Page 513
An.1690
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-