fruit, fowls, etc. They talked much of the Portuguese and of Larntuca on the Island of Ende,[1] from which circumstance it was probable that the Portuguese were somewhere on the island, though none of the natives could speak more than a word or two of the language. Our conclusion was strengthened as one of the Indians, in speaking of the town, made a sign of something we should see there by crossing his fingers, which a Portuguese, who was in the boat, immediately interpreted into a cross, a supposition which appeared very probable. Just before they put off the man in an European dress came towards them, but the officer in the boat, not having his commission about him, thought proper to put off immediately without staying to speak to him, or know what countryman he was.
We sailed along shore, and after having passed a point of land found a bay sheltered from the trade wind, in which we soon discovered a large Indian town or village, on which we stood in, hoisting a Jack. To our no small surprise Dutch colours were hoisted in the town, and three guns fired; we, however, proceeded, and just at dark got soundings, and anchored about one and a half miles from the shore.
18th. In the morning the boat with the second lieutenant went ashore and was received by a guard of twenty or thirty Indians armed with muskets, who conducted them to the town, about a mile in the country, marching without any order or regularity, and carrying away with them the Dutch colours, which had been hoisted upon the beach opposite to where the ship lay. Here he was introduced to the Radja or Indian king, whom he told through a Portuguese interpreter that we were an English man-of-war, which had been long at sea and had many sick on board, for whom we wanted to purchase such refreshments as the island provided. He answered that he was willing to supply us with everything that we should want, but being in alliance with the Dutch East India Company, he was not allowed to trade with any other people without their consent, which, however, he would immediately apply for to a Dutchman belonging to
- ↑ Now better known as Flores.
