X, CORNELL 'J''^^f|S|l|«||||i|i1^^^^^ 3 1924 077 183 410 All books are subject to recall after two weeks Olin/Kroch Library DATE DUE APT^ -g^;^ 1 1 GAYLORD PRINTED IN USA W B Cornell University WB Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924077183410 In compliance with current copyright law, Cornell University Library produced this replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1992 to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. 1996 "Adventures are to the Adventurous.' Beaconsfield. Cornell University Library DS 506.M53 1891 The vol ages and adventures of Ferdinand 3 1924 023 423 639 THE ADVENTURE SERIES. Illustrated. Crown Svo, S I SOC. Adventures of a Younger Son. By E. J. Trelawny. WitA an Introduction by Edward Gamett. Second Edition. Robert Drury's Journal in Madagfascar. Edited, with an Introduction and Notes, by Captain S, P. Oliver. 3- Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp. With an Introduction by H. Manners Chichester, 4- The Adventures of Thomas Pellow, of Penryn, Mariner. Written by himself, and Edited^ with an Introduction and Notes ^ by Dr. Robert Brown. 5- The Buccaneers and Marooners of America. Being an Account of the Famous Adventures and Daring Deeds of certain Notorious Free- booters of the Spanish Main. Edited by Howard PyU. 6. The Log of a Jack Tar; or, The Life of James Choyce, Master Mariner. With O'Brien's Cap- ti\ity in France. Edited, with an Introduction and Notes, by V. Lovett Cameron, R.N. 7- The 'Voyages and Adventures of Ferdinand Mendez Pinto. With an Introduction by Artninius Vambhy, (OTHERS IN THE PRESS.) iWII-T SHIP P£ED BY THE I'ORTUG-JESE AND MALABARS IN WAR, AND FOR THE 'IRAN Sl'ORT O mkrciiandi/.p:. 1M THE VOYAGES AND ADVENTURES OF FERDI- NAND MENDEZ PINTO, TJHE PORTUGUESE!^ {DONE INTO ENGLISH BT HENRT C O G A N) WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ARMINIUS VAMBfiRY AN ABRIDGED AND ILLUSTRATED EDITION LONDON : T. FISHER UNWIN. NEW YORK : MACMILLAN & CO. MDCCCXCI. VJ^fe.q7 TO THE Right Noble Lord, and worthy of all Honour, William, Earl of Strafford, Vifcount Wentworth, Baron Wentworth of Wentworth, Woodhoufe, Newmarjh, Overjley and Raby. My Lord, PURCHASE, a Writer of good credit here in England, gives this testimony of my Authour ; that no man before him, to his knowledge, hath spoken so much, and so truly, of those Oriental parts of the World, ^vhich are so little known to us, as he hath done : And that too, not upon hear-say and report,. but for the most part as an ocular Witness, and personal Actor, of, and in all that he hath related, which is so full of Variet)', and strange Occurrences, that,, as another Writer affirms, the like will hardlj'be met withal elsewhere : So that the most curious Wits, which delight in reading of rare Books, will, I believe, find all the satisfaction they can desire, in this same of his ; where, without so much as stirring out of their Studies, or running the danger of Shipwrack, they may traverse the Seas, \-iew the goodliest Provinces of the World, entertain themselves with stupendious and unheard-of things ; consider in the manner of those peoples U\'ing, whom we term Barbarians, their Laws, their Riches, their Government in time of Peace and War ; and, in a word, represent unto themselves, as in a Picture, all that is most exquisite, and of greatest marvel, in the extent of Europe, Africa, and Asia. These, together with many other remarkable matters, are contained in this Work, which I have taken the pre- sumption to present unto your Honour, being invited thereunto by the Example of two Translators of it into the Spanish and French Tongues, whereof the one dedicated it to the Archbishop of Toledo in Spain, and the other to the Cardinal Richelieu of France, both of them, the most eminent persons of their time, in those Kingdoms : And with whom your Honour may justly be ranked, espe- cially in respect of the NobiUty of your Birth, as well as for the great Hope which your present Vertues, and Abilities, do give unto the World of your future Worth and Estimation. Be pleased then, my Lord, to receive it Favour- ably, as a Tender of the great desire I have to appear, on all Occasions ; Your Honours jrwst Hundde, and devoted Servant, HENRY COGAN. VOYAGES ADVENTURES, O F Ferdinand Mendez Pinro, A Tcrtugal: During his TRAVELS for the fpace of one and twenty years in The Kingdoms of Ethiopia,China,Tartaria,Cauchin china, Calaminham, Siam^.Pegu, japap,anda great pan of the Eaft-lndies. ^^ilha'jR^lationAnd'Defcriptm ofmoft of the Places thereof 3 tbeir Religion, Law,s,, Riches, CuftomSi and Government jn the time of Peace and War. Where he five timesfuftered Shipwrack, was fixteen timeifoldj and thirteentimes made a Slave, Written Originally hy hlmfclf in the Portugal Tongue, and Dedicated to the fsSMajefiy of Philip T^ng of Spain. Done into Englilh by H- C. Gent. Printed by J. M^cxf^ an<3 are to Ix fold IJy Ufry Kcrrmtmiiit, it the Sign o(thi Elm- Anchor in the Jowcr-waDiof the Nw-Ewtaiigt, iWj. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. (1) Swift Ship used by the Poetugdese and Malababs in Wae, and fob the Teanspokt of Meechandize ... ... Frontispiece (2) Map of Puethee India and Aechi- PELAGO ... ... ... ... ... Tofacej). 1 (3) King of Cochin on Elephant ... ... To face f. 87 (4) Ship of China and Java, eigged with Mat Sails Tofacep.l9Q! (5) Malayan and Javanese People ... To face p. BIO (6) Natives op Pegu and the Moluccas ... To face p. 417 [The illustrations are taTicn from the second Dutch, edition of " Tlie Voyage of John Euyghen Tan Linschoten to the East Indies " in 1586-92. Linschoten, who icas a generation after Pinto's time, made his own drawing^,, from which the plates were engravedJ] CONTENTS. PASS (1) Publishee's Note xvi (2) Note on Mendez Pinto and the Editions of bces TeAVELS, ExTEACTBD FEOM MiCHAUD'S " BlBDIO- geaphie TJniveeseliiE " ... xvii (3) Inteoduction ... xix (4) The Teavels op Feedinand Mendez Pinto : — CHAPTEE I. After what manner I past my Youth in the Kingdom of Portugal, tmtill my going to the Indies 1 CHAPTEB n. My departure from Portugal for the Indies, and my imbarquing there for the Streight of Mecqua S CHAPTEE m. Out travelling from Mazua by land to the mother of Prester John ; as also our reimbarquing at the Port of Arquico, and that which befel ns by the encounter of three Tm-kish vessels .... 9 CHAPTEE IV. A Mutiny happening in the town of Mocaa, the occasion thereof, that which befel thereupon, and by what means I was carried to Ormuz ; as also my sailing from thence to Goa, and what success I had in that voyage 16 CHAPTEB V. Goneallo vaz Coutinho's Treaty with the Queen of Onor; his assaulting of a Turkish galley, and tha;t which hapned unto us as we were npon our retnm to Goa . . ..... 23 Tiii CONTENTS. CHAPTEE VI. PAOE What passed till such time as Pedro de Faria, arrived at Malaca; his receiving an embassadour from the King of Batas ; with his sending me to that King, and that which arrived to me in that Voyage . 28 CHAPTER VII. What hapned to me at Penaiu, with the King of Batas expedition against the Tyrant of Achem -, and what he did after his victory over V^ini ,,,....•..- 36 CHAPTER Vni. What past between the King of Batas and ine, until such time as I imbarqued for Malaca . ....... 43 CHAPTER IS. The Arrival of an Embassador at Malaca from the King of Aaru to the Captain thereof ; his sending me to the said King, my coming to Aaru, and that which happen'd to me after my departing from thence 49 CHAPTEE X... . By what means I was carried to the town of Ciaca, and that which befell me there ; my going to Malaca with a Mahometan merchant ;. and the Tyrant of Achem's army marching against the King of Aaru 57 CHAPTEE XI. The death of the King of Aaru, and the cruel justice that was executed on him by his enemies; the going of his Queen to Malaca, and her reception there 64 CHAPTER XII. The Queen of Aaru's departure from Malaca ; her going to the King of Jantana ; his summoning the Tyrant of Achem to restore the king- dom of Aaru, and that which past between them thereupon . . 69 CHAPTER Xm. Antonio de Faria's setting forth for the Isle of Ainan ; his arrival at the liver of Tinaeorem ; and that which bef el us in this voyage . .76 CONTENTS. ix CHAPTER XIV. FAOE Antonio de Faria's arrival at the Bay of Camoy, where was the fishing of pearles for the King of China ; with that which happened to him by the means of a renegado pyrat, and otherwise . . . .86 CHAPTEB XV. Antonio de Faria's arrival at the Port : the information that Antonio de Faria had of the country ; some passages between Viim and the Nautarel of the town ; his going to the river of Madel ; with his incoxmtring a pyrat there, and that which passed betwixt them . 98 CHAPTEB XVI. --,/^,^J '■^O'^'f- What Antonio de Faria did with the Captain of the Pyrats Junk ; that which past between him and the people of the Country ; with our casting away upon the Island of Thieves 106 CHAPTER XVn. In what sort we escaped miraculously out of this island ; our passage from thence to the river of Xingrau ; our incouutring with a Chinese pyrat, and the agreement we made with him . . . 114 CHAPTER XVm. Our encounter at sea with a little fisher-boat, wherein were eight Portugals very sore hurt ; and Antonio de Faria's meeting and fighting with Coia Acem the pyrat 122 CHAPTER vry . What Antonio de Faria did after his victory . , .... 131 CHAPTEB XX Antonio de Faria hath news of the five Portugals that were made captives ; his letter to the Mandarin of Nouday about them ; and his assaulting the said town 133 CHAPTER XXI. Antonio de Faria's navigation till he came to the Port of Liampoo . 142 CHAPTEB XXn. Antonio de Faria departs from Liampoo for to seek out the islandjof Calempluy, the strange things that we saw, and the hazard we ran in our voyage thither .... ... 146 X CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXni. PAGE Our arrival at Calempluy, and the description thereof ; what hapned to Antonio de Faria in one of the hermitages thereof, and how -we were discovered ... 157 CHAPTEE XXrV. Our casting away in the Gulf of Nanquin, with all that befell ns after this lamentable shipwiack ........ 163 CHAPTEE XXV. Our arrival at the town of Taypor, where we were made prisoners, and so sent to the city of Nanquin . . .... 173 CHAPTEE XXVI. The marvels of the city of Nanquin, our departure from thence towards Pequin, and that which hapned unto ns, till we arrived at the town ofSempitay 180 CHAPTEE XXVII. Our arrival at Sempitay, our encounter there with a Christian woman, and an account of many things seen on the journey ; with an account of Pequin 190 CHAPTEE XXVni. The order which is observed in the removing towns that are made upon the rivers ; and that which further befell us 202 CHAPTEE XXIX. Our arrival at the city of Pequin, together with our imprisonment, and that which moreover happened unto us there ; as also the great majesty of the officers of their Court, of Justice .... 209 CHAPTEE XXX. What past betwixt us and the Tanigores of mercy, with the great favors they did us ; and a brief relation of the city of Pequin, where the King of China kept his Court . 220 CHAPTEE XXXI. The Prison of Xinanguibalen, wherein those are kept, which have been condemned to serve at the reparations of the wall of Tartaria ; and another inclosure, called the Treasure of the Dead, with the revenues wherewith the prison is maintained ..... 226 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXn. PAOB Of our going to Quineay to accomplish the time of our exile ; and what befell us there 233 CHAPTBE XXXHL A Tartar commander enters with his army into the town of Quinsay, and that which followed thereupon ; with the Nauticor's besieging the Castle of Niziamcoo, and the taking of it by the means of some Portugals 237 CHAPTEE XXXIV. The Mitaquer departs from the caKtle of Nixianeoo, and goes to the King of Tartary his camp before Pequin ; with the Mitaquers presenting us unto the King 247 CHAPTEE XXXV. The King of Tartaria's raising of his siege from before Pequin, for to return to his country ......... 251 V CHAPTEE XXXVI. In what manner we were brought again before the King of Tartaria ; with our departure from that kingdom ; and our adventures after quitting the city of Uzamguee in Coohin-China, tiU our arrival at the Isle of Tanixumaa in Japan ...... 254 CHAPTEE XXXVO. The great honour which the Nautaquim, Lord of the Isle, did to one of us for having seen him shoot with an harquebuse ; and his sending me to the King of Bungo ; and that which passed till my arrival at his Court ' 263 CHAPTEE XXXVm. The great mishap that befell the King of Bongo's son, with the extreme danger that I was in for the same ; and what followed thereupon . 270 CHAPTEE XXXIX. My curing the young Prince of Bungo ; with my return to Tanixumaa, and imbarquing there for Liampoo ; and also that which happened to Tis on land, after the shipwrack we suffered by the way . . 275 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XL. PAGE My sayling from Liampoo to Malaca, from whence the captain of the fortress sent me to the Chaubainhaa at Hnrtabano ; and all that befel us in our voyage thither . 278 CHAPTEE XLI. The continuance of oar voyage to the Bar of Martabano ; and certain memorable particularities hapning there ... . 291 CHAPTER XLII. In what manner the Chaubiauhaa rendred himself to the King of Bramaa, and the cruel proceeding aqainst the Queen of Martabano, and the ladies, her attendants . ... . . 303 CHAPTEE XLIII. In what sort the sentence of death was executed on the person of the Chaubainhaa King of Martaban, Nhay Canatoo his wife, and an hundred and forty women ; with that which the King of Bramaa did after his return to Pegu 310 CHAPTEE XLIV. That which passed between the Queen of Prom, and the King of Bramaa, together with the first assault that was given to the city, and the success thereof .... ..... 318 CHAPTER XLV. The King of Bramaa his besieging of the Fortress of Meleytay, with his going from thence to Avaa ; and that which passed there . . 325 CHAPTER XLVL Our going with the King of Bramaa's ambassadoni to the Calaminham, with the course which we held nntil we arrived at the Temple or Pagode of Timagoogoo ... . . . 330 CHAPTER XLVH. The great and sumptuous procession made in this Pag ode, ioRother with their sacrifices ; and other particularities . . . . 332 CHAPTER XLYin. ■What we saw in the continnin^ of our voyage, untU we arrived at tlie city of Timplan . . . 341 CONTENTS. xui CHAPTER XLIX. FAGK The magnificent reception of the King of Bramaa his Ambassadour, at the city of Timplam 348 CHAPTER L. An ample relation of the empire of the Calaminham, and of the ting- doms of Pegu, and Bramaa, with the continuance of our voyage, and what we saw among the same 357 CHAPTER M Our arrival at Pegu 364 CHAPTER LH. That which the King of Bramaa did after his arrival at the city of Pegu, together with his besieging of Savady . . , . 367 CHAPTER LHI. A continuation of the success -which we had in this voyage, with my de- parture from Goa to Zunda, and what passed during my abode there 371 CHAPTER LIV. The expedition of the Pangneyran, Emperor of Jaoa, and King of Demaa, against the King of Passeruan, and all that which passed in this war 377 CHAPTER iy. The death of the Eing of Demaa by a very '^ange accident, and that which ensued thereupon . . . . \ 884 CHAPTER LVI. That which befell us, untiU our departure towards the Port r f Znnda, from whence we set sail for China, and what afterwards happened tmto us . . . . 391 CHAPTER LVn. My passing from Zunda to Siam, where in the company of the Portujals I went to the war of Chiammay ; and that which the King of Siam did, untiU he returned into his kingdom, where his queen poisoned him ... 398 CHAPTER LVnX The lamentable death of the King of Siam, with certain illustrious ancr memorable things done by him during his life ; and many other accidents that arrived in this Mngdom . . . 405 xiv CONTENTS. CHAPTER LIX? FAGS The King of Bramaa's enterprize upon the Kingdom of Siam : and that ■which past untill his arrivall at the city of Odia ; with his besieging of it, and all that ensued thereupon 411 CHAPTER liX. The King of BiamaA's laising'his siege from before the City oi Odiaa . 421 CHAPTER LXI. A continuation of that which hapned in the Kingdom of Pegu, as well during the hfe, as after the death of the King of Brumaa . . 424 CHAPTER LXII. That which arrived at the time of Xenim de Satan, and an abominable case that befell to Diego Suarez ; together with the Xemindoo's Ex- pedition against Xenim de Satan ; and that which ensued there- upon 430 CHAPTER LXIir. That which the Xemindoo did, after he was crowned King of Pegu, with the Chaumigrems ; the King of Bramaa's foster-brothers coming against him, with an army ; and divers other memorable things . 442 CHAPTER LXIV. The finding of the Xemindoo, and bringing of him to the King ; with manner of his execution and death ; and other peculiarities con- cerning the same 452 CHAPTER LXV. Our passing from the town of Fucheo, to the Port of Hiamangoo ; and that which befell us there; together with my departure from Malaca, and arrival at Goa 459 CHAPTER LXVI. What past aitei our departure from Zequa, tiU my arrival in the Indiaes, and from thence into the Kingdom of Portugal .... 461 PUBLISHEB'S NOTE. 'T^HE Piiblisher of the present edition, in abridging Cogan's translation of 1663, has aimed at -preserving (a) the most adventurous, and (b) the most curious passages of Mendez Pinto's narrative. By abridging somewhat the lengthy speeches of the Orientals, by omitting the least interesting of the adventures, and by passing over some of the descriptions of public ceremonies, if has been found practicable to reprint a ivorh which otherwise from its length could not have come within the scope of " The Adventure Series." NOTE ON MENDEZ PINTO AND ON THE EDITIONS OF HIS TEAYELS. {Extracted from Michaud's " Biographie Universelle.") MENDEZ PINTO is no ordinary adventurer. The acconnt of his voyages is written by himself, and the work is still regarded as a classic by the Portuguese. It has been translated irto almost every language ; some have read it en- thusiastically, others have looked upon it as a tissue of lies. His partisans have had little difficulty in justifying their opioions, for there is a great fascination ia his narrative ; the work has throughout an air of siucerity which prejudices one in the author's favour, and it seems to reflect as a faithful mirror the character and behaviour of the first conquerors of India. These men of weU-tried metal display a certain ferocity which mingled with their reUgious ideas made them capable of great cruelties and heroic actions. So long as Pinto was the only traveller who told the tale of the particular countries he visited, his opponents could deny the truth of his account without the possibiUty of refutation, but now these countries are better known, one cannot fail to recognize the substantial truth of his story. Certain details are undoubtedly em- bellished, but one may conclude from what has been recounted in regard to many points that these rest on real facts. His travels were no doubt written chiefly from memory, and it is obvious, that instead of putting things down exactly as they really happened, he has given us rather the impressions left on his ardent imagination. Nowhere, however, is he guilty of wUful exaggeration for the sake of self-glorification. la iviii NOTE. Everythiug relating to himself is told with the utmost simpUcity. He said that he only vrrote his travels to teU his children of the great dangers he had passed through in life, and one might be tempted to believe it. "The date of his death is not known. His book was first printed many years afterwards by the care of Francis Andrada, at Lisbon, in folio. This edition is rare : others were issued from the same town in 1678 and in 1725. In the latter edition is also included the Itinerario of Antonio Tenego, who in 1529, travelled overland from India to Portugal, and the account of the conquest of the kingdom of Pegu in 1601. These works are also to be found in the Lisbon edition of 1762, foho ; but there is also a more recent one of the same town, viz., 1-833, 2 vols. 8vo. It was translated into Spanish six years after the first appearance by Francis Herreva of Afalderado, who added to it a dissertation to estabhsh its authenticity (Madrid, 1620 folio). This trans- lation was weU received, and was reprinted in 1627, 1645, and 1664. The French translation by Bernard Figuier (Paris, 1628, in 4to) is still sought after. A new edition of the trans- lation has also appeared (Paris, 1830, 3 vols. 8vo) which was one of a series of reprints that the Government caused to be executed to provide employment for the compositors who were out of work after the E«volution of July." — De Eossbl. [The extreme caution with which English critics have treated Pinto's narrative has forced the publisher to turn for a criticism of him to a foreign source. M. de Bossel's remarks are perhaps as judicious as any yet published, and are therefore translated for the English reader.] * The English editions are limited to three. The second edition of 1692 is, lite the present, a reprint of Ck)gan's translation of 1603. INTEODUGTION. ON PEEVIOUS TBAVELLEKS AND ADYENTDKEKS IN ASIA. Accounts of eventful and dan- gerous travels have always awakened more doubts than admiration in the majority of mankind. True, the every-day man, treading the well- worn path of his prosaic life, accustomed to the occurrences and usages of his small native horizon, listens with eager delight to the ex- citing and fascinating accounts of travelling experiences in distant .lands. He shudders at hearing of. dangers avoided, he is lost in admira- tion at the sight of strange habits and customs, and at the mysterious doings of his fellow-men in far-away regions. . He is like the child, the intelligent child, who breathlessly follows the thread of the fairy tale, but who at the end, drawing a deep breath, asks himself — "Is this possible ? Can this really be true ? " Happily the Europe of to-day is, and for a considerable time has been, past this childish XX INTBODUCTION. age, but in the Middle Ages it was sticking fast in it ; and, indeed, it is scarcely a hundred years since this incredulity and scepticism, born of ignorance, has completely disappeared. The modestly glittering lamp which some travellers and men of letters have lit, could spread but little light in the pitch dark ignorance prevailing in the Middle Ages regarding matters geographical and ethnological, and learning could raise but slightly the level of general culture. But as people and societies prefer to doubt the veracity of others to confessing their own ignorance and stupidity, so it is natural that the mediseval travellers and explorers who, after traversing strange countries at the risk of their lives and at the cost of great privations, returned home with an accoimt of their wonderful experiences, were stigmatized as liars, derided, and mostly misunderstood. That there were some travellers who, relying on the general ignorance, let the bridle of their imagina- tion loose in order to heighten the interest of the public by extravagant and grotesque descrip- tions, can scarcely be denied; but, on the whole, the insinuations were unjust, and certainly the narrow-mindedness ■ of the respective epochs was greater than the lying disposition of the dis- coverers of new paths in the Asiatic world. -"We find ample traces of this regretable and malicious conception in several stereotype sayings INTBODUCTION. xd of those days. The mediaeval Church to which, for the rest, we owe some important geographical and ethnographical discoveries, originated the saying — "Qui multum peregrinatur, raro sancti- ficatur," viz., *' He who travelled much is seldom canonized." Similarly in England, whose in- habitants were always known for their travelling propensities, we find the expression, " a travellers' tale," applied to any not very credible story. Analogous proverbs are met with in other Euro- pean languages, the Turks being the only people who are of a different way of thinking. They say — " Not he who has Kved long, but who has travelled much, possesses a right understanding." Taken all in all, however, the lot of the early traveller was not an enviable one. The minorite monk, Odoric of Pordenone, who, in the begia- ning of the fourteenth century, travelled through a great part of Asia, owes his canonization not to his geographical discoveries, but to his having baptised, as he alleged, 60,000 Saracens; whilst Marco Polo, the Prince of Asiatic travellers, who was not renowned for apostolic zeal, was rewarded only with sneers and mockery for his great and fruitful work, and for centuries Italy designated a liar and a boaster with the expression Marco Millioni. , A like fate befel the famous Portuguese, Pemao Mendez Pinto, who, between the years 1637-1658, journeyed through the most different xxii INTRODUCTION. parts of Asia, and duiing Ms twenty-one years' wanderings, as lie himself says, was sold sixteen times, was a slave thirteen times, and was ship- wrecked five times. This extraordinary man, whose account of his journeys was pubhshed in 1614 under the title " Peregrinacao " (a book which in the course of the same century was translated into English, French, and Spanish), had an exceedingly large amount of most curious experiences and adven- tures. He had opportunities of getting acquainted on the spot with people and land in India, China, Japan, Tartary, and communicated so much that was extraordinary and wonderful, and even that looked incredible, that his contemporaries simply rejected allhe said and stamped him as a Har. The first edition of his book had to appear with an apologetic introduction, and Congreve, wishing to characterize a liar, said — j'Mendez Pinto was but a type of thee, thou liar of the first magnitude ! " A cruel irony of fate, a sorry reward for all that the audacious Portuguese, led on by his thirst after knowledge, had to suffer during his wander- ings, for having faced death in a thousand forms, for all the miseries endured, all with the sole object of satisfying a curiosity which has proved so useful to posterity. INTBODUCTION. xxiil What is the reason, what are the chief motives, of the incredulity of contemporaries and the scepticism of later generations ? is a question which suggests itself to the modern man. The general indifference and ignorance of the public already alluded to must naturally be taken into account ; but there were also other reasons which, we cannot pass over. We find, namely, that the mediaeval travellers and adventurers undertook their seK-imposed task with little or no preparation, and that in spite of their lengthened sojourn amid the different peoples, they were but imperfectly familiar with the languages, customs, and religions of the same — a circum- stance which, caused their narratives to be incom- plete, and led them sometimes into serious errors. Marco Polo himself so disfigures the Turkish, Persian, and Mongolian proper names as to be unrecognizable, and posterity had to exert all its ingenuity to find out the proper spelling and meaning of such names. The application and penetration of a Henry Yule or a Pauthier suc- ceeded partly in remedying this great defect, but the setting right of the text so misconstructed by copyists is even yet far firom complete. Be- sides the mysteriousness of the nomenclature, there is a great drawback in the childish tone, in the fairy-tale-like description of things seen and heard, in the style which, though in keepiag with the taste of the age, yet by its 4awdriness sxiv INTRODUCTION. brought the contents themselves into disrepute. When Marco Polo speaks of ants as big as dogs, and Mendez Pinto relates of men with round feet and "with arms entirely covered with hair; such exaggeration certainly seems to have some- what contributed to the general distrust, although it would not justify us in denying the existence, in a reduced measure, of the said facts, as was amply proved by the researches of commentators. On the other hand, the narratives contain much that the traveller did not see himself, but related only after hearsay. Thus, for instance, Pinto speaks of the thousands of carts of the king of Tartary (rectius Mandshury) drawn by rhino- ceroses — ^in which case Pinto can excuse himself by saying " relata refer o," or else the name of the animals is erroneously given. It is, however,- entirely superfluous, if not un- just, to measure the reports of the early Asiatic travellers by a very elevated standard, as the tales and fables bond fide accepted and related by them can be recognized at a glance, and were never believed by any one but those who read for the sake of amusement and not of instruction. Whether the zealous missionaries of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, or the wise Venetian brothers, or the Bavarian Schiltberger who was taken prisoner at Yama, or, in fine, the inost remarkable among them, on account of his adven- INTBODUCTION. _ xrr tures, Mendez Pinto, they have each and all contributed their share to make Europe take an interest ia the fate of Asia, and to place posterity in possession of a picture, however incomplete and defective, of the power and authority of Asia, then stiU unbroken. In this picture, so full of instructive details, we perceive more than one thing fuUy worthy of the attention of the latter- day reader. Above aU, we see the fact that the traveller from the West, although obliged to en- dure unspeakable hardships, privation, pain, and danger, at least had not to suffer on account of his nationahty and religion, as has been the case in recent times since the aU-puissance of Europe has thrown its threatening shadow on the in- terior of Asia, and the appearance of the European is considered the foreboding of material decay and national downfall. How utterly different it was to travel in mediaeval Asia from what it is at present is clearly seen from the fact that in those , days missionaries, merchants, and pohtical agents from Europe could, . even in time of war, traverse any distances in Asiatic lands without molestation in their personal liberty or property just as any Asiatic traveller of Moslem or Buddhist persuasion. Only thus can it be under- stood, how Italian merchants had large ware- houses in the thirteenth and fourteenth century in Tana and other places in immediate vicinity xivi INTRODUCTION. of Tartar hordes, and how they, during the troubles succeeding the fall of the Timurides and the accession of the Sefevides, moved about in the adjacent countries partly with their goods, partly as political agents. As far as Interior Asia in particular is concerned, it was the iiews of- the victorious advance of the English, and of the gradual downfall of the Mogul power that awakened first the mistrust against European travellers. What Jenkinson could accomplish in 1658, namely, under the reign of Abdullah Khan, the greatest Central- Asiatic ruler of the modern era, that Sir Alexander Burnes could carry out only with difficulty under Nasrullah's rule, for it was