aboard, and in the meantime to send us such victuals as
were necessary for our provision. So that the same night we received of
them meal, which they call _sagu_, made of the tops of certain trees,
tasting in the mouth like sour curds, but melteth like sugar, whereof
they make certain cakes, which may be kept the space of ten years, and
yet then good to be eaten. We had of them store of rice, hens, unperfect
and liquid sugar, sugar-canes, and a fruit which they call _figo_
(plantains), with store of cloves.

The king having promised to come aboard, brake his promise, but sent his
brother to make his excuse, and to entreat our General to come on shore,
offering himself pawn aboard for his safe return. Whereunto our General
consented not, upon mislike conceived of the breach of his promise; the
whole company also utterly refusing it. But to satisfy him, our General
sent certain of his gentlemen to the Court, to accompany the king's
brother, reserving the vice-king for their safe return. They were
received of another brother of the king's, and other states, and were
conducted with great honour to the castle. The place that they were
brought unto was a large and fair house, where were at the least a
thousand persons assembled.

The king being yet absent, there sat in their places 60 grave
personages, all which were said to be of the king's council. There were
besides four grave persons, apparelled all in red, down to the ground,
and attired on their heads like the Turks; and these were said to be
Romans [probably Greeks] and ligiers [resident agents] there to keep
continual traffic with the people of Ternate. There were also two Turks
ligiers in this place, and one Italian. The king at last came in guarded
with twelve lances, covered over with a rich canopy with embossed gold.
Our men, accompanied with one of their captains called Moro, rising to
meet him, he graciously did welcome and entertain them. He was attired
after the manner of the country, but more sumptuously than the rest.
From his waist down to the ground was all cloth of gold, and the same
very rich; his legs were bare, but on his feet were a pair of shoes,
made of Cordovan skin. In the attire of his head were finely wreathed
hooped rings of gold, and about his neck he had a chain of perfect gold,
the links whereof were great, and one fold double. On his fingers he had
six very fair jewels; and sitting in his chair of state, at his right
hand stood a page with