FIRST VOYAGE 87 



emitted had no tremulous motion. It was surveyed for 

 two hours, during which time its brightness continued 

 imdiminished. 



As the ship was now clear oi all the islands which had 

 been laid down in such maps as were on board, they made 

 sail during the night, and were surprised the next morning 

 at the sight of an island to the west-south-west, which they 

 flattered themselves was a new discovery. Before noon they 

 had sight of houses, groves of cocoa-nut trees, and large 

 flocks of sheep. This was a welcome sight to people whose 

 health was declining for want of refreshments. The second 

 lieutenant was immediately despatched in the pinnace, in 

 search of a landing place ; and he took with him such 

 things as it was thought might be acceptable to the natives. 



Two horsemen were seen from the ship, one of whom had 

 a laced hat on, and was dressed in a coat and waistcoat of 

 the fashion of Europe. These men rode about on shore, 

 regarding the ship with the utmost attention. As soon as 

 the boat reached the shore, some other persons on horse- 

 back, and many on foot, hastened to the spot, and it was 

 observed that some cocoa-nuts were put into the boat. A 

 signal being made from the boat, that the ship might anchor 

 in a bay at some distance, which had been pointed out by 

 the natives, she immediately bore away for it. 



When the lieutenant came on board, he reported that he 

 could not purchase any cocoa-nuts, as the owner of them 

 was absent, and that what he had brought were given him ; 

 in return for which he had presented the natives with some 

 linen. 



He saw several of the principal inhabitants of the island, 

 who wore chains of gold about their necks, and were 

 dressed in fine linen. 



In the evening, when the ship had entered the bay, to 

 which they had been recommended, an Indian town was 

 seen at a small distance, upon which a jack was hoisted on 

 the fore-topmast-head. Presently afterwards three guns 

 were fired, and Dutch colours were hoisted in the town. 

 The ship, however, held on her way, and came to an anchor 

 at seven in the evening. 



The colours being seen hoisted on the beach the next 

 morning, the captain concluded that the Dutch had a settle- 

 ment on the island ; he therefore despatched the second 

 lieutenant to mention what necessaries they were in want of. 



He was conducted to the raja, or king of the island, to 

 whom, by means of a Portuguese interpreter, he made 

 known his business. The raja said, he was ready to supply 

 the ship with the necessary refreshments ; but that he could 

 not trade with any other people but the Dutch, without 



