On the 16th, learning that two Christians were arrived from Nangasaki, I went to visit them, and to enquire about our runaways.  One was George Peterson, a Dutchman, born in Flushing; the other was Daman Maryn, a native of Venice.  They told me that our runaways had been conveyed away in a small bark for Macoro,[34] and that they two had deserted in hope of procuring a passage in our ship to return to their own countries; they said they were well known to Mr Adams, and were desirous to have gone immediately on board, being both seafaring men.  The Dutchman had served three or four and twenty years with the Spaniards, and came master’s mate in one of their ships from Agua-pulca [Acapulco.] for Manilla in the Philippine islands.  They had plenty of money, and would have sent it to our ship or to our factory; but I told them that I durst not presume to entertain them in the absence of our general, yet would do them all the service in my power at his return.  I accordingly sent Miguel to inform the king that these two strangers were come to seek a passage in our ship, not being Spaniards nor subjects of Spain.  The king sent me back for answer, that they were welcome, if they were such as they reported themselves; but, if Spaniards or Portuguese, he could not allow them to remain in Firando, as the Spanish ambassador had procured an order from the emperor that all Spaniards should retire to Manilla.

[Footnote 34:  Called in the sequel Macow, or Macao, the Portuguese settlement on the coast of China, at the mouth of the Bocca-tigris, or river of Canton.—­E]

The two strangers came to me early on the 17th, requesting me to accompany them to wait upon the king, to give them the better countenance, which I agreed to.  On the way, they told me that our fugitives had given out at Nangasaki that more of our people would follow them, as none of any account would stay to navigate the ship home, because their officers used them more like dogs than men.  They alleged also, that twenty resolute Spaniards might easily get possession of our ship in one or two small boats.  The old king received us very kindly, and asked the strangers many questions about the wars in the Molucca islands between the Spaniards and Dutch.  They said the Spaniards were resolved to prosecute this war with much vigour, having prepared a strong force for that purpose.  They also told the king that all our fugitives had, as they believed, been secretly conveyed away from Nangasaki seven days before, in a soma that went from thence for Macow.[35] The king would not believe them, saying it was impossible such a man as Bon-diu, having given his word to restore them, should be found false to his promise.  In the end, he agreed to allow these men to remain, and to go along with our ship, if our general pleased to take them.  So the poor men returned much contented to their lodgings, assuring me they would prove faithful to us, and that we need not wish any worse punishment to our fugitives than the bad treatment they would receive from the Spaniards.