chap, xxiii FRENCH TRADERS 273
in authority. In five or six years they had each earned to the value of 10,000 ecus.1
The elder dealt in cottons and other coarse goods, and the younger in
precious stones. The Portuguese had been accustomed to send three or
four vessels to Achin every year to obtain pepper, elephants,8 and
gold, and they took there all kinds of white and coloured calicoes,
especially blue and black. They also sent jewels to the King, because
he loved and highly valued them. The two brothers Renaud decided to go
there, each for his own particular trade, the elder one carrying
cottons, and the younger jewels, amongst which he had four rings of the
value of about 18,000 ecus. On their arrival at Achin, they went with
the other Portuguese to the King's palace, which is 2 leagues from the
sea, and showed the King and the nobles who were with him whatever they
had brought. As for the jewels, as soon as the King had cast his eyes
on the four rings he desired to have them, but refused to pay more than
15,000 ecus for them, but the younger Renaud asked 18,000 ecus. Not
having been able to agree, he took them away, which much displeased the
King, who sent for him on the following day. Renaud, who had returned
to the vessel, was a long time in doubt whether he should go to the
King again or not; but the officers of the vessel advising him to go,
he at length resolved to do so, and the King took the four rings for
the 18,000 ecus, which he paid him forthwith. But after Renaud left the
presence of the King no one. ever knew what became of him ; apparently
he was secretly murdered in the palace.
This
adventure came to my memory when I saw that the King of Bantam sent to
ask for me, and that my brother was not with those who came to summon
me. Nevertheless, I resolved to go, and took with me 12,000 or 13,000
rupees' worth of jewels, the largest part consisting of rings with
diamonds arranged in roses, some of seven stones, others of nine, and
others of eleven, with some bracelets of diamonds
1 £2,250.
2
This statement as to the importation of Sumatran elephants is of
interest, but requires confirmation. See vol. ii. 248 for suggested
origin of the elephants in Sumatra.
