_Magellan_ with twenty three Sail of Ships, Mann’d with three thousand
five hundred Seamen, besides five hundred old _Netherland_ Soldiers,
with which he unhappily weigh’d Anchor from _Cales_; for before he got
out of sight of the _Spanish_ Coast, he lost five of his Ships and eight
hundred Men; yet prosecuting his Voyage, he stay’d during the Winter
Season on the Coast of _Brasile_ and was surpris’d by so vehement a
Storm, near the Island _Catalina_, that a company of Women, sent under
the Charge of _Peter Sarmiento_ to Settle in the _Straights_ of
_Magellan_, were all cast away, with the greatest part of the Ammunition
and Provisions. The _English_ Admiral _Fenton_ took three Ships of this
Fleet from _Flores_, two were cast away in the River _La Plata_, and one
ran back to _Spain_, whilest _Flores_ came into the _Straights_ of
_Magellan_ on the last day of _March_, at which time the whole Countrey
lay cover’d with Snow; wherefore seeing no hopes of finding out any
place to Settle _Sarmiento_ upon, he stood back with eight Sail to
_Brasile_, and in his Return burnt three _French_ Ships, took two more,
and Sail’d home. But his Lieutenant _Diego Ribera_, and the Governor
_Peter Sarmiento_, Landed the Year after _Flores_ his departure, with
four hundred Men, thirty Women, and Provisions for eight Moneths, in the
_Straights_ of _Magellan_; from whence _Ribera_ Sail’d back, whilest
_Sarmiento_ built on the North side of the Mouth of the _Straights_, the
Town _Nombre de Jesus_; and fifty Leagues farther in the narrowest
place, _Philip-stadt_, with four Bulwarks; the Inhabitants of which (as
is before related) were destroy’d by Famine.
[Sidenote: Description of _Terra del Fuego_.]
_Terra del Fuego_, already mention’d, opposite to the Countrey of the
_Patagones_, lying the South between the _Straights_ of _Magellan_, is a
broken Countrey, with high Mountains full of Trees, and wash’d by
pleasant Rivulets: four Foot deep in the Ground it begins to be all
Rocky. The Air is troubled with exceeding great Winds out of the West.
The Inhabitants are pale Countenanc’d, but Paint their Bodies with
divers Colours; they have long, thick, and black Hair, and very sharp
Teeth; the Men go stark naked; the Women cover their secret Parts with a
piece of Leather, and wear Strings full of Shells about their Necks;
some also Mantle themselves with the Skins of wild Beasts, which affords
but little warmth against the Cold that is here in Winter. Their Huts
consist of Trees, and are made round at bottom, and sharp on the top
like a Tent, having onely a Hole for the Smoak to go out at; they are
digg’d three Foot deep into the Ground, and also heap’d round with
Earth; within the Huts nothing is to be found but Baskets with Fishing
Utensils and Stone Hooks. Their offensive Arms the Men always carry
about with them, because they always maintain Wars with their Neighbors.
They handle a Quarter-staff very dexterously, are good Slingers and
Bowemen; they also use Lances with sharp Stone Points. Moreover they
make Boats of the Bark of Trees, which they first cut out into a Form,
then sewing it together, bow the same after the manner of a Boat, which
rises before and behind, and being fifteen or sixteen Foot long, can
carry eight Men, going exceeding swift. These People are not onely
beastial in their Practices, but also Murderers.
Lastly, besides the _Straights_ of _Le Maire_, _Henrick Brewer_ hath
found a new Passage to the Eastward above the _States-Island_, out of
the Northern Ocean to the South Sea.
[Illustration]
CHAP. IV.
The unknown South-Land.
The unknown _South-Land_ extends with several Points to the Southern
Ocean, which have been more seen than discover’d by divers Nations.
Opposite to the _East-India_ Island _Gilolo_, lies _Terra des Papous_,
to which _Jacob Le Maire_ gave the Denomination of _New Guinee_.
