[ch17 is page 471-490] 1 An.1688 C H A P. XVII. Leaving New-Holland they paſs by the Iſland Cocos, and touch at another Woody Iſland near it. A Land Animal like large Craw- fiſh. Coco-Nuts floating in the Sea. The Iſland Triſte, bearing Coco's, yet over-flown every Spring-tide. They anchor at a ſmall Iſland near that of Naſſaw. Hog Iſland, and others. A Proe taken, belonging to Achin. Nicobar Iſland, and the reſt called by that Name. Ambergreaſe, good and bad. The manners of the Inhabitants of theſe Iſlands. They anchor at Nicobar Iſle. Its Situation, Soil, and pleaſant Mixture of its Bays, Trees, &c. The Melory-tree and Fruit, uſed for bread. The Natives of Nicobar Iſland, their Form, Habit, Language, Habitations; no form of Religion or Government: Their Food and Canoas. They clean the Ship. The Au- thor projects and gets leave to ſtay aſhore here, and with him two Engliſhmen more, the Por- tugueſe, and 4 Malayans of Achin. Their firſt Rencountres with the Natives. Of the common Traditions concerning Cannibals, or Man-Eaters. Their Entertainment aſhore. They buy a Canoa, to tranſport them over to Achin; but overſet her at firſt going cut. Having recruited and improved her, they ſet out again for the Eaſt ſide of the Iſland. They Hh 3 have [+++---] 472 An.1688 They in vain try for the Iſle Cocos. have a War with the Iſlanders: but Peace being re-eſtabliſhed, they lay in ſtores, and make Preparations for their Voyage. [---+++] March the 12th, 1688. we ſailed from New Holland, with the Wind at N. N. W. and fair weather. We directed our courſe to the North- ward, intending, as I ſaid, to touch at the Iſland Cocos: but we met with the Winds at N. W., W. N. W., and N. N. W. for ſeveral days; which obliged us to keep a more Eafterly courſe than was convenient to find that Iſland. We had ſoon after our ſetting out very bad weather, with much Thunder and Lightning, Rain, and high bluſtering Winds. [---+++] It was the 26th day of March before we were in the lat. of the Iſland Cocos, which is in 12 d. 12 m. and then, by judgment, we were 40 or 50 leagues to the Eaſt of it; and the Wind was now at S. W. Therefore we did rather chuſe to bear away to- wards ſome Iſlands on the Weſt ſide of Sumatra, than to beat againſt the Wind for the Iſland Cocos. I was very glad of this; being in hopes to make my eſcape from them to Sumatra, or ſome other place. [---+++] We met nothing of remark in this Voyage, beſide the catching two great Sharks; till the 28th day. Then we fell in with a ſmall woody Iſland, in Lat. 10 d. 30 m. Its Longitude from New Holland, from whence we came, was, by my account, 12 d. 6 m. Weſt. It was deep water about the Iſland, and therefore no anchoring: but we ſent 2 Canoas aſhore; one of them with the Carpenters, to cut a Tree to make another Pump; the other Canoa went to ſearch for freſh water, and found a fine ſmall Brook near the S. W. point of the Iſland; but there the Sea fell in on the ſhore ſo high, that they [+++---] 473 An.1688 A Land Animal like Craw-fiſh. they could not get it off. At noon both our Ca- noas returned aboard: and the Carpenters brought aboard a good Tree, which they afterwards made a Pump with, ſuch a one as they made at Mindanao. The other Canoa brought aboard as many Boobies, and Men of War Birds, as ſufficed all the Ships Company, when they were boiled. They got alſo a ſort of Land Animal, ſomewhat reſembling a large Craw-fiſh, without its great Claws. Theſe crea- tures lived in holes in the dry ſandy ground, like Rabbits. Sir Francis Drake in his Voyage round the world makes mention of ſuch that he found at Ter- nate, or ſome other of the Spice Iſlands, or near them. They were very good ſweet Meat, and ſo large that 2 of them were more than a Man could eat; being almoſt as thick as ones Leg. Their Shells were of a dark brown: but red when boiled. [---+++] This Iſland is of a good heighth, with ſteep Cliffs againſt the S. and S. W. and a ſandy Bay on the North ſide: but very deep water ſteep to the ſhore. The Mold is blackiſh, the Soil fat, producing large Trees of divers ſorts. [---+++] About one a clock in the Afternoon we made ſail from this Iſland, with the wind at S. W. and we ſteered N. W. Afterwards the winds came a- bout at N. W. and continued between the W. N. W. and the N. N. W. ſeveral days. I obſerved, that the winds blew for the moſt part out of the Weſt, or N. W. and then we had always rainy weather, with Tornadoes, and much Thunder and