The SEPTER travels with other ships in convoy to Surat. On the way they encounter the ADVENTURE GALLEY, commanded by the pirate Captain William Kidd, and drive her off. At Surat Barlow takes the ship's musicians to the East India Company factory to make merry. He is formally declared commander of the SEPTER by the Company.

Barlow and others meet with the Dutch commanders to arrange a convoy to Surat. He describes the people of Mocha, and the locust swarms there. The ADVENTURE GALLEY, commanded by the pirate Captain William Kidd, joins the convoy but the SEPTER drives it away by firing at it. On arrival at Surat Barlow and the ship's musicians, with a violin and an oboe, make merry at the East India Company's factory. At Mumbai Barlow is formally declared captain of the SEPTER by the East India Company General, and ordered down the Malabar Coast to load pepper.