This great Island, opposite to Malaca, and divided from it by a Bay full [Sumatra describ'd.] of Ridges, of Rocks and Shoals, and above a thousand smaller Islands, was formerly a Peninsula, and contiguous to Malaca, as Sicily is said to have been to Italy, Ancient Geographers call'd it Trapobana, the Modern Sumatra. The Ancients also call'd it, the Golden Chersonesus, and the most curious Searchers into Antiquity, Ophir, whence Solomon gather'd that vast Mass of Treasure. According to the Portugueses it is 80 Leagues in Length, and 30 in Breadth. (Here seems to be some Mistake in the Author, for the Island is well known to be above 80 Leagues in Length.) Italian Writers say it is 2100 in Circumference. The Dutch, who have traded and made War there, do not contradict it, and all agree it is the largest in all the East, and the most fruitful we know of. It lies thwarting from North to South, in the Torrid Zone, and the Equinoctial Line cuts it in the Middle; so that one Part falls to the Northern Hemisphere, and takes up five Degrees, and the other to the Southern, extending seven Degrees. This Island is, according to some, divided into four Kingdoms; others say ten, and some 29; but we know of eight, which are, Pedir, Pacem, Achem, Camper, Menancabo, wealthy in Gold Mines, and Zaude; and up the Inland the other two of Andragide, and Auru, the Natives whereof are Idolaters and Man-Eaters. They devour, not only Strangers, but their own Brothers, and Fathers. In short, among these barbarous People, Hunger produces the same Effects as Passion. The King of Achem is the most Powerful of them, and they all pay Homage to the [Nayque stirs up Princes to revolt.] Crown of Portugal. Nayque enter'd the Court of Achem, attended by his own Men, and follow'd by the Multitude of Chinese, Japonese, Malay, Persian, and Turkish Merchants; all of them flattering themselves with the Expectation of new Commotions. He first worshipp'd the King in a Temple, where there were monstrous Idols, notwithstanding that the People are Mahometans. He had afterwards private Conferences with him at Court, and in a few Days brought him over to his Party, with his Wealth, as if he had been a poor Man. After delivering his Master's Letters, he told him, that before he went over into Europe, whether he was sent to discover the Power of Spain in its Origin, or Source, at a Time when it was distracted by such Revolutions, it was convenient that most wealthy Part of Asia should be restor'd to its former Condition, a Matter of no Difficulty, if they were firmly united among themselves. That none were so able to overthrow the Neighbouring Monarchy, which from Malaca had, as it were, fetter'd so many Provinces, as the Kings of Sumatra, if they, considering of what Moment it was to them, would stand by one another. That since he had successfully besieg'd that hateful City, assaulted its Walls, and Forts, and valu'd himself on being an Enemy to the Portugueses, he ought not to let slip so favourable an Opportunity, which offer'd him compleat Victory. That he should remember the several Expeditions of the Viceroys against Sumatra, and that they always breed up Adelantados, or Lords-Lieutenants, with their Soldiers in Pay against those Kingdoms. And that since, till then they had not been able to make him uneasy, it was too much Forbearance to suffer a perpetual [The King of Achem complies.] Threat of Thraldom to subsist so near him. The King of Achem, listen'd to him with Satisfaction, as one, who, with all his Nation, hates the Haughtiness of the Portuguese Behaviour; yet he neither promis'd, nor perform'd any more than obstructing the Trade of Malaca, till he had reduc'd it to Want. Nor did he keep the Secret, for they had soon an Account at Malaca and Goa of these Contrivances. He farther promis'd; That whensoever the King of Ternate should make a greater Invasion, or go about to extend, or enlarge himself, as far as he pretended he had a right, he would continue to give the Diversion, as far as stood with his Conveniency, and that he should have the Liberty of his Ports, and all Supplies for his Ships in his Kingdom. Nayque return'd Thanks, and extended his Negociation, endeavouring to bring in the other Tyrants of Sumatra, as for the Publick Good. Then sailing away through the Streight of Sunda, so call'd from the Name of a City in the furthest Part of the Province, beyond the Line; he proceeded to the greater Java, no less Fertile than the other in the same Medicinal, and Odoriferous Growth, at the Time when Thomas Candish, an English Commander was arriv'd there, coming from the North-Sea, by the Way of New Spain.