Light- ning: but when the wind came any way to the Southward, it blew but faint, and brought fair weather. [---+++] We met nothing of remark till the 7th day of A- pril, and then, being in Lat. 7 d. S. we ſaw the Land of Sumatra at a great diſtance, bearing North. The 8th day we ſaw the Eaſt end of the Iſland Su- matra [+++---] 474 An.1688 Triſte, an Iſle near Sumatra. matra very plainly: we being then in Lat. 6 d. S. [---+++] The 10th day, being in Lat. 5 d. 11 m. and about 7 or 8 leagues from the Iſland Sumatra, on the Weſt fide of it, we ſaw abundance of Coco Nuts ſwim- ming in the Sea; and we hoyſed out our Boat, and took up ſome of them: as alſo a ſmall Hatch, or Scuttle rather, belonging to ſome Bark. The Nuts were very ſound, and the Kernel ſweet, and in ſome the Milk or Water in them was yet ſweet and good. [---+++] The 13th day we came to a ſmall Iſland called Triſte, in Lat. (by obſervation) 4 d. South: it is a- bout 14 or 15 leagues to the Weſt of the Iſland Su- matra. From hence to the Northward there are a great many ſmall uninhabited Iſlands, lying much at the ſame diſtance from Sumatra. This Iſland Triſte is not a mile round, and ſo low, that the Tide flows clear over it. It is of a ſandy ſoil, and full of Coco-nut Trees. The Nuts are but ſmall; yet ſweet enough, full, and more ponderous than I ever felt any of that bigneſs: notwithſtanding that every Spring-tide the Salt water goes clear over the Iſland. [---+++] We ſent aſhore our Canoas for Coco-nuts, and they return'd aboard laden with them three times. Our Strikers alſo went out and ſtruck ſome Fiſh, which was boiled for Supper. They alſo killed 2 young Aligators, which we ſalted for the next day. [---+++] I had no opportunity at this place to make my Eſcape as I would have done, and gone over hence to Sumatra, could I have kept a Boat with me. But there was no compaſſing this: and ſo the 15th day we went from hence, ſteering to the Northward on the Weſt ſide of Sumatra. Our Food now was Rice, and the Meat of the Coco-nuts raſped, and ſteep'd in water; which made a ſort of Milk, into which we did put our Rice, making a pleaſant Meſs [+++---] 475 An.1688 Iſle Naſſaw. Hog Iſle, &c. A Proe taken. Meſs enough. After we parted from Triſte we ſaw other ſmall Iſlands, that were alſo full of Coco-nut Trees. [---+++] The 19th day, being in Lat. 3 d. 25 m. S. the S. W. point of the Iſland Naſſaw bore N. about 5 mile diſt. This is a pretty large uninhabited Iſland; in Lat. 3 d. 20 m. S. and is full of high Trees. A- bout a mile from the Iſland Naſſaw there is a ſmall Iſland full of Coco-nut Trees. There we anchored the 20th day to repleniſh our ſtock of Coco-nut Trees. A riff of Rocks lies almoſt round this Iſland, ſo that our Boats could not go aſhore, nor come aboard at low water: yet we got aboard 4 Boat loads of Nuts. This Iſland is low like Triſte, and the anchoring is on the North ſide: where you have 14 fathom, a mile from ſhore, clean ſand. [---+++] The 21ſt day we went from hence, and kept to the Northward, coaſting ſtill on the Weſt ſide of the Iſland Sumatra; and having the winds between the W. and S. S. W. with unſettled weather: ſome- times Rains and Tornadoes, and ſometimes fair weather. [---+++] The 25th day we croſt the Equator, ſtill coaſt- ing to the Northward, between the Iſland Suma- tra, and a range of ſmall Iſlands, lying 14 or 15 leagues off it. Among all theſe Iſlands, Hog Iſland is the moſt conſiderable. It lies in lat. 3 d. 40. m. North. It is pretty high even Land, cloathed with tall flouriſhing Trees; we paſt by it the 28th day. [---+++] The 29th day we ſaw a ſail to the North of us, which we chaſed: but it being little wind, we did not come up with her till the 30th day. Then, being within a league of her, Captain Read went in a Canoa and took her, and brought her aboard. She was a Proe with 4 men in her, be- longing to Achin, whither ſhe was bound. She came 476 An.1688 The W. Coast. Achin Harbour. came from one of these Coco-nut Islands that we paſt by, and was laden with Coco-nuts, and Go- co-nut Oil. Captain Read ordered his men to take aboard all the Nuts, and as much of the Oyl as he thought convenient, and then cut a hole in the bottom of the Proe, and turned her looſe, keeping the men Priſoners. [---+++] It was not for the lucre of the Cargo, that Captain Read took this Boat, but to hinder me and ſome others from going aſhore ; for he knew that we were ready to make our eſcapes, if an opportunity