Page 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.
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