The travels of Monsieur de Thevenot into the Levant in three parts, viz. into I. Turkey, II. Persia, III. the East-Indies / newly done out of French.

CHAP. I. Of the Voyage from Bassora to the Indies.

FRiday the sixth of November I Embarked at Bassora in the Ship of an Ar∣menian of two hundred and threescore Tun burden, called the Hope∣well. This Ship carried eighteen Guns, and had on Board one and thirty Sea-men, of whom six and twenty were Banians, and the other five Mahometans. We had no Franks on Board, but the Captain who was of Legorn, the Gunner a Native of Toulon, and two Sailers, the one a Vene∣tian, and the other a Greek of Candy. This was an English built Ship, and for∣merly belonged to the English President at Surrat, who had three others besides, and then she carried twenty eight Guns: but War breaking out betwixt the English and Dutch, and the President finding that he was not able to maintain them against the Hollanders, who at that time had many Ships in the Indies, sold them about a year ago to Armenians, and one Codgiaminas, whom I mentioned already, bought two of them, of which this was one; he payed for her to the English sixteen thousand Roupies, which make eight thousand Piastres, and put up the Armenian Colours upon her.

The Captain had three Pass-Ports, one from the Portuguese, another from the English, and a third from the Dutch. The Ship had been for several years Com∣manded by a Greek Candiot, called Captain Ʋscolo, a Man of much experience in those Seas, and skilful in taking Observations; but he died at Bassora in the month of September this present year one thousand six hundred sixty five, of an Inflamma∣tion in the Throat: and the Armenians put in his place, a Man of Legorn called Bernardo, who had formerly been Boatswain in the same Ship. He was a good Sailer, but knew not how to set off a Course, nor take an Observation, and in∣deed, could neither Read nor Write, he had only learnt a little experience by se∣veral Voyages he had made in those Seas. The Armenians would have made an

English Man Master, who was a good Navigator, and had discharged the same Place in other Ships; but since the War was then breaking out betwixt the English and Dutch, and that the Dutch told him they could not secure him from their Men of War, who would certainly make him Prisoner, if they met with him, he re∣fused the Employment. Besides our Captain we had two Mahometan Pilots, one who was to carry us as far as the Isle Carek, and the other to Surrat where he was born.

The Ship was loaded with Indigo, Cloaths, and Indian Commodities that could not be vended at Bassora, which we were to unload at Carek, to be Transported into Persia. Besides, she had on Board a great quantity of Dates, ten Horses, some Chests of Glass in pieces, some great Venetian Looking-Glasses, and a great many bags of mony.

We payed for our Passage from Bassora to Surrat forty Abassis, which are ten Pi∣astres Ryals a Head; but in Mahometan Ships this Passage costs nor more but fifteen Abassis. I hired also of the Gunner a little Cabin for my self in a corner of the Gun-Room, at the rate of forty Abassis for the Voyage from Bassora to Surrat. It was six Foot long, much about the same height, and four or five Foot wide; so that I was pretty well accommodated, having a Bed of Boards, two Foot raised from the Deck: there was room enough in it for my Baggage, and I could Read and Write therein by day, by the light I had from a little skuttle; but in the night∣time I could only sleep in it, because I had neither the convenience nor liberty of a Candle. I took care to carry on Board with me a good large Jarr, which I had filled with very good water. Such as understand the benefit of this, never fail to do so; it is covered with a wooden cover, and shut with a Padlock; and is very useful, when fresh water begins to be scarce on Board; for then every one betakes himself to his Jarr; and though the Captain had laid in good store of fresh water, yet we had reason to apprehend a scarcity, because besides a great many people, we had ten Horses, several Sheep, Goats, and Pullets on Board. I made also a provision of Bisket, and other necessaries for subsistance; though I ate with the Captain and the other three Franks that were on Board.