preſented it ſelf ; and he thought, that by his abuſing and robbing the Natives, we ſhould be afraid to truſt our ſelves among them. But yet this proceeding of his turned to our great advantage, as ſhall be declared hereafter. [---+++] May the iſt, we ran down by the North Weſt end of the Iſland Sumatra, within 7 or 8 leagues of the ſhore. All this Weſt ſide of Sumatra which we thus coafted along, our Engliſhmen at Fort St. George, call the Weſt Coaſt, ſimply ; without adding the name of Sumatra. The Priſoners who were taken the day before, ſhewed us the Iſlands that lye off of Achin Harbour, and the Channels through which Ships go in ; and told us alſo that there was an Engliſh Factory at Achin. I wiſht my ſelf there, but was forced to wait with patience till my time was come. [---+++] We were now directing our courſe towards the Nicobar Iſlands, intending there to clean the Ship's bottom, in order to make her ſail well. [---+++] The 4th day in the evening, we had ſight of one of the Nicobar Iſlands. The Southermoſt of them lies about 40 leagues N. N. W. from rhe N. W. end of the Iſland Sumatra. This moſt Southerly of them is Nicobar it ſelf, but all the cluſter of Iſlands lying South of the Audeman Iſlands are called by our Seamen the Nicobar Iſlands. The [+++---] 477 An.1688 The Nicobar Iſlands. Ambergreaſe. The Inhabitants of theſe Iſlands have no certain converſe with any Nation ; but as Ships paſs by them, they will come aboard in their Proes, and offer their Commodities to ſale, never inquiring of what Nation they are ; for all white people are alike to them. Their chiefeſt Commodities are Ambergreaſe and Fruits. [---+++] Ambergreaſe is often found by the Native In- dians of theſe Iſlands, who know it very well ; as alſo know how to cheat ignorant Strangers with a certain mixture like it. Several of our men bought ſuch of them for a ſmall purchaſe. Cap- tain Weldon alſo about this time touched at ſome of theſe Iſlands, to the North of the Iſland where we lay : and I ſaw a great deal of ſuch Ambergreaſe, that one of his men bought there ;. but it was not good, having no ſmell at all. Yet I ſaw ſome there very good and fragrant. [---+++] At that Iſland where Captain Weldon was, there were 2 Fryers ſent thither to convert the Indians. One of them came away with Captain Weldon ; the other remained there ſtill. He that came away with Captain Weldon gave a very good character of the Inhabitants of that Iſland, viz. that they were very honeſt, civil, harmleſs People: that they were not addicted to Quarrelling, Theft, or Mur- der ; that they did marry, or at leaſt live as Man and Wife, one Man with one Woman, never changing till Death made the ſeparation : that they were punctual and honeſt in performing their Bargains : and that they were inclined to receive the Chriſtian Religion. This Relation I had af- terwards from the mouth of a Prieſt at Tonqueen, who told me that he received this information by a Letter from the Frier that Captain Weldon brought away from thence. But to proceed. [---+++] The 5th day of May we ran down on the Weſt ſide of the Iſland Nicobar, properly ſo called, and anchored [+++---] 478 An.1688 Nicobar Iſle. The Melory Tree and Fruit. anchored at the N. W. end of it, in a ſmall Bay, in 8 fathom water, not half a mile from the ſhore. The body of this Iſland is in 7 d. 30 m. North Lat. it is about 12 leagues long, and 3 or 4 broad. The South end of it is pretty high, with ſteep Cliffs againſt the Sea : the reſt of the Iſland is low, flat, and even. The mold of it is black, and deep: and it is very well watered with ſmall running ſtreams. It produceth abundance of tall Trees, fit for any uſes : for the whole bulk of it ſeems to be but one entire Grove. But that which adds moſt to its beauty off at Sea, are the many ſpots of Coco-nut Trees which grow round it in every ſmall Bay. The Bays are half a mile, or a mile long, more or leſs ; and theſe Bays are intercepted, or divided from each other, with as many little rocky points of Woodland. [---+++] As the Coco-nut Trees do thus grow in Groves, fronting to the Sea, in the Bays, ſo there is another ſort of Fruit Tree in the Bays bordering on the backſide of the Coco Trees, farther from the Sea. It is called by the Natives a Melory Tree. This Tree is as big as our large Apple Trees, and as high. It hath a blackiſh rind, and a pretty broad leaf. The Fruit is as big as the Bread-fruit at Guam, de- ſcribed in Chapter X. or a