Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 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.

§. IIII.

A description of the Coast, that is contayned from the Port of Igidid vnto Comol, Raselnaxef, Xuarif, Gadenauhi, Xermeelquiman, Gualibo, Tuna, Alcocer, and Toro.

FRom a Point that lyeth two leagues beyond the Port of Igidid, to another, very long * 1.1 and flat, it may bee about foure leagues: these two Points stretch North-west and South-east, in this space there is a great and famous Nooke, and within it toward [ 50] the long Point of the North-west, is a Hauen so close on all sides, that no Wind can doe it any harme, and it is very deepe. The Point remayneth an Iland, which by reason of the heighth and place where it standeth, without doubt it seemeth to be an Iland, which Ptolomie calleth Starta. But from hence to a great Point, which the Land ouer the Port of Comol doth * 1.2 thrust out, there may be fiue leagues, these two Points stretch North-west and by West, South-east and by East; betweene them both there is another great and faire Nooke. As touching the description of the Land vpon the Sea coast, we are to note, that from as farre as Igidid, till halfe a league short of the Port of Comol, along the Sea, the Land sheweth all along in small Hills and very close, and behind them there arise within a league distance, very great and high Mountains, raysing very high Pikes and sharpe Points, with other very faire shewes, the which the neerer [ 60] they come to the Port of Comol, so much the neerer they come toward the Sea, and being come to the edge of it, they runne very high, ouer-pearing the Coasts, till they come within halfe a league short of this Port of Comol.

Comol, is beyond Igidid eleuen leagues, and from Suaquen sixtie eight; the Pole in it is ele∣uated * 1.3 two and twentie degrees and an halfe. This Port standeth in the end of this second Nooke, very neere the face of the Point, which the Land that lyeth on the North-west side, doth thrust out, the which though it be not very great, yet it is very sure and profitable: for toward the Sea side it hath certaine Shoalds ouer water, which defend it, that no Sea can come into it; the Land which is seene round about it, is very plaine and pleasant, and greatly peopled with Badois. * 1.4 Now, the Point of the North-west, wherewith the Land ouer this Port and end of the Nooke, commeth out into the Sea, is very long and faire: the Land of it is all low and equall. This Point is the Promontorie Prionoto, if wee looke well to Ptolomie in the third Table of Africa; * 1.5 which, because that as farre as it the great Mountaines doe end, which roame along all this [ 10] Coast. Three houres after mid-night, we went out of the Port of Comol, and rowing a little while, wee all set saile and went along the Coast; but an houre before morning, some Foysts strooke vpon Rocks and Shoalds, for which cause we strooke saile, and made our iourney, rowing vntill morning.

The eight, at breake of day, we came into a great and faire Bay, of which toward the North and North-west side, we saw no end, or any Point where it might end. We sailed in the broad and high Sea, the Shoalds on euery side were so many, that it was a wonder wee could make any profit of a large winde, for now going roamour, now by a tacke, sometime out of the way, and sometime in it, there was no way wee could take certayne and quiet. About Sunne set, wee found a very great Shelfe, and fastning our selues to the stones of it, we tooke harbour. The ninth, [ 20] being cleere, we set saile from the Shelfe. We tooke harbour within a very great Shelfe, which is called Xaabiliden: after we were at anchor, we saw to the Sea an Iland, which is called Zemor∣gete. * 1.6 This Port and Shelfe stretcheth North-east and by East, South-west and by West. From the point of the Cape of the Mountains, to another Point which is beyond it, where are certain great Furres or Whinnes, the Coast runneth North-west and by North, and South-east and by South, bushes of the distance may be about three leagues & an half, or foure, & presently from this Point, the Coasts of the great nooke, beginne to wind toward the Land inward, drawing toward the setting of the Sunne, and afterward they turne againe very winding and crooked, making with so many turnings a great and large circuite, and from hence they wind outward, carrying a great and long front, till they thrust into the Sea a notable and great Point, called Raselnaxef, which in [ 30] * 1.7 Arabique, is to say, the dry Cape which Ptolomie doth call. The Promontorie Pentadatilors, as we may see in the third Table of Africa, the Iland of Zemorgete, is distant from this Point a∣bout eight leagues towards the Sunne rising, and from it, as the Moorish Pilots told vs, is the first place from whence the Land is seene of both the Coasts, but the Coast of Arabia is a great deale further from the Iland, this Iland is barren and very high, and hath another fast by it ve∣ry small, the greater Zemorgete, Ptolomie doth call Agathon, and maketh no mention of the les∣ser. Now, for a declaration of the shelfe Xaabeliden, wee are to note, that in the end of this great Bosome farre to the Sea, there lyeth a very faire shelfe aboue water, all of it, which ma∣keth a figure like to two armes wide open with their hands, and because of this shew that it representeth, it was called, Xaabeliden; which in Arabian, is to say, The shelfe of the Hands, [ 40] the Port of this shelfe is on the Land side, for on this side it windeth very much, and stretcheth such armes that keepe and shut vp the Hauen from all the winds of the Sea, this Hauen stret∣cheth with Raselnaxef, East South-east, and West North-west, the distance is about foure leagues.