We spent four days betwixt Bassora and the mouth of Schat-el-Aarab; because all Saturday the seventh of November we lay still before Bassora, that day being em∣ployed in clearing the Ship, and drinking Brandy with the Owners Vikil, who stayed at Bassora, and sent another in his place to Surrat, where his Master was. That day then, was spent till night in drinking the Selomet in schallah, (that is to say to the good luck, if it please God) or the Foy, and that with the noise of Guns. At length the Merchant being gone, we weighed Anchor, but for a very short while; for we were obliged to drop it again at midnight, because we could not advance but by the help of the Tide; so that it behoved us to stay for the Ebb before we weighed, and come to an Anchor again when it made Flood: and this course we were forced to take, not only till New Moon, which changed not till Saturday the seventh of November, because of the South-East Wind that blew till that time; but also for some days after the New Moon, though the Wind was got about to North-West, because it was too easie to serve our turn. Besides, the dis∣sension that was on Board the Ship was a great hinderance to us, for the Captain was of one mind, and the two Pilots each of another, all the Merchants likewise putting in for their share in advising, This made the greater confusion, that one spoke Armenian, another Indian, a third Persian, a fourth Turkish, and a fifth Por∣tuguese; insomuch that most commonly they understood not what one another said, which made a confusion amongst them, like that which God sent amongst the builders of the Tower of Babel.

All that I thought fit to observe in this Voyage till we got out to Sea, is that we past betwixt the main Land of Bassora, and the Isle El-Feyadi, having that Isle to the Larboard, as well as Bochali and Bouarin. Two men did nothing but heave out the Lead, to know how many Fathom water we had, and most commonly they found three, four, or five Fathom: nevertheless, Monday the ninth of No∣vember, our Ship struck a ground, at the point of the Isle of Chader, which lyes towards the River that goes to Bahrem; having but there eleven Foot water, a Foot less than two Fathom, and the Ship drew at least twelve Foot water. This obliged us to wait till next Flood carryed us off; and then we left that Island to the Star∣board. About seven a Clock at night we past by the mouth of the Channel

Haffar, which was to our Larboard; and there begins the Isle of Gban, which reaches from that place to the Sea.

Tuesday the tenth of November, the Tide of Ebb beginning an hour before day, we weighed Anchor, and continued our course betwixt the Isle Chader, and the Isle Gban, and there we found the water brackish. At this place the Palm-Trees end; and the Land on both sides is only level and barren Plains, and so low, that at high water they are almost all overflown: about two hours after day, the water cast us so much upon the Land on the South side, that our Poop raked the shoar; and that is in a manner unavoidable in this place, where all Ships are forced a shoar; nevertheless, though we were so near, we had two Fathom water a Stern, and three a Head; and the current of the water drove us forward at a great rate: in the mean time our men did what they could to get out again into the Channel, and at length with the help of our Boat that Towed us, they accomplished it: We found three Mahometan Ships which set out the same day that we did from Bassora, and all three had had the same luck, having been by the force of the stream cast a shoar as well as we. The Course we stood from Bassora till we came to the Sea, was in the beginning, whilst we had the Wind at South-East, South, South West, and after we had it at North-West, we Steered always East, South-East, or South, South-East.

About nine a Clock in the morning we had a pretty brisk Gale from North-West, which made us spread our Mizan and Mizan-Top-Sail, the Main and Main-Top-Sail, and the Fore-Sail, and Fore-Top-Sail; and then we steered away South, South-West, making the more way as the Wind grew fresher: the water is very broad at this place. About half an hour after three a Clock in the Afternoon, we came to an Anchor near the Mouth of the River, because our Men would not venture out to Sea in the night-time, for fear of being stranded; for in the mouth of this River, there is but two Fathom water when the Tide is out; and the other Ships did as we did: the Wind in the mean time ceased about midnight.

Next day, we weighed Anchor about half an hour after six in the Morning, and having spread the Fore-Top-Sail, we Steered away South, South-East, but seeing it was little better than a calm, we made but very little way: nevertheless we be∣gan to lose sight of Land on all hands, and had betwixt five and six Fathom water. About nine a Clock, we came to an Anchor to stay for the Tide, because then we had but little water: about eleven a Clock, it being flood, we weighed, and a North-West Wind rising at the same time, we clapt on all our Sails, Steering our Course sometimes South-East, sometimes South, and sometimes South-West, ac∣cording to the water we found, which was sometimes but three, and sometimes four Fathom. Half an hour after one of the Clock, we had four Fathom and a half water; and at two a Clock five: but at the same time the Wind chopping about to South, we were forced to furl our Sails, and come to an Anchor. It is very dangerous putting out of that River after the first days of November, for com∣monly the South Winds begin to blow at that time, and last all November, whereby many Ships that put out too late, are cast away.

