Now we knew that if Thedori, or any of the people, caught but a glimpse
of the "Golden Seahorse", they would make ready to attack her with all
the force at their command, but the "Speedwell" was unknown to them,
and there were many harbours among the Moluccas where our ship might
remain unnoticed while our plans were matured. The plan we had formed
was a simple one, and was therefore the more likely to succeed. It was,
shortly, as follows. On reaching the Moluccas we would choose a
convenient harbour as the base of our enterprise, when the "Speedwell"
would set out alone for the island ruled over by Thedori, where we had
no doubt the captain and crew would be well received, as is the habit
of this crafty king when dealing with strangers, in order that he may
eventually pillage them. Thedori was to be invited by Captain Smuts to
go aboard his vessel to inspect the cargo of furs and other goods in
which he proposed to trade. Once on board the "Speedwell", the King of
the Moluccas would be kidnapped, and brought away to where the "Golden
Seahorse" was at anchor, when Hartog undertook to deal with him.
Captain Smuts, whom we found waiting us at the Moluccas, was very ready
to fall in with this plan when we told him of the large pearls that
were to be found at the island, some of which we intended to demand as
the King's ransom for being allowed to return to his people.
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