The tenth, the Sunne being vp, we set saile to the North North-east, the wind began to blow fresher, and the Sea appeared to vs cleere and Nauigable, about halfe a league from the Point, we saw in the iudgement of all, a ship vnder saile, and making toward it, after wee were very neere it, we perceiued it was a white Rocke that was in the Sea, which, as wee had notice, deceiueth all the Nauigators, and presently we sailed to the North and by East. At nine of the clocke, wee were as farre as an Iland, which is called, Cornaqua, and wee passed betweene it and the firme Land: this Iland is small and barren, it hath in compasse about halfe a league, the distance from [ 50] * 1.8 it, and the firme Land is about a league and an halfe, the Land of the Iland maketh the figure and shew of a great and mightie Lizard, with his armes stretched out, which is the occasion it is much noted and seene of the Nauigators, and therefore made famous, this Iland of Cornaqua beareth with the Iland Zermogete, North-west and by West, and South-east and by East, the distance is about sixe small leagues, but returning to our way, about halfe an houre past ten, wee were as farre as a very long Point of Sand, entring a great way into the Sea, which is called, Ra∣selenfe; which in Arabique, is to say, The Point or Cape of the Nose. This Point hath not round about it any high Land, but a great or vast field doth begirt it, without seeing in all this space any Tree or any greene thing, and in the very face of the Point, is a great Temple erected, with∣out any other building, and on euery side of it is a very cleere sandy Coast, in manner of a Bay. [ 60] * 1.9 Raselenfe is very famous; all the trouble of their Nauigations, is, till they come to this Point, and whensoeuer they double or come to it, they hold themselues at home and sure. Now prosecuting our iourney running along the Coast, the wind was at South-east. At noone my Pilot tooke the Sunne, and found himselfe in twentie foure degrees of height, one sixt part,

at this time we might be beyond Raselenfe three leagues, whence it remayneth manifest, this Point to stand in the height of twentie foure degrees; and of this itappeareth, that the Citie of * 1.10 Bereuice, was built in this Point of Raselenfe, for Ptolomie doth place it vnder the Tropicke of Cancer, by the Sea-side in this Coast, and in his time they made the greatest declination, almost twentie three degrees fiftie minutes: Likewise, Pinie, Lib. 6. speaking of Bereuice, saith, that in the Solsticium at high noone, the Gnomon maketh no shadow, which signifieth, this Citie to be vnder the Tropicke.

Halfe an houre before Sunne-set, we were as farre as an Iland, which is called Xuarit, but pas∣sing * 1.11 forward a quarter of a league, we met certaine shelues of sand, and others of stone. Wee came to an Anchor betweene them in a good Harbour, which in the Arabique Tongue, is called [ 10] Cial. In these shelues wee saw so great a quantitie of Foule, as hitherto in no part of this Sea wee haue seene: these shelues and Port of Cial, is beyond Suachen, one hundred and three leagues.

From Raselnaxef, till so farre as the Iland Xuarit, there may be betweene sixteene and seuen∣teene * 1.12 leagues. The Coast when we haue doubled Raselnaxef, which by another name, I call the North-west point of the great Nooke, doth wind very much, and runneth into the Land, and turning out ward againe, it thrusteth into the Sea: a verie long Point of Sand, called Raselenfet: * 1.13 shese two Points stretched North-east and South-west, and take almost the whole quarter of North and South, there may be in the distance about sixe leagues large, and presently from Ra∣selenfet, forward the Coast windeth directly to the North-west, till we are as farre as the Iland [ 20] of Xuarit, this distance is betweene ten and eleuen leagues: the Sea that lyeth in this distance is in onely three places foule and full of Shoalds, the first is, to the Sea of the Iland of Connaqua, where is seene a great and very faire Shoald, which going ouer water raiseth a great ridge of ve∣ry great stones, and runneth a great space toward the Land. The second place is in the Iland of Xuarit, for from this Iland, as well on the East as on the West-side, there goe great Shoalds and * 1.14 Flats toward the firme Land, in such manner that they seeme to shut vp all the Sea, that lyeth betweene the Iland and the Land, but the third remayneth manifest, to bee this part where at this present we lye at Anchor, called Cial; in the which the Sea is so full and thicke, with so many Shoalds and Flats, that they haue no number, neither can yee perceiue any part of it, that shewes it selfe free and void of them. The Iland of Xuarit is a Caleeuer-shot in length, and in [ 30] breadth almost as much, the Land of it is very low, and in the midst of it a great Bush very greene, on the East-side there is opposite to it a great Rocke like an Iland, this Iland is distant from the firme Land little more then halfe a league.