Thursday the twelfth of November, the Sun rose with a stiff Wind from South, and at the same time the Sky was on all hands over-cast with such a thick Fog, that we could hardly see the other Ships, which yet weighed Anchor and were Towed by their Boats: we did the same, though it was against the Captains mind, who feared a storm, and would have kept still at Anchor. We got our Boat then to Tow us, the Ships Head standing East, South-East, in five Fathom water. About half an hour after eight we unfurled the Fore-Top-Sail, and stood away East, North-East, and a little after, North, North-East. About nine a Clock, we spread the Mizan-Sail, whilst our Boat still Towed us. About half an hour after nine, the Wind shifting about to East, we presently furled our Sails, and turning our Ships Head South-East, came to an Anchor a quarter of an hour after, in three Fathom water. That day they began to allow every one but two measures of water by day; one to boil the Kettle, and the other to drink; (each measure is about three Pints.) About a quarter after ten a Clock, we weighed Anchor, and were Towed by our Boat, spreading our Mizan; Main-Top-Sail, and Fore-Top-Sail, though we had no settled Wind, but sometimes one way and sometimes another, and we turned the Ships Head North-East. A little after, the Wind getting in to South-East, we bore away East, and presently it shifted to South; so that three quarters after ten, we came to an Anchor.

Friday the thirteenth of November, the Pilot of Carek and the Merchants prevailed so far with the Captain, that he gave way to the weighing of Anchor at three quarters of an hour after seven, though he was of a contrary Opinion; and the truth is, there was no reason to weigh, because it blew a strong Wind from South-East, and we had but little water on all hands. We had indeed four Fathom at that time, but seeing it was a Tide of Ebb, we had reason to fear running a ground; and to put out to Sea, which was the thing the Merchants desired, was to run into the storm. In fine, notwithstanding all these Reasons, our men Towed us, and we spread the Fore-Top-Sail, but we held no certain Course: the other Ships did as we did, and perceiving us to cast Anchor, three quarters of an hour after, they did the like. This is the inconvenience where many Ships are together, that if one weigh or come to an Anchor, the rest must do the same; for if they should fail to do it, and any misfortune happened, the blame would be laid at the Masters door, in that he did not do as the rest did, who are all supposed to under∣stand their Trade.

Saturday morning the fourteenth of November, we made a Mahometan Ship coming from Bassora, where we had left her; for all the strong South-East Wind, which had constantly blown since the day before, we weighed Anchor at nine of the Clock in the morning, and made Sail with our Mizan, Main-Top, and Fore-Top-Sails, Steering our Course East, North-East. Half an hour after nine, the Wind getting about to South-West, we let fly the Mizan Top-Sail and Fore-Sail, and stood away East, South-East. At ten a Clock we tackt about, and bore away West, North-West, and so kept beating to and again every half hour, until three quarters of an hour after eleven, that the Wind chopping in to South, we came to an Anchor in three Fathom water; we made short Tacks because of the little water we had in all places, not finding above three or four Fathom at most. The Wind continued in that corner all day, blowing fresher and fresher still, and in the evening though the Wind was high, yet the Clouds raked contrary to it from North-West to South-East; from eight till ten a Clock at night, we had several small showers of Rain, at length after midnight, the Wind changed into the so much desired North-West Wind, and blew very hard.

Sunday the fifteenth of November, the other Ships made Sail about break of day, and we lay still at Anchor, which extremely vexed the Merchants, who thereupon came to words with the Captain; but he told them that the other Ships, were bound for Congo, and that his must put into the Isle Carek which was near, so that it would be time enough to weigh at noon, that we might not run in, too near the Land, in danger to be cast away by so high a Wind; nevertheless to please them he commanded to weigh about seven a Clock in the morning, but he made Sail only with Fore-Sail, Fore-Top-Sail, and Sprit-Sail; we Steered our Course South-East, and the Ship run about four Miles and a half an hour. About six a Clock at night, we stood away East, and about seven a Clock, North-East, and then furled all our Sails, except the Sprit-Sail, and Fore-Top-Sail; having then fifteen Fathom water. About ten a Clock, we furled all our Sails, but the Sprit-Sail.

