Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra17181886roya).pdf/246

 some of their countrymen who had been cast away in their former ships, and some others who had been made prisoners for endeavouring to pass false money; but as the natives demanded too high a ransom they attempted to rescue them by force; but two boats full of armed men being sunk in the attempt, they were forced to comply with the terms demanded. They settled a trade at Amboina, and two of the ships opened a factory at Banda, where they loaded with spice, and returned into Holland on the 20th of April 1600. Those who werc left in the remaining ship at Amboina went to Ternate in the Moluccas, where they were well received by the king, and after procuring a lading of cloves returned home.

The Hollanders, becoming powerful at the Molucca islands, and forming an alliance with these islanders, who were weary of the avarice and tyranny of the Portuguese, expelled them from Amboina and established themselves at Ternate, whence the Portuguese had been formerly expelled by the natives, by the aid of the king of Ternate. The Hollanders likewise about 1601 got possession of the fort of Tidore, whence about 1400 Portuguese were permitted to retire by sea to the Philippine Islands, where they were hospitably received by Don, who commanded there for the Spaniards. In February 1605, sailed from the Philippines with 1,000 Spanish and 400 native troops, and recovered the fort of Ternate, chiefly owing to the bravery of, who commanded a company of Portuguese in this expedition. thence proceeded for Tidore, which he likewise reduced, by which conquest the Molucca islands became subject to Spain.

About this time a large English ship and a ketch had an engagement with two Portuguese ships beyond the Cape of Good Hope, which escaped after suffering a severe loss. These English ships went afterwards to Surat, where they were found by, who had four well-manned galleons, but ill provided with gunners, who were ignorant and cowardly. On descrying these large ships, though the English had reason to be afraid of their number, they undervalued them as heavy sailors, and immediately engaged and fought them till evening, killing 30 of the Portuguese. The engagement recom-