Page 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