The 3d of July, the fleet of armed vessels belonging to Acheen arrived, being only twenty days from the coast of Johor, at which place they had captured the factory of the Hollanders, making prize of all their goods, and had brought away some twenty or twenty-four Dutchmen as prisoners.  The 7th, I received the king’s letter for Priaman, together with a chop or licence for my departure; and on the 12th, taking my leave of Acheen, I embarked.  In the morning of the 13th I set sail.  It is to be noted, that, from the 12th April to the middle of June, we had much rain here at Acheen, seldom two fair days following, and accompanied, by much wind in sudden gusts.  From the 15th June to the 12th July, we had violent gales of wind, always at S.W. or W.S.W. or W.

Sec.4. Trade at Tecoo and Passaman, with the Voyage to Bantam, and thence Home to England.

Leaving Acheen, as said before, on the 13th July, 1613, we came in sight of Priaman on the 3d of August, it being then nine or ten leagues off, N.E. by E. and clearly known by two great high hills, making a great swamp or saddle between them.  We saw also the high land of Tecoo, which is not more than half the height of that of Priaman, and rises somewhat flat.  At the same time likewise we saw the high land of Passaman, some seven or eight leagues north of Tecoo, mid-way between Tecoo and Priaman, which mountain is very high, and resembles Aetna in Sicily.[91] In the afternoon of the 7th we came to Tecoo, and anchored to the eastward of the three islands in seven fathoms, the southmost isle bearing W.S.W. the middle isle W.N.W. and the northern isle N. 1/2 E. our anchorage being a mile from them.

[Footnote 91:  Perhaps this observed similarity with Aetna is meant to indicate that this hill also is a volcano.—­E.]

I sent ashore my merchants on the 19th, and landed myself in the afternoon.  Next day, by advice of our council, the Hosiander was sent to Priaman, with the letter of the king of Acheen.  She sailed from Tecoo on the 12th, and came back on the 18th, when she was dispatched to Bantam.  The 25th there came a junk from Bantam, the owners of which were Chinese.  They confirmed to me the reported death of Sir Henry Middleton, with the loss of most of the men belonging to the Trades-increase, in consequence of her main-mast breaking, while heaving her down for careening her bottom.  She was now returned from Pulo-Pannian to Bantam, and they said that three hundred Chinese had died while employed at work upon her.

The 28th a boat I had sent to Passaman returned, having been well entertained at that place, and brought with them the Scrivano to deal with me, with whom accordingly I concluded a bargain.  The 29th, the governor of Tecoo sent for me to come ashore, when I went to wait upon him.  He was in council, with all the chiefs of the district, and, after a long discussion, we agreed on the following price of pepper.