English: Sixty-eight days was Drake's ship — containing one of the most valuable freights ever held in one bottom — in the open sea, during which time no land was sighted ; at the end of this period the Pelew, Philippine, and Molucca Islands were successively reached. At Ternate, Drake sent a velvet cloak as a present to the king, requesting provisions, and that he might be allowed to trade for spices. The king was amiable and well disposed ; he sent before him " four great and large canoes, in every one whereof were certain of his greatest states that were about him, attired in white lawn of cloth of Calicut, having over their heads, from the one end of the canoe to the other, a covering of thin perfumed mats, borne up with a frame made of reeds for the same use, under which every one did sit in his order, according to his dignity, to keep him from the heat of the sun.

The rest were soldiers which stood in comely order, round about on both sides; without whom sat the rowers in certain galleries, which being three on a side all along the canoes, did lie off from the side thereof three or four yards, one being orderly builded lower than another, in every of which galleries were fourscore rowers. These canoes were furnished with warlike munitions, every man, for the most part, having his sword and target, with his dagger, besides other weapons, as lances, calivers, darts, bows and arrows ; also every canoe had a small cast-base (or cannon) mounted at the least one full yard upon a stock set upright." These canoes or galleys were rowed about the ship, those on board doing homage as they passed. The king soon arrived in state, and was received " with a salute of great guns, with trumpets sounding, and such politic display of state and strength as Drake knew it was advisable to exhibit."

Many presents were made to the king, who in return sent off provisions of rice, fowls, fruits, sugar-cane, and " imperfect and liquid sugar " (presumably molasses) . Next day there was a grand reception ashore; the king, covered with gold and jewels, under a rich canopy embossed with gold, professing great friendship. The fact was that his own father had been assassinated by the Portuguese, and he himself had besieged and taken their Fort St. Paul's, and compelled them to leave it. He was, doubtless, anxious for some alliance which might strengthen his hands against the Portuguese. Drake, however, had no commission, nor desire at that time to engage his country to any such treaty ; his principal object now was to get home safely with his treasure. He, however, successfully traded for a quantity of cloves and provisions.