144 THE DISCOVERY OF AUSTRALIA 



sounded up the drums, which they much marvelled at ; 

 to conclude, they promised both themselves and all the 

 islands thereabouts to aid him, whenever he should come 

 again to overcome the Spaniards." At Manila he sent 

 a message to the Spanish captain, willing him to provide 

 good store of gold for which he would call with a bigger 

 boat within a few years. His narrative exalts the reputation 

 of these lands of spices. ;i The stateliness and richness 

 of which country I fear to make report of, lest I should 

 not be credited ; for, if I had not known sufficiently the 

 incomparable wealth of that country, I should have been 

 as incredulous thereof as others will be that have not 

 had the like experiences." Thence he sailed along the 

 islands of the Moluccos, well entreated by the heathen 

 people, confident that " our countrymen may have trade 

 as freely as the Portugals, if they will themselves." In 

 Java he came to anchor " under the South- West part," 1 

 and here he met friendly Portugals buying " negroes, 

 cloves, pepper, sugar and many other commodities." 

 They were supporters of Don Antonio, the Prince who, 

 with Elizabeth's assistance, was still righting in favour 

 of Portuguese independence against the Spanish conquest ; 

 and they declared that if King Don Antonio would come 

 with them, they would warrant him to have all the Moluccos, 

 besides China and the Philippines. Then the English 

 sailed " that great and vast sea between the isle of Java, 

 and the main of Africa," using Portuguese sea-charts 

 and finding that they over-estimated the route. Nearing 

 home they met a Flemish hulk which " came from Lisbon, 

 and declared unto us the overthrow of the Spanish fleet, 

 to the singular rejoicings and comfort of us all." And 

 Cavendish Cavendish hoped that his own voyage would lead to the 

 EnS an g atherm g of the richest fruits of victory. "As it hath 

 conquest of pleased God to give her Majesty the victory over part of 

 Islands' ' ^er enemies, so I trust ere long to see her overthrow them 

 all. For the places of their wealth, whereby they have 

 maintained or made their wars are now perfectly discovered ; 

 and, if it please her Majesty, with a very small power she 

 1 See map by Hondius in Hakluyt, vol. ii. p. 336. 