not so much the rehgious fanaticism of the Moslem as rather the fear from the all- absorbing power of the Christian West that made the Asiatics suspect in every Frenghi a spy and a disguised would-be conqueror. In Persia, which owing'to its inland position, thought itself less, exposed to attacks, this was not the case, hence it is easy to understand how Abbas the Great could show his full favours to the EngHshman Shirley, and how Chardin obtained opportunities of thoroughly studying the country and its inhabi- tants. It was the sarpe in the interior, of Asia Minor where Niebuhr, unlike Palgrave, who was forced to assume an incognito, could ex.plore the Arabian peninsula. INTBODVCTION. xxvii The danger that threatened -the traveller in mediseval Asia lay in the elements, in the state. of temporary anarchy, and especially in the raw manners of some Asiatic tribes, who abhorred all communication from without and had absolutely no sense for contact with foreign people. The religious duty of pilgrimage has made the Mosleni a good traveller, but the Buddhists and Brah- manists considered this a sacrilegious proceeding, and whoever decided to undertake a journey among them must have possessed an extraor- dinary amount of adventuresome spirit or an uncontrollable desire for knowledge of distant lands. This adventuresome- spirit naturally re- ceived a fresh impulse from the fortunate enter- prises of the Portuguese in East. Asiatic w:aters. In this small country in westernmost Europe, we see rulers like John the Great and, John the Perfect, and princes Hke' Henry the Sailor and the Duke of Coimbra, &c., giving us proofs of how even with small means great things can be ac- complished if- the free development of the spirit is under: fostering care ; for men like Alfons de Albuquerque, Erancisco de Almeida, : Nuno de Cunha, Joao de Castro, Antonio de Silveira, or audacious. • 'adventurers Hke Duante Coelho and Mendez /pinto have not only startled the Orientals with proofs of the activity and intrepidity of , the Europeans, but they also opened to< us: the.way xxYiii INTBODUCTION. into the interior of several countries of the rising sun and facilitated the work of their successors, the Britons, of spreading European civilization. Turning now to the work of the adventurous traveller so often sneered at and so severely criti- cised, I think it needful to give a few remarks explanatory of the origin of adventure in general, as well as the , state of mind, the inner struggle and the secret motive power of the traveller so unjustly called an adventurer. I feel myself aU the more called upon to do this as my own wanderings in Interior Asia were not free from the savour of adventure, and I can still distinctly recall the state of mind I was in . during my pere- grinations as a disguised Efendi and Dervish. And, first of all, I would remind the reader that never did a man start on travel with the intention of becoming an adventurer. No one thinks of . exciting one day the curiosity and nerves of his future readers by the tale of his experiences and sufferings, and no one takes up his walking staff in the hope of being one day feted as the Hero of awe-inspiring stories and blood-thrilling episodes. The traveller, and notably the explorer, is to a certain extent aware of the" dangers attending his undertaking; indeed it is this danger that attracts and allures him ; but that a man should undertake a long journey solely with a view to expose himself to the dangers of thirst, hunger, INTBODUCTION. xxix prison, and a martyr's death, and after a lucky escape to be shone upon by the rays of glory, is a thing that I could never credit or under- stand. One becomes an adventurer, the hero of blood-stirring experiences only in the natural course of later events, through occurrences that surprise the traveller himself, that excite him in the highest degree, and try to the utmost his presence of mind and ingenuity. No serious or reasoning explorer ever set out on a journey with the firm intention of seeking adventures on his proposed route and testing his strength on the same. He is sometimes conscious of the dangers awaiting him, he suspects that everything will not rim smooth; but he never, even in the moments of the greatest excitement, and in the wildest state of mind, neglects to take such measures as could be of .service to bim in Ms critical position. When, in order to explore some parts of Central Asia never before visited by Europeans, I decided in Teheran to accompany the ragged and most horrible looking Tartars returning home from the pilgrimage to Mekka, aU my Mends and acquain- tances in the Persian capital thought it would be my desperate looking travelling companions who would put an end to my being. ■ I had myself some misgivings on this score. It was not their violence I feared, but rather that they would XXX INTRODUCTION. either from treachery or necessity hand me over to Central Asiatic authorities, and in order to guard myself against the agonies of a martyr's death, I asked and ohtained from Dr. B , the physician to the Turkish Mission, two strychnine pUls with which to shorten, in case of need, the tortures of a possible martyr's death. These two pUls which I hid away in the wadding of my rags, formed my only consolation and anchor-sheet, and when in moments of imminent peril I touched with my finger-tips these little prominences among the wadding, I felt a pleasing sensation running through me, inasmuch as by their help I thought myseK safe against long death agonies. Man is more resigned to' his fate where death seems an inevitable ■ consequence of the combination of elementary forces aiid where defence is unavail- ing ; but even there there is a feeble ray of hope Hghtening through the dark horizon and spreading a little light. On the fatiguing road from the Persian frontier to Khiva, which Conolly had to abandon after a fruitless attempt, and where ten years later Colonel Markusoff lost several thousand brave warriors, we were for five days without water and neaiiy dying from thirst. Two of our fellow travellers fell victims to their -terrible sufferings. -The ominous white spots began to appear on m^y~ palate, my tongue was heavy, I lay prostrate vrith high fever, and I saw the fore- INTRODUCTION. xxii - runners of my approacliing end, but only for- a slioJrt while, as presently tHere arose the "faint hope of salvation which soon "afterwards ^became a reahty. In this continuous change of threatening peril, desperate struggle for self-preservation and _ never-relaxing hopes, the nerves grow so "hardened that one can hve for months, nay years, in mortal danger without thinking of death and the possible sudden termination of this most wonderful earthly existence. "What I went through during some months^-for reaUy great danger surrounded me only in Central Asia — others before me. ex- perienced for years, and I do not doubt for a moment but they felt all the better for it, the same as I did ; for one day of such adventurous travel is worth many years. spent in monotonous' every-day life. : ■ '-'■ ' 4-. ..-^i:;:/? tin a word, the . adventurer becomes such through the combination of circumstances. In the nature of man there is only the first impulse to travel, but his desire for adventure increases at the same rate as he has learnt by experience to cope rwith difficulties. One victory achieved is incitement to fresh fights, and in this pleasing giddiness of the senses, adventm-ous travellers have -sometimes accomplished extraordinary re- sults. : Concerning the acts of Mendez Pinto in J particular, we have, to point out that; he was the first to make^ known the natural riches of Japan ixxii INTBODTJOTION. and origmated the first settlement near Yokohama in 1548. His accounts of Burmah, Siam, Cochin China, and several cities of the flowery conntry in the interior, stand in no way hehind the writings of De la Cmz, of Bpterus, Paulus JoYius,^Mendoza, and other contemporary men of letters and tra- vellers ; and indeed as regards the details of the war and conquest of China hy Murhaehu, the Prince of the Mandshus, whom Pinto calls Tartars, are distinctly valuable. One whose fate brought him in such intimate contact with the life and doings of a strange people, and who had oppor- tunities to study so deeply their customs and manners as Mendez Pinto had, certainly deserves to be heard. The new edition, slightly abridged, of his " Peregriuacao " or " Wanderings " is a faithful mirror of Asia three hundred years ago. We may derive from it much thut is instructive and interestiag. ■ >RMmiUS VAMBilBY. BODAPEST UnIVEBSITY, April, 1891. >ajajajiaaijj£x»j..f jjaimaaB aaifaai 3 \ 3 !i 3^^ MA. OF 1-URTlIKR 1X1)]A A.N'U AKLMIII'ELAGO. THE TEAYELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUEES OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. CHAPTBE I. After what maimer I past jny Youth in the Kingdom of Portngal, untill my going to the Indies. often as I represent unto myself the great and continual travels that have accompanied me from my birth, and amidst the which I have spent my first years, I find that I have a great deal of reason to complain of Fortune, for that she seemeth to have taken a particular care to persecute mCj and to make me feel that which is most insup- portable in -her, as if her glory had no other foundation then her cruelty ^^t I"or not content to have made me be born, and to livelmiserably in my covmtry during my youth, she conducted ,me, notwithstanding the fear I had of the dangers that menaced me, to the Hast Indies, where in, stead of the reUef which' I went thither to seek, she made me find an - 1 2 2 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES increase of my pains, according to the increase of my age. Since then it hath pleased God to deliver me from so many dangers, an^ to protect me from the fm-y of that adverse Fortune, for to bring me into a port of safety and assm-ance ; I see that I have not so much cause to complain of my travels past, as I have to render Him thanks for the benefits which untill now I have received of Him ; seeing that by His Divine bounty He hath preserved my life, to the end I might have means to leave this rude and unpolished discom-se unto my children for a memorial and an inheritance. For my intention is no other, but to write it for them, that they may behold what strange fortunes I have run for the space of one and twenty years, during the which I was thirteen times a captive, and seventeen times sold in the Indies, in Ethiopia, in Arabia, in China, in Tartaria, in Madagascar, in Sumatra, and in divers other kingdoms and provinces of that Oriental Archi- pelage upon the confines of Asia, which the Chineses, Siavies, &ueos, and Lecquios name, and that vnth reason, in their geography, the ey-lids of the world, whereof I hope to entreat more particularly, and largely, hereafter. Whereby men, for the time to come, may take example, and a resolution not to be discouraged for any crosses that may arrive unto them in the course of their lives. For no disgrace of Fortune ought to essoign us never so little from the duty which we are bound to render unto God; because there is no adversity, how great soever, but the nature of man may well imdergo it, being favoured with the assistance of heaven. Now, that others may help me to praise the Lord Almighty for the infinite mercy He hath shewed me, without any regard to my sins, which I confess were the cause and original of all my mis- fortunes, and that from the same Divine Power I received strength and courage to resist them, escaping cut of so many dangers, with my life saved, I take from the beginning of my voyage the time which I spent in this kingdom of Portugal, and say, that after I had lived there tiU I was about eleven or twelve years old, in the misery and poverty of my fathers "house within the tov^n oi Monte-mor Ovelho, ah uncle of mine, desirous to advance me to a better fortune then that where- unto I was reduced at that time, and to take me from the OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 3 caresses and cockerings of my mother, brought me to this city of Lisbon, where he put me into the service of a very honour- able lady : the which he was carried out of the hope he had, - that by the favour of her self and her friends he might attain to his desire for my advancement ; and this was in the same year that the funeral pomp of the deceased King Emanuel of happy memory was celebrated at Lisbon, namely St. Lucies day, the 13. of December, 1521, which is the furthest thing I can remember. In the mean time my uncles design had a success clean contrary to that which he hath promised to him- Belf in favour of me : for having been servant of this lady ; about a year and a half, an accident befel me, that cast me into manifest peril of hfe, so that to save my self I was con- strained to abandon her house with aU the speed that possibly I could. Flying away then in very great fear, I arrived before I was aware at the Eord of Pedra, which is a smaU. port so called ; there I found a cairvel of A Ifatna, that was laden with the horses and stuff of a lord, who was going to Setuval, where at that instant King Joaim the Third kept his court, by reason of a great plague that reigned in divers parts of the kingdom. Perceiving then that this carvel was ready to put to sea, I imbarqued my self in her, and departed the next day. But alas ! a little after we had set sail, having gotten to a place named Cezmibra, we were set upon by a French pirate, who having boarded us, caused fifteen or sixteen of his men to leap into our vessel, who finding no resistance made themselves masters of her : now after they had pillaged^ every one of us, they emptied all the merchandise wherewithal ours was laden, which amoimted to above six thousand duckats, into their ship, and then sunk her ; so that of seventeen of us that remained aUve, not so much as one could escape slavery, for they clap'd us up all bound hand and foot under hatches, with an intent to go and sell us at La Bache in Barbary, whither also, as we found by being amongst them, they carried arms to the Maho- metans in way of "trade ; for this purpose they kept us thirteen dayes together, continually whipping us ; but at the end thereof it fortuned that about sun set they discovered a ship, unto, which they gave chase all the night, following her close, like old pirates long used to such thieveries ; having fetcht her up 4 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES by break of day, they gave ber a volley of three pieces of ordnance, and presently invested her with a great deal of courage ; now though at first they found some resistance, yet they quickly rendred themselves masters of her, kilUng six PorUigals, and ten or eleven slaves. This was a goodly vessel, and belonged to a Fortugal merchant of the town of Conde, named Silvestre Godinho, which divers other merchants of Lisbon had laden at Saint Tome with great store of sugar and slaves ; in such sort that those poor people seeing themselves thus taken and robbed fell to lament their loss, which they estimated to be forty thousand duekats. "Whereupon these pirates, having gotten so rich a booty, changed their design for going to la BacJie, and bent their course for the coast of France, carrying with them such of ours for slaves, as they judged fit for the service of their navigation. The remainder of us they left at night in the road, at a place called Melides, where we were landed miserably naked, our bodies covered with nothing but with the stripes of the lashes which so cruelly we had received the dayes before. In this pitiful case we arrived the next morning at St. Jago de Caten, where we were relieved by the inhabitants of the place, especially by a lady that was there at that time, named Donna Beatrix, daughter to the Earl of Villaiiova, and wife to Alonzo Petes Pantoia, commander and grand provost of the town. Now after the sick and wounded were recovered, each of us departed, and got him where he hoped to find the best assistance ; for my seK, poor wretch, I went with 6. or 7. that accompanied me in my misery to Setuval : thither I was no sooner come, but my good fortune placed me in the service of Francisco de Faria, a gentleman belonging to the great commander of S. Jago, who in recompense of four years service that I did him, put me to the said commander to wait on him in Ms chamber, which I performed for an year and an half after. But in regard the entertainment which was given at that time in noble-mens houses was so small that I was not able to live on it, necessity constrained me to quit my master, with a desion to imbarque my self by his favour to go to the Indies ; for that I thought was the best way I could take to free me of my poverty. So albeit I were but meanly accommodated, I Oi" FEBDiNANn MENBEZ PINtO. t imbarqued my self, notwithstanding, submitting my self to ■whatsoever fortune should arrive unto me in those far countries, either good or bad. CHAPTBE n. My departure from Portugal for the Indies, and my imbarquing there for the Streight of Mecqua. IT was in the year 1537. and the 11th of March, that I parted from this kingdom in a fleet of five ships, whereof there was no General; for each of those vessels was com- manded by a particular captain: for example, in the ship named the Queen, commanded Don Pedro de Silva, surnamed the Cock, son to the Admiral Don Vasco de Gama. In the ship called S. Eock, commanded Don Fernando de Lima, son to Diego Lopez da Lima, grand Provost of the town of Guimaranes, who died valiantly in defence of the fortress of Ormuz, whereof he was captain the year following, 1538. In the S. Barha, commanded Don Fernando de Lima, who was the governour of the town of Chaul ; of that, which was called the Flower of the Sea, Lope Vaz Vagado was captain; and in the fifth and last ship, named Galega, commanded Martin de Freitas, born in the Isle of Madera, who the same year was slain at Damao, together with five and thirty men that followed" him. These vessels sailing difierent wayes, arrived at length at a great port called Mozambiqiie ; there we met with the Saint Michael, that wintered there, and was commanded hj Dudrt Tristao, who parted thence richly laden for to return into Portugal ; howbeit I believe she was taken, or suffered ship- wrack, as it happens but too often in this voyage to the Indies, for he was never heard of since. After our five vessels were equipped with all that was necessary for them, and ready to set sail from Mozambique, the lieutenant of the fortress, called Vince7it Pegado, shewed the captains of the said five ships a mandate from the Governour, named Nunho de Gunlm, whereby he expressly commanded that all Portugal ships, which did arrive in that port this year should go to Diu, and leave their 6 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND AbVENTUEES men there for the guard of the fortress, because of the fear they were in of the Turkish army, which was every hour expected in. the Indies, by reason of the "death of Sultan Bandur King of Gamhaya, whom the said Governour had put to death the summer before. In regard this affair was of great im- portance, it was the cause that all the captains assembled together to deliberate thereupon : at length, to meet with the present necessity they concluded, that three of those five ships, appertaining to the King, should go to Diu, conformable to the contents of the said mandate, and that the other two, which belonged to particular merchants, should pursue their course to Goa : the King's three ships sailing to Diu, and the other two merchants towards Goa, it pleased God to conduct them safe thither. Now as soon as the King's three ships came to the mouth of the river of the port of Diu, which feU on the 5th of September the same year, 1538. Antonio de Silvera, the brother of Louys Silvera, Earl of Sortellia, who was captaia there at that time, gave them all the testimony that possibly he could of the joy he took at this their arrival ; for proof whereof he bestowed liberally on every one, keeping a set table for above 7 hundred persons which they brought along with them, besides his secret rewards, and extraordinary gifts, whereby he supplied the necessities they had suffered during their voyage. "Whereupon the souldiers considering how this captaia entreated them very royally, that he paj'ed them before-hand, distributed their pay and munition unto them with his own hands, caused the sick to be carefully tended, and shewed himself most ready to assist every one, it so wrought upon them, that of their own accord they offered to stay there for to serve him, being no way constrained thereun.to, as they use to be (in those countries) in all the fortresses which expect a siege. This done, as soon as the three ships had sold the merchandise they had brought, they set saif for Goa, carry- ing none with them but the officers of the vessels, and some sea-men to conduct them ; where they abode till such time as the Governour had given them dispatches for to go to Cochin, where being arrived they took in their lading, and returned all five safe into Portugal. Seventeen dayes after we were arrived at the fortress of Diu, OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 7 • where at that time two foists were ready prepared to go to the ^ Straight of Mecqua, for to discover, and find out the design of \the Turkish army, whose coming was greatly feared in the hidies, because one of those foists was commanded by a captain that was a great friend of mine, who gave me good tope of the voyage he was bound for, I imbarqued my self with him; relying then on the promises which the captain made me, that by his favor and means I should quickly be rich, the only thing in the world that I most desired, and suffered my self .to be deceived by my hopes, I imagined that I was already master of great wealth, never considering how viin and uncertain the promises of men are, and that I could not reap much benefit by the voyage I was going to undertake, by reason it was dangerous, and unseasonable for navigaiion in that country. Now being departed from Dm, we sailed in a time full of storms, because it was about the end of winter, which seemed to begin anew, so impetuous were the winds, and so great was the rain : nevertheless, how violent soever the tempest was, and dark the weather, we letted not to discover the Isle of Curia, Muria, and Avedalcuria, at the sight whereof we thought our selves quite lost, and without hope of Ufe. "Whereupon, to dechne the danger, we turned the prow of our vessel to the south-east, knowing no other mean then that to avoid shipwrack : but by good fortune for us, it pleased God that we let fall an anchor at the point of the Island of Socotora ; there we presently anchored, a league below the place, where Don Francisco d' Ahneyda caused a fortress to be built in the year 1607. when he came from Portugal, as the first Vice-roy that ever was in the Indies. ^ In the said place we took in fresh water, and some provision of victuals, that we bought of the Christians of the country, which are the descendants of those whom the Apostle S. Thomas converted in those parts. Being refreshed thus, we parted from thence with a purpose to enter the Streights ; so that after we had sailed nine dayes with a- favourable wind, we found our selves right against Mazua ; there about sun-set we descried a sail at sea, whereunto we gave so hard chace, that beforethe first watch of the night we came up close to her; and then to satisfie the desire we had for to learn som- 8 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES thing of the captain by gentleness touching the Turkish army, we demanded of him whether it was parted from Sues, or whether he had not met -with it in any place ; and that we might be the better informed, we spake aloud to all those that were in the ship. "But in stead of answer, without speaking a word, and in contempt of us, they gave us 12. pieces of ordnance, whereof five were small, and the other seven field pieces, together -with good store of musquet shot; and withall. in a kind of jollity, and as it were believing that we were already theirs, they, made aU the ayr about resound again with their confused cries. After this, to brave and terrifie us the more, they flourished a many flags and streamers up and down, and from the top of their poop they brandished a number of naked scymitars, commanding us with great threatning to come aboard and yield our selves unto them. At the first view of so many rhodomontados and bravings we were ia some doubt and amaze, which caused the captains of our foists to call the souldiers to councel, for to know what they should do ; and the conclusion was, to continue shooting at them tUl the next morning, that so by day-light they might be the better fought withal and invested, it being . agreed upon of all sides that they were not to be let go unpunished for their presumption ; which accordingly was performed, and all the rest of the night we gave them chase, plying them with our ordnance. So morning come, their ship being shot thorow and thorow in many places, and cruelly battered all over, they render themselves into our hands. In the encounter there were 64. of their men killed, and of 80. that remained, the most part, seeiug themselves reduced to extremity, cast them- selves into the sea, choosing rather there to be irowned, then to be burnt in their ship with the artificial fixes that we had hurled into her ; so that of all the fourscore there escaped but five, very sore hurt, whereof one was the captain. This same, by force of torture, whereunto he was exposed by the command of our two captains, confessed that he came from Judca, and that the Turkish army was abeady departed from Svss, with a design to take in Adem, and then to build a fortress there before they attempted any thing in the Indies, according to an express charge sent by the great Turk from Constantinople to OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 9 the Bassa of grand Cairo, who was going to be general of the army : besides this, he confessed many other things con- formable to our desire ; amongst the which he said, that he was a renegado Christian, a Maliorquin by nation, bom at Gerdenha, and son to one named Paul Andrez, a merchant of that island, and that about four years before growing enamoured of a very fair Greekish Mahumefdn, that was then his wife, for the love of her he had abjured Christianity, and embraced the law of Mahomet. Gur captains much amazed hereat, gently perswaded him to acquit this abominable belief, and become a Christian agaia ; whereunto the wicked caytiff made answer with a brutish obstinacy, that at no hand he would yield to forsake his law, shewing himself so hardened in the resolution to continue therein, as if he had been bom in it, and never had profest any other. By these speeches of his, the captains, perceiving there was no hope of recalling him from his damnable error, caused him to be bound hand and foot, and so with a great stone tyed about his r 3ck to be cast alive into the sea, sending him to participate with the torments of this Malwmet, and to be his companion in the other world, as he had been his confident in this. This infidel being executed in this sort, we put the other prisoners into one of our foists, and then sunk their vessel, with all the goods that were in her, which consisted most in packs of stained cloths, whereof we had no use, and a few pieces of chamlet that the soldiers got to make them apparel. CHAPTEE in. Our travelling from Mazua by land to tlie mother of Prester John ; as also our reimbarqning at the Port of Arqnico, and that which befel ns by the encounter of three Turkish vessels. WE departed from this place with an intent to go to Arquico, the territory of Prester John, Emperour of Ethiopia; for we had a letter to deUver, which Antonio de Sylvera sent to a factor of his, named Aurigue Barbosa, who 10 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES had been three years resident in that country, by the commandment of the Govemour Nuno dc Cunha. "When we were arrived at Gottor, a league lower then the port of Mazua, we were all received there very courteously, as weU by the inhabitants, as by a Portugal called Vasco Martin de Seixas, born in the town of Obidos, who was come thither by Henrico Barbosa's order, and had been there a moneth attending the arrival of some Portugal ships. The cause of that abode was to deliver a letter from the said Henrico, as accordingly he did to the captains -of our foists ; by this letter he certified the estate of the Turkish army, and besought them at any hand to send him some Fortugals ; to induce them whereunto, he remonstrated unto them how it much imported the service both of God and the King, and that for his own part he could not come unto them, because he was employed with forty other Fortugals, in the fort of Gileytor, for the guard of tjie person of the Princess of Tigremahon, mother to Prester John. The two captains having perused this letter, communicated it to the chiefest of the souldiers, and sat in couneel upon it, where it was determined that four of them shQuld go along with Fiasco Martins to Barbosa, and that they should carry the letter which Antonio de Sylvera had sent him. This was no sooner resolved then executed ; for the next day three other Portugals, and my self, departed accordingly, and we went by land mounted upon good mules, which the Giquaxy, captain of the town, sent us by the command of the Princess, the Emperours mother, together with six Abissins to accompany us. The first night we lay at a very fair monastery, called Satilgaon ; the next day before the sun rose we travelled along by a river, and by that time we had rode five leagues we arrived at a place named Bitonte, where we spent that night in a convent of religious persons, dedicated to S. Michael ; there we were very weU entertained both by the Prior, and the Friers. A little after our arrival, the son of Bernagais, Governom- of that empire of Ethiopia, a very proper and courteous gentleman, about seventeen years old, came to see us, accompanied with thirty men, aU mounted upon mules, and himself on a horse furnished after the Portugal manner ; the furniture was of purple velvet trimmed with gold fringe. 0-F FEBblNANi) MENDEZ PINTO. 