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146 C H A P T E R XV How I went from Melaka to Manila in the year 1597. The events that I experienced before I arrived Nothing affects a man more in his life as not having resources; and I cannot put in words what I felt when my house burnt to the ground with all my possessions. However, the enthusiasm that I always had to improve my circumstances remained undiminished. A few days after that, an opportunity presented itself when a junk captained by Martim Afonso was sailing to Manila. I embarked aboard the vessel. Then, as there is inevitably to be some friction aboard ships, it so happened that as soon as we arrived at a tip of the island of Borneo—which is called Tanjung Baram —there were some differences involving one of my companions. A man who was quick to draw his sword had injured a Castilian in the head. The captain of the junk was a young man. Instead of calming frayed tempers he further fanned the flames of the quarrel and supported the other party. As a result, all the men on board were split into two factions. A great misfortune would have befallen us if we had not managed to call in at port on the said island. We sailed along the coast of the island for 30 leguas until we were in front  Ms. fol. 53 recto–58 recto.  See Chapter XII.  Ms. Tangibaran. See the list of place names (Tangibaran).  Ms. here and subsequently: Castellano.  About 165–83 kilometres. 15-16 MJdC.indd 146 10/18/13 11:25:12 AM 147 Jacques de Coutre’s Life in Southeast Asia: Chapter XV of the port, accompanied by more than 500 perahus of the orang laut, which seemed like a very powerful fleet. They came to sell us refreshments: water, fruit, chickens, fish and other things; however, we traded with them very carefully, always keeping our weapons in our hands. We did not let them come on board to trade except in groups with no more than four individuals at a single time, because they are treacherous people; because they are thieves in the guise of fishermen, and we have learnt our lesson the hard way. When we were five leguas away from the port, a Castilian colleague who was called Gómez Arias and I disembarked into one of those perahus, and we went ashore to charter a Chinese junk, so that I and my companions could go to Manila in it, as a result of the differences that had arisen. I came across a junk with Chinese and Borneans who were getting ready to set sail. Amongst them there were five Christians from Melaka. I struck a deal with them and hired half the junk from them. When we returned to our vessel we found that the disputing parties had made their peace. Despite all this, Gómez Arias and I unloaded all of our belongings, since our other friends did not wish to disembark. We returned to shore in order to go to Manila on the junk that we had chartered. The Chinese and the owner were extremely happy that we were accompanying them. Our [original] junk then entered the port, because the captain was bringing an embassy that had been sent by the captain of Melaka to the king of that island.10 He received it with scant ceremony because he did not have many resources. His palace was located on an islet and was made of bamboo—which is a plant that is of the same species as reeds and looks similar to them, but can be as thick as a man; some of them are solid while others are hollow—and he had eight ships beached on the shore equipped with bronze artillery.11 The islet was encompassed by the city, which was very large, having been founded on the sea between some cliffs that surrounded it like a bay. The houses were  The port of “Borneo” was located in Brunei Bay. See also the list of place names (Borneo).  Ms. paros de Saletes. The exact identity of these people is unknown. It could possibly be a reference to the Bajau laut. See also the glossary (Bayus).  About 27.5–30.9 kilometres.  Ms. junco de Chinos. 10 Variously known from period sources as the king or emperor of Borneo; a forefather of the present Sultan of Brunei. 11 Ms. pieças de bronze...

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