[ch18 is page 491-520] 491 An.1688 C H A P. XVIII. The Author with some other puts to Sea in an open Boat, designing for Achin. Their Ac- commodations for their Voyage. Change of Weather; a Halo about the Sun, and a vio- lent storm. Their great danger and distress. Cudda a Town and Harbour on the Coast of Malacca. Pulo Way. Golden Mountain on the Isle of Sumatra : River and Town of Passenge-Jonca, on Sumatra, near Diamond- point : where they go ashore very sick, and are kindly entertained by the Oromkay, and Inhabitants. They go thence to Achin. The Author is examined before the Shabander ; and takes Physick of a Malayan Doctor. His long illness. He sets out towards Nicobar again, but returns suddenly to Achin Road. He makes several Voyages thence, to Ton- queen, to Malacca, to Fort St. George, and to Bencouli, an English Factory on Sumatra. An account of the Ships Crew, who set the Author ashore at Nicobar. Some go to Tran- gambar, a Danish Fort on Coromandel; others to Fort St. George ; many to the Mo- gul's Camp. Of the Peuns; and how John Oliver made himself a Captain. Captain Read with the rest, having plundered a rich Portu- guese Ship near Ceylon, goes to Madagascar, and Ships himself off thence in a New-york Ship. The Traverses of the rest to Johanna, &c. [+++---] 492 An.1688 The state of their little Vessel. &c. Their Ship, the Cygnet of London, now lies sunk in Augustin Bay at Mada- gascar. Of Prince Jeoly, the Painted man, whom the Author brought with him to En- gland, and who died at Oxford. Of his Country the Isle of Meangis; the Cloves there, &c. The Author is made Gunner of Ben- couli, but is forced to slip away from thence, to come for England. [---+++] IT was the 15th day of May 1688, about 4 a clock in the afternoon, when we left Nicobar Island, directing our course toward Achin, being 8 men of us in Company, viz. 3 English, 4 Malay- ans, who were born at Achin, and the mungrel Portuguese. [---+++] Our Vessel, the Nicobar Canoa, was not one of the biggest, nor of the least size: She was much about the burthen of one of our London Wherrys below Bridge ; and built sharp at both ends, like the fore part of a Wherry. She was deeper than a Wherry, but not so broad, and was so thin and light, that when empty, 4 men could launch her, or hale her ashore on a fandy Bay. We had a good substantial Mast, and a mat Sail, and good Outlagers lafht very fast and firm on each side the Vessel, being made of strong poles. So that while these continued firm, the Vessel could not overset, which she would easily have done without them; and with them too, had they not been made very strong; and we were therefore much beholding to our Achinese Companions, for this contri- vance. [---+++] These men were none of them so sensible of the danger as Mr. Hall and my self, for they all con- fided so much in us, that they did not so much as scruple any thing that we did approve of. Neither was [+++---] 493 They proceed on their Voyage. An.1688 was Mr. Hall so well provided as I was, for before we left the Ship, I had purposely consulted our Draft of the East Indies, (for we had but one in the Ship) and out of that I had written in my pocket- book an account of the bearing and distance of all the Malacca Coast, and that of Sumatra, Pegu, and Siam, and also brought away with me a pocket Com- pass for my direction, in any enterprize that I should undertake. [---+++] The weather at our setting out, was very fair, clear and hot. The Wind was still at S. E. a ve- ry small breeze, just fanning the Air, and the Clouds were moving gently from West to East, which gave us hopes that the Winds were either at West already, abroad at Sea, or would be so in a very short time. We took this opportunity of fair weather, being in hopes to accomplish our Voyage to Achin, before the western Monsoon was set in strong, knowing that we should have very blustring weather after this fair weather, especially at the first coming of the western Monsoon. [---+++] We rowed therefore away to the Southward, supposing that when we were clear from the Island, we should have a true Wind, as we call it, for the Land hales the Wind ; and we often find the Wind at Sea different from what it is near the Shore. We rowed with 4 Oars, taking our turns: Mr. Hall and I steered also by turns, for none of the rest were capable of it. We rowed the first afternoon, and the night ensuing, about twelve leagues, by my judgment. Our course was South South East, but the 16th day in the morning, when the Sun was an hour high, we saw the Island from whence we came, bearing N. W. by N. Therefore I found we had gone a point more to the East than I intended, for which reason we steered S. by E. [---+++] In [+++---] 494 Strong Currents. Uncertain Weather. An.1688 In the afternoon at 4 a clock, we had a gentle breeze at W. S. W. which continued so till 9, all which time we laid down our Oars, and steered away S. S. E. I was then at the Helm, and I found by the ripling of the Sea, that there was a strong Current against us. It made a great noise that might be heard near half a mile. At 9 a clock it fell calm, and so continued till 10. Then the Wind sprung up again, and blew a fresh breeze all night. [---+++] The 17th day in the morning we lookt out for the Island Sumatra, supposing that we were now within 20 leagues of it ; for we had rowed and sailed, by our reckoning 24 leagues from Nicobar Island; and the distance from Nicobar to Achin is about 40 leagues. But we lookt in vain for the Island Sumatra ; for turning our selves about, we saw, to our grief, Nicobar Island, lying W. N. W. and not above 8 leagues distant. By this it was visible, that we had met a very strong Cur- rent against us in the night. But the wind fresh- ned on us, and we made the best use of it while the weather continued fair. At noon we had an observation of the Sun, my lat. was 6 d. 55 m. and Mr. Hall's was 7 d. N. [---+++] The 18th day the Wind freshned on us again and the Sky began to be clouded. It was indiffe- rent clear till noon, and we thought to have had an Observation: but we were hindered by the Clouds, that covered the face of the Sun, when it came on the Meridian. This often happens that we are disappointed of making Observations, by the Suns being clouded at noon, though it shines clear, both before and after, especially in places near the Sun; and this obscuring of the Sun at noon, is commonly sudden and unexpected, and for about half an hour or more. [---+++] We [+++---] 495 A Halo about the Sun. A Storm. An.1688 We had then also a very ill presage, by a great Circle about the Sun, (5 or 6 times the Diameter of it) which seldom appears, but storms of Wind, or much Rain ensue. Such Circles about the Moon are more frequent, but of less import. We do commonly take great notice of these that are about the Sun, observing if