Page 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.
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