Page 354
An.1686
Their Presents and Audience of the Sultan.
winds, which they said would be very violent at the latter end of this month, and all the next, as we found them.
We did not know the quality of these two per- sons till after they were gone; else we should have fir'd some Guns at their departure: When they were gone, a certain Officer under the Sultan came aboard, and measured our Ship. A custome deri- ved from the Chinese, who always measured the length and breadth and the depth of the Hold of all Ships that come to load there; by which means they know how much each Ship will carry. But for what reason this Custom is used either by the Chinese, or Mindanao men, I could never learn; un- less the Mindanaians design by this means to im- prove their skill in Shipping, against they have a trade.
Captain Swan, considering that the season of the year would oblige us to spend some time at this Island, thought it convenient to make what inte- rest he could with the Sultan; who might after- wards either obstruct, or advance his designs. He therefore immediately provided a present to send a- shore to the Sultan, viz. 3 yards of Scarlet Cloath, 3 yards of broad Gold Lace, a Turkish Scimiter and a pair of Pistols: and to Raja Laut he sent 3 yards of Scarlet Cloath, and 3 yards of Silver Lace. This Present was carried by Mr. Henry More in the even- ing. He was first conducted to Raja Laut's house; where he remained till report thereof was made to the Sultan, who immediately gave order for all things to be made ready to receive him.
About 9 a clock at night, a Messenger came from the Sultan to bring the Present away. Then Mr. More was conducted all the way, with Torch- es and armed Men, till he came to the House where the Sultan was. The Sultan with 8 or 10 men of his Council were seated on Carpets, waiting his