ch he accepted in good part, offering to do our
nation all the good in his power at court, whither he was now bound, or
to serve us all he could any where else. Of his own accord, he began now
to speak about the deserters, asking me if they should all be pardoned
for his sake, if he brought them back to us? I answered, that the power
of pardon belonged to our general, not to me, and that I had no doubt
they might easily get free, except one or two of the chiefs in this and
other disorders, who richly deserved punishment. He then said that he
wished them all pardoned, without any exception: to which I answered,
that I was sure our general would most willingly do any thing desired by
his highness, or the two kings of Firando. In conclusion, he said, if I
would give it under my hand on the faith of a Christian, that all should
be pardoned for this time, and that I would procure the general to
confirm this at his return, he would then send to Nangasaki for the
deserters, and deliver them into my custody, otherwise he would not
meddle in the matter, lest he might occasion any of their deaths. I
answered, I was contented with any thing his highness was pleased to
command, and so gave him the desired writing under my hand, conditioning
that they were all to be sent back. I then returned to our house after
which the Dutch waited upon him with their present, but we were before
hand with them.

On the 8th _Semidono_ passed our house, and told me that king _Bon-diu_
had a brother along with him, to whom it would be proper that we should
give a present, but not so large as that given to Bon-diu. On this,
advising with the other gentlemen, I laid out a present for him, and on
going to deliver it, I found the Dutch before me with theirs, Captain
Brower going with it himself. He accepted it very kindly, promising his
interest and assistance to our nation, both at court and any where else.
He came soon afterwards to our house, accompanied by many gentlemen,
when they looked over all our commodities, yet went away without making
any purchases. On this occasion he gave me a small _cattan_, and I gave
him two glass bottles, two gally-pots, and about half a _cattee_ of
picked cloves, which he said he wanted for medicinal purposes. I
likewise gave him and his followers a collation, with which they all
seemed contented.

Soon afterwards, _Bon-diu_ sent a gentleman to me, desiring to have my
written promise for pardon to our deserters, to wh