From Suaquen to Raselenfe, the Countries are inhabited of a people, called Badois, which wor∣ship Mahomet, the one and the other called of the Cosmographers Aethiopians. And from Ra∣selenfe vpward to Soez, and the end of this Sea, the Coasts doe appertaine to the great Region of Egypt, therefore the Inhabitants which doe inhabit betweene them and the Riuer Nilus, Ptolo∣mie will haue them called, Arabique Egyptians. Pomponius Mela, and other Authors doe onely * 1.15 giue them the name of Arabians, but in these diuisions we must hold with, and follow Ptolomie, as Prince of the Cosmographers. These Arabique Egytians, all those that doe inhabit from the [ 40] Mountaines toward the Sea, are commonly called Badois, of whose customes and life, wee will intreat in some other place.

The eleuenth, we tooke in our sayles, and Rowed along: at nine a clocke of the day we en∣tred * 1.16 into a great Nooke, which is called Gadenauhi, there may be from the part of Ciall to this Nook, about foure leagues: the Coast stretcheth North-west and South-east, and taketh of the North and South: the Land ouer the Sea, leauing the shape it had, to wit, of a Wall or Trench, it commeth very mountainous and doubled, making so many Mountaines, and so close, that it is a very strange thing. The Port of Gadenauhi, is beyond Suaquen, one hundred & seuen leagues, * 1.17 and in it the Pole is eleuated foure and twentie degrees, and two third parts; being low water, it was one houre after high noone, and flowing from that houre, comming to the Point of full Sea, it was one houre after the Moone rose ouer the Horizon, & from that houre the Moone as∣cending [ 50] by the Hemisphere, it beganne to ebbe, till the Moone passed the Meridian, about an houre of time, and presently the Moone descending from hence, going to set vnder the Hori∣zon, the Tyde began to flow till the Moone was set, and an houre after it was set, was full Sea. By night the wind was North-west, two or three houres after mid-night wee departed from Gadenauhi, and prosecuting our iourney, at the passing betweene the Shoald which commeth from the North-west Point of the Nooke, and the Iland of Bahuto: we strucke and were fast * 1.18 vpon the Shoald, and all being troubled, wee were in the Net, (as they say) but in this there was neither danger nor hurt, insomuch that we got out of this place, and hit vpon the Channell, and went along the shoare, rowing against the North-west winde till it was day. [ 60]

The twelfth, we rowed along the shore, one houre after Sun rise, we anchored in a hauen, which * 1.19 is called Xarmeelquiman, which in Arabique, is to say, a cleft or opening of the Mountaines: This Port lyeth beyond Gadenauhi a league and a halfe. Xarmeelquiman is a small Port, and little pompous or proud in quantitie, but in qualitie great and Noble. This Port is from Sua∣quen,

one hundred and eight leagues, it is much like the Port of Igidid. The twelfth of Aprill, we set sayle going along the shoare, the winde came fresher and larger, that is, at East South-east, about noone it blew verie hard, and it came with so great Gales, that it raised the Sands of the Coast very high, raising them toward the heauens, in so great Whirle-winds, that they seemed like great smoakes. About Euen-song time the Armie comming together, the Winde * 1.20 calmed altogether to some ships; and some other that came hard by, or a little behind, or more to the Sea, or to the Land, had the wind so strong, that they could beare no sayle. The distance from those that were in calme, and those that were in the storme, being no more then a stones cast, and presently within a little space, it tooke the shippes that were in calme with their Sayles, vp to the top, so that they had the Winde very fresh; and the other that went verie [ 10] swift, remained in calme, and so in short time the one was reuenged of the other. This chanced going close all together, in such sort, that it seemed a thing done for the nonce, and in mockage. In this chance, there came some Gales of East, and East North-east winde very great, and so * 1.21 hot, that in their scorching they made no difference from flames of fire. The Dusts that were raised on the shoare, went sometime to one place, and sometimes to another, as they were dri∣uen and cast with the Winds: many times we saw them make three or foure waies before they were alayed, or did fall in the Sea, with the Counter-winds that tooke them from diuers parts. This Mysterie and Chance among hils and high grounds had not beene much, nor any new thing to haue happened; but so farre from the Coast with the Sea Winds, certainly it ought to be much regarded. When these Counter-winds beganne to take vs, we were as a Port, that is called Xaona, and going on in this sort, now striking Sayle, now Hoysing, sometimes ta∣king [ 20] pastime at that which we saw, and other whiles dread and feare, we went almost till Sun set, when we entred into a Port, called Gualibo, which is to say in Arabique, The Port of Trouble; we went this day, and a piece of the night past, about thirteene leagues.

