rice, and fifty hogs in salt. This store, they hoped, was
amply sufficient to carry them on to Mindanao, one of the Philippine
Islands, where they had resolved to go.

The two largest of these islands are Luconia and Mindanao, on the former
of which Magalhaens was killed in his mad attempt to conquer the
natives. The whole of the group was then subject to the Spaniards, with
the exception of the islands of Mindanao and Saint John's.

The passage to Mindanao occupied nineteen days, during which the
_Cygnet_ and her consort met with a heavy gale which compelled them to
remain at anchor. On approaching they hoisted their colours and fired a
salute of seven guns, which was returned from the shore by three. The
town stood on the banks of the river about two miles from the sea. The
houses were built upon piles from fourteen to twenty feet in height, and
as this was the rainy season, were completely surrounded by water, so
that they appeared as if standing in a lake, many of the inhabitants
going from house to house in their canoes. The island was at this time
governed by rival Rajahs, the Rajah of Mindanao being the chief.

Captain Swan's object was to gain his friendship, especially as he was
supposed to be hostile to the Spaniards. As soon as the _Cygnet_ and
her consort dropped their anchors, a canoe, paddled by ten paddlers,
came off, carrying a man of consequence, who introduced himself as Rajah
Laut, the brother and prime minister of the Sultan. He was attended by
one of his nephews, who spoke Spanish fluently, and a conversation was
thus carried on through Mr Smith, who had been made prisoner at Rio
Lexa.

When he understood that the strangers were English, he welcomed them
cordially, but evidently seemed disappointed on being told by Captain
Swan that he had come merely to obtain provisions, and not to establish
a factory.

The Rajah had been informed by a Captain Goodlad, who had touched there
some time before, that he would induce the East India merchants to form
one on the island to carry on a trade with him.

Rajah Laut and his nephew remained all the time in their canoe, saying
that they had no authority from the Sultan to go on board the ship.
Captain Swan, believing that he should have to remain some time at the
island, was anxious to consult the Sultan, and accordingly sent a Mr
More on shore with a present of scarlet cloth, three yards of broad gold
lace, a Turkish scimitar, and a pair of pisto