The _English_ Commander, _Richard Hawkins_, Sailing to the Southward
behind _Papou_, found the Inhabitants black like _Negro_’s: round about
appear several Isles and convenient Harbors. _Herrera_ places here on
the East, the Countrey _Agnanda_, the Road _St. Jago_, the Island _Los
Crespos_, the Haven _Andreas_, the River _Virginum_, and the little Isle
_La Vellena_, before the Mouth of the Stream _Augustine_. Next you meet
Easterly with the Rivers _St. Peter_ and _St. Paul_, the Havens
_Hieronymus_, the Isles _Punta Salida_, _Abrigo_, _Malagente_, and
_Maure de Dios_, inhabited by white People.
[Sidenote: Discoveries in _Terra Australis incognita_.]
The first that discover’d _New Guinee_, Anno 1529. was _Alvares de
Savedra_, who, as also several others besides him, suppos’d that some of
the Islands _Solomons_ border _New Guinee_.
Eighteen of the many _Solomon_ Isles exceed the rest, of which some are
three hundred Leagues in circumference, some two hundred, others one
hundred, and some fifty: All that are inhabited have a fruitful Soil,
producing all manner of Provisions, particularly Hogs and Poultrey. The
Natives differ very much one from another, for some are black, others
white or tawny.
The fore-mention’d _Hawkins_ in his Voyage towards the _Straights_ of
_Magellan_, supposing it by estimation to be fifty Leagues from the Main
Coast of _America_, discover’d forty Degrees to the Southward of the
_Equinoctial Line_, with a Westerly Wind, the unknown _South-Land_;
which he found to consist of low Land, and to be inhabited, by reason of
the many Fires which he saw ashore in the Night.
The _Spanish_ Commander, _Peter Fernandes de Quiro_, and the Admiral
_Lodowick Paes de Torres_, have made a farther Discovery of this
Countrey; for Landing on the _South-Land_, they met with several People,
some whereof were brown, others white, and others sallow; some had long
and lank, others short and curl’d Hair: They acknowledg’d no King or
supream Governor, nor were Govern’d by any Laws, neither had they any
Wall’d Towns or Forts; but being divided amongst themselves, they
continually Encountred one another with Darts, Clubs, and Staves. Their
Houses built of Wood, were cover’d with the Leaves of Palm-Trees. Their
Housholdstuff consisted in Earthen Dishes, Pots, Ropes, Fish-nets,
Flutes, Drums, and varnish’d Spoons. Their Gardens were neatly kept.
Near their Temples were Burying-places. They Row’d very swift in little
Boats. Their Bread, well tasted, was made of long thick Roots, either
roasted or boyl’d.
[Sidenote: Fertility, Plenty, and Riches of the Countrey.]
Here also grow sorts of _Platano_’s, great abundance of Almonds,
Oranges, Citrons, thick Sugar-Canes, Palm-Trees, which yield Wine,
_Cocoa_’s, and _Obos_, in taste not much unlike Quinces; but the
greatest benefit which they receive, is from the _Cocoa_ Nuts, the Pulp
whereof is delicious Meat and Drink; the outermost Shells whereof serve
for Cups or Dishes, the inner for Ropes and Cordage; of the Leaves they
make Sails and Mats, and cover their Houses with the same; of the Body,
Oars, Clubs, Pikes, and Props for their Houses.
Besides several sorts of Pot-herbs, here grow very high Coleworts and
_Bledo_’s.
The Countrey also abounds with Pigeons, Partridges, Ducks, Goats, Hogs,
and other ordinary Cattel and Fowls.
The Rivers afford them Souls, Salmon, Thornback, Sea-Cocks, Eels,
Gurnets, and several other unknown Fishes, very delicate and wholsom.
This Countrey also produces Nutmegs, Mastick, Peppers, Ginger, Cinamon,
Gold, Silver, Pearls, Silk, Sugar, Anniseed, Honey, Wax, Ebony-wood,
Turpentine, Lime-pits, and Marble.
_Philips-Bay_ bends twenty Leagues into the Countrey, hath a safe
Harbor, and excellent Ground, consisting of black Sand. Two great Rivers
discharge their Waters into the said Bay, round about which are pleasant
Woods, full of Quails, Parrakito’s, Parrots, Nightingales, and
Bulfinches, which Sing very sweetly. The Blossoms, especially of
Orange-Trees, and the Herb _Alvaca_, yield an odoriferous smell. The
wholsom Air adds vigor to aged People.