large Penny Loaf. It is ſhaped like a Pear, and hath a pretty tough ſmooth rind, of a light green colour. The inſide of the Fruit is in ſubſtance much like an Apple ; but full of ſmall ſtrings, as big as a brown thread. I did never ſee of theſe Trees any where but here. [---+++] The Natives of this Iſland are tall well-limb'd Men : pretty long viſaged, with black Eyes ; their Noſes middle proportioned, and the whole Sym- metry of their Faces agreeing very well. Their Hair is black and lank, and their Skins of a dark copper colour. The Women have no Hair on their [+++---] 479 An.1688 The Natives: their Language, Houſes, &c. their Eye-brows. I do believe it is pluckt up by the roots ; for the Men had Hair growing on their Eye-brows, as other People. [---+++] The Men go all naked ſave only a long narrow piece of cloath, or Saſh, which going round their Waſtes, and thence down between their Thighs, is brought up behind, and tuckt in at that part which goes about the Waſte. The Women have a kind of a ſhort Petticoat reaching from their Waſte to their Knees. [---+++] Their Language was different from any that I had ever heard before ; yet they had ſome few Malayan words, and ſome of them had a word or two of Portugueſe : which probably they might learn aboard of their Ships, paſſing by this place : for when theſe Men ſee a Sail they do preſently go aboard of them in their Canoas. I did not per- ceive any Form of Religion that they had : they had neither Temple, nor Idol, nor any manner of outward veneration to any Deity, that I did ſee. [---+++] They inhabit all round the Iſland by the Sea fide, in the Bays ; there being 4 or 5 Houſes, more or leſs, in each Bay. Their Houſes are built on Poſts, as the Mindanaoians are. They are ſmall, low, and of a ſquare form. There is but one Room in each Houſe, and this Room is about 8 foot from the ground : and from thence the roof is raiſed about 8 foot higher. But inſtead of a ſharp ridge, the top is exceeding neatly arched with ſmall Rafters about the bigneſs of a Mans Arm, bent round like a Half-Moon, and very curiouſly thatched with Palmeto-leaves. [---+++] They live under no Government that I could perceive ; for they ſeem to be equal, without any diſtinction ; every Man ruling in his own Houſe. Their Plantations are only thoſe Coco-nut Trees which grow by the Sea ſide ; there being no cleared Land farther in on the Iſland: for I obſerv'd that when [+++---] 480 An.1688 Their dreſſing their Melory. Their Canoas. when paſt the Fruit Trees, there were no paths to be ſeen going into the Woods. The greateſt uſe which they make of their Coco-Trees is to draw Toddy from them, of which they are very fond. [---+++] The Melory Trees ſeem to grow wild: they have great Earthen Pots to boil the Melory Fruit in, which will hold 12 or 14 Gallons. Theſe Pots they fill with the Fruit ; and putting in a little water, they cover the mouth of the Pot with leaves, to keep in the ſteam, while it boils. When the Fruit is ſoft they peel off the rind, and ſcrape the pulp from the ſtrings with a flat ſtick made like a Knife ; and then make it up in great lumps, as big as a Holland Cheeſe; and then it will keep 6 or 7 days. It looks yellow, and taſtes well, and is their chief- eſt food : for they have no Yams, Potatoes, Rice, nor Plantains (except a very few ;) yet they have a few ſmall Hogs, and a very few Cocks and Hens like ours. The Men imploy themſelves in Fiſhing ; but I did not ſee much Fiſh that they got : every Houſe hath at leaſt 2 or 3 Canoas belonging to it, which they draw up aſhore. [---+++] The Canoas that they go a fiſhing in are ſharp at both ends : and both the ſides and the bottom are very thin and ſmooth. They are ſhaped ſome- What like the Proes at Guam, with one ſide flattiſh, and the other with a pretty big belly : and they have ſmall ſlight Outlagers on one ſide. Being thus thin and light they are better managed with Oars than with Sails: yet they fail well enough, and are ſteer'd with a Paddle. There commonly go 20 or 30 Men in one of theſe Canoas ; and ſel- dom fewer than 9 or 10. Their Oars are ſhort ; and they do not paddle, but row with them, as we do. The Benches they ſit on when they row are made of ſplit Bambo's, laid acroſs, and fo near together, that they look iike a Deck. The Bam- bos lie moveable : fo that when any go in to row they 481 An.1688 The Authors reasons for staying here. they take up a Bambo in the place where they would fit ; and