Pelsart perceived at the time the
two shallops coming toward him, and had scarcely got on board his
vessel before they came alongside.
"He was surprised to see the people covered with embroidery of gold
and silver, and weapons in their hands, and demanded of them why they
approached the vessel armed. They replied that they would inform him
when they came on board. He commanded them to cast their arms into
the sea or otherwise he would sink them. Finding themselves compelled
to submit, they threw away their weapons, and, being ordered on
board, were immediately placed in irons. One of them, named Jan de
Bremen, confessed that he had put to death or assisted in the
assassination of twenty-seven persons. The same evening Weybehays
brought his prisoner on board.
"On September 18th the captain and the master pilot, taking with them
ten men of Weybehays' company, passed over in boats to the island of
Cornelis. Those who still remained thereon lost all courage as soon
as they saw them, and allowed themselves to be placed in irons."
Pelsart remained another week at the Abrolhos, endeavoring to recover
some of the Batavia's treasure, and succeeded in finding all but one
chest. The mutineers were tried by the officers of the Sardam, and all
but two were executed before the ship left the scene of their awful
crime.
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