11 ■which, two years before the Governour Nuno de Gunlm sent him from the Indies, by one Lopez Chanoco, who was afterwards made a slave at Graiid Cairo ; whereof this young prince being advertised, he presently dispatched away a Jewish merchant of Azabiba to redeem him ; but as ill fortune would, he died before the Jew could get thither, which so grieved this prince when he understood of it, as the said Vasco Martins assured us that in the said monastery of S. MicJiael, he caused the most honourable funerals to be celebrated for him that ever he saw, wherein assisted above four thousand priests, besides a greater number of novices, which in their language are called Santilcos : nor was this aU, for this prince hearing that the deceased had been married at Goa, and likewise that he had left three daughters there behind him, which were very young and poor, he bestowed on them three hundred Oqiieas of gold, that are worth twelve Grusadoes of our money apiece ;" a hberality truly roj^al, and which I relate here, as well to ampUfie the nobleness of this prince, as that it may serve for an example to others, and render them more charitable upon Uke occasions. The next morning we continued our journey, making all the haste that possibly we could : to which end we got upon good horses, that were given us by this priace ; and vrithal he appointed four of his servants to accompany us, who during our voyage entertained us every where very sumptuously. That day our lodging was at a goodly place, called Betenigus, which signifies a royal house ; and in truth it was not without reason so named, for on whatsoever part one cast an eye, it was invironed with great high trees for three leagues about ; nor is it to. be credited how pleasing this wood was, for that it was composed all of cedars, cypress, palm, date-trees, and cocos, like to those in the Indies ; here we past the night with all kind of contentment. In the morning we proceeded on our journey, and travelUng after five leagues a day," we past over a great plain, all full of goodly com ; then we arrived at a mountain, named, Vangaleu, inhabited by Jews, which was very whits and. handsome; two days and an half after we came to a good town, called Fumbazi, not above twelve leagues distant from the fort of Gyleytor, there we found Barbosa, and 12 TBiS TBAVBLS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTVBM8 the forty Portiugals aforesaid, who received us with great demonstration of joy, but not without shedding of some tears, for though they lived there at their ease, and were absolute masters of all the country, as they said, yet the consideration how they were as men banished from their country into this place, did very much trouble them. Now because it was night when we arrived, and that we had aU need of rest, Barhosa was of the opinion that we should not see the Emperours mother till the next morning, which was on Sunday, the 4:th of October; that come, and we well refreshed, we went accompanied with Barhosa, and his forty Porttigals, to the Princess palace, where we found her at Mass in her chappel. A while after, being advertised of our arrival, she caused us to be admitted into her presence ; whereupon we fell on our kuees before her, and with all kind of humility kissed the Ventilow that she held in her hand ; to these submissions we adjoyned many other ceremonies according to their fashion, conformable to the instructions we had taken from the Portugals that conducted us thither. . She received us with a smiling countenance ; and to testilie how much she was pleased with om' coming ; Verily, said she, you caniwt imagine how glad I am to see you, that are right Christians; for it hath been a thing which I Jiave alwayes as much desired, as a fair garden enammelled with flowers doth tlie morning dew ; wherefore you are most welcome ; come, and may your entrance into my house he as propitious as that of the Vertuous Queen Helena's was into blessed Jerusalem. Herewith she made us to sit down upon mats, not above five or sis paces distant from her ; then shewing her self exceedingly contented, she questioned us about certain matters, of which she assured us, that she very much longed to be satisfied : First, she asked us the name of cm: Holy Father the Pope, also how many kings there were in Christendome, and whether any of us had ever been in the Holy Land ; whereupon she much condemned the Christian princes for their neglect and want of care in seeking to ruine the power of the Turk, who, she said, was the common enemy of them all. Likewise she would know of us, whether the "King of Portugal was great in the Indies, what forts he had there, in what places they were seated, and OF FEBDINAND MENDE2 PINTO. 13 how defended. She made us many other Uke demands, to the which we answered the best we could for to content her ; whereupon she dismissed us, and we returning to our lodging, continued there nine dayes, which we spent in waiting on this Princess, with whom we had much discourse on several subjects : that term expired, we went to take our leaves of her; and in kissing of her hands she seemed to be somwhat troubled at our departure. Truly, said she, it grieves me that you loill he gone so soon ; hut since tJiere is no remedy, I toish your voyage may he so prosperous, that at your arrival in the Indies, you viay he as well received hy yours, as the Queen of Sheba was heretofore hy King Solomon in the admirable palace of his greatness. Now before we departed she bestowed on us twenty four Oqueas of gold, which make two hundred forty duckats of our money ; she caused us also to be conducted by a Naique, and twenty Ahissins, as weU to serve us for guides, and guard us from robbers, whereof that countrey was fuU, as to furnish us with victuals and horses, imtil such time as we got to Arquico, where om: foists attended for us. This Princess also sent a rich present of divers jewels of gold and stones by Vasco Martins de Seixas imto the Govemour of the Indies, which by ill fortune was lost in this voyage, as shall be declared hereafter. After we were returned to the port of Arquico, where we found our companions caulking of our foists, and furnishing them with all that was necessary for our voyage, we fell to work with them for the space of nine dayes. At length, aU things being ready, we set saU, and parted from thence on Tuesday, the 6th of November, 1538. We carried with us both Vasco Martins de Seixas, that had the present, and a letter • from the Princess to the Govemour of the Indies, as also an Abissin bishop, who was bound for Portugal, with an intent to go from thence to Galicia, Borne and Venice, and afterwards to travel to Jerusalem,, which especially he desired to see in regard of the hoUness of the place. An hour before day we left the port, and sailed along the coast before the vrind, untU such time as about noon we reached the point of the Gape of Cocam ; and before we arrived at the Island of Eocks, we discerned three vessels on the other side, that seemed 14 THE TEAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES to us to be Gelvas or Terrades, which are the names of the vessels of that coTintry ; whereupon we gave them chase, and with the strength of our oars, because the wind was then somwhat down, we pursued them in such sort, that in less then two hours, having gotten up to them, we might easily perceieve them to be Turkish galUes, whereof we were no sooner assured, but that we presently betook ourselves to flight, and made towards the land with all the haste that might be, so (if it were possible) to escape the danger that inevitably threatned us : but whether the Turks suspected our design, or knew it, in less than a quarter of an hour they hoisted up all their sails, and having the wind favourable they followed us very hard, so as in a Uttle while getting within a smaU faulcon shot of us, they discharged all their ordnance upon us, wherewith they not only killed nine of our men, and hurt sis and twenty, but so battered our foists, that we were fain to cast a great part of our goods into the sea ; mean while the Turhs lost no time, but joyned us so close, that from their poop they hurt us easily with their pikes. Now there were four and fourty good souldiers remaining yet unhurt in our foists, who knowing that upon their valour and the force of their arms depended the lives both of themselves, and all the rest, they determined to fight it out. With this resolution they set couragiously upon the admiral of three gallies, wherein was Solyman Dragut, General of the Pleet ; their onset was so furious, as they invested her from poop to prow, and killed seven and twenty Janizaries ; never- theless she being instantly succoured with fresh men by the other two gallies, which had stayed a Uttle behind, we were so wearied and oppressed with numbers, that we were not able to make any further resistance ; for of four and fifty that we were at first, there was but eleven left alive, whereof two also died the next day, whom the Turks caused to be cut in quarters, which they hung at the end of their mainyard for a sign of their victory, and in that manner carried them to the town of Mocaa, whereof the father-in-law of the said Solyman Dragus, that had taken us, was. Governor ; who with all the inhabitants waited the coming of his son-in-law at the entry into the port, to receive and welcome him for his victory. In his company he had a certain Gacis, who was Moulana, the chiefest sacer- OP FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 15 dotal dignity; and because he had been a little before in pilgrimage at the temple of their prophet Mahomet in Mecca, he was held by all the people for a very holy man : this im- poster rode up and down the town in a triumphant charret, covered all over with silk tapistry, and with a deal of ceremony blessed the people as he went along, exhorting them to tender all possible thanks unto their Prophet for the victory which Solyman Dragut had obtained over us. As soon as they arrived at this place, we nine that remained ahve were set on shore, tied altogether vnth a great chain, and amongst us was the Ahissin bishop, so pitifully wounded, that he died the next day, and in his end shewed the repentance of a true Christian, which very much encouraged and comforted us. In the mean time all the inhabitants that were assembled about us, hearing that we were the Christians which were taken captives, being exceedingly transported with choler, fell to beating of us iu that cruel manner, as for my own part I never thought to have escaped ahve out of their hands, whereunto they were 'espe- cially incited by the wicked Cads, who made them believe they should obtain the more favour and mercy from their Mahomet, the worse they entreated us. Thus chained aU together, and persecuted by every one, we were led in triumph over aU the town, where nothing was heard but acclamations and shouts^ intermingled with a world of musick, as well of instruments, as voyces. Moreover, there was not a woman, were she never Bo retired, that came not forth then to see us, and to do us some outrage ; for from the very least children to the oldest men, aU that beheld us pass by cast out of the windows and balcons upon U3 pots of piss, and other filth, in contempt and derision of the name of Christian, wherein every one strived to be most forward, in regard their cursed priest continued stiU preaching unto them, that they should gain remission of their sins by abusing us. Having been tormented in this sort until the evening, they went and laid us (bound as we were) in a dark dungeon, where we remained 17 dayes, exposed to aU kind of misery, having no other victual aU that time, but a little oat- meal, which was distributed to us every morning to serve us all the day : Bomtimes they gave us the same measure in dry peason a little soaked in water, and this was aU the meat we had. 16 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ABVENTUBE8 CHAPTBE IV. A Mutiny happening in the town of Mocaa, the occasion thereof, that which befel therenpon, and by what means I was carried to Ormnz ; as also my sailing from thence to Goa, and what success I had in that voyage. T H HI next day, in regard that we had been so miserably moiled, and our hurts that were great but ill looked unto, of us nine there died two ; whereof one was named Nuno Delgado, and the other Andre Borges, both of them men of courage, and of good families. The jaylor, which in their language is called Mocadan, repairing in the morning to us, and finding our two companions dead, goes away in aU haste therewith to acquaint the Gauzil, which is as the judge with us, who came in person to the prison, attended by a great many of of&cers and other people ; where having caused their irons to be stricken off, and their feet to be tyed together with a rope, he commanded them so to be dragged from thence clean through the town, where the whole multitude, to the very children, pursued and pelted them with staves and stones, untOl such time as being wearied with hurrying those poor bodies in such fashion, they cast them all battered to pieces into the sea. At last we seven, that were left alive, were chained altogether, and brought forth into the publique place of the tovm, to be sold to them that would give most : there aU the people being met together, I was the first that was put to sale ; whereupon just as the eryer was offering to deliver me unto whomsoever would buy me, in comes the very Gacis Moulana, whom they held for a saint, with ten or eleven other Gacis, his inferiom-s, all priests, like himself, of their vricked sect, and addressing his speech to Heredrin Sofa, the Govemour of the tovni, who sate as president of the portsale, he required him to send us, as an alms, unto the Temple of Mecqua saying, that he was upon returning thither, and having resolved to make that pilgrimage in the name of all the people, it were not fit to go thither without carrying some offering to the Prophet Noby, (so they termed their Mahomet), a thing, said he, that would utterly displease Bazaadat Moulana, the chief priest of Medina Talnab, who without that would grant no Of FERDINAND MENDMZ PINTO. i? kind ol grace or pardon to tlie inhabitants of this town, wliich by reason of their great offences stood in extream need of the favour of God and His Prophet. The Govemour having heard the Cacis speak thvtSi declared unto him that, for his particular, he had no power to dispose of any part of the booty, and that therefore he should apply himself to Solyman Dragiis his son-in-law, who had made us slaves ; so that in right it appertained only unto him to do with us as he pleased ; and I do not think, added hej that he wiU contradict so holy an intention as this is. Thou hast reason for it, answered the Cacis, but with all thou must know, that the things of God, and the alms that are done in His name, lose their value and force, when they are sifted through so many hands, and turmoiled with such humane opinions ; for which very cause seldom doth any divine resolution foUow thereupon, especially in a. subject such as this, which thou mayst abso- lutely dispose of, as thou art sovereign commander of this people. Moreover, as there is no body can be displeased therewith, so I do not see how it can bring thee any discontent. For besides that this demand is very just; it is also most agreeable to our Prophet Noby, who is the absolute lord of this prize, in regard the victory came solely from his holy hand, though with as much falsehood as malice thou goest about to attribute the glory of it to the valor of thy son-in-law, and the courage of his soldiers. At this instant a Janizary was present, captain of one of the three gallies that took us, a man that for his exceeding valour was in great esteem amongst them, called Copa Geynal, who nettled with that which he heard the Cacis speak, so much in contempt of both of himself and the rest of the souldiers, that had carried themselves very vaUantly in the fight with us, returned him this answer. Certainly you might do better, for the salvation of your soul, to distribute some part of the excessive riches you possess among these poor souldiers, then seek with feign'd speeches, full of hypocrisie ar,d deceit, to rob them of these slaves, which have cost the lives of so many brave men, their fellows in arms, and have been dearly bought by us that survive, even ■with our dearest blood, as the wounds we have upon us can but too weU witness ; bo can it not be said of your Cabayage 3 18 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVUNTUBES (a sacerdotal robe after tlieir fashion), which for all it fits so trim and neat upon you, covers a pernicious habit you have of purloyning other mens estates from them : wherefore I would wish you to desist from the damnable plot you have laid against the absolute masters of this prize, whereof you shall not have so much as a token, and seek out some other present for the Gacis of Mecqua, to the end he may conceal your theevries, and impiety, provided it be not done with the expence of our lives and blood, but rather with the goods you have so lewdly gotten by your wicked and cunning devices. This Cacis Moulana having received so bold an answer from this captain, found it very rude, and hard of digestion, which made him in bitter terms, and void of all respects, exceedingly to blame the captain, and the souldiers that were there present, who, as well Turks as Saracens, being much offended with his iU language, combined together and mutined against him, and the rest of the people, in whose favour he had spoken so insolently ; nor could this mutiny be appeased by any kind of means, though the Governor of the town, father-in-law to the said Solyman Dragut, together with the of&cers of justice, did all that possibly they could. In a word, that I may not stand longer upon the particulars of this affair, I say, that from this small mutiny did arise so cruel and enraged a con- tention, as it ended not but with the death of 600 persons, of the one, and the other side : but at length the souldiers party prevailing, they pUlaged the most part of the town, especially the said Gacis Moulaiia's house, killing 7 wives and 9 children that he had, whose bodies together with his own were dis- membred, and cast into the sea with a great deal of cruelty. In the same manner they entreated all that belonged unto him, not so much as giving life to one that was known to be his. As for us 7 Portugals, which were exposed to sale in the publique plaoe, we could find out no better expedient to save our lives, then to. return into the same hole, from whence we came, and that too without any officer of justice to carry us thither; neither did we take it for a small favour that the jaylour would receive us into prison. Now this mutiny had not ceased but by the authority of Solyman Dragut, General of the gallies aforesaid; for this man with very gentle words OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PIN TO. 19 gave an end to the sedition of the people, and pacified the mutiners, which shews of what power courtesie is, even with such as are altogether ignorant of it. In the mean time Heredrin Sophc, Governour of the town, came off but iU from this hurly burly, by reason that in the very first encounter he had one of his arms almost cut off. Three days after this dis- order was quieted, we were led aU 7 again to the market place, there to be sold with the rest of the booty, which consisted of our stuff, and ordnance, that they had taken in our foists, and were sold at a very easie rate: for my self, miserable that I was, and the most wretched of them all ; fortune, my sworn enemy, made me fall into the hands of a Greek renegadOj whom I shall detest as long as I have a day to hve, because that in the space of 3 moneths I was with him ; he used me so cruelly, that becoming even desperate, for that I was not able to endure the evil he did me, I was seven or eight times upon the point to have poysoned my self, which questionless I had done, if God of His infinite mercy and goodness had not delivered me from it, whereunto I was the rather induced to make him lose the money he paid for me, because he was the most covetous man in the world, and the most inhumane, and cruellest enemy to the name of a Christian. But at the end of three moneths it pleased the Almighty to deUver me out .of the hands of this tyrant, who for fear of losing .the mony I cost him ; if I should chance to make my self away, as one of his neighbours perswaded him I would, telling Viim that he had discovered so much by my countenance, and manner, of behavioiu", wherefore in pity of me he counselled him to seU me away, as he did not long after unto a Jew, named Abraham J^tica, native of a town called in those quarters Toro, not above a league and an half distant from Mount Sinay. This man gave for me the value of 300 reals in dates, which -^as the merchandize that this Jew did ordinarily trade in with my late master; and so I parted with him in the company of divers merchants- for to go from Babylon to Cayxem, whence he carried me to Or muz, and there presented me to Don Feniand de Lima, who was at that time captain of the fort, and to Don Pedro Fernandez, Commissary General of the Indies, that was then residing at Ormuz, for the service of the 20 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTVMeS King by order frora the Governour Nunho de Cunha. These two, namely Fernandez and de Lima, gave the Jew in re- compence for me 200 Pardaos, which are worth three shillinga and nine pence a piece of our coyn, whereof part was their own mony, and the rest was raised of the ahns which they caused to be gathered for me in the town, so we both re- mained contented, the Jew for the satisfaction he had received from them, and I to find my self at full liberty as before. Seeing my self by Gods mercy delivered from the miseries I had endured ; after I had been seventeen days at Onnuzt I imbarqued my self for the Indies in a ship that belonged to one Jorge Fernandez Taborda, who was to carry horses to Goa. In the course that we held we sailed with so prosperous a gale, that in 17 dayes we arrived in the view of the Fort of Biu ; there, by the advice of the captains, coasting along by the land for to learn some news, we descried a great number of fires all that night, also at times we heard divers pieces of ordnance discharged, which very much troubled us, by reason we could not imagine what those fires, or that shooting in the night should mean ; in so much that we were divided into several opinions. During this incertainty our best advice was, to sail the rest of the night with as Uttle cloth as might be, until that on the next morning by favour of day light we perceived a great many sails, which invironed the fort on aU sides. Some affirmed that it was the Governour newly come from Goa, to make peace for the death of Sultan Bandur, King of Camhaya, that was slain a little before. Others said that it was the Infant, brother to the King Dam Jovan, lately arrived there from Portugal, because he was every day expected in the Indies. Some thought that it was the Patemarca, with the King of Galicuts hundred foists of Gamorin. And the last assured us, iiow they could justifie with good and sufficient reasons that they were the Turks. As we were in this diversity of minds, and terrified with that which we discerned before our eyes, five veiy great gallies came forth of the midst of this fleet, with a many -of banners, flags and streamers, which we saw on the tops of their masts, and the ends of their sail-yards, whereof some were so long, that they touched even the very water. These gallies being come forth in this sort, OF FBBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 21 turned their prows towards us ia such a couragious and confident manner, that by their sailing we presently judged them to be Turks ; which we no sooner knew to be so indeed, but we clapt on all our cloth for to avoid them, and to get into the main sea, not without exceeding fear, lest for our sins we should fall into the like estate from whence I was eo lately escaped. These five galUe's having observed our flight, took a resolution to pursue us, and chased us tiQ night, at which time it pleased God that they tacked about, and returned to the army from whence they came. Seeing our selves freed from so great a danger we went joyfully on, and two dayes after arrived at the town of Chaul, where our captain and the merchants, only landed for to visit the captain of the fort, named Swwn Guedez, unto whom they reported that which had befallen them. Assuredly, said he, you are very much bound to give God thanks for delivering you from one of the greatest perils that ever you were in, for without His assistance it had been impossible for you ever to have declined it, or to tell me of it with such joy as now you do : thereupon he declared unto them, that the army they had encountred was the very same, which had held Antonio de Silveyra twenty dayes together besieged, being composed of a great number of Turks, whereof Solyman the Bassa, Vice-roy of Gaire, was General, and that those saUs they had seen, were 68. gallies great and small, each of which carried five pieces of ordnance in her prow, and some of them were pieces of battery, besides eight other great vessels full of Turks, that were kept in reserve to succour the army, and supply the places of such as should be killed: moreover, he added, that they had great abundance of victuals, amongst the which there was 12. Basilisks. This news having much amazed us, we rendred infinite praise to the Lord for shewing us such grace, as to deliver us from so imminent a danger. We staid at Chaul but one day, and then we set sail for Goa ; being advanced as far to the river of Garwpatan, we met with demand de Morais, captain of three foists, who by the command of the Vice-roy, Dom Garcia de Noronha, was going to Dabul, to the end he might see whether he could take qi bm:n a Turkish vessel which was in the port laden witl^ •22 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAOES, AND ADVENTUSES victuals by order from the Bassar. This Fernand de Morais had no sooner gotten acquaintance of our ship, but he desired our captain to lend him 15 men, of twenty that he had, for to snpply the great necessity he was in that way, by reason of the Vice-royes hastning him away upon the sudden ; which, said he, would much advance the service both of God, and his highness. After many contestations of either part upon this occasion, and which, to make short, I will pass under silence ; at length they were agreed, that our captain should let Fernand de Morais have 12 of 15 men that he requested, wherewithal he was very well satisfied : of this number I was one, as being alwayes of the least respected. The ship departing for Goa ; Fernaiid de Morais, with his three foists, continued his voj'age towards the port of Dahul, where we arrived the next day about nine of the clock in the morning, and presently took a patach of Malabar, which laden with cotton wool and pepper, rode at anchor in the midst of the port. Having taken it we put the captain and pilot to torture, who instantly con- fessed that a few dayes before the ship came into the port expresly from the Bassa to lade victuals, and that there was in her an embassadour, who had brought Hidalcan a very rich Cahaya, that is, a garment worn by the gentle- men of that coimtrey, which he would not accept of, for that thereby he would not acknowledge himself subject to the Turk, it being a custom among the Mahumstaiis, for the lord to do that honour to his vassal ; and further, that this refusal had so much vexed the Embassador, as he returned without taking any Mnd of provision of victuals, and that Hidalcan had answered, he made much more esteem of the K. of Portugals amity, then of his, which was nothing but deceit, as having usurped the town of Goa upon him, after he had offered to aid him with his favour and forces to regain it. Moreover, they said, that it was not above two dayes since the ship they spoke of parted from the port, and that the captain of her, named Gide Ale, had denoimced war against Hidalcan, vowing that as soon as the fort of Diu was taken, which could not hold out above eight dayes, according to the estate wherein he had left it, Hidalcan should lose his kingdom, or life, and that then he should (to his cost) know how that the Port-ugals, in whom he OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 23 put his confidence, could not avail him. With these news Captain Morals turned towards Goa, where he arrived two dayes after, and gave account to the Yice-roy of that which had past. There we found Goncallo vaz Coutinho, who was going with five foists to 0?ior, to demand of the Queen" thereof one of the gaUies of Solymans army, which by a contrary vrind had been driven into her ports. Now one of the captains of those foists, my special friend, seeing me poor and necessitous, perswaded me to accompany him in this voyage, and to that end got me five ducates pay, which I very gladly accepted of, out of the hope I had, that God would thereby open me a way to a better fortune. Being imbarqued then, the captain and souldiers, pitying the case I was in, bestowed such spare clothes as they had upon me, by which means being reasonably well pieced up again, we parted the next morning from the Eoad of Bardees, and the Monday following we cast anchor in the port of Onor ; where, that the inhabitants of the place might know how little account we made of that mighty army, we gave them a great peal of ordnance, putting forth all om- fifes, beating om: drums, and sounding our trumpets, to the end that by these exterior demonstrations they might conclude we regarded not the Turks awhit. CHAPTER V. Goncallo vaz Coutinho's Treaty with the Queen of Onor ; his assaulting of a Turkish galley, and that which hapned unto ns as we were upon our return to Goa. OUE fleet making a stand upon the discharging of our peal of ordnance, the General Goncallo vaz Goutinho sent JBento Castanho, a very discreet and eloquent man, to the Queen of Onor, to present her with a letter from the Vice-roy, and to teU her that he was come to complain of her, for that she had sworn a peace and amity with our King of Portiigal, and yet suffered the Turks, mortal enemies to the Portugals, to abide in her ports.' Hereunto she returned this answer : Tiiat both himself and fvls company viere very welcome, and th(it 24 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES sJie desired to maintain the peace as long as site lived. For that which he said of tlie Turks, slie took her God to witness, how irnich against lier will slie liad received and suffered tliem in her ports ; hut that finding her self too weak for to resist such powerful enemies, she was constrained to dissemble, which she would never have done Jiad she been furnished with sufficient forces. Furtliermore, to clear her self the better unto them, she offered both her power and people for to repel them out of her ports. To this speech she added, that she should he as well pleased if God would give him the victory over them, as if the King of NarsLagua, whose slave she was, should set lier at tlie table ivith his wife, Goncallo vaz Goutinlw having received this embassage, and other complements from the Queen, though he had httle hope of any performance on her part, yet did he ■wisely dissemble it. Afterwards being fully informed by the people of the country of the Turks intention, of the place where they were, and what they did at that instant, he called a councel thereupon, and having througly debated and con- sidered aU things, it was unanimously concluded, that both for the King of Portugal their masters honour, and his own, it was expedient to set upon this galley, either for to take, or fire it, wherein it was hoped that God, for whose glory we fought, would be assisting to us against those enemies of the holy faith. This resolution being