d. 30 m.
South.
[---+++]
The 5th day we got close by the N. W. end of
the Island Bouton, and in the evening, it being fair
weather, we hoised out our Canoa, and sent the
Moskito men, of whom we had 2 or 3, to strike
Turtle, for here are plenty of them: but they be-
ing shy, we chose to strike them in the night (which
G g 2
is [+++---] 454
454
An.1687
Isle of Bouton, and its City Callafusung.
is customary in the West Indies also) For every time
they come up to breathe, which is once in 8 or 10
minutes, they blow so hard, that one may hear
them at 30 or 40 yards distance; by which means
the Striker knows where they are, and may more
easily approach them than in the day: for the Tur-
tle sees better than he hears: but, on the contra-
ry, the Manatee's hearing is quickest.
[---+++]
In the morning they returned with a very large
Turtle, which they took near the shore; and with-
al an Indian of the Island came aboard with them. He
spake the Malayan Language; by which we did un-
derstand him. He told us, that 2 leagues farther to the
Southward of us, there was a good Harbour, in
which we might Anchor: So having a fair Wind,
we got thither by noon.
[---+++]
This Harbour is in Lat. 4 d. 54 m. South: lying
on the East side of the Island Bouton. Which Island
lyes near the S. E. end of the Island Celebes, distant
from it about 3 or 4 leagues. It is of a long form,
stretching S. W. and N. E. about 25 leagues
long, and 10 broad. It is pretty high Land, and
appears pretty even, and flat, and very woody.
[---+++]
There is a large Town within a league of the
anchoring place, called Callafusung, being the chief,
if there were more; which we knew not. It is
about a mile from the Sea, on the top of a small
Hill, in a very fair Plain, incompassed with Coco-
nut Trees. Without the Trees there is a strong
Stone Wall, clear round the Town. The Houses
are built like the Houses at Mindanao; but more
neat: and the whole Town was very clean and
delightsome.
[---+++]
The Inhabitants are small, and well shaped.
They are much like the Mindanaians in shape, co-
lour, and habit; but more neat and tight. They
speak the Malayan Language, and are all Mahome-
tans. They are very obedient to the Sultan, who
is [+++---] 455
The Sultan of Bouton; his Device and Guards. 455
An.1687
is a little Man, about 40 or 50 years old, and hath
a great many Wives and Children.
[---+++]
About an hour after we came to an anchor, the
Sultan sent a Messenger aboard, to know what we
were, and what our business. We gave him an ac-
count, and he returned ashore, and in a short time
after he came aboard again, and told us, that the
Sultan was very well pleased when he heard that we
were English; and said, that we should have any
thing that the Island afforded; and that he himself
would come aboard in the morning. Therefore
the Ship was made clean, and every thing put in
the best order to receive him.
[---+++]
The 6th day in the morning betimes a great ma-
ny Boats and Canoas came aboard, with Fowls,
Eggs, Plantains, Potatoes, &c. but they would
dispose of none till they had order for it from the
Sultan, at his coming. About 10 a clock the Sul-
tan came aboard in a very neat Proe, built after the
Mindanao fashion. There was a large white Silk
Flag at the head of the Mast, edged round with a
deep red for about 2 or 3 inches broad, and in the
middle there was neatly drawn a Green Griffon,
trampling on a winged Serpent, that seemed to
struggle to get up, and threatned his Adversary
with open mouth, and with a long Sting that was
ready to be darted into his Legs. Other East Indian
Princes have their Devices also.
[---+++]
The Sultan with 3 or 4 of his Nobles, and 3 of
his Sons, sate in the House of the Proe. His
Guards were 10 Musqueteers, 5 standing on one
side of the Proe, and 5 on the other side; and be-
fore the door of the Proe-house stood one with a
great broad Sword, and a Target, and 2 more such
at the after part of the House; and in the head and
stern of the Proe stood 4 Musqueteers more, 2 at
each end.
[---+++]
G g 3
The [+++---]456
456
An.1687
The Sultans Habit. Selling of Slaves.
