The voyages and adventures of Fernand Mendez Pinto, a Portugal, during his travels for the space of one and twenty years in the Kingdoms of Ethiopia, China, Tartaria, Cauchinchina, Calaminham, Siam, Pegu, Japan, and a great part of the East-Indiaes with a relation and description of most of the places thereof, their religion, laws, riches, customs, and government in time of peace and war : where he five times suffered shipwrack, was sixteen times sold, and thirteen times made a slave / written originally by himself in the Portugal tongue and dedicated to the Majesty of Philip King of Spain ; done into English by H.C. Gent.

CHAP. IV. A Mutiny happening in the Town of Moca••, the occasion thereof, that which befell thereupon, and by what means I was carried to Ormuz; as also my sailing from thence to Goa, and what success I had in that Voyage. (Book 4)

* 1.1THe next day, in regard that we had been so miserably moiled, and our hurts, that were great, but ill looked unto, of us nine there dyed two, whereof one was named Nuno Delgado, and the other Andre Borges, both of them men of courage, and of good families. The Jaylor, which in their language is called Mocadan, repairing in the morning to us, and finding our two companions dead, goes away in all haste therewith to acquaint the Gauzil, which is as the Judg with us, who came in person to the prison, attended by a great many of Officers, and other people; Where having caused their irons to be striken off, and their feet to be tyed together with a rope, he commanded them so to be dragged from thence clean through the Town, where the whole multitude, to the very children, pursued and palted them with staves and stones, until such time as being wearied with harrying those poor bodies in such fashion, they cast them all battered to pieces into the Sea. At last we seven, that were left a∣live, were chained all together, and brought forth into the publique place of the Town, to be sold to them that would give most: There all the people being met together, I was the first that was put to sale; whereupon, just as the Cryer was offering to deliver me unto whomso∣ever would buy me, in comes that very Cacis Moulana, whom they held for a Saint, with ten or eleven other Cacis his Inferiors, all Priests like himself of their wicked Sect, and addres∣sing his speech to Heredrin Sofo, the Governor of the Town, who sate as President of the Portsale, he required him to send us, as an alms, unto the Temple of Mecqua, saying, that he was upon returning thither, and having resolved to make that pilgrimage in the name of all the people, it were not fit to go thither without carrying some offering to the Prophet Noby, (so they termed their Mahomet,) a thing, said he, that would utterly displease Razaadat Mou∣lana, the Chief Priest of Medina Talnab, who without that would grant no kind of grace or pardon to the Inhabitants of this Town, which by reason of their great offences stood in ex∣tream need of the favor of God, and of his Prophet.

The Governor having heard the Cacis speak thus, declared unto him that for his particular he had no power to dispose with any part of the booty, and that therefore he should apply himself to Solyman Dragut his Son-in-law, who had made us slaves, so that in right it appertained only unto him to do with us as he pleased; and I do not think, added he, that he will contra∣dict so holy an intention as this is. Thou hast reason for it, answered the Cacis, but withall thou must know, that the things of God, and the alms that are done in his name, lose their va∣lue and force, when they are sifted through so many hands, and turmoiled with such humane opinions, for which very cause seldom doth any divine resolution follow thereupon, especially in a subject such as this is, which thou mayst absolutely dispose of, as thou art soveraign Com∣mander of this people: Moreover, as there is no body can be displeased therewith, so I do not see how it can bring thee any discontent. For besides that, this demand is very just, it is also most agreeable to our Prophet Noby, who is the absolute Lord of this prize, in regard the Vic∣tory came solely from his holy hand, though with as much falshood as malice thou goest about to attribute the glory of it to the valor of thy Son-in law, and the courage of his Soldiers. At this instant a Ianizary was present, Captain of one of the three Gallies that took us, a man that for his exceeding valor was in great esteem amongst them, called Copa Geynal, who netled with that which he heard the Cacis speak, so much in contempt both of himself, and the rest of the Soldiers, that had carried themselves very valiantly in the fight with us, returned him this answer. Certainly you might do better for the Salvation of your Soul, to distribute some part of the excessive riches you possess amongst these poor Soldiers, then seek with feigned speeches, full of hypocrisie and deceit, to rob them of these slaves, which have cost the lives of so many brave men, their fellows in arms, and have been dearly bought by us that survive, even with our dearest blood, as the wounds we have upon us can but two well witness; so can it not be said of your Cabayage (a Sacerdotal Robe after their fashion,) which for all it sits so trim and neat upon you, covers a pernicious habit you have of purloyning other mens estates from them: Wherefore I would wish you to desist from the damnable plot you have layd a∣gainst the absolute Masters of this Prize, whereof you shall not have so much as a token, and

seek out some other Present for the Cacis of Mecqua, to the end he may conceal your theeve∣ties, and impiety, provided it be not done with the expence of our lives and blood, but rather with the goods you have so lewdly gotten by your wicked and cunning devices.