made, and signed by us all, he entred some two faulcons shot within the river, where he had scarce anchored, when as a little boat, which they call an Almadia, came aboard us, with a Brachman that spake very goodi For tiiguez. This man delivered a message from the Queen unto our captain, whereby she earnestly desired him, that for Vice-royes sake he would desist from the enterprise he had undertaken, and not to assault the Turks any manner of way, which, said she, could' not be done without great disadvantage, for that she had been advertised by her spies, that they had fortified themselves with a good trench, which they had cast up near the place where they had moored their gaUey ; in regard whereof it seemed to her almost impossible for him with no more forces then he had to be able to prevail in so great an attempt : wherefore she took her God to witness how much she was troubled with the fear she was in, lest some OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 25 mis-fortune should betide him. Hereunto our captain returned an answer full of wisdom and courtesie, saying that he kissed her Highness hands for the extraordinary favour she did him, in giving him so good advice : but for his combat with the Turks, he could not foUow her counsel, and therefore would proceed in his determination, it being always the custom of the Fortugals, not to inquire whether their enemies were few, or many since the more they were, the more should be their loss, and the greater his profit and honour. Thus was the Brachinan dismissed, our captain bestowing on him a piece of green chamlet, and an hat lined with red sattin, wherewith he returned very well contented. The Braclimati dismist, Goncallo vaz Coutinho resolved to fight with the Turks, but before he proceeded any further, he was advertised by spies what stratagems the enemy would use against us, and that the precedent night, by the favour of the Queen, they had moored up the galley, and by it raised up a platform, whereupon they had flanked 25. pieces of ordnance ; but all that stayed him not from advaUcing towards the enemy ; seeing himself then within a cannon shot of them, he went out of his foist, and with 80. men onely landed, the rest which he had brought with him from Goa for this enterprize, being but an hundred more, he left for the guard of the foists. So after he had set his men in battel array, he marched couragiously against his adversaries, who perceiving us making towards them valiantly resolved to defend themselves, to which end they saUied some five and tw.enty or thirty paces out of their trenches, where the fight began on either side with such fury, that in less then a quarter of an hour, five and forty lay dead in the place, amongst the which, there was not above 8. of ours : Hereupon our General not contented with the first charge, gave them a second, by means whereof it pleased God to make them turn their backs, in such sort that they retired peU-mel, as men routed, and in fear of death. Mean while we pursued them to their very trenches, where they turned upon us, and made head anew, in the heat thereof we were so far engaged and intangled together, that we knocked one another with the pummels of our swords. Mean while our foists arrived, which were come along by the shove to succour us, and accordingly 2G THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTTJBES they discharged all their .ordnance upon our enemies, to such good purpose, as they killed 11. or 12. of the valiantest Janizaries, which wore green turhants, as a mark of their nohility. The death of these so terrified the rest, that they presently forsook the field, by means whereof we had leasure to set the gaUey on fire upon the express command of our General Goiicallo, so that having cast into her five pots of powder, the fire took hold on her with such violence, as it was apparant it could not he long before she were utterly consumed ; for the mast and sail-yards were all of a flame, had not the Turks, knowing the danger she was in, most couragiously quenched the fire , but we laboured all that possibly we could to hinder them from it, and to make good that we had so bravely begun, which the enemies perceiving, as their last refuge they_ gave fire to a great piece of ordnance, which charged with stones, and other shot, killed six of ours, whereof the principal was Diego vas Coiitinho, the Generals son, besides a dozen others were hurt, that put us quite in disorder ; whereupon the enemies finding how they had spoyled us, fell to shouting in sign of victory, and to rendring of thanks to their Malwmet : at the naming of this their false Prophet, whom they invoked, our General, the better to encourage his souldiers. Fellows in arms, said he, seeing these dogs call upon tlie Devil to aid them, let us pray unto our Saviour Jesus Christ to assist us. This said, we once more assaulted the trench, which the enemies no sooner perceived, but they craftily turned their backs, and took their flight towards the galley, but they were instantly followed by some of ours, who within a while made themselves masters of aU their trenches; in the mean time the infidels gave fire to a secret myne, which they had made a little within their trenches, and blew up six of our Portu^als, and eight slaves, maiming many others besides; now the smoak was such and so thick, as we could hardly discern one another, in regard whereof our general, fearing lest some greater loss then the former should befal him, retreated to the water side, carrying along with him both the dead bodies, and all the hurt men, and so went where his foists lay, into the which every one being imbarqued, we returned with strength of rowing to the place from whence we came, where with extream sorrow OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 27 he caused the slain to be interred, and all that were hurt to he drest, which were a very great number. The same day that was so fatal to us, a list being taken of all the surviving souldiers, that so it might be known how many had been lost in the last fight upon assaulting of the trench, we found that of fourscore which we were, there was fifteen slain, fifty four hurt, and nine quite maimed for ever : the rest of the day, and the night following, we kept very good watch to avoid all surprizes of the enemy. As soon as the- next morning appeared, there came an embassadour froip the Queen of Onor to- the General Ooncalh, with a present of hens, chickens, and new layd eggs, for the rehef of our sick men ; now though we had great need of those things, yet in stead of receiving our General utterly refused them ; and shewing himself very much displeased with the Queen, he could not iorbear lashing out some words that were a httle more harsher then was requisite; saying, that the Vice-roy should ere long be advertised of the bad offices she had rendred the King of Portugal, and how much he was obliged to pay her that debt, when occasion should serve : further, he bid him teU her, that for an assurance of that which he said, he had left his son dead and buried in her land, together with the other Porhigals, who had been miserably slaughtered through her practices, by assisting the Turks against them : and in a word, that he would thank her more fuUy another time for the present she had sent, the better to dissemble what she had executed against him, for which he would one day_ return her a recompence according to her merit. The embassadour, very much terrified with this speech, departed ; ^ and being come to the Queen his mistress, he so thoroughly represented Goncallo's answer unto her, as she greatly doubted that this galley would be an occasion of the loss of her kingdom ; wherefore to decUne so great a mischief, she thought it necessary to seek by all means possible to maintain the league with our General, to which end she assembled her Councel, by whose advice she dispatched another embassadour imto him, who was a Brachman, a grave and reverend personage, and her nearest kinsman. At his arrival where our foists lay, our General gave him very good 28 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES entertainment ; and after the ordinary ceremonies and com- plements, the Brachman, having demanded permission to deliver his embassage, declared that the Queen faithfully promiseth, within fcywr days to turn the galley, that hath put you to so much pain, and turn the Turks out of tlie limits of her kingdome, which is all that she can do, and which you may he most confident slie will not fail to execute accordingly. Oiir General knowing of what importance this affair was, presently accepted of the Brachmans offer, and told him that he was contented that the league should be renewed betwixt them, according vfhereunto it was instantly pubHshed on either part with all the ceremonies accustomed in such cases ; therupon the Brachman returned to the Queen, who after- wards laboured all she coidd to make good her word; but because Goncallo could not stay the four days which he had demanded, in regard of the extream danger he should thereby have exposed our hurt men unto, he resolved to be gone, and so the same day after dinner we departed ; howbeit he first left one, named Georgia Neogueyra, there, vsdth express order exactly to observe all that was done concerning that affair, and thereof to give certain intelligence to the Vice-roy, as the Queen her self had requested. CHAPTER VI. What passed tUl such time as Pedro de Faria, arrived at Malaca ; his receiving an embassadour from the King of Batas ; with his sending me to that King, and that which arrived to me in that Voyage. THE next day our General Goncallo vaz Couti7iho arrived at Goa, with so many of us as remained aUve : there he was exceedingly welcomed by the Vice-roy, unto whom he rendred an account of his voyage, as also of that which he had concluded with the Queen of Onor, who had promised to bum the galley within four dayes, and to chase the Turks out of all the confines of her kingdom, wherewith the Vice- roy was very well satisfied. In the mean time, after I had remained three and twenty dayes in the said tovm of Goa^ OF FEBDINAND MEiTDE2 PiNTO. 29 \vhere I was cured of two hurts which I had received in fight at the Turks trenches, the necessity whereunto I saw my self reduced, and the counsel of a frier, my friend, perswaded me to offer my service imto a gentleman, named Pedro de Faria, that was then newly preferred to the charge of captaiti of Malaca, who upon the first motion was very willing to entertain me for a souldier, and promised me withal to give me something over and above the rest of his company during the voyage which he was going to make with "the Vice-roy. For it was at that very time when as the Vice-roy Dom Garcia de Noronha was preparing to go to the succour of the fortress of Dm, which he certainly knew was besieged, and in great danger to be taken, by reason of the great forces wherewithal it was invested by the Tiirh ; and to relieve it the Vice-roy had assembled a mighty fleet at Goa, consisting of about 225. vessels, whereof fom'score and three were great ones ; namely, ships, galleons, carvels, and the rest brigantines, foists, and galleys, whereio. it was said there were ten thousand land-men, and thirty thousand mariners, besides a great number of slaves. The time of setting saU being come, and the foists provided of all things necessary, the Vice-roy Lmbarqued himself on Saturday the 14. of November, 1638. Howbeit five dayes past away before he put out of the haven, in regard he stayed for his men, that were not all ready to imbarque ; the meanwhile a catur arrived from the town of Diu, with a letter from Antonio de Silveyra, captain of the fortress, whereby he advertised the Vice-roy, that the Turks had raised the siege, and were retired. Now though these were good news, yet was the whole fleet grieved thereat, for the great desire every one had to fight with the enemies of our faith. Hereupon the Vice-roy abode there five dayes longer, during the which he took order for all things necessary to the conservation of his government of the Indies, and then commanding to hoist sail, he departed from Goa on a Thursday morning, the 16. of December: the fourteenth of his navigatioB he went and cast anchor at Ghaul, where he remained three dayes, during the which he entered into conference with Inezamiduco, a Mahometan prince, and took order for certain affairs very much importing the surety of the 30 TSE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES fortress : after that he caused some of the vessels of the fleet to be rigged, which he furnished with souldiers and victuals, and then departed for to go to Dm ; but it was his ill fortune, as he was crossing the gulph, to be suddenly overtaken by such a furious tempest, that it not only separated his fleet, but was the loss of many vessels, chiefly of the bastard galley which was cast away at the mouth of the river Dabul, whereof Dom Alvaro de Noronha, the Vice-royes son, and General of the Sea-forces, was captain ; in the same gulph also perished the galley named Espinhero, commanded by Jovan de Sousa ; howbeit the most part of then- men were saved by Christophilo de Gama, who came most opportunely to their succour. During this tempest there were seven other ships likewise cast away, the names of which I have forgotten, in so much that it was a moneth before the Vice-roy could recover himself of the loss he had sustain'd, and re-assemble his fleet again, which this storm had scattered in divers places : at length the 16. of January, 1539. he arrived at the town of Dm, where he caused the fortress, to be re-built, the greater part whereof had been demolished by the Turks, so as it seemed that it had been defended by the besieged, rather by miracle : then force : now to effect it the better, he made proclamation, that aU the captains with their souldiers should each of them take in charge to re-build that quarter which should be allotted them ; and because never a commander there had more then Pedro de Faria, he thought fit to appoint him the bulwark, which looked to the sea, for his quarter, together with the out-waU that was on the lands side ; wherein he bestowed such care and diligence, that in six and twenty days space, both the one and the other were ^restored to a better state then before, by the means of 300 souldiers that were employed about it. This done, for that it was the 14 of March, and a fit time for navigation to Malaca, Pedro de Faria set sail for Goa, where by vertue of a patent granted him by , the Vice-roy, he fur- nished himself with aU things necessary for his voyage ; depai-ting then from Goa on the 13 of April, with a fleet of eight ships, four foists, and one galley, whereia there were five hundred men, he had so favourable a wind, that he arrived at Malaca, the 5th day of Juiie, in the same year, 1589. OF FEKDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 81 Pedro de Faria succeeding Dom Estevano de Gama in the charge of the captain of Malaca, arrived there safely with his fleet, nothing hapning in his voyage worthy of writing. Now because at his arrival, Estevan de Gama had not yet ended the time of his commission, he was not put into the possession of that government until the day that he was to enter upon his charge. Howbeit, in regard Pedro de Faria, was ere long to be governour of the fortress, the neighbouring kings sent their embassadours to congratulate with him, and to make a tender of their amity, and of a mutual conservation of peace with the King of Portugal. Amongst these embassadours there was one from the King of Batas, who raigned in the Isle of Samatra, where it is held for a surety that the Island of Gold is, which the King of Porhujol, Do7n. Joana the Third, had resolved should have been discovered, by the advice of certain captains of the country. This embassadour, that was brother-in-law to the King of Batas, named Aquaretn Daholay, brought him a rich present of wood of Aloes, Calamhaa, and five quintals of benjamon in flowers, with a letter^written on the bark of a palm-tree, [demanding tlie aid of tlie Portuguese against the Tyrant of Aohem] . This embassadour received from Pedro de Faria aU the honour that he could do him after their manner, and as soon as he had delivered him the letter, it was translated into the Portugal out of the Malayan tongue, wherein it was written. Whereupon the embassadour by his interpreter declared the occasion of the discord which was between the Tyrant of Achem and the King of Batas, proceeding from this, that the Tyrant had not long before propounded unto this King of Batas, who was a Gentile, the imbracing of Mahomets law, conditionally that he would wed him to a sister of his, for which purpose he should quit his wife, that was also a Gentile, and married to him six and twenty years; now because the King of Batas would by no means condescend thereimto, the Tyrant, incited by a Cacis of his, immediately denounced war against bim : so each of them having raised a mighty army, they fought a most bloody battel, that continued three houres and better, dming the which the Tyrant perceiving the advantage the Bataes had of him, after he had lost a great nijiaber of his people, he made 32 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES his retreat into a mountain, called Cagerrendan, where the Bataes held him besieged by the space of three and twenty dayes ; but because that time many of the Kings men fell sick, and that also the Tyrants camp began to want victuals ; they concluded a peace, upon condition that the Tyrant should give the King five bars of gold (which are in value two hundred thousand crowns of our mony) for to pay his souldiers, and that the King should marry his eldest son to that sister of the Tyrant, who had been the cause of making that war. This accordingly being signed by either part, the King returned into his country, where he was no sooner arrived, but relying on this treaty of peace, he dismist his army, and discharged all his forces. The tranquilhty of this peace lasted not above two moneths and an half, in which time there came to the Tyrant 300 Turks, whom had long expected from the Streight of MecqiiM, and for them had sent four vessels laden with pepper, wherein also were brought a great many cases of muskets and hargebuses, together with divers pieces both of brass and iron ordnance; whereupon the first thing the Tyrant did, was to joyn 300. Turks to some forces he had still afoot ; then making as though he would go to Pacem, for to take in a captain that was revolted against him, he cunningly fell upon two places, named Jacur and Lingua, that appertained to the King of Batas, which he suddenly surprized when they within them least thought of it, for the peace newly made between them took away aU the mistrust of such an attempt, so as by that means it was easie for the Tyrant to render himself master of those fortresses. Having taken them, he put three of the Kings sons to death, and 700 Ouroballones, so are the noblest and the vaUantest of the kingdom called. This while the King of Batas, much resenting, and that with good cause so great a treachery, sware by the head of his god Quia Hocomhinor, the principal idol of the Gentiles sect, who hold him for their god of justice, never to eat either fruit, salt, or any other thing that might bring the least gust to his palate, before he had revenged the death of his children, and drawn reason from the Tyrant for this loss ; protesting further, that he was resolved to dye in the maintenance of so just a war. To which end, and tie better to bring it to pass, the King of Batas straight OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 33 way assembled an army of 1500 men, as ^Yell natives, as strangers; wherewithal he was assisted by some princes his friends : and to the same effect he implored the forces of us Christians, which was the reason why he sought to contract a new amity with Pedro da Faria, who was very well contented with it, in regard he knew that it greatly imported, both the service of the King of Portugal, and the conservation of the fortress, besides that by this means he hoped very much to augment the revenue of the customes, together with his own particular, and all the rest of the Portugals profit, in regard of the great trade they had in those countries of the Soidh. After that the King of Batas embassadour had been seven- teen dayes with us, Pedrorde Faria dismissed him, having first granted whatsoever the King his master had demanded, and somthing over and above, as fire-pots, darts, and murdering pieces wherewith the embassadour departed from the fortress so contented, that he shed tears for joy; and presently im- barqued himself in the same Lanchara, wherein he came thither, being accompanied with eleven or twelve Balons, which are small barques, and so went to the Isle of Vpa, distant not above half a league from the port. There the Bandara of Malaca (who is as it were Chief Justicer amongst the Mahometans) was present in person, by the express commandment of Pedro de Faria, for to entertain him ; and accordingly he made him a great feast, which was celebrated with hoboys, drums, trumpets, and cymbals, together vrith an excellent consort of voices framed to the tune of harps, lutes; and viols after the Portugal manner. Whereat this embassador did so wonder, that he would often put his finger on his mouth, an usual action with those of that country when they marvel at any thing. About twenty dayes after the departure of this embassador, Pedro de Faria, being informed that if he would send some commodities from the Indies to the kingdom of Batas, he might make great profit thereof, and much more of those which should be returned from thence, he to that effect set forth a Jurupango, of the bignesse of a small carvel, wherein he ventured a matter of some ten thousand . ducates; .in this vessel he sent, as his factor, a certain Malwmetan, born at Malaca, and was desirous to have me 4 84 THE TEA7ELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES to accompany him, telling me, that thereby I should not only much oblige him, but that also under pretext of being sent as embassador thither, I might both see the King of Batas, and going along with him in his journey against the Tyrant of Achem, which some way or other would questionless redound to my benefit. Now to the end that upon my return out of those countries I might make him a true relation of aU that I had seen, he prayed me carefully to observe whatsoever should pass there, and especially to learn whether the Isle of Gold, so much talked of, was in those parts ; for that he was minded, if any discovery of it should be made, to write unto the King of Portugal about it. To speak the truth, I would fain have excused my self from this voyage, by reason those countries were unknown to me, and for that the inhabitants were by every one accounted faithless and treacherous, having smaU hope besides to make any gain by it, in regard that all my stock amounted not to above an hundred dueates ; but because I durst not oppose the captains desire I imbarqued myself, though very unwillinglj'-, with that Infidel who had the charge of the merchandize. Our pilot steered his com-se from Malaca to the port of Sorotilau, which is in the kingdom of Aru, alwayes coasting the Isle of Samatra towards the Mediterranean Sea, tiU at length we arrived at a certain river, called Hicandure ; after vre had continued five dayes saUing in tbis manner we came to an harbour, named Minlmtolcy, distant some ten leagues from the kingdom of Peedir. In the end finding our selves on the other side of the ocean we sailed on f om' days - together, & then cast anchor in a little river, called Gaateamgim, that was not above seven fathom deep, up the which we past some 7 or 8 leagues. Now aU the while we sailed in this river with a fan- wind, we saw athwart a wood, which grew on the bank of it, such a many adders, & other crawling creatures, no less prodigious for their length then for the strangeness of their forms, that I shall not marvel if they that read this history will not beleeve my report of them ; especially such as have not travelled ; for they that have seen Uttle beleeve not much, whereas they that have seen much beleeve the more. All along this river, that was not very broad, there were a number of lizards, which might more properly be called serpents, OV FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 65 because some of them were as big as an Ahnadia, with scales upon their backs, and mouths two foot wide. Those of the country assured us, that these creatures are so hardy, as there be of them that sometimes will set upon an Ahnadia, chiefly when they perceive there is not above four or five persons in her, and overturn it with their tailes, swallowing -up the men whole, vrithout dismembring of them. In this place also we saw strange kind of creatures, which they caU Caquesseitan ; they are of the bignesse of a great goose, very blacke and scaly on their backs, with a row of sharp pricks on their chins, as long as a writing pen : moreover, they have wings like unto those of bats, long necks, and a httle bone growing on their heads resembhng a cocks spur, with a very long tail spotted black and green, like unto the lizards of that country ; these creatures hop and fly together, like grashopers ; and in that manner they himt apes, and such other beasts whom they pm-sue even to the tops of the highest trees. Also we saw adders, that were copped on the crowns of their heads, as big as a mans thigh, and so venomous, as the Negroes of the country informed us, -that if any living thing came within the reach of their breath, it dyed presently, there being no remedy nor antidote against it. We likevrise saw others, that were not copped on their crowns, not so venomous as the former, but far greater and longer, with an head as big as a calves. We were told that they hunt their prey in this manner : they get up into a tree, and winding their tails about some branch of it, let their bodies hang dovm to the foot of the tree, and then laying one of their ears close to the ground, they hearken whether they can hear anything stir during the stillness of the night, so that if an- ox, a boar, or any other beast doth chance to pass by, they presently seize on it, and so carries it up into the tree, where he devours it. In like sort we deseryed a niunber of baboons, both grey and black, as big as a great rnastiff, of whom the Negroes of the country are more afraid, then of all the other beasts, because they wiU set upon them with that hardiness, as they have much ado to resist them. 30 TEE TBA.VELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUSES CHAPTBE VII. What hapned to me at Penaiu, with the King of Batas expedition against the Tyrant of Achem ; and what he did after his victory over hiai. BY that time we had sailed seven or eight leagues up the river, at the end we arrived at a little town, named Bottereiidan, not above a quarter of a mile distant from Paiiaiu, where the King of Batas was at that time making preparation for the war he had undertaken against the Tyrant of Acliem. This King understanding that I had brought him a letter and a present from the Captain of Malaca, caused me to be enter- tained by the Xahandar, who is he that with absolute power governs all the affairs of the army : this general, accompanied with five Lancliares, and twelve Ballons, came to me to the port where I rode at anchor ; then with a great noise of drums, bells, and popular acclamations, he brought me to a certain key of the town, called Campalator ; there the Bandara, governour of the kingdom, stayed for me in great solemnity, attended by many Ourohahns and Amhorraias, which are the noblest persons of his Court, the most part of whom, for all that, were but poor and base, both in their habit, and manner of living, whereby I knew that the country was not so rich as it was thought to be in Malaca. "When I was come to the Kings palace, and had past through the first com't, at the entrance of the second I found an old woman, accompanied •with other persons far nobler, and better apparelled then those that marched before me, who beckening me with her hand, as if she had commanded me to enter : Man of Malaca, said she unto me, Thy arrival in the King my masters land is as agreeable unto him, as a slmwre of rain is to a crop of rice in dry and hot weather; wherefore enter boldly, and be afraid of nothing, for the people, which by the goodness of God thou seest here, are no other than those of thine own country, since tlie Iwpe which we liave in the same God nrnkes lis believe tliat he will maintain us all togetlier unto the end of the world. Having said so, she carried me where the King was, unto whom I did obeysance according to the manner of the country ; then I delivered him the letter and the present I OF FERDINAND MENDE2 PINTO. 