When the time was come, the ambassador’s servants went away to a port about twenty-five leagues from Acheen; upon which the general went immediately to inform the king, who had already given proper orders, so that, on their arrival at the port, when they had hired a vessel in which they embarked with their letters, and were even going over the bar a mile from the town, a galley went after them, and caused the bark to strike sail, that the justice might see what was their lading.  On the justice coming on board, and seeing the two Portuguese, he asked whence they came and whither they were going?  They answered, that they came from Acheen, being in the service of the Portuguese ambassador.  “Nay,” said the justice, “but you have robbed your master and run away with his goods; wherefore I shall return you again to him, that you may answer for your conduct.”  In this confusion they lost their plots and letters, their trunks having been broke open; and they were sent back to Acheen to the king, to be delivered to the ambassador, if they belonged to him.  The general was immediately sent for to court, and asked by the king if he were satisfied; on which he gave the king humble and hearty thanks for his friendship in the business.  The merchant of hens continued to come daily to our house with his goods; and the general suspected, not without his master’s knowledge, as indeed he afterwards confessed, to carry news from us as well as bringing us intelligence.

It was now September, and summer being past, and the general intending to go to sea to seek for means to supply his necessities, was like to have been crossed worse than ever.  The Portuguese ambassador had got his dispatches of leave from the king, and was about to go from Acheen; which coming to the knowledge of our general, he went immediately to court, where the king sat looking at certain sports which were made for his amusement.  The general sent his interpreter to request permission to speak with the king, who immediately called him, desiring to know what he wished.  “It has pleased your majesty,” said the general, “to shew me many courtesies, by which I am emboldened to entreat one more favour.”  “What is that?” said the king, smiling:  “Are there any more Portuguese going to Malacca to hinder your proceedings?” “The ambassador himself,” said the general, “as I am given to understand, has received your majesty’s dispatches, with licence to go when he pleases, and is determined to go in five days.”  Then, said the king, “What would you have me do?” To this the general replied, “Only stay him for ten days after I have sailed.”  “Well,” said the king, laughing, “you must bring me a fair Portuguese maiden at your return.”