apanese, who are a false, cruel, and treacherous people; likewise those
of the Spaniards at the Philippines, more false, cruel, and treacherous
than they.

But to bring this long turn of our affairs to a conclusion; the first
thing we had to do was to consult with the captain of the ship, and with
his men, and know if they were willing to go to Japan. While I was doing
this, the young man whom my nephew had left with me as my companion came
up, and told me that he thought that voyage promised very fair, and that
there was a great prospect of advantage, and he would be very glad if I
undertook it; but that if I would not, and would give him leave, he would
go as a merchant, or as I pleased to order him; that if ever he came to
England, and I was there and alive, he would render me a faithful account
of his success, which should be as much mine as I pleased. I was loath
to part with him; but considering the prospect of advantage, which really
was considerable, and that he was a young fellow likely to do well in it,
I inclined to let him go; but I told him I would consult my partner, and
give him an answer the next day. I discoursed about it with my partner,
who thereupon made a most generous offer: "You know it has been an
unlucky ship," said he, "and we both resolve not to go to sea in it
again; if your steward" (so he called my man) "will venture the voyage, I
will leave my share of the vessel to him, and let him make the best of
it; and if we live to meet in England, and he meets with success abroad,
he shall account for one half of the profits of the ship's freight to us;
the other shall be his own."

If my partner, who was no way concerned with my young man, made him such
an offer, I could not do less than offer him the same; and all the ship's
company being willing to go with him, we made over half the ship to him
in property, and took a writing from him, obliging him to account for the
other, and away he went to Japan. The Japan merchant proved a very
punctual, honest man to him: protected him at Japan, and got him a
licence to come on shore, which the Europeans in general have not lately
obtained. He paid him his freight very punctually; sent him to the
Philippines loaded with Japan and China wares, and a supercargo of their
own, who, trafficking with the Spaniards, brought back European goods
again, and a great quantity of spices; and there he was not only paid his
freight very well, and at a very good price