The Sultan had a Silk Turbat, laced with nar-
row Gold Lace by the sides, and broad Lace at the
end: which hung down on one side the head, after
the Mindanayan fashion. He had a sky-coloured
Silk pair of Breeches, and a piece of red Silk thrown
cross his shoulders, and hanging lofe about him;
the greatest part of his back and waste appearing
naked. He had neither Stocking nor Shoe. One
of his Sons was about 15 or 16 year old; the other
two were young things: and they were always in
the arms of one or other of his Attendants.
[---+++]
Captain Read met him at the side, and led him
into his small Cabbin, and fired 5 Guns for his
welcome. Assoon as he came aboard he gave leave
to his Subjects to traffick with us: and then our
People bought what they had a mind to. The
Sultan seemed very well pleased to be visited by the
English; and said, he had coveted to have a sight of
Englishmen, having heard extraordinary characters
of their just and honorable dealings: but he ex-
claimed against the Dutch (as all the Mindanayans,
and all the Indians we met with do) and wisht
them at a greater distance.
[---+++]
For Macasser is not very far from hence, one of
the chiefest Towns that the Dutch have in those
parts. From thence the Dutch come sometimes hi-
ther to purchase Slaves. The Slaves that these Peo-
ple get here and sell to the Dutch, are some of the
idolatrous Natives of the Island, who not being
under the Sultan, and having no head, live strag-
gling in the Country, flying from one place to
another to preserve themselves from this Prince and
his Subjects, who hunt after them to make them
Slaves. For the civilized Indians of the maritime
places, who trade with Foreigners, if they can-
not reduce the inland people to the Obedience of
their Prince, they catch all they can of them and
sell them for Slaves; accounting them to be but
as [+++---] 457
The Sultan entertains them at Callafusung. 457
An.1687
as Savages, just as the Spaniards do the poor Ameri-
cans.
[---+++]
After two or three hours discourse the Sultan
went ashore again, and 5 Guns were fired at his
departure also. The next day he sent for Captain
Read to come ashore, and he, with 7 or 8 Men,
went to wait on the Sultan. I could not slip an
opportunity of seeing the place; and so accom-
panied them. We were met at the landing place
by two of the chief Men, and guided to a pretty
neat House, where the Sultan waited our coming.
The House stood at the farther end of all the Town
before mention'd, which we past through; and
abundance of people were gazing on us as we past
by. When we came near the House, there were
40 poor naked Soldiers with Musquets made a Lane
for us to pass through. This House was not built
on Posts, as the rest were, after the Mindanayan
way; but the room in which we were enter-
tained was on the ground, covered with Mats to
sit on. Our Entertainment was Tobacco and Betel-
nut, and young Coco-nuts; and the House was
beset with Men, Women and Children, who
thronged to get near the VVindows to look on
us.
[---+++]
We did not tarry above an hour before we took
our leaves and departed. This Town stands in a
sandy Soil: but what the rest of the Island is I
know not, for none of us were ashore but at this
place.
[---+++]
The next day the Sultan came aboard again,
and presented Captain Read with a little Boy, but he
was too small to be serviceable on board; and so
Captain Read returned thanks, and told him he
was too little for him. Then the Sultan sent for
a bigger Boy, which the Captain accepted. This
Boy was a very pretty tractable Boy; but what
was wonderful in him, he had two rows of Teeth,
one [+++---] 458
458
The Crockadore. Neat Proes. Islands.
An.1687
one within another, on each Jaw. None of the
other people were so, nor did I ever see the like.
[---+++]
The Captain was presented also with two He-goats
and was promised some Buffaloe, but I do believe
that they have but few of either on the Island. We
did not see any Buffaloe nor many Goats, neither
have they much Rice, but their chiefest food is
Roots. We bought here about a thousand pound
weight of Potatoes. Here our men bought also
abundance of Crockadores, and fine large Parakites,
curiously coloured, and some of the finest I ever saw.
[---+++]
The Crockadore is as big as a Parrot, and
shaped much like it, with such a Bill; but is as
white as Milk, and hath a bunch of feathers on
his head like a Crown. At this place we bought
a Proe also of the Mindanaian make, for our own
use, which our Carpenters afterwards altered,
and made a delicate Boat fit for any service. She
was sharp at both ends, but we saw'd off one, and
made that end flat, fastening a Rudder to it, and
she rowed and sailed incomparably.