37 had brought him, which he graciously accepted of, and asked me what occasion drew me thither. Whereunto I answered, as I had in commission, that I was come to serve his Highness in the wars, where I hoped to have the honour to attend on him, & not to leave him till such time as we returned con- queror of his enemies: hereunto I likewise added, that I desired to see the city of Acliem, as also the scituation and fortifications of it, and what depth the river was of, whereby I might know whether it would bear great vessels and gaUions, because the captain of Malaca had a design to come and succor his Highnesse, as soon as his men were returned from the Indies, and to deUver his mortal enemy, the Tyrant of Acliem, into his hands. This poor king presently beheved all that I said to be true, and so much the rather, for that it was conformable to his desire, in such sort, that rising out of his throne where he was set, I saw him go and faU on his knees before the- carcass of a cows head, set up against the wall, whose horns were gilt, and crowned with flowers ; then lifting up his hands and eyes, thou, said he, tJmt iwt constrained by any material love, wherunto Nature liath obliged thee, dost continually make glad all tlwse that desire thy milk, as the own mother doth him whom she hath brought into the world, without participating eitlier of tJie miseries, or pawies, which ordinarily sJie suffers from whom ioe take our being, be favorable unto the prayer which now with all my heart I offer up unto tJiee : and it is no other but this, tliat in the meadoios of the sun, where with tlie payment and recompence which thou receivest, tlwu art contented with the good that tlwu dost here below, thou wilt be pleased to conserve me in the new amity of this good captain, to the end he may put in execution all that this man here hath told me. At these words all the courtiers, which were likewise on their knees, said three times, as it were in answer, ' How happy were lie that could see that, and then dye incontinently ? Wherupon the King arose, & wiping his eyes, which were all beblubbered with the tears that proceeded from the zeal of the prayer he had made, he questioned me about many particular things of the Indies, and Malaca. Having spent some time therein, he very courteously dismissed me, with a promise to cause the merchandise which the Mahometan had brought in 83 TSE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ABVENTUB^S the captain of Malaca's name, to be well and profitably put off, -whicli indeed was the thing I most desired. Now for as much as the King at my arrival was making his preparations for to march against the Tyrant of Acliem, and had taken order for all things necessary for that voyage, after I had remained nine days in Paimiu, the capital city of the kingdom of Batas, he departed with some troops towards a place named Turban, some five leagues off, where he arrived an hour before sun-set, without any manner of reception, or shew of joy, in regard of the grief he was in for the death of his children, which was such as he never appeared in pubUque, but with great demonstration of sorrow. The next morning the King of Batas marched from Turban towards the kingdome of Achem, being 18 leagues thither. He carried with him fifteen thousand men of war, whereof eight thousand were Batacs, and the rest Meiiancabes, Licsons, Andragzdres, Jambes, and Bournccs, whom the Princes his neighbours had assisted him with, as also fourty elephants, and twelve carts with small ordnance, namely, faulcons, bases, and other field pieces, amongst the which there' were three that had the arms of France, and were taken in the year 1526. at such time as Lopo Vaz de Sampayo governed the State of the Indies. Now the King of Batas, marching five leagues a day came to a river, called Quileni; there by some of the Tyrants spies, which he had taken, he learnt that his enemy waited for him at Tondacur, two leagues from Acliem, with a pmrpose to fight with him, and that he had great store of strangers in his army, namely Turks, Cambayans, and Malabars : whereupon the King of Batas, assembling his councel of war, and falling into consultation of this affair, it was concluded, as most expedient, to set upon the enemy before he grew more strong. With' this resolution having quit the river, he marched somewhat faster then ordinary, and arrived about ten of the clock in the night at the foot of a mountain, half a league from the enemies camp, where after he had reposed hunself a matter of 3 hours, he marched on in very good order; for which effect having divided his army into four squadrons, and passing along by a little hill, when he came to the end thereof, he discovered a great plain sowed with rice, where the enemy stood ranged in OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 39 two battalions. As soon as the two armies descried one another, and that at the sound of their trumpets, drums, and bells, the souldiers had set up a terrible cry, they encountred very vahantly together ; and after the discharge of their shot on both sides, they came to fight hand to hand with saeh courage, that I trembled for fear to behold their fury. The battel continued in this manner above an hour, and yet could it not possibly be discerned which party had the better. At last the Tyrant foreseeing, that if he persisted in the fight, he should lose the day, because he perceived his men to grow faint and weary, he retreated to a rising ground, that lay south to the Batacs, and about a faulcons shot distant from them. There his intention was to fortifie himself in certain trenches which before he had caused to be cast up against a rock in form of a garden, or tilth of rice ; but a brother of the K. of Andraguire interrupted his design, for stepping before him with 2000 men, he cut off his way, and stopt him from passing further, in so much that the medly grew to be the same it was before, and the fight was renewed between them with such fury, as cruelly wounding one another, they testified sufficiently how they came but little short of other nations in courage. By this means the Tyrant, before he could recover his trenches, lost 1500 of his men, of which number were 300 and 60 Tiorhs, that a little before were come to him from the Streight of Mecqua, with two hundred Saracens, Malabars, and some Abissins, which were the best men he had. Now because it was about mid-day, and therefore very hot ; the King of Batas retired towards the mountain, where he spent the rest of the day in causing those that were wounded to be looked unto, and the dead to be buried. Hereupon not being well resolved what to do, in regard he was altogether ignorant of the enemies design, he took care to have good watch kept all that night in every part. The next morning no sooner began the sun to appear, but he perceived the valley, wherein the Achems had been the day before, to be quite abandoned, and not one of them to be seen there, which made him think the enemy was defeated in this opinion, the better to pursue the first point of his victory, he dismissed aU the hurt men, as being unfit for service, and followed the Tyrant to the city, where arriving 40 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES two hours before sun-set, to shew that he had strength and courage enough to combat his enemies, he resolved to give them proof of it by some remarkable action before he would encamp himself ; to which effect he fired two of the suburbs of the town, as also four ships, and two galleons, which were drawn on land, and were those that had brought the Turhs from the Streight of Mccqiia. And indeed the fire took with such violence on those six vessels, as they were quite con- sumed in a Uttle time, the enemy not daring to issue forth for to quench it. After this, the King of Batas, seeing himself favoured by fortune, to lose no opportunity began to assault a fort, called Penacao, which with twelve pieces of ordnance defended the entry of the river ; to the scalado of this he -went in person, his whole army looking on, and having caused some 70 or 80 ladders to be planted, he behaved himself so well, that with the loss only of 37 men he entred the place, and put all to the sword that he found in it, to the number of 700 persons, without sparing so much as one of them. Thus he did on the day of his arrival perform three memorable things, whereby his souldiers were so heartned, as they would fain have assaulted the city the very same night, if he would have permitted them ; but in regard it was very dark, and his men weary, he gave thanks to God, and contented himself with that which he had done. The King of Batas held the city besieged by the space of 23 daj^es, during the which two sallies were made, wherein nothing past of any reckoning, for there were but ten men slain on either part. Now as victories and good success in war do ordinarily encom-age the victorious ; so often it happens that the weak become strong, and cowards so hardy, as laying aside aU fear, they dare undertake most difi&cile and dangerous things, whence also it as often falls out, that the one prospers, and the other is ruined; which appeared but too evidently in that which I observed of these two princes ; for the King of Batas, seeing that the Tyrant had shut himself up in his city, thereby as it were confessing that he was vanquished, grew to such an height of confidence, that both he and ids people beUeving it was impossible for them to be resisted, and trust- ing in this vain opinion that bhnded them, were twice in OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 41 hazard to be lost by the rash inconsiderate actions which they entred into. In the third sally, made by the inhabitants, the King of Batas people eneountred them very lustily in two places, which those of Achem perceiving, they made as though they were the weaker, and so retreated to the same fort that was taken from them by the Bataes the first day of their arrival, being closely followed by one of the Kings Captains, who taking hold of the opportunity, entred pell-meU with the Achems, being perswaded that the victory was sure his own ; but when they were altogether in the trenches, the AcJievis turned about, and making head afresh defended them- selves very couragiously. At length in the heat of their medley, the one side indeavouring to go on, and the other to withstand them, those of Achcvi gave fire to a myne, they had made, which wrought so effectually, as it blew up the captain of the Bataes, and above 300 of his souldiers, with so great a noise, and so thick a smoak, as the place seemed to be the very portrayture of hell. In the mean time the enemies giving a great shout, the Tyrant sallied forth in person, accompanied with 5000 resolute men, and charged the Bataes very furiously; Now for that neither of them could see one another by reason of the smoak proceeding from the myne, there was a most con- fused and cruel conflict between them ; but to speak the truth, I am not able to deUver the manner of it ; it suificeth, that in a quarter of an hours space, the time this fight endured 4000 were slain in the place on both sides, whereof the King of Batas lost the better part, which made him retire with the remainder of his army, to a rock, called Minacalen, where causing his 'hurt men to be drest, he found them to be two thousand in number, besides those that were killed; which because they could not be so suddenly buried were thrown into the current of the river. Hereupon the two kings con- tinued quiet for four dayes after, at the end whereof one morn- ing, when nothing was less thought of, there appeared in the midst of the river, on Penaticatis side, a fleet of fourscore and six sails, with a great noise of m^usick, and acclammations of joy. At first this object much amazed the Bataes, because they knew not what it was, howbeit the night before their scouts had taken five fisher-men, who put to torture confessed, 42 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES that this was the army which the Tyrant had sent some two months before to Tevassery, in regard he had war with the Somau, King of Siam; and it was said that this army was composed of 5000 Lussons and Somes, all choice men, having to general a Turk, named Hametecam, nephew to the Bassa of Cairo. Whereupon the King of Batas making use of these fisher-mens confession, resolved to retire himself in any sort whatsoever, well considering that the time would not permit him to make an hom-s stay, as well because his enemies forces were far greater than his, as for that every minute they expected succom-s from Pcdir and Pazen, whence it was reported, for certain, there were twelve ships full of strangers coming. No sooner was the King fortified in this resolution, but the night ensuing he departed very sad, and ill contented for the bad success of his enterprize, wherein he had lost above three thousand and five hundred men, not comprizing the wounded, which were more in number, nor those that were burnt with the fire of the myne. Five dayes after his departure he arrived at Panaiit, where he dismissed all his forces, both his own subjects and strangers; that done, he imbarqued himself in a small lanchara, and went up the river without any other company then two or three of his favorites. With this small retinue he be took himself to a place, called Pachissaru, where he shut himself up for fom'teen dayes, by waj"- of penance, in a pagode of an idol, named Ginnassereo, which signifies tlie God of Sadness. At his return to Panaki, he sent for me, and the Mahometan that brought Pedro de Faria's merchandise ; the first thing that he did, was to enquire particularly of him whether he made a good sale of it, adding withal, that if any thing were stiU ovnng to him he would command it to be presently satisfied; hereunto the MaJuymetan and I answered, that through his Highness favour all our business had received a very good dispatch, and that we were paid for that we had sold, in regard whereof the captain of Malaca would not fail to acknowledge that com-tesie, by sending him succour for to be revenged on his enemy the Tyrant of Achem, whom he would inforce to restore all the places, which he had unjustly usurped upon him. The King hearing me speak in this manner stood a whUe musing with himself. OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 43 and tiien in answer to my speech ; Ah Portugal, said lie, since thou constrainest me to tell thee freely what I think ; believe me not Jiereafter to be so ignorant as that thou mayst be able to ;perswade me, or that I can be capable to imagine, that he which in thirty years space could not revenge himself, is of power to succour m£ at this present in so slwrt a time ; or if yet thou thinlcest I deceive my self, tell me, I pray thee iww, wJience comes it that thy King and his Govemours could not hinder this cruel King of Achem. from gaining from you tlie Fort o/Pazem, and tJie galUy which went to the Molncquaes, as also three ships in Queda, and the galleon of Malaca, at such time as Garcia ivas captain there, besides ilie four foists tliat were talcen since at Salengor, with the two ships that came from Bengala, or Lopo Chanoea's junh and ship, as likewise many otlier vessels, which I cannot now remember, in the which, as I have been assured, this inhumane hath put to death above a thousand Portugals, and gotten an extream rich booty. WJierefore if this Tyrant should happen to come once more against me, Iww canst tlwu have me rely upon tlieirioord which have been so often overcome ? I must of necessity then continue as I am with three of my children murdered, and the greatest part of my kingdom destroyed, seeing you your selves are not much more assured in your fortress of Malaca. I must needs confess that this answer, made with so much resentment, rendred me so ashamed, knowing he spake nothing but truth, that I durst not talk to him afterwards of any succour, nor for our honoiir reiterate, the promises which I had formerly made him. CHAPTEE VIII. What past between the King of Batas and me, until such time as I imbarqued for Malaca. T H HI Mahometan and I returning to our lodging, departed in four dayes after, imploying that time in shipping an hundred bars of tin, and thirty of benjamin, which were still on land. Then being fully satisfied by our merchants, and ready to go, I went to wait upon the King at his Passeiran, 44 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES ■which was a great place before the palace, where those of the country kept their most solenm fairs; there I gave him to understand, that now we had nothing mor^ to do but depart if it would please his Majesty to permit us : the entertain- ment that he gave me then was very gracious ; and for answer he said to me, I am very glad for that Heriiwn Xabaiidar, (who was chief general of the wars) assured me yesterday that your captains commodities were well sold ; but it may be that that which he told me was not so, and that he delivered not the truth for to please me, and to accommodate himself to the desire he knew I had to have it so ; wherefore, continued he, I pray thee declare unto me freely whether he dealt truly with me, and whether the Mahometan that brought them be fully satisfied ; for I would not that, to my dishonour, those of Malaca should have cause to complain of the merchants of Paiiaiu, saying, that they are not men of their word, and that there is not a king there who can constrain them to pay their debts ; and I swear to thee by the faith of a Pagan, that this affront would . be no less insupportable to my condition, then if I should chance to make peace with that Tyrant, and perjured -enemy of mine, the King of Aclicm. Whereunto having replyed, that we had dispatched all our affairs, and that there was nothing due to us in his country : Verily, said he, I am very well pleased to hear that it is so ; wherefore since thou hast nothing else to do here, I hold it requisite, that without any further delay thou shouldst go, for the time is now fit to set sail, and to avoid the great heats that ordinarily are eudm-ed in passing the gulph, which is the cause that ships are many times cast upon Pazcm by foul weather at sea, from which I pray God dehver thee ; for I assure thee that if thy ill fortune should carry thee thither, the men of Achem would eat thee alive, and the Tyrant himself would have the first Bite at thee, there being nothing in the world these inhumanes so much vaunt of, as to carry on the crest of their arms the device of Drinkers of tlie troubled blood of miserable Gaffers, who (they say) are come from the end of the world, calling them tyrannical men, and usurpers in a supreme degree of other mens Icingdoms in tlie Indies, and Isles of tJie Sea. This is the title wherein they glory most, and which they attribute particularly OF FEBDINAND MENDFZ PINTO. 45 to themselves, as being sent them from Mecqita in recompenco of the golden lamps which they offered to the Alcoran of their Malwviet, as they use to do every year. Fmrthermore, although heretofore I have often advised thy captain of Mcdaca, to take careful heed of this Tyrant of Acliem, yet do not thou omit to advertise him of it once more from me ; for know that he never had, nor shall have other thoughts, then to labour by aU. means to expel him out of the Indies, and make the T^irk master of them, who to that end promiseth to send him great succours ; but I hope that God will so order it, as all the malice and cun- ning of this disloji-al wretch shall have a contrary success to his intentions. After he had used this language to me he gave me a letter in answer to my embassage, together with a present, which he desired me to deUver from him to Captain de Faria ; this was six small javelins headed vrith gold, 12 cates of Calambuca wood, every one of them weighing 20 ounces, and a box of exceeding value, made of a tortoise shell, beautified with gold, and full of great seed pearl, amongst the which there were 16 fair pearls of rich account. For my self, he gave me two cates of gold, and a little courtelace garnished with the same. Then he dismissed me with as much demonstration of honour as he had alwayes used to me before, protesting to me in particular, that the amity which he had contracted with our nation should ever contiaue inviolable on his part. Thus I imbarqued my seK with Aquarius Dabolay, his brother-in-law, who was the same he had sent embassadour to Malaca, as I have related before. Being departed from the port of Panaiu, we arrived about two hom-s in the night at a little island, called Apofiijgua, distant some league and an half from the , mouth of the river, and inhabited by poor people, who lived by fishing of shads. ' The next morning, leaving that island of Apofiiigua, wejran along by the coast of the Ocean Sea for the space of 25 leagues, until such time as at length we entred into the Streight of Min- hagaruu, by which we came; then passing by the contrary coast of this other Mediterranean Sea, we continued our course along by it, and at last arrived near to Pullo Bugay. There we crost over to the firm land, and passing by the port of Junculan we sailed two dayes and an half with a favourable wind, by 46 rnJE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ABVENTUBES means whereof we got to the river of Parks in the kingdom of Queda. [Here folloivs an adventure that befell Pinto in the Kingdom of Queda, jcwtittfir.] Being departed from the river of ParUs, on a Saturday about sun-set, I made all the speed that possibly I could, and con- tinued my course untU the Tuesday following ; when it pleased God that I reached to the isles of Pullo Samhalin, the first land on the coast of Mallayo. There by good fortune I met with 3 Portugal ships (whereof 2 came from Bengala, and the other from Pegu) commanded by Tristen de Gaa, who had somtimes been governour of the person of Don Lorenzo, son to the Vice-roy, Don Francesco d' Ahneda, that was afterward put to death by Miroocem in Chaul Eoade, as is at large delivered in the history of the discovery of the Indies. This same Tristan fm-nished me with many things that I had great need of, as tackle, and mariners, together with two souldiers, and a pilot ; moreover, both hunself and the other two ships had alwayes a care of me untU our arrival at Malaca ; where dis-imbarquing my self, the first thing I did was to go to the fortress for to salute the captain, and to render him an account of the whole success of my voyage, where I discoursed unto Mm at large what rivers, ports, and havens, I had newly discovered iu the isle of Samatra, as well on the Mediterranean, as on the Ocean Seas side, as also what commerce the inhabitants of the coimtry used ; then I declared unto him the manner of aU that coast, of all those ports and of all those rivers ; whereunto I added the scituations, the heights, the degrees, the names, and the depths of the ports, according to the direction he had given me at my departure. Therewithal! I made him a description of the roade wherein Bosado, the captaia of a French ship, was lost, and another, named Matelote de Brigas, as also the commander of another ship, who by a storm at sea was cast into the port of Diu, in the year 1529. during the reign of Sultan Bandur, King of Cainbaya. This prince having taken them all, made fourscore and two of thein abjure their faith, who served him in his wars against the great Mogor, and where every one of them miserably slain in that expedition. Moreover I brought him the des- OF FEEDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 47 cription of a place fit for anchorage in Pullo Botum Eoade, where the Bisquayn ship suffered shipwrack, which was said to be the very same, wherein Magellan compassed the world, and was called the Vittoria, which traversing the Isle of Jooa was cast away at the mouth of the river of Sonda. I made him a recital hkewise of many different nations, which inhabit all along this ocean, and the river of Lam/pon, from whence the gold of Menwiicaho is transported to the kingdom of Cavvpar, upon the waters of Jambes and Broteo. Por the inhabitants affirm, out of their chronicles, how in this very town of Lampon there was anciently a factory of merchants, estabUshed by the Queen of Sheba, whereof one, named Nausem, sent her a great quantity of gold, which she carried to the Temple of Jerusalem, at such time as she went to ■\4sit the wise King Solomon ; from whence, some say, she returned with child of a son, that afterwards succeeded to the Empke of Ethiopia, whom now we call Prester-John, of whose race the Abissins vaunt they are descended. Further, I told him what course was usually held for the fishing of seed pearl betwixt Pullo Tiquos and Pullo Quenim, which in times past were carried by the Bataes to Pazem and Pedir, and exchanged with the Turks of the Streight of Mecqua, and the ships of Judcea, for such merchandise as they brought from Graiid Cairo, and the ports of Arabia Fcslix. Divers other things I recounted unto him, having leamt them of the King of Batas, and of the merchants of Panaiu. And for conclusion, I gave him an information in writing, as he had formerly desired me, concerning the Island of Gold : I told him, how this island is beyond the river Galandor five degrees to the southward, invironed vdth many shelfs of sand, and cm-rents of water, as also that it was distant some hundred and threescore leagues from the point of the Isle of Samatra. With all which reports Pedro de Faria remained so well satisfied, that he made present relation thereof to the King Dom Jovan the Third of happy memory, who the year after ordained Francesco d' Almeida for captain to discover the Isle of Gold, a gentleman of merit, and very capable of that charge, who indeed had long before petitioned the king for it in recompence of the services by him performed in the islands of Banda, of the Molucques, of Ternate, and 48 THE TEAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES Geilolo : but by ill-fortune this Francesco cV Almeida, being gone from the Indies to discover that place, dyed of a feaver in the Isles of Nicubar; whereof the King of Porhigal being advertised, he honored one Diego Cabral, bom at the Maderacs, with that command ; but the court of justice deprived him of it by express order from Martinez Alphonso de Sousa, who was at that time Governor, which partly proceeded, according to report, for that he had murmured against him ; whereupon he gave it to Jeronymo Figuereydo, a gentleman belonging to the Duke of Braganca, who in the year 1542. departed from Goa with two foists, and one carvel, wherein there were fom-score men, as well souldiers, as mariners ; but it is said, that Ms voj'age was without effect, for that, according to the apparanees that he gave of it afterward, it seemed that he desired to enrich himself too suddenly : to which end he passed to the coast of Tanassery, where he took certain ships that came from Mecqua, Adam, Alcosser, Jicdcea, and other places upon the coast of Persia. And verily this booty was the occasion of his undoing, for upon an unequal partition thereof falling at difference with his souldiers, they mutined in such sort against him, as after many affronts done him they bound him hand and foot, and so carried Hm to the Isle of Geilan, where they set him on land; and the carvel, with the two foists, they returned to the Governor Don Joana de Gastra, who in regard of the necessity of the time pardoned them the fault, and took them along with him' in the army, which he led to Diu for the succour of Don Joana Ma^carenhas, that was then straitly besieged by the King of Gamhaya's forces. Since that time there hath h&en no talk of the discovery of this island of gold, although it seemes very much to import the coramon good of -our kingdom of Portugal, if it would please God it might be brought to passe. OF FEBDINANt) MENDEZ PINTO. 49 CHAPTER IX. The Arrival of an Embassador at Malaca from the King of Aaru to the Captain thereof ; his sending me to the said King, my coming to Aaru, and that which happen'd to me after my departing from thence. FIVE and twenty dayes after my coming to Malaca, Dam Stephana de Gama, being stiU captain of the fortress, an embassador arrived there from the King of Aaru, for to demand succor of men from him, and some mimitions of war, as powder, and bullets, for to defend himself from a great fleet that the King of Acliem was setting forth against him, with an intention to deprive him of Ms kingdom, and to be a nearer neighbour tmto us, to the end that having gained that passage, he might afterwards send his forces the more easily against om- fortress of Malaca; whereof Pedro de Faria was no sooner advertised, but representing unto himself how important this affair was for the service of the King, and preservation of the fortress, he acquainted Dom Stepliano de Gama with it, in regard his command of the place was to continue yet six weeks longer; howbeit he excused himself from giving the succor which was required, saying, that the time of his government was now expiring, and that his being shortly to come in, the duty of his charge did obUge him to take care of this businesse, and to think of the danger that menaced him. Hereunto Pedro de Faria made answer, that if he would relinquish his government for the time he had yet to come in it, or give him full power to dispose of the publique magazins, he would provide for the succor that he thought was necessary. In a word, and not to stand long on that which past betwixt them, it shall sufi&ce to say, that this Embassador was utterly denied his demand by these two Captains ; whereof the one alleged for excuse, that he was not yet entred upon his charge ; and the other, that he was upon the finishing of his : whereupon he returned very iU satisfied with this refusal, and so far resented the injustice which he thought was done unto his King, as the very morning wherein he imbarqued himself, having met by chance with the two Captains at the gate of the fortress, he said aloud before them publiquely, with the tears in his eyes : 6 50 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES In tlie name of the Prince of Portugal, Ibescech you, once, twice, nay a hundred times, that you toill perform tliat appertaines unto your duty to do ; for this which I thus puhlichely demand of yoio is of so great importaitce, tlmt tlierein consists, not so much the preservation of the Kingdom of Aaru, as the safety of this your fortress of Malaca, which that Tyrant of Achem, our enemy, so extreamly desires to possesse. Having finished this speech, which availed him nothing, he stooped dovm to the ground, from whence taking up two stones, he knocked with them upon a piece of Ordnance, and then the tears standing in his eyes, he said, The Lord, w/to Mth created us, will defend us if he please ; and so imbarquing himself he departed greatly discontented for the had answer he carried hack. Five days after his departure Pedro de Faria was told how all the town murmured at the small respect that both he and Don Stephano had carried to that poor King, who had ever been a friend both to them, and the whole Portugal nation, and continually done very good offices to the fort, for which cause his Kingdom was now like to be taken from him. This advice causing him to see his fault, and to be ashamed of his pro- ceeding, he labored to have palliated it with cei-tain excuses, but at last he sent this King by way of succor fifteen quintals of powder, an hundred pots of wild-fire, an hundred and fifty bullets for great ordnance, twelve harquebuzes, forty sacks of "stones, threescore head-pieces, and a coat of gilt mail, lined with crimson sattin, for his own person, together vdth many other garments of divers sorts, as also twenty pieces of Caracas, which are stained linnen, or cotton tapestry, that come from the Indies, and cloth of Malaya, wherewith they usually apparel themselves in that country, as well for his wife, as his daughters. All these things being laden aboard a Lancliara with oars, he desired me conduct and present them from him to the King of Aaru, adding withall, that this business greatly concerned the King of Portugals service, and that at myretm-n, besides the recompence I should receive from him he would give me an extraordinary pay, and upon aU occasions employ me in such voyages, as might redound to my profit ; whereupon I tmdertook it, in an iU hour as I may say, and for a punish- ment of my sins, in regard of what arrived unto me thereupon, OF FEBDINANB MENBEZ PINTO. 