Chap. IX. ]
EXPEDITION UNDER HOUTMANN.
219
11th of August, but were again obliged, by the ravages of scurvy, to seek ad. 159a. refreshments on the coast of Madagascar. Tliey had some difficulty in obtain- ing them ; and, in the meantime, were so reduced by sickness, that they could Houtmann
reaches
scarcely muster twenty men fit for service, while they had actually lost seventy. Madagascar. Having somewhat recovered by means of the fruit and fresh provisions which they obtained ashore, they again set sail on the 14th of December; and, after various adventm*es not possessed of much interest, directed their course towards the southern islands of the Maldive group. They were thus canied be- yond the Indian peninsula, and first saw land on the 1st of June, 1596. Tliey were off the coast of Sumatra. Continuing southwards, they arrived, on the 11th, at the entrance of the Straits of Sunda, and proceeding through them, much impeded by con- trary winds and cmi'ents, aiTived at Bantam, on the north-west extremity of Java.
On their arrival they were visited by six Portuguese, with their slaves, who assumed the character of depu- ties, sent by the governor and people of Bantam to ascertain the object of their Arrival at visit. Tlie previous navigators from England, particularly Cavendish and Lancaster, had spread great alarm ; but the Dutch endeavoured to dissipate all fear, by declaring that commerce was their only object. Under this impression a friendly intercom'se commenced, aixl a full cargo of pepper, at a very
moderate rate, miglit easily have been obtained; but Houtmann, determined to do everything at the cheap- est, wsis induced to wait for the new crop, wliich was represented to him as so very abundant, that it would be obtained at almost nominal prices. This injudicious delay gave the Portuguese time to prepare a series of intrigues, by means of which the good understanding with the natives was on the point of being broken up.
'ITrom Uistoirc de la Xarigation aiu Iiulcs One7ifales par hs Hollandais, par G. in A. W. L., Amst. 1C09.
PORTUQUESB RKSIDENT3 AT B.4NTAM.'
Bantam.
Bird'8-eve View of Bantam ■
