第 3 节
作者:
风雅颂 更新:2021-02-27 00:24 字数:9322
effected; the boat remaining at anchor in twenty…five fathoms water。 The men on shore spent the whole day in looking for water; and while they were thus employed; they saw four men; who came up very near; but one of the Dutch sailors advancing towards them; they immediately ran away as fast as they were able; so that they were distinctly seen by those in the boat。 These people were black savages; quite naked; not having so much as any covering about their middle。 The sailors; finding no hopes of water on all the coast; swam on board again; much hurt and wounded by their being beat by the waves upon the rocks; and as soon as they were on board; they weighed anchor; and continued their course along the shore; in hopes of finding some better landing… place。
On the 25th; in the morning; they discovered a cape; from the point of which there ran a ridge of rocks a mile into the sea; and behind it another ridge of rocks。 They ventured between them; as the sea was pretty calm; but finding there was no passage; they soon returned。 About noon they saw another opening; and the sea being still very smooth; they entered it; though the passage was very dangerous; inasmuch as they had but two feet water; and the bottom full of stones; the coast appearing a flat sand for about a mile。 As soon as they got on shore they fell to digging in the sand; but the water that came into their wells was so brackish that they could not drink it; though they were on the very point of choking for thirst。 At last; in the hollows of the rocks; they met with considerable quantities of rain…water; which was a great relief to them; since they had been for some days at no better allowance than a pint a…piece。 They soon furnished themselves in the night with about eighty gallons; perceiving; in the place where they landed; that the savages had been there lately; by a large heap of ashes and the remains of some cray…fish。
On the 16th; in the morning; they returned on shore; in hopes of getting more water; but were disappointed; and having now time to observe the country; it gave them no great hopes of better success; even if they had travelled farther within land; which appeared a thirsty; barren plain; covered with ant…hills; so high that they looked afar off like the huts of negroes; and at the same time they were plagued with flies; and those in such multitudes that they were scarce able to defend themselves。 They saw at a distance eight savages; with each a staff in his hand; who advanced towards them within musket…shot; but as soon as they perceived the Dutch sailors moving towards them; they fled as fast as they were able。 It was by this time about noon; and; perceiving no appearance either of getting water; or entering into any correspondence with the natives; they resolved to go on board and continue their course towards the north; in hopes; as they were already in the latitude of 22 degrees 17 minutes; they might be able to find the river of Jacob Remmescens; but the wind veering about to the north…east; they were not able to continue longer upon that coast; and therefore reflecting that they were now above one hundred miles from the place where they were shipwrecked; and had scarce as much water as would serve them in their passage back; they came to a settled resolution of making the best of their way to Batavia; in order to acquaint the Governor…General with their misfortunes; and to obtain such assistance as was necessary to get their people off the coast。
On the 17th they continued their course to the north…east; with a good wind and fair weather; the 18th and 19th it blew hard; and they had much rain; on the 20th they found themselves in 19 degrees 22 minutes; on the 22nd they had another observation; and found themselves in the height of 16 degrees 10 minutes; which surprised them very much; and was a plain proof that the current carried them northwards at a great rate; on the 27th it rained very hard; so that they were not able to take an observation; but towards noon they saw; to their great satisfaction; the coasts of Java; in the latitude of 8 degrees; at the distance of about four or five miles。 They altered their course to west…north…west; and towards evening entered the gulf of an island very full of trees; where they anchored in eight fathoms water; and there passed the night; on the 28th; in the morning; they weighed; and rowed with all their force; in order to make the land; that they might search for water; being now again at the point of perishing for thirst。 Very happily for them; they were no sooner on shore than they discovered a fine rivulet at a small distance; where; having comfortably quenched their thirst; and filled all their casks with water; they about noon continued their course for Batavia。
On the 29th; about midnight; in the second watch; they discovered an island; which they left on their starboard。 About noon they found themselves in the height of 6 degrees 48 minutes。 About three in the afternoon they passed between two islands; the westernmost of which appeared full of cocoa trees。 In the evening they were about a mile from the south point of Java; and in the second watch exactly between Java and the Isle of Princes。 The 30th; in the morning; they found themselves on the coast of the last…mentioned island; not being able to make above two miles that day。 On July 1st the weather was calm; and about noon they were three leagues from Dwaersindenwegh; that is; Thwart…the…way Island; but towards the evening they had a pretty brisk wind at north…west; which enabled them to gain that coast。 On the 2nd; in the morning; they were right against the island of Topershoetien; and were obliged to lie at anchor till eleven o'clock; waiting for the sea…breeze; which; however; blew so faintly that they were not able to make above two miles that day。 About sunset they perceived a vessel between them and Thwart…the…way Island; upon which they resolved to anchor as near the shore as they could that night; and there wait the arrival of the ship。 In the morning they went on board her; in hopes of procuring arms for 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 m