His Brother-In-Law, As Chief
Man, Accompanied By Several Other People Of Condition, Came Down To Bid
Us Welcome, And Used Us Very Kindly.
Both he and many others of the
islanders spoke tolerably good Portuguese, so that I had much
conversation with them, and was informed of every thing I wished to
know.
In this island they build barks, in which they trade along the coast of
Melinda and Arabia, disposing of slaves and fruit, by which means they
supply themselves with dollars, and with such articles as they need. I
suspect also that they have some dealings with the Portuguese, but they
would not let us know this, lest we might suspect them of treachery.
They told me that we were welcome, and that the whole island was at our
command to do us service; but, if we had been Portuguese, they would
have put us all to the sword. In my opinion, however, it would be
dangerous to repose too much confidence in them. The king's
brother-in-law shewed me a letter of recommendation of the place,
written in Dutch, and left there by a Hollander; and he requested of us
to leave a letter to the same purport, certifying their honest and
friendly dealings, that they might be able to show to others of our
nation. To this we consented, and I gave them a writing, sealed by our
captain, expressing the good entertainment we had received, and the
prices of provisions; yet recommending to our countrymen, not to trust
them any farther than might seem consistent with their own safety.
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