When we came alongside I climbed to the deck by the anchor-chain, when
I found the ship to be deserted, with hatches on, and the doors to the
cabins securely locked. So, judging we had nothing to fear from the
Spaniards, we returned to the "Speedwell" as silently as we had come. I
did not tell Captain Smuts of the treasure which I believed to be still
upon the frigate, as I desired, in the first place, to consult with
Hartog as to the course to be adopted regarding it. Captain Smuts, on
receiving my report that the Spanish ship was apparently out of
commission, concluded that no change need be made in our original plan,
the preparations for the carrying out of which were accordingly
proceeded with.
Next morning, after breakfast, the captain of the "Speedwell" and his
officers, in their best uniforms, and with a picked boat's crew, set
out for the shore, taking with them presents for King Thedori and his
chiefs, with a view to establishing friendly relations with them. In
the course of an hour they returned, when, the captain repeated to me
the greeting given him by the King of the Moluccas, which was almost
word for word that extended to Hartog at the time of his visit in the
"Golden Seahorse".
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