opinion they hold concerning him They haue bookes of great volumes all manuscripts The wonderfull sobernesse of these Mary-buckes They abstaine from all sweete things A strange ex ample of abstinence The true way to know a mary-buckâ— They will tell no lies The marybucks manner of trauaile They will beg of vs without deniall The Mary-bucke free to trauaile in all places Their report of gold Old Mahome he ceremony at my going vp The subtilty of his neighbour Hammet The trade and trauaile of the mary-bucks of Setico Wherewith he maintaines his greatnesse An ill opinion of the Mary-buckes to bury their golde A good commoditie The reason of looking after Buckor Sano Note The Mary-buckes name was Selyman the other Tombo Samgulley a blacke boy Eleuen dayes trauell against the streame wherein wee wrought eighty eight houres Some of our men grew fearfull As bigge in body as a great Stagge and had wreathed bornes The returne of one of our messengers The comming of Buckor Sano Prouision the people brought His going aboord the boat and report of our powder A Stalker The saying of Buckor Sano aboord the boate Hee was but once ouertaken with our strong drinkes The great esteeme of salt He makes a proclamation He offers wemen to sell vnto vs. Their commodities A markethouse made a shorc Warning not to take notice of their gold Buckor Sanos report of gold and of the houses aboue couered therewith He seem'd wonderous willing of our companies Buckor Sano his subtill speech His declaration of the Moores of Barbary Pleasing intelligence being the maine businesse wee ayme at Their course of trading An oath they obserue carefully An vnhappy accident A people that neuersaw white men before Strange breeches the common people did weare An encouragement to search further vp the Riuer These people had another language These people expect our returne The King comes vnto vs. Buckor Sano did alwayes eate with vs in the boate These exercises did commonly hold three houres in the night Buckor Sano made the white mens Alchade The acknowledgment of his new title His mediation to the King in our behaltes The Kings answere Buckor Sanos gratification The Kings acceptance and faire reply He giues vs the Country A strange recemony in takeing of possession The possession giuen vnto me A great protestation of defence A people markt in the face Obserue this Mary-Bucke Ferambra was Lord of his Country and when the P ortingals had got the King of Nany to send horsmen to kill Thompson and his small company hee did preserue them and put himselfe Country in armes for their defence The marybucke first tale His second discourse Our opinion cercerning Trombutto and Gago More incouragment to go further vp the Riuer The manner of merchandizing without speech or sight one of the other The report of the people with the great lippe The people who bought our salt had no vse of it but for sale This ought speedily to be considered of The place called St. Iohn Marte Our curteous parting with Buckor Sano The fashion of the Irish Rimer Vpon this instrument only they play with their fingers A strange con sort-ship Their chiefest instrument The manner of this instrument Their manner of daunsing Their Fidlers rich They are basely esteemed of and being dead are not buried The affection of Saingulley our blacke boy vnto vs. This Bo Iohn was brother to Ferambra The feast of their Circumcision Samgulley taken from vs to be circumsised The great resort to this solemnity They that were cut kept all to gether The curtesie and muth that past betwixt vs. women looke vpon the circumcision Our boy circumcisised and the manner thereof We were not suffered to go amongst the new circumcised No vse of medicines to cure them The discourse of their diuell Ho-re He is a monstrous cater Sumetimes 8 or 9 atonec are carried away and sayd to be in his belly Comming forth they speake not for certaine daies Our opinion concerning Ho-re How he was partly discouered An example of the diuells conuerse with the Fidlers The Diuell could not tell the Portingall where we were friends or foes The trades or occupations they haue in vse their painfull season of thunder and lightning also what fruites plants the Country yeeldes and are growing there amongst them The Smith An excellent charcole to worke their Iron The Sepatero they of this trade are most ingenious The Potter tobacco pipemaker They haue in the highest of the Riuer excellent mattes A market kept euery monday No mony or coyne amongst them All labour to till the earth and sow their graine They vnderstand not to make their cattle worke The manner of their painefull labours Their coâ— or graine The manner of their Rice The planting of cotton The misery of the people The times of their raines the fearefulnes thereof A faire intreaty to men of iudgment The great aboundance of poyson The nature of the first raines An obseruation to be kept A note of experience An obseruation of the tempestuous times They heare speak of Christ but will not beleeue Gods mercy to vs. A comfort to the traueller Plantans Limes Orenges Good wine sorth of a tree Seuerall sorts thereof Palmeta apples Amade drinke called Dullo Gowrdes Locuste Wild hony Munkies meat A stony apple This fruite is of great esteeme They are not growing within the limit we saw Great store brought vs when we were aboue This is like our water Lilly The sensible tree All reuenous beasts in the day time keepe their dennes The Lyon His small seruant His manner of hunting The causes of our knowledge Ounces and Leopards The Ounce dangerous A true tale of a Child Ciuit Cat. Porcupine The Elephant The stature of the great ones He browses like a deare A false opinion This was that Ferambra I noted before Elephants flesh good to feede vpon The manner how he killed them I brought two of these tayles away with me The Elephant a fearefull beast The peoples admiration we durst set vpon them Buffelos Blew boores Antelops Deare of all sorts Munkies Babownes a strange story A gouerment amongsts them The people of the Country eate them The Spaniards opinion of them The pleoples report of a Vnicorne The Stalker The wake Ginney hens Patridges Quailes Pigeons Parrats Paraquetos Variety of smal birds A small bird withoutlegges A bird with foure wings about the bignes of a turtle Doue How the birds preserue their young from the Babouns and Munkyes The suâ—â—â—â—ry of the Babowne Another meanes of preseruation Hawkes that will kill a Vallow deare Bastard Eagles How the people finde the dead beasts The Inhabitants want knowledge to take them The Kings man ner of Hawking The vagrant Portingall
the inhabitants held as impossible in regard they did affirme the riuer was full of trees suncke and drifts wee should meete withall and our time in passing being vncertaine our prouision which was small might faile vs and poorely God knowes we were prouided of those materials that would haue helpt to maintaine that principall in respect the place and way affordeth it and what experience hereafter can direct in that kind to doe which being good comforts and encouragers to the Aduenturer I will not by any meanes leaue vnwritten There is abounding in this Riuer who are bred and liue therein two sorts especiall as I may terme them monstrous the one deuouring as the people report and the other daungerous as I haue found The deuouring is the Crocodile or Alegatha because they carry one and the same resemblance but doubtlesse I am perswaded there is no other Crocodile but such as wee haue seene in this Riuer whom the people call by the name of Bumbo sundry times when we haue driuen them from the shore where they haue beene lying in the morning or otherwise forth of the water when wee haue obserued the print they leaue behind them vpon the foft sand we haue found by measure of rule his whole length from the point of his nose to the end of his tayle containe thirty three foote The people of the Country stand in such dread of these that they dare not wash their hands in the great Riuer much lesse offer to swimme or wade therein reporting vnto vs many lamentable stories how many of their friends and acquaintance haue beene deuoured by them neither do they at any time bring any of their Cattle to passe the Riuer as within ebbing and flowing they haue diuerse occasions to doe but with great dread and ceremony for at all Townes within that compasse they haue small boats which we call Canoos to ferry ouer withall which cannot receiue a liue beefe onely some fiue or sixe of the people but when they passe a beefe ouer he is led into the water with a rope to his hornes whereby one holds him close to the boate and another taking vp his tayle holds in the like manner the Priest or Mary-bucke stands ouer the middle of the beast praying and spitting vpon him according to their ceremonies charming the Crocodile and another againe by him with his bow and arrowes ready drawne to expect when the Crocodile will ceaze and in this manner if there be twenty at a time the passe them one after another neuer thinking them safe vntill they be on the toppe of the Riuer bancke One thing more