51 as shall be seen hereafter. So then I imbarqued my self on Tuesday morning, the 5th of October, 1539. and used such speed, that on Sunday following I arrived at the river of Panetican, upon which the city of Aaru is scituated. I no sooner got to the river of Panetican, but presently landing I went directly to a trench, which the King in person was causing to be made at the mouth of the river for to impeach the enemies' dis-imbarquing ; presenting my self unto him, he received me with great demonstration of joy, where- upon I delivered him Pedro de F.aria's letter, which gave him some hope of Ms coming in person to succor him, if need required, with many other complements, that cost little the saying, wherewith the King was wonderfully contented, because he already imagined that the effect thereof would infallibly ensue. But after he saw the present I brought him, consisting of powder and ammunitions, he wag so glad, that taking me in his arms. My good friend, said he unto me, I assure thee that the last night I dreamt how all these things, which I behold here before me, came unto me from the King of Portugal, my masters fortress, by means whereof, with God's assistance, I hope to defend my kingdom, and to serve him, in the manner I have always hitherto done, that is, most faithfully, as all the captains can very well testifie, which have heretofore com- manded in Malaca, Hereupon questioning me about certain matters, that he desired to know, as weU concerning the Indies, as the Kingdom of Portugal, he recommended the finishing of the trench to his people, who vreought very earnestly and chearfully in it ; and taking me by the hand, on foot as he was, attended only by five or six gentlemen, he led me directly to the city, that was about some quarter of a league from the trench, where in his palace he entertained me most magnificently, yea and made me to salute his wife, a matter very rarely practised in that country, & held for a special honor, which when I had done, with abundance of tears he said imto me, Portugal, here is the cause that makes me so much to redoubt the coming of my enemies ; for were I not withheld by my wife, I swear unto thee by the law of a good and true Moore, that I would prevent them in their designs, without any other aid then of my own subjects ; for it 52 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ABVENTUBES is not now that I begin to know what manner of man the perfidious AcMm is, or how far his power extends ; Alas ! it is the great store of gold, which he possesseth, that covers his weaknesse, and by means whereof he wageth such forces of strangers, wherewith he is continually served. But now that thou maist on the other side imderstand how vile and odious poverty is, and how hurtful to a poor King, such as I may be, come thee along with me, and by that little which I will presently let thee see thou shalt perceive, whether it be not too true, that fortime hath been so exceeding niggardly to me of her goods. Saying so, he carried me to his Arsenal, which was covered with thatch, and shewed me all that he had within it, whereof he might say with reason, that it was nothing in com- parison of what he needed for to withstand the attempts of two hundred & thirty vessels, replenished with such warlike people, as the Acliems and Malabar Turks were ; moreover, with a sad countenance, and as one that desired to discharge his mind of the grief he was in for the danger was threatned him, he recounted unto me, that he had in all but six thousand men Aaruns, without any forraign succor, forty pieces of small ordnance, as falconets, and bases, and one cast piece, which he had formerly bought of a Portugal, named Antonio de Garcia, sometimes a receiver of the toll and customs of the ports of the fortress of Pacem, whom Georgia de Alhuqiisrque cause since to be hanged and quartered at Malaca, for that he treated by letters with the King of Bintham about a plot of treason, which they had contrived together. He told me besides, that he had also forty muskets, six and .twenty elephants, fifty horsemen for the guard of the place, eleven or twelve thousand staves hardened in the fire, called Salignes, whose points were poysoned, and for the defence of the trench fifty lances, good store of targets, a thousand pots of unslack'd lime made into powder, and to be used instead of pots of wild-fire, & three or four barques full laden with great flints ; in a word, by the view of these, and such other of his miseries, I easily perceived he was so unprovided of things necessary for his defence, that I presently Concluded the enemy would have no great a do to seize on this kingdom. Nevertheless he having demanded of me what I thought of all this amm^inltion in his magazin, and OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 53 whether there were not enough to receive the guests he expected, I answered him, that it would serve to entertain them ; but he understanding mymeaning stood musing a pretty while, and then shaking his head. Verily, said he unto me, if your King of Portugal did but know what a loss it would be to him, that the Tyrant of Achem should take my kingdom from me, doubtless he would chastise the little care of his captains, who, blinded as they are, and wallowing in their avarice, have suffered my enemy to grow so strong, that I am much afraid they shall not be able to restrain him when they would, or if they coidd, that then it must be an infinite expenee. I labored to answer this which he had said unto me with much resent- ment ; but he confuted all my reasons with so much truth, as I had not the heart to make any farther reply ; withal he represented divers foul and enormous actions unto me, where- withal! he charged some in particular amongst us, which I am contented to pass in silence, both in regard they, are nothing pertinent to my discom'se, and that I desire not to discover other mens faults. For a conclusion of his speech, he related unto me the little punishment which was ordained for such as were culpable of these matters, and the great rewards that he had seen conferred on those which had not deserved them ; whereupon he added, that if the King desired throughly to perform the duty of his charge, and by arms to conquer people so far distant from his kingdom, and to preserve them, it was as necessary for him to punish the wicked, as to recompence the good. This said, he sent me to lodge in a merchants house, who for 5 days together, that I remained there, entertained me bravely ; though to speak truth I had rather have been at that time in some other place with any poor victuals, for here I was always in fear, by reason of the enemies continual alarms,- and the certain news that came to the King the next day after my arrival, how the Acliems were akeady marching towards Aaru, and would be there within eight dayes at the farthest, which made him in all haste to give directions for such things as he had not taken order for before, and to send the women, and all that were unfit for war, out of the city five or six leagues into the wood, amongst the which the. Queen her self made one, mounted on an elephant. 54 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES Five dayes after my arrival, the King sent for me, and asked me wlien I would be gone, -whereunto I replied, at such time as it -would please his Greatnesse to command me, though I should be glad it might be -with the soonest, for that I was to be employed by my captain with his merchandise to China. Thou hast reason, answered he ; then taking two bracelets of massy gold off from his wrists, worth some thirty crowns, I pri'thee now, said he, giving them to me, do not impute it to miserableness that I bestow so little on thee, for thou mayst be assured, that it hath been always my desire for to have much for to give much ; withall I must desire thee to present this letter, and this diamond from me to thy captain, to whom thou shalt say, that whatsoever I am further engaged to him for the pleasm-e he hath done me by succouring me with those ammunitions he hath sent me by thee, I will bring it to him my self hereafter, when I shall be at more liberty then now I am. Having taken leave of the King of Aaru, I presently im- barqued my self, and departed about sun-set, rowing down the river to an hamlet, that is at the entrance thereof, composed jf ten or eleven houses covered with straw. This place is inhabited with very poor people, that get their living by killin g of lizards, of whose Uver they make poyson, wherewith they anoint the heads of their arrows ; for the poyson of this place, chiefly that which is called Pocatisilim, is held by them the best of those coimtries, because there is no remedy for him that is hm-t with it. The next day, having left this small village, we sailed along the coast with a land wind until even- ing, that we doubled the islands of Andhepisan ; then the day and part of the night following we put forth somewhat farther to sea. But about the first watch the wind changed to the north-east, for such winds are ordinary about the Isle of Samatra, and grew to be so tempestuous, that it blew our mast over board, tore ota* sails in pieces, and so shattered our vessel, that the water came in that abundance into her at two several places, as sTie sunk incontinently to the bottom, so that of , eight and twenty persons, which were in her, three and twenty were drowned in less then a quarter of an hour. For us five (that escaped by the mercy of God) we passed the rest of the OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 55 night upon a rock, wtere the waves of the sea had cast us. There all that we could do was with tears to lament our sad fortune, not knowing what counsel or course to take, by reason the country was so moorish, & invironed with so thick a wood, that a bu'd, were she never so little, could hardly make way through the branches of it, for that the trees grew so close together. We sat crouching for the space of three whole days upon this rock, where for all our sustenance we had nothing but snails, and such filth, as the foam of the sea produceth there. After this time, which we spent in great misery and pain, we walked a whole day along by the Isle of Samatra, in the owze up to the ghdle-stead, and about sun-set we came to a mouth of a little river, some crossbow-shot broad, whi-ch we durst not undertake to swim over, for that it was deep, and we very weak and weary ; so that we were forced to pass aU that night, standing up to the chin in water. To this misery was there adjoyned the great affiction which the flies and gnats brought us, that coming out of the neighbouring woods, bit and stung us in such sort, as not one of us but was gore blood. The next morning as soon as we perceived day, which we much desired to see, though we had Uttle hope of Ufe, I demanded of my four companions, aU mariners, whether they knew the country, or whether there was any habitation thereabout, whereupon the eldest of them, who had a wife at Malaca, not able to contain his tears, Alas ! answered he, the place that now is most proper for you, and me, is the house of death, where ere it belong we must give an account of om* sins ; it therefore behoves to prepare our selves for it without any further delay, and patiently to attend that which is sent us from the hand of God : for my part, let me intreat thee to be of a good courage whatsoever thou seest, and not to be terrified with the fear of dying, since, every thing well considered, it matters not whether it be to day, or to morrow. This spoken, he embraced me, and with tears in his eyes desired me to make him a Christian, because he beleeved, as he said, that to be so was sufficient to save his soul, which could not otherwise be done in the cursed sect of Malwmet, wherein he had lived till then, and for which he craved pardon of God. Having finished these last words, he remained dead in my arms, for he 56 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES was so weak, as he was not able to subsist any longer, as well for that he had not eaten ought in three or four days before, as in regard of a great wound the wrack of the Lancliara had given him in his head, through which one might see his brains all putrefied and corrupted, occasioned both for want of looking unto, as by salt water and flies that were gotten into it. VerUy this accident grieved me very much, but for my self I was in Uttle better case, for I was Ukewise so weak, that every step I made in the vyater I was ready to swoon, by reason of certain hiurts on my head and body, out of which I had lost a great deal of blood. Having buried him in the owze the best we could, the other three mariners and my self resolved to cross the river, for to go and sleep on certain great trees, that we saw on the other side, for fear of the tygers and crocodiles, whereof that country is full, besides many other venemous creatures, as an infinite of those copped adders I have spoken of before in the sixth chapter, and divers sorts of serpents with black and green scales, whose venom is so contagious, as they kill men with their very breath. This resolution being thus taken by us, I desired two of them to swim over first, and the other to stay with me for to hold me up in the water, for that in regard of my great weakness I could hardly stand upon my legs : whereupon they two cast themselves presently into the water, exhorting us to follow them, and not be afraid ; but alas ! they were scarce in the midst of this river, when as we saw them caught by two great lizards, that were before our faces, and in an instant tearing them in pieces, dragged them to the bottom, leaving the water all bloody, which was so dreadful a spectacle to us, as we had hot the power to cry out ; and for my self, I knew not who drew me out of the water, nor how I escaped thence ; for I was gone before into the river as deep as my wa-ste, with that other mariner which held me by the hand. / OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ FINTO. 67 CHAPTEE X. By what means I was earned to tlie town of Ciaca, and that which befell me there; my going to Malaca with a Mahometan merchant; and the Tyrant of Achem's army marching against the King of Aaru. FINDING my self reduced to that extremity I have spoken of, I was above three hom-s so besides my self, as I could neither speak, nor weep. At length the other mariner and I went into the sea again, where we continued the rest of that day. The nest morning having discovered a barque, that was seeking the mouth of the river, as soon as it was near we got out of the water, and falliag on our knees with our hands lift up we desired them to come and take us up ; whereupon they gave over rowing, and considering the miserable state we were in they judged immediately that we had suffered shipwraek, so that coming somewhat nearer they asked us what we desired of them ; we answered, that we were Christians, dwelling at Malaca, and that in our return from Aaru we were cast away by a storm about nine daj's before, & therefore praied them for Gods sake to take us away with them whithersoever they pleased. Thereupon one amongst them, whom we guessed to be the chiefest of them, spake to us thus. By that which I see you are not in case to do us any service, and gain your meat, if we should receive you into our barque, wherefore if you have any mony hidden, you shall do well to give it us aforehand, and then we will use towards you that charity you require of us, for otherwise it is in vain for you to hope for any help from us : saying so, they made shew as though they would be gone ; whereupon we besought them again weeping, that they would take us for slaves, and go seU us where they pleased ; hereunto I added, how they might have any ransom for me they would require, as having the honor to appertain very nearly unto the Captain .of Malaca. Well, answered he then, we are contented to accept of thy offer, upon condition, that if that which thou saiest be not true, we wiU cast thee, bound hand and foot, alive into the sea. Having repUed, that they might do so if they found it otherwise, four of them got presently to us, and carried us into their barque, for we were 58 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AhW ADVEN TUBES so weak at that time, as -we were not able to stir of our selves. When they had us aboard, imagining that by whipping they might make -us confess where we had hid our monj^, for stiU they were perswaded that we had some, they tyed us both to the foot of the mast, and then with two double cords they whipped us tUl we were nothing but blood all over. Now be- cause that with this beating I was almost dead, they gave not to me, as they did to my companion, a certain drink, made of a kind of Ume, steeped in urine, which he having taken it, made him fall into such a furious vomiting, as he cast up both his lungs and his liver, so as he dyed within an hour after. And for that they found no gold come up in his vomit, as they hoped, it pleased God that that was the cause why they dealt not so with me, but only they washed the stripes they had given me with the said liquor, to keep them from festering, which notwithstanding put me to such pain, as I was even at the point of death. Being departed from this river, which was called ArissumJiea, we went the nest day after dinner ashore, at a place where the houses were covered with straw, named Ciaca, in the kingdom of Jambes, there they kept me seven and twenty days, in which time by the assistance of heaven I got my self throughly cured of all my hurts. Then they that Tiad a share in my person, who were seven in number, seeing me unfit for their trade, which was fishing, 'exposed me to sale three several times, and yet could meet with no body that would buy me ; whereui^on being out of hope of selling me, they turned me out of doores, because they would not be at the charge of feeding me. I had been six and thirty days thus abandoned by these inhumanes, and put a gi-asing like a cast horse, having no other means to live but what I got by begging from door to door, which God knows was very little, in regard those of the country were extream poor, when as one day, as I was lying in the sun upon the sand by the sea side, and lamenting my ill fortune with my self, it pleased God that a Mahometan, born in the Isle of Palimhan, came accidentally by. This man, having been sometimes at Malaca in the com- pany of Porhi^ais, beholding me He naked on the ground, asked me if I were not a Portugal, and wiUed me to teU him the truth; whereupon I answered, that indeed I was one, and OF FEBDINAND MENDFZ PINTO. 59 descended of very rich parents, who would give him for my ransom whatsoever he would demand, if he would carry me to Malaca, where I was nephew to the captain of the fortress, as being the son of his sister. The Maho-metan hearing me say thus, If it be true, replyed he, that thou art such as thou dehverest thy self to be, what so great sin hast thou committed that could reduce thee to this miserable estate wherein I now see thee ? Then I recounted to him from point to point how I was- cast away, and by what sort the fishermen had first brought me thither in their barque, and afterwards had turned me out of the wide world, because they could not find any body that would buy me. Hereat he seemed to be much astonished, so that musing a pretty while by himself ; Know stranger, said he imto me, that I am but a poor merchant, all whose wealth . amounts not to above an hundred Pa?'^ai?is (which are worth two shillings a piece of our mony) with which I trade for the rows of shads, thereby hoping to get my living. Now I am assured that I might gain something at Malaca, if so be the captain, and the of&cers of the Custom-house there, would not do me the wrong which I have heard say they do to many mer- chants that come thither to trafiSque ; wherefore if thou thinkst that for thy sake I should be well used there, I could be contented to redeem thee from the fishermen, and go thither with thee. Thereunto I answered him, with tears in mine eyes, that considering the state I was in at the present, it was not hkly he could give credit to any thing I said, because it was probable that to free my self out of my miserable captivity I would prize my person at a far higher value then it would be esteemed for at Malaca ; howbeit if he would lend any beUef to my oaths, ^ince I had no other assurance to give him, I would swear to him, and also set it under my hand, that if he would carry me to Malaca, the captain should do him a great deal of honor for my sake, and besides the exempting of his merchandise from paying of custome, he should receive ten times as much as he should disburse for me. Well, rephed the Mahometan, I am contented to redeem, and reconduct thee to Malaca, but thou must take heed that thou speakest not a word of what we have concluded on, for fear thy masters hold thee at so dear ' a rate, as I shall not be able to draw thee out GO THE TEAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES of their hands though I would never so fain ; whereupon I gave him my faith to do nothing but what he would have me to do, especially in that particular, which I held to be most necessary for the better effecting of our desire. Fom- dayes after this agreement, the Mahoinetan merchant, that he might the more easily redeem me, used the interposure of a man bom in the country, who under hand went to the fishermen, and carried the business so cunningly with them, as they quickly consented to my redemption, for they were already very weary of me, as well in regard that I was sickly, as for that I could no way stand them in any stead, and there- fore, as I delivered before, they had turned me out of doores, where I had continued a month and better ; so by the means of this third person, whom the Mahometan had emploied, the fishermen sold me to the merchant for the sum of seven inuzes of gold, which amounts in our mony to seventeen shilhngs and six pence. The Malwinetan as soon as he had redeemed me, brought me to his house, where I was five dayes out of the tyranny of these fishermen, and in a far better captivity then the former ; at the end whereof my new master went five leagues off to a place, named Sorobaya, where he got his mer- chandise aboard, which, as I said before, was nothing but the rows of shads ; for there- is such great abundance of them in that river, as the inhabitants do therewith every year lade above two thousand vessels, which carry at least a hundred and fifty, or two hundred barrels, whereof each one contains a thousand rows, the rest of the fish not yielding them a penny. After that the Malwinetan had laden a Lanchara vvith this commodity, he presently set sail for Malaca, where within a while he safely arrived, and carrying me to the fortress pre- sented me to the captain, relating rmto him what agreement we had made together. Pedro de Faria was so amazed to see me in such a lamentable plight, as the tears stood in his eyes, whereupon he bade me speak out aloud, that he might know whether it was I that he beheld, for that I did not seem to be my self, in regard of the strange deformity of my face. Now because that in three months space there had been no news of me, and that every one thought me to be dead, there came so many folks to see me, as the fortress could scarce hold them. OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 61 Here being demanded the occasion of my mis-fortune, and who had brought me into that miserable case, I recounted the adventures of my voyage, just in the same manner as I have akeady dehvered them, whereat the whole company were so astonished, that I saw some go away without speaking a word, and others shrink up their shoulders, and bless themselves in admiration of that which they had heard from me ; but in con- clusion their compassion towards me was such, that with the very ahns they bestowed on me I became far richer then I was before I undertook that unlucky voyage. As for Pedro dc Feria, he caused threescore ducates to be given to the Maho- metan merchant that brought me, besides two pieces of good China damask ; moreover he freed me of all the duties he was to pay for the custom of his merchandise, which amounted to very near a like sum, so as he remained exceeding well satis- fied of the bargain he had made with me. After this, to the end I might be the better used and looked unto, the captain commanded me to be lodged in the registers house of the Kings Customs, where for that he was married there he thought I might be better accommodated then in any other place, as indeed I was very well entreated by him and his wife ; so that having kept my bed about the space of a month, it pleased God to restore me unto my perfect health. When I had recovered my health, Pedro de Faria sent for me to the fortress, where he questioned me about that which had past betwixt me and the King of Aaru, as also Tiow and in what place I was cast away, whereupon I made him an ample relation thereof. But before I proceed any further, it is requisite I should here report what was the success of the war between the Kings oi Aani, and Acliem, to the end, that the desolation, which I have so often foretold, of our fortress of Malaca, may the more evidently appear, it being a matter of too much importance for to be so neglected as it is by those who ought to have more care of it. For this is certain, that either the power of the King of Acliem is utterly to be ruined, or by it we shaU. be miserably expelled out of the countries we have conquered all along the southern coast, as Malaca, Bauda, Maluco, Sunda, Borneo, and Timor, and northwards China, Japan, and the Lequios, as also many other parts and 62 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE8 ports, -where the Portngals are very much interessed by reason of the traffique which they daily use there, and where they reap more profit then in any other place that is yet discovered, beyond the Cape of Good Hope, the extent thereof being so great, that it contains along the coast above three thousand leagues, as may easily be seen by the cards and globes of the world, if so be their graduation be true. Besides, if this loss should happen, which God of his infinite mercy forbid, though we have but too much deserved it for our carelessness and sins, we are in danger in like manner to lose the customes of Maitdorim of the city of Goa, which is the best thing the King of Portugal hath in the Indies, for they are ports and islands, mentioned heretofore, whereon depends the greatest part of his revenue, not comprehending the spices, namely, the nutmegs, cloves, and maces, which are brought into this kingdom from those countries. Now to return to my discom'se, I say, that the Tyrant of Achem was advised by his councel how there was no way in the world to take Malaca, if he should assail it by sea, as he had divers times before, when as Dom Stepliano de Gama and his predecessors were captains of the fortress, but first to mate himself master of the kingdom of Awru, to the end he might afterwards fortifie himself on the river of Paneti- can, where his forces might more commodiously and neatly maintain the war he intended to make : for then he might have means with less charge to shut up the Streights of Oinca- pura, and Sabaon, and so stop our ships from passing to the Seas of China, Sunda, Banda, and the Moliicques, whereby he might have the profit of all the drugs which came from that great Archipelage ; and verily this counsel was so approved by the Tyrant, that he prepared a navy of an hundred and three- score saUs, whereof the most part were Lanclmres with oars, gaUots, Galabuzes of Jaoa, and fifteen ships high built, fur- nished with munition and victual. In these vessels he imbarqued twenty thousand men, namely twelve thousand soldiers, the rest saUers and pioners. Amongst these were four thousand strangers, Turlcs, Ahissins, Malabar es, Gusurates, and Lusons of the Isle of Borneo. Their general - was one named Heredin Maho7net, brother-in-law to the Tyrant, by marriage with a sister of his, and govemour of the kingdom of OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 63 Baarros. This fleet arrived safely at the river of Panctican, ■where the King of Aa7-u attended them mth six thousand of his ov^n natural subjects, and not a forraigner amongst them, both in regard he wanted mony for to entertain souldiers, and that also he had a company unprovided of victual to feed them. At their arrival the enemies found them fortifying of the trench whereof I spake heretofore ; whereupon without any further delay they began to play with their ordnance, and to batter the town on the sea side with great fury, which lasted six whole dayes together. In the mean time the besieged defended them- selves very vahantly, so as there was much blood spilt on either side. The general of theAchcms, perceiving he advanced but little, caused his forces to land, and mounting twelve gi-eat pieces he renewed the battery three several times with such impetuosity, that it demolished one of the two forts that com- manded the river ; by means whereof, and under the shelter of certain packs of cotton, which the Achems carried before them, they one morning assaulted the principal fortress : in this assault an Abissin commanded, cahed Mamedecan, who a moneth (or thereabout) before was come from Jtida, to confirm the new league made by the Bassa of Gaire, on the behalf of the grand Signior, with the Tyrant of Achein, whereby he granted him a custom house in the port of Pasem. This Abissin rendred himself master of the bulwark, with sixty Turks, forty Janizaries, and some Malabar Moors, who instantly planted five ensigns on the walls. In the meantime the King of Aa7-u encouraging his people with promises, and such words as the time required, wrought so effectually, that with a valourous resolution they set upon the enemy, and recovered the bidwark which they had so lately lost ; so as the Abissin captain- was slain on the place, and all those that were there with him. The King, following his good fortune, at the same instant caused the gates of the trench to be opened, and sallying out with a good part of his forces, he combated his enemies so valiantly, as he quite routed them. In hke manner he took 8 of their 12 pieces of ordnance, and so retreating in safety he fortified himself the best he could, for to sustain his enemies future assaults. C4 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AifD ADYENTUBE8 CHAPTBE XI. The death of the King of Aaru, and the cruel justice that was executed on him by his enemies ; the going of his Queen to Malaca, and her reception there. THE General of Achem, seeing the bad success which he received in this encoiinter, was more grieved for the death of the Abissin captain, and the loss of those eight pieces of ordnance, then for all them that were slain besides ; where- upon he assembled his councel of war, who were all of opinion that the commenced siege was to be continued, and the trench assailed on every side, which was so speedily put in execution, that in 17 dayes it was assaulted nine several times ; in so much as by divers sorts of fire-works, continually invented by a Turkish engineer that was in their camp, they demolished the greater part of the trench ; moreover, they overthrew two of the principal forts on the south-side, together with a great platform, which in the manner of a fals-bray defended the entry of the river, notwithstanding all the resistance the lOng of Aaru could make with his people, though they behaved themselves so valiantly, as the Achcms lost above two thousand and five hundred men, besides those that were hurt, which were far more then the slain, whereof the most part died shortly after for want of looking to. As for the King of Aarti, he lost not above 400 men ; howbeit for that his people were but few, and his enemies many, as also better ordered, and better armed, in the last assault, that was given on the 13 day of the moon, the business ended unfortunately by the utter defeat of the