Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in January, Dampier conveyed Jeoly and his sea chest aboard the
East-Indiaman
Defence,
commanded by a Captain Heath. But the
governor then went back on his word. Several stormy interviews fol-
lowed but the man proved quite intractable. Eventually the master
gunner of Bengkulu was obliged to escape by night through one of
his own gun ports. One of the
Defence
's boats met him on the beach
and he was hidden aboard the ship until she sailed on 25 January
1691.
They had a wretched crossing to the Cape. Contrary winds pro-
longed the voyage, and scurvy, thus, took its inevitable toll. Several of
the crew died and the rest were too weak to work the ship whenev-
er she was not running before the wind. At length the captain had
to offer a month's extra pay to any man who would be constantly
on call. This incentive dragged the last ounces of energy from those
who were still on their feet and the
Defence
reached the Cape in early
April. This Dutch port had now become a thriving, pleasant town and
a favourite stopping place with all sailors. Moreover, now that peace
was restored with Holland, English ships were very welcome there.
Much had happened in Europe since Dampier had left. He had been
absent for the entire reign of James II. While the traveller had been
lying sick at Achin, the Glorious Revolution had gathered momentum
and, eventually driven the last Stuart king from his throne. That seat
was now occupied by William of Orange, who ruled with his English-
born wife, Mary.
Dampier found his Dutch hosts very hospitable. Although the
charges for liquor were exorbitant, other commodities were reason-
ably priced and the officers of the Dutch East India Company went to
some lengths to entertain their guests, even to the extent of provid-
ing a pleasant garden for them to walk in:
This garden is full of divers sorts of herbs, flowers, roots, and
fruits, with curious spacious gravel walks and arbours; and is