to shew the feare they haue of him when I was going in my discouery vp the Riuer hauing as I sayde onely nine of our owne people with me I did hire Blacke-men as I had occasion to vse them to serue as Interpreters likewise to send abroade and to helpe to row and get vp the boate so that when I came to passe the flowing and to goe all against the currant I did furnish my selfe of foure able Black-men the first place we found a stiffe gut to resist vs the water being not aboue foure foote deepe for speedier and more easier passing our men went into the water and laying hands some one the one side of the boate and some likewise on the other waded along and led her through which we found a good refreshing the Riuer being sweete and cleare was comfortable in the heate by no meanes I could not make any of my blacke people go out of the boate denying flatly to go into the water saying that Bumbo would haue them after some two of these ages there was another streight where was a necessity of more hands so that striping my selfe I leapt into the water the Blackes seeing me prepare seeme much to diswade me but when they saw me in the water they presently consulting together stript themselues and came likewise in the businesse ended and we all aboord againe I askt of them the cause made them come in hauing so earnestly denied it before they made answere they had considered amongst themselues the white man shine more in the water then they did and therefore it Bumbo come hee would surely take vs first so that after they neuer refused to go in yet in all our whole passage did we neuer receiue any assult but to the contrary where we haue seene great companies of them lying vpon the sands they haue perpetually auoyded vs with the same shines that Snakes doe vse to auoyde the noyse and sight of men here onely boldest to shew himselfe where the water was deepest and the Blacke people do not sticke to say that since the white men haue had to doe in the Riuer the Crocodile is not so daungerous as in former times Againe whereby it doth appeare they are more aboundantly aboue whereas he doth naturally smel exceeding sweete after the manner of muske so as in all places where they vse to come one shore they leaue a sent behind them that many times we are not able to receiue but inforced to stoppe our nostrils some three dayes before wee came to the highest place we stayd at we beganne to find the Riuer water which was our daily drinke to change his rellish but after we came there it had such a sweete musky tast that we not onely refused to drinke of it but also could not endnre our meate to be drest therewith but sought out springs and freshes vpon the land nay more those great fish which with our hookes we tooke in that place lost the sauor they had below and did tast and rellish as the Crocodile smelt that we vtterly refused to eate them ourselues but bestowed them vpon the people of the Country which receiued them thankfully land likewise the cry and noyse of them in this place was more then we had heard al the way for the noyse he makes is resembled right to the sound of a deepe great well with which the great ones call one to another and may be distinctly heard a league which surely argues the continuance of this hopefull riuer and that some great lake aboue may bee the nourisher of them The other is the Sea-horse who in this Riuer do wounderfully abound and for that the name of Sea-horse is a common word in regard of the Greene-land voyages where they vse the same to the Sea-mosses they kill there who are of contrary shapes I thinke it fit to describe this fish or beast or what I may call him because questionlesse there was neuer beast nor any thing in that kinde set forth to shewe in these our Countries that would produce more admiration He is in fashion of body a compleate horse as round buttock'd as a horse of seruice and in his whole body answerable his head like vnto a horse with short eares but palpably appearing which he wags and stirres as he shewes himselfe onely toward his mouth
then pray'd vpon him but bid vs cut of his head and being dead his vertue was gone and he very good to eate At this place onely we should see many Moores sporting playing and comming boldly into the water a good distance from the shore where lay a sandy banke but they neuer went beyond their heights and they would tell vs there was a blessing granted to that place by some great Mary-bucke that Bumbo should neuer hurt them and on that side the Towne stood as our ship did ride in the middle of the Riuer and we haue obserued we neuer saw any Crocodile but on the contrary side many times very great ones And this being assuredly true for varieties sake I haue placed here In the vpper part of the Riuer there are store of fish and more conueniently to be come by if men go prouided Amongst which we note one little fish which may well be called the running fish and is much like our English Roach with a red tayle who is inforced to runne aboue the water and will continue a great way but only touching of it to saue his life from his pursuing enemy who comes chopping after him iust like the Trout after the flie and is of that bignesse the Trout is that somtimes the little fish hath runne into our Canoe to auoyde the pursuer Likewise of foule the higher we go we find plenty and much variety but this we haue euer obserued that in the maine Riuer we neuer see them swimming but as they are in sholes together be they Ducke and Mallard or any other in their kind they sit vpon the shore close to the Riuer side and dare not surely venter in for feare of the Crocodile but haue their principall feeding vpon the marish grounds and ponds which lie from the Riuer whereof the Country is very full and you can finde no such place but is aboundantly furnished among which are many geese of colour white and blacke rather bigger then our English tame goose who hath vpon each pinion of his wing a sharpe spur in euery point resembling a Cockes spurre of the largest size with which they are apt not being shot dead to giue offence but for foule that liue naturally by the shore side as Hernes Corlews Storkes Pluffer and the like it doth yeeld plenty so that whomsoeuer shall go vp well furnished of peeces and powder shal be sure to mend their fare and light vpon many a dainty dish The people of the Country haue likewise diuers wares which they make vse of in the time of raines and when the Riuer is ouer-floude at which times they kill much fish and they haue also a strange maner of fishing in their lakes and ponds of which there are many that are very broade and containe much circute but are not deepe to which they resort as they desire to fish a whole towne or plantation together only the men euery one hauing a kind of basket with the mouth open which hee holds downeward and so going into the water close on by another they ouer spread the pond whereby the fish is moued and so clapping downe the mouth of their baskets before them they hit vpon the fish and in this manner they take so many that most of them go loaden home and if at any time we be neare those places they will louingly impart them to vs vpon returnes from vs of poore valew These things which now we know and can tell how to prouide for may serue as incouragements to proceede vpon a farther discouery but in that which followes concerning the loue of the people what trade we already haue found and what reliefe they bring vs and at what rates as also what Deare and wild Cattle the land affords throughout with such variety of land foule and other necessaries wherof in their due place I meane to speake I hope as I desire may be some furtherances to inuite Aduenturers to aduise of some few dayes search further into this hopefull Riuer Wherein the very Riuer if we had nothing else to friend prouing but as we haue hetherunto sound it will afford that comfortable reliefe men neede not stand in dread of staruing which considered and the probable good that may and will rise in obtaining the Golden Trade I conclude it most necessary to follow dilligently a farther search for which if I should be thereunto required in place conuenient I could yeeld some other speciall account which for some respects I forbeare to publish and following my order proceede to the inhabitants The seuerall Inhabitants c. TO speake of the Country and the inhabitants I take my beginning from the mouth of the Riuer whereat our first entrance we find the Black men called Mandingos and that they do continue amongst themselues still one and the selfe same language Those of them who are inhabiting or dwelling in the mouth of the Riuer or within certain leagues of the first enterance are very fearefull to speake with any shipping except they haue perfect knowledge of them in regard they haue beene many times by seuerall nations surprized taken and carried away but vpon some knowledge they wil resort to the shore neare vnto vs and bring with them Beeues Goates Hennes and aboundance of Bonanos in the West Indies called Plantanos a most excellent good and wholesome fruit likewise of