lay it by to make room for their Legs. The Canoas of those of the rest of these Islands were like those of Nicobar : and probably they were alike in other things ; for we saw no difference at all in the Natives of them, who came hither while we were here. [---+++] But to proceed with our affairs : it was, as I said before, the 5th day of May, about 10 in the morn- ing, when we anchored at this Island : Captain Read immediately ordered his Men to heel the Ship in order to clean her: which was done this day and the next. All the Water Vessels were fill'd, they intending to go to Sea at night : for the winds being yet at N. N. E. the Captain was in hopes to get over to Cape Comorin before the wind shifted. Otherwise it would have been somewhat difficult for him to get thither ; because the Wester- ly Monsoon was now at hand. [---+++] I thought now was my time to make my Escape, by getting leave, if possible, to stay here: for it seem'd not very feasible to do it by stealth ; and I had no reason to despair of getting leave : this being a place where my stay could, probably, do our Crew no harm, should I design it. Indeed one reason that put me on the thoughts of staying at this particular place, besides the present oppor- tunity of leaving Captain Read, which I did al- ways intend to do, assoon as I could, was, that I had here also a prospect of advancing a profitable Trade for Ambergrease with these People, and of gaining a considerable fortune to my self : For in a short time I might have learned their Language, and by accustoming my self to row with them in the Proes or Canoas, especially by conforming my self to their Customs and Manners of living, I should have seen how they got their Ambergrease, and have known what quantities they get, and the [+++---] 482 An.1688 The Author leaves the Ship and goes ashore. the time of the year when most is found. And then afterwards I thought it would be easie for me to have transported my self from thence, ei- ther in some Ship that past this way, whether English, Dutch, or Portuguese ; or else to have gotten one of the young Men of the Island, to have gone with me in one of their Canoas to Achin; and there to have furnished my self with such Commodities, as I found most coveted by them ;. and therewith, at my return, to have bought their Ambergrease. [---+++] I had, till this time, made no open show of go- ing ashore here: but now, the water being fill'd, and the Ship in a readiness to sail, I desired Cap- tain Read to set me ashore on this Island. He, sup- posing that I could not go ashore in a place less frequented by Ships than this, gave me leave : which probably he would have refused to have done, if he thought I should have gotten from hence in any short time ; for fear of my giving an account of him to the English or Dutch. I soon got up my Chest and Bedding, and immediately got some to row me ashore ; for fear left his mind should change again. [---+++] The Canoa that brought me ashore, landed me on a small sandy Bay, where there were two Houses, but no person in them. For the Inhabitants were removed to some other House, probably, for fear of us; because the Ship was close by: and yet both Men and Women came aboard the Ship without any sign of fear. When our Ships Canoa was going aboard again, they met the Owner of the Houses coming ashore in his Boat. He made a great many signs to them to fetch me off again: but they would not understand him. Then he came to me, and offered his Boat to carry me off: but I refused it. Then he made signs for me to go up into the House, and, according as I did under- stand him by his signs, and a few Malayan words that [+++---] 483 An.1688 The Author goes ashore. that he used, he intimated that somewhat would come out of the Woods in the night, when I was asleep, and kill me, meaning probably some Wild Beast. Then I carried my Chest and Cloaths up into the house. [---+++] I had not been ashore an hour before Cap- tain Teat and one John Damarell, with 2 or 4 arm- ed men more came to fetch me aboard again. They need not have sent an armed Posse for me; for had they but sent the Cabbin-boy ashore for me, I would not have denied going aboard. For though I could have hid my self in the Woods, yet then they would have abused, or have kill'd some of the Natives, purposely to incense them against me. I told them therefore, that I was ready to go with them, and went aboard with all my things. [---+++] When I came