From Gadenauhi, to a Port that is called, Xacara, (which a very red hill doth beguirt) the Coast runneth North-west, and by North and South-east, and by South, the distance is about tenne * 1.22 leagues: and from this Red hill, to a Point that lyeth beyond this Port of Gualibo almost a league, the Coast runneth North North-west, and South South-east, the distance is about sixe leagues. In these sixteene leagues the Coast is very cleere, and onely one league beyond the Red hill lyeth a Shoald, distant from the Land halfe a league large. In the length of these Coasts contained in the sixteene leagues, are many fa••re and famous Ports, the most that I haue seene or [ 30] thought to see in so short a space of way: among which Ports, there is one that is cal∣led Xaona, very great, where the Moores and Inhabitants doe say, A famous Citie of Gentiles was built in times past, which looking well to Ptolomie in his third Table of Africa, was called * 1.23 Nechesia. Along the Sea runne great and infinite Mountaines, very double and close together, and behind farre within the Land, there arise ouer them great and mightie hils. In all the length of the Coasts where these Mountaines are placed, there are two great Mountaines, not onely more Noble then the other their neighbours: but all those that are in this Coast, the one of is very blacke, and seemeth as though it were sindged, and the other is yellow, betweene them * 1.24 them are certaine heapes of Sand: From the blacke Mountaine inward to the Land, there is [ 40] an open field, where I saw many Trees very great and high, which tooke a great compasse with the tops. Those Trees were the first I saw in this Coast, that seemed Domesticall and proper, to the Land: for the other, that before I make mention of, which are a little beyond Maçua, are like, and of the kind of them that grow in the Marishes, by the Borders of the Sea, and of the Riuers, and likewise those which stand in the Port of Xarmeelquiman, and the other that stand in the Port of Igidid are wilde, and sad to the sight, without boughes or fruit, but hauing leaues they seeme naked and dry. These two Mountaines and Graue, stand about two leagues before the Port which is called, Xarmeelquiman.

Gualibo, is beyond Suaquen, one hundred and twentie two leagues. This Port is like in fashi∣on and entry, very much to the Port of Xarmeelquiman, in this onely they differ, that the other [ 50] hath ouer it many Mountaines, that enuiron it, and all the Land round about this, is plaine and vaste. The entry of this Port, is betweene certaine Rockes or Shoalds, whereon the sea brea∣keth very much, the Channell is deepe and large.

The thirteenth of Aprill after Sunne rise, we weighed, and went out of the Port of Gualibo, the wind was North-west very strong, and made the Sea to rise very much, we rowed along * 1.25 the shoare: at ten of the clocke in the morning, wee entred into a Port, which is called Tuna, which is a league and an halfe beyond Gualibo.

Tuna is a small and foule Hauen, it is beyond Suaquen one hundred twentie three leagues and an halfe, the North Pole is eleuated in it twentie fiue deg. and an halfe, the entring of the Hauen is betweene certaine Rockes, and within, the greatest part of it is occupied with a shoald and [ 60] stones, in such sort, that within there is a small and sorrie Harbour, the turning which the point of the Land, that is on the North side of the Port doth make, there is a good Harbour and Road against the North-west wind, the Land round about it is a very barren sand; on the land of this Port on the North-west side there are three sharpe Mountaines of stone, made to my thinking, for a knowledge and token that there is an Hauen here.

One houre before Sunne set, we fastned our selues to a Shoald, which stands beyond Tuna a league, the Coast from a Point, which is almost one league beyond Gualibo, runneth with ano∣ther Point that is beyond this Shoald, a league and a halfe, North North-west, South South-east, the distance is foure Leagues.

The fourteenth, we went along the shoare, the Sea rose very bigge, and molested the Rowers * 1.26 very much, but resisting both Winde and Sea, after high noone wee entred into a very faire Nooke, and in the hidnest corner of it, where it maketh a good Port, wee came to an anchor. This day and night we went about fiue leagues, and might be beyond Suaquen one hundred and twentie nine leagues, the Coast in these sixe leagues stretcheth North-west and South-east, the Land ouer the Sea coast, some of it is low and plaine, and some mountainous. [ 10]

The fifteenth by day, wee were a league short of Alcocer, and making to it, an houre and a * 1.27 halfe after Sunne rise we came to the place, an cast anchor in the Hauen; we might goe the night past, and this little of the day about seuen leagues, the Coast in this space runneth North Nōrth-west, and South South-east.