[---+++]
We stayed here but till the 12th day, because it
was a bad Harbour and foul ground, and a bad
time of the year too, for the Tornadoes began to
come in thick, and strong. When we went to
weigh our Anchor, it was hooked in a Rock,
and we broke our Cable, and could not get our
Anchor, though we strove hard for it; so
we went away and left it there. We had the
Wind at N. N. E. and we steered towards the S. E.
and fell in with 4 or 5 small Islands, that lye in
5 d. 40 m. South lat. and about 5 or 6 leagues
from Callafusung Harbour. These Islands appeared
very green with Coco-nut Trees, and we saw two
or three Towns on them, and heard a Drum all
night; for we were got in among shoals, and
could not get out again till the next day. We
know not whether the Drum were for fear of us,
or [+++---] 459
Isles of Timor, Omba, and Pentare. 459
An.1687
or that they were making merry, as 'tis usual in
these parts to do all the night, singing and danc-
ing till morning.
[---+++]
We found a pretty strong Tide here, the flood
setting to the Southward, and the ebb to the North-
ward. These shoals, and many other that are not
laid down in our Drafts, lye on the South West
side of the Islands where we heard the Drum, a-
bout a league from them. At last we past be-
tween the Islands, and tried for a passage on the
East side. We met with divers shoals on this side
also, but found Channels to pass through; so we
steered away for the Island Timor, intending to
pass out by it. We had the Winds commonly at
W. S. W. and S. W. hard gales, and rainy weather.
[---+++]
The 16th day, we got clear of the shoals, and
steered S. by E. with the Wind at W. S. W. but
veering every half hour, sometimes at S. W. and
then again at W. and sometimes at N. N. VV.
bringing much Rain, with Thunder and Lightening.
[---+++]
The 20th day we passed by the Island Omba,
which is a pretty high Island, lying in lat. 8 d.
20 m. and not above 5 or 6 leagues from the N. E.
part of the Island Timor. It is about 13 or 14
leagues long, and five or six leagues wide.
[---+++]
About 7 or 8 leagues to the VVest of Omba, is a-
nother pretty large Island, but it had no name in our
plats; yet by the situation it should be that, which
in some Maps is called Pentare. We saw on it abun-
dance of smoaks by day, and fires by night, and
a large Town on the North side of it, nor far
from the Sea; but it was such bad weather that
we did not go ashore. Between Omba and Pentare,
and in the mid Channel, there is a small low
sandy Island, with great shoals on either side; but
there is a very good Channel close by Pentare,
between that and the shoals about the small Isle.
We were three days beating off and on, not
having [+++---]460
460
A difficult passage. Timor and other Isles.
An.1687
having a wind, for it was at South South West.
[---+++]
The 23d day in the evening, having a small gale
at North, we got through, keeping close by Pen-
tare. The Tide of ebb here fet out to the South-
ward, by which we were helped through, for we
had but little wind. But this Tide, which did us
a kindness in setting us through, had like to have
ruined us afterwards, for there are two small
Islands lying at the South end of the Channel
we came through, and towards these Islands the
Tide hurried us so swiftly, that we very narrow-
ly escaped being driven ashore; for the little
wind we had before at North dying away, we
had not one breath of wind when we came
there, neither was there an anchor ground. But we
got out our Oars and rowed, yet all in vain: for
the Tide set wholly on one of the small Islands,
that we were forced with might and main strength
to bear off the Ship, by thrusting with our Oars against
the shore, which was a steep bank, and by this
means we presently drove away, clear of Danger;
and having a little wind in the night at North, we
steered away S. S. W. In the morning again we
had the wind at W. S. W. and steered S. and the
wind coming to the W. N. W. we steered S. W.
to get clear of the S. W. end of the Island Timor. The
26th day we saw the N. W. point of Timor, S.E. by E.
distant about 8 leagues.
