The 14th, being past a point of land that we had been 3 days getting about, we found little or no current; so that, having the wind at north-west by west and west-north-west, we stood to the northward, and had several soundings:  at 3 o’clock, 38 fathom; the nearest part of New Guinea being about 3 leagues distance:  at 4, 37; at 5, 36; at 6, 36; at 8, 33 fathom; then the cape was about 4 leagues distant; so that as we ran off we found our water shallower.  We had then some islands to the westward of us, at about four leagues distance.

They anchor at an island called by the inhabitants Pulo Sabuda.  A description of it and its inhabitants and product.

A little after noon we saw smokes on the islands to the west of us; and, having a fine gale of wind, I steered away for them:  at 7 o’clock in the evening we anchored in 35 fathom, about two leagues from an island, good soft oazie ground.  We lay still all night, and saw fires ashore.  In the morning we weighed again, and ran farther in, thinking to have shallower water; but we ran within a mile of the shore, and came to in 38 fathom, good soft holding ground.  While we were under sail 2 canoes came off within call of us:  they spoke to us, but we did not understand their language, nor signs.  We waved to them to come aboard, and I called to them in the Malayan language to do the same; but they would not; yet they came so nigh us that we could show them such things as we had to truck with them; yet neither would this entice them to come aboard; but they made signs for us to come ashore, and away they went.  Then I went after them in my pinnace, carrying with me knives, beads, glasses, hatchets, etc.  When we came near the shore I called to them in the Malayan language:  I saw but 2 men at first, the rest lying in ambush behind the bushes; but as soon as I threw ashore some knives and other toys they came out, flung down their weapons, and came into the water by the boat’s side, making signs of friendship by pouring water on their heads with one hand which they dipped into the sea.  The next day in the afternoon several other canoes came aboard and brought many roots and fruits, which we purchased.

This island has no name in our charts but the natives call it Pulo Sabuda.  It is about 3 leagues long and 2 miles wide, more or less.  It is of a good height so as to be seen 11 or 12 leagues.  It is very rocky; yet above the rocks there is good yellow and black mould; not deep yet producing plenty of good tall trees, and bearing any fruits or roots which the inhabitants plant.  I do not know all its produce; but what we saw were plantains, coconuts, pineapples, oranges, papaws, potatoes, and other large roots.  Here are also another sort of wild jacas, about the bigness of a man’s two fists, full of stones or kernels, which eat pleasant enough when roasted.