a fan in his hand, breathing and gathering the
air to the king. The same was in length two foot, and in breadth one
foot, set with eight sapphires richly embroidered, and knit to a staff
three foot in length, by the which the page did hold and move it. Our
gentlemen having delivered their message and received order accordingly,
were licensed to depart, being safely conducted back again by one of the
king's council. This island is the chief of all the islands of Maluco,
and the king hereof is king of 70 islands besides. The king with
his people are Moors in religion, observing certain new moons, with
fastings; during which fasts they neither eat nor drink in the day, but
in the night.

After that our gentlemen were returned, and that we had here by the
favour of the king received all necessary things that the place could
yield us; our General considering the great distance, and how far he was
yet off from his country, thought it not best here to linger the time
any longer, but weighing his anchors, set out of the island, and sailed
to a certain little island to the southwards of Celebes, where we graved
our ship, and continued there, in that and other businesses, 26 days.
This island is thoroughly grown with wood of a large and high growth,
very straight, and without boughs, save only in the head or top, whose
leaves are not much differing from our broom in England. Amongst these
trees night by night, through the whole land, did shew themselves an
infinite swarm of fiery worms flying in the air, whose bodies being no
bigger than our common English flies, make such a show and light as if
every twig or tree had been a burning candle. In this place breedeth
also wonderful store of bats, as big as large hens. Of crayfishes also
here wanted no plenty, and they of exceeding bigness, one whereof was
sufficient for four hungry stomachs at a dinner, being also very good
and restoring meat, whereof we had experience: and they dig themselves
holes in the earth like coneys.

When we had ended our business here we weighed, and set sail to run for
the Malucos. But having at that time a bad wind, and being amongst
the islands, with much difficulty we recovered to the northward of
the island of Celebes; where by reason of contrary winds, not able to
continue our course to run westwards, we were enforced to alter the same
to the southward again, finding that course also to be very hard and
dangerous for us, by reason of infinite shoals