Monday the sixth of November, the Wind ceased about two a Clock in the morning, and began to blow again about six, but not so strong as the day before: that we might not lose it, about half an hour after, we spread all our Sails, and Steered away South-East. It was not long before we made the main Land of Ben∣der-Regh to the Larboard. About half an hour after nine we made the Isle Carek on Head, and about noon we Sailed near to the Isle Cargou, which was to our Larboard. This Isle reaches in length from North to South; it is but small and all of white Sand, which is the reason it is not inhabited; it is close by, and almost over against the Isle Carek; but a little lower, towards Bender Regh. Then we furled our Mizan and Main-Sail, and Steered away South. At one of the Clock, we found thirteen Fathom water. About half an hour after, we began to have the Isle Carek on our Starboard, and bore away South, South-East, having then six Fathom water. Half an hour after two, we had eight Fathom water, and turned the Ships Head Head South-West. Three quarters after two, we came to an Anchor to the East of the Island, towards the point of it that looks to the South-East, in ten Fathom water. There we found one of the three Ships that had left us at Anchor, having some Goods to unload, but the other two kept out at Sea.

The Isle of Carek reaches in length, from South-East to North-West; it is very narrow, and about three or four Leagues in compass: it is about twelve Leagues from Bender-Regh, and fifty from Bassora. This Island is partly hilly and partly plain, it produces Wheat, Barley, Dates, and good Grapes; there is very good water upon it also, which comes from a Hill, that has many ancient Wells ten or twelve Fathoms deep, dug in the Rock on the top of it; and (as I was told,) there are steps in them to go down to the bottom, and the people of the Island go thither to take the fresh Air in the Summer-time. The water passes at the bot∣tom of these Wells, and from thence runs under ground into the Plain; near to these Wells, there is a Mosque upon the Hill. There may be at least an hundred and fifty Houses in all the Island, (as I was told,) but they are scattered up and down, and to speak properly, they are no more but pitiful Huts; nevertheless every one of them has a Well of Spring-water. Near to that Isle, they Fish for Pearl, at the same time, they do at Bahrem; and I was told that during the season of Fishing, which is in May, June, July, and August, there are to be seen about this Island above an hundred Taranquins or Fisher-Boats. The King of Persia is Lord of it, and has a Governour there, who depends on the Governour of Bender Regh. The people of this Island are all Fishermen, and live only on Salt Fish and Dates. The Ships that are bound for Bassora, commonly touch at this place to take in a Pilot who conducts them to Bassora, and brings them back again at four months end to the same Island, where they leave him. There we left ours, who had been taken in four months before. But it was not only to set him a shoar that we touched at that Island; our chief business was to unload Goods belonging to Codgia∣minas, which were Indigo, Cloaths, and other Indian Commodities, brought in the same Ship, and which not being disposed of at Bassora, through the bad Conduct of the Vikil, he was necessitated to reimbark, and send them to Carek to be con∣veyed from thence to Bender-Regh, and so to Ispahan. Besides, they made account to take on Board several Armenian Merchants and their mony, who waited on this Island for a passage to the Indies: for within these late years, the Armenians that they may not pay Custom at Congo have taken the Course to go streight from Schiras to Bender-Regh, where there is no Custom-House, and from thence pass over to Carek, where they wait for the opportunity of some Ships coming that way, which may carry them and their mony. However the Mouson before, some Armenians upon their return from the Indies, having put a shoar at Bender-Regh to avoid the Customs of Congo, the Customer went to Law with them about it at Ispahan, pre∣tending that they ought to pay him the Custom, and it was thought that it would cost them at least a good part of the mony, which they must have paid at Congo, and that for the future there would be a Custom-House established at Bender-Regh. The Ships that touch at Carek, keep out at Sea to the Westward of it, to shun the danger of being cast away in that narrow streight which is betwixt Carek and Cargou.