[Sidenote: _Abel Tasman_’s Expedition to _Terra Australis Incognita_.]
[Sidenote: _The Southlander’s desperate Attempt upon Tasman’s Ships._]
_Fernandes de Quir_ delivering the fore-mention’d Account to _Philip_
the Second, King of _Spain_, mov’d him to Plant the unknown
_South-Land_, and the rather, because he had not found any snowy
Mountains, drown’d Land, Crocodiles, _Muschito_’s, or any hurtful
Creature, yet was not regarded; so that no _Spaniard_ hath since that
time set Foot on the unknown _South-Land_. But the _East-India_ Company
undertaking the Design with great eagerness, sent thither two Ships,
_viz._ the _Hemskerk_ and _Sea-Cock_, under the Command of _Abel
Tasman_, to make a farther Discovery of the said _South-Land_: _Anno
1642._ on the twelfth of _August_, they weigh’d Anchor from _Batavia_,
Sail’d through the _Straights_ of _Sunda_ to _Maurice-Island_, where
they Anchor’d in the North-West Haven before the Castle
_Frederick-Henrick_, on the fifth of _September_ in the fore-mention’d
Year. On the eighth of _Octob._ _Tasman_ stood over to the _South-Land_,
near which he was surpris’d by a violent Storm; afterwards, on the
twenty fifth of _November_, he discover’d a barren Shore, against which
the Sea beat very furiously; and Steering along this Coast, he found a
convenient Inlet, but was forc’d by the hard Weather to stand off to Sea
again; yet not long after approaching the Shore, he saw great hollow
Trees, and round about them abundance of Mussle-shells, and from the
Wood heard a shrill noise of People Singing: Going to the same place
again, he put the Orange Flag on a Pole, Carv’d with the _East-India_
Companies Arms, and call’d the Inlet _Frederick-Henrick_, the whole
Coast, _Anthony van Diemen_. Sailing from thence Eastward, he on the
eighteenth of _December_ discovered a convenient Haven, where sending
his Sloop to discover the Shore, he came back in the Evening, being
follow’d by a Boat, which approach’d nearer and nearer, but Night coming
upon him, he could not well discern what they were that pursu’d him, but
heard the cry of hoarse Voices, and a shrill noise like that of a
Trumpet, which the _Netherland_ Seamen answer’d by hollowing, and
blowing on their Trumpets, and at last firing a Gun, the _Southlanders_
made a hideous noise, and blowing their Horns, return’d ashore. _Tasman_
hereupon call’d his Watch, laid Hangers, Pikes, and Musquets ready
Charg’d, upon the Decks. The next day the _Southlanders_ came in several
Boats, two and two ty’d together, and cover’d with Planks, towards the
Ships; the Gunner of the _Hemskerk_ going with six Men in a Boat to help
mount some Guns in the _Sea-Cock_, were betwixt both Ships set upon by
the _Southlanders_, who approacht with a hideous noise, kill’d four of
the _Hollanders_ with long Poles, and forc’d the other three to save
themselves by swimming; which they had no sooner done, but they Row’d
with incredible swiftness towards the Shore, insomuch that they were out
of the reach of their Guns before they could make ready to fire at them.
_Tasman_ finding that there was no good to be done here, since he
hazarded the Lives of his Seamen against a company of wild People, he
set Sail, but was follow’d by divers Boats, at which he fir’d his
After-Guns with pieces of Iron and Stones, which killing some of them,
made the rest return. In the midst of the Boats, which were ty’d two and
two together, sat the Commander, who encourag’d the Rowers; they all
us’d Clubs without Points.
These People were gross of Body, undaunted, strong, and of a tawny
colour; the Hair of their Heads stroak’d up round, was ty’d up on their
Crown, on which stuck a stiff white Feather; about their Necks hung a
square Plate; they wore in stead of Cloaks, square pieces of Cloth, made
fast before on their Breasts.
