Cornelis de Houtman’s ships had left Madagascar…
June 1596 CE
Cornelis de Houtman’s ships had left Madagascar in February; it has taken another four months for them to reach Sumatra.
When on June 27, 1596, the expedition finally arrives in northwestern Java at Banten, the island’s most important pepper port, only around a hundred of the original two hundred and forty-nine men have survived the voyage.
The local Portuguese traders introduce de Houtman to the Banten sultan, who promptly enters into an optimistic treaty with the Dutch, writing "We are well content to have a permanent league of alliance and friendship with His Highness the Prince Maurice of Nassau, of the Netherlands and with you, gentlemen."
Unfortunately, trade negotiations turn sour, perhaps caused by Portuguese instigators, perhaps by inexperience: de Houtman is undiplomatic and insulting to the sultan, and is turned away for "rude behavior" without being able to buy any spices at all.
The crew is forced to find drinking water and other supplies on Sumatra across the Sunda Strait, at which crossing Keyser apparently dies.