Some Javans, who belonged to two of the principal men of Bantam under the king, had stolen nine muskets and callivers from the gun-room of our ship the Ascension; and two of them returning shortly after to steal more, were taken by our people with the stolen goods upon them.  Our general sent me to examine into the matter, and to bring them on shore.  After some examination, they confessed whose slaves they were, and said the pieces were forthcoming.  After they came on shore, the general sent to the king and protector, desiring to have the pieces back; but the masters of these slaves said they had no pieces except what they had bought with their money; yet they requested our general to defer executing the slaves for two days, which he agreed to.  But as these nobles were not reckoned great good-wishers to the king, the protector sent the executioner with a guard of pikes to put them to death.  When they came to the place of execution, our general wished to spare their lives; but the executioner said he had the king’s orders, and must therefore put them to death, which was done accordingly.  This the thieves very patiently submitted to, as is the manner of their nation; for they hold it their greatest glory to die resolutely, as I have seen them do often, both men and women, in the most careless manner.  One would think these men ought to be excellent soldiers, but they are not; as this valour is only when there is no remedy.  Against their own countrymen they are reasonably brave; but they will not venture with Europeans, unless with manifest great advantage in numbers or otherwise.

The 3d October our general made a farewell feast, to which he invited the Dutch admiral, with all his captains, masters, and merchants, and we were all exceedingly merry on this occasion, with much friendship between the two nations.  Next day our general went to court, accompanied by our merchants and others, to take leave of the king and his nobles.  The 6th, being Sunday, our general, with all who were bound for England, went on board, and on passing the Dutch house, went in and took leave of the Dutch general and merchants.  Mr Gabriel Towerson, who was to remain agent at Bantam, and some other merchants, accompanied us on board, some returning on shore after dinner, and others staying till next day.  We weighed anchor about three o’clock, saluting the town and Dutch ships with our cannon.  About eleven at night we came to anchor under an island, where next day we took in wood, which our general had sent some men to get ready cut beforehand.  Towards evening of the 7th October, 1605, we again weighed anchor and set sail:  Mr Towerson and some other merchants now took their leaves to go on shore, whom we committed to the protection of the Almighty, and ourselves to the courtesy of the seas, praying God to bless them and us, and, if it be his holy will, to send us a happy meeting again in England.

Sec. 7. Observations by Mr John Saris, of Occurrences during his abode at Bantam, from October, 1605, to October, 1609.[133]