[---+++]
Timor is a long high mountainous Island, stretch-
ing N. E. and S. VV. It is about 70 leagues long,
and 15 or 16 wide: the middle of the Island is in
Lat. about 9 d. South. I have been informed that
the Portuguese do trade to this Island: but I know
nothing of its produce besides Coire, for making
Cables; of which there is mention Chap. X.
[---+++]
The 27th day we saw two small Islands which
lye near the S. W. end of Timor: They bear from
us S. E. We had very hard gales of wind, and
still [+++---]
461
An.1687
A Shoal near Timor, past with difficulty.
still with a great deal of Rain: the wind at W.
and W. S. W. [---+++]Being now clear of all the Islands, we stood off
South, intending to touch at New Holland, a part
of Terra Australis Incognita, to see what that Coun-
try would afford us. Indeed, as the Winds were,
we could not now keep our intended course (which
was first Westerly, and then Northerly) without
going to New Holland, unless we had gone back a-
gain among the Islands: but this was not a good
time of the year to be among any Islands to the
South of the Equator, unless in a good Harbour. [---+++]The 31st day we were in lat. 13 d. 20 m. still
standing to the Southward, the wind bearing com-
monly very hard at W. and we keeping upon it
under 2 courses, and our Mizen, and sometimes a
Main-top-sail rift. About 10 a clock at night we
tackt and stood to the Northward, for fear of run-
ning on a shoal, which is laid down in our Drafts
in lat. 13 d. 50 m. or thereabouts: it bearing
S. by W. from the East end of Timor: and so the
Island bore from us, by our judgments and reck-
oning. At 3 a clock we tackt again, and stood
S. by W. and S. S. W. [---+++]In the morning, assoon as it was day, we saw
the shoal right ahead: it lies in 13 d. 50 m. by all
our reckonings. It is a small spit of hand, just ap-
pearing above the waters edge, with several Rocks
about it, 8 or 10 foot high above water. It lies in
a triangular form; each side being abour a league
and half. We stemm'd right with the middle of
it, and stood within half a mile of the Rocks, and
founded; but found no ground. Then we went
about and stood to the North 2 hours; and then
tackt and stood to the Southward again, thinking
to weather it: but could not. So we bore away
on the North side, till we came to the East point,
giving the Rocks a small birth: then we trimb'd
sharp. [+++---]462
An.1688
An Error of the Hydrographers. New Holland.
sharp, and stood to the Southward, passing close
by it, and founded again; but found no ground. [---+++]This shoal is laid down in our Drafts not above
16 or 20 leagues from New Holland; but we did
run afterwards 60 leagues due South before we fell
in with it: and I am very confident, that no part
of New Holland hereabouts lyes so far Northerly by
40 leagues, as it is laid down in our Drafts. For if
New Holland were laid down true, we must of ne-
cessity have been driven near 40 leagues to the
Westward of our course: but this is very impro-
bable, that the Current should set so strong to the
Westward, seeing we had such a constant Westerly
Wind. I grant that when the Monsoon shifts first,
the Current does not presently shift, but runs after-
wards near a month: but the Monsoon had been
shifted at least two months now. But of the Mon-
foons and other Winds, and of the Currents, else-
where, in their proper place. As to these here, I do
rather believe that the Land is not laid down true,
than that the Current deceived us; for it was more
probable we should have been deceived before we
met with the shoal, than afterward: for on the
Coast of New Holland we found the Tides keeping
their constant course; the Flood running N. by E.
and the Ebb S. by W. [---+++]The 4th day of January 1688, we fell in with
the Land of New Holland in the Lat. of 16 d. 50 m.
having, as I said before, made our course due
South from the shoal that we past by the 31st day
of December. We ran in close by it, and finding no
convenient anchoring, because it lies open to the
N. W. we ran along shore to the Eastward, steer-
ing N. E, by E. for so the Land lies. We steered
thus about 12 leagues; and then came to a point of
Land, from whence the Land trends East and
Southerly, for 10 or 12 leagues: but how afterwards
I know not. About 3 leagues to the Eastward of
this [+++---] 463
An.1688
New Holland. Dragon-trees. The Animals.
