REYS VAN ANDRIES BATTEL VOYAGE OF ANDREW BATTEL

And leave one of them with him as a hostage.

one had never seen white people or firearms here. Thus we were forced to move on with him, and having brought all his enemies under, we returned to his city; hereupon we requested permission to leave, but he would not grant it to us unless we promised to return and left one of our white men with him as a hostage.

Which became Battel's turn.

The Portuguese and Mulatos people of mixed European and African descent wishing to get away from here, decided to draw lots as to who should remain there, but many of them would not agree to it; however, they reached an agreement that it was more advisable to leave me, because I was an Englishman, than one of them, and they forced me to remain there.

To be released after 2 months.

They gave me a musket, powder, and lead, and promised Lord Mofarigosat to return within 2 months, to bring him 100 men for the continuation of his wars, and to trade further with him; but they had no other intention than to try to get away, as they all feared being taken prisoner by him. I remained, therefore, with that lord until those 2 months were over, after which time I was not well treated, as the Portuguese did not show up according to their promise.

Which not happening, they wanted to behead Battel. But it is forbidden.

The most important men of the city wanted me to be killed; they stripped me naked and made preparations to behead me, but the Lord of the city gave orders to delay this for a while, in expectation that the Portuguese might still come and fulfill their promises. When I was again at liberty, I went from one place to another, as far as it was under the dominion of that lord, and as I was afraid for my life while staying among them, I took flight to reach the encampment of the Gagas.

When I had walked all night, I arrived