there be any breach in the Circle, and in what quarter the breach is, for from thence we commonly find the greatest stress of the Wind will come. I must confess that I was a little anxious at the sight of this Circle, and wisht heartily that we were near some Land. Yet I shewed no sign of it to discourage my Con- forts, but made a virtue of necessity, and put a good countenance on the matter. [---+++] I told Mr. Hall that if the Wind became too strong and violent, as I feared it would, it being even then very strong, we must of necessity sheer away before the Wind and Sea, till better Wea- ther presented; and that as the Winds were now, we should, instead of about 20 leagues to Achin, be driven 60 or 70 leagues to the Coast of Cudda or Queda, a Kingdom, and Town, and Harbour of Trade on the Coast of Malacca. [---+++] The Winds therefore bearing very hard, we rolled up the foot of our Sail on a pole fastned to it, and settled our yard within 3 foot of the Canoa sides, so that we had now but a small sail; yet it was still too big, considering the Wind; for the Wind being on our broad side, preft her down very much, tho supported by her Outlagers; info- much that the poles of the Outlagers going from the sides of their Vessel, bent as if they would break ; and should they have broken our over- turning and perishing had been inevitable. Besides, the Sea increasing, would soon have filled the Ves- fel this way. Yet thus we made a shift to bear up with the side of the Vessel against the Wind for a while: [+++---] 496 An.1688 The Storm and their Danger increases. while: But the Wind still increasing, about one a clock in the afternoon we put away right before Wind and Sea, continuing to run thus all the af- ternoon , and part of the night ensuing. The Wind continued, increasing all the afternoon, and the Sea still swelled higher, and often broke, but did us no damage ; for the ends of the Vessel be- ing very narrow, he that steered received and broke the Sea on his back, and so kept it from coming in so much as to endanger the Vessel: though much Water would come in, which we were forced to keep heaving out continually. And by this time we saw it was well that we had al- tered our course, every Wave would else have filled and sunk us, taking the side of the Vessel: And though our Outlagers were well lasht down to theCanoas bottom with Rattans, yet they must pro- bably have yielded to such a Sea as this; when even before, they were plunged under Water, and bent like twigs. [---+++] The evening of this 18th day was very dismal. The Sky looked very black, being covered with dark Clouds, the Wind blew hard, and the Seas ran high. The Sea was already roaring in a white fome about us ; a dark night coming on,and no Land in sight to shelter us, and our little Ark in danger to be swallowed by every Wave; and what was worst of all, none of us thought our selves prepared for another World. The Reader may better guess, than I can express, the confusi- on that we were all in. I had been in many eminent dangers before now, some of which I have already related, but the worst of them all was but a play-game, in comparison with this. I must confess that I was in great conflicts of Mind at this time. Other dangers came not up- on me with such a leisurely and dreadful solemni- ty: A sudden Skirmish or Engagement , or so, was [+++---]497 An.1688 The Authors Consternation. was nothing when ones blood was up, and pusht forward with eager expectations. But here I had a lingring view of approaching death, and little or no hopes of escaping it; and I must confess that my courage, which I had hitherto kept up, failed me here ; and I made very sad reflections on my former Life, and lookt back with horrour and detestation, on actions which before I dif- liked, but now I trembled at the remembrance of. I had long before this repented me of that rovingcourse of life,but never with such concern as now. I did also call to mind the many miraculous acts of Gods Providence towards me, in the whole course of my life , of which kind, I believe few men have met with the like. For all these I re- turned thanks in a peculiar manner, and this once more desired Gods assistance, and composed my mind, as well as I could, in the hopes of it, and, as the event shew'd, I was not disappointed of my hopes. [---+++] Submitting our selves therefore to Gods good providence, and taking all the care we could to preserve our lives, Mr. Hall and I took turns to steer, and the rest took turns to heave out the Water, and thus we provided to spend the most doleful night I ever was in. About 10 a clock it began to Thunder, Lighten, and Rain; but the Rain was very welcom to us, having drank up all the Water we brought from the Island. [---+++] The Wind at first blew harder than before, but within half an hour, it abated, and became more moderate ; and the Sea also asswaged of its fury, and then by a lighted Match, of which we kept a piece burning on purpose, we looked on our Compass, to fee how we steered, and found our course to be still East. We had no occasion to look on the Compass before, for we steered right before the Wind, which if it had shifted, we had [+++---] 498 An.1688 Hard Rains. They see Land. had been obliged to have altered our course ac- cordingly. But now it being abated , we found our Vessel lively enough with that small sail which was then aboard, to hale to our former course, S. S. E. which accordingly we did, being now in hopes again to get to the Island Sumatra. [---+++] But about 2 a clock in the morning of the 19th day, we had another gust of Wind, with much Thunder, Lightening, and Rain, which lasted till day, and obliged us to put before the Wind a- gain, steering thus for several hours. It was very dark, and the hard Rain soaked us so throughly, that we had not one dry thread about us. The Rain chill'd us extreamly ; for any fresh water is much colder than that of the Sea. For even in the coldest Climates the Sea is warm, and in the hottest Climates the Rain is cold, and unwhole- fome for mans body. In this wet starveling plight we spent the tedious night. Never did poor Ma- riners on a Lee-shore more earnestly long for the dawning light, than we did now. At length the day appeared; but with such dark black Clouds near the Horizon, that the first glimpse of the Dawn appeared 30 or 40 degrees high; which was dreadful enough : for it is a common saying a- mong Sea-men, and true as I have experienced, that a high dawn will have high winds, and a low dawn, small winds. [---+++] We continued our course still East, before Wind and Sea, till about 8 a clock in the morning of this 19th day ; and then one of our Malayan friends cried out, Pulo Way. Mr. Hall, and Ambrose, and I, thought the fellow had said, Pull away, an ex- pression usual among English Sea-men, when they are Rowing. And we wonder'd what he meant by it, till we saw him point to his consorts; & then we looking that way, saw Land appearing, like an Island, and all our Malayans said it was an Island [+++---] 499 An.1688 River and Town of Passange Jonca on Sumatra. 