this point, there is a pretty deep Bay, with abun-
dance of Islands in it, and a very good place to
anchor in, or to hale ashore. About a league to
the Eastward of that point we anchored January
the 5th, 1688. 2 mile from the shore, in 29 fathom,
good hard sand, and clean ground. [---+++]New Holland is a very large tract of Land. It is
not yet determined whether it is an Island or a
main Continent; but I am certain that it joyns
neither to Asia, Africa, nor America. This part of it
that we saw is all low even Land, with sandy Banks
against the Sea, only the points are rocky, and so
are some of the Islands in this Bay. [---+++] The Land is of a dry sandy soil, destitute of
Water, except you make Wells: yet producing
divers sorts of Trees: but the Woods are not thick,
nor the Trees very big. Most of the Trees that
we saw are Dragon-trees as we supposed; and these
too are the largest Trees of any there. They are
about the bigness of our large Apple Trees, and
about the same heighth: and the rind is blackish,
and somewhat rough. The leaves are of a dark
colour; the Gum distils out of the knots or cracks
that are in the bodies of the Trees. We compared
it with some Gum Dragon, or Dragons Blood, that
was aboard; and it was of the same colour and
taste. The other sorts of Trees were not known
by any of us. There was pretty long grass growing
under the Trees; but it was very thin. We saw
no Trees that bore Fruit or Berries. [---+++]We saw no sort of Animal, nor any track of
Beast, but once; and that seemed to be the tread
of a Beast as big as a great Mastiff Dog. Here are
a few small Land-birds, but none bigger than a
Blackbird: and but few Sea-fowls. Neither is the
Sea very plentifully stored with Fish, unless you
reckon the Manatee and Turtle as such. Of these
creatures there is plenty; but they are extraordinary
shy; [+++---]464
An.1688
The poor winking People of New Holland.
shy; though the Inhabitants cannot trouble them
much, having neither Boats nor Iron. [---+++]The Inhabitants of this Country are the misera-
blest People in the world. The Hodmadods of Mo-
nomatapa, though a nasty People, yet for Wealth
are Gentlemen to these; who have no Houses and
Skin Garments, Sheep, Poultry, and Fruits of the
Earth, Ostrich Eggs, &c. as the Hodmadods have:
and setting aside their humane shape, they differ
but little from Brutes. They are tall, strait bo-
died, and thin, with small long Limbs. They have
great Heads, round Foreheads, and great Brows.
Their Eye-lids are always half closed, to keep the
Flies out of their Eyes: they being so troublesome
here, that no fanning will keep them from coming
to ones Face; and without the assistance of both
hands to keep them off, they will creep into ones
Nostrils; and Mouth too, if the Lips are not shut
very close. So that from their Infancy being thus
annoyed with these Insects, they do never open
their Eyes, as other People: and therefore they
cannot see far; unless they hold up their Heads, as
if they were looking at somewhat over them. [---+++]They have great Bottle noses, pretty full lips,
and wide mouths. The two fore teeth of their up-
per Jaw are wanting in all of them, men and wo-
men, old and young: whether they draw them
out, I know not: Neither have they any Beards.
They are long visaged, and of a very unpleasing
aspect; having no one graceful feature in their
faces. Their Hair is black, short and curl'd, like
that of the Negroes: and not long and lank like
the common Indians. The colour of their skins,
both of their faces and the rest of their body, is
coal black, like that of the Negroes of Guinea. [---+++]They have no sort of Cloaths; but a piece of
the rind of a Tree ty'd like a Girdle about their
waftes, and a handful of long Grass, or 3 or 4
small [+++---]465
An.1688
Their living on small Fish left aground.
small green Boughs, full of Leaves, thrust under
their Girdle, to cover their nakedness. [---+++]They have no Houses, but lye in the open Air,
without any covering; the Earth being their Bed,
and the Heaven their Canopy. Whether they co-
habit one Man to one Woman, or promiscuously,
I know not: but they do live in Companies, 20
or 30 Men, Women, and Children together.
