Purchas his pilgrimes. part 1 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. I. The proceeding of his Voyage till hee came to Moha in the Redde Sea.

THe first of May 1610. wee came to an Anchor in the Roade of Cape Verde,* 1.1 vnder an Iland: where wee found a Frenchman of Deepe, that was setting vp a small [ 40] Pinnasse vpon the Iland.

The second, the Carpenters of all the shippes went in hand with my mayne Mast pulling off the fishes, we found the Mast exceeding bad, and aboue the vpper Decke some three foot wr••ng more then halfe asunder: had wee met with any foule weather, it must needs haue gone by the boord. I sent one of my Carpenters a-land to the maine to search for Trees, who returned that night, and brought mee word that hee had seene some which would serue our turne.

The third, we beganne to vnlade the Samuel, and sent Carpenters a-land to cut downe Trees, hauing leaue of the Alcayda, who came aboord and dined with me,* 1.2 I gaue him a piece of Roan cloth, which I bought of the Frenchman, and other Trifles.

The fifteenth, we made an end of watering, all our Caske being full: we stowed all our Boats [ 50] this night and fitted to be gone the next morning.* 1.3 This place of Cape Verde is the best place I know for our outward bound ships: for that the Road is excellent good, fit for dispatch of any businesse, and fresh fish to be had in great plentie: besides it is not any thing out of the way. I called a Counsell of Captaine Dounton and the Masters what course was best to hold till wee came to the Line, so it was concluded South South-west for sixtie leagues: and then South South-East til we grew neere the Line, and then to hale ouer Easterly. We dismissed the Samuel.

The foure and twentieth of Iuly, we came into the Road of Saldanha, and saluted the Dutch Admirall with fiue Pieces of Ordnance, and hee returned the like, there were also other two Holland ships which came to make traine Oyle of Seales: they had made three hundred Pipes. * 1.4 This day I went a-land and found out the names of Captaine Keeling, and others bound home [ 60] in Ianuary, 1609. And also my Brother Dauids name bound out in August the ninth, 1609. And also a Letter buried vnder ground according to agreement made betweene him and mee in Eng∣land: it was so consumed with the dampe of the aire, that I could not reade any part thereof. The sixe and twentieth, we set vp a Tent for my sicke men, and then we had them all a land to aire

our ships. From this day, till the day of our departure, not any thing happened worth the wri∣ting.

The sixt of September, latitude twentie three degrees thirtie minutes, the winde all Souther∣ly a good gale:* 1.5 this day after dinner we saw land, and before night wee came to an anchor in S. Augustines Bay, where we found the Vnion distressed for lacke of victualls. The seuenth day, I went in my Pinnasse aland to see if I could get any fresh victualls: but we could not get any: wee got wood and water aboord, and so returned to our Ships.

The tenth, we steered alongst the land with a good gale of wind at South-east, making account we should haue gone at least twentie sixe leagues, but we went but twentie two leagues, by rea∣son the Current setteth to the Southward: her course North two and twentie leagues. The e∣leuenth, [ 10] we steered from noone till night North North-east along the land, which was North 1/••. a point Easterly way, and till midnight North North-west. From midnight till day North by West, and so till noone North, all her true way North North-west 1/••. a point, North twentie seuen leagues. We haue a great Current against vs: for I made account wee should haue gone fiue and thirtie leagues: I obserued, and the latitude was one and twentie degrees fiue minutes, wind East South-East. The twelfth, we steered betweene the North North-east, and North by East, her true way North Westerly ½. of a point latitude nineteene degrees, fortie eight minutes, shee ranne twentie seuen leagues. The Current we find this last foure and twentie houres, setteth to the North-ward, the wind variable.