499 Island at the N. W. end of Sumatra, called Way ; for Pulo Way, is the Island Way. We, who were dropping with wet, cold and hungry, were all overjoyed at the fight of the Land, and presently marked its bearing. It bore South, and the Wind was still at West, a strong gale ; but the Sea did not run so high as in the night. Therefore we trimmed our smallSail no bigger than an Apron,and steered with it. Now our Outlagers did us a great kindness again, for although we had but a small sail, yet the Wind was strong, and prest down our Vessels side very much : but being supported by the Outlagers, we could brook it well enough, which otherwise we could not have done. [---+++] About noon we saw more Land, beneath the supposed Pulo Way ; and steering towards it, before night we saw all the Coast of Sumatra, and found the errours of our Achinese ; for the high Land that we first saw, which then appeared like an Island, was not Pulo Way, but a great high Moun- tain on. the Island Sumatra, called by the English the Golden Mountain. Our Wind continued till a- bout 7 a clock at night ; then it abated, and at 10 a clock it died away : and then we stuck to our Oars again, though all of us quite tired with our former fatigues and hardships. [---+++] The next morning being the 20th day, we saw all the low Land plain, and judged our selves not above 8 leagues off. About 8 a clock in the morn- ing we had the Wind again at West, a fresh gale, and steering in still for the Shore, at 5 a clock in the afternoon we run to the mouth of a River on the Island Sumatra, called Passange Jonca. It is 34 leagues to the Eastward of Achin, and 6 leagues to the West of Diamond Point, which makes with 3 Angles of a Rhombus, and is low Land. [---+++] Our Malayans were very well acquainted here, and carried us to a small fishing Village, within a Kk mile [+++---]500 An.1688 The Authors kind Reception at Passange Jonca. mile of the Rivers mouth, called also by the name of the River, Passange Jonca. The hardships of this Voyage, with the scorching heat of the Sun, at our first setting out, and the cold Rain and our con- tinuing wet for the last two days, cast us all into Fevers, so that now we were not able to help each other, nor so much as to get our Canoa up to the Village; but our Malayans got some of the Townsmen to bring her up. [---+++] The news of our arrival being noised abroad, one of the Oramkai's or Noblemen of the Island, came in the night to fee us. We were then lying in a small Hut, at the end of the Town, and it being late, this Lord only viewed us, and having spoken with our Malayans, went away again ; but he returned to us again the next day, and pro- vided a large house for us to live in, till we should be recovered of our sickness ; ordering the Towns- people to let us want for nothing. The Achinese Malayans that came with us, told them all the cir- cumstances of our Voyage ; how they were taken by our Ship, and where, and how we that came with them were Prisoners aboard the Ship, and had been set ashore together at Nicobar, as they were. It was for this reason probably, that the Gentlemen of Sumatra were thus extraordinary kind to us, to provide every thing that we had need of ; nay, they would force us to accept of Presents from them, that we knew not what to do with ; as young Buffaloes, Goats, &c. for these we would turn loose at night, after the Gentle- men that gave them to us were gone, for we were prompted by our Achinese Consorts to accept of them, for fear of disfavouring by our refusal. But the Coco-nuts, Plantains, Fowls, Eggs, Fish and Rice, we kept for our use. The Malayans that accompanied us from Nicobar separated them- selves from us now, living at one end of the house by 501 An.1688 His Sickness. by themselves, for they were Mahometans, as all those of the Kingdom of Achin are ; and though during our passage by Sea together, we made them content to drink their water out of the same Coco-shell with us; yet being now no longer under that necessity, they again took up their ac- customed nicery and reservedness. They all lay sick, and as their sickness increas'd, one of them threatned us that if any of them died, the rest should kill us, for having brought them this Voy- age : yet I question whether they would have at- tempted, or the Country people have suffer'd it. [---+++] We made a shift to dress our own food, for none of these people, though they were very kind in giving us any thing that we wanted, would yet come near us, to assist us in dressing our victu- als: nay they would not touch any thing that we used. We had all Fevers, and therefore took turns to dress victuals, according as we had strength to do it, or stomachs to eat. I found my Fever to encrease, and my head so distempered, that I could scarce stand,therefore I whetted and sharpened my Penknife, in order to let my self blood, but I could not ; for my Knife was too blunt. [---+++] We stayed here 10 or 12 days, in hopes to re- cover our health, but finding no amendment, we desired to go to Achin. But we were delayed by the Natives, who had a desire to have kept Mr. Hall and my self, to sail in their Vessels to Malucca, Cadda, or to other places whither they Trade. But finding us more desirous to be with our Country- men, in our Factory at Achin, they provided a large Proe to carry us thither, we not being able to manage our own Canoa. Besides, before this of our Malayan Comrades were gone very sick into the Country, and only one of them and the Por- tuguese remained with us, accompanying us to A- chin, and they both as sick as we. [+++---] 502 An.1688 His Arrival, and Examination at Achin. It was the beginning of June 1688, when we left Passange Jonca. We had 4 men to row, one to steer, and a Gentleman of the Country, that went purposely to give an information to the Govern- ment of our arrival. We were but 3 days and nights in our passage, having Sea Breezes by day, and Land Winds by night, and very fair Wea- ther. [---+++] When we arrived at Achin, I was carry'd before the Shabander, the chief Magistrate in the City. One Mr. Dennis Driscoll, an Irish man, and a Resi- dent there, in the Factory which our East-India Company had there then, was Interpreter. I be- ing weak, was suffer'd to stand in the Shabander's presence : for it is their custom to make men sit on the floor, as they do, cross-legg'd like Taylors: but I had not strength then to pluck up my heels in that manner. The Shabander asked of me seve- ral questions, especially how we durst adventure to come in a Canoa from the Nicobar Island to Su- matra. I told him, that