As soon as we were come to an Anchor, five or six small Taranquins, (which are those sowed Boats I described before,) came a Board of us to take in all the Goods that were for Persia, which lasted from five, till half an hour after seven a Clock at night. Our Company were much deceived as to the Armenian Merchants, for contrary to their expectation, they found not one: which was occasioned by a trick of a Dutchman, Captain of the Ship called the Masulipatan, who had given them a cast of his Trade. This Ship being gone from Bassora a day before we put out, was come to Carek two days sooner than we did; the Captain making use of the occasion, failed not to tell the Merchants who waited for our Ship, that she would not come this year, which they believed to be true, and went aboard with their mony on his Ship. All this proceeded from the fault of the Vikil, that stayed be∣hind at Bassora, who detained the Ship in the Harbour a Fortnight longer than he should have done, to get on Board some Goods which payed not above an hundred Piastres Freight; and in the mean while he lost the Freight of a great deal of Goods and Mony, and of many Passengers that were at Carek, Congo, and Comoron who embarked in the Ships which touched at these Ports before us.

When we had put a shoar all the Goods, and the Man who was to take care of them; we weighed Anchor three quarters of an hour after seven, making all the Sail we could, and Steering away South, South-East, with a very easie Wind; about ten a Clock we were becalmed till midnight, when there blew a little Gale at East, but as easie as the former, and with it we bore away South.

Next day about two or three a Clock in the morning, we Sailed by the Isle of Rischer, which was to our Larboard. This Island is very near the main Land, and makes a little Port, which is called Bender-Rischer, a days Journy from Bender-Regh; and there is a Fort on it, which belonged formerly to the Portuguese. At break of day, we made two Ships on Head of us, one of which had put out from Carek five days before us. Half an hour after seven, we were off of the Isle of Coucher, that was to our Larboard; and is a pretty big Island. At eight a Clock we got a Head of one of the Ships that had been before us: the other which was at some distance, put us into some apprehension for a few hours time; for by his manner of working, he gave us cause to think that he had a mind to be up with us; and we were affraid he might be a Corsair; but at length, he Steered the same Course that we did. About ten a Clock we were becalmed. Three quarters after twelve, the Wind being Southerly, we Steered away East. A quarter after two, we Steered South-East. Three quarters after three a Clock, the Wind chopping about to South-West, we stood away South, South-East. And thus the Wind being but very easie, did nothing but chop and change until the evening that we were becalmed.

Wednesday the eighteenth of November towards day, having an easie Gale from East, South-East, we Steered our Course South, South-West: about half an hour after nine, it blowing hard from South, we bore away West, South-West. About three quarters of an hour after ten, the Wind turned South, South-East, and we Steered East. Half an hour after noon, the Wind slackened much, and about five a Clock in the evening we were becalmed. About half an hour after nine, we made a Sail to the Windward of us, and another on Head, but a great way before us; we cast the Lead and found seventeen Fathom water. At ten a Clock at night, the Wind turned East, South-East, and blew pretty hard, and we Steered away South, South-West; finding only thirteen Fathom water, when we heaved the Lead.

After midnight, we past Cape Verdestan, which was to our Larboard. This is a very dangerous Cape, and one night several Portuguese Ships being Land-lockt there, (when they thought themselves far enough off of it,) were cast away. We Sailed within three or four Leagues of it, and when it was day saw it a Stern of us. About half an hour after nine, the Wind turned South, South-East, and we Steered East. About noon we saw several Taranquins. Half an hour after one, the Wind turned South, South-West, and we bore away South-East. We were then off and on Cape Naban to our Larboard, and made it but very dimly; but coming up more and more towards it, we made it very plain, and saw along the Sea-side, Rocky Hills, which seemed to be very steep, and at the foot of them, a great many Palm-Trees. We continued our Course off and on with these Rocks, till five a Clock that we saw the end of them; at least in this place they run far up into the Land, and leave a very level Coast: in this low Country is the Village called Naban, which gives the name to the Cape. Here we cast the Lead, and found only seven Fathom water: there is but little water all along that Coast, and there∣fore we presently tackt and stood off to the West, about ten a Clock at night the Wind turned North-East, and we Steered away South, South-East.

