SUMATRA. 
tried to ftanrc the place to a furrender, by blocking np the harbour, 
and ciitting off all fupplics of provifions. The Portugeufe, to prevent the 
fatal confequences of this meafurcj colledted thofe few velfeis which they 
weremafters of, and a merchant ihip of fome force arriving opportunely, 
they put to fea, attacked the enemies fleet, killed the principal captain, 
and obtained a compicat victory. In the year following Malacca was 
Inveftedby an armada from the queen of Japara, of three hundred fail, 
eighty of which were junks of four hundred tons burthen. After be- 
liegtng the place for three months, till the very air became corrupted by 
their ftay, ^the fleet retired with fcarcely more than five thoufand of fif- 
teen that embarked on the expedition. 
Scarce was the Javanefe force departed, when the king of Acheen once 
more appeared with a fleet that is defcribed as covering the ftraits. He 
ordered an attack upon three Portugucfe frigates that were in the road 
protedling fome provifion veffels ; which was executed with fuch a fu- 
rious difcharge of artillery, that they were prefently deflroyed with all 
their crews. This was a dreadful blow to Malacca, and lamented, as 
thehiftorian relates, with tears of blood by the little garrifon, who were 
not now above an hundred and fifty men, and of thofe a great part non 
effetftive* The king, elated with his fuccefs, landed his troops, and laid 
fiege to the fort, which he battered at intervals during feventeen days. 
The fire of the Portuguefe became very Hack, and after fome time to- 
tally ceafed, as the governor judged it prudent to referve his fmall flock 
of ammunition, for an effort ac the laft extremity. The king, alarmed at 
this filence, which he conflrued into a preparation for fome dangerous 
flratagem, was feized with a panick, and fuddenly raifing the flege, 
embarked with the utnioft precipitation ; unexpectedly relieving the gar- 
rifon from the ruin that hung over them, and which feenied inevitable in 
the ordinary courfe of events.^ 
In 1582 we find the king appearing again before Malacca with an 
hundred and fifty fail of veffels. After fome fkirmiihes with the Portu- 
Diogodo Couto. Paris J Soiifa, 
guefe 