King of Aaru's forces ; for it was his ill hap, that having made a saUey forth by the advice of a Cacis of his, whom he greatly trusted, it fell out that this traytour suffered himself to be corrupted with a bar of gold, weighing about forty thousand ducates, which the Achem gave him, whereof the King of Aaru being ignorant, set couragiously on his enemies, and fought a bloody battel with them, wherein the advantage remained on his side in all mens judgement ; but that dog, the perfidious Cacis, whom he had left commahder of the trench, sallied forth with 500 men, under colour of OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 65 seconding the King in his pursuit of so prosperous a beginning and left the trench ■without any manner of defence, which perceived by one of the enemies captains, a Malwmetan Malabar, named Gutiale Marcaa, he presently with six hundred Gusardtes and Malahars, whom he had led thither for that purpose, made himself master of the trench which the trayterous Cacis, for the bar of gold he had received had left unguarded, and forthwith put all the sick and hurt men that he found there to the sword, amounting to the number of about fifteen hundred, whereof he would not spare so much as one. In the mean time the unhappy King of, Aaru, who thought of nothing less than the treachery of his Cacis, seeing his trench taken, ran to the succouring of it, being a matter that most imported him : but finding himself the weaker, he was constrained to quit the place, so that as he was making his retreat to the town ditch, it was his Ul fortune to be killed by a shot of an harquebuse from a Tu7-k his enemy. Upon this death of his ensued the loss of all the rest, by reason of the great disorder it brought amongst them. Whereat the enemies exceedingly re joy cing, took up the corpse of that wretched king, which they found amongst the other dead bodies, and having imbowelled and salted him they put him up in a case, and so sent him as a present to the Tyrant, who after many ceremonies of justice, caused him to be publiquely sawed into sundry pieces, and then boiled in a cauldron full of oyl and pitch, with a dreadful publication, the tenour whereof was this : See here the justice which Sultan Laradin, King of tlie Land of the two Seas, hath caused to he executed, whose will and pleasure it is, that as the body of this miserable Mahometan hath been sawed in sunder, and boyled here on earth, so his soul shall suffer worse torments in hell, and that most worthily, for his transgressing of the Law of Mahomet, and of the perfect belief of the Musselmans of tJie house of Mecqua; for this execution is very just, and conformable to the holy doctiine of the Book of Flowers, in regard this miscreant hath shewed himself in all his workes to be so far without the fear of God, as he hath incessantly from time to time betrayed the most secret and important affairs of this kingdom to those accursed dogs of the other end of the world, who for our sins, aiid through our 6 66 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTVEES •negligence, have with notorious tyranny made themselves lords of Malaca. This publication ended, a fearful noise arose amongst the people, who cryed out, This punishment is but too little for so execrable a crime. Behold truly the manner of this passage, and how the loss of the kingdome of Aaru was joyned with the death of that poor king, who lived in such good correspondence with us, and that in my opinion might have been succoured by us with very small charge and pains, if at the beginning of the war he had been assisted with that little he demanded by his embassadom-. Now who was in the fault hereof, I wiU leave to the judgement of tkem which most it concerns to know it. After that this infortunate King of Aaru had miserably ended his dayes, as I have before related, and that this whole army was utterly defeated, both the town, and the rest of the kingdom were easily and quickly taken in. Thereupon the General of the Acliems repaired the trenches, and fortified them in such manner as he thought requisite for the conservation and security of all that he had gained : which done, he left there a garison of 800 of the most couragious men of his army, who were commanded by a Lusan Malwmetan, named Sapetie de Baia, and incontinently after departed with the rest of his forces. The common report was that he went to the Tyrant of Acliem, who received him with very much honour for the good success of this enterprize ; for, as I have already deUvered, being before but Govemour and Mandara of the kingdom of Baarros, he gave him the title of King, so that ever after he was called Sultan of Baarros, which is the proper denomination of such as are kings amongst the Maliometans. Now whUest things passed in this sort, the desolate Queen remained some seven leagues from Aaru, where being ad- vertised and assured of the death of the King her husband, and of the lamentable issue of the war, she presently resolved to cast her self into the fire ; for she had promised her husband in his hfe time, confirming it with many and great oaths. But her friends and servants, to divert her from putting so desperate a design into execution, used many reasons rmto her, so that at length, overcome by their perswasions. Verily, said she unto them, AltJwtigh I yield to your request, yet I OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 67 would have you know, that neither tlie considerations you have ^propounded, nor the zeal you seem to shew of good and faithful subjects, were of power to turn me from so generous a determina- tion, as that is which I promised to my King, my Httshand, and my Master, if God had not inspired me with this tlwught, that living I mo.y better revenge his death, as by his dear blood I voio unto you to labour as long as I live to do, and to that end I will undergo any extremity whatsoever ; nay, if need be, turn Christian a thousand times over, if by that means I may be able to compass this my desire. Saying so, slie immediately got upon an elephant, and accompanied with a matter of seven himdred men, she marched towards the town with a purpose to set it on fire, where incountring some four hundred Achems, that were busie about pillaging of such goods as were yet remaining, she so encouraged her people with her words and tears, that they cut them all presently in pieces. This execu- tion done, knowing her self too weak for to hold the town, she returned into the wood, where she sojourned twenty days, during which time she made war upon the townsmen, sur- prising and pillaging them as often as they issued forth to get water, wood, or other necessaries, so as they durst not stir out of the town to provide themselves such things as they needed, in which regard if she could possibly have continued this war other twenty days longer, she had so famished them, as they would have been constrain'd to render the town ; but because at that time it rain'd continually by reason of the climate, and that the place was boggy and full of bushes, as also the. fruits, wherewithal they nourished themselves in the wood were all rotten, so that the most part of our people fell sick, and no means there to relieve them, the Queen was con- strained to depart to a river, named Minhacumbaa, some 5 leagues from thence, where she imbarqued her self in 16 vessels, such as she could get, which were fishermehs Paroos, and in them she went to Malaca, with a beUef that at her arrival there she should not be denied any thing she would ask. Pedro de Faria, being advertised of the Qusens coming, sent Alvaro de Faria, his son, and General of the Sea-forces, to receive her with a galley, five foists, two catures, 20 balons, 68 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES and 300 men, besides divers persons of the country. So she was brought to the fortress, where she was saluted with an honourable peal of ordnance, which lasted the space of a good hour. Being landed, and having seen certain things which Pedro de Faria desked to shew her, as the Custom-house, the river, the army, the manufactures, stores of powder, and other parti- culars prepared before for that purpose ; she was lodged in a fair house, and her people, to the number of six hundred, in a field, called Illier, in tents and cabbins, where they were ac- commodated the best that might be. During all the time of her abode, which was about a matter of five moneths, she con- tinued soUiciting for succour, and means to revenge the death of her husband. But at length perceiving the small assistance she was like to have from us, and that all we did was but a meer entertainment of good words, she determined to speak freely unto Pedro de Faria, that so she might know how far she might trust to his promises ; to which end, attending him one Sunday at the gate of the fortress, at such time as the place was full of people, and that he was going forth to hear mass ; she went to him, and after many complements between them, she said unto him; Noble and nialiant Captain, I beseech yoii by tlie generosity of your race, to give me tlie hearing in a few things I lubve to represent unto you. Consider, I pray yoii, that albeit I am a Malunnetan, and that for the greatness of my sins I am alto- getJier ignorant in the knowledge of your holy Law, yet in regard I am a woman, and lutve been a Queen, you ought to carry some respect to ine, and to beJwld my inisery with the eyes of a Christian. Hereunto at first Pedro de Faria knew not what to answer; in the end putting off his cap, he made her a low reverence, and after they had both continued a good while without speaking the Queen bowed to the church gate, that was just before them", and then spake again to Pedro de Faria. Truly, said she, tlie desire I have alwayes Imd to revenge the death of my husband, hath been, and still is so great, that I have resolved to seek out all the means tlmt possibly I may to effect it, since by reason of tlie weahiiess of my sex fortune will not permit me to hear arms. Being perswaded then tliat this here, which is tlie first I have tryed, was the inost assured, and that I more relyed upon then any otlier, as trusting in tlie ancient amity which hath dp FBBDiNANb MENDEZ PINTO. 69 alwayes been betwixt us and you Portugals, and the obligation wJierein this fortress is engaged to us, passing by many other considerations well known to you ; I am now to desire you with tears in mine eyes, that for the honour of the high and mighty King of Portugal, my sovereign lord, atid unto whom my husband was ever a loyal szibject and vassal, you will ayd and stuxour me in this my great adversitie, which in tlie presence of many noble personages you liave promised me to do. Sowbeit now I see that in stead of performing the promises which you have so often made me, you alledge for an excuse that you have written unto the Vice-roy, about it, whereas I have no need of such great forces as you, speak of, for that with an hundred men only, and such of my own people as are flying up and down in hope and expectation of my return; I should be able enough, though I be but a woman, in a slwrt space to recover my country, and revenge the death of my husband, through the help of Almighty God, in whose Name I beseech and require you, that for the service of the King of Portugal, my master, and the only refuge of my widow-hood ; you will, since you can, assist me speedily, because expedition is that wh'L.'h in this affair imports the most ; and so doing you shall pre\ vit the plot which the wicked enemy hath upon this fortress, as too well you may perceive by the means he hath used to effect it. If you will be pleased to give me the succour I ■ demand of you, say so ; if not, deal clearly with me, for that you will prejudice me as much in making me lose the time, as if you refused me that which so earnestly I desire, and which as a Christian you are obliged to grant me, as the Almighty Lord of heaven and earth doth well know, whom I take to witness of this my request. CHAPTEE XII. The Queen oi Aaru'a departure from Malaca; her going to the King d£ Jantana ; his summoning the Tyrant of Achem to restore the kingdom of Aarn, and that which past hetween them thereupon. DKDBO DE FABIA, having heard -what this desolate -* Queen said openly unto him, convinced by his own conscience, and even ashamed of having- delayed her in that 70 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES fashion, answered her, that in truth, and by the faith of a Christian, he had recommended this affair unto the Vice-roy, and that doubtless there would some succour come for her ere it were long, if so be there were no trouble in the Indies that might hinder it ; wherefore he advised and prayed her to stay still at Malaca, and that shortly she should see the verity of his speeches. Thereunto this Princess having replyed upon the uncertainty of such succour, Pedro de Faria grew into choler, because he thought she did not beheve him, so that in the heat of his passion he lashed out some words that were more rude than was fit. Whereupon the desolate Queen with tears in her ej'es, and beholding the church gate, which was just against her, and sobbing in such manner as she could scarcely speak. The clear Fmmtain, said she, is tlie God which is adored in that house out of lohose viouth proceeds all truth, hut the incn of tlie earth are sinks of troubled water, wlierein change and faults are by nature continually remaining ; wliere- fore accursed is lie that trusts to the opening of their lips ; for I assure you, captain, that ever since I knew my self to this present, I liave neither lieard nor seen ought, but tlmt the more such unhappy uretclies, as my late husband was, and my self now am, do for you Portugals, the less you regard tliem ; and tlie more you are obliged, the less you, acknowledge ; wlience I •may well conclude that tlie recompence of the Portugal nation consists tnore in favour, then in the merits of persons: and would to God, my deceased husband had nine and tioenty years ago hut known, wlmt now for my sins I perceive too well ; for tlien lie had not been so deceived by you as he was : but since it is so, I have this onely left to comfort me in my misery ; that I see many otliers scandalized with your amity as well as my self : for if you had neither the power nor the will to succour me, why would you so far engage yotir self to me, a poor desolate widow, concerning that which I hoped to obtain from you, and so beguile me with your large promises ? Having spoken thus, she turned her back to the Captain, and without harkning to what he might say, she instantly returned to her lodging ; then caused her vessels, wherein she came thither, to be made ready, and the next day set sail for JBintan, where the King of Jantana was at that time, who, according to the report was made of it to OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 71 us afterward, received her witli great honour at her arrival. To him she recounted all that had past betwixt her and Pedro de Faria, and how she had lost all hope of our friendship. Unto whom, it is said, the King made this answer. That lie did not marvel at the little faith she had found in us, for tJiat we had sJiewed it hut too much upon siondry occasions unto all the world. Now the better to confirm his saying, he recited some particular examples of matters, which he said had befahi us conformable to his purpose ; and like a Mahometan, and our enemy, he made them appear more enormous then they were ; so after he had recounted many things of us very ill done, amongst the which he interlaced divers treacheries, robberies, and tyrannies, at length he told her, that as a good King, and a good Malwmetan, he would promise her, that ere it were long she should see her self by his means restored again to every foot of her kingdom ; and to the end she might be the more assured of his promise he told her that he was content to take her for his wife, if so she pleased, for that thereby he should have the greater cause to become the King of Acliems enemy, upon whom, for her sake, he should be constrained to make war, if he would not by fair means be perswaded to abandon that which he had unjustly taken from her. Where- anto she made answer, that albeit the honour he did her was very great, yet she should never accept of it, unless he would first promise, as in way of a dowry, to revenge the death of her former husband ; saying, it was a thing she so much desired, as without it she would not accept of the sovereignty of the whole world. The King condescended to her request, and by a solemn oath taken on a book of their sect confirmed the promise which to that effect he made her. After that the King of Jantana had taken that oath before a great Gax:is of his, called Bain Moulana, upon a festival day when as they solemnized their Bamadan, he went to the Isle of Gompar, where immediately upon the celebration of their nuptials he called a councel for to advise of the course he was to hold for the performance of that whereunto he had engaged himself, for he knew it was a matter of great difS.culty, and wherein he should be forced to hazard much of his estate. The resolution that he took hereupon was, before he enter- 72 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES prized any thing, to send to summon the Tyrant of AcJiem to surrender the kingdom of Aaru, which in the right of his new wife belonged now unto him, and then according to the answer he should receive to govern himself. This counsel seemed so good to the King, that he presently dispatched an embassadour to the Tyrant, with a rich present of jewels and silks, together with a letter [to that effect] . This embassadour being come to Achem, the Tyrant received him very honourably, and took his letter ; but after he had opened it, and read the contents, he would presently have put him to death, had he not been diverted by his councel, who told him, that in so doing he would incur great infamy : whereupon he instantly dismissed the embassadour with his present, which in contempt of him he would not accept of ; and in answer of that he brought him, he returned him a letter, wherein it was thus written : I Sultan Aaradin, King of Achem, Baarros, Pedir, Paacem, and of tlie Signiorics of Dayaa, aiid Batas, Prince of all tlie Land of the two Seas, both Mediterraneafi and Ocean, and of tlie mynes of Menencabo, and of the kingdome of Aaru, newly conqiiered upon just cause ; to thee King, replenished with joy, and desirous of a doubtful heritage. I have seeti thy letter, written at the table of thy nuptials, and by the inconsiderate words thereof have discerned tlie drunkenness of thy councellours and secretaries, tphereunto I would iiot liave vouchsafed an answer, liad it not been for the humble prayers of my servants. As touching tlie kingdom of Aaru, do not thou dare to speak of it, if tlwu desircst to live ; sufficeth it tlmt I liave caused it to be taken in, and that it is mine, as thine also slmll be ere long, if thou hast married Anchesiny loith a'purpose upon tliat occasion to make claim to a kingdome that now is none of liers ; loherefore live tvith her as otlier husbands do with their wives, tlmt tilling the ground are contented with the labour of their hands. Becover first thy Malaca, since it was once thine, and then thou mayest think of tliat which never belonged to thee. I will favour thee as a vassal, and not as a brother, as thou qualifiest thy self. From my great and Boyal Souse of rich Achem, the very day of this thy embassadours arrival, whom I have presently sent away without further seeing or hearing of him, as he may tell tliee upon his return to thy presence. OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 73 The King of Jdtana's embassadour being dismissed with this answer the very same day that he arrived, which amongst them they hold for a mighty af&ront, carried back the present, which the Tyrant would not accept of, in the greater contempt both of him that sent, and he that brought it, and arrived at Gom- fwr, where the King of Jantana was at that instant, who upon the understanding of all that had past, grew by report so sad and vext, that his servants have vowed they have divers times seen him weep for very grief that the Tyrant should make so little reckoning of him ; howbeit he held a councel there upon the second time, where it was concluded, that at any hand he should make war upon him, as on his mortal enemy, and that the first thing he should imdertake should be the recovery of the kingdom of Aaru, and the fort of Panetican, before it was further fortified. The King accordingly set forth a fleet, of 200 sails, whereof the most part were Lanchares, Galaluses, and 15 tall juncks, furnished with munition necessary for the enter- prize; and of this navy he made general the great Laqioe Xemena, his admiral, of whose valour the history of the Indies hath spoken in divers places. To him he gave 2000 souldiers, as also 4000 mariners and gaily slaves, all choice and trained men. This general departed immediately with his fleet, and arrived at the river of Panetican, close by the enemies fort, which he assaulted several times, both with scaling ladders, and divers artificial fires ; but perceiving he could not prevail that way, he began to batter it with 400 great pieces of ord- nance, which shot continually for the space of 7 whole dayes together, at the end whereof the most part of the fort was ruined, and overthrown to the ground; whereupon he presently caused his men to give an assault to it, who performed it so valiantly, that they entred it, and slew 140 Achems, the most of which came thither but the day before the fleet arrived under the conduct of a Tu7'kish captain, nephew to the Bassa of Gaire, named Mora do Arraiz, who was also slain there with 400 Turhs he had brought along with him, whereof Laque Xemena would not spare so much as one. After this he used such diligence in repairing that which was fallen, wherein most of the souldiers laboured, that in twelve dayes the fort was rebuilt, and made as strong as. before, with the augmen- U tHE TSAVELS, VOYAGMS, AND ADVENTUBES tation of two bulwarts. The news of this fleet, which the Kin g of Jantana prepared in the ports of Bintan and Gompar, came to the Tyrants ears, who fearing to lose that which he had gotten, put instantly to sea another fleet of 140 and twenty sails, foists, lanchares, galiots, and 15 galleys, of 25 banks of oars a piece, wherein he caused fifteen thousand men to be imbarqued ; namely, twelve thousand souldiers, and the rest mariners and such as were for the service of the sea ; of this army he made the same Heredin Mahomet general, who had before (as I have already declared) conquered the ' kingdom of Aaru, in regard he knew him to be a man of a great spirit, and fortunate in war, who departing with his army arrived at a place called Aujoesswnhce, within four leagues of the river of Pa^ietican, where he learnt of certain fishermen, whom he took and put to torture, all that had past concerning the fort and the kingdom, and how Laque Xemena had riiade himself master both of the land and sea in expecta- tion of him. At this news, it is said, that Heredin MaJwmct was much perplexed, because in truth he did not beUeve the enemy could do so much in so little time : by reason whereof he assembled his councel, where it was concluded, that since both the fort and kingdom were regained, aU the men he had left there cut in pieces, as likewise for that the enemy was very strong,- both at sea and land, and the season very unfit for their design, therefore they were to return back: never- theles Heredin Mahomet was of a contrary opinion, saying, that he would rather dye Kke a man of courage, then live in dishonour ; and that seeing the king had made choice of him for that pm-pose, by the help of God he would not lose one jot of the reputation he had gotten ; wherefore he vowed and swore by the bones of Maliomet, and all ithe lamps that perpetually burn in his chappel, to put aU those to death as traytours that should go about to oppose this intent of hii, and that they should be boyled alive in a cauldron of pitch, in such manner as he meant to deal with Laque Xemena himself; and vrith this boyling resolution he parted from the place where he rode at anchor, with great cries, and noise of drums, and bells, as they are accustomed to do upon like occasions. In this sort, by force of oars and saUs, they got into the entry of the river ; OF FEMBINANJD MENDEZ PINTO. 75 and coming in sight of Laque Xcmena's navy, 'who was ready waiting for him, and well reinforced with a great number of souldiers, that were newly come to him from Pera, Bintan, Saca, and many other places thereabout, he made towards him ; and after the discharging of their ordnance afar off, they joyned together with as much violence as might be. The fight was such, that during the space of an hour and a half there could no advantage be discern'd on either part, untU such time as Heredin Mahomet, General of the Achems, was slain with a great shot, that hit him just in the brest, and battered him to pieces. The death of this chieftain discouraged his people in such manner, as labouring to return unto a point, named Baroquiriii, with a purpose there to unite and fortifie them- selves until night, and then by the favour thereof to fly away ; they could not execute their design, in regard of the great currant of the water, which separated and dispersed them simdry ways, by which means the Tyrants army fell into the power of Laque Xemeiia, who defeated it, so that but fourteen sails of them escaped, and the other 166 were taken, and in them were 13000 and 500 men killed, besides the fourteen hundred that were slain in the trench. These fourteen sails that so escaped retm-ned to Acliem, where they gave the Tyrant to understand how all had past, at which, it is reported he took such grief, that he shut up himself for twenty dayes without seeing any body ; at the end whereof, he struck off the heads of all the captains of the 14 sails, and commanded all the soul- diers beards that were in them to be shaved off, enjoyning them expresly upon pain of being sawed asunder alive, to go ever after attired in womens apparel, playing on timbrels in all places where they went ; and that whensoever they made any protestation, it should be in saying. So viay God bring me back to my liusbaiid again, as this is true ; or, So may I have joy of the Children I have brought into the world. Most of these men seeing themselves inforced to imdergo a chastisement so scandalous to them, fled their country and many made them- selves away ; some with poyson, some with halters, and some with the sword. A relation altogether truiB, without any addition of mine. Thus was the kingdom of Aaru recovered from the Tyrant of Achem, and remained in the hands of the 76 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVJENTUBES King of Jantana, until the year 1574. At which time, the said Tyxant mth a fleet of two hundred sails, feigning as though he would go to take in Patava, fell cunningly one night on Jantana, where the king was at that time, whom together with his wife, children, and many others, he took prisoners, and carried into his country, where he put them all to most cruel deaths, and for the king himself, he caused his brains to be beaten out of his head with a great club. After these bloody executions he possest the kingdom of Aaru, whereof he pre- sently made his eldest son king, the same that was afterwards slain at Malaca, comiag to besiege it in the time of Don Lionis Pcreyra, son to the Earl of Feyra, captain of the fortress, who defended it so vaUantly, that it seemed to be rather a miracle then any natm-al work, by reason the power of that enemy was so great, and ours so little in comparison of theirs, as it may be truly spoken how they were two hundred Mahometans against one Christian. [Here follmos an account of Pinto's voyage to Pan, and his ad- ventures until his return to Malaca, i?»ttittei».] CHAPTEE XIII. Antonio de Faria's setting fortli for the Isle of Ainan ; his arrival at the river of Tinacorem ; and that which befel us in this voyage. AS soon as Antonio de Faria was ready, he departed from Patana on a Saturday the 9 of May, 1540, and steered north north-west, towards the kingdom of Champaa, with an intent to discover the ports and havens thereof, as also by the of some good booty to furnish himself with such things as he wanted ; for his haste to part from Patana was such, as he had not time to furnish himseU with that which was necessary for him, no not with victual and warlike ammunition enough. After we had sailed three dayes, we had sight of an island, called Pullo Condor, at the height of eight degrees and three quarters on the north coast, and almost north-west towards the mouth of the river of Camboia ; so that having rounded aU OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 77 the coast, we discovered a good haven eastward where in the Island of Gamhoia, distant some six leagues from the firm land, we met with a jmik of Lequios, that was going to the kingdom of Siam, with an embassadour from the Nautavquiin of Lindau, who was Prince of the Island of Tosa, and that had no sooner discovered us, but he sent a message by a Chinese pilot to Antonio de Faria, full of complements, whereunto was added these words from them all : That the time would come when' as tliey should communicate with us in the true love of the Law of God, and of His iujlnite clemency ; wlw by His death had given life to all men, and a perpetual inlieritance in the house of the good, and that they believed this should be so, after the half of tlie half time was past. "With this complement they sent him a courtelas of great value, whose handle and scabbard was of gold, as also six and twenty pearls in a httle box likewise of gold, made after the fashion of a salt-seller, whereat Antonio de Faria was very much grieved, by reason he was not able to render the Uke unto this prince as he was obliged to do, for when the Chinese arrived with this message, they were distant above a league at sea from us. Hereupon we went ashore, where we spent 3 dayes in taking in fresh water, and fishing. Then we put to sea again, labouring to get to the firm land, there to seek out a river named Pullo Cambin, which divides the State of Gamboia from the kingdom of Champaa ; in the height of nine degrees, where arriving on a Sunday, the last of May, we went up three leagues in this river, and anchored just against a great town called Catimparu, there we remained 12 dayes in peace, during the which we made our provision of all things necessary. Now because Antonio de Faria was natm-aUy curious, he endeavoured to understand from the people of the coimtry what nation inhabited beyond them, and whence that mighty river took its source ; ■whereunto he was answered, that it was derived from a lake, named Pinator, distant from them eastward two hundred and sixty leagues in the kingdom of Quitirvan, and that it was environed with high mountains, at the foot whereof, upon the brink of the water, were eight and thirty villages, of which thirteen were very great, and the