Friday the twentieth of November, by break of day, we made the three Ships, that put out the same day with us from Bassora, two of which were at a pretty good distance to the Starboard, and the other very near a Head of us, it was this last which some days before, we had taken for a Corsair: we made also to our Larboard the Land of Persia, but at a great distance. A quarter after nine a Clock in the morning, having a very easie Gale from North, North-West, we put out our Main and Fore-Top-Galant-Sail, and kept on our Course South, South-East: in a short time we left all the other Ships a Stern. About noon the Wind blew much fresher; and about three a Clock, we stood away East, South-East: about five a Clock, we took in our Top-Galant-Sails, the Mizan, and Mizan-Top-Sails, because it would have been dangerous to have made so much way in the night-time that was now coming on, for we might have run within Land, considering that the Wind freshened more and more, and we bore away South, South-East, that we might keep without the Isle of Lara. If it had been day, we would have Steered our Course betwixt the main Land and that Island, but we durst not venture it in the night-time, being safer to leave it to the Larboard: we made account to have

Sailed by that Island about midnight, but we saw it not, though we had all along light enough, to discern a little of the main Land near to which it lyes.

We concluded then, that we had past that Isle of Lara in the night-time, but next day we found that we were out in our reckoning. Nevertheless, seeing we did not find out our mistake till after noon; about six a Clock in the morning, we Steered away East, bearing in towards the Land, for fear we might be cast too far to the Leeward of Congo. About half an hour after six our Long-Boat that was fastened to the Stern filled full of water, and sunk under the surface of the Sea: we presently furled all Sails but the Sprit-Sail, and three Seamen swam to the Boat to fasten another Rope to it which they held by the end; then they went into it, and we halled it to the Leeward side of the Ship, and took out a little Anchor that was in her; this being done our men attempted to hall her out of the water by one side, that she might be emptied by the other; but the weight of the water bulged one of her sides, and then she overset; so that despairing to recover her, unless with much labour and the loss of a great deal of time, and fearing besides that she might dash against the Hold of the Ship, because it was then a very rough Sea, they cut the Ropes and let her go, though it was near a hundred Piastres loss to the Owner of the Ship, This made us lose a whole hours time, and in the mean while one of the Ships (which the day before was to our Starboard,) got a Head of us. About half an hour after seven in the morning, we made Sail with a North Wind. About half an hour after nine, we were off of an Island to our Larboard, which we took to be Audarvia, but we were mistaken. About ten a Clock the violence of the Wind began to abate, and we Steered away East, South-East. About two a Clock after-noon, we made a little Island to the Lar∣board very near the main Land, and knew it be Audarvia, and that the other which we past about half an hour after nine in the morning, and took for Au∣darvia, was Lara. This Isle of Lara is a little Desart very low place, close by the main Land, which is the reason that it is not easily discovered: it bears nothing unless it be some wild Trees, and that too only at one end of it, which lyes to the West, North-West, and was to us the beginning of the Isle, as our Course lay; it may be known by these Trees. It lyes in length from West, North-West, to East, South-East; and is threescore and ten Leagues from Carek. The Isle of Audarvia is in like manner little, low, and very near the main Land, and lyes in length as Lara does from West, North-West, to East, South-East: there is good water in this Island, and in the middle of it some wild Trees, and the Cottages of some Fishermen, who come from the main Land to Fish there; it being seven or eight Leagues from Lara. It is worth the observing that though these two Isles be very near the Land, (as I have been saying,) yet they leave a passage betwixt them and the main Land, which may admit of Ships, because it is very deep water, and Ships sometimes shoot that passage. The Wind freshning in the afternoon, at three quarters of an hour after two a Clock, we were got to the farther end of the Island, and an hour after, made the Isle of Keis to the South-East. About half an hour after four, we got on Head of the Ship that was before us in the morning, and at the same time we were off and on with the hithermost end of the Isle of Keis, which was to our Starboard side. This Island is about two Leagues and a half from the main Land, or three at most, and about five Leagues from Audarvia, though they reckon it fifteen Leagues from Lara to Keis: it reaches in length from West, South-West, to East, North-East, and is about five Leagues in Circuit; it is very low and flat like the two former, but it is inhabited by several people, who have Houses dispersed here and there upon it.

