But his object was simply to return, as quickly as possible.

Had there been any alliance made, we should naturally have made for Ternate, instead of this island.

But as we have no relations with the king, and seek only means of returning to Europe, we preferred, of course, to come here, where we knew that we should find Christians; and, we hoped, friends." There was palpable truth in what Ned said; and the governor, unbending, expressed his readiness to receive and help them.

He then asked a few more questions about the manner in which they had become separated from their friends; and seeing no advantage in concealing the truth, and thinking perhaps that it would be well, if an opportunity should offer, that the governor should send a vessel to search among the islands near where the wreck took place, and see if any of the crew had sought refuge there, they told him frankly the circumstances under which they had left the Golden Hind.
"It would be sad, indeed," said the Portuguese, "if so grand an expedition, under so noble a commander, should have been wrecked after accomplishing such a work.

We in these parts are not friendly to any European meddling.