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第4章

early australian voyages-第4章

小说: early australian voyages 字数: 每页4000字

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 their defence; in case the inhabitants of Java were at war with the Dutch。  They found two other ships in company; on board one of which was Mr。 Ramburg; counsellor of the Indies。 Captain Pelsart went immediately on board his ship; where he acquainted him with the nature of his misfortune; and went with him afterwards to Batavia。

We will now leave the captain soliciting succours from the Governor… General; in order to return to the crew who were left upon the islands; among whom there happened such transactions as; in their condition; the reader would little expect; and perhaps will hardly credit!  In order to their being thoroughly understood; it is necessary to observe that they had for supercargo one Jerom Cornelis; who had been formerly an apothecary at Harlem。  This man; when they were on the coast of Africa; had plotted with the pilot and some others to run away with the vessel; and either to carry her into Dunkirk; or to turn pirates in her on their own account。  This supercargo had remained ten days on board the wreck; not being able in all that time to get on shore。  Two whole days he spent on the mainmast; floating to and fro; till at last; by the help of one of the yards; he got to land。  When he was once on shore; the command; in the absence of Captain Pelsart; devolved of course upon him; which immediately revived in his mind his old design; insomuch that he resolved to lay hold of this opportunity to make himself master of all that could be saved out of the wreck; conceiving that it would be easy to surprise the captain on his return; and determining to go on the accountthat is to say; to turn pirate in the captain's vessel。  In order to carry this design into execution; he thought necessary to rid themselves of such of the crew as were not like to come into their scheme; but before he proceeded to dip his hands in blood; he obliged all the conspirators to sign an instrument; by which they engaged to stand by each other。

The whole ship's company were on shore in three islands; the greatest part of them in that where Cornelis was; which island they thought fit to call the burying…place of Batavia。  One Mr。 Weybhays was sent with another body into an adjacent island to look for water; which; after twenty days' search; he found; and made the appointed signal by lighting three fires; which; however; were not seen nor taken notice of by those under the command of Cornelis; because they were busy in butchering their companions; of whom they had murdered between thirty and forty; but some few; however; got off upon a raft of planks tied together; and went to the island where Mr。 Weybhays was; in order to acquaint him with the dreadful accident that had happened。  Mr。 Weybhays having with him forty…five men; they all resolved to stand upon their guard; and to defend themselves to the last man; in case these villains should attack them。  This indeed was their design; for they were apprehensive both of this body; and of those who were on the third island; giving notice to the captain on his return; and thereby preventing their intention of running away with his vessel。  But as this third company was by much the weakest; they began with them first; and cut them all off; except five women and seven children; not in the least doubting that they should be able to do as much by Weybhays and his company。  In the meantime; having broke open the merchant's chests; which had been saved out of the wreck; they converted them to their own use without ceremony。

The traitor; Jerom Cornelis; was so much elevated with the success that had hitherto attended his villainy; that he immediately began to fancy all difficulties were over; and gave a loose to his vicious inclinations in every respect。  He ordered clothes to be made of rich stuffs that had been saved; for himself and his troop; and having chosen out of them a company of guards; he ordered them to have scarlet coats; with a double lace of gold or silver。  There were two minister's daughters among the women; one of whom he took for his own mistress; gave the second to a favourite of his; and ordered that the other three women should be common to the whole troop。  He afterwards drew up a set of regulations; which were to be the laws of his new principality; taking to himself the style and title of Captain…General; and obliging his party to sign an act; or instrument; by which they acknowledged him as such。  These points once settled; he resolved to carry on the war。  He first of all embarked on board two shallops twenty…two men; well armed; with orders to destroy Mr。 Weybhays and his company; and on their miscarrying; he undertook a like expedition with thirty…seven men; in which; however; he had no better success; for Mr。 Weybhays; with his people; though armed only with staves with nails drove into their heads; advanced even into the water to meet them; and after a brisk engagement compelled these murderers to retire。

Cornelis then thought fit to enter into a negotiation; which was managed by the chaplain; who remained with Mr。 Weybhays; and after several comings and goings from one party to the other; a treaty was concluded upon the following termsviz。; That Mr。 Weybhays and his company should for the future remain undisturbed; provided they delivered up a little boat; in which one of the sailors had made his escape from the island in which Cornelis was with his gang; in order to take shelter on that where Weybhays was with his company。  It was also agreed that the latter should have a part of the stuffs and silks given them for clothes; of which they stood in great want。 But; while this affair was in agitation; Cornelis took the opportunity of the correspondence between them being restored; to write letters to some French soldiers that were in Weybhays's company; promising them six thousand livres apiece if they would comply with his demands; not doubting but by this artifice he should be able to accomplish his end。

His letters; however; had no effect; on the contrary; the soldiers to whom they were directed carried them immediately to Mr。 Weybhays。 Cornelis; not knowing that this piece of treachery was discovered; went over the next morning; with three or four of his people; to carry to Mr。 Weybhays the clothes that had been promised him。  As soon as they landed; Weybhays attacked them; killed two or three; and made Cornelis himself prisoner。  One Wonterloss; who was the only man that made his escape; went immediately back to the conspirators; put himself at their head; and came the next day to attack Weybhays; but met with the same fate as beforethat is to say; he and the villains that were with him were soundly beat。

Things were in this situation when Captain Pelsart arrived in the Sardam frigate。  He sailed up to the wreck; and saw with great joy a cloud of smoke ascending from one of the islands; by which he knew that all his people were not dead。  He came immediately to an anchor; and having ordered some wine and provisions to be put into the skiff; resolved to go in person with these refreshments to one of these islands。  He had hardly quitted the ship before he was boarded by a boat from the island to which he was going。  There were four men in the boat; of whom Weybhays was one; who immediately ran to the captain; told him what had happened; and begged him to return to his ship immediately; for that the conspirators intended to surprise her; that they had already murdered 125 persons; and that they had attacked him and his company that very morning with two shallops。

While they were talking the two shallops appeared; upon which the captain rowed to his ship as fast as he could; and was hardly got on board before they arrived at the ship's side。  The captain was surprised to see men in red coats laced with gold and silver; with arms in their hands。  He demanded what they meant by coming on board armed。  They told him he should know when they were on board the ship。  The captain replied that they should come on board; but that they must first throw their arms into the sea; which if they did not do immediately; he would sink them as they lay。  As they saw that disputes were to no purpose; and that they were entirely in the captain's power; they were obliged to

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