their Country pease and other graine and in way of Tradesome hides they there alone haue the domination their Kings and Gouernors being their seated as in the vpper parts of whom especially my discourse is intended howbeit for the more playner proceeding I must breake of a while from them and acquainte you first of another sort of people we finde dwelling or rather lurking amongst these Maudingos onely some certaine way vp the Riuer And these are as they call themselues Portingales and some few of them seeme the same others of them are Molatoes betweene blacke and white but the most part as blacke as the naturall inhabitants they are scattered some two or three dwellers in a place and are all married or rather keepe with them the countrey blacke women of whom they beget children howbeit they haue amongest them neither Church nor Frier nor any other religious order It doth manifestly appeare that they are such as haue beene banished or fled away from forth either of Portingall or the Iles belonging vnto that gouernement they doe generally imploy themselues in buying such commodities the countrey affords wherein especially they couet the country people who are sold vnto them when they commit offences as you shall reade where I write of the generall gouernement all which things they are ready to vent vnto such as come into the riuer but the blacke people are bought away by their owne nation and by them either carried or solde vnto the Spaniard for him to carry into the West Indies to remaine as slaues either in their Mines or in any other seruile vses they in
the Irish doe vse vvith a vvonderfull noyse of cries and lamentations hee vvas layed into the ground the people especially the vvomen running about the house and from place to place with their armes spread after a lunaticke fashion seemd vvith great sorrovv to bevvaile his departure They also assembled themselues in the most conuenient place to receiue the multitude and nearest vnto the graue and sitting dovvne in a round ring in the middle came foorth a Mary-bucke vvho betvvixt saying and singing did rehearse as it vvere certaine verses in the praise and remembrance of him departed vvhich it should seeme vvas done extempore or prouided for that assembly because vpon diuers vvords or sentences hee spake the people would make such sodaine exultations by clapping of their hands and euery one running in to giue and present vnto him some one or other manner of thing might be thought acceptable that one aster another euery seuerall Mary-bucke would haue his speech wherein they onely vvent avvay vvith the gratifications vvho had the pleasingest stile or as vve terme it the most eloquente phrase in setting forth the praises of him departed in vvhich the people were so much delighted another ceremonie was that euery principall Mary-bucke and men of note amongst them would take of the earth which came forth of the place his graue was digged and with the same water which was in the pot standing in the same roome would moysten the said earth and so forme therof a round ball which they would carry away with them and esteeme of as a great Relique whereof my Alchade or Mary-bucke because of those perfumes I sent was admitted to haue one which he so highly esteemed I could not at any rate purchase it from him although I made him offers of more then I meant to giue This Assembly held for the space of ten dayes with a continuall recourse of comming and going but not altogether for the buriall of the dead for after certayne dayes were spent in the celebrating of his Obsequies then beganne a great solemnitie for the establishing and inuesting of his eldest sonne in his place and dignitie whereunto came agayne many gifts and presents amongst those that passed by me I tooke notice of a great Ramme which was carried betweene two bound fast and layd vppon a hurdle In the whole time I was in the Country I neuer saw any Ramme or Sheepe but that which was brought very farre his wooll might more properly be called haire it was of that hardnesse I did vnderstand by my Mary-bucke he was to be vsed after some manner of sacrifice and I vnderstood likevvise that in their high Priesthood the sonne succeeded the father this course is held amongst their Religious orders wherein they differ from the temporall gouerments It followes I should now deliuer their poore opinion they should concerning vs and our profession wherein with humble reuerence I craue pardon that my hand hold in the least sort be made an instrument to shew or set downe any thing opposite vnto my Lord and Sauiour but by shewing the weaknes of naturall man and the wisedome that remaines in rotten flesh the glory of God more perfectly appeares to the confirming and comforting of euery true and perfect establisht Christian when wee shew vnto them we honour and serue God aboue and likewise his Sonne who was sent vpon the earth and suffered death for vs who was called Iesus by that name they doe not know him but by the name of Nale they speake of a great Prophet who did many and great miracles whereof they haue amongst them diuerse repetitions and that his mothers name was Maria and him they doe acknowledge to be a wondrous good man but to be Gods sonne they say it is impossible for say they God was neuer seene and who can see God and liue much more for God to haue the knowledge of woman in that kind that we should beleeue it they do wonder at vs the rather they say because they see God loues vs better then them in giuing vs such good things they see we haue and are able to bring vnto them and likewise they do admire our knowledge being able to make such vessells as can carry vs through such great waters and how we should finde our way more especially higher vp in the Riuer when we talk of the Sea whereof they are altogether ignorant onely by the name or word Fancassa which signifieth great waters thus like humaine creatures in darknesse they argue being barred from that glorious light which shines in the east whreof though they haue heard they haue not yet made vse but no doubt when the fulnesse of time is come they shall for amongst themselues a prophecy remaines that they shall be subdued and remaine subiect to a white people And what know we but that determinate time of God is at hand and that it shall be his Almighty pleasure to make our nation his instruments whereof in my part I am strongly comforted in regard of the familiar conuersation wee find amongst them and the faire acceptance I receiued in the vpper parts I attained where I had a people came downe vnto me who had neuer seene white men before with whom we traded with a faire commerce and some sauor of a golden sequell the relation whereof will follow very speedily onely it is necessary I part not obruptly from my religious company and to acquaint you that they haue great bookes all manuscripts of their Religion and that we haue seene when companies of Mary-buckes haue trauelled by vs some of their people laden therewith many of them being very great and of a large volume which trauell of theirs it is most necessary I acquaint you withall in regard from thence proceedes a great deale of intelligence we haue and I may not let passe one vertue of theirs the narration whereof may make their intelligence somewhat more respected and in my poore opinion carry alongst a better esteeme It may please you to call to minde when I left the Kings in the middest of their cups I promised to shew you a soberer people which are these Mary-bucks betwixt whom and the temporal people is a wonderfull difference the rather in regard they liue vpon one and the same ground the temperature of the day being the same wherein the desires of those common people is for Aqua-vitae and hot drinkes that they will many times pawne their armes both their bowes and arrowes and swords from their neckes sor that hot liquor yea many times their clothes from their backes to satiat and glut their earnest desires which seeme to vs neuer to be satisfied Now to the contrary the Mary-bucke will by no meanes take or touch on droppe thereof of what kind someuer it be tying himselfe strictly to no manner of drinke but water and not onely himselfe that is the men or malekind but likewise their wiues and women neither will
