itty.

The merchants that aduentured in these voyages being in number sixeteene or
seuenteene (notwithstanding the foure shippes gone from Iaua to the
Moluccas, as it is before mentioned) haue sent this last spring 1599.
[Marginal Note: A new supply of foure Hollandish ships sent this last
spring 1599. to the East Indies.] foure ships more to continue this their
traffique so happely begun: intending moreouer the next spring to send a
newe supply of other ships. [Marginal note: An intent of the marchants of
Amsterdam to send more ships the next spring 1600.] And diuers other
Marchants are likewise determined to enter into the same action.

Of them that departed from Zeland these bring no newes, otherwise then is
aforesaide. Neither doe they report any thing of the two fleetes or
companies, that went from Roterdam the last sommer 1598, shaping their
course for the streites of Magellan.

Wee haue before made mention of an Indian called Abdoll, which was brought
from Bantam, in the first voiage, and had continued an whole winter or some
eight months at Amsterdam in Holland.

Where during that space (being a man of good obseruation and experience,
and borne about China) hee was well entreated, cherished, and much made of.

[Sidenote: The relation of Abdull an Indian, concerning the Netherlands.]
This Abdoll vpon his returne to Iaua being demanded concerning the state of
the Netherlands, made vnto the principall men of Bantam a full declaration
thereof, with all the rarities and singularities which he had there seen
and obserued.

Which albeit to the greatest part of readers, who haue trauailed those
countries may seeme nothing strange, and scarce worthy the relation: yet
because the report was made by so meere a stranger, and with the Iauans
that heard it wrought so good effect, I thought it not altogether
impertinent here in this place to make rehearsall thereof.

First therefore he tolde them (to their great admiration in that hoat
climate) That hee had seene aboue a thousand sleds drawen, and great
numbers of horsemen riding vpon the frozen water in winter time, and that
he had beheld more then two hundreth thousand people trauailing on foote
and on horseback vpon the yce, as likewise that the said sleds were by
horses drawen so swiftly, that they made more way in three houres than any
man could go on foote in tenne. And also that himselfe for pleasure had
beene so drawen, the horses being brauely adorned with bels