The thirteenth, we steered with little wind and calmes for the most part North by East, her [ 20] true way North ⅓. part West, the wind as the day before: she went fifteene leagues more then I would haue giuen her; so that I find the Current setteth to the North-ward, by my obseruation, latitude nineteene degrees tenne minutes. The twentieth at noone, her latitude eleuen degrees ten minutes, the wind vering Easterly, with calmes, variation twelue degrees fortie minutes. This afternoone we saw land, being the Iles of Queriba, which are dangerous low Ilands, environed with rockes and shoales.* 1.6

The first of October, 1610. wee steered North-east, her way North-east by North ¼. North twenty seuen leagues, the wind for the most part South-east. The second, we steered North-east, her way North-east by North ¼. North fiftie seuen leagues. Note the Current hath carried vs these eight and fortie houres to the North-ward, more then by reckoning we could giue her by twen∣tie eight leagues, which we found true by our latitude, which was three degrees thirtie minutes [ 30] South latitude: variation twelue degrees twenty foure minutes, wind South and South-east. The third, we steered North-east by East, her true way North-east ¼. North fortie one leagues, which is twelue leagues, carried by the Current to the North-wards: for I should haue giuen her but nine and twentie leagues, latitude two degrees South, the winds variable betweene the South and South-east.

The fourth, we steered North-east by East, her true way North-east ⅓. point Northerly fortie fiue leagues; whereof foureteene leagues carried with the Current, South latitude foureteene mi∣nutes, variation thirteene degrees, wind variable, betweene the South-east and South, we crost the line this afternoone.* 1.7 The fifth, we steered twelue houres North-east by East, and twelue [ 40] houres East North-east, her true way North-east, little Northerly fortie seuen leagues: shee hath been carried to the North by the Current at the least twenty leagues, latitude North one degree thirtie minutes, the wind for the most part South South-east, with sometimes almost calme. The sixt, we steered East by North, and East North-east: her true way North-east by East little Ea∣sterly thirtie eight leagues, helped by the Current to the North-ward eighteene leagues: latitude two degrees thirtie minutes, the wind South South-east, variation foureteene degrees two minutes.

The seuenth, we steered East by North, her true way East North-east 1/••. point Northerly, eight and twentie leagues: latitude three degrees fiue minutes, wind all Southerly: variation fifteene degrees, by the Current tenne leagues. The eighth, we steered East North-east, her true way North-east by East 1/••. point, Northerly fortie leagues: latitude foure degrees twentie seuen mi∣nutes, [ 50] the wind South-west, variation sixteene degrees foure minutes. The ninth, wee steered North-east by East, her true way North-east ¼. a point Northerly twenty seuen leagues, latitude fiue degrees, three and twentie minutes, wind South-west, variation sixteene degrees foure mi∣nutes.

* 1.8The tenth calme: Latitude in fiue degrees, one and twenty minutes. Here we lost the Cur∣rent that set to the North-ward, and were carried to the South-ward two miles, varia∣tion seuenteene degrees tenne minutes. The eleuenth, calme, latitude fiue degrees twentie mi∣nutes, lost one mile. The twelfth, calme, latitude fiue degrees, lost by being carried to the South-ward twentie miles. The thirteenth, we steered two watches North-east, and foure watches [ 60] North North-east: her true way as I guest North North-east, by reason the Current counteruailes the variation, she ranne seuenteene leagues: latitude fiue degrees, fiftie fiue minutes, the wind West by North, variation nineteene degrees tenne minutes.

The foureteenth, we steered North, her way allowing her variation, which is nineteene de∣grees

fortie minutes, should be one point ¼. to the West-ward; but the variation daily rising, sheweth we are carried to the East-ward by the Current, more then the variation commeth vnto,* 1.9 she went this day forty leagues, the wind West South-west, latitude seuen degrees fifteene mi∣nutes: her true way North-east, carried to the East tenne leagues. The fifteenth, wee steered North, our latitude eight degrees fifty fiue minutes, her true way North-east fortie fiue leagues, her way should haue been North by West, Westerly by the variation, but the Current hath cari∣ed her to the East-ward of her course seuenteene leagues: the variation nineteen degrees fiue mi∣nutes, the wind West South-west.

The sixteenth, we steered away North, her way by the Current, North by East thirtie sixe [ 10] leagues, carried contrary to the variation fiue leagues to the East-ward, as I imagine: the wind South South-west, variation nineteene degrees eight minutes. The seuenteenth, wee steered North, and ranne nineteene leagues: in the morning early wee did see the Duas Irmanas sixe leagues off, bearing North by West of vs: the wind at South-west,* 1.10 variation eighteene degrees fiftie fiue minutes. The eighteenth at night, we came to an anchor in a sandy Bay,* 1.11 in the Ile of Zacotora, whose latitude was twelue degrees twenty fiue minutes: in the euening we went on land with our Sayne, and got great store of fish: wind East.