The place of Alcocer, noting well Plinie in the sixt Booke of his Naturall Historie, and like∣wise * 1.28 Ptolemie in the third Table of Africa, was called Philoteras, and all the Land that is con∣tayned from it vnto the Citie Arsinoe, and the end of this Sea was knowne by the name of Eneo; this place is so neighbouring to the Riuer Nilus, that the distance of both may bee be∣tweene fifteene and sixteene dayes iourney, setting your face toward that place where the Sunne setteth. This is the onely Port in all this Coast, where all the prouisions, which the Land of Egypt yeeldeth at this day, doe arriue, which Land is now called Riffa, and from hence all the * 1.29 [ 20] Townes, situated within the Coasts of the Streight, doe carrie them and prouide themselues. The Towne of Alcocer was built in old time two leagues further vpon the Sea coasts, but be∣cause of the euill discommoditie, and ioyntly because the Port was not sufficient for so great a re∣sort, they past it hither; and yet at this day are the old buildings of the ancient Towne seene, and are standing, and is called the old Alcocer, by the which I meane Philoteras. But returning to the description of the new Alcocer, as twise I haue verified, it hath of eleuation of the Pole, six * 1.30 and twentie degrees and one quarter, toward the North side, it is beyond Suaquen one hundred thirtie sixe Leagues; the Port is a great Bay, and very open to the Easterne windes, which in this Coast are of great force and trauerse, right against the place lye some shoalds though small, [ 30] whereon the Sea breaketh, betweene the which and the shoare the Frigats and Ships harbour, which come to seeke lading: the Towne is very small, and more then any other of the World, barren and miserable. The buildings differ very little from yards to put Cattell in; howsoeuer, the walls of the houses are of stone and clay, and others of sods, the tops of which haue no coue∣ring at all, except a few Mats or such base things, which defend the Inhabitants from the Sunne, and from the Raines, if peraduenture the Heauens doe send them now and then, as it is truth, that in this place they fall but seldome, and by a great chance. In all the circuit of the Place, Coast, Fields, Mountaines or Hills, there groweth no manner of Herbe, Grasse, Bush, Tree, or any other thing appeare, except certaine blacke scorched Mountaines, which make a great num∣ber of bare Hillocks, the which carrying this euill shew and melancholike sight, doe enuiron the [ 40] place from Sea to Sea, and betweene them and the inhabiting, wheresoeuer any waste place chanceth to be, it is a drie and more then barren sand to the sight, mingled with infinite grauell. The Port is the worst of all that I saw in this Coast, in it for his excellencie is not any kinde of Fish to bee found, hauing through all the Coasts and Strands very great abundance. Neere the Towne are three Wells of water whereof the people drinke, whose water with great diffi∣cultie * 1.31 yee can discerne from that of the Sea. Here is no kinde of Cattell.

The most expert Moores told me, that the name of Egypt was not knowne neere them, but that all the Land from Alcocer, and a great way behind, vnto Alexandria, was called Riffa. In which, more then any other Countrey of the World, there was great abundance of victuals and prouisions, Cattell, Camels, Horses, without hauing one foote of vnprofitable ground in all that [ 50] Prouince. I asked them what language or customes they had: they answered mee, that they followed the Arabians in all things. I asked them also for the qualitie of the Land: they told, * 1.32 that it was altogether very plaine, and that it neuer rained in it, and that if at and time it chanced to raine, it was held for a Wonder, the which God hath prouided for, with ordayning that the Riuer Nilus should twice a yeere exceed his bounds and naturall course, and water the fields. I asked them also if from as farre as Alcocer, one might sayle by the Riuer to Alexandria: they told me they might, and from farre behind Alcocer toward the Abexi: but that there was along the Riuer many Ilands and Rockes, for the which good Pilots were needfull, or to sayle by day. I asked them more, what the cause was, that the men of that Countrey [ 60] inhabited so * 1.33 great a situation as Alcocer: they answered mee, They being the neerest Sea-hauen to Nilus, and Prouince of Riffa, of all the Coast, from whence the fruits and pro∣uisions of the Land were transported. I asked them for what reason the Inhabitants of this place did not couer their houses, and made roofes vnto them: they answered me, that for the Sunne, the defence of Mats was sufficient, and that with raines they were not molested, but

that against the malignitie and wickednesse of men, they were forced to seeke stronger defences, and therefore ordained to make the wals of stone and clay, and others of sods. I asked them what men these so fierce enemies of theirs were, against the which they armed themselues with so strong Bulwarkes. They told me that they were Badois, a peruerse people, void of all good∣nesse, which many times with sudden assaults and robbings, did molest the place, and did rob the * 1.34 Droues that came from Nilus with victuals and other prouisions.

The eighteenth of Aprill, in the morning, we fastned our selues to a Shoald, that is beyond Alcocer, about foure leagues, and presently past noone we set saile.

The nineteenth, there tooke vs like a gush of the North North-west wind, faire weather, halfe an houre past eight of the clock, that we tooke Port in an Iland, which is called Suffange-elbahar, [ 10] we lost of the way we had gone foure or fiue leagues.

Suffange-elbahar is to say in the Arabicke Tongue, a Sea Spunge, this Iland stands beyond Al∣cocer * 1.35 thirteene leagues, the eleuation of the Pole in it is seuen and twentie degrees, all the land is sandie without any Trees or Water, the Iland hath in length about two leagues, and lesse then a quarter in breadth, there is a good Hauen with all weathers, but in the firme Land are so many * 1.36 Nookes, Ports, and Harbours, that it is a wonder, the deepest Channell whereby the Sea that is betweene the Iland and the Mayne, is along the firme Land, because on the Ilands side there bee some Shoalds, in the mouth and entring of this great Port, that is on the North-side, there are certaine Shoalds aboue water, of the which comming in by day, yee need not feare, and in the o∣ther that lyeth on the South-side, in the very midst of the entry of it, there is a great stone. [ 20]

The twentieth of Aprill, 1541. at Sunne-set, we might be about sixe leagues beyond the Iland Suffange-elbahar, the Coast in these sixe leagues runneth in this manner, from Suffange-elbahar, to a sandie Point, that is, beyond the Iland a league and an halfe, North North-west, and South South-east, and from this sandie Point forward, the Coasts doe wind inward to the Land, and doe make a great Nooke, within the which doe lye many Ilands, Ports, Creekes, Bayes, and many other notable Harbours.

