er, departed the thirteenth of Ianuary
1599. and sayled to Sumatra, where they tooke in fresh water; for that the
water of Bantam first waxeth white, and afterward crawleth full of magots.

Vpon the land of Sumatra we bartered kniues, spoones, looking-glasses,
bels, needles and such like, for sundry fruits, to wit, melons, cucumbers,
onions, garlike, and pepper though little in quantity, yet exceeding good.

We had to deale with a notable Merchant of Bantam, named Sasemolonke, whose
father was a Castilian, which sold vs not much lesse then an hundreth last
of pepper. He was most desirous to haue traueiled with vs into Holland: but
misdoubting the displeasure and euil will of the king, and fearing least
his goods might haue bin confiscated, he durst not aduenture vpon the
voiage.

[Sidenote: The four other ships sent to Moluccas.] Certaine daies before
our departure from Bantam were the other foure shippes dispatched to go for
the Moluccas, and ouer them was appointed as Admirall and Generall Master
Wybrant van Warwicke in the shippe called Amsterdam, and Iacob Heemskerck
Viceadmirall in the shippe Gelderland, the other two shippes in consort
with them being Zeland and Vtrecht before mentioned.

These foure made saile towards the Moluccas, and parted from vs the 8. of
Ianuary in the night, and in taking of our leaues both of vs together, made
such a terrible thundering noise with our ordinance, that the townsemen
were vp in alarme, vntill they knewe the reason thereof. The people were
glad of their departure, hauing some mistrust of vs, remaining there so
strong with 8. ships. And they asked daily when we should depart, making
great speed to help vs vnto our lading, and shewing themselues most
seruiceable vnto vs.

The 11. of Ianuary 1599. we in the foure shippes laden with pepper departed
from Bantam homeward. The 13. we arriued at Sumatra. The 19. we shaped our
course directly for Holland. The 3. of April we had sight of Capo de buona
esperanza. The 8. of Aprill we doubled the said Cape, proceeding on for the
Isle of Saint Helena, whither we came the twenty sixt of the same month,
and there refreshed our selues for the space of eight daies.

In this Island we found a church with certaine boothes or tents in it, and
the image of Saint Helena, as likewise a holy water fat, and a sprinkle to
cast or sprinkle the holy water: but we left all things in as good order as
we found them.

Moreouer here we left behinde vs s