I had been accustomed to hardships and hazards, therefore I did with much freedom undertake it. He inquired also concern- ing our Ship, whence she came, &c. I told him from the South Seas; that she had ranged about the Philippine Islands, &c. and was now gone to- wards Arabia, and the Red Sea. The Malayans also and Portuguese were afterward examined, and con- firmed what I declared, and in less than half an hour, I was dismiss't with Mr. Driscoll, who then lived in the English East India Companies Factory. He provided a Room for us to lye in, and some Victuals. [---+++] Three days after our arrival here our Portuguese died of a Fever. What became of our Malayans I know not. Ambrose lived not long after. Mr. Hall also was so weak, that I did not think he would re [+++---] 503 An.1688 He takes Physick of a Malayan. recover. I was the best ; yet still very sick of a Fever, and little likely to live. Therefore Mr. Drif- cal, and some other Englishmen, persuaded me to take some purging Physick of a Malayan Doctor. I took their advice, being willing to get ease: but after 3 Doses, each a large Calabash of nasty Stuff, finding no amendment, I thought to desist from more Physick: but was persuaded to take one Dose more; which I did, and it wrought so violently, that I thought it would have ended my days. I struggled till I had been about 20 or 30 times at stool: but it working so quick with me, with little intermission, and my strength being almost spent, I even threw my self down once for all, and had above 60 stools in all before it left off working. I thought my Malayan Doctor, whom they so much commended, would have killed me outright. I continued extraordinary weak for some days after his drenching me thus: but my Fever left me for above a week: after which it returned upon me a- gain for a twelve month, and a Flux with it. [---+++] However, when I was a little recover'd from the effects of my Drench, I made a shift to go a- broad: and having been kindly invited to Captain Bowrey's House there, my first visit was to him; who had a Ship in the Road, but lived ashore. This Gentleman was extraordinary kind to us all, par- ticularly to me, and importuned me to go his Boatswain to Persia; whither he was bound, with a design to sell his Ship there; as I was told, tho not by himself. From thence he intended to pass with the Caravan to Aleppo, and so home for En- gland. His business requir'd him to stay some time longer at Achin; I judge, to sell some commodities, that he had not yet disposed of. Yet he chose ra- ther to leave the disposal of them to some Mer- chant there; and make a short trip to the Nicobar Islands in the mean time, and on his return to take in [+++---] 504 An.1688 A Vessel of Siam at Achin. in his effects, and so proceed towards Persia. This was a sudden resolution of Captain Bowry's, pre- sently after the arrival of a small Frigot from Siam, with an Ambaffador from the King of Siam, to the Queen of Achin. The Ambaffador was a Frenchman by Nation. The Veffel that he came in was but fmall, yet very well mann'd, and fitted for a fight. Therefore it was generally fuppofid here, that Captain Bowry was afraid to lye in Achin Road, becaufe the Siamers were now at Wars with the English, and he was not able to defend his Ship, if he should be attackt by them. [---+++] But whatever made him think of going to the Nicobar Islands, he provided to fail; and took me, Mr. Hall, and Ambrofe with him: tho all of us so fick and [weak that we could do him no fervice. It was fome time about the beginning of June when we failed out of Achin Road: but we met with the Winds at N. W. with turbulent weather, which forced us back again in 2 days time. Yet he gave us each 12 Mefs a piece, a Gold Coyn, each of which is about the value of 15 pence Engliſh. So he gave over that defign: and fome English Ships coming into Achin Road, he was not afraid of the Siamers who lay there. [---+++] After this, he again invited me to his Houfe at Achin, and treated me always with Wine and good Cheer, and ftill importuned me to go with him to Perfia: but I being very weak, and fearing the Westerly Winds would create a great deal of trou- ble, did not give him a pofitive anfwer: efpecially becaufe I thought I might get a better Voyage in the English Ships newly arrived, or fome others now expected here. It was this Captain Bowry who fent the Letter from Borneo directed to the Chief of the English Factory at Mindanao, of which mention is made in Chapter the XIII. [+++---] 505 An.1688 His Voyage to Tonqueen, Malacca, &c. A short time after this Captain Welden arrived here from Fort St. George, in a Ship called the Cur- tana, bound to Tonqueen. This being a more agree- able Voyage than to Persia, at this time of the year, besides that the Ship was better accommodated, especially with a Surgeon, and I being still sick; I therefore chose rather to serve Captain Welden than Captain Bowry. But to go on with a particular ac- count of that Expedition were to carry my Reader back again: whom having brought thus far to- wards England in my Circum-Navigation of the Globe, I shall not now weary him with new Ram- bles, nor so much swell this Volume as I must to describe the Tour I made in those remote parts of the East Indies, from and to Sumatra. So that my Voyage to Tonqueen at this time, as also another to Malacca afterwards, with my Observations in them, and the Descriptions of those and the Neighbouring Countries ; as well as the Description of the Island Sumatra it self, and therein the Kingdom and City of Achin, Bencouli, &c. I shall refer to another place, where I may give a particular relation of them. In short, it may suffice, that I set out to Tonqueen with Captain Welden about July 1688, and returned to Achin in the April following. I staid here till the latter end of September 1689. and making a short Voyage to Malacca, came thither again about Christ- mas. Soon after that I went to Fort St. George, and staying there about 5 months, I return'd once more to Sumatra; not to Achin, but Bencouli, an English Factory on the West Coast; of which I was Gun- ner about 5 months more. [---+++] So that having brought my Reader to Sumatra, without carrying him back, I shall bring him on the next way from thence to England: And of all that occurrd between my first setting out from this Island in 1688; and my final departure from it at the beginning of the year 1691, I shall only take notice [+++---] 506 An. 1689 Of the Cygnet, and her Crew. notice at prefent of two paffages ; which I think I ought not to omit. [---+++] The firft is, that at my Return from Malacca, a little before Chriftmas, 1689, I found at Achin one Mr. Morgan, who was one of our Ships Crew that left me afhore at Nicobar, now Mate of a Danifh Ship of Trangambar ; which is a Town on the Coaft of Coromandel, near Cape