The one and twentieth, by day, we were fast by the Land of an Iland, which is called, Xed∣uam, the wind was calme, we rowed along the Iland on that side which is opposite to the Land of the Arabian, this is very high and craggie, all of an hard Rock, it hath in length three leagues, and two in breadth, it is beyond Alcocer, twentie leagues, there is no water in it, nor any kind [ 30] of Trees. The Land of the Iland lyeth betweene both Coasts, there is from it to the firme Land of euery side fiue leagues, beyond toward the North-west are other three smaller Ilands, the Land of them is low, and betweene the one and the other lye some Shoalds. An houre after Sun rose, we were vpon the Cape or Point of the Iland that lyeth toward the North-side, and from thence we crosse to the Coast of the Arabian, the wind at this time was calme, wee went row∣ing, but within a little while it began to blow from the South-east faire, and presently wee set saile, and sayled to the North-west. At eleuen of the clocke in the morning, we were with the * 1.37 Land of the Stonie Arabia, and presently wee sailed along the shoare: two houres before Sun∣set, we came to an Anchor at the Towne of Toro, there may bee from the Iland of Xeduam, to Toro twelue leagues, the Iland and Toro lye North and by West, and South and by East. * 1.38 [ 40]

Making good consideration, the Towne of Toro, was called in old time Elana, as we may see in the writing of Ptolomie, Strabo, and other Authors, notwithstanding that in the Eleuation of the Pole, and situation, we find at this present a great change and diuersitie in these places: be∣cause those that write of the Towne Elana, did shew it to bee seated in the inwardest part of a very great Gulfe, called Elaniticus of the name of this place, and in the height of twentie nine degrees and one quarter. And now we know that Toro, hath eight and twentie degrees, one * 1.39 sixth part of Eleuation of the Pole, and is seated along a very straite and long Coast. The cause of this deceit, if it be true, that these places be both one, might proceed of the euill information that those persons gaue which saw it. But that Elana, is the Towne which now is Toro, appea∣reth, because that from it to Soez, aswell by the one Coast as by the other, not onely wee find [ 50] no memorie of any Towne; rather the barrennesse of the Countrey, want of waters, and rough and craggie Mountaines, did giue vs to vnderstand, that in no time, there could bee any inhabi∣ting, so that hauing respect to Ptolomie, his placing the Towne Elana, in the Coast of Arabia Petrea, in the place most neighbouring vnto Mount Sinai, and not to make any mention of a Towne betweene it and the Citie of the Heroes, which lyeth in the vttermost Coasts, where this Sea endeth, and seeing how in this Coast of Arabia, there is not any Citie, Village, or in∣habiting that commeth so neere the height of Elana as Toro, and iointly with this it is neigh∣bouring to Mount Sinai, and how from Toro to Soez, there is not any inhabiting, it seemeth a iust thing we should beleeue that Elana and Toro be one selfe-same place. This Towne of Toro also seemeth to be the Port which the holy Scripture calleth Ailan, where Salomon King of Iuda, [ 60] commanded the ships to be made, which went to Tarsis, and to Ophir, to lade with Gold and Siluer for to make the Temple. For taking away the second Letter from Ailan, the ancient names are almost one thing. Neither stands it with reason it should bee in any other place for the Timber whereof this Armie was made, was brought from the Mount of Libanon, and An∣tilibanon,

the which was a manifest thing, that because of the great labour and expences, which of necessitie would be in the carriage, they would direct it to the neerest and fittest Port for so great a businesse, especially the Iewes possessing the Region of Idumea, and that part of Arabia Petrea, which is contayned from Toro to Soez. Strabo a Capadocian, doth hold that Elana and Ailan, are one selfe-same thing, and treating of this Citie in another place, hee saith. From the Port of Gaza, there is one thousand two hundred and sixtie furlongs to the Citie of Ailan, which is seated in the Gulfe, or inwardest part of the Arabicke Gulfe, and these are two, the one is toward Arabia and Gaza, which they call Elaniticus, of the Citie that stands in it; the other toward the Egyptian side toward the Citie of the Heroes, and the way from Pelusia to this Gulfe is very little; This is that which I could take out of ancient Histories. The Citie of [ 10] Toro is seated vpon the Sea-side, alongst a very faire and long strand, and before wee came at it about a Canon shot, it hath twelue Palme-trees close together very neere the Sea, and from them inward to the Land. There runneth a plaine field till it commeth to the foot of certaine high Hils, these Hils are those which come from within the Streight of Ormuz; called in times past, * 1.40 The Persian Gulfe, the which hitherto came running along the Coast, very high ouer the Sea, and as farre as Toro, they leaue the Sea-coast, and with a great and sudden violence, they returne from hence to the Mayne toward the North-east, as angry and wearied of so continual and long Neighbour-hood with the waters, by these Mountaines is diuided the Stonie Arabia, from A∣rabia Foelix. And on the highest tops of them, doe some Christians at this day leade a holy life, but a little beyond Toro, by the border of the Sea, there beginneth a Mountaine to arise by little [ 20] and little, the which thrusting a bigge and high Point into it, it seemeth to them that are in the Towne or Port of it, that it endeth there, and goeth no further, and remayneth, making a shew of three great and mightie Mountaines separate the one from the other. This Towne is small and * 1.41 very pleasant, and well seated, all the people are Christians and speake Arabicke, it hath a Mo∣nasterie of Friers of the Order of Monserrat, in the which the Oracle or Image is of the bles∣sed Virgin Saint Katharine of Mount Sinai. The Nation of the Friers is Grecian, the Sea Port of Toro, is not very great but sure from the winds that may doe it hurt. For it hath opposite on the Sea-side a very long stonie banke, which runneth along the Coast of the Towne, betweene the which and the Land is the Hauen, and here, that is, as farre as the Towne, both the Coasts are so neighbouring, that the space of Sea that separateth them is about three leagues iourney, I [ 30] being desirous to know some particularities of the Countrey, tooke notice of the Friers and the information, they gaue me was this.

