 to gratify the
King of Luggnagg, by an uncommon Mark of his Favour, he would comply with the
singularity of my Humour; but the Affair must be managed with Dexterity, and his
Officers should be commanded to let me pass as it were by Forgetfulness. For he
assured me, that if the Secret should be discovered by my Countrymen, the Dutch,
they would cut my Throat in the Voyage. I returned my Thanks by the Interpreter
for so unusual a Favour; and some Troops being at that Time on their March to
Nangasac, the Commanding Officer had Orders to convey me safe thither, with
particular Instructions about the Business of the Crucifix.
    On the 9th Day of June, 1709, I arrived at Nangasac, after a very long and
troublesome Journey. I soon fell into Company of some Dutch Sailors belonging to
the Amboyna of Amsterdam, a stout Ship of 450 Tuns. I had lived long in Holland,
pursuing my Studies at Leyden, and I spoke Dutch well: The Seamen soon knew from
whence I came last; they were curious to enquire into my Voyages and Course of
Life. I made up a Story as short and probable as I could, but concealed the
greatest Part. I knew many Persons in Holland; I was able to invent Names for my
Parents, whom I pretended to be obscure People in the Province of Guelderland. I
would have given the Captain (one Theodorus Vangrult) what he pleased to ask for
my Voyage to Holland; but, understanding I was a Surgeon, he was contented to
take half the usual Rate, on Condition that I would serve him in the Way of my
Calling. Before we took Shipping, I was often asked by some of the Crew, whether
I had performed the Ceremony abovementioned? I evaded the Question by general
Answers, that I had satisfied the Emperor and Court in all Particulars. However,
a malicious Rogue of a Skipper went to an Officer, and pointing to me, told him,
I had not yet trampled on the Crucifix: But the other, who had received
Instructions to let me pass, gave the Rascal twenty Strokes on the Shoulders
with a Bamboo; after which I was no more troubled with such Questions.
    Nothing happened worth mentioning in this Voyage. We sailed with a fair Wind
to the Cape of Good Hope, where we staid only to take in fresh Water. On the 6th
of April we arrived safe at Amsterdam, having lost only three Men by Sickness in
the Voyage, and a fourth who fell from the Fore-mast into the Sea, not far from
the Coast of Guinea. From
