Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra17181886roya).pdf/228

 navigation, PEREZ set out with ships and a galley in quest of provisions. While sailing towards Singapore, the galley dis- covered a sail, and stuck by it till the fleet came up. It was found to be laden with provisions and ammunition for PATE QUITIR. PEREZ brought the captain and other headmen on board his own ships, where they attempted to slay the Portu- guese, even PEREZ being stabbed in the back by a kris or dag- ger. Being foiled in this attempt, most of them leapt into the sea, but some were taken and put to the rack, who confessed that there was a son of QUITIR among them, and that they were followed by three other vessels similarly laden. These were likewise captured and carried to Malacca. At the same time GOMEZ DE CUNHA arrived with his ships with provisions from Pegu, where he had been to settle a treaty of amity and commerce with the king of that country. The famine being thus appeased and the men recovered, PEREZ attacked PATE QUITIR by sea and land; and having fortunately succeeded in the capture of his fortified quarters, which were set on fire, that chieftain was forced to retire to Java, and LACSAMANA, on seeing this success of the Portuguese, retired with his forces.

This island (Java) is almost 100 leagues in length from east to west, but is narrow in proportion to its breadth, being divided by a long range of mountains through its whole length, like the Apennines of Italy, which prevents intercourse be- tween the two coasts. It has several ports and good cities, and its original inhabitants appear to have come from China. In after times the Moors of Malacca possessed themselves of the sea-coast, obliging the natives to take shelter in the forests and mountains of the interior. At this period a Malay chief named PATI UNUS was lord of the city of Japara, who became afterwards King of Sunda. Indignant that the metro- polis of the Malayan territories should be possessed by the enemies of the Mahometan faith, he had been seven years preparing a powerful armament of ninety sail to attempt the