ticed
some iron boxes, which had rusted at the locks, so that it became
difficult to open them. With the aid of a crowbar, however, which I
sent for from the ship, we were able to prise the lid off one of them,
when it was found to be filled with Spanish money, much gold coin being
amongst it. There were twelve iron boxes, and we reckoned that each box
contained money to the value of two thousand English pounds. At the
sight of this treasure Hartog readily consented to assist the king of
the islands against his enemies by every means in his power, and an
agreement was come to accordingly. Hartog then ordered the specie to be
taken on board, when we attended a council of the chiefs to ascertain
the part it was proposed for us to play in the war, I acting as
interpreter.

It then appeared that a number of canoes were expected shortly to
arrive from the adjacent islands. They would be met by the young king's
fleet, when a naval battle would take place; but the issue was
doubtful, since the hostile chief possessed many more canoes than the
young king did. It was to neutralize this disadvantage that our
services were required.

Now the "Arms of Amsterdam" was a more powerful vessel than the
"Endraght", mounting four guns, so we had little doubt but that we
would be able to render valuable assistance to the young king in the
defence of his country, and having pledged ourselves to support him we
returned to our ship, well pleased with our adventure.

Next day the beating of war drums and much commotion ashore announced
the approach of the enemy fleet, and having loaded our cannon we stood
out to meet them. Twenty war canoes belonging to the king, each
containing 100 men armed with spears and clubs, put off to take part in
the battle. They were far outnumbered, however, by the hostile fleet,
which now approached. At the sight of our ship the oncoming war canoes
appeared to hesitate, and for some minutes ceased rowing, but presently
they advanced again in the form of a crescent, evidently intending by
their superior line of battle to surround us. We were now midway
between the opposing fleets, and when the enemy canoes were well within
range Hartog delivered a broadside, which had the most remarkable
effect ever witnessed in a naval engagement. Not wishing to kill the
natives if it could be avoided, since the quarrel was not ours, Hartog
directed that the first broadside should be fired over the heads of the
advancing savage