who little distrusting this mishap not withstanding Thompson was slaine in March whereof they could haue no intelligence In October after beeing a conuenient season set forth againe a shippe and Pinnace the shippe called the Syon burthen 200. tunne and the S. Iohn a Pinnace of 50 tunne In this shippe it pleased them to imploy mee the present wrighter and now what doeth insewe of this discourse is written from mee either as an eye witnesse or what I haue receiued from the Country people and none but such as were of esteeme and as my confidence assures would deliuer no false thing as where I come to speake of the blacke people in particular may be more aptly conceiued The 25. of October 1620. wee set sayle from Dart-mouth the 4. of Nouember when the day appeared we were vp with the Iland of Launcerot and the next day by noone past the Canary Iland and had layd all that land the 17. of Nouember we came to an anckor in the Riuer of Gambra hauing had some occasion of stay by the way to the losse of neere three dayes so as our whole trauaile from Dart-mouth thither was in 20. dayes we anckored some foure leagues within the mouth of the Riuer And to auoide inconueniences by intermingling one thing with another to set downe each particular as they presented themselues I haue thought it most acceptable to the Reader to diuide my discourse into particular heads the more aptly to bee vnderstood wherein I thinke it fit to beginne with the description of the Riuer with the limit and bounds thereof so farre as we haue scene likewise what opinion experience makes mee hold for the continuance thereof and how necessary it is to bee searcht into for aduancing the Golden Trade with a relation what we find liuing therein which may serue for sustenance and maintaine the Traueller next the seuerall sorts of people inhabiting vpon the land Blackmen alias Mandingos or Ethiopians Fulbies and the vagrant Porting all with the manner of their liues buildings and fortifications the state of their Kings and the title of other Commaunders and their manner of life The gouernment of the Mary-bucke or Bissareas the discourse of their Religion and seperations from the rest and course of trading and therein speaking of their luliettos or Merchants with the Relation of my meeting with Buckor Sano a great blacke Merchant and commerce with him Their Iuddies or Fidlers and manner of meeting with the discourse of circumcision and report of their diuell Ho-re what manner of trads are amongst the common people their order for tilling the ground and seuerall sorts of graine and other plants in vse amongst them and therewith an ample Relation of the times and seasons of the yeare when those great stormes of thunder and lightning with aboundance of raine do fal the vnwholsomens of the ayre in those times and what naturall reasons may be all edged as well for those contagious times as also to auoyde the inconueniences that haue formerly by most of our nations beene fallen vnto Againe what variety of wilde beasts aswell offensiue and rauenous as also such as are for the sustenance and comfort of those as trauaile we find the Country replenished with thereunto adioyning what land foule is likewise there the aboundance of both which kinds are alwayes at hand to mend the dyet of any ingenious looker out and with a briefe conclusion from myselfe I shut vp my discourse vnto which seuerally I now proceed first to the Riuer The description of the Riuer THIS Riuer whereof I now take in hand by Gods grace to write is scituate in the latitude of 13 degrees and ½ by all or the most part of Mappes and Cardes and by some called by the name of Gambia by others Gamba and by another sort set downe Gambra to which latter name being most frequent I doe apply my selfe for by the naturall inhabitants either belowe in the mouth of it neither it aboue to the farthest I haue trauelled being vpon the truest accompt I could keepe some 320 leagues or 960 miles could I euer heare any proper name but only the word Gee which in their language they vse to all riuers and waters It hath one sole entrance which in the very mouth is about some 4 leagues broad and in the channell 3 faddome water at the least without any barre contrary to the setting of it formerly forth where it is generally noted to haue a barre and much sholer water then we haue found After we are run some 4 leagues in it doth spread it selfe into so many riuers bayes and creekes that for the space of some 30 leagues vnto a Towne called Tauckro valley it is so intricate thar many months might be spent to search each particuler within that limit but for that my occasion of writing is grounded vpon the great hopes and expectations that are from aboue I entend not to make any stay there but refer what is to be sayd vntil I speake of the inhabitants only as I proceed to let you know that the maine channell is not to be mistaken except within the limit aforesayde and then also thorough great neglect or rather some wilfull ignorance Thus with a faire streame this braue riuer shooteth in flowing from his mouth into the land neare vpon 200 leagues vnto a Towne called Baraconda or some little aboue that is the vttermost bounds of his flowing euen in the lowest season of the yeare For as in all riuers running into the sea the increase of the inland waters occasioned by raines or snowes doe abate of the seas in draught so much more in this great Riuer who swels vpright 30 foote obseruing one due time and season of the yeare for euer must the seas force in those swelling times be mightely driuen backe whereby a certaine knowledge is attaind which are the setled times to be followed eamestly to meete with no impediment in passing vp which impediment is onely want of water to passe ouer flats which in the lowest season of the yeare in certaine places are met withall as is commonly seene in all riuers of such mighty inlets which bankes as it were being past presently a faire passable Riuer continues for many leagues and as we expect our seasons of Winter and Sommer so do these inhabitants these times of floods occasioned by aboun dance of raine which raines alwayes proceed forth of the South-east and haue their beginnings much sooner in the inland then at the Riuers mouth so as in those parts where we haue had aboade they begin to fall in the latter end of May and at the Riuers mouth not vntill the end of Iune These raines continue very violent for three moneths comming downe with great winds and very much thunder and lightniug not perpetually but as we say in suddaine gustes and stormes the violence whereof being ouerpassed the people continue their labour as where I write of their manner of Tillage
he growes broade downe like a Bull and hath two teeth standing right before vpon his lower choppe which are great and dangerous in regard he strikes with them his crye or neighing directly like a great horse and hath in the same manner foure legges answerable to his body whereupon hee goes and wherewith hee likewise swimmeth as a horse doeth yet in these is his greatest difference for they are somewhat shorter in proportion then horses are and where they should be round hoofte it deuides it selfe into fiue pawes vpon euery which hee hath a hoofe the whole foote containing a compasse of great breadth as the beast is in growth insomuch as I haue taken the measure of some prints they leaue where they walke of twenty ynches ouer His manner of feeding likewise resembles the horse for although he liue all day in the Riuer yet euery night hee goeth duely on shore in diuers places feeding vpon their Rice and Corne doing the Country people much spoyle but his generall feeding is vpon low marish grounds where the grasse or sedge is greene to which they resort in great companies in those reaches of the Riuer which haue deepest water and lie nearest and conuenienst to such manner of grounds do wee alwayes finde greatest store in some places they go a mile from the shore side to their feede hauing trackes that are beaten as hard and palpable as London high way he returnes by the breake of day to the Riuer where he is very bold when our boates come by hee will hold his head aboue the water many times store of them together and so neare as within Pistolls shot snorting neighing and tossing the water making shewes of great displeasure and sometimes attempting it for in my passage too and againe in the Riuer my boate was stricken by them three times and one of the blowes was very daungerous for he stroke his tooth quite through which I was enforced with a great deale of dilligence to stoppe or it had daungered our sinking but the hazard of them may be well auoyded if men be prouided to shoote at them when they presse ouer-bold which wee could not do in regard out allowance of powder was small and we were driuen to put it to other vses neither had wee peeces accordingly thorough the neglect of some ill wishing persons who deceiue the trust the worthy Aduenturers apposed vpon them In the night while wee had candle burning some of them disturbed by vs would remaine in the Riuer and would come staring vp the streame snoring and pressing neere vpon vs but wee found meanes to send them packing for breaking a small peece of wood we would sticke a short candle lighted vpon it and let it driue with the streame vpon them from which they would flie and make way with a great deale of horrour and one note we obserued amongst them they werealwayes most dangerous when they had their young with them which they sometimes leaue on shore but being in the water euery female carries her young vpon her backe so as when she puts vp her head the young head likewise will looke his share and where they appeare many heads together there is asmuch variety as from the great horse to the hunting nagge the Sea-horse we found greatest store when we were likewise past the flowing of the tide and continued aboue the highest place