The one and twentieth, we weighed for to ply for the road of Tamerin,* 1.12 the chiefe towne of the Iland, but we found the wind at the East, and East by South, which was right as wee should goe, so that we could not get the place till the fiue and twentieth day. The latitude of Tamarin [ 20] is twelue degrees thirtie minutes, the variation is nineteene degrees eighteene minutes. The Towne standeth at the foote of high ragged hills:* 1.13 the road is all open betweene the East by North, and West North-west. We anchored in ten fathomes water, good ground. The fiue and twentieth in the afternoon, I sent M. Femel well accompanied ashore, with a present to the King, which was a vest of cloth, a peice of Plate, and a Sword blade; he promised all kindnesses.

The sixe and twentieth, I went on shore with the chiefe Merchants with me, and a good guard of armed men: I was conducted to the Kings house,* 1.14 where at his chamber doore he came and in∣tertained me: he brought me into his Chamber, where being set in a chaire by him, there passed many complements, which I omit. I enquired concerning the trade of the Red Sea; and he com∣mended it highly, saying, the people of Aden and Moha were good people, and would bee glad [ 30] of trade with vs; and that the Ascension had sold all her goods there at good rates, and came so lightly to this place, that they tooke in good store of Ballast. This newes gaue me good content: I demaunded leaue to set vp my Pinnasse vpon his Iland, but he would not graunt it in this roade; but if I would returne, and doe it at the place where we first anchored, he was content: he feared if we stayed in this roade of Tamerin to set her vp, we would feare all men for comming thither. He had sent all his Alloes to Fartaque to his Father, King of that part of Arabia Foelix:* 1.15 his chiefe Citie is called Chushem, where he is resiednt. I asked him leaue to wood and water: for the one, which was water, he gaue me free leaue; but for wood I must pay very deare, if I would haue any; saying withall, That all other Nations which came thither, payed for their water; but of mee he would not demaund any thing. He confirmed the losse of the Ascension, and her Pinnasse, which [ 40] was no little griefe to me to heare. I demaunded if they had left any writing behind them; hee answered me, he had one, but his seruant had lost it; I was very earnest to haue seene it; but it could not be found. He animated me to goe for the Red Sea, but diswaded me from seeking trade in the Countrey of Fartaque: for that he doubts his Father would not permit vs. I and all my people dined with the King, which beeing done, I tooke my leaue, and went aboord.

The seuenth of Nouember, we steered West by South, and West South-west alongst the Land: we sawe about tenne of the clocke an high land, which we imagined to be the high land of A∣den, it riseth like Abbadel-Curia, and may be seene a great way off.* 1.16 In the euening about sixe of the clocke, we came to an anchor before the Towne in twenty fathome water, sandy ground. The Towne standeth at the foote of a Mountaine in a Vale, and maketh a faire shew: it is inuironed [ 50] with a stone wall, and Forts and Bulwarks in many places, but how they be appoointed we know not. This night there came a small Boat from the Towne to view vs, but came not aboord: the wind East South-east we stood in, standing ouer we were carried to the East-ward with the Current at least twentie leagues, contrary to our expectation, who rather thought the Current would haue set to the West-wards.

The eighth, came a small Boat off the Towne aboord, with three Arabians in her: they said they were sent by the Lieftenant of the Towne, to know what Nation we were, and wherefore we came thither, sending vs word by them, if we were Englishmen, we were heartily welcome, and that the yeere before, Captaine Sharpeigh had been there, and from thence went to M••ha, where he made sale of all his goods: I demaunded of one of them the name of the Basha,* 1.17 and [ 60] whether he were a good man: he answered, his name was Ieffer Basha, and that the Basha that last was, was very ••ad, this a little better; but all the Turkes in generall starke naught. I asked, if Mo∣ha were a good place of trade? they answered, that there was one man in Moha, that would buy all our goods: I sent my Pinnasse a land, and Iohn Williams one of my Factors in her, who spake the Arabique language, at their comming a shore they were kindly entertained.