aboard I found the Ship in an up- roar: for there were 3 men more, who taking courage by my example, desired leave also to ac- company me. One of them was the Surgeon Mr. Coppenger, the other were Mr. Robert Hall and one named Ambrose; I have forgot his Sir-name. These men had always harboured the same designs as I had. The two last were not much opposed ; but Captain Read and his Crew would not part with the Surgeon. At last the Surgeon leapt into the Canoa, and taking up my Gun, swore he would go ashore, and that if any man did oppose it, he would shoot him: but John Oliver, who was then Quarter-master, leapt into the Canoa, taking hold of him, took away the Gun, and with the help of 2 or 3 more, they dragg'd him again into the Ship. [---+++] Then Mr. Hall and Ambrose and I were again sent ashore; and one of the men that rowed us ashore stole an Ax, and gave it to us, knowing it was a good Commodity with the Indians. It was now dark, therefore we lighted a Candle, and I being [+++---] 484 An.1688 Others set ashore with him. being the oldest stander in our new Country, conducted them into one of the Houses, where we did presently hang up our Hammocks. We had scarce done this before the Canoa came ashore a- gain, and brought the 4 Malaya men belonging to Achin, (which we took in the Proe we took off of Sumatra) and the Portuguese that came to our Ship out of the Siam Jonk at Pulo Condore: the Crew having no occasion for these, being leaving the Malayan parts, where the Portuguese Spark served as an Inter- preter; and not fearing now that the Achinese could be serviceable to us in bringing us over to their Country, 40 leagues off: nor imagining that we durft make such an attempt: as indeed it was a bold one. Now we were Men enough to defend our selves against the Natives of this Island, if they should prove our Enemies: though if none of these Men had come ashore to me, I should not have feared any danger. Nay, perhaps less, because I should have been cautious of giving any offence to the Natives: and I am of the opinion, that there are no People in the world so barbarous, as to kill a single person that falls accidentally into their hands, or comes to live among them; except they have before been injured, by some outrage, or vio- lence committed against them. Yet even then, or afterwards, if a Man could but preferve his Life from their first rage, and come to treat with them (which is the hardeft thing, because their way is usually to abscond, and rushing suddenly upon their Enemy to kill him at unawares) one might, by some flight, insinuate ones self into their favours again. Especially by shewing some toy, or knack, that they did never see before: which any European, that has seen the world, might soon contrive to amuse them withal: as might be done, generally, even with a little Fire struck with a Flint and Steel. [+++---] 485 An.1688 Of the Reports about Cannibals: As for the common opinion of Anthropophagi, or Man-eaters, I did never meet with any such peo- ple : All Nations or Families in the World, that I have seen or heard of, having some sort of food to live on, either Fruit, Grain, Pulse, or Roots; which grow naturally, or else planted by them ; if not Fish, and Land-Animals besides ; (yea, even the people of New-Holland, had Fish amidst all their penury) would scarce kill a man purposely to eat him. I know not what barbarous Customs may formerly have been in the world: and to sacrifice their Enemies to their Gods, is a thing hath been much talkt of with relation to the Sa-. vages of America: I am a stranger to that also, if it be, or have been customary in any Nation there ; and yet, if they sacrifice their Enemies it is not necessary they should eat them too. After all, I will not be peremptory in the Negative, but I speak as to the compass of my own knowledge,and know some of these Cannibal stories to be faise,and many of them have been disproved since I first went to the West Indies. At that time how barba- rous were the poor Florida Indians accounted ; which now we find to be civil enough? What strange stories have we heard of the Indians, whose Islands where called the Isles of Cannibals? Yet we find that they do Trade very civilly with the French and Spaniards; and have done so with us. I do own that they have formerly endeavoured to destroy our Plantations at Barbadoes, and have since hindred us from settling the Island Santa Lucia, by destroying 2 or 3 Colonies successively