in I was told that 2 ships had been sent from Amboina in quest of me; which was lately confirmed by one of the skippers, whom I by accident met with here.  He told me they had 3 protests against me; that they came to Pulo Sabuda on the coast of New Guinea 28 days after my departure thence, and went as far as Schouten’s Island and, hearing no further news of me, returned.  Something likewise to this purpose Mr. Merry, commander of the Fleet frigate, told me at my first arrival here; and that the general at Batavia had a copy of my commission and instructions; but I looked upon it as a very improbable thing.

While we lay here the Dutch held several consultations about sending some ships for Europe sooner than ordinary:  at last the 16th of October was agreed upon for the day of sailing, which is 2 months sooner than usual.  They lay ready 2 or 3 days before, and went out on the 10th.  Their names were the Ostresteen, bound to Zealand; the Vanheusen, for Enchiehoust; and the 3 Crowns, for Amsterdam, commanded by skipper Jacob Uncright, who was commodore over all the rest.  I had by this time finished my business here, namely fitted the ship, recruited myself with provision, filled all my water; and, the time of the year to be going for Europe being now at hand, I prepared to be gone also.

Departure from Batavia.

Accordingly on the 17th of October, at half an hour after 6 in the morning, I weighed anchor from Batavia, having a good land-wind at south, and fair weather:  and by the 19th at noon came up with the 3 Dutch ships before mentioned.  The 29th of November in the morning we saw a small hawk flying about the ship till she was quite tired.  Then she rested on the mizzen-topsail-yard, where we caught her.  It is probable she was blown off from Madagascar by the violent northerly winds; that being the nighest land to us, though distance near 150 leagues.

1701.

Touch at the cape of good hope.

The 30th December we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and departed again on the 11th of January, 1701.  About the end of the month we saw abundance of weeds or blubber swim by us, for I cannot determine which.  It was all of one shape and colour.  As they floated on the water they seemed to be of the breadth of the palm of a man’s hand, spread out round into many branches about the bigness of a man’s finger.  They had in the middle a little knob, no bigger than the top of a man’s thumb.  They were of a smoke-colour; and the branches, by their pliantness in the water, seemed to be more simple than jellies, I have not seen the like before.

And at st. Helena.

The 2nd of February we anchored in St. Helena Road and set sail again from thence on the 13th.

Arrival at the island of ascension.  A leak sprung.