Comorin, belonging to the Danes : And receiving an account of our Crew from him and others, I thought it might not be amifs to gratifie the Readers Curiofity therewith ; who would probably be defirous to know the fuccefs of thofe Ramblers, in their new intended Expedition towards the Red Sea : and withal I thought it might not be unlikely that thefe Papers may fall into the hands of fome of our London Merchants, who were concern'd in fitting out that Ship ; which I faid formerly, was called the Cygnet of London, fent on a Trading Voyage into the South Seas, under the Command of Captain Swan : and that they might be wiiling to have a particular Information of the fate of their Ship. And by the way, even before this meeting with Mr. Morgan, while I was at Ton- queen, January 1689, I met with an Englifh Ship in the River of Tonqueen, called the Rainbow of London, Captain Poole Commander ; by whofe Mate, Mr. Barlow, who was returning in that Ship to En- gland, I fent a Pacquet, which he undertook to de- liver to the Merchants, Owners of the Cygnet, fome of which he faid he knew : wherein I gave a par- ticular account of all the Courfe and Tranfactions of their Ship, from the time of my firft meeting it in the South Seas, and going aboard it there, to its leaving me afhore at Nicobar. But I never could hear that either that, or other Letters which I fent at the fame time, were received. [---+++] To proceed therefore with Morgan's Relation : He told me, that when they in the Cygnet went a- way [+++---] 507 An. 1689 Many go into the Moguls Service. way from Nicobar, in purfuit of their intended Voyage to Perfia, they directed their courfe to- wards Ceylon. But not being able to weather it, the Wefterly Monfoon bearing hard againft them, they were obliged to feek refrefhment on the Coaft of Coromandel. Here this mad fickle crew were upon new projects again. Their defigns meeting with fuch delays and obftructions, they many of them grew weary of it, and about half of them went afhore. Of this number, Mr. Morgan, who told me this, and Mr. Herman Coppinger the Surge- on, went to the Danes at Trangambar, who kindly received them. There they lived very well ; and Mr. Morgan was employéd as a Mate in a Ship of theirs at this time to Achin ; and Captain Knox tells me, that he fince Commanded the Curtana, the Ship that I went in to Tonqueen, which Cap- tain Welden having fold to the Mogul's Subjects, they employed Mr. Morgan as Captain to trade in her for them ; and it is an ufual thing for the trading Indians to hire Europeans to go Officers on board their Ships ; efpecially Captains and Gun- ners. [---+++] About two or three more of thefe that were fet afhore , went to Fort St. George; but the main bo- dy of them were for going into the Mogul's Ser- vice. Our Seamen are apt to have great notions of I know not what profit and advantages to be had in ferving the Mogul ; nor do they want for fine ftories to encourage one another to it. It was what thefe men had long been thinking and talk- ing of as a fine thing ; but now they went upon it in good earneft. The place where they went afhore was at a Town of the Moors : which name our Seamen give to all the Subjects of the great Mogul, but efpecially his Mahometan Subjects ; cal- ling the Idolaters, Gentous, or Rafhbouts. At this Moors Town they got a Peun to be their Guide to the [+++---] 508 An. 1689 Peuns. the Mogul's neareft Camp : for he hath always fe- veral Armies in his vaft Empire. [---+++] Thefe Peuns are fome of the Gentous, or Rafh- bouts, who in all places along the Coaft, efpecially in Sea-port Towns, make it their bufinefs to hire themfelves to wait upon ftrangers, be they Mer- chants, Seamen, or what they will. To qualify them for fuch attendance, they learn the European Languages, Englifh, Dutch, French, Portuguefe, &c. according as they have any of the Factories of thefe Nations, in their Neighbourhood, or are vifited by their Ships. No fooner doth any fuch Ship come to an Anchor, and the men come afhore, but a great many of thefe Peuns are ready to pro- fer their Service. 'Tis ufual for the ftrangers to hire their attendance during their ftay there, giving them about a Crown a month of our Money, more or lefs. The richeft fort of men will ordi- narily hire 2 or 3 Peuns to wait upon them ; and even the common Seamen if able, will hire one a piece to attend them, either for convenience or oftentation ; or fometimes one Peun between two of them. Thefe Peuns ferve them in many capa- cities, as Interpreters, Brokers, Servants to attend at Meals and go to Market, and on Errands, &c. Nor do they give any trouble, eating at their own homes, and lodging there, when they have done their Mafters bufinefs for them ; expecting nothing but their Wages, except that they have a certain allowance of about a Fanam, or 3 d. in a Dollar which is an 18th part profit, by way of Brokerage for every Bargain they drive: they being general- ly employed in buying and felling. When the Strangers go away, their Peuns defire them to give them their Names in Writing, with a Certificate of their honeft and diligent ferving them : and thefe they fhew to the next comers, to get into bufinefs ; fome being able to produce a large fcrowl of fuch Certificates. [---+++] But [+++---] 509 An. 1689 Captain Oliver and his Men. But to proceed, The Moors Town where thefe men landed, was not far from Cunnimere, a fmall Englifh Factory on the Coromandel Coaft. The Go- vernour whereof having intelligence by the Moors of the landing of thefe men, and their intended march to the Mogul's Camp, fent out a Captain with his Company to oppofe it. He came up with them, and gave them hard words : but they being 30 or 40 refolute Fellows, not eafily daunted, he durft not attack them, but returned to the Go- vernour, and the news of it was foon carried to Fort St. George. During their march John Oliver who was one of them, privately told the Peun who guided them, that himfelf was their Cap- tain. So when they came to the Camp, the Peun told this to the General : and when their Stations and Pay were affign'd them, John Oliver had a greater refpect paid him than the reft ; and whereas their pay was ten Pagodas a month each man, (a Pagoda is 2 Dollars or 9 s. Englifh) his pay was 20 Pagodas : which ftratagem and ufurpation of his occafioned him no fmall envy and indigna- tion from his Comerades. [---+++] Soon after this 2 or 3 of them went to Agra, to be of the Moguls Guard. A while after the Go- vernour of Fort St. George fent a meffage to the main body of them, and a Pardon to withdraw them from thence ; which moft of them accepted, and came away. John Oliver, and the fmall Remainder, continued in the Country ; but leaving the Camp, went up and down plundering the Villages, and fleeing when they were purfued ; and this was the laft News I heard