Their only food is a small sort of Fish, which they
get by making Wares of stone, across little Coves,
or branches of the Sea: every Tide bringing in
the small Fish, and there leaving them for a prey to
these people, who constantly attend there, to search
for them at low water. This small Fry I take to
be the top of their Fishery: they have no Instru-
ments to catch great Fish, should they come; and
such seldom stay to be left behind at low water:
nor could we catch any Fish with our Hooks and
Lines all the while we lay there. In other places
at low water they seek for Cockles, Muscles, and
Periwinkles: Of these Shell-fish there are fewer
still; so that their chiefest dependance is upon what
the Sea leaves in their Wares; which, be it much
or little, they gather up, and march to the places
of their abode. There the old People, that are
not able to stir abroad, by reason of their Age, and
the tender Infants, wait their rerun; and what
Providence has bestowed on them, they presently
broil on the Coals, and eat it in common. Some-
times they get as many Fish as makes them a plenti-
ful Banquet; and at other times they scarce get
every one a taste: but be it little or much that they
get, every one has his part, as well the young and
tender, as the old and feeble, who are not able to
go abroad, as the strong and lusty. When they have
eaten they lye down till the next low water, and
then all that are able march out, be it night or day,
rain or shine, 'tis all one: they must attend the
Wares, [+++---]466
An.1688
Their Arms. How Indians get Fire.
Wares, or else they must fast: For the Earth affords
them no Food at all. There is neither Herb, Root,
Pulse, nor any sort of Grain, for them to eat,
that we saw: nor any sort of Bird, or Beast that
they can catch, having no Instruments where-
withal to do so. [---+++]I did not perceive that they did worship any
thing. These poor creatures have a sort of Wea-
pon to defend their Ware, or fight with their Ene-
mies, if they have any that will interfere with their
poor Fishery. They did at first endeavour with
their Weapons to frighten us, who lying ashore de-
terr'd them from one of their Fishing-places. Some
of them had Wooden Swords, others had a sort of
Lances. The Sword is a piece of Wood, shaped
somewhat like a Cutlass. The Lance is a long
strait pole, sharp at one end, and hardened after-
wards by heat. I saw no Iron, nor any other sort
of Metal: therefore it is probable they use Stone-
Hatchets, as some Indians in America do, described
in Chap. IV. [---+++]How they get their Fire, I know not: but, pro-
bably, as Indians do, out of Wood. I have seen the
Indians of Bon-Airy do it, and have my self tryed
the experiment: They take a flat piece of Wood,
that is pretty soft, and make a small dent in one
side of it; then they take another hard round stick,
about the bigness of ones little finger, and sharpen-
ing it at one end like a Pencil, they put that sharp
end in the hole or dent of the flat soft piece; and
then rubbing or twirling the hard piece between
the palms of their hands, they drill the soft piece
till it smoaks, and at last takes fire. [---+++]These people speak somewhat through the throat;
but we could not understand one word that they
said. We anchored, as I said before, January the
5th, and seeing Men walking on the shore, we
presently sent a Canoa to get some acquaintance
with [+++---]467
An.1688
The People on the Islands.
with them: for we were in hopes to get some
Provision among them. But the Inhabitants, see-
ing our Boat coming, run away and hid themselves.
We searched afterwards 3 days, in hopes to find
their Houses; but found none: yet we saw many
places where they had made Fires. At last, being
out of hopes to find their Habitations, we searched
no farther: but left a great many toys ashore; in
such places where we thought that they would
come. In all our search we found no water, but
old Wells on the sandy Bays. [---+++]At last we went over to the Islands, and there
we found a great many of the Natives: I do be-
lieve there were 40 on one Island, Men, Women
and Children. The Men, at our first coming a-
shore, threatened us with their Lances and Swords;
but they were frighted by firing one Gun, which
we fired purposely to scare them. The Island was
so small that they could not hide themselves: but
they were much disordered at our Landing, espe-
cially the Women and Children: for we went di-
rectly to their Camp. The lustiest of the Women
snatching up their Infants ran away howling, and
the little Children run after squeaking and bawl-
ing; but the Men stood still. Some of the Women,
and such People as could not go from us, lay
still by a Fire, making a doleful noise as if we had
been coming to devour them: but when they saw
we did not intend to harm them, they were pretty
quiet, and the rest that fled from us at our first
coming, returned again. This their place of
dwelling was only a Fire, with a few Boughs before
it, set up on that side the wind was of. [---+++]After we had been here a little while, the Men
began to be familiar, and we cloathed some of
them, designing to have had some service of them
for it: for we found some Wells of Water here,
and intended to carry 2 or 3 Barrels of it aboard.
