As soon as we came into the Harbour before _Bantam_, we presently man’d out our Long-boat and went ashore, to acquaint the _President_ what we were, and by what authority we came thither to Traffick, being impowered by the _East-India_ Company. We were received with much demonstrations of joy, and nobly feasted for three dayes together. Here note, that the house wherein the _President_ dwelleth, is the receptacle for the whole Factory, each man according to his quality having a dwelling within this house suitable to his dignity; the Factors all in general taking their daily repast with the _President_. In a weeks time I learned by observation the custom of the Country, and manner or way of Trading, our Merchant taking up Goods daily, and sending them aboard without giving present satisfaction; it being sufficient that he belonged to such a Ship, and therefore must pay before he go, otherwise the King will arrest the Ship, compelling him to make restitution or payment. One time I met with a _Bannyan_, whom I observ’d to have a box full of precious stones: I could not sleep for thinking how I should make my self a Partner with him. At last I hammer’d out this invention: I cloath’d my self in _Indian_-silk, according to the custom of the Country; & having so done, I discoloured my face, & clapt a black patch upon one of my eyes. In this equipage I addrest my self to this _Bannyan_, who presently laid open his treasure to my view. I was not long in chusing what I esteem’d as most valuable; & demanding of him the price, we agreed he should have either so many pieces of English gold within two dayes, or else take his choice of what commodities I had aboard. We made a shift to understand each others broken expressions; and he without the least suspicion of my treachery, delivered his stones into my hands. Taking off my disguise, I went instantly aboard, & hid what I had cheated the _Bannyan_ of (as I might easily do, for the smallness of its bulk) in the Hold of our Ship, resolving not to go ashore yet awhile. The day of payment being come, & the _Bannyan_ no where finding me on Land, came aboard of our Ship, where by signs he made known to our Captain his errand; that a Merchant belonging to his Ship, had bought commodities of him, & promised to pay him on that day. Our Captain reply’d, that he verily believed he was mistaken (as knowing what commodities the Merchants belonging properly to the Ship had bought) and therefore told him he must make inquiry elsewhere for satisfaction. The _Bannyan_ still persisted, alleadging he was not mistaken, and that he was confident if he might have a sight of all the men, he could out of them select the concern’d person. So wary I was of being discovered, that I acquainted not one soul with my project: for had I committed this secret to any, (though ever so dear a friend) it had been mine no longer; neither could I have promised to my self safety. Hereupon the