him 30,000 crowns to take them under his protection, and desiring to have passes for their safe trading.  He accepted the money and gave the passes, only for writing which his servant received 6000 crowns in the space of twelve days.  So great a reputation had he acquired in these parts, that the governor of the city offered to make him admiral of those seas for the emperor of China, with a salary of 9000 crowns yearly.  Antonio ran all along this coast without any remarkable occurrence, only that he saw many towns, none of which were large, and a fruitful country, and was informed that there were mines of silver, tin, saltpetre, and brimstone.

Being now weary of looking out for the pirate Husseyn, the soldiers demanded their shares of the prizes and to be discharged.  This was agreed to, and their course was directed towards Siam; but by a furious storm they were cast away upon the Ladrones, where out of 500 men, only 86 got on shore naked, 28 of whom were Portuguese.  At this place they were fifteen days with hardly any thing to eat.  While in utter despair, as the island was uninhabited, they discovered a small vessel making for the shore where it cast anchor, and presently thirty Chinese landed, some of whom went to procure wood and water, while the others diverted themselves.  Our men ran furiously and possessed themselves of the vessel and put to sea as quickly as possible.  In this vessel they found only an old man and a child, but were quite delighted upon finding plenty of provisions and much silk.  Sailing for Xamoy in Liampo, they took another Chinese vessel and went to the island of Luxitay[359], where they remained fifteen days refitting both vessels, and then proceeded on their voyage.  On the coast of Lamau they discovered a large vessel having fifteen guns, which began to fire upon them as soon as within range; but on coming close it was observed to have several crosses and some men in Portuguese habits, on which they hailed each other, and the vessel was found to belong to Quiay Panjau a Chinese and a great friend of the Portuguese, having thirty soldiers of that nation on board.  He came on board of Antonios vessel, bringing a present of amber, pearls, gold, and silver, worth 2000 ducats.  Among other discourse, Antonio told him that he was bound for Liampo to furnish himself with necessaries, meaning to attempt the mines of Quamjaparu, where he was told he might get much treasure. Quiay Panjau offered to accompany him, demanding only a third part of what might be taken, which was agreed to.

[Footnote 359:  The names in this strange relation of the adventures of Antonio de Faria are so extremely corrupt as to defy even conjectural commentary.—­E.]