[Prisoners Ransom'd.] In fine, the Agreement was concluded, and the King discharg'd them for 2000 Florines. So they return'd to their Ships, except two, who hid themselves, taking a liking to that barbarous Way of living. The Governour Jacob Marts Dy'd, his Body was cast into the Sea, and the rest sailing to the [Dutch Depart.] Northward, directed their Course for the Island of Celebes. They pass'd by Combay, six Leagues from it, and beyond that of Routon, and escap'd the Ridges of Rocks of Cebessa, which are not mark'd down, nor taken Notice of in Maps. Their fell mighty Rains, and they steer'd North East for the Island of Amboyna, and in sight of Boora. A Boy dy'd aboard the Zealand; another falling off a Yard, into the Sea, held a Rope's End in his Mouth, that his arms might be at Liberty to swim, and quitted it not, till he had Help, and was sav'd. The next Day they lay by, and their Preacher made a long Spiritual Discourse upon the Sacraments, to celebrate the solemnity of Baptizing two Boys, whom he had already Catechis'd. On the first of March, not far from Blau, to the Eastward of Boora, they saw three other smaller Islands, call'd Atypoti, Maniba, and Gita, which are not far from [Come to Amboyna.] Amboyna. They pass'd by them, and arriv'd at Amboyna on the third of the same Month.
The Port is small, and at the Mouth of it, they were receiv'd by three Boats, belonging to the Town of Matel, seated on the Mountains. Thence they went on to that of Ito. Amboyna is about eight Leagues from Banda, to the Northward, in the Way to Ternate. The compass of it is fifteen Leagues, most fruitful in Cloves, Oranges, Lemmons, Citrons, Coco-Nuts, Bananas, Sugar-Canes, and other such like Product. The Natives are more open Hearted, and sincere, than those of the Moluccos or Banda; wear the same Habit; live Upon the Trade of Spice; are temperate and abstemious, [Their Weapons.] and great Sufferers of Hardship. Their Weapons, are Spears with Sharp twisted Ends; these they dart so dexterously, that they will hit the smallest Mark at a great Distance. They also use Cymiters and Shields, and now Muskets. They make great Masses of Sugar, Rice, and Almonds, like our [Carcoas.] Sugar-Loaves, and value themselves upon being able Seamen. Their Carcoas are like great Dragons, did these swim with their Bodies extended on the Water, and lifting up their two Ends of Head and Tail, which are gilt, and well Carv'd, and serve for Prow and Poop. At both of them hang Standards of several Sorts of Silk, and Colours, which are born up by the Wind, when they do not reach to the Water. The Admiral of Amboyna came with three of these Vessels full of arm'd Men, to see the Dutch, with a [Musick.] Noise of Kittle-Drums, and Brass Basons hanging on the Musitian's Left-Shoulder, and striking them with the Right-Hand, as they do the Tabors in Spain. They sang their set Airs, understood by none but the Native Amboyneses, tho' attentively listen'd to by the Dutch, for their Strangeness. The Slaves also sang to the Noise of their Oars. They fir'd the three Guns every Carcoa carry'd, being a Salute, in Honour of their Guests; who relying on that Reception, dropt their Anchors, posting many Sentinels, because they observ'd the Natives had done the same in all Parts, and there were constant Fires in many Places.