Knowing This, And
Being Doubtful Of Ever Recovering Our People Unless Bondiu Were
Extraordinarily Dealt With, I Resolved To Give That Personage A Present
To Secure Him In Our Interest.
In the afternoon, as he was passing on
foot along the street in which was our house, along with the young king
who gave him the post of honour, attended by about five hundred
followers, I went out into the street and saluted them.
Bon-diu stopped
at our door and thanked me for the salute given him in passing our ship.
I requested he would excuse me if I had hitherto neglected any part of
my duty towards him, which was owing to my small acquaintance with the
country and its customs, but that I meant to wait upon him either at his
lodgings or aboard his junk, before he left Firando. He answered, that I
should be heartily welcome, and remained so long in conversation, that
it was quite dark before he got to his lodgings. At this time I carried
the present to him, which he accepted in good part, offering to do our
nation all the good in his power at court, whither he was now bound, or
to serve us all he could any where else. Of his own accord, he began now
to speak about the deserters, asking me if they should all be pardoned
for his sake, if he brought them back to us? I answered, that the power
of pardon belonged to our general, not to me, and that I had no doubt
they might easily get free, except one or two of the chiefs in this and
other disorders, who richly deserved punishment. He then said that he
wished them all pardoned, without any exception: to which I answered,
that I was sure our general would most willingly do any thing desired by
his highness, or the two kings of Firando. In conclusion, he said, if I
would give it under my hand on the faith of a Christian, that all should
be pardoned for this time, and that I would procure the general to
confirm this at his return, he would then send to Nangasaki for the
deserters, and deliver them into my custody, otherwise he would not
meddle in the matter, lest he might occasion any of their deaths. I
answered, I was contented with any thing his highness was pleased to
command, and so gave him the desired writing under my hand, conditioning
that they were all to be sent back. I then returned to our house after
which the Dutch waited upon him with their present, but we were before
hand with them.
On the 8th Semidono passed our house, and told me that king Bon-diu
had a brother along with him, to whom it would be proper that we should
give a present, but not so large as that given to Bon-diu. On this,
advising with the other gentlemen, I laid out a present for him, and on
going to deliver it, I found the Dutch before me with theirs, Captain
Brower going with it himself.
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