The 31st, our captain and Mr Davis went in the longboat to view the islands, and I myself as we went sounded close by the ledge, and had six fathoms.  One of the islands is very small, as it were a mere bank of sand with nothing on it.  The other is about a mile long, and half a mile broad, and has nothing upon it but some small store of wood.  The 1st September, we weighed from our first anchorage, the ground being foul, so that our cable broke, and we lost an anchor in weighing, and came within two miles of the mouth of the river, where we anchored in five and a half fathoms fast ground, about three leagues from oar former anchorage.  We got here plenty of sheep and beeves for little money, and having taken in wood and water, we weighed anchor on the 7th, taking to sea with us four goats, three sheep, and a heifer.  We had an observation three miles from the island, before the bay of St Augustine, which we made to be in lat. 23 deg. 48’ S.[265]

[Footnote 265:  The tropic of Capricorn runs through the bay of St Augustine, being 23 deg. 30’ S. rather nearer the south point of the bay; so that the latitude in the text must err at least 16’ in excess.—­E.]

The 12th November in the morning we saw an island, which we found to be Engano, or the Isle of Deceit, and came to its north side.  This island is about five leagues in length, trending E. by S. and W. by N. the easter end is the highest, and the wester is full of trees.  It is in lat. 5 deg. 30’ S. and the variation is 4 deg. 13’.  Having the wind at W.N.W. we steered away for the main of Sumatra E. by S. and E.S.E. with a pleasant gale but much rain, and next day had sight of Sumatra about four leagues from us.  We anchored on the 14th in Bantam roads about four p.m. when we found all the merchants in good health, and all things in good order.  Next day our captain went on shore to speak with Mr Towerson, respecting the business of the ship, and it was agreed to send ashore the lead and iron we brought with us.  This being effected, and having fitted our ship in good order, and taken in our merchants and goods for the Moluccas, we took leave of the factory, and set sail for these islands on the 6th December.

“In the beginning of January, 1608, they arrived at the Moluccas.  The rest of that month and the whole of February, was spent in compliments between them and the Spaniards and the Moluccan princes:  the Spaniards not daring to allow them to trade without leave from their camp-master; and as he was embroiled with the Hollanders, he refused, unless they would aid him, or at least accompany their ships for shew of service against the Hollanders; which Captain Middleton refused, as contrary to his commission and instructions.  In the mean time, they traded privately with the natives by night, and were jovial with the Spaniards by day, who both gave and received hearty welcome.  In the beginning of March they had leave to trade, but this licence was revoked again in a few days, and they were commanded to be gone.  Thus they spent their time till the 14th March, when they weighed anchor and set sail, having some little trade by the way.  This part of the journal is long, and I have omitted it, as also in some other parts where I thought it might be tedious."[266]