H h
But [+++---] 468
An.1688
The New-Hollanders not curious.
But it being somewhat troublesome to carry to the
Canoas, we thought to have made these men to
have carried it for us, and therefore we gave them
fome Cloaths; to one an old pair of Breeches,
to another a ragged Shirt, to a third a Jacket that
was scarce worth owning; which yet would have
been very acceptable at some places where we had
been, and so we thought they might have been
with these people. We put them on them, think-
ing that this finery would have brought them to
work heartily for us; and our Water being filled
in small long Barrels, about 6 Gallons in each,
which were made purposely to carry Water in,
we brought these our new Servants to the Wells,
and put a Barrel on each of their Shoulders for
them to carry to the Canoa. But all the signs we
could make were to no purpose, for they stood like
Statues, without motion, but grinn'd like so many
Monkeys, staring one upon another: For these
poor Creatures seem not accuftomed to carry bur-
thens; and I believe that one of our Ship-boys
of 10 years old, would carry as much as one of
them. So we were forced to carry our Water our
selves, and they very fairly put the Cloaths off a-
gain, and laid them down, as if Cloaths were on-
ly to work in. I did not perceive that they had
any great liking to them at first, neither did they
seem to admire any thing that we had. [---+++]At another time our Canoa being among these
Islands seeking for game, espy'd a drove of these
men swimming from one Island to another; for
they have no Boats, Canoas, or Bark-logs. They
took up four of them, and brought them aboard;
two of them were middle aged, the other two
were young men about 18 or 20 year old. To
these we gave boiled Rice, and with it Turtle and
Manatee boiled. They did greedily devour what
we gave them, but took no notice of the Ship, or
any [+++---]469
An.1688
Their Sieness. The Tides here.
any thing in it, and when they were set on Land
again, they ran away as fast as they could. At
our first coming, before we were acquainted with
them, or they with us, a Company of them who
liv'd on the Main, came juft against our Ship, and
standing on a pretty high Bank, threatened us
with their Swords and Lances, by shaking them
at us; at last the Captain ordered the Drum to be
beaten, which was done of a fudden with much
vigor, purposely to scare the poor Creatures.
They hearing the noise, ran away as fast as they
could drive, and when they ran away in hafte,
they would cry Gurry, Gurry, speaking deep in
the Throat. Those Inhabitants also that live on
the Main, would always run away from us; yet
we took several of them. For, as I have already
observed, they had such bad Eyes, that they could
not see us till we came close to them. We did
always give them victuals, and let them go again,
but the Islanders, after our first time of being a-
mong them, did not stir for us. [---+++]When we had been here about a week, we hal'd
our Ship into a small sandy Cove, at a Spring-
tide, as far as she would float; and at low Water
she was left dry, and the sand dry without us near
half a mile; for the Sea rifeth and falleth here
about 5 fathom. The Flood runs North by East,
and the Ebb South by West. All the Neep-tides
we lay wholly a ground, for the Sea did not come
near us by about a hundred yards. We had
therefore time enough to clean our Ships bottom,
which we did very well. Most of our Men lay
ashore in a Tent, where our Sails were mending;
and our Strikers brought home Turtle and Mana-
tee every day, which was our conftant food. [---+++]While we lay here, I did endeavour to persuade
our men to go to some English Factory; but was
threatened to be turned ashore, and left here for
Hh 2 it. [+++---]470
An.1688
They design for Cocos, and Cape Comorin.
it. This made me desist, and patiently wait for
some more convenient place and opportunity to
leave them, than here: Which I did hope I should
accomplish in a short time: because they did in-
tend, when they went from hence, to bear down
towards Cape Comorin. In their way thither they
design'd also to visit the Island Cocos, which lyeth in
Lat. 12 d. 12 m. North, by our Drafts: hoping
there to find of that Fruit; the Island having its
name from thence.