the vessel." Those on land now began to murmur among themselves, for they had found no water and were in great need of it. They complained to Pelsart that the officers did not go in search of water, and he, to pacify them, consented to go himself. There were 40 people on one island and 180 on another, and after some anxiety about leaving his people Captain Pelsart launched a boat and with members of his crew set out on his search, determining to return as soon as possible. He visited little islands nearby and found fresh water in holes of rocks, but the storm had dashed the sea into them and rendered them unfit for use. Then on the 9th June he steered for the mainland, but could not step on shore because of the rough coast and raging storm. A deck was made for the boat, and a northerly course was eventually struck. Many efforts were made to land but without success. The steep shore-line presented a formidable barrier to their near approach, "which gave them the more pain because within land the country appeared very fruitful and pleasant." A current carried them further north than they desired, and day by day they sought to gain the shore. On the 14th they sailed slowly near the coast, until observing much smoke in the distance, they rowed quickly towards it, hoping to find men and water. When near at hand the steep and rocky coast, over which the sea furiously broke, prevented their landing but, undaunted, six men threw themselves into the sea, and amid difficulties and dangers enough, reached the shore. They hunted high and low all day long for water, but though reduced to serious straits, they found none. Presently they observed four natives creeping towards them on hands and feet, but on the approach of the sailors they rose and fled in a great fright. Hopeless of obtaining water there the men swam out to the boat, which they reached much bruised by blows from the rocks and waves. Going still further north, on the next day they discovered a cape with two chains of rocks jutting from it some distance into the sea. Between these they found a passage at noon, and succeeded in landing. They ran a little inland and eagerly dug wells, but when they came to the water they found it brackish. Nearly famished, they searched among the rocks, and in the clefts of some they at last obtained the precious liquid, and glad were they, "for they were dying of thirst." They collected about twenty gallons that evening, and on the morning of the 16th landed again for more, but were disappointed. The barren appearance of the country showed that it was probably useless to go inland, for it was without vegetation, sandy, and level. Ant-hills were observed so large as to resemble native huts, and there was such a prodigious number of flies that they were put to much exertion to protect themselves. They came upon ashes and the remains of crayfish, which proved that natives had but recently been there. Eventually eight blacks carrying spears drew near to them, but when within musket-shot, a sailor moved forward and they incontinently fled. They found no water. Greatly oppressed by his own danger and that of his shipwrecked people, Pelsart weighed anchor and followed the coast in hopes of discovering a river which charts told him was somewhere near. Then, after being carried 400 miles from the Abrolhos, and vainly trying to land, he determined to make all speed to Batavia, to solicit the Governor there for assistance for his people. It was a bold stroke, but the hardihood of the mariner was equal to the labour, and at mid-day on the 27th of June Java was sighted. There they obtained water, being again nearly famished, and finally reached Batavia, where the frigate Sardam was placed under Pelsart's charge, and he sailed off to rescue his fellow sufferers.
But the virgin soil of the Abrolhos was already stained by the life-blood of men, women, and children. Some time after the departure of Pelsart, one of the company discovered good drinking water. Two pools were observed to rise and fall with the tide, and, naturally thinking they must contain salt water, no one tasted until one man sipping was overjoyed to find it good. Thus, with the quantity of provisions taken from the vessel, they were able to sustain life for a considerable time. On the voyage out the supercargo, Jerome Cornelis, an apothecary of Harlem, conspired with the pilot and others to obtain possession of the ship for piratic purposes—a dangerous but often remunerative trade in those days. But no fitting opportunity arose until the departure of Pelsart revived the hopes of Cornelis. He was among those left on the vessel, and, when after some days he succeeded in landing on one of the islands, as supercargo he took command of the company. The conspiracy soon ripened, and a compact was signed by the traitors. Their project was to rehabilitate the Batavia, and go roving the seas, preying upon all the prizes that came in their way, or failing that, to surprise Pelsart on his presumptive arrival with another ship. But first, they determined to murder all those who were not of their party. The company occupied three islands, and the largest number were on that of Cornelis. Weybehays, a member of the company, was at this time on an island where he had been sent in search of water, which he discovered as already related. Cornelis with his men murdered between thirty and forty of those on his own island, which was thereupon named the "Graveyard of Batavia." Some of the men, however, escaped on rafts, constructed from the debris of the wreck, and went over to Weybehays, who now had forty-five men under him. This body was the danger to Cornelis, who, bent on their destruction, decided to first assassinate the women, children, and sick, and then cross and kill them. All the weak, defenceless people were cold bloodedly put to death except seven children and six women. Cornelis took a married woman for his own use, presented the minister's daughter to his chief favourite, and the remainder were held for public use. After this the chests of rich merchandise landed from the Batavia were opened, and the most valuable stuffs were made into clothes. Cornelis and his body-guard gaudily attired themselves in scarlet, embroidered with gold and silver. The ringleader, who had drawn up a set of regulations, now sent twenty-two armed men to slay Weybehays and his men, but the latter was prepared, and seeing them approach repulsed them, though practically unarmed. Still confident of the success of his plans, Cornelis thereupon placed himself at the head of thirty-seven men, but Weybehay's men, armed with staves, having nails driven in at their ends, again beat them off. Cornelis after reflection sought to murder these redoubtable men by strategy, and, under a truce of peace, secretly offered by letter high terms to some of Weybehays’ companions. These letters they showed to their chief, and on the next occasion that Cornelis came to the island, ostensibly to settle the treaty, he was attacked, taken prisoner, and some of his men were killed. The remainder kept to their island.
At this stage the Sardam with Pelsart on board, sighted the Abrolhos, and the anxious captain was highly pleased when he saw smoke curling to the skies, showing that some, at least, of his people survived. He stood as close in to the islands as he could, and lowering a skiff stocked it with provisions of bread and wine, but he had barely left the ship when four men came alongside in a boat. Among them was Weybehays, who hastened to advise the captain to re-board the Sardam, telling him of the tragic occurrences, that the conspirators had murdered 125 persons, and intended to surprise the ship with two shallops that very morning. At this moment the boats appeared, and the captain had hardly regained his ship when they ranged alongside. Pelsart was surprised to see the