Touching Mount Sinai, they told me that it was thirteen smal iournies into the Land, in which * 1.42 there might be eighteene leagues; the which Mountaine is very high, the Countrey round about it plaine and open, and that in the borders of it there was a great Towne of Christians, in the which no Moore came in, but onely one that gathered the Rents and Duties of the Turkes. And that on the top of this Mountaine, there was a Monasterie of many Friers, where the bo∣die of the blessed Virgin Saint Katharine lay buried. This Virgin, as Anthonie Archbishop of Flo∣rence writeth, was carried away from the Citie of Alexandria by the Angels, and brought to this Mountaine, and buried by them; the Friers told me, that about foure monethes past, this [ 40] blessed and most holy body was carried with great pompe in a triumphant Chariot, all gilt to the Citie of Cairo, where the Christians of the Citie, which is a great part of the people, did come * 1.43 to receiue it with great Procession and Solemnitie, and set it in a Monasterie much honoured; they told me that the occasion of this so great and strange remoue, was the many discourtesies which the Alarabes did to the Monasterie, and how far to excuse others, they were inforced to redeeme them for money, of the which the Christians of Cairo complayning to the Turke, obtayned of him that they might bring the bodie of this blessed Virgin to the Citie, which the Friers did withstand, but it auailed them nothing. I am in doubt of this so great a chance: for it may bee the Friers did faine these newes, for feare lest we should goe and take this holy bodie from them, for they looked for vs with an Armie of ten thousand men; notwithstanding, they affirmed it very much, shewing great griefe and sorrow for the same. The Friers told me also, how that in [ 50] the Mountaines, right against the Towne, which I haue said before, to diuide the Stonie Arabia, from Arabia Foelix, there were some Heremites which leade a holy life, and that through this Arabia, there were many Townes of Christians I: asked them where they had notice that the Iewes did passe this Red Sea; to the which they answered me, that they knew no certaine place, but that there was no doubt of being betweene Toro and Soez. And that they crossed from the one Coast to the other, and that two or three leagues before yee come to Soez, in the Arabian Coast, there was that Fountaine which Moses caused to breake in the Rocke, when he strooke it with his Rod, the Iewes being in great dispaire for thirst. The which at this day the Arabian * 1.44 Moores doe call, The Fountaine of Moses, and that the water thereof was more then any o∣ther [ 60] pleasant and singular; likewise, I asked them how many leagues there were from Toro to Cairo by Land, they told me that seuen dayes iourney going meanly, and that the right way * 1.45 was by Soez.

But that after the Gallies of the Turkes beeing there, they changed the way about two