This Cacis Moulana having received so bold an answer from this Captain, found it very rude, and hard of digestion, which made him in bitter terms, and voyd of all respects, exceedingly to blame the Captain, and the Soldiers that were there present, who, as well Turks as Saracens, being much offended with his ill language, combined together and mutined against him, and the rest of the people, in whose favor he had spoken so insolently; nor could this mutiny be appeased by any kind of means, though the Governor of the Town, Father-in-law to the said Solyman Dragut, together with the Officers of Justice, did all that possibly they could. In a word, that I may not stand longer upon the particulars of this affair, I say, that from this small mutiny did arise so cruel and enraged a contention, as it ended not but with the death of six hundred persons, of the one and the other side: But at length the Soldiers party prevailing, they pillaged the most part of the Town, especially the said Cacis Moulana's house, killing seven wives and nine children that he had, whose bodies together with his own were dis∣membered, and cast into the Sea with a great deal of cruelty. In the same manner they intreat∣ed all that belonged unto him, not so much as giving life to one that was known to be his. As for us seven Portugals, which were exposed to sale in the publique place, we could find out no better expedient to save our lives, then to return into the same hole, from whence we came, and that too without any Officer of Justice to carry us thither; neither did we take it for a small favor that the Jaylor would receive us into the prison. Now this Mutiny had not ceased but by the authority of Solyman Dragut, General of the Gallies aforesaid▪ For this man with very gentle words gave an end to the sedition of the people, and pacified the Mutiners, which shews of what power courtesie is, even with such as are altogether ignorant of it. In the mean time Heredrin Sopho, Governor of the Town, came off but ill from this hurly burly, by rea∣son that in the very first incounter he had one of his arms almost cut off. Three days after this disorder was quieted we were led all seven again to the Market place, there to be sold with the rest of the booty, which consisted of our Stuff, and Ordnance, that they had taken in our Foists, and were sold at a very easie rate: For my self, miserable that I was, and the most wretched of them all, Fortune, my sworn enemy, made me fall into the hands of a Greek renegado, whom I shall detest as long as I have a day to live, because that in the space of three Months I was with him, he used me so cruelly, that becoming even desparate, for that I was not able to en∣dure the evil he did me, I was seven or eight times upon the point to have poysoned my self, which questionless I had done, if God of his infinite mercy and goodness had not diverted me from it, whereunto I was the rather induced to make him lose the mony he payd for me, be∣cause he was the most covetous man in the world, and the most inhumane, and cruellest enemy to the name of a Christian. But at the end of three Months it pleased the Almighty to deliver me out of the hands of this Tyrant, who for fear of losing the mony I cost him, if I should chance to make my self away, as one of his neighbors perswaded him I would, telling him that he had discovered so much by my countenance, and manner of behavior, wherefore in pity of me he counselled him to sell me away, as he did ••ot long after unto a Jew, named Abraham Muça, Natif•• of a Town, called in those quarters Toro, not above a league and an half distan•• from Mount Sinay: This man gave for me 〈◊〉〈◊〉 value of three hundred Reals in Dates, which was the Merchandise that this Jew did ordinarily trade in with my late Master, and so I parted with him in the company of divers Merchants for to go from Babylon to Cayxem, whence he carried me to Ormuz, and there presented me to Don Fernand de Lima, who was at that time Captain of the Fort, and to Doctor Pedro Fernandez, Commissary General of the Indiaes, that was then resid••ng at Ormuz for the service of the King by order from the Governor Nun∣ho de Cunha. These two, namely Fernandez and de Lima gave the Jew in recompence for me two hundred Pardaos, which are worth three shillings and nine pence a piece of our coyn, whereof part was their own mony, and the rest was raised of the alms which they caused to be gathered for me in the Town, so we both remained contented, the Jew for the satisfaction he had received from them, and I to find my self at full liberty as before.

Seeing my self by Gods mercy delivered from the miseries I had endured;* 1.2 after I had been seventeen days at Ormuz, I imba••qued my self for the Indiaes in a ship that belonged to one Iorge Fernandez Taborda, who was to carry Horses to Goa. In the course that we held we sailed with so prosperous a gale, that in seventeen days we arrived in view of the Fort of Diu;