rest small, and that only in one of the great ones, called Xiiuxt- leu, there was such a huge myne of gold, as by the report of 78 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES those that Uved thereabout, there was every day a bar and a half drawn out of it, which according to the value of our mony, makes two and twenty millions in a year ; and that four lords had share in it, who continually were in war together, each one striving to make himself master of it; I, and that one of them, named Baiahitau, had in an inner yard of his house in pots under ground, that were full to the very brims, above six hundred bars of gold in powder like to that of Menancaho of the Island of Samatra ; and that if three hundred harquebusiers of our nation should go and assault it, without doubt they would carry it: moreover, that in another of these villages, called Bimquirim, there was a quarry, where out of an old rock they digged a great quantity of diamonds, that were very fine, and of greater value then those of Lava and Taniamjmra in the Isle of Jaoa. Whereupon Antonio de Faria, having questioned them about many other particularities, they made him a relation of the fertility of the country which was further up this river, no less fit to be desired, then easie to be con- quered, and that with little charge. Being departed from this river of PuUo Cambiin, we sailed along the coast of the kingdom of Champaa, till we came to an haven, called Saleyzacau, 17 leagues farther on towards the north, whereinto we entred. Now because there was nothing to be gotten there, we went out of this place about sun-setting, and the next morning we came to a river named Toohasoy, vrithout the which Antonio de Faria cast anchor, because the pilot would not venture to enter into it, for that he had never been there before, and there- fore knew not the depth of it. As we were contesting here- about, some for to enter, and others gainsaying it, we discerned a great sail making towards the port from the main sea. Hereupon vrithout stirring from the place where we were, we prepared to receive them in a peaceful manner ; so that as soon as they came near us, we saluted them, and hung up the flag of the country, called Charachina, which is a sign of friendship, used among them in such Hke occasions. They of the ship, instead of answering us in the same manner, as in reason it seemed they should have done, and knowing that we were Portugals, to whom they wished not well, gave OF FEBBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 79 us very vile and base vcords, with a mighty noise and din of trumpets, drums, and bells, by way of scom and derision of us. Whereat Antonio de Faria was so offended, that he gave them a whole broad side, to see if that would make them more courteous : to this shot of ours they returned us an answer of five pieces of ordnance, namely three fauloons, and two Uttle field-pieces ; whereupon consulting together what we should do, we resolved to abide where we were, for we held it not fit to undertake so doubtful an enterprize, until such time as the next days light might discover the forces of this vessel unto us, that so we might afterwards either set upon her with the more security, or let her pass by : this counsel was approved both by Antonia de Faria, and us aU ; so that keeping good watch, and giving order for all that was necessary, we continued in that place ex- pecting day ; now about 2 of the clock in the morning we perceived 3 black things close to the water coming towards us, which we could not well discern, whereupon we wakned Antonio de Faria, who was then asleep on the hatches, and shewed him what we had discovered, being by that time not far from us : he fearing, as we did, lest they were enemies, cried out presently, Arm, Arm, Arm, wherein he was straight- way obeyed ; for now plainly perceiving that they were vessels rovsdng towards us, we betook us to our arms, and were bestowed by our captain in places most necessary to defend our selves. We conceived by their silent approaching to us, that they were the enemies we had seen over night, so that Antonio de Faria said unto us, My masters, this is some pyrate coming to set upon us, wlw thinks we are not above six or seven at the most, as the manner is in such kind of vessels ; wherefore let every man stoop down, so as they may not see any of us, and then we shall soon know their design ; in the mean time let the pots of powder he made ready, with which, and-'our swords, I hope we shall give a good end to this adven- ture : let every one also hide his match in such sort, as they may not he discovered, wlierehy they may be perswaded that we are asleep. All which, as he had prudently ordained, was incontinently executed. These 3 vessels, being'within a flight shot of ours, went round about her, and after they had 80 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES ■viewed her well, they joyned all close together, as if they had entred into some new consultation, continuing so about a quarter of an hour ; that done, they separated themselves into two parts, namely the two lesser went together to our poup, and the third that was greater, and better armed, made to the starboard of us ; hereupon they entred our lorch where most conveniently they could, so that in less then haK a quarter of an hour above forty men were gotten in, which seen by Antonio de Faria, he issued out from under the hatches with some forty souldiers, and invoking Saint James our patron, he fell so couragiously upon them, that in a short time he killed them almost all; then with aid of the pots of powders, that he caused to be cast in amongst those that were remaining in the 3 vessels, which he .presently took, he made an end of defeating them, the most of them being constraind to leap into the sea, where they were all drowned but five, whom we took up ahve, whereof one was a capher slave and the other four were, one Twh, two Achems, and the captain of the junk, named Similau, a notorious pyrat, and our mortal enemy. Antonio de Faria commanded them instantly to be put to torture, for to draw out of them who they were, from whence they came, and what they would have had of us, whereimto the two Achems answered most bruitishly ; and when as we were going about to torment the slave in hke manner, he began with tears to beseech us to spare him, for that he was a Christian as we were, and that without torture he would answer truly to all our demands ; whereupon Antonio de Faiia caused him to be tmbound, and setting him by him, gave him" a piece of bisket, and a glass of wine, then with fair words he perswaded him to declare the truth of every thing to him, since he was a Christian, as he affirmed ; to which he replied in this sort. If I do not speah the truth unto you, then take me not for such as I am; my name is Sebastian, and I was slave to Gaspar de Melo, ioho77i this dog Similau, liere present, slew about two years ago in Liampao, with five and twenty otlier Portugals that were in his ship. Antonio de Faria hearing this, cryed out, like a man amazed, and said. Nay now I care not for knowing any more ; is this then that dog Similau, that slew thy master ; Yes, OF FEBDINAND MBNJDBZ PINTO. Si answered he, it is lis, and tlmt meant likewise to have done as much to you, thinking that ye were not above six or seven, for which effect he came away in Jmste loith a purpose, as he said, to take you alive, for to make your brains flye out of your heads with a frontal of cord, as lie did to my iimster ; but God I ]wpe will pay him for all tJie mischief he hath committed. Antonio de Faria being also advertised by this slave, that this dog Similau had brought all his men of war along with him, and left none in his junk, but some Chinese mariners; he resolved to make use of this good fortune, after he had put Similau and his companions to death,' by making their brains flye out of their heads with a cord, as Similau had • done to Gaspar de Mello, and the other Portugals ia Liampao : where- fore he presently imbarqued himself with thirty eouldiers in his boat, and the three Machnas wherein the enemies came, and by raeans of the flood and a favourable wind, he arrived withia less then an hour, where the junk rode at anchour within the river, about a league from us, whereupon he presently boarded her, and made himself master of the poup, from whence, with only four pots of powder, which he cast in among the rascals that were asleep upon the hatches, he made them aU leap into the sea, where 9 or 10 of them were drowned, the rest crying out for help were taken up and saved, because we stood in need of them for the navigation of the junk, that was a great tail vessel. Thus you see how it pleased God out of His Divine justice to make the arrogant confidence of this cursed dog a means to chastise him for his cruelties, and to give him by the hands of Portugals a just pimishment for that which he had done unto him. The next morning taking an inventory of this prize, we found six and thirty 'thousand Taeis in silver of Japan, which amounts in our mony to fifty four thousand dueates, besides divers other good commodities, that were not then praised for want of time, because the country was all in an uproar, and fires every where kindled, whereby they use to give warning one to another upon any alarm or doubt of enemies, which eon- Btrained us to make away with all speed. [Antonio de Faria coasts tlie Kingdom of Ghampaa, till he reaches the river Tinacoreu.] ----- ,7 82 The travels. Voyages, and adventvbes The Friday following we left this river of Tinacoreu, and by our pilots advice we went to find out Ptdlo Gham^peiloo, which is an inhabited island, scituate in the entrance to the bay of Gauclieiichina in forty degrees, and a third to the northward ; being come to it, we cast anchor in an haven, where there was good and safe riding, and there we remained three dayes, accommodating our artillery in the best manner we could , that done, we set sail towards the Isle of Ainan, hoping to meet with the pyrat Goia Acem there whom we sought for, and arriving at PuUc Gapas, which was the first land that we saw of it, we saUed close to ' the shoar, the better to discover the ports and rivers on that side, and the entries into them. Now because the lorch, wherein Antonio de Faria came from Patana, leaked very much, he commanded all his souldiers to pass into another better vessel, which was immediately performed, and arriving at a river, that about evening we found towards the east, he cast anchor a league out at sea, by reason his junk was great, and drew much water, so that fearing the sands ; which he had often met withall in this voj^age, he sent Ghristovano Borralho with fourteen souldiers in the lorch up the river to discover what fires those might be that he saw. Being gone then about a league in the river, he incountred a fleet of forty very great junks, whereupon fearing lest it was the Mandarins army, whereof we had heard much talk, he kept aloof off from them, and anchored close by the shoar ; now about midnight the tyde began to come in, which Borralho no sooner perceived, but he presently vrithout noise weighed anchor, and declining the junks he went on to that part where he had seen the fixes, that by this time were almost all out, -there being not above two or three that gave any light, and which served to guide him. So continuing his course very discreetly, he came to a place where he beheld a mighty company of great and small ships, to the number, as he guessed, of thousand sails, passing through the which very stilly he arrived at a town of above ten thousand housholds, enclosed with a strong wall of brick, with towers and bulwarks after our manner, and with curtains full of water. Here five of the fourteen Bouldiers, that were in the lorch, went on shoar with two of those Chineseses, that OF FEBMnAND MFNDEZ pinto. 83 were saved out of Similaus junk, who had left their wives as hostages with us for their "return ; these having spent three hours in vievraig and surveying the town on the out- side, reijiibarqued themselves without any notice taken of them at all, and so went back very quietly as they came to the mouth of the river, where they found a junk riding at anchor, that was come thither since their departure in the evening. Being returned to Antonio de Faria, they related unto him what they had seen, particularly the great army that lay up in the river, as also the junk, which they had left riding at anchor at the entrance into it, telling him that it might well be the dog Goia Acem whom he sought for. These news so rejoyced him, that instantly he weighed anchor, and set sail, saying, his mind gave him that it was un- doubtedly he ; and if it proved so, he assured us ^11 that he was contented to lose his life in fighting with him, for to be revenged of such a rogue as had done kim so much wrong. Approaching within sight of the junk, he commanded the lorch to passe unto the other side of her, to the end they might board her both together at once, and charged -that not a piece should be shot off, for fear they should be heard of the army that lay up in the river, who might thereupon come to discover them. As soon as we were come to the junk, she was presently invested by us, and twenty of our souldiers leaping in made themselves masters of her without any resistance, for the most of her men threw themselves into the sea, the rest that were more com'agious valiantly made head against our people ; but Antonio de Faria presently getting in with twenty souldiers more made an end of defeating them, killing above thirty of theirs, so as there remained none ahve but those which voluntarily cast themselves into the . sea, whom he caused to be drawn up to sex-ve for the navigation of his vessels, and for to learn who they were, and from whence they came, to which purpose he commanded four of them to be put to tortm'e, whereof two chose rather to dye then confess any thing ; and as they were about to do the like to a little boy, an old man, his father, that was laid on the deck, cryed out with tears in his eyes for to give him the hearing before they did any hurt to the child ; Hi THE TRAVl^LSi VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES Antonio de Faria made the executioner stay, and bad tkc old man say what he would, provided he spake truth, for otherwise ho vowed, that both he and the boy should be thrown aUve into the sea ; whereas on the contrary, if be dealt truly, he promised to set them both at liberty on shoar, and restore unto him whatsoever he would take Ms oath did appertain unto him : whereunto the old Mahometan answered, I accept of the iiromise which thou makest me, and I very much thank thee for sparing tJie life of this child, for as for mine, as a thing unprofitable, I make no reckoning of it, and I will rely on thy word, although the course thou holdest may well divert ine fro-tn it, in regard it is no way conformable to the Christian law, which tlwu hast prof est in thy baptism : an answer, that rendred Antonio de Faria so confounded and amazed, as he knew not what to reply ; howbeifc he caused him to come nearer unto him, and questioned him gently without any further threatening. This old man then sat him down by Antonio de Faria, who seeing him white like unto us, asked him whether he were a Turk, or a Persian ? whereunto he answered, that he was neither, but that he was a Christian, born at Mount Sinai. Antonio de Faria thereupon replyed, how he wondred much, being a Christian, as he said, that he hved not amongst Chris- tians- To which the old man answered, that he was a mer- chant of a good family, named Tome Mostanguo, and that riding one day at anchor in a ship of his in the port of Judaa, in the year one thousand five hundred thirty atid eight. Soli- man the Bassa, Vice-roy of Cairo, took his, and seven other ships, to carry victual and munition for his army of threescore gallies, wherewith he went by the command of the grand Seignior to restore Sultan Bandur to his kingdom of Cambaya, which the great Mogul had deprived him of ; and that at the end of the voyage going to demand the freight which they had promised him, the Turks, that were ever cruel and faithless, took his wife, and a young daughter he had, and forced them before his face, and because his son wept at the sight of this injury, they threw him boimd hand and foot into the sea ; as for himself, they laid him in irons, and continually scourging him they stript him of all his goods, to the value of six OF FEBBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 85 thousand ducates and better, saying, that it was not lawful for any to enjoy the blessings of God, but the holy and just Musselimans , such as they were ; and that his wife and daughter dying not long after, he found means one night to cast himself into the sea with that little boy, which was his son, at the mouth of the river of Diu, from whence he went by land to Suirat, and so to Malaca in a ship of Garcia de Saas, captain of Bacaim ; then how by the commandment of Este- -vano de Gama, going to China with Ghristovano SardinJia, which had been factor at the Molucques, one night as they rode at anchor in Gincaa.pura, Quiay Taijano, master of the junk, surprized them, and killed the said Sardinha together with sis and twenty Portugals more ; as for him, because he was a gunner, they saved his life. At this report Antonio de Faria striking himself on the breast, as a man amazed at this dis- course. Lord, Lord, said he, this seems to be a dream that I liear ; then turning himself to his souldiers that stood about him, he related Jihe life of this Quiay unto them, and further affirmed, that he had slain at times in strayed vessels above an hundred Portiigals, and dispelled them of an hundred thousand ducates at least ; and though his name was such as this Armenian delivered, to wit, Quiay Taijano, yet after he had killed Ghristovano Sardinha in Ciiicaajpura, in a vain glory of that which he had done he caused himself to be called Captain Sardinha. Whereupon having demanded of the Armenian where he was, he told us, that he was very sore hurt, and hidden ia the hold of the junk amongst the cables, with five or sis others. Hereat Antonio de Faria arose, and went directly to the place where this dog was hidden, followed by the greatest part of his souldiers, which opened the scuttle where the cables lay, to see whether the Armenian spake true or no ; in the mean time the dog, and the six others that were with hira, got out at another scuttle, and most desperately fell upon our men, who were about thirty in number, besides fourteen boys. Then began there so furious and bloody a fight, that in less then a quarter of an hour we made a clean dispatch of them all ; but in the mean while two Portugals, and seven boys were slain, besides I know not how many hurt, whereof Antonio, de Faria received two downright blowes on his head, 86 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUSES and one on his arm, which put him to very much pain. After this defeat, and that the wounded men were drest, he set sail, for fear of the junks that were in the river : so getting far from land, about evening we went and anchored on the other side of Caiicliencliina, where Antonia de Faria causing an inventory to be taken of aU. that was La the pyrats junk, there was found in her five hundred bars of pepper, after twenty quintals to the bar, forty of nutmegs and mace, fourscore of tin, thirty of ivory, twelve of wax, and five of wood of fine aloes, which might be worth, according to the rate of the country, seventy thousand ducates ; besides a little fieldpiece, four falcons, and thirty bases of brass, the greatest part of which artillery had been ours, for this Mahometan had taken them in the ships of Sardinha, Oliveyra, and Bartlwlemew de Matos : there was also found three coffers covered with leather, full of silk quilts, and the apparel of Portugals, with a great bason and ewer silver and gUt, and a salt-seller of the same, two and twenty spoones, three candlesticks, five gilt cups, eight and fifty harquebuzes, twelve hundred twenty and two pieces of Sengala cloth, all which were Portugals goods, eighteen quintals of powder, and nine children about seven or eight years of age, chained together by the hands and the feet, most lamentable to behold, for that they were so weak and lean, that one might easily through their sliins have counted all the bones in their bodies. CHAPTEE XIV. Antonio de Faria's arrival at the Bay of Camoy, -where was the fishing of pearles for the King of China ; with that which happened to him by the means of a renegade pjrat, and otherwise. THE next day, after noon, Antonio de Faria parted from the place where he rode at anchor, and returned towards the coast of Ainan, by the which he kept all the rest of that day, and the next night vyith five and twenty or thirty fathom water. In the morning he came to a bay, where there were many great boats fishing for pearles, and being unresolved ■^hat course to take, he bestowed all the forenoon in counsel KINC. OK COCHIN ON EI.Kl'llAN'l'. OF FEBBINAND MENDBZ PINTO. 87 with hig company thereabout, -whereof some were of the opinion that he should seize upon the boats that were fishing for -pearls ; and others opposed it, saying, it was a safer way to. treat with them as merchants, for that in exchange of the great store of pearles, which were in that place, they might easily put off the most part of their commodities. This appearing to be the best and safest advice, Antonio de Faria caused the flag of trade to be hung out, according to the custom of China ; so that instantly there came two lanteaas from land to us, which are vessels Uke to foists, with great abundance of refreshments, and those that were in them having saluted us after their manner, went aboard the great junk, wherein Antonio de Faria was ; but when they beheld men, such as we were, having never seen the like before, they were much amazed, and demanded what people we were, and wherefore we came into their country. Wherunto we answered by an interpreter, that we were merchants born in the kingdom of Siam, and were come thither to sell or barter our com- modities with them, if so be they would permit us. To this, an old man, much respected of all the rest, replyed, that here was no traffique used, but in another place further forward, called Guamboy, where aU strangers that came from Cantan, Ghincheo, Lamau, Gomhay, Sumbor, Liampau, and other sea- coast tovms-, did ordinarily trade : wherefore he counselled him to get him suddenly from thence, in regard this was a place destined only to the fishing of pearles for the treasure of the house of the Son of the Sun, to the which, by the ordinance of the Tutan of Oomhay, who was the sovereign governor of all the country of Gauchenchina, no vessel was permitted to come, but only such as were appointed for that service, and that all other ships, which were found there were by the law to be burnt, and aU that were in. them ; but since he, as a stranger, and ignorant of the laws of the country, had trans- gressed the same, not out of contempt, but want of knowledge, he thought fit to advertise him of it, to the end he might be gone from thence before the arrival of the Mandarin of the army, which we call general, to whom the govermnent'of that fishing appertained, and that would be within three or four dayes at the most, being gone not above six or seven leagues 88 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES from theuce to a village, named Buhaquirim, for to take in victual. Antonio de Faria thanking him for his good advice, asked him hov? many sails, and what forces the Mandarin had with him : whereunto the old man answered, that he was accompanied with forty great junks, and twenty-five Yancans with oars, wherein there were seven thousand men, namely, five thousand souldiers, and the rest slaves and mariners ; and that he was there every year six months, dm-ing the which time was the fishing for pearles, that is to say, from the 1st of March to the last of Augtist. Our captain desiring to know what duties were paid out of this fishing, and what revenue it yielded in those six months, the old man told him, that of pearls which weighed above five carats they gave two thirds, of the worser sort half less, and of seed pearl the third ; and that this revenue was not always alike, because the fishing was sometimes better in one year, then in another, but that one with another he thought it might yield annually four hundred thousand Taeis. Antonio de Faria made very much of the old man, and gave him two cakes of wax, a bag of pepper, and a tooth of ivory, wherewith both he and the rest were exceedingly well pleased. He also demanded of them, of what bignesse this Isle of Ainan might be, whereof so many wonders were spoken. Tell us first, replyed they, who you are, and where- fore you are come hither, then will we satisfie you in that you desire of us ; for we vow unto you, that in all of our lives we never saw so many young fellows together in any merchants ships, as we now see in this of yours, nor so spruce and neat ; and it seems that in their country China silks are so cheap as they are of no esteem, or else that they have had them at so easie a rate, as they have given nothing near the worth for them, for we see them play away a piece of damask at one cast at dice, as those that come Ughtly by them : a speech that made Antonio de Faria secretly to smile, for that thereby he well perceived how these fishermen had a shrewd guess that the same were stolen, which made him teU them, that they did this like young men, who were the sons of very rich mer- chants, and in that regard valued things far under that they were worth, and had cost their fathers ; dissembling them whfit they thought, they answered in this manner. It may very OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 89 ■well be as you say. Whereupon Antonio de Faria gave a sign to the souldiers to leave off their play, and to hide the pieces of silk that they were playing for, to the end they might not ■ be suspected for robbers by these folks, which immediately they did, and the better to assure these Chiiieses that we were honest men, and merchants, our captain commanded the scuttles of the jimk to be opened, that we had taken the night before from Captain Sardinha, which was laden with pepper, whereby they were somewhat restored to a better opinion then they had of us before, saying one to another. Since now we find they are merchants indeed, let us freely answer to their demand, so as they may not think, though we be rude, that we know nothing but how to catch fish and oysters. [Here folloics an account of the history of the Isle of Ainan, onttttelr.] After Antonio de Faria had given him many thankes for satisfying him so fully in his demands, he desired him to tell him in what port he would advise him to go and sell his com- modities, seeing the season was not proper to set sail for Lianvpoo. Whereunto he answered, that we were not to go into any port of that country, nor to put trust in any Chinese whatsoever; for I assure you; said he, there is not one of them wUl speak truth in any thing he sayes to you, and believe me, for I am rich, and will not lye to you like a poor man, besides, I would wish you to go in this streight always with the plummet in your hand for to sound your way, because there are very many dangerous shelves all along till you come to a river called Tanaquir, and there is a port where is very good anchoring, and where you may be as safe as you can desire ; as also you may there, in less then two dayes, put ofl: all your commodities, and much more it you had them. Never- theless I wiU not counsel you to disimharque your goods on land, but to sell them in your vessels, in regard that many times the sight causeth desire, and desire disorder amongst peaceable persons, much more with them that are mutinous and of an evil conscience, whose wicked inclination carries them rather to take away another mans goods from him, then give of their own to the needy for Gods sake. This said, both he that spake, and those that accompanied him, took leave of 90 TSE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES our captain, and us, with many complements and promises, whereof they are not ordinarily very sparing in those parts, bestowing on Antonio de Faria, in return of that he had given them, a little box made of a tortoise shell, full of seed-pearl, and twelve pearles of a pretty bigness, craving his pardon for that they durst not traffique with him in this place, for fear lest if they should do so, to be all put to death, conformable to the law of the rigorous justice of the country ; and they again intreated him to make haste away before the Mandarins arrival with his army; for if he found them there, he would burn both his vessel, and him and all his company. Antonio de Faria unwilling to neglect the counsel of this man, lest that which he told him should prove true, he set sail immediately, and passed to the other side towards the south, and in two days with a westerly wind he arrived at the river of Tanauquir, where just over against a little village, balled Neytor, he cast anchor. "We remained all that day, and the next night, at the mouth of the river of Tanauqidr, intending the next morning to set sail up to the town, which was some five leagues from thence in the river, to see if by any means we might put off our com- modities there, for our vessels were so heavy laden with them, as there was scarce a day wherein we ran not twice or thrice on some shelve or other, which in divers places were fom- or five leagues long ; wherefore it was concluded that before we did any thing else we were to sell away our commodities, so that we labored with all om* might to get into the river, whose current was so strong, that though we had all our sails up, yet could we prevail but very httle against it ; as we were in this pain we perceived two great junks in warlike manner come out of the river upon us, which chaining themselves together for the more strength, attaqued us so lively, as we had scarce the leasure to defend our selves, so that we were constrained to throw into the sea all that stood in our way to make room for our artillery, being that we had then most need of. The first salutation we had from them was a peal of six and twenty pieces of ordnance, whereof nine were fanlconets, and field- pieces : Antonio de Faria, as a man verst in such affairs, seeing them chained one to another, perceived their drift, and there- fore made as though he fled, as well to win time to prepare OF FEBBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 91 himself, as to make them believe that they were no Christians; whereupon they, like cunning thieves, desiring that the prey, which they held to be surely their own, should not escape out of their hands, loosed themselves, the one from the other the better to set upon us, and approaching very near to us, they shot so many arrows and darts into our junk, as no man was able to appear upon the deck. Antonio de Faria, to avoid this storm, retired under the half deck, with