Ship would not touch there by which means over and above he took in a great many Passengers and Lading for India Being thus disappointed we soon weighed Anchor and steered away South South east with a very gentle Wind but were soon becalmed for many Hours then sprung up an Easterly Wind and we stood away to the South and soon had the Isle of Rischer on our Larboard which is very near the main Land and makes a little Port called Bender-Rischer which is guarded by a Fort and standing away we came up with the Island of Coucher and left it on our Larboard this Island is large and indifferent Fruitful and so Sailing on passed Cape Verdestan at 3 or 4 Leagues distance and as we Sailed we had often a faint view of the main Land of Persia especially where it lay high and Mountainous but before we came to the Island of Lar we lost our Long-Boat which was a great disappointment to us Lar is a little Desart Island bearing nothing but a few Trees at the West North-west end of it we passed by this and the next that presented was Andravia a little low Island near the main Land and passing by we had Kies another Island to the South-West it is indifferently Inhabited the Houses lying up and down in it but Coasting Paloro and leaving Mount Sennas on the Main Land to the Larboard we made Congo a little Town in the Kingdom of Persia 27 Degrees 15 Minutes North Latitude it stands on the Sea-side near the Foot of a black Rock that shelter the Town from the North Winds and behind there is a white Rock or Hill and many such along the Coast The Town lies from West North-west to East South-east and is defended by a little Castle where 3 pieces of Cannon are mounted and has a safe Road for Shipping to Ride in though they are very much tossed in high Winds about it are 5 Gardens replenished with Fruit-Trees as Figs Lemons Quinces Oranges Pears c. Large Pomgranates Mellons and Palm-Trees there are also the Indian Mangoes they have Schiras-Wine and Brandy made of Dates there are near it Hills producing Sulphur which is dug and transported to the Indies The Custom is easie half of it belonging to the King af Portugal by Agreement beside five Horses the King of Persia presents him every Year and to this end there is a Portuguese Agent residing in the Town who has the Colours of that Nation on the Tarras of his House Leaving this place after the sale of some Goods and taking in others we set Sail for Sindy being the first Town of India where the River Indus discharges it self into the Sea but here we narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the Zinganes a sort of Indian Pirates who lie with their Boats behind the Rocks to surprize Vessels as they come near them and if they board a Ship in the first fury till they have mastered and secured the Prize they put all to the Sword and the rest they Lame by cutting the Sinew above the Heel and make them Slaves to keep their Cattle they so use them to prevent their running away Their Arms are only Swords and Arrows therefore our watchfulness and the fire of our great Guns made them retire again among the Rocks so soon as they prepared to attack us But having little to do here we set Sail for Surat having now on Board us by taking in many Passengers 116 Souls and passing many small Islands and some Promontories came to Queschimo a large low Island so that Sailing by it one may see the Mountains of the main Land over it it lies from East to West 20 Leagues in length but indifferent in breadth There is a Fort where Ships Anchor at 6 Fathom Water and this formerly belonged to the Portuguese On the South East of it lies Nabdgion or Pilombo a little low Desart Island and East of it Tonbo affording little beside Antelopes and Coneys but Ships have here the Advantage of many Wells to Water at yet the entrance is dangerous because of the Banks that lie under Water about it the Portuguese were once Masters of most of these Islands and exacted Tribute from Ships that Traded there but their Strength and Riches decaying at Home weakned it abroad so that now they have lost most of their footing on the Coast of Persia and the Indies Sailing from hence in a little time we had the Isle of Angom to the North east and on the South-east a Port of Arabia Foelix called Julfer to which many Indian Barks come to buy Dates and Pearl the latter being fished all along the Coast from Mascat to Babrem and bring European Money to purchase them The next that stood with us were the Isles of Salame these are four Rocks over-against Cape Mosandon one of them bigger than the rest rising a little into a point there is a dangerous Chanel passing between them all Rock at the bottom so that many adventuring to pass it have been cast away Having passed these we met with great storms of Hail accompanied with prodigious Thunders and Lightning insomuch that the Sea seemed to be all on Fire This made us furl our Sails and though the Air on Head of us was as dark as Night there appeared a Rainbow on our Starboard