he main Mast discovering five Ships, which put us
all in a great fear, we being Richly Laden, and not very well provided
for Defence; but they bearing up to us, we found them to be Zealanders
and our Friends; after many other passages concerning us, not so much
worthy of Note, we at last safele arrived at home, May 26. 1668.

Thus Sir, have I given you a brief, but true Relation of our Voyage,
Which I was the more willing to do, to prevent false Copies which might
be spread of this nature: As for the Island of Pines it self, which
caused me to Write this Relation, I suppose it is a thing so strange
as will hardly be credited by some, although perhaps knowing persons,
especially considering our last age being so full of Discoveries, that
this Place should lie Dormant for so long a space of time; Others I
know, such.

Nullifidians as will believe nothing but what they see, applying that
[86]Proverb unto us, That travelers may lye by authority. But Sir, in
writing to you, I question not but to give Credence, you knowing my
disposition so hateful to divulge Falsities; I shall request you to
impart this my Relation to Mr. W. W. and Mr. P. L. remembring me very
kindly unto them, not forgetting my old acquaintance, Mr. J. P. and
Mr. J. B. no more at present, but only my best respects to you and your
second self I rest,

Yours in the best of friendship,

Henry Cornelius Fan Sloetten.

July 22. 1668.{{31 }}

[87]

POST-SCRIPT:

ONE thing concerning the Isle of Pines, I had almost quite forgot, we
had with us an Irish man named Dermot Conelly who had formerly been
in England, and had learned there to play on the Bag-pipes, which he
carried to Sea with him; yet so un-Englished he was, that he had quite
forgotten your Language, but still retained his Art of Bagpipe-playing,
in which he took extraordinary delight; being one day on Land in the
Isle of Pines, he played on them, but to see the admiration of those
naked people concerning them, would have striken you into admiration;
long time it was before we could perswade them that it was not a living
creature, although they were permitted to touch and feel it, and yet are
the people very intelligible, retaining a great part of the Ingenuity
and Gallantry of the English Nation, though they have not that happy
means to express themselves; in this respect we may account them
fortunate, in that possessing little, they enjoy all things, as being
contented with what they have, w