The ninth in the morning, I sent my Pinnasse ashore for a Pilot for Moha: in the meane while the Boate was ashore, we brought our selues loose, and vnder sayle: they returned without a Pilot, and would not let vs haue any, without three of our chiefe Merchants to be left for pledges: they intreated me not to depart with all our ships, but to leaue one for that Port; and that they would buy all the goods in her; we beeing desirous of trade vpon good consideration, thought fit to leaue the Pepper-corne there, and the other two to goe for Moha, whereupon we did what we could to get the Road againe, but could not, beeing carried to Lee-ward with the Current: wee anchored to the South-ward of the Towne: I sent M. Fowler and Iohn Williams aland, to tell them I minded to leaue one of the ships there to trade, so that they would let me haue a Pilot. They seemed very glad that one of the ships should tarry, and promised me a Pilot the next day. [ 10]

* 1.18The twelfth, I seeing no hope of any Pilot to be had (which had been often promised, but not performed) dispatched my businesse with the Pepper-corne: and about noone, I and the Darling set sayle for Moha: the wind East South-east, wee steered alongst the land sometimes West South-west, and West by North, in twentie eight and thirtie fathome, we saw a small sayle go∣ing before vs,* 1.19 which we followed till we had lost sight of her by night. This coast is highland, with many head-lands.

The thirteenth, we haled on our course alongst the land, all this night steering betweene the West by North,* 1.20 and most by South, her true way West. The next day betimes we saw the head∣land going into the Red Sea, rising like an Iland; about eleuen of the clocke wee were thwart of the entrance, being but three miles broad: on the North side is a ragged land like an Iland, and on [ 20] the other side is a flat low Iland, called Babelmandel: vpon the South of the Iland there seemeth to be a broad channell or entrance. After we had passed this straight of Babelmandel, vpon the North shore in a sandie Bay is a Village, to which place I sent my Pinnasse for a Pilot: they staid not long, but returned with a couple of Arabs, who tooke vpon them to be very skilfull. Our depth in the straights was betweene eight and eleuen fathome water (betweene the straight and Aden is thirty leagues) we steered alongst the land North by West, and North North-west, be∣tweene eighteene and twentie fathomes deepe: about foure of the clocke we discried the Towne of Moha:* 1.21 and about fiue a clocke in luffing in beeing much wind, we split our maine toppe sayle, and putting abroad our mizen, it split likewise: our Pilots brought our shippe a ground vpon a banke of sand, the wind blowing hard, and the Sea somewhat high, which made vs all doubt her [ 30] comming off. This night came a Boat aboord of vs from the Towne, with a Turke in her, a proper man, sent by the Gouernour of the Towne, to know what we were, and wherefore wee came thither. I told him we were English Merchants, that came to seeke trade: he answered, if we were Englishmen we were hartily welcome, and should not faile of that we looke for: for A∣lexander Sharpeigh had sold all his goods there,* 1.22 and we might doe the like. And for the grounding of the ship, he made nothing of it, saying, It was ordinary for great ships of India to come a ground, and yet neuer heard that any of them sustained any harme thereby: he made hast to goe ashore, to certifie the Aga what we were, with promise in the morning to returne with Boates to lighten our ship. This man, as I afterward vnderstood, is called Lord of the Sea, for that his office is to go aboord all ships that come thither,* 1.23 and to see Lighters sent aboord to discharge the ships, and to search that they steale no custome: for which Office, hee hath diuerse duties, which is his onely [ 40] maintenance.

The fourteenth in the morning early, he returned with three or foure Turkes more in his com∣pany, whereof two of them spake Italian, they brought me a small Present from the Aga, which commendations and offer of any thing the Countrey could affoord me, with heartie welcome to his Port, saying, we should haue as good and free Trade as wee had in Stambola, Aleppo, or any part of the Turkes Dominions,* 1.24 with many other Complements: there came with them foure or fiue Lighters, in which we put any thing that came first to hand, to lighten the ship. Master Fe∣mell went a-land in one of them before I was aware thereof, carrying all he had in the ship with him. Wee sent all our Money, Elephants teeth, and all our shot aboord the Darling: wee laid [ 50] out our Anchors to passe, and in the Euening proued if we could heaue her off, but could not make her stirre, which was no small griefe to me.

