and cymbals.

Howbeit they would hardly be induced to beleeue that those countries should
be so extreamely colde, and the waters so mightely frozen, as to beare such
a hugh waight.

Hee tolde them moreouer, that Holland was a free countrey, and that euery
man there was his owne Master, and that there was not one slaue or captiue
in the whole land.

Moreover, that the houses, in regarde of their beautifull and lofty
building, resembled stately pallaces, their inward rich furniture being
altogether answerable to their outward glorious shew.

Also, that the Churches (which he called Mesquitas), were of such bignesse
and capacity, as they might receiue the people of any prety towne.

He affirmed likewise, that the Hollanders with the assistance of their
confederates and friendes, maintained warres against the King of Spaine,
whose mighty puissance is feared and redoubted of all the potentates of
Europa.

And albeit the said warres had continued aboue thirty yeares, yet that
during all that time the saide Hollanders increased both in might and
wealth.

In like sort he informed them of the strange situation of Holland, as being
a countrey driuing vpon the water, the earth or ground whereof, they vse
instead of fewell, and that he had oft times warmed himselfe, and had seene
meat dressed with fires made of the same earth.

In briefe, that it was a waterish and fenny countrey, and full of riuers,
chanels, and ditches, and that therein was an innumerable multitude of
boates and small shippes, as likewise great store of tall and seruiceable
ships, wherewith they sailed vnto all quarters of the world, etc.

This man Abdoll wee found to bee a captiue or slaue, and sawe there his
wife and children in very poore estate dwelling in a little cottage not so
bigge as an hogsty: but by oure meanes he was made free and well rewarded.

Notwithstanding he did but euil recompence vs: for he was charged to be the
cause why pepper was solde dearer than ordinary vnto vs by a penny in the
pound: for hee tolde them that certaine shippes of Zeland and of other
places were comming thitherwardes.

[Sidenote: The Portugals go about to hinder the trade of the Hollanders.]
And here the reader is to vnderstand, that some foure moneths before the
said three ships arriued at Bantam, the Portugales came with an Armada of
gallies and fustes, being set foorth by the Viceroy of Goa and the
gouernour of Molucca, to intercept the traffique of the Hol