On the 20th of October the fleet left Table Bay and, towards the end of I)ecember, anchored in the Bay of Antongil, in Madagascar, where excellent fresh provisions were again obtained. But dysentery broke out, and there were several deaths. After encountering nmuerous daugers in crossing the Indian Ocean, and having touched at the Nicobar Islands, Laucttster anchored his fleet in the road of Acheen, in Sumatra, on he 5th of June, 1601. His reception hy the sultan was cordial and satisfactory in eye W respect. In the first audience the letter h'om Queen Elizaheth was preented; and on subsequent occasions Lancaster made progress with the negotiations for opening trade. Pepper, cloves, and cinnamon were bought for the return cargo; and in October the sultan's answer to the queen's letter was brought on board.

The fleet finally left Acheen on the 9th of November, the Ascension proceeding direct to England with the news, and the Dragon shaping a course along the coast of Sumatra in search of the Susan, which had been previously sent to Priamon for a cargo of pepper. She joined off Priamon. and the ships anchored in the road of Bantam, in Java, on the 16th of ecemher. Here the merchants landed to sell the goods brought from England, in exchange for which further supphes of pepper were shipped. A facto W was established under Mr. William Starkey, to provide lading for the ships which were to be sent out on the Conpany's second venture. The King of Bantam sent a letter and presents to Queen Elizabeth, and on the 20th of February, 1609, the ships began their homeward course. C}tptain John Middleton of the Hector was taken ill and died at Bantam. His brother Henry. who was in the Susan, was destined to command the ('ompuly's second voyage.

On the 3rd of May a great storm was encountered between Madagascar and the Cpe; and early next morning the Dr, gon's rudder was torn clean away from the stern of the ship. She drifted for some days at the mercy of the waves, once ahnost down to 40 S. in sleet and snow, the Hector always manfully keeping company. At last the mizzen-mast was taken out, and passed over the srn to serve as a temporary rudder, but it was found to shake the ship in such a way as to he dangerous, and it was got in gain with all convenient speed. The carpentcrs then set to work to shape a rudder out of the mizzen-mast; hut the irons h;td also bn carried away, and there wcre only two wherewith to hang the new rudder. The men wanted to abandon the ship and go on board the Hector.