[Footnote 100:  A strange mode of expressing that Gilolo is immediately under the line.—­E]

As we were conversing together respecting our voyages, the Christian merchants addressed me as follows:  “Dearly beloved friend, as by the grace of God we are come thus far in safety, we will, if it so please you go to visit one of the finest islands in the world, and so rich as we believe you have never seen.  But we must go in the first place to another island named Borneo, where we shall procure a larger vessel, as we have to cross a deep and rough sea.”  My companion then desired them to do as they thought proper.  Therefore hiring a larger foist, we directed our voyage to that island, sailing to the southward both by day and night, and passing our time in much pleasant conversation.  The merchants, among other things, asked me many questions respecting the ceremonies and solemnities of the Christian religion as used among us in Europe.  And when I made mention of the Veronica or Vernacle of the face of Christ[101], and of the heads of St Peter and St Paul, the chiefest of the apostles, they told me secretly that if I would go with them, I should become a great man in their country by my knowledge of these divine things.  But being deterred by the length of the journey, and fearful that I might never be able to get home, I refused to accompany them.  At length we came to Borneo, which is 200 miles from Molucca and is somewhat bigger[102] and as low under the horizon.  The inhabitant are idolaters of a sharp wit and decent manner of life.  Their complexion inclines towards fair.  They do not all dress alike, as some wear cotton shirts, while others have camblet mantles, and others wear pointed caps of a red colour.  They are under regular government and submit to laws, which are righteously administered.  This island yields great quantities of camphor, which I was told was the gum of a tree; but I dare not affirm this for fact, as I have never seen the way in which it is procured.

[Footnote 101:  The Veronica among the Catholics, is the handkerchief with which our Saviour is supposed to have wiped his face during his passion, which they allege took from his bloody sweat a miraculous impression or portrait of his countenance.—­E.]

[Footnote 102:  Instead of being only somewhat larger than Gilolo, Borneo is perhaps the largest island in the world, except New Holland, being about 880 English miles in its greatest diameter from S.W. to N.E. and 550 in the opposite direction at the widest.—­E.]

At Borneo my companion hired a light bark for 100 pieces of gold, and having laid in provisions for the voyage, we directed our course for the great island of Gyava, or Java, to which we came in five days, sailing towards the south.  Our pilot used the mariners compass with loadstone, and the sea chart as ours do.  Observing that the north star could not be seen, my companion asked the Christian merchants