Deform’d people.
After all this Entertainment, Weighing from hence, Schouten Sail’d along the Coast of New-Guiny, where three Boats full of Negro’s came Rowing towards them, Slinging very fiercely Stones at them, and hovering about, attended their motion all night. Next morning, seven Boats more coming to their assistance, they set upon the Hollanders, but soon fled from their Bullets; yet two of the Negro’s were taken, that in each Nostril wore a Ring. Sailing further, several Boats came aboard of them, whereof those that Row’d, breaking their Assagays or Launces over their Heads, enter’d the Ship; the Hair of their Heads and Beards bedawb’d with Lime, flew about, whilst they Danc’d on the Decks, after they had eaten a good Meal: But they endeavor’d to reward this their kind Entertainment with Treachery, for going ashore, they soon after return’d in greater numbers, and sat upon the Anchors which lay over the Bows of the Ship, and there being a great calm, endeavor’d to Towe the Ship towards the Shore, whilst others threw Stones and Arrows. But so soon as the Hollanders firing their Guns Wounded several of them, they all fled, except some which they took Prisoners, whereof one whom they afterwards call’d Moses, did them great service.
But Le Maire was amaz’d at nothing more, than when on the next Coast he saw several little Houses built about nine Foot high, out of which many People issu’d, which were all deform’d, either having Wry Noses, Bow Legs, Squint Eyes, or crooked Backs, and all in one part or another mis-shapen.
At last, Anchoring before Jacatra, the Ship was stopt there by order of the East-India Company, and the Men divided and put aboard those Ships that Sail’d from India to Holland, and arriv’d in safety at Flushing, after they had Sail’d about the World, in two years and eighteen days.
Sect. XVIII.
Voyage of the Nassavian Fleet, under the Command of Jaques L’Heremite, and Geen Huigo Schapenham.
Remarkable Exploits of L’Hermite.
The United Netherlands, to abate the Spanish Greatness, set out a considerable Fleet, which they sent to try their fortune, in making Prize of what ever they could light upon in any of their Havens wash’d by the South-Sea.
Jaques L’Hermite had ten Ships under his Command, Mann’d with sixteen hundred thirty seven Men, and two hundred ninety four Brass and Iron Guns, with which he set Sail from Goree, Anno 1623. and coming before Cape Vincent, he discover’d eleven Turkish Pirates, whom fighting, he beat, and re-took the Holland Ships they had made Prize of.
At Roxents Head, L’Hermite gave chase to fifteen Spanish Ships, and coming up with them, sunk eleven, and took four laden with Sugar. Afterwards Anchoring at Safia, he sent the Ship Over-yssel, and a Frigat call’d the Gray-Hound, to Convoy home the Prizes; afterward being inform’d, that thirty Spanish Ships were making to them, Sailing into the Haven St. Vincent, the Spring Water that he supply’d his empty Cask with being brakkish, caus’d an excoriation of the Guts, which brought the Bloody-Flux, whereby he lost many of his Sea-men; being well entertain’d by the Salvages of Antonio, they went on to Sierra Leona, a Mountainous Point full of Lime-Trees, here they found the Names of Sr. Francis Drake, and other English cut in a Rock.
After that he put in at the fruitful Island Annabon, where he caus’d his Chirurgeon to be Beheaded.