we were which still argues a large and constant Riuer The people do account of these for an excellent meate not resusing to eate them if they be taken vp dead in the Riuer as they are many times found swimming howsoeuer they come killed howbeit I conceiue the Crocodile and they agree for that I haue stood vpon the bancke and see them swimme one by another without offence Hauing spoken of these I now returne to matter of sustenance which the Riuer affordeth there is variety of good fish among which great store of Mullet if men haue nets and prouision to take them which in some places within the ebbing and flowing the shore lies conuenient to make vse of and aboue that in most places howbeit we neuer made vse aboue any place where our shippe ridde who alwayes kept the net with her wherewith we made diuerse draughts most especially at a Towne called Cassan and against which the shippe did ride and was the highest place in the Riuer she went where our convenientst drawing was close to the Towne and when the people at any time saw vs bring our net on the shore and prouide to fish as the net came neare the shore they would come rudely in and many times with their vnciuilnes indanger the breaking and spoyling of our net with their greedinesse to lay hold on the fish that wee were inforced to speake vnto the King dwelling in the Towne to command them to forbeare troubling vs promising when we had taken for our own present vse and reserued some for him the residue should be taken out and remaine amongst them and his Commaund being given they were carefull to obserue it Amongst the rest one time hauing made a draught we had not such plenty as vsually onely some fish in the cod of the net which being taken vp were shakt into a basket standing in the boate with which we rowed aboord the basket being handed in as the custome is the fish were powred vpon the Decke whereof many rude Saylers will be their owne caruers amongst which fish there was one much like vnto our English breame but of a great thicknes which one of the Saylers thinking for his turne thought to take away putting therefore his hands vnto him so soone as he toucht the fellow presently cried out he had lost the vse both of his hands and armes another standing by sayd what with touching this fish and in speaking put thereto his foote he being bare-legged who presently cried out in the like manner the sence of his leg was gone this gaue others of better rancke occasion to come forth and looke vpon them who perceiuing the sence to come againe called vp for the Cooke who was in his roome below knowing nothing what had hapned being come wild him to take that fish and dresse which he being a plaine stayd fellow orderly stooping to take vp as his hands were on him suncke presently vpon his hinder parts and in the like manner made grieuous mone he felt not his hands which bred a wonderfull admiration amongst vs from the shore at the same time was comming a Canoe aboord vs in which was a Blacke man called Sandie who in regard he had some small knowledge of the Portingall tongue had great recourse amongst vs we brought him to the fish and shewed it vnto him vpon sight whereof he fell into a laughter and told vs it was a fish they much feared in the water for what he toucht hee num'd his nature being to stroke himselfe vpon another fish whom presently he likewise num'b and
Heards and come to the commanding Blacke The Maudingo or Ethiopian being the naturall Inhabitants distinguished by the name of the Maudingos THe people who are Lords and Commaunders of this country and professe themselues the naturall Inhabitants are perfectly blacke both men and women The men for their parts do liue a most idle kinde of life imploying themselues I meane the greater part to no kinde of trade nor exercise except it be onely some two moneths of the yeate which is in tilling and bringing home their countrey corne and graine wherein the preseruation of their liues consists and in that time their labour is sore as when I come to shew the manner you may easily conceiue All other times of the yeare they liue wandring vp and downe from one to an other hauing little vnderstanding either to hunt in the woods or fish in the waters notwithstanding both the one and the other in their kindes are infinitely replenished that to their very doores wilde beasts doe resort and about their houses in euery corner abundance of Ginny hennes and excellent partridges In the heat of the day the men will come forth and sit themselues in companies vnder the shady trees to receiue the fresh aire and there passe the time in communication hauing only one kind of game to recreate themselues withall and that is in a peece of wood certaine great holes cut which they set vpon the ground betwixt two of them and with a number of some thirtie pibble stones after a manner of counting they take one from the other vntill one is possessed of all whereat some of them are wondrous nimble we do perceiue amongst them that the ordinary people eate but one meale a day and especially the younger sort of what kinde soeuer their houre of feeding being onely aster the day light is in and then with fires of Reedes without the doore they sit them round and fall to their viands which for the most part is either Rice or some other graine boyled which being brought vnto them by the women in goardes hot putting in their hands they rowle vp into balles and cast into their mouthes and this is their manner of feeding they doe seldome eate either flesh or fish the rather because they cannot get it then out of any will to refuse it and although they are great breeders of such very poultry as ate our Cockes and Hennes and haue vnderstanding to cut Capons yet they are great sparers thereof and preserue them to sell vnto vs for small peeces of Iron beades and such like commodities wherof if we be furnished we can want none of that prouision They will say their feeding so seldome is a great preseruation of their healths at that time when the Sunne is downe a fittest time for nourishment auoyding especially to eate in the heate of the day as a thing wonderfull unwholesome wherein it may please you to giue me leaue to vtter my opinion which happly comming to be scanned by men of knowledge may produce some rules of better order then hath hither-unto beene kept amongest our Nation which hath caused the losse of so many liues and the dangerous sickenesse of others therewithall laying a generall scandall vpon the countrey it selfe to be both infectious and vnwholesome for our bodies whereas indeede it is our owne disorders For the custome that hath beene hither-unto held especially into this Riuer hath beene without any diligence to make choise of such Sea-men for gouernours as were men of temperance and commaund who being able to temper well themselues might the better gouerne the rest whose ill carriages may be thought to bee great prouokers for shortning other mens dayes I will example it in this last voyage of ours The Maister was a man knowne for an excellent Arts-man but in the gouernement of himselfe so farre from knowledge that after our passage from Dartmouth which was in October vntill the middle of March after about which time he dyed it will be iustified he was neuer twenty dayes sober in which time he went not alone but our Chirurgion with sundry other officers that were of his societie with their liues payed for their riotous order And further whereas wee were diuided into two shallops to goe vp the Riuer the bigger whereof the principall Factor was to follow his trade in and carried therefore in the same a Butte of Sacke and a Hogges-head of Aqua vitae making choice of such men as were the most able and likeliest bodies to hold out and he in himselfe carefull enough as his experience might well aduise him hauing spent many yeares and made many voyages vpon that continent to obserue both his diet of eating and drinking yet towards his people hee carried at sometimes such an ouer-sparing hand that they fell to practising how they might deceiue him making vse of all aduantages to steale those hot drinkes from him which being purchased as it were from his niggardly nature they would diuide as a spoyle with great greedinesse amongest themselues and thereby wrought their owne confusions that of those people he carried with him they eyther died before hee came backe to the shippe or shortly after some two at the most excepted who escaped with dangerous sickenesse whereas to the contrary with thankefulnesse to God be it spoken my selfe going vp in the other shallop and wherein I must take such men as were giuen me not such as I desired obseruing amongst our selues a louing and orderly course of diet wherein euerie man had his equall share notwithstanding I went one hundred and fortie leagues aboue the other shallop returned without the losse of any one man nay in all my going to the highest and in my returne to the Pinnace I neuer had any man sicke but vpon a second returne vp some part of the Riuer some of my olde men being changed two or three fell sicke howbeit with comfort be it spoken there was not one man died that went with mee and for my owne part through the whole voyage I was neuer one quarter of an houre sicke blessed be the name of God Now for my opinion concerning our diet I hold well with the Blacks that to feed at noone is an vnholesome thing for that the Sunne being then in his extremitie of heate and by his neerenes hauing such power ouer vs the moisture that lies within the body is exhaled to the exterior parts to comfort and refresh that which the heate doth drie and then are the interior parts most cold and vnapt for nutriment wherein experience makes vs see that in the height and heate of the day we can with great facilitie and without offence drinke off such a draught or quantitie of Aqua vitae or hot waters as if we should drinke heere in our natiue countrey at one time would certainely burne out our harts nay more wee finde our bodies naturally desiring and longing for the same wherein I might heere shew some reason