Upon the breaking of this Storm prodigious Spouts began to rise out of the Sea to our Larboard and at length encreased almost on all sides of us some being very near which put us into a considerable fright least falling on our Ship they should sink it they being extraordinary large insomuch that all affirmed they had not seen the like in their Lives so that all Hands were employed to secure the Ship as well as might be from the threatning danger for we as good as gave our selves to be lost however trusting in the Creator of all things and taking to my self more Courage than ordinary I took a view of these watery Prodigies The first that appeared was about a Musket-shot from us as we were steering North-east and before it rose the Water in that place boiled up prodigiously more than a Foot above the surface of the Sea foaming and looking whitish and over it something representing a black Smoak which the Banians foolishly said was the Devil sucking up Water to drown them This made a hurrying noise like a Torrent running in a Valley mixed with a hissing like that of Serpents or Gees A little after appeared a dark puff of steem this seemed to be a Pipe as big as ones Finger the noise continuing this tapered as it were up to the Clouds and the light put it out of our sight so that we knew that Spout was spent but then there was another to the Southward of us which began in the same manner as the former soon after another to the Westward and another to the side of the second the most remote of the three and all these appeared like so many
Wind and soon left Lindo a-stern being a little Rock at the point of the Island of Rhodes 20 Leagues from the City and on it there is a small Town with a very good Fort. The next that appeared was Scarpanto 17 Leagues distant from Lindo leaving it to the Starboard we enter'd the Gulf of Sataâ—ia where for a considerable time Sailing we had a Rowling Sea the Current there setting with Eddies and it is many times dangerous passing for Ships are often cast away there and here we were encompassed with many flashes of Lightning that glancing on the Waters made the Sea seem as on Fire looking very terrible and I plainly perceived the Master of the Ship was at a loss to stand in with the Coast so that it growing somewhat Calm we made little way that Night The Morning proving Fair the Man sent up to discover could however see no Land but the whiteishness of the Water made the Sailors conclude we must be near the Land of Aegypt which is the only Mark at a great distance that can be observed the Land lying so low that it is not made till a Ship is in a manner upon it This whiteness is occasioned by the River Nile that carries it a great way into the Sea and at this distance from the Coast we had many Flurreys accompanied with great Showers of Rain but they were in a little time over and the Wind coming about North-west we tacked and sent up again to discover but no Land appearing we kept sailing South and South-west but fearing to lose the Windward of Alexandria we stood East and by South but finding that a mistake we tacked about that we might get nearer to the Land from which we knew we could not be far distant and held on the same Course till we found our selves obliged to Tack and bear away South-west here we saw the Moon rise Ecclipsed half an hour after Sun-set which was not visible in England Holland France c. because there according to the Almanacks the Ecclips was to happen at 3 in the Afternoon Feb. 11. and the next Day we percieved the Sea very white about us and the Man that looked out cryed Land some thought it to be Damiette and others Bouquer but in the mean time that we might not Sail to Leeward we continued our Course South-west and in a few Hours we Tacked and stood North-east and about a quarter of an hour after the Wind turning North-west we bore away South and South-west and in conclusion we made the Bouquer and a little after the Farillon or Light-House of Alexandria and at 3 of the Clock in the Afternoon the same day we entered the Haven by the South One thing I found remarkable in approaching Land from Damiette to Rossetto between the two Branches of the Nile that from 40 Fathom Water it lessens every Mile till you come to Land Aegypt is bounded on the East with the Red Sea on the South with Asia on the West with Cyrene and on the North with the Mediterranean Sea CHAP. VII The Author's Arrival at Alexandria and what is observable there and his passing from thence to Caire BEING now at Land and recovered from my Sea fatigue by suitable Refreshments my curiosity lead me to take a view of this once so Renowned City Founded by Alexander the Great when after his Persian Expedition he brought Aegypt under his Subjection though it is not comparable to what it has been in its flourishing time as may appear by the Ruins about it and within its Circumference and the Venerable remains of Antiquity This Town is called by the Turks who possess all Aegypt Skenderia