Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra17181886roya).pdf/219

 that every one hastened on board their ships to endeavour to defend themselves from this new and unwelcome guest.

A boat came off with a message from the town, to inquire who they were and what they wanted, to which sent back for answer that he brought an ambassador from the King of Portugal, to propose entering into a treaty of peace and commerce advantageous for the king and city of Malacca. The king sent back a message in dubious language, such as is usual among the Orientals when they mean to act treacherously, as some of the Moorish merchants, from enmity to the Portuguese, had prevailed upon him and his favourite Bandara, by means of rich presents, to destroy and the Portuguese. On the third day, sent  in the character of ambassador, attended by a splendid retinue, who was well received on shore, and conducted on an elephant to the king, from whom he returned well pleased. All this was only a bait to entrap the Portuguese to their destruction, and, in addition, the king sent an invitation to to dine with him in public. accepted this invitation, but was informed by a friend of  Rajah, that the king intended to murder him, on which he sent an excuse on pretence of indisposition. Credit was now given to an advice sent by a Persian woman to, after she had been prevented by from coming on board in the night.

Another contrivance was put in practice to destroy and his ships, by offering a lading of spice, and pretending that it was requisite to send for it to three several places. This succeeded in part, as, while thirty men were sent on shore according to agreement, a fleet of small vessels was secretly prepared under cover of a point of land, ready to assault the ships, while the thirty men were to be murdered in