_Tasman_, by reason of his rough Entertainment call’d this Harbor,
_Murderers-Bay_, and afterwards Sail’d along the Shore till the fifth of
_January 1643._ on which Day he dropt Anchor near a little Rocky Island,
from which fell two Streams, with a great noise into the Sea. The
Inhabitants, a strong People, beckned to the Seamen to come on Shore;
some lean’d on thick Clubs, others Fenc’d one with another. _Tasman_
sending his Sloop ashore for Water with two Drakes, return’d without
any, not being able to Land, by reason of the hollow Sea near the Shore;
wherefore Sailing from thence he discover’d two low Isles, which were
full of Woods of very tall Trees; from the biggest whereof came a little
Boat, sharp before and behind, in which three sallow Men, sitting behind
one another, Row’d with great swiftness towards the _Hemskerk_;
whereupon _Tasman_ commanded all his Men to go under the Hatches, that
the three _Southlanders_ might not be afraid to come aboard; he also
threw a piece of Linnen out of his Cabbin Window, which one of them,
leaping into the Sea, took up, and as a sign of thankfulness, laid the
same on his Head, and being hereby emboldned, they came nearer the
Rudder, where they took up a Knife, ty’d to a piece of Wood, out of the
Water, and return’d the Seamen a Fishhook of Mother-of-Pearl, ty’d to a
Cotton Line. Approaching the Shore, they saw abundance of People running
along, with two little Flags on Sticks. Some of the Natives came in
their Boats close up with _Tasman_’s Ship; and one more bold than the
rest entring the same, was found to be a tall Man with a broad black
Beard, and green Leaves about his Neck, who sat down on the Deck with
his Legs under him, and bow’d down his Head oftentimes very low:
_Tasman_ returning his Civility, took him by the Hand to Treat him in
his Cabbin, but a Dog which was in the Ship Barking, he grew fearful,
and went into his Boat again. Several other _Southlanders_ swam aboard,
and others brought _Pisang_ and _Clappes_ in their Boats. Against the
Evening a great Vessel, surrounded with lesser Boats, came Rowing
towards the _Hemskerk_, the Men making a great noise; the Seamen fearing
some Design, ran all to their Arms, but were convinc’d of their
Friendship by the Gifts they Presented them with from the Governor of
the Island. The next day a strange Boat came near the _Sea-Cock_, _viz._
two Sloops, which being ty’d together, and cover’d with Boards, carry’d
several Men, Commanded by a Captain, by them call’d _Orangkay_: On the
midst of the Boards which cover’d the two Boats, stood a Hut made of
Rushes, and cover’d over with _Pisang_ Leaves; the Sails being made of
Mats, caus’d it to Sail very swiftly. Round about this Sloop Row’d
lesser Boats, out of which loud Acclamations were heard, every one
crying out, _Hael, Hael_: during which noise, those _Southlanders_ which
were already come aboard, sat still on the Decks, which made _Tasman_
think that their King himself was coming to give him a Visit, which
accordingly fell out, for he came and Presented him with several Hogs,
Poultrey, _Clappes_ and _Pisang_, all cover’d with white Cloths.
[Sidenote: Interview between _Tasman_ and the _Southlander_ King.]
This _Southlandish_ King was Habited in a Suit, the Stuff whereof
resembled _Chinese_ Paper, doubled and pasted together, and was attended
by a great Train of Men, Women, and Children, all of them as black as a
Coal; some of them swam after, and others follow’d him in Boats.
These _Southlanders_ barter’d their Clothes and Necklaces, which
consisted of Mother-of-Pearl and white Cockles, and Fishhooks made also
of Mother-of-Pearl, against Nails, Knives, and the like Trifles.
_Tasman_ caus’d a Shirt, Breeches, Doublet, and Hat, to be put on an old
_Orangkay_; who being thus Cloth’d, stood a considerable time admiring
of himself, and was also much wonder’d at by his Subjects; but going
into the Countrey, he came back without his Clothes.
Another _Orangkay_ being Presented with a Rummer of Wine, pour’d out the
Wine, and setting the Rummer on his Head, went away with great joy.
Some of the Governors view’d the Ships, not onely above, but also below
the Decks, and being brought to the Guns, they desir’d to know the use
of them; whereupon one being Discharg’d, it so affrighted them, that had
they not been held, they had all leap’d overboard.
Provisions were daily brought by the _Southlanders_ to the _Hollanders_
in great Vessels, surrounded by many lesser; still as they put their
Oars into the Water, they made a hideous noise.