There are in it several Fondicks or large Houses where the English French Dutch and other Europeans have their appointed Residence paying no House Rent but on the contrary the Consuls receive Money of the Grand Signior Annually to keep them in suitable Repair they being every Evening shut up and the Keys carried to the Aga of the Castle who sends them back every Morning they are likewise shut up as is the Water-gate every Friday during Noon Prayer and this arises from an old Prophesie that the Franks for so they call all Christian Europeans shall become Masters of that place during Noon Prayer on a Friday Scarce any thing of the Ancient Town remains unruinated but the Walls and some Buildings towards the French Fondick which are almost ruined it being easie to distinguish the Ancient from the Later Buildings for the latter are low and ill-contrived This once Famous Town has three Ports one called the Old Harbour it is pretty large but the entrance difficult so that but few Vessels put in there the other two are separated by a little Island and higher up the Island was anciently called Pharos and is joyned to the main Land by a Stone Bridge and in the middle of it is a square Tower where the Powder is kept and at the end another Castle called Farillon standing where the Ancient Watch-Tower of Pharos stood which was accounted one of the Seven Wonders of the World The first of these Ports is a Harbour for the Galleys and is on one side defended by the Farillon and on the other by a slighter Castle but these Ports are encumbered with Stones and Rocks requiring a skilful Pilot to guide in Vessels of any considerable Burthen The Custom-house here is Farmed by a Turk and has a Jew for his Deputy and indeed the Receipt of Custom mostly passes through the Jew's Hands who can pleasure or displeasure many that Trade there There is also an Old Custom house but of little Note In Alexandria there is a Mount made of Ancient Ruins on which stands a square Tower and a Sentinel who puts out a Flag so soon as he descrys a Sail and every Vessel coming into the Port pays him something All Officers here depend on the Bassa of Aegypt who places and displaces them at his pleasure The Walls of this Town have Fals Brays and are flanked with great square Towers about 200 Paces distant one from another and a little Tower between every two of them in each of the great Tower there is a large square Hall the Vault of it supported by Pillars of Thebaick Stone and a great many Chambers above and over these a large Platform of 30 Foot Square and each of these anciently were able to maintain 200 Men the Walls are very thick and every where Port-holes in them these Castles have Cisterns replenished with Water but most part of those that encompassed the ancient Alexandria as it was in its Former Extent and Lustre are ruined by the length of Time and neglect of Repair but if the Turkish Officers catch an European Christian in these Towers they presently charge him as a Spy come to view the strength of the Town and then nothing but Money will release him from Punishment Near this Town is the famous Pillar of Pompey so much celebrated by Historians
containeth chiefly the Northern Parts comprehending many large Provinces or Countries already known and many not yet well discovered as the parts that lie between it to the Northern or Frozen-Sea viz. Mexico Quivira Nicaragna Jucatan Flerida virgina Norumbega Nova Francia Corteralis Estoliland and some others so that the Compass of this part already known is at least 23000 Miles The Peruanan part contains all the Southern Track tied to the Mexican by the Isthmus or streight of Darien being between 12 and 17 Miles over in some parts from the Northern to the Southern Sea This part contains the Provinces or Kingdoms of Castella Aurea Gunia Peru Brasil Chille in compass about 17000 Miles Mexico as I observed abounds with Gold sanded Rivers producing many devouring Crocadils tho' not so big as those in the Nile in Aegypt which the poorer sort of the Indians take and feed on their Flesh as a great dainty There are several Mountains casting fourth Flames of Fire in it as Pepochampeche Popocatapec and others nay all the Southern parts as far as Leon in Nicaragua produces many of them but the latter I have named is one of the chief it stands 8 Leagues from Chollola it is a steep rockey Mountain Ten Spaniards attended with Indians to carry their Water and Victuals undertook to take a Survey of it and approached so near the top that they heard a terrible noise occasioned by the Erruption of Fire then the ground shaked so terribly that they durst not approach no nearer however they perceived the Vulcan or Cavety whence the Fire Issued half a League in compass out which Air and Fire proceeded rebounding with a terrible Noise Shrill and Whistling so that the whole Hill trembled and the top near this Mouth was covered with Ashes about knee-deep and as they were viewing it such a shower of Fire fell