of them. This account I had, partly by Mr. Morgan, from fome of thofe Deferters he met with at Trangambar : and partly from others of them whom I met with my felf afterwards at Fort St. George. And thefe were the Adventures of thofe who went up into the Country. [---+++] Captain [+++---] 510 An. 1689 The Cygnet goes to Madagafcar. Captain Read having thus loft the beft half of his Men, failed away with the reft of them, after ha- ving filled his Water, and got Rice, ftill intending for the Red Sea. When they were near Ceylon, they met with a Portuguefe Ship richly laden : out of which they took what they pleas'd, and then turn'd her away again. From thence they purfued their Voyage ; but the Wefterly Winds bearing hard a- gainft them, and making it hardly feizable for them to reach the Red Sea, they ftood away for Madagafcar. There they entered into the fervice of one of the Petty Princes of that Ifland, to affift him againft his Neighbours, with whom he was at Wars. During this Interval, a fmall Veffel from New York came hither to purchafe Slaves: which Trade is driven here, as it is upon the Coaft of Guinea; one Nation or Clan felling others that are their Enemies. Captain Read, with about 5 or 6 more, ftole away from their Crew, and went aboard this New York Ship ; and Captain Teat was made Com- mander of the Refidue. Soon after which, a Bri- gantine from the Weft Indies, Captain Knight Com- mander, coming thither with defign to go to the Red Sea alfo, thefe of the Cygnet conforted with them, and they went together to the Ifland Johan- na. Thence going together towards the Red Sea, the Cygnet proving leaky, and failing heavily, as being much out of Repair, Captain Knight grew weary of her Company, and giving her the flip in the night, went away for Achin ; for having heard that there was plenty of Gold there, he went thi- ther with a defign to cruize : and 'twas from one Mr. Humes, belonging to the Ann of London, Captain Freke Commander, who had gone aboard Captain Knight, and whom I faw afterwards at Achin, that I had this Relation. Some of Captain Freke's Men, their own Ship being loft, had gone aboard the Cygnet at Johanna: and after Captain Knight had left her, [+++---] An.1690 511 And lies sunk in St. Augustin's Bay. her, she still pursued her Voyage towards the Red Sea: but the Winds being against them, and the Ship in so ill a condition, they were forc'd to bear away for Coromandel, where Captain Teat and his own Men went ashore to serve the Mogul. But the Strangers of Captain Freke's Ship, who kept still aboard the Cygnet, undertook to carry her for En- gland: and the last News I heard of the Cygnet was from Captain Knox, who tells me that she now lies sunk in St. Augustin Bay in Madagascar. This Di- gression I have made to give an account of our Ship. [---+++] The other passage I shall speak of, that occurred during this Interval of the Tour I made from Achin, is with relation to the Painted Prince, whom I brought with me into England, and who died at Oxford. For while I was at Fort St. George, about A- pril 1690, there arrived a Ship called the Mindanao Merchant, laden with Clove-bark from Mindanao. 3 of Captain Swan's Men, that remained there when we went from thence, came in her: from whom I had the Account of Captain Swan's Death, as is before related. There was also one Mr. Moody, who was Supercargo of the Ship. This Gentleman bought at Mindanao the Painted Prince Jeoly (men- tioned in Chapter XIII.) and his Mother; and brought them to Fort St. George; where they were much admired by all that saw them. Some time after this, Mr. Moody, who spoke the Malayan Language very well, and was a person very capable to manage the Companys affairs, was ordered by the Governour of Fort St. George to pre- pare to go to Indrapore, an English Factory on the West Coast of Sumatra, in order to succeed Mr. Gib- bons, who was Chief of that place. [---+++] By this time I was very intimately acquainted with Mr. Moody, and was importuned by him to go with him, and to be Gunner of the Fort there. I always [+++---]An.1690 512 The Authors Arrival at Bencouli. always told him I had a great desire to go to the Bay of Bengal, and that I had now an offer to go thither with Captain Metcalf, who wanted a Mate, and had already spoke to me. Mr. Moody, to in- courage me to go with him, told me, that if I would go with him to Indrapore, he would buy a small Vessel there, and send me to the Island Me- angis, Commander of her; and that I should carry Prince Jeoly and his Mother with me (that being their Country) by which means I might gain a Commerce with his People for Cloves. [---+++] This was a design that I liked very well; there- fore I consented to go thither. It was some time in July 1690. when we went from Fort St. George, in a small Ship called the Diamond, Captain Howel Commander. We were about 50 or 60 Passengers in all; some ordered to be left at Indrapore, and some at Bencouly: 5 or 6 of us were Officers; the rest Soldiers to the Company. We met nothing in our Voyage that deserves notice, till we came abreast of Indrapore: and then the Wind came at N. W. and blew so hard that we could not get in, but were forced to bear away to Bencouli, another En- glish Factory on the same Coast; lying 50 or 60 leagues to the Southward of Indrapore. [---+++] Upon our arrival at Bencouli we saluted the Fort, and were welcomed by them. The same day we came to an anchor; and Captain Howel, and Mr. Moody, with the other Merchants went ashore, and were all kindly received by the Governour of the Fort. It was 2 days after before I went ashore; and then I was importuned by the Gover- nour to stay there, to be Gunner of this Fort; be- cause the Gunner was lately dead: and this being a place of greater import than Indrapore, I should do the Company more service here than there. I told the Governour if he would augment my Salle- ry, which by agreement with the Governor of Fort [+++---] An.1690 513 Isle of Meangis, its Products. Fort St. George I was to have had at Indrapore, I was willing to serve him; provided Mr. Moody would consent to it. As to my Sallery, he told me, I should have 24 Dollers per month, which was as much as he gave to the old Gunner. [---+++] Mr. Moody gave no answer till a Week after, and then, being ready to be gone to Indrapore, he told me I might use my own liberty, either to stay here, or go with him to Indrapore. He added, that if I went with him, he was not certain, as yet, to perform his Promise, in getting a Vessel for me to go to Meangis, with Jeoly and his Mother: but he would be so fair to me, that because I left Maderas on his account, he would give me the half share of the 2 Painted People, and leave them in my Possession, and at my Disposal. I accepted of the Offer, and Writings were immediately drawn be- tween us. [---+++] Thus it