as will raise vp a sufficient furrow which followed to the end of the ground they beginne againe in this painfull and laborious manner fitting the earth for the graine wherein our old prouerb is to be allowed of Many hands make light worke otherwise it would appeare a most tedious kinde of labour They haue sixe seuerall sorts of graine they doe feede vpon amongest which none is knowne to vs by name I meane heere in England but onely Rice the other may rather be called a kinde of seed then corne being of as small a graine as mustard seed neither do they make any bread but boyling their graine rowle it vp in balls as I haue said before and so eate it warme in like sort they boyle their Rice and eate it warme and euen to vs it is a very good and able sustenance all other graines being sowed the ground is with their Irons spadled ouer and so left to his growth but in Rice they do set it first in smal patches of low marish grounds and after it doth come vp disperse the plants and set them in more spacious places which they prepare for it and it doth yeeld a great increase they doe likewise obserue their seasons to set other plants as Tobacco which is euer growing about their houses and likewise with great carefulnesse they prepare the ground to set the seedes of the Cotten wooll whereof they plant whole fields and comming vp as Roses grow it beareth coddes and as they ripen the codde breaketh and the wooll appeareth which shewes the time of gathering And before I passe to speake of other naturall plants that proceed and come forth without labour I must not omit to relate heere the farther misery of this labouring people that thereby wee may discerne the greater mercy we doe enioy for whereas it bath pleased God to affoord vnto vs seasonable times to plant and sowe and againe to reape and enioy our labour sending likewise gentle showres and raines wherby we receiue them in a due season he hath not dealt so with all Nations whereof these are witnesses for although their seasons are certaine yet they are violent and fearefull For from September vnto the latter end of Maie following almost nine moneths they neuer taste any showres of raine so as their ground is so hard through the extreme heate of the Sunne that they can make no vse thereof but are compelled to stay vntill raine doth fall to moysten the earth that their instruments may enter to prepare the same which raines at the first come gently now and then a showre but not without thunder and lightning Towards the end of Iune it then groweth more forcible powring it selfe violently foorth with such horrible stormes and gusts of winde and with such fearefull flashes of lightning and claps of thunder as if according to our phrase heauen and earth would meet together in all which notwithstanding the miserable people are driuen to worke and labour in the open field for Ioosing the season of the grounds softnesse and as it doth beginne after a more gentle manner in the same nature and distance of time it passeth away the most extreame force being from the middle of Iuly vntill the middle of August and the abundance of raine that then doth fall may bee supposed in that it doth raise the Riuer from his vsuall height directly vpright thirty foote and where it hath not banke to defend it ouer-flowes the shoares and therefore they prepare their habitations in their owne discretions accordingly and in some yeares not without danger Now in regard many people of our Country haue beene lost and that our Seamen directly charge the vnholsomnesse of the ayre to be the sole cause I would presume a little to argue it deliuering my opinion hoping it may inuite some abler vnderstanding to search into it and produce some better assistance to auoyde the inconuenience then I am able to deliuer It is certaine in regard of the grounds hardnesse in those nine moneths when the raines are past that the superficies or vpper part of the earth doth receiue all that venome or poysonous humours which distill either from trees or plants whereof there is store as we see by the aboundance they vse in poysoning their Arrowes and some of their Launces and likewise what doth issue from their venemous Serpents and Snakes of which kindes there are very many both great and exceeding long also Toades and Scorpions the poyson doth remaine and continue in the drynesse of the ground and rakte vp in the dust and sand which vpon the first raines being moystned and the earth wet by the exhalation of the hot Sunne is drawne vp and in short time in the next showres fals downe againe in my poore iudgement some reason appeares that those first times must be very pestilent and full of danger which in some sort testifi is it selfe in regard those first raines lighting vpon the naked body doe make blaines and spots which remaine aster them much more then after the raines haue continued and more perfectly washt and cleard the supersicies and not onely vpon the bodies but in the garments or clothes worne who being laide by after they are wet with the first raines doe sooner and in greater number breed and bring foorth vntoward wormes whereas other wayes after the raines are more common it doth not produce any such effect or if it doe very little To this I say that it is a thing to be especially obserued as much as men may to auoide the being in those first raines and more especially to be prouided of water either to drinke or dresse meate withall before these seasons fall except it bee those who dwell and abide vpon the land and may haue meanes to couer and keepe close their springs but for men to water in those pestilent times and in the open Riuers as the Saint Iohns men in their first voyage did I say it was a desperate attempt and might haue beene the confusion of them all as indeed there were but few of them escaped and that the countrey is not so contagious as they would haue their reports to make it those people of ours may be witnesse who being willing to stay behind and remayning there almost three yeeres there was not one of them dyed but returned all into their owne countrey being eight of them in number except onely Captaine Tompson who as I repeate before was slaine by vnhappy accident I would willingly also venter here and speake my opinion what naturally may bee saide concerning these contagious times but with this prouiso it is done to animate others who if they knew the certaine course and season with the true manner of each particular circumstance would be able to demonstrate better and so rectifie me in that where I shall doe amisse These seasons I say begin gently in the end of May when the Sunne drawes to the
them so farre as we haue seene one place alone excepted which I will manifest vnto you within foure miles where our habitation was there stood a good spatious plantation the Commander whereof we called Ferambra who was alwayes a friend of ours as we were in our dwelling vpon our Christmasse day at dinner where God be praised wee had varieties of meate to mend our fare iust in the dinner time there came foure blacke people vnto vs whereof two were laden and had great gourds vppon their heads as much as they could stand vnder the one full of Palmeta wine the other of raw flesh which were Presents sent me from this Ferambra who sent me word hee had killed an Elephant and had sent me some part thereof our daintie stomacks looked asquash at such grosse flesh yet I receiued it kindly and gaue it away to our blacke neighbours who eat it very merrily The next day I went to Ferambras house the fashion of the Country is to entertain vs with their best prouision of diet amongst which we had Elephants flesh whereupon both my selfe and consorts that were with me fed very heartily and found it good and sauoury meate I desired to know how he killed them And he shewed me one of his blacke people and sayd There was none but hee alone durst doe it and taking downe a lauclin which hung in the house the staffe some ten foote long the Iron or head whereof was bound vp in a cloth which he opened and shewed me and it was laid with poyson all ouer he sayd his manner was when