_Tasman_ bringing some empty Vessels upon the Deck, thereby to make them
understand that he wanted fresh Water, the _Orangkays_ pointed to the
Shore; whither they went with two Boats, which return’d without Water,
the Inhabitants themselves being forc’d to dig Pits to get the same.
Mean while other _Southlanders_ coming aboard, the Pilot and Boatswain’s
Boy blow’d on their Trumpets, another play’d on a Flute, and a fourth on
a Violin, whilst some of the Seamen Dancing, so amaz’d the Natives, that
they stood like senseless Creature, gaping with open Mouth upon them.
_Tasman_ looking into a Grammar which contain’d the Language of the
_Solomons_ Isles, found that many words which were us’d by these People,
had a great similitude with those of that Language.
Besides these Men, there came likewise a great many Women aboard, all of
them extraordinary tall, especially two, who might justly be stil’d
Giantesses; one whereof had Mustacho’s; both ran, and embracing the
Chirurgeon _Henrick Haelbos_, desir’d carnal Copulation with him, and
seem’d to quarrel one with another about him: Others confidently put
their Hands into the _Hollanders_ Breeches, their Husbands giving
consent thereunto: All of them had thick, curl’d, black Hair, which they
colour’d red, and comb’d with ten little round Sticks ty’d together on
the top, and left wide like Teeth at the bottom; yet some of them let
their Hair hang down in long braided Locks; they shave their upper Lips,
but keep a square Beard on their Chin; yet amongst the old People there
were some whose Cheeks were overgrown with Hair: Their manner of shaving
is with the Teeth of certain Fish made fast to a Stick; they all went
bare-headed, except some few, who ty’d a square piece of Stuff, wrought
of Leaves or Feathers, above their Eyes against the Sun; the upper parts
of their Bodies were all naked, but about their Middle some wore a
Girdle, others a Mat of _Clappes_ Leaves, others a Cloth not unlike
_Chinese_ Paper, about the lower parts of their Bodies. The Womens
Apparel differ’d little from the Mens, excepting that their Aprons
reach’d farther down, _viz._ to their Knees. They barter’d their Clothes
against Nails. Some of the _Orangkays_, being Entertain’d in the Cabbin,
wonder’d to see a Bullet that was Discharg’d from the Quarter deck, fall
into the Water at so great a distance. They wore about their Necks
Mother-of-Pearl, white Cockles, sweet-smelling Flowers, green Leaves, or
the Nails which they had gotten of the _Hollanders_: Some of the aged
Women wanted both their little Fingers, and the young ones the upper
Joints of them, which the old Men also wanted: _Haelbos_ pointing at the
Stump, ask’d the reason of it, but one of them laying his Hand under his
Chin, made strange Signs, out of which he could apprehend nothing.
On the twenty third of _January_, a second time _Tasman_ went ashore for
Water, carrying Spades and Pick-axes with him, to dig Pits with. Two of
the _Hollanders_ Boats going close together, in each of which were three
_Southlanders_, _Tasman_ call’d to his Rowers to pull stoutly; which the
_Southlanders_ in _Tasman_’s Boat observing to tend to their Rowing the
swifter, laugh’d and hooted at their Countrey-men that were in the
_Sea-Cocks_ Boat, when they chanc’d to get beyond them. _Tasman_ in his
going ashore discover’d several Isles at a distance, was kindly
Entertain’d, and towards the Evening carry’d by four Men through the
Water, on a Mat made fast betwixt two Poles, to his Sloop, whither they
also brought nine Hogs, and fresh Water digg’d out of Pits.
_Tasman_ being got about the Point of the Island, saw the _Hemskerk_
under Sail; wherefore Rowing aboard the _Sea-Cock_, he was inform’d that
she had slipt her Anchor; whereupon following her, he got sight of
another green Island the next day, along the Shore whereof ran several
People with Sticks, on which hung white Cloths: some of them came
aboard, and brought with them what Provisions the Island afforded. The
Inhabitants barter’d _Clappes_, _Pisang_, Fowls, Hogs, Mother-of-Pearl
Fish-hooks, Stone Axes, little Stools, great Clubs, with a black Point
as long as a Man’s Arm, and hooked, against Trifles. The _Hollanders_
were also stor’d here with fresh Water. The People both in Language,
Habit, and Customs, were very like those of the first Island, but were
not altogether so courteous. One of the _Southlanders_ stealing a
Half-pike out of the Boat was forc’d by his Companions to restore the
same.
