AGAIN AT THE MOLUCCAS
Hartog was anxious, before returning home, that we should call again at
the Molucca Islands, and demand an explanation, together with a ransom
of pearls, from King Thedori, for having treated us so scurvily on our
former visit. We knew that this treacherous chief depended for the
success of his piratical schemes on taking by surprise those for whom
he pretended friendship, and for that reason we had arranged to meet
the "Speedwell" so that we might, by strategy, pay Thedori back in his
own coin, capture him, and hold him to ransom.
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.
The island we had chosen as the base for our operations happened to be
the one of which we had been told on our former visit that the men
possessed such large ears that with one ear they could, when they
liked, cover the whole of their heads; for when we landed, and met the
natives, we observed in them this remarkable peculiarity. Their heads
were the smallest and their ears the largest that I have ever seen in
human beings. The intelligence of these savages was as small as their
heads. They showed no interest in us, and seemed to be indifferent to
our appearance among them. This stupidity on their part, however, so
far from giving us any anxiety, rather commended itself to us, since it
appeared unlikely they would attempt to interfere with our plans.
When we had rested and refreshed ourselves for three days at this
island, the "Speedwell" set out upon her voyage to the main island,
leaving the "Golden Seahorse" to await her return. In order that I
might advise and consult with Captain Smuts with regard to our project,
I became his passenger on the "Speedwell", it being understood that I
was to keep out of sight until Thedori was safely aboard. So, every
precaution being taken in order to ensure success, we arrived at the
main island during the afternoon of the day we had set out, and cast
anchor in the bay from which, nearly six years before, in the "Golden
Seahorse", I had escaped with Hartog and our crew from the captivity
which Thedori had intended for us after capturing our vessel.
I had no pity for the man whom we had come to call to account, for, to
my mind, treachery is the worst of crimes. An open enemy may be fairly
encountered, but a snake in the grass can only be met by the same
serpent tricks as he plays upon others, and when I thought of the
welcome Thedori had given us at our first interview with him, when he
had exhorted us to land in safety so that we might enjoy the comforts
of life and recruit our strength, in order, as it subsequently
transpired, that he might betray us, I felt that no reprisals could be
too severe against one guilty of such roguish deception.
The city of Porne appeared unchanged from when I had last seen it.
There were a few new houses close to the beach, but otherwise the city
itself, with its low-built cabins and regular streets, was the same.
I was greatly surprised, however, upon entering the harbour to see the
Spanish frigate, upon which Donna Isabel Barreto had decamped with the
gold taken front the island of Armenio, at anchor close to the shore.
What could have brought the frigate here, and kept her here for so long
a time since I had last seen her at Sumatra, I was at a loss to
understand. The unexpected appearance of this vessel seemed likely to
complicate our plans, and I determined to elucidate the mystery before
proceeding with the matter in hand.
It was late in the afternoon when we cast anchor in Porne Harbour, and
that night the same wonderful display of glow-worms showed itself among
the woods on shore. It was then also that I knew that the black bats
would be abroad, so as to make it unlikely our movements would be
observed, since the inhabitants of Porne would be shut up in their
houses.
So, when all was still, I took the smallest of the ship's boats, and
was rowed in the direction of the frigate.