ecover, though Dampier, under the pretty severe treatment of a native
doctor began to regain his strength. The effects of the fever hung
about him until nearly a year afterwards.

He here made the acquaintance of Captain Bowery, who invited him to make
a trip to the Nicobar Islands, but contrary winds compelled the ship to
return.

Notwithstanding Captain Bowery's kind offers, Dampier accepted an
invitation from a Captain Welden to sail to Tonquin. This voyage was
performed, as well as another to Malacca. On his return from the last
voyage, a little before Christmas, 1689, he met a Mr Morgan, one of the
crew of the _Cygnet_. He had become mate of a Danish ship. From this
man he learned the fate of many of his former companions. Some had
taken service with the Great Mogul; others had joined the garrison at
Fort George, having received a pardon for their piratical proceedings.
The remainder of the crew, after committing various piracies, had
entered into the service of one of the princes of Madagascar, in a
harbour of which island their ship had sunk.

After making other trips, Dampier went to Fort Saint George, and from
thence proceeded to Bencoulin, an English factory on the west coast,
where he acted as gunner for five months. He had been persuaded to
leave Madras by a Mr Moody, supercargo of a ship called the _Mindanao
Merchant_, who had promised to buy a vessel and send him in command of
her, to trade with the natives of the small island of Meangis. Mr
Moody had in his possession a son of the King of the island, dubbed
Prince Jeoly, who, with his mother, had been captured by the Malays,
from whom Mr Moody had purchased them. Dampier's idea was that by
treating them kindly he might be able to open up a commerce with the
people, and establish a factory there. The prince was tattooed all down
his breast and between his shoulders, as also on his thighs, while
several broad rings or bracelets were marked round his arms and legs.
The drawings did not represent figures or animals, but were full of
lines, flourishes, chequered work, very skilfully and gracefully marked.

The poor young savage was thus known as the Painted Prince.

Mr Moody, being uncertain about fulfilling his engagement, as a
recompense to Dampier, gave him a half share in the Painted Prince and
his mother. Dampier took the utmost care of them; but, notwithstanding
this, the unfortunate mother soon died, to the great grief of her son,
who wr