of those that were settled there ; and even the Island Tabago has been often annoyed and ravaged by them, when settled by the Dutch, and still lies waste (though a delicate fruitful Island) as being too near the Caribbees on the Continent, who visit it every year. But this was to preserve their own right, by [+++---] 486 An. 1688 The Ship departs, and leaves them. endeavouring to keep out any that would fettle themselves on those Islands, where they had plant- ed themselves; yet, even these people would not hurt a single person, as I have been told by some that have been Prisoners among them. I could instance also in the Indians of Bocca Toro, and Bocca Drago, and many other places where they do live, as the Spaniards call it, wild and salvage; yet there they have been familiar with Privateers, but by a- bufes have withdrawn their friendship again. As for these Nicobar people, I found them affable e- nough, and therefore I did not fear them; but I did not much care whether I had gotten any more Company or no. [---+++] But however, I was very well satisfied, and the rather because we were now men enough to row our selves over to the Island Sumatra; and ac- cordingly we presently consulted how to purchase a Canoa of the Natives. [---+++] It was a fine clear Moon-light Night, in which we were left ashore. Therefore we walked on the sandy Bay, to watch when the Ship would weigh and be gone, not thinking our selves secure in our new gotten liberty till then. About 11 or 12 a clock we saw her under sail, and then we returned to our Chamber, and so to sleep. This was the 6th of May. [---+++] The next morning betimes, our Landlord, with 4 or 5 of his friends, came to see his new guests, and was somewhat surprised to see so many of us, for he knew of no more but my self. Yet he seemed to be very well pleased, and entertained us with a large Calabash of Toddy, which he brought with him. Before he went away again, (for wheresoever we came they left their Houses to us, but whether out of fear or superstition I know not,) we bought a Canoa of him for an Ax, and we did presently put our Chests and Cloaths in [+++---] 487 An. 1688 They set out in a Boat, and coast along. in it, designing to go to the South end of the Island, and lye there till the Monsoon shifted, which we expected every day. [---+++] When our things were stowed away, we with the Achinese entered with joy into our new Frigot, and launched off from the shore. We were no sooner off, but our Canoa overset, bottom up- wards. We preserved our lives well enough by swimming, and dragg'd also our Chests and Cloaths ashore; but all our things were wet. I had no- thing of value but my Journal and some Drafts of Land, of my own taking, which I much prized, and which I had hitherto carefully preserved. Mr. Hall had also such another Cargo of Books and Drafts, which were now like to perish. But we pre- fently opened our Chests and took out our Books, which, with much ado, we did afterwards dry; but some of our Drafts that lay loose in our Chests were spoiled. [---+++] We lay here afterwards 3 days, making great fires to dry our Books. The Achinese in the mean time fixt our Canoa, with Outlagers on each side; and they also cut a good Mast for her, and made a substantial sail with Mats. [---+++] The Canoa being now very well fixt, and our Books and Cloaths dry, we launched out the se- cond time, and rowed towards the East side of the Island, leaving many Islands to the North of us. The Indians of the Island accompanied us with 8 or 10 Canoas against our desire; for we thought that these men would make Provision dearer at that side of the Island we were going to, by giving an account what rates we gave for it at the place from whence we came, which was owing to the Ships being there; for the Ships crew were not so thrifty in bargaining (as they seldom are) as single persons, or a few men might be apt to be, who would keep to one bargain. Therefore to hinder [+++---] 483 An. 1688 They have War with the Nicobarians. hinder them from going with us, Mr. Hall scared one Canoas crew, by firing a shot over them. They all leapt over board, and cried out, but fee- ing us row away, they got into their Canoa again, and came after us. [---+++] The firing of that Gun made all the Inhabitants of the Island to be our Enemies. For presently af- ter this we put ashore, at a Bay where were four Houses, and a great many Canoas: but they all went away, and came near