256 THE DUTCH IN PERAK. 
from this Trade. For this 7utaneg or Tin isa valuable Commodity in the 
Bay of Bengal, and here purchased reasonably, by giving other Commodi- 
ties in exchange: neither is this Commodity peculiarly found hereabouts, 
but farther Northerly also on the Coast; and particularly in the Kingdom 
of Queda there is much of it: The Dutch also commonly keep a Guard- 
ship, and have made some fruitless Essays to bring that Prince and his 
Subjects to trade only with them; but here over against P. Dinding, no 
Strangers dare approach to Trade; neither may any Ship come in hither but 
with consent of the Dutch. ‘Therefore as soon as we came to an Anchor a 
the East-end of the Island, we sent our Boat a-shore to the Governour, to 
desire leave to wood, water, and cut a new Mizen-yard. He granted our re- 
quest, and the Boat returned again aboard, and brought word also that Mr. 
Coventry touched here to water, and went out that Morning. The next 
Morning betimes Captain Minchin sent me a-shore to cut a yard. I apply- 
ed my self to the Governour, and desired one of his Soldiers might go with 
me, and shew me the best Timber for that use; but he excused himself, say- 
ing, that his Soldiers were all busie at present, but that I might go and 
cut any Tree that I lik’d. So I went into the Woods, where I saw 
abundance of very fine strait Trees, and cut down such a one as I thought 
fit for my Turn: and cutting it of a just length, and stripping off the 
Bark, I left it ready to be fetcht away, and returned to the Fort, where I 
dined with the Governour. Presently after Dinner, our Captain, with Mr. 
Richards and his Wife came a-shore, and I went aboard. The Governour 
met them at Landing, and conducted them into the Dining-Room I spoke 
of, where they treated the Governour with Punch, made of Brandy, Stgar, 
and Lime-juice, which they brought with them from aboard: for heie is 
nothing, not so much as the Governour’s Drink, but what is brought from 
Malacca: no Herbs or Fruit growing here: but all is either fetch’d fiom 
Malacca, or is brought by the Malayans from the Main. Itis not thro gh 
any sterility in the Soil, for that is very fat and fruitful: neither is it 
through laziness of the Dutch, for that is a Vice they are not guilty f: 
but it is from a continual fear of the Malayans, with whom tho’ they he ve 
a Commerce, yet dare they not trust them so far, as to be ranging about 
the Island in any work of Husbandry, or indeed to go far from the Fort 
for there only they are safe. But to return to the Governour, he, to retal- 
liate the Captain’s and Mr. Richard’s kindness, sent a Boat a fishing, to get 
some better Entertainment for his Guests, than the Fort yielded at present, 
About four or five a-Clock the Boat returned with a good Dish of Fish. These 
were immediately drest for Supper, and the Boat was sent out again to gct 
more for Mr. Richards and his Lady to carry aboard with them. In the 
mean time the Food was brought into the Dining-Room, and placed on the 
Table. The Dishes and Plates were of Silver, and there was a Silver 
Punch-Bowl full of Liquor. The Governour, his Guests and some of his 
Officers were seated, but just as they began to fall to, one of the Soldiers cried 
out Malayans, and spoil’d the Entertainment; for immediately the Governour, 
without speaking one word, leapt out of one of the Windows, to get as soon 
as he could to the Fort. His Officers followed, and all the Servants that 
attended were soon in Motion. LHvery one of them took the nearest way, some 
out of the Windows, others out of the Doors, leaving the 3 Guests by them- 
Selves, who soon followed with all the haste they could make without knowing 
the meaning of this sudden Consternation of the Governour and his People. 
But by that time the Captain and Mr. Richards and his Wife were got to the 
Fort, the Governour, who was arrived before, stood at the door to receive 
tiem. Assoon as they were entred the Fort, the Door was shut, all the 