that had they not stept under the craggy over-hanging of a Rock they had there been roasted to Death but in an hour or two it clearing up they hasted down much affrighted but without any harm This Mountain before the coming of Hernando Cartez had for ten Years dissisted sending forth Flames and when it began again according to a prediction among them the Indians looked for some great misery to befall them by change of Government The Ashes blown in the Air are many times scattered 10 Leagues from the foot of the Mountain This chief Province called Mexico is further divided into six Parts viz. Themistian Nova-gallicia Mechoacan and Gaustachan the first is the noblest and greatest containing six Cities of which the principal is the rich City of Mexico the Seats of an Archbishop and Spanish Viceroy the next is la Richla de los Angeles the third Vellazuca the fourth Antiquera the fifth Mexcioca the sixth Ottopan besides these there are a great number of Villages or large unwalled Towns on the Roads and Borders of Rivers and Lakes inhabited by Indians Spaniards and Mestizoes a mixed Generation of Indians and Spaniards Near Mexico is Tacuba a pleasant Town inclosed with Gardens in the way to Chapultepec is Taluco a Town much traded to and in the Woods breed Hogs producing Bacon as good as our Westphalia Travelling Westward the Town of la Piedad presents it self at the end of a Causey whether the People much resort from Mexico to pay Adoration to the Image of the Virgin Mary inriched with Crowns Chains of Gold and precious Stones valued at a Million of Duccats There is a pleasant Town bending to the North called la Soledad or the Solitary Wilderness where the Bare-footed Carmelite Friars have their Residence but if this be a Wilderness few places can be accounted pleasant for it affords Fruits Flowers Shades Fountains and every thing that can delight Mankind And heither resort the Nobles and Gentry to take their Pleasure who bring great Presents to the Friars so that they live Fat and Plentiful on the outward appearance of Sanctity for in their Oratory and Cells made in Rocks they hang Whips of Wyer Girdles with sharp pricking Needles to wear next their Skin shirts of Hair and other mortifying Materials but one of them ingeniously told me they were placed there more for shew than use to move Peoples Charity towards them and brought them a vast income of Money and all sorts of Provisions and indeed though they have out of a design given this place the name of a Wilderness it seemed to me an Earthly Paradise At Tadubaya not much distance from this place is a very rich Cloister of Franciscans with curious Gardens and Orchards belonging to it they have a stately Church there and the Indians have been taught by the Priests to be Choiristers and sing very fine I have spoken somewhat already of the Province of Guastachan which I passed in my Travels from St. John de Vlhua to Mexico It is a very plentiful Country abounding in Sugar farms Pasture Corn Cochinil reaching as far as the Valley of Guaxaca a very rich place but having spoke of the most material Towns in my Passage I shall pass to the third Province called Mechoacan which is about 80 Leagues in circumference This Province is very rich abounding in Mulberry-trees which feed a great number of Silk-worms also in Wax Honey Black Amber divers coloured Feathers of which they make curious Works and the River abound with store of Fish The chief City of this Province is Valodolid a Bishop's See the Towns of Note are Sinsonte which before the Conquest was the Residence of the Indian King of the Province Pascuar and Coliman inhabited by Spaniards and Indians There are also two good Havens called St. Anthony and St. James or Santiago the King of it called Caconzin was a great Friend to Cortez and much assisted him in his Wars against the Mexicons willingly yielding himself a Vassal to the King of Spain though it was ill requited for don Nunio de Guzman first Ruler and President of the Chancery of Mexico after the Conquest picked a Quarrel and made War on this Province took the King Prisoner who was quiet and peaceable not stiring against him and when he had stript him out of 10000 Marks in Plate Gold and other Riches he inhumanly burnt him at a Stake with divers of his Nobles and Gentry who seemed to rejoyce that they were accounted worthy to suffer with their King and in Death bear him Company into the other World Nova Galia or the fourth Province of Mexico is well watered with two large Rivers viz. Piastle and Sansebastian it contains many great Towns of Spaniards and Indians the chief is Xalisco the next Guadalajara the third Coaza the fourth Corupostalla the fifth St. Espirit the sixth Capala now called Nova Mexico a Frontier on the Northern Indians from whence the Spaniards frequently make Inroads and War upon them and much incroach that way to the great Wast and Destruction of those poor People who would live in quiet and do good Offices to the Spaniards if