The fore-mention’d _Haelbos_ relates, That going ashore with some
Soldiers, he saw their Houses, which he found to be built after a
strange manner, _viz._ some of them were round like Towers, Wider at top
than at bottom, and without any Holes for Air, but all built close of
Canes, which were stuck in the Ground; other Huts were cover’d with a
long Roof of _Pisang_ or _Clappes_ Leaves, resting on Posts; under which
kind of Building _Haelbos_ shelter’d himself against a mighty Shower of
Rain, found divers young Men and Women sitting on Mats, and an old
Woman, blind through Age, lying by them on the Ground, and Fanning her
self with _Pisang_ Leaves: The Men going away, signifi’d thereby a kind
of Invitation to the _Hollanders_ to go to the Women, who not receiving
the Entertainment they expected, rose altogether on a sudden, and
Singing, Danc’d about the _Hollanders_. The Men had on their Shoulders
and Breasts, Scars of half an Inch deep, and an Inch long; upon some of
which, being fresh and bleeding, the Flyes sat. They eat after a strange
manner, for stripping off the outmost Rinds of the _Clappes_ with their
Teeth, and breaking the hard Shell against their Elbows, they pull out
the Kernel, and eat the same. Whatever Flesh-meat they eat, they never
throughly boyl or roast it, but make it onely just warm. They sleep on
the Ground upon Mats, and lay their Heads on a little woodden Cricket
with four Feet. They take great pride in their Hair, and those that have
not long Hair of their own, use Perukes.
_Tasman_ steering his Course towards the high Coast that lay before this
Island, was follow’d by several small Vessels from the adjacent Shore,
of which some carry’d a Bough of _Clappes_ or _Pisang_, with white Veins
at the ends; but seeing the Ships Sail from them, they threw the same
overboard. _Tasman_ standing Westerly, discover’d three Isles, near the
last whereof the Sea broke exceedingly, which the _Hollanders_ not
without great danger had approached in the Night: after which they
discover’d to Leeward of them, a high Coast, which extended it self a
great way, but the Sea went so rough, that they durst not venture near
the Land; besides, the Sea went very high on a Bank, first ten, then
five, three and a half, and again ten, fourteen, and seven Fathom deep;
and oftentimes a Man might see the Ground, insomuch that they kept out
the Boats belonging to the _Hemskerk_, which was in most danger, to
carry them aboard of the _Sea-Cock_, if the first should chance to
split. Lastly, getting over the Bank, they saw very high Land to
Windward, and many hilly Isles to Leeward; the Sea also was full of
blind Rocks and Shelves, so that they were in danger every hour, and the
rather, because the Wind blew hard every day; yet at last losing sight
of Land, they steer’d their Course Westerly in five Degrees Southward of
the _Line_, towards _New Guinee_. On the two and twentieth of _March_
they discover’d low Land full of Woods of tall Trees, surrounded with a
company of Isles, against some of which the Sea brake with great
violence, insomuch that they were again in great danger, especially when
they were got amongst eighteen Isles, between which the Water being
shallow, and the Current running very strongly, drove the Ships towards
the Shore: Whilest they were Tacking to and again to get beyond the
Shelves, a little Vessel, carrying a great Weathercock on her
Star-board, came from the Shore, Row’d by seven Men, who sat on Boards
which lay over the same; they were of a brown Complexion, onely girt
about with a hairy Girdle, made fast on the top of their Heads; under
their Feet they also wore something in stead of Shoes, about their Necks
hung Flowers, and their Bodies were Painted black: Among the seven, one
who was very fat, and whose Head was adorn’d with two Feathers, stood up
and proffer’d the Seamen two _Clappes_, in return whereof _Tasman_ gave
them a Box of Nails and a piece of Sail-cloth, which sinking under
Water, an aged Man div’d for the same, and bringing it up, gave it to
his six Companions, who made no shew of thankfulness. Their Arms
consisted in Bowes and Arrows. Their _Clappes_ they call’d _Anieuw_, as
the other Islanders had done.