was that I came to have this Painted Prince, whose Name was Jeoly, and his Mother. They were born on a small Island called Meangis, which is once or twice mentioned in Chap. XIII. I saw the Island twice, and 2 more close by it: each of the 3 seemed to be about 4 or 5 leagues round; and of a good highth. Jeoly himself told me, that they all three abounded with Gold, Cloves, and Nutmegs: for I shewed him some of each sort several times, and he told me in the Ma- layan Language, which he spake indifferent well, Meangis Hadda Madochala fe Bullawan : that is, there is abundance of Gold at Meangis. Bullawan, I have observed to be the common word for Gold at Mindanao; but whether the pro- per Malayan word I know not, for I found much difference between the Malayan Language as it was spoken at Mindanao, and the Language on the Coast of Malacca, and Achin. When I shewed him Spice, he would not only tell me that there was Mado- [+++---]An.1690 514 Jeoly, the Painted Prince. Madochala, that is, abundance; but to make it ap- pcar more plain, he would also shew me the hair of his Head, a thing frequent among all the Indians that I have met with, to shew their Hair, when they would express more than they can number. He told me also, that his Father was Raja of the Island where they lived: that there were not a- bove 30 men on the Island, and about one hun- dred Women: that he himself had five Wives and eight Children, and that one of his Wives painted him. [---+++] He was painted all down his Breast, between his Shoulders behind; on his Thighs (mostly) be- fore; and in the form of several broad Rings, or Bracelets, round his Arms and Legs. I cannot liken the Drawings to any Figure of Animals, or the like; but they were very curious, full of great variety of Lines, Flourishes, Chequered Work, &c. keeping a very graceful proportion, and appearing very artificial, even to a wonder, especially that upon and between his Shoulder-blades. By the account he gave me of the manner of doing it, I understood that the Painting was done in the same manner, as the Jerusalem Cross is made in Mens Arms, by pricking the skin, and rubbing in a pig- ment. But whereas Powder is used in ma- king the Jerusalem-Cross, they at Meangis use the gum of a Tree beaten to powder, called by En- glish Drammer, which is used instead of Pitch in many parts of India. He told me, that most of the Men and Women on the Island were thus painted: and also that they had all Ear-rings made of Gold, and Gold Shackles about their Legs and Arms: that their common Food, of the produce of the Land, was Potatoes and Yames: that they had plenty of Cocks and Hens; but no other tame Fowl. He said that Fish (of which he was a great Lover, as wild Indians generally are) was very plentiful about [+++---] An.1690 515 Meangian Tongue. P. Jeoly's Captivity. about the Island; and that they had Canoas, and went a fishing frequently in them; and that they often visited the other two small Islands, whose Inhabitants speak the same Language as they did; which was so unlike the Malayan, which he had learnt while he was a Slave at Mindanao, that when his Mother and he were talking together in their Meangian Tongue, I could not understand one word they said. And indeed all the Indians who spake Malayan, who are the Trading and po- liter fort, lookt on these Meangians as a kind of Bar- barians: and upon any occasion of dislike, would call them Bobby, that is, Hogs; the greatest expref- sion of contempt that can be; especially from the mouth of Malayans, who are generally Mahometans; and yet the Malayans every where call a Woman Babbi, by a name not much different: and Mamma signifies a Man. Tho these two last words proper- ly denote Male and Female: and as Eyam signifies a Fowl, so Eyam Mamma is a Cock, and Eyam Babbi is a Hen. But this by the way. [---+++] He said also, that the Customs of those other Isles, and their manner of living, was like theirs, and that they were the only people with whom they had any converse: And that one time, as he with his Father, Mother, and Brother, with 2 or 3 men more, were going to one of these other Islands, they were driven by a strong wind on the Coast of Mindanao, where they were taken by the Fishermen of that Island, and carried ashore, and sold as Slaves; they being first stript of their Gold Ornaments. I did not see any of the Gold that they wore, but there were great holes in their Ears, by which it was manifest that they had worn some ornaments in them. Jeoly was sold to one Michael a Mindanayan, that spoke good Spanish, and commonly waited on Raja Laut, serving him as our Interpreter, where the Raja was at a loss in any word, 516 An. 1690 Of P. Jeoly and his Mother. word, for Michael understood it better. He did of- ten beat and abuse his painted Servant, to make him work, but all in vain; for neither fair means, threats nor blows, would make him work, as he would have him. Yet he was very timorous, and could not endure to see any sort of Weapons; and he often told me that they had no Arms at Meangis, they having no Enemies to fight with. [---+++] I knew this Michael very well, while we were at Mindanao: I suppose that name was given him by the Spaniards, who baptized many of them at the time when they had footing at that Island: But at the departure of the Spaniards they were Mahometans again as before. Some of our people lay at this Michael's house, whose Wife and Daugh- ter were Pagallies to some of them. I often saw Jeoly at his Masters Michael's house, and when I came to have him so long after, he remembered me again. I did never see his Father nor Brother nor any of the others that were taken with them; but Jeoly came several times aboard our Ship when we lay at Mindanao, and gladly accepted of such victu- als as we gave him; for his Master kept him at very short commons. [---+++] Prince Jeoly lived thus a Slave at Mindanao 4 or 5 years, till at last Mr. Moody bought him and his Mother for 60 Dollars, and as is before related, carried him to Fort St. George, and from thence a- long with me, to Bencouli. Mr. Moody stayed at Bencouli about three weeks, and then went back with Captain Howel, to Indrapore, leaving Jeoly and his Mother with me. They lived in a house by themselves without the Fort. I had no imploy- ment for them; but they both employed them- selves. She used to make and mend their own Cloaths, at which she was not very expert, for they wear no Cloaths at Meangis, but only a Cloath about their waistes: and he busied himself in making [+++---]517 An. 1690 The Mother dies. False stories of Jeoly making a Chest, with 4 boards, and a few nails that he begg'd of me. It was but an ill shaped odd thing, yet he was as proud of it, as if it had been the rarest piece in the World. After some time they were both taken sick, and though I took as much care of them, as