The fifteenth, we did what we could to lighten our ship, sending some goods a-land and some aboord the Darling, I had a Letter from Master Femell, wherein hee certified mee of kind enter∣taynment by the Aga, and that he had agreed for Custome to pay fiue pound the hundred for all we should sell, and that we could not sell to be returned aboord custome free. Likewise the Aga sent me a Letter vnder his hand and Seale, proffering himselfe and any thing the Countrey af∣foorded to bee at my disposing, with many other Complements; about fiue a clocke wee began to heaue at our Cap-staynes, and by Gods great mercy shee went off to all our comforts.

The nineteenth, came two Boates from the shore sent by Master Femell for Iron, which I [ 60] caused them to fetch from the Darling. I writ to Master Femell not to send for any more goods a-land, for that I would see sale of those he had already before I would depart with any more. I receiued a Letter from Master Femell, if that I minded to haue Trade, I must come a-land accor∣ding to the custome of the place, otherwise they would not be perswaded but that wee were

men of Warre. Likewise, the Aga sent our Interpreter to me to intreate me to come aland, if I were a Merchant and friend to the great Turke, and hoped for Trade: Alledging that Captaine Sharpeigh and all the Indian Captaines did the like.

The twentieth, I went a-land, I was receiued at the water side by diuers chiefe men, and with Musicke brought to the Agas House; where were assembled all the chiefe men of the Towne: my entertaynment by the Aga and the rest, was with extraordinarie great kindnesse, I was seated close to the Aga, all men else standing, where he held me with Complements, ma∣ny times bidding me welcome, offering himselfe and the Countrey to be at my seruice: I deliue∣red his Maiesties Letter with a Present to the Basba, which I desired might be sent him vp with [ 10] all speed. Likewise I gaue the Aga a Present, which he tooke very kindly, telling me, I and my people should haue as good and peaceable Trade, as any of our Nation had in any parts of the Turkes Dominions, and that if any man in the Towne offered me or any of my people wrong, he would see them seuerely punished; he caused me to stand vp, & one of his chiefe men put vpon my backe a Vest of Crimson silke and siluer, saying, I n••eded not to doubt of any euill; for that was the Gran Seniors protection. After some few Complements I tooke my leaue, I was mounted vpon a Gallane Horse with rich Furniture, a great man leading my Horse; and so in my new Coate with the Musicke of the Towne conuerged to the English House: where I stayed Dinner,* 1.25 and presently after went aboord. Much he intreated my stay on shore, which I yeelded to for buil∣ding my Pinnasse, the daies following being also forced by foule weather.

[ 20]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cape Verde.
• * 1.2

  The Samuell.
• * 1.3

  The commen∣dation of Cape Verde.

  They arriue in the Road of Saldanha.
• * 1.4

  M. Femell in a Letter which I haue, written from thence, mentions two French ships in like imploy∣ment whi••h he suspected to lye in wait ••or distressed ships from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  The bay of S. Augustine in S. Laurence.
• * 1.6

  The Iles de Qu••riba in 11. degrees tenne minutes, neere the coast of A∣frica.
• * 1.7

  We crost the Aequinoctiall.
• * 1.8

  They loose the North Cur∣rent.
• * 1.9

  A Current.
• * 1.10

  Duas Irmanas.
• * 1.11

  The Ile of Ca∣co••ora.
• * 1.12

  Tamerin.
• * 1.13

  The casting a∣way of the A∣scention.
• * 1.14

  The King en∣tertaine••h Sir Henry Middle∣ton.
• * 1.15

  Fartaque in A∣rabia. Chushem or Caixem.
• * 1.16

  Aden.
• * 1.17

  Captain Shar∣peigh had been at Aden and Mo••a, in the yeere 1609.
• * 1.18

  The Trade and the Darling set saile for Moha.
• * 1.19

  This coast is high land.
• * 1.20

  The Headland on the coast of Arabia going into the Red Sea.

  The North straight of the Red Sea. Babelmandel, or the Bab.
• * 1.21

  Moha. The shippe brought on ground.
• * 1.22

  Alexander Shar∣peigh.
• * 1.23

  The Lord of the Sea there.
• * 1.24

  Stambola is Constantinople. The extreame dissimulation of the Turkes.
• * 1.25

  The English House in Moha.