hee saw the Elephants feeding in the high sedge he would steale in amongst them by creeping still keeping himselfe behinde them he would recouer so neare as to strike his Iauelin into the body of the beast and leauing it there take to his heeles and through the long reeds scape away and the warme bloud dissoluing the poyson vppon the Iauelin it presently spreads it selfe to the cruell torture of the beast the extremitie whereof killes him the people in the meane time vpon trees and places of aduantage being set round about to watch him and so soone as he is downe come to him presently cutting away so much of the flesh as is inflamed with the poyson which they throw away reseruing the rest for their owne sustenance and in this manner he hath killed mee so many as you see I haue tailes heere hanging vp And except in this place I neuer heard but the people were wondrous fearefull of them the experience whereof was in those blacke people I had in my boate when I went vp the Riuer It was my manner as I cou'd with conueniencie to aduenture and set vppon such as wee met withall but my Blacks would alwayes tremble and runne away and many seuerall attempts I had vpon them wherein I must say as I found that they were as fearefull as a forrest Stagge and according to their greatnesse went as swift from vs as they could which pace was faster then a good able man could runne whereof I had triall in one great beast who notwithstanding wee had shot three times the bloud running downe his sides escapt away from vs that we lost him whom afterwards the people found dead and brought his teeth to sell vnto vs and had wee beene prouided accordingly we might haue made diuers preys vpon them but what wee did was held in admiration amongest the people for many would come downe on purpose to looke vpon vs and dernaund of our Blackes which was he that durst set vpon an Elephant There are also in the Countrey Buffelos which are wilde Bulles and cattell of that sort also wilde Boores very huge and great their colour being a darke blew and without doubt he is a very dangerous beast for hee shewes more boldnesse then any other being armed with great and large tusks and carrying vp his tufted taile of a great length boult vpright in a scornefull manner will walke from vs. There are likewise large Antelops and Deare of all manner of sorts spread ouer the whole countrey with beasts of that kind whose names wee are ignorant of and many strange hydes they doe bring vnto vs amongst which there is one beast whose hide is fourteene foote of length of a dunne colour and strokt with white Another sort I must needes remember whose great abundance may well put me in minde besides their society and neighbourhood which in our trauell vp the Riuer we were often acquainted withall which are the Babownes and Munkeys whereof the countrey hath innumerable store and where they are they doe goe in heards and companies but are of two societies the Munkeys alwaies keepe by themselues and great and little as they are onely of that kind consort together and euen in Ilands that lye within the Riuer they are as frequent as on the mayne which condemnes the report is of them that they cannot swimme but being in the water will drowne presently and in my owne knowledge I can affirme that hauing bought a Monkey from the countrey people who vse to bring them vnto vs and sel them for poore things being got loose in my boate that rid in the middle of the Riuer hee leapt into the water to swimme on shore and being pursued by one of our men who swamme after him hee did diue vnder water diuers and sundry times before he could recouer him But to speake of the Babowne I must say it is a wonderfull thing to obserue a kind of common-wealth that is amongst them they haue none but their owne kind together and are in heardes of three or foure thousand in a company as they trauell they goe in rancke whereof the leaders are certaine of the greater sort and there is as great and large of them as a Lyon the smaller following and euer now and then as a Commaunder a great one walkes the females carry their yong vnder their bellies except shee haue two and then one vnder the other aboue In the rear comes vp a great company of the biggest sort as a guard against any persuing enemy and in this manner doe they march along they are very bold and as we passe in the riuer when we come neare their troupes they will get vp into the trees and stand in gaze vpon vs and in a kind of collericke humour the great ones will shake the trees and with his hands clatter the boughes in that fashion as it doth exceed the strength of a man to doe the like barking and making a noyse at vs as if they were much offended and in this manner many times they will follow vs along and in the night time where wee ride at an ancker take vp their stands or lodgings on the mountaine toppes or on the trees that are aboue vs whereas we heare their gouernment for many times in the night you shall heare such a noyse of many of
of Paraquetos there are very many and beautifull birds which are often brought home and some few attaine to perfection Also of smaller birds great varietie sundry strange shapes amongst which many are in colours delightfull to the eye and many in notes very pleasing to the eare there is amongst the variety one smal bird which for his strangnesse we obserue hee hath no legges but two strings like the bird of Arabia with which he hangs with his head downeward and hath such resemblance to a dead leafe as it hangs on the tree being direct of that colour whereby vnlesse hee be seene too light you can hardly discouer him and he doth seeme to take pleasure to deceiue mens eye-sight hanging wonderous steddy without motion whilest hee is lookt after and very neare the touching Likewise another strange bird there is which flyeth with foure wings we see him not all the day but an houre before night his two foremost wings are largest the other are a pretty distance backward and beares his body betweene foure palpably As I speake of these birds it is very necessary I should set downe how nature teacheth these little creatures to prouide for the safety of themselues and the young they bring forth I haue shewed before vvhat troupes and multitudes of Babownes and Monkeys the countrey is stored withall vvhich are profest enemies to feathered fowle and therefore in these little poore creatures who can make no resistance Nature hath directed them by Art to preuent cruelty Amonst the great variety of strange trees and woods which the countrey affordeth whereof there is not any that I can know or call by an English name by saying this tree doth grow in England there is especially one who doth exceed in prickles both vpon the body branches and armes euen to the outermost small springges many of these grow distant from the water and many of them grow vpon the banke side hanging their toppes ouer the water we obserue that of this onely tree the litle Bird makes choyse and not content with his defence of prickles makes vse likewise of his growing ouer the water and on that side which bends to the riuer on the very outside doe they winde their nestes with an owse or neck which is hollow made of reeds and sedge the whole neast hanging like a bottle made fast by the necke in some places so thicke together that the same side of the tree seemes as it were all couered with thatch vnto which if notwithstanding the prickles the Babown or Munkey durst approach the feare hee shall haue that the boughes will not beare him and the fall hee is in daunger of together vvith the fright of the water vnderneath him is able to daunt him by vvhich natural care he preserues his increase and speedes better then many times the Parrat doth for he likewise is prouident to make his neast on the outermost smallest twigge of a tree but on the land winding it about the twigge so neare as it will not beare any of his vnhappy enemies who notwithstanding are vigilant for their owne ends and by getting vpon vpper boughes will ouerlooke his desired prey and when hee sees they are growne to fill vp the neast will hazard charily as the bough may beare him and sitting fast with his two hinder feete with his two hands take vp the bough and shake it in that manner that either some or all forth of the nest shal tumble and being down he gaines them for his labour Another kind of art nature hath taught these birds in the high banke which is steepest ouer the Riuer whose steepenesse hinders the accesse of these deuourers they will make holes so artificially round like augor holes and of that equall distance the one by the other so thicke as the banke will beare carrying them at least a yard within the ground by which places they preserue themselues and their young But there are birds of defence such as are hawkes whereof there is one sort as large as our Ierfauchon and these as the people tell vs will of their owne accords kill the wild deare by ceazing vpon his head and hanging fast doth continue beating with his wings vntill the deare faintes and then he preyes vpon him And likewise of other