On March 11 at some port on the south coast they put
in, and were received by the Rajah with a cordiality that
almost outdid that of Ternate. So entirely friendly indeed
was the behaviour of the natives that Drake thought it
safe to careen his vessel where she was, to clean her bottom
for the last stage of his long voyage. So much time, how-
ever, was taken up with hospitalities and receptions both
ashore and on board, that the work of refitting and victual-
ling was barely accomplished when his native friends
gave him intelligence that several ships as large as his
own were upon the coast. With a cargo of precious spices
that must have been a very substantial addition to his
ballast of gold and silver, it would not do to risk an
encounter with the Portuguese. Staying therefore but
to take farewell of his genial hosts and to complete
his stores, on March 26 he sailed and laid off his course
for the Cape of Good Hope and home, with all plain
sailing before him.

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