We were not in, search of monsters, he said, but of treasure.
We had been informed by one of the merchants at Amsterdam that when we
should come to the island of Solo, one of the group of the Molucca
Islands, we would find pearls as large as clove's eggs, but Thedori did
not encourage us when we hinted to him our desire to possess some of
these marvels. They were only to be found, he said, in very deep water,
and this was not the season to obtain them. We decided not to press the
matter, since we desired to leave a favourable impression, but Hartog
promised himself a return visit, when, should friendly overtures prove
of no avail, an appeal, might be made to the King's better judgment
with the aid of our six guns and brass bowchaser. It is certain that
pearls of great size do exist on these islands. The King wore one in
his crown the size of a hen's egg.
On our first night in harbour at the Molucca Islands we witnessed the
most remarkable display I have ever beheld. The islands are well
wooded, and amongst the trees by night, through the whole island, did
show themselves an infinite swarm of fiery worms flying in the air,
whose bodies, being no larger than common house-flies, made such a show
and light as if every twig or tree had been a burning candle.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169