I was told that heretofore the Inhabitants of that Island, having killed a Por∣tuguese who had gone a shoar there, for some insolence which he had commit∣ted; sometime after, other Portuguese Ships coming thither, the Admiral called Roui-Fereyra-Andrada, went a shoar upon the Island, and taking a Sucking-Child, put it into a Mortar; and by an unparalelled piece of cruelty, made the Father and Mother of the innocent Babe pound it themselves in the Mortar. This General was a Devil incarnate, and it was his usual way so to revenge himself on the Inha∣bitants of those Coasts, when they had done him any displeasure: his name is to this day so terrible unto them, that they use it to still their little Children when they cry, threatning them with Lowis de Fereyra. In the mean time that inhumanity made many forsake the Island, that they might not be exposed to such

cruel usage; nevertheless some abode still, and have Cattel there. I was told that heretofore there were all sorts of Fruits on this Island, but that since the Por∣tuguese have left off to go thither, there are no more to be found: I was likewise assured that there is excellent water in the North-West, and East ends of the Isle.

About five a Clock in the evening, we furled our Mizan, Mizan-Top, Main-Top, and Fore-Top-Sails, that we might not make so much way, because on this Coast there are places where the water is very shallow. About seven a Clock at night, we were got off of the other end of the Isle of Keis, and then the Wind slackened much, half an hour after, we came off and on a place of the main Land, where the shoar opens towards the East, and forms a Gulf in shape of a half Circle, and the outmost point of that half Circle is called Gherd. All that day we had kept very near the main Land, which to that Gulf bears West, North-West, and East, South-East. When we were just off the beginning of this Gulf, a gentle Gale blowing from East, North-East, made us to Steer our Course South-East, and we made the Land called Gherd, to the East, South East. About ten a Clock at night, we stood away South, South-East, and heaving out the Lead, found seventeen Fathom water: within a quarter of an hour after, the Wind turning North-West, we bore away South, but because it instantly blew too hard, we furled the Main-Sail, and Steered South, South-East. About three quarters after ten, we Steered South-East, and casting the Lead, found fifteen Fathom water.

Sunday the two and twentieth of November, at two a Clock after midnight, we were got off of the Isle of Paloro to our Starboard; our Course was then East, South-East, and having sounded, we found thirteen Fathom water; whereupon we turned the Ships Head South, South-East. A quarter after two, we heaved the Lead several times, and found betwixt six and seven Fathom water. Three quarters after two, we bore away East, South-East, and casting the Lead, found first fifteen, then ten, and a little farther only eight Fathom water; we had then to the Larboard a Mountain on the main Land, called Sannas. Half an hour after five in the morning, we had but five Fathom water. At six a Clock we found twelve, and then we Steered East, North-East, and at eight a Clock in the morning, came before Congo, distant from Keis fifteen Leagues by Land, and thirty by Sea; an hundred from Carek, and an hundred and fifty from Bassora: from Congo to Comoron, it is twenty Leagues by Land, and thirty by Sea. We came to an Anchor in the Road a long half League South, South-East, from the Town: There were four Ships at Anchor there already, and the same day four more came after us, on their way from Bassora to Surrat.

Notes

• Departure from Bassora. The Ship Hopewel.
• The Cargo of the Ship Hope∣well.
• The price of Passage from Bassora to Sur∣rat.

  A Cabin in the Ship.
• The Ships de∣parture from Bassora. Schat-el-Aarab.
• El-Feyadi. Bochali. Bouarin.
• Chader.
• Isle of Gban.
• The season of Sailing.
• Cargou.
• Carek.
• Pearl-Fishing.
• Arrival at the Isle of Carek.
• The trick of a Dutch man.
• Coucher.
• Cape Naban.
• Lara.
• Audarvia.
• Keis.
• A horrid piece of cru∣elty of a Por∣tuguese.
• Paloro.
• Mount Sannas.