sorts that liue vpon prey whose manner of breeding is in the open trees and by the continuall watching and attending the nest they are ready to defend and saue their young There are no great Eagles but of a kind of small bastard Eagles infinite store and likewise seuerall sorts of rauening Kites and Buzzards whereof the skin of one sort smells wondrous sweet and strong after the savour of the Crocodile These sorts are easily to bee discerned for if at any time wee hapned to kill a beast in the woods whereby any blood were discouered although there were scarce any one of these rauening birds to be seene almost instantly you should haue such troupes of all sorts come in as were able to deuoure the whole carkas if wee were not present to affront them And the onely meanes the people haue to finde out either Elephant or any other beast as they dye or come to an vntimely end amongst the thicke woods or high reedes is by obseruing and keeping watch to looke out where these rauening birds gather together which is easily discerned the nature of them being to sore and flye in the aire alost ouer the place where their prey remaineth to which place the people repaire and many times are sharers in the booty And to shut vp this discourse that it may appeare how likely it is these birdes and fowles may well increase wee doe not see that the people haue any ingenious conceites either by gins or otherwise to kill or take of them but vpon any especiall time when the King is determined to make a feast they obserue a course to take them with the rehearsall whereof I will make an end The greate command is sent that all people come abroad and being in the fields are set and placed seuerally of an in different distance the one vnto the other when the Patridge and gynny hennes being sprung or put vp as their natures are to flye but an indifferent flight so soone as he lights againe they ate ready to runne in and put them vp and in this manner still pursuing them that they are wearyed out and the people with their hands take them vp and bring them to the King euen to that number as may content him with which their Princely pastime I heere conclude my story The Conclusion And for a finall end doe earnestly desire that what is written may be taken into consideration thereby to stirre vp a more willing affection to prosecute and goe on in a timely proceeding vpon this hopefull trade which will craue expedition in regard of these reasons following First there is as it were a certaine
or can at any time be drawne to tast or receiue any iot of this our comfortable liquor nay more they will not suffer none of their children not so much as the little infant who in the place we liued at through daily recourse one with another were growne to such familiarity with vs that they would many times steale from their homes and come and hang about vs these smal ones we might not giue any wine no nor any maner of fruit as reasons or sugar or any sweete things without great offence vnto the parents and if hee hapned they found it with them they would take it away with great displeasure and although themselues were neuer so sicke and in those times we would perswade them how comfortable it would be vnto them we could by no meanes preuaile to gaine any manner of inclination towards it for example as I was trauelling vp the Riuer in my boate vpon some occasions our people being in the water and in the shallow leading vp our boate a suddaine deepnesse occasioned by a steepe banke brought them beyond their reaches and enforced them to shift for themselues by swimming my Alchade or Mary-bucke being one of them who could reasonably vse his armes was notwithstanding taken in a whirle-poole and in great danger of drowning hauing beene twise at the bottome but at the second rise one of our men tooke hold vpon him and with helpe we presently got him aboord being almost spent and his senses gone we earnest to recouer him fearing the agony we saw him in got rosa-solis to put in his mouth the sent whereof as it appeared made him hold close his lippes that we gaue him none but within a while he came perfectly to himselfe and as it seemed retained the sauor so as he askt whether he had taken any or no He was answered no I had rather sayth hee haue died then any should haue come within me although I am verily perswaded the very fauor refresht and did him good wherein they haue a great resemblance to the Rechabites spoken of in the thirty fiue Chapter of the Prophet Ieremy who kept zealously the Commaund of Ionadab their father from whence these may be lineally discended in regard it is sayd they proceeded from Hobab the father in Law of Moses and Moses wife is noted to be an Ethiopian And this is the principall marke we know these Mary-buckes by that howsomeuer they cannot by their habite be discerned from the common people yet in offering them to tast or drinke our foresayde liquors they are presently to bee distinguished which sobernesse of their being an euident signe that they are alwayes themselues To which I adde that as they do not loue wee should promise them any thing but be sure of performance so in any thing we can discerne we receiue no false reports or vntruthes from them with which confidence I goe forward with the relation of their trade and trauaile These Mary-buckes are a people who dispose themselues in generall when they are in their able age to trauaile going in whole families together and carrying along their bookes and manuscripts and their boyes or younger race with them whom they teach and instruct in any place they rest or repose themselues for which the whole Country is open before them to harbour and sit downe as night or necessity ouer-taketh them alwayes disposing themselues to some Towne whereunto they are not ouerchargeable but only to rest their bodies in regard we see them alwayes carry prouision for the belly with them which we conceite is renewed as they meete with some principall persons or make their Rendevow in some eminent place this wee are sure that there is not any of them passe vs but they will vse the custome of the whole Country which is to begge without any deniall and although to vs it is but a poore matter in respect of the Trade we haue much more what we hope and looke for to giue vnto them or amongst a whole company a quier of paper which cost three pence yet to them it is a rich reward out of which they questionlesse doe rayse the greater part of sustenance to trauell withall and what else may be auaileable vnto them making thereof by writing in the paper their blessed Gregories which they giue and bestow as they sinde occasion and to confirme vs herein this wee note that if wee haue occasion to send any of the Countrey people of any message or employment for vs after he hath agreed for his reward he will oke to haue a sheete or two of paper giuen him which is to buy him sustenance as hee passeth from towne to towne so as you shall neuer meete with any of this profession but in discourse they can speake of more Countries then their owne natiue places one chiefe reason to encourage their trauell we haue learned which is that they haue free recourse through all places so that howsoeuer the Kings and Countries are at warres and vp in armes the one against the other yet still the Mary-bucke is a priuiledged person and many follow his trade or course of trauelling without any let or interruption of either side Notwithstanding there is none of these Mary-buckes but goe armed and are as compleatly furnished as any of the other people and haue the manner of vse and exercise of their weapons in as ample manner as they haue where unto I thinke they are rather inuited in regard of those wilde and rauening beasts the countrey is stored withall that vpon any occasion they may be able to defend themselues and offend their offensiue enemies To particularize heerein I may tell you of those two ancients Mary-buckes who were our neighbours in the towne where our housing stood who both of them would relate vnto vs of infinite store of gold which they had seene the Countrey aboue to abound withall wherein the more auntient man whom wee found so louing a friend would speake maruellous confidently howbeit he would tell vs there were a dangerous people to passe before wee came vnto them and that the Riuer was so full of trees we should not be able to get our boate along and in token of feare when I was to beginne my iourney vpward and came in the euening to take my leaue of him taking my right hand betwixt both his hee vttered ouer it diuerse vnknowne words and euer and anone would sparingly spatter with his spettle vppon it after which laying his mouth close to my necke ouer my right shoulder hee would after the like manner performe there which his superstitious zeale being assuredly done in loue I did not contemptuously refuse because I was ignorant of any offence therein but with a friendly curtesie parted with him and my returne backe was to him as ioyfull the other who was a more or as I may say most subtile fellow promised to be my guide along and to passe in the