leagues higher, and that when they were as farre as Soez, they went toward the Sun set. Hauing had this information of the Friers, I talked with a very honest, learned, and curious Moore, the which I neuer found in any Moore, and I asked of him, through what place he thought the Iewes passed this Sea, he answered me, that that which was in memorie of the people, and likewise in some Scriptures; was, that the Iewes comming away, fleeing from the Egyptians, arriued a∣gainst * 1.46 Toro, on the land of the other side and coast that commeth from the Abexi, where all the power of the Egyptian come vpon them for to destroy them, and being in so great danger, Moses their Captaine made prayer vnto God, and presently strooke the Sea with a Rod twelue times, and there were presently opened twelue pathes, whereby all the people of the Iewes entred and arriued to the Land of the other side, where now stands the Citie of Toro: And the Egyptians [ 10] entring after them, the Sea closed vp, and all of them were slaine, whose number was about sixe hundred thousand men. And also that the Iewes, comming to the place of Toro, Moses their Captaine did leade them the way to Mount Sinai, where he many times spake with God. I ap∣proued this opinion very much; for if this passage had beene by Soez, as some will say, what need had the Egyptians to enter into the Sea, to the end of persecuting the Iewes, being able to goe about the Nooke, and take the foreward of them, especially being Horse-men against Foot∣men, which shall manifestly be seene in the Picture of Soez hereafter, and although in all these things there was a Miracle, we see alwaies, that in the like chances, there is a shew and manner of reason. Being satisfied with these Histories of the Moore, I asked of him if it was true, that the Christians that were in Cairo, did carrie away from Mount Sinai, the bodie of Saint Kathe∣rine, [ 20] he answered me, that no such thing was come to his notice, neither was it to be beleeued, and that it was but foure moneths past since he was in Cairo, which Citie they cal Mecara, where * 1.47 he heard no such thing, and that it seemed an inpossible thing to him, that the Christians round about Mount Sinai would permit such a thing, because all men held this woman for a Saint, and in great reuerence. Hee told mee also, that before wee came to Soez, by two or three leagues, there was a Fountaine, which God gaue to the Iewes, by the intercession of Moses, which Pro∣phet they call Muçaa, whose water surpassed greatly all the rest. I asked him for the Towne of Soez, how it was. He answered me, that he was neuer in it, neither could any person enter, ex∣cept those that by the Gouernour of Cairo were ordained for the keeping of the Galleys, and that neerer then two leagues none might come to it vnder paine of death.

The two and twentieth of Aprill, a cleere morning, we departed from Toro. The foure and [ 30] twentieth, we were in nine and twentie degrees seuenteene minutes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Comol Hauen two and twen∣tie degrees and an halfe.
• * 1.2

  Starta Insula.
• * 1.3

  A description of the Port of Comol.
• * 1.4

  Badois.
• * 1.5

  Promontorie of Prionoto.
• * 1.6

  Xaabiliden, a great Shelfe. Zemorgite I∣land. The Point of the Moun∣taines end.
• * 1.7

  Raselnaxef Point, or the dry Cape. Promontorie Pentadatilors. Note an Iland where the land of both Coasts is seene. Agathon insula.
• * 1.8

  Cornaqua an Iland.
• * 1.9

  A great Tem∣ple.
• * 1.10

  Note the Citie of Bereuice.
• * 1.11

  Xuarit Iland.
• * 1.12

  The coasting from Rasel∣naxef to Xuarit
• * 1.13

  Raselnaxef Point.
• * 1.14

  Xuarit Iland, a Caleeuer-shot in length, and in breadth al∣most as much.
• * 1.15

  Arabique Egyp∣tians.
• * 1.16

  Gadenauhi Nooke, foure leagues from Cial.
• * 1.17

  Variation to to North-east halfe a degree.
• * 1.18

  Bahuto.
• * 1.19

  Xarmeelquiman Hauen. A description of the Port of Xarmeelquiman
• * 1.20

  A strange chance of the winds.
• * 1.21

  Gales of winds that scorched likes flames of fire.
• * 1.22

  Xacara Port.
• * 1.23

  Xaona Port ve∣ry great.
• * 1.24

  Many Trees very great and high.
• * 1.25

  The Port of Tuna.
• * 1.26

  A very faire Nooke, one hundred twen∣tie nine legues from Suaquen. Alcocer Port and Towne.
• * 1.27

  The height of Alcocer.
• * 1.28

  A description of Alcocer. Alcocer some∣times Philote∣ras.
• * 1.29

  Riffa, a fruitfull part of Egypt.
• * 1.30

  New Alcocer, twentie six de∣grees and a quarter. Alcocer, the most barren and miserable place in the world, the manner of the buildings and houses. It raines sel∣dome in Alco∣cer.
• * 1.31

  Three Wells 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.32

  It neuer raines in Riffa.
• * 1.33

  So barren a Seat as Alcocer.
• * 1.34

  The Badois, a peruerse peo∣ple, and void of all goodnes.
• * 1.35

  The descripti∣on of the Iland Suffan-elbahar.
• * 1.36

  A good Hauen for all wea∣thers.
• * 1.37

  Stonie Arabia.
• * 1.38

  A description of the Towne of Toro. Elana, a Towne now called Toro.
• * 1.39

  Yo〈…〉〈…〉eade 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈…〉〈…〉ini∣o〈…〉〈…〉he gulfe Elamiticus, af∣terwards to be twentie leagues be∣yond Toro.
• * 1.40

  The Streight of Ormuz.
• * 1.41

  Christians liue vpon the top of these Moun∣taines.
• * 1.42

  Mount Sinai about some eighteene leagues from Toro.
• * 1.43

  The Citie of Cairo. The Alarabes.
• * 1.44

  The Fountain o•• Moses.
• * 1.45

  Cairo seuen dayes iourney from Toro by Land.
• * 1.46

  Where the pass••ge of the Iewes was. The Iewes flee∣ing from the Egyptians arri∣ued right a∣gainst Toro, and passed this sea, being the red Sea, and came to the place where Toro now standeth. But the Egypti∣ans followed them and were all drowned to the number of 600000.
• * 1.47

  Cairo at this day called Me∣cara.