Page:Early voyages to Terra Australis.djvu/200

 52 EXTRACT FROM THK

The time of the year will doubtless not permit, by the shortening of the days, to lose any time, but carefully and diligently to proceed ; for the above reason it is of conse- quence to discover as much, and in as short a time as pos- sible.

Nevertheless, to discover in a proper manner the coasts of the east and south lands, it will be necessary in good time, now and then, to anchor in proper places, always looking for and choosing such bays and harbours as with the least danger may be entered and left, where you may lye in safety, and which by accidental winds, or for other reasons, you may soon quit.

But be particularly careful, circumspect and prudent in landing with small craft, because (as above is mentioned) at several times Nova Guinea has been found to be inhabited by cruel wild savages, and as it is uncertain what sort of people the inhabitants of the south lands are, it may rather be presumed that they are also wild and barbarous savages, than a civilized people, for which reason you ought always to be upon your guard and well armed ; because in all coun- tries of the globe experience has taught us no savages are to be trusted, by reason they always suppose people who appear so unexpectedly and strangely to them, are only come to invade their country : all which is proved in the discovery of America and the Indies, by the surprize and murdering many careless and unwary discoverers, many times to the ruin of their voyages.

When you meet and converse with any of these savages, behave well and friendly to them ; do not take notice of little affronts or thefts which they practise upon you, because resentment might create disgust ; but try by all means to engage their affection to you, the better to learn from them the state of their country, particularly if any thing for the service of the Company may be done there.

You are also to inquire, as much as time will permit, into