if they had been my Bro- ther and Sifter, yet she died. I did what I could to comfort Jeoly; but he took on extreamly, info- much that I feared him also. Therefore I caused a Grave to be made presently, to hide her out of his sight. I had her shrouded decently in a piece of new Callico; but Jeoly was not so satisfied, for he wrapped all her Cloaths about her, and two new pieces of Chints that Mr. Moody gave her, saying that they were his Mothers, and she must have them. I would not disoblige him, for fear of endangering his life; and I used all possible means to recover his health: but I found little amendment while we stay'd here. [---+++] In the little printed relation that was made of him when he was shewn for a fight in England, there was a Romantick story of a beautiful Sister of his, a Slave with them at Mindanao; and of the Sultans falling in love with her; but these were stories indeed. They reported also that his Paint was of such Virtue, that Serpents and Venemous Creatures would flee from him; for which rea- son, I suppose, they represented so many Serpents scampering about in the printed Picture that was made of him. But I never knew any Paint of such virtue: and as for Jeoly, I have seen him as much afraid of Snakes, Scorpions, or Centapees, as my self. [---+++]Having given this account of the Ship that left me at Nicobar, and of my painted Prince whom I brought with me to Benconli, I shall now proceed on with the relation of my Voyage thence to En- gland, after I have given this short account of of [+++---]518 An. 1690 The A. thinks of leaving Bencouli of the occasion of it, and the manner of my get- ting away. To say nothing therefore now of that place, and my employment there as Gunner of the Fort, the year 1690 drew towards an end, and not finding the Governour keep to his agreement with me; nor seeing by his carriage towards others any great reason I had to expect he would, I began to wish my self away again. I saw so much igno- rance in him, with respect to his charge, being much fitter to be a Book-keeper than Governour of a Fort; and yet so much insolence and cruelty with respect to those under him, and rashness in his management of the Malayan Neighbourhood, that I soon grew weary of him, not thinking my self very safe, indeed, under a man whose hu- mours were so brutish and barbarous. I forbear to mention his name after such a character; nor do I care to fill these papers with particular stories of him: But I therefore give this intimation, because as it is the interest of the Nation in general, so is it especially of the Honourable East India Compa- ny, to be informed of abuses in their Factories. And I think the Company might receive great ad- vantage by strictly enquiring into the behaviour of those whom they intrust with any command. For beside the odium, which reflects back upon the Superiours from the mis-doings of their Servants, how undeservedly soever; there are great and last- ing mischiefs proceed from the Tyranny or igno- rant rashness of some petty Governours. Those under them are discouraged from their service by it, and often go away to the Dutch, the Mogul, or the Malayan Princes, to the great detriment of our Trade, and even the Trade and the Forts them- selves are many times in danger by indiscreet pro- vocations given to the Neighbouring Nations, who are best managed, as all Mankind are, by ju- stice; [+++---]519 An. 1690 He desires leave to return home. stice, and fair dealings; nor are any more impla- cably revengeful than those Malayans who live in the Neighbourhood of Bencouli, which Fort hath been more than once in danger of being surpriz d by them. I speak not this out of disgust to this particular Governour; much less would I seem to reflect on any others, of whom I know nothing a- miss: But as it is not to be wondered at, if some should not know how to demean them in places of power, for which neither their Education nor their Business possibly, have sufficiently qualified them; so it will be the more necessary for the Honourable Company to have the closer eye over them, and as much as may be, to prevent or re- form any abuses they may be guilty of; and 'tis purely out of my zeal for theirs and the Nations interest, that I have given this caution, having seen too much occasion for it. [---+++]I had other motives also for my going away. I began to long after my Native Country, after so tedious a ramble from it: and I proposed no small advantage to my self from my painted Prince, whom Mr. Moody had left entirely to my disposal, only reserving to himself his right to one half share in him. For beside what might be gain'd by shewing him in England, I was in hopes that when I had got some money, I might there obtain what I had in vain sought for in the Indies, viz. A Ship from the Merchants, wherewith to carry him back to Meangis, and rein- state him there in his own Country, and by his favour and negotiation to establish a traffick for the Spice, and other products of those Islands. [---+++]Upon these projects, I went to the Governour and Council, and desired that I might have my discharge to go for England, with the next Ship that came. The Council thought it reasonable, and they consented to it; he also gave me his word that [+++---]520 An. 1691 The A. get on board Captain Heath's Ship. that I should go. Upon the 2d of Jan. 1691 there came to an anchor in Bencouli Road, the Defence. Captain Heath Commander, bound for England, in the service of the Company. They had been at Indrapore, where Mr. Moody then was; and he had made over his share in Prince Jeoly, to Mr. Goddard chief Mate of the Ship. Upon his coming on shore, he shewed me Mr. Moody's wri- tings, and lookt upon Jeoly, who had been sick for 3 months: in all which time I tended him as carefully, as if he had been my Brother. I agreed matters with Mr. Goddard, and sent Jeoly on board, intending to follow him as I could, and desiring Mr. Goddard's assistance to fetch me off, and con- ceal me aboard the Ship if there should be occa- sion; which he promised to do, and the Captain promised to entertain me. For it proved as I had foreseen, that upon Captain Heath's arrival, the Governor repented him of his Promise, and would not suffer me to depart. I importun'd him all I could; but in vain: so did Captain Heath also, but to no purpose. In short, after several Effays, I slipt away at midnight (understanding the Ship was to fail away the next morning, and that they had taken leave of the Fort) and creeping through one of the Port-holes of the Fort, I got to the shore, where the Ships Boat waited for me, and carried me on board. I brought with me my Journal, and most of my written Papers: but some Papers and Books of value I left in haste, and all my Furniture; being glad I was my self at liberty, and had hopes of seeing England again.