us no more, for seve- ral days. We had then a great Loaf of Melory, which was our constant food; and if we had a mind to Coco-nuts, or Toddy, our Malayans of Achin would climb the Trees, and fetch as many Nuts as we would have, and a good pot of Tod- dy every morning. Thus we lived till our Me- lory was almost spent; being still in hopes that the Natives would come to us, and fell it as they had formerly done. But they came not to us; nay, they opposed us where ever we came, and often shaking their Lances at us, made all the shew of hatred that they could invent. [---+++] At last, when we saw that they stood in oppo- sition to us, we resolved to use force to get some of their food, if we could not get it other ways. With this resolution, we went in our Canoa to a small Bay, on the North part of the Island; because it was smooth water there and good land- ing, but on the other side, the wind being yet on that quarter, we could not land without jeopardy of oversetting our Canoa, and wetting our Arms, and then we must have lain at the mercy of our Enemies, who stood 2 or 300 men in every Bay, where they saw us coming, to keep us off. [---+++] When we set out, we rowed directly to the North end, and presently were followed by 7 or 8 of their Canoas. They keeping at a distance, rowed away faster than we did, and got to the Bay [+++---] 489 An. 1688 But come to an Agreement with them. Bay before us: and there, with about 20 more Ca- noas, full of Men, they all landed, and stood to hinder us from landing. But we rowed in, within a hundred yards of them: Then we lay still, and I took my Gun, and presented at them: at which they all fell down flat on the ground. But I turn'd my self about, and to shew that we did not intend to harm them, I fired my Gun off to Sea; so that they might see the Shot graze on the water. Affoon as my Gun was loaden again, we rowed gently in: at which some of them withdrew. The rest stand- ing up, did still cut and hew the Air, making signs of their hatred: till I once more frighted them with my Gun, and discharg'd it as before. Then more of them sneak'd away, leaving only 5 or 6 Men on the Bay. Then we rowed in again, and Mr. Hall, taking his Sword in his hand, leapt ashore; and I stood ready with my Gun to fire at the Indians, if they had injured him: but they did not stir, till he came to them, and saluted them. [---+++] He shook them by the hand, and by such signs of friendship as he made, the Peace was concluded, ra- tified and confirmed, by all that were present: and others that were gone, were again call'd back, and they all very joyfully accepted of a Peace. This be- came universal over all the Island, to the great joy of the Inhabitants. There was no ringing of Bells, nor Bonfires made, for that is not the custom here; but gladness appeared in their Countenances, for now they could go out and fish again, without fear of being taken. This peace was not more welcom to them than to us; for now the Inhabitants brought their Melory again to us; which we bought for old Rags, and small stripes of Cloath, about as broad as the palm of ones hand. I did not see above 5 or 6 Hens, for they have but few on the Island. At some places we saw some small Hogs, which we could have bought [+++---] 490 An. 1688 They design for Achin with their Boat. bought of them reasonably; but we would not offend our Achinese Friends, who were Mahome- tans. [---+++] We stayed here 2 or 3 days, and then rowed toward the South end of the Island, keeping on the East side, and we were kindly received by the Natives, where ever we came. When we arrived at the South end of the Island, we fitted our selves with Melory, and Water. We bought 3 or 4 Loaves of Melory, and about 12 large Coco-nut shells, that had all the Kernel taken out, yet were preserved whole except only a small hole at one end; and all these held for us about 3 gallons and a half of Water. We bought also 2 or 3 Bambo's, that held about 4 or 5 gallons more: This was our Sea store. [---+++] We now designed to go to Achin, a Town on the N. W. end of the Island Sumatra, distant from hence about 40 leagues, bearing South South East. We only waited for the western Monsoon, which we had expected a great while, and now it seemed to be at hand; for the Clouds began tohang their heads to the Eastward,and at last moved gently that way; and though the Wind was still at East, yet this was an infallible sign that the western Mon- foon was nigh.