The Neapolitan vessel shall go as much as possible in advance of the flagship; and, in case it should come upon any shoal or promontory that juts out too far, if it be daytime it shall return to give advice thereof; but if at night, besides turning to give advice, it shall fire a small piece of its artillery so that we may stop and take the necessary steps.

If perchance any galley should lose the route through either bad weather or any other cause not malicious, it shall continue its voyage to the island of Malaca, where the one arriving first will await the other.

Should any enemy attack us at sea, with intent to annoy us, the two Bornean galleys shall go to the flagship—­that in charge of Ensign Francisco Rodriguez on the right, and that in charge of Antonio Canedo on the left.  The Neapolitan ship shall take up a position at the stern of the flagship, in order to assist in what is ordered.

The vessels shall take care always to anchor near the flagship, keeping watch over their oars.  They shall be alert.  From Malaca each afternoon they shall ask for a watchword, so that, if they meet any hostile ship, it may be known.  A copy of these instructions shall be given to the other galleys, so that they may keep them.  Given on the seventh of March, one thousand five hundred and seventy-nine.

Don Juan Arce

Before me: 

Manuel de Caceres, notary

The order to be observed at present by the soldiers in this fleet, while anchored in the port of Mohala, or wherever else, is as follows.

First, although the natives of the river of Borney are peaceful, they shall buy no slaves who are natives of the island of Borney, even if the natives wish to sell them.  If they wish to buy any slaves not natives of the said island, they shall not do so, except in my presence, in order that I may find out his native place, and whether or no he can be bought.

Item:  No soldier shall dare to kill any cattle here or in any other part where they have them, so that the king of Borney and the other natives may see that we do not come to harass them, but that we wish their friendship.

Item:  No soldier shall disembark or go from his ship to take water or any other thing, except when the flagship takes in water, and he is summoned.  Then the landing shall be effected with great care, and the commanders of the galleys shall signify what soldiers are to disembark.  They shall be advised not to take any water that is not in a newly-made well, so that the water may not be poisoned by the natives.

Item:  All the galleys shall keep close sentinel guard at night, and shall keep their arms ready.  Each night they shall assign a watchword, and the galleys shall not fire any shot unless compelled by necessity.