knowledge we had
that the English had any settlement on Sumatra was from these." [24]
An attempt there to investigate a Malayan vessel ends fatally for a
number of the English; for the Malays, thinking them to be pirates,
set upon the boarding party, and kill a number of them. At that
island also the surgeon, Herman Coppinger, attempts to escape, but
is taken back to the ship. Dampier is only deterred from making the
same attempt because he desires a more convenient opportunity. "For
neither he nor I, when we were last on board at Mindanao, had any
knowledge of the Plot that was laid to leave Captain Swan, and run
away with the Ship; and being sufficiently weary of this mad Crew,
we were willing to give them the slip at any place from whence we
might hope to get a passage to an English Factory."]

CHAP. XV

They leave Pulo Condore, designing for Manila, but are driven
off from thence, and from the Isle of Prata, by the Winds,
and brought upon the Coast of China. Isle of St. John, on the
Coast of the Province of Canton; its Soil and Productions,
China Hogs, &c. The Inhabitants; and of the Tartars forcing
the Chinese to cut off their Hair. Their Habits, and the little
Feet of their Women. China-ware China-roots, Tea, &c. A Village
at St. John's Island, and of their Husbandry of their Rice. A
Story of a Chinese Pagoda, or Idol-Temple, and Image. Of the
China Jonks, and their Rigging. They leave St. John's and the
Coast of China. A most outragious Storm. Corpus Sant, a Light,
or Meteor appearing in Storms. The Piscadores, or Fishers
Islands near Formosa: A Tartarian Garrison, and Chinese Town
on one of these Islands. They anchor in the Harbour near the
Tartars Garrison, and treat with the Governour. Of Amoy in
the Province of Fokieu, and Macao a Chinese and Portuguese
Town near Canton in China. The Habits of a Tartarian Officer
and his Retinue. Their Presents, excellent Beef. Samciu,
a sort of Chinese Arack, and Hocciu a kind of Chinese Mum,
and the Jars it is bottled in. Of the Isle of Formosa, and
the five Islands; to which they give the Names of Orange,
Monmouth, Grafton, Bashee, and Goat-Islands, in general,
the Bashee-Islands. A Digression concerning the different
depths of the Sea near high or low Lands. The Soil, &c. as
before. The Soil, Fruits and Animals of these Islands. The
Inhabitants and their Clo