_ 75 _ the boats went off to the ships. They were told to gather food in the first place, and any water they found, and gunpowder and ammunition, and to throw the guns that were no use into the sea. The Captain-in-Chief took his men to the ship named Meril and two others that were nearer, and in all they found much merchandise, principally cloth from Cambay, and the rest was rice and sugar and many spices, and pepper, of which the Captains took as much as they wanted, and water and as many provisions as the wanted, and so did the Captain-in-Chief’s ship, until there was no room to put any more. The Captain-in-Chief ordered that nothing was to be thrown into the sea or wasted because the ships and what remained in them would bring them money. So, it was done. In the Meril was found a great deal of gunpowder, which greatly pleased the Captain-in-Chief. The whole day was spent in this work because there were more than forty ships; and as they were robbed the Captain-in-Chief ordered them to be tied together so that if there was any revolt they could all be set on fire. The men enjoyed that day’s work, and the Captain-inChief ordered the Captains that the next day they should get the boats ready to go ashore. This was done, and when
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