ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

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S U M A T R A.
the prefence of fome Portuguefe of rank and confequence in his capital,
to ratify in a becoming manner the articles that had been drawn up, as
he ardently wifhed, to fee that nation trafficking freely in his dominions.
The deluded governor, in compliance with this requeft, adopted the refolution
of fending thither a large fliip, under the command of Manuel
Pacheco, with a rich cargo, the property of himfelf and feveral merchants
of Malacca, who themfelves embarked, with the idea of making
extraordinary profits. Senaia conveyed notice of this preparation to
Acheen, informing the king at the fame time, that if he could make himfelf
mafter of this veffel, Malacca rauft fall an eafy prey to him, as the
place was weakened of half its force for the equipment. When Pacheco
approached the harbour he was furrounded by a great number of boats,
and fome of the people began to fufpecl: treachery, but fo ftrongly did
the fpirit of delufion prevail in this bufinefs, that they could not perfuade
the captain to put himfelf on his guard. He foon had reafon to
repent his credulity. Perceiving an arrow pafs clofe by him, he haftened
to put on his coat of mail, when a fecond pierced his neck, and he
foon expired. The veffel then became an eafy prey, and the people
being made prifoners, were Ihortly afterwards maffacred by the king's
order, along with the unfortunate remnant of De Soufa's crew, fo long
flattered with the hopes of releafe. By this capture Abraham was fuppofed
to have remained in poffeflion of more artillery than was left in
Malacca, and he immediately fitted out a fleet to take advantage of it's
expofed ftate. The pride of fuccefs caufing him to imagine it already in
his power, he fent a taunting meffage to the governor, in which he
thanked him for the late inftances of his liberality, and let him know he
fliould trouble him for the remainder of his naval force.
Senaia had promifed to put the citadel into his hands, and this had
certainly been executed but for an accident that difcovered his treafonable
defigns. The crews óf fome veffels of Abraham's fleet, landed on
a part of the coaft not far from the city, where they were well entertained
by the natives, and in the opennefs of conviviality, related the transactions
which had lately paffed at Acheen, the correfpondence of Senaia,
and