There, by the advice of the Captains, coasting along by the Land for to learn some news, we descryed a great number of fires all that night, also at times we heard divers Pieces of Ordnance discharged, which very much troubled us, by reason we could not imagine what those fires, o•• that shooting in the night should mean, in so much that we were divided into several opini∣ons. During this incertainty our best advice was, to sail the rest of the night with as little cloth as might be, until that on the next morning by the favor of day light we perceived a great many sails, which invironed the Fort on all sides. Some affirmed that it was the Governor newly come from Goa to make peace for the death of Sultan Bandur, King of Cambaya, that was slain a little before. Others said that it was the Infant, Brother to the King Dom Iovan, lately arrived there from Portugal, because he was every day expected in the Indiaes. Some thought that it was the Pat••marcaa, with the King of Cabicuts hundred Foists of Camorin. And the last assured us, how they could justifie with good and sufficient reasons that they were the Turks. As we were in this diversity of minds, and terrified with that which we discerned be∣fore our eyes, five very great Gallies came forth of the midst of this Fleet, with a many of ban∣ners, flags, and streamers, which we saw on the tops of their Masts, and the ends of their sail∣yards, whereof some were so long that they touched even the very water. These Gallies, be∣ing come forth in this sort, turned their prows towards us in such a couragious and confident manner, that by their sailing we presently judged them to be Turks; Which we no sooner knew to be so indeed, but we clapt on all our cloth, for to avoyd them, and to get into the main Sea, not without exceeding fear, le••t for our sins we should fall into the like estate, from whence I was so lately escaped. These five Gallies having observed our flight, took a resolution to pursue us, and chased us till night, at which time it pleased God that they tacked about, and returned to the Army from whence they came. Seeing our selves freed from so great a danger we went joyfully on, and two days after arrived at the Town of Chaul, where our Captain and the Merchants only landed for to visit the Captain of the Fort, named Simon Guedez, unto whom they reported that which had befallen them. Assuredly, said he, you are very much bound to give God thanks for delivering you from one of the greatest perils that ever you were in, for without his assistance it had been impossible for you ever to have declined it, or to tell me of it with such joy as now you do: Thereupon he declared unto them▪ that the Army they had incountred was the very same, which had held Antonio de Silveyra twenty days to∣gether besieged, being composed of a great number of Turks, whereof Solyman the Bassa, Vice-roy of Caire, was General, and that those Sails they had seen, were eight and fifty Gal∣lies great and small, each of which carried five Pieces of Ordnance in her prow, and some of them were Pieces of Battery, besides eight other great Vessels, full of Turks, that were kept in reserve to succor the Army, and supply the places of such as should be killed; Moreover he added, that they had great abundance of victuals, amongst the which there was twelve Basi∣lisks. This news having much amazed us, we rendered infinite praise to the Lord for shewing us such grace, as to deliver us from so imminent a danger.

* 1.3We stayed at Chaul but one day, and then we set sail for Goa; Being advanced as far as to the River of Carapatan, we met with Fernand de Morais, Captain of three Foists, who by the command of the Vice-roy, Dom Garcia de Noronha, was going to Dabul, to the end he might see whether he could take or burn a Turkish Vessel, which was in the Port, laden with Victuals by order from the Bassa. This Fernand de Morais had no sooner gotten acquaintance of our ship, but he desired our Captain to lend him fifteen men, of twenty that he had, for to supply the great necessity he was in that way, by reason of the V••c••-roys hastening him away upon the sudden, which, said he, would much advance the service both of God, and his High∣ness. After many contestations of either part upon this occasion, and which, to make shor••, I will pass under silence, at length they were agreed, that our Captain should let Fernand de Morais have twelve, of fifteen men, that he requested, wherewithall he was very well satis∣fied: Of this number I was one, as being always of the least respected. The ship departing for Goa, Fernand de Morais with his three Foists continued his Voyage towards the Port of Da∣bul, where we arrived the next day about nine of the clock in the morning, and presently took a Patach of Malabar, which laden with Cotton Wool and Pepper, rode at anchor in the midst of the Port. Having taken it we put the Captain and Pilot to torture, who instantly confessed that a few days before a ship came into that Port expresly from the Bassa to lade Victuals, and that there was in her an Embassador, who had brought Hidalcan a very rich Cabaya, that is a garment worn by the Gentlemen of that Country, which he would not accept of, for that

thereby he would not acknowledg himself subject to the Turk, it being a custom among the Mahumetans, for the Lord to do that honor to his Vassal; and further, that this refusal had so much v••xed the Embassador, as he returned without taking any kind of provision of Victuals, and that Hidalcan had answered, he made much more esteem of the King of Portugals amity, then of his, which was nothing but deceit, as having usurped the Town of Goa upon him, after he had offered to ayd him with his favor and forces to regain it. Moreover they said, that it was not above two days since the ship, they spake of, parted from the Port, and that the Cap∣tain of her, named Cide Ale, had denounced War against Hidalcan, vowing that as soon as the Fort of Diu was taken, which could not hold out above eight days, according to the estate wherein h•• had left it, Hidalcan should lose his Kingdom, or life, and that then he should to his cost know how little the Portugals, in whom he put his confidence, could avail him. With these news Captain Morais returned towards Goa, where he arrived two days after, and gave accompt to the Vice-roy of that which had past. There we found Gonçallo vaz Coutinho, who was going with five Foists to Onor, to demand of the Queen thereof one of the Gallies of Solymans Army, which by a contrary wind had been driven into her Ports: Now one of the Captains of those Foists my special friend, seeing me poor and necessitous, perswaded me to accompany him in this Voyage, and to that end got me five duckets pay, which I very gladly accepted of, out of the hope I had that God would thereby open me a way to a better fortune. Being imbarqued then, the Captain and Soldiers pitying the case I was in, bestowed such spare clothes as they had upon me, by which means being reasonably well pieced up again, we parted the next morning from the Road of Bardees, and the Monday following we cast anchor in the Port of Onor; where, that the inhabitants of the place might know how little account we made of that mighty Army, we gave them a great peal of Ordnance, putting forth all our fights, beating our D••ums, and sounding our Trumpets, to the end that by these exterior demonstra∣tions they might conclude we regarded not the Turks awhit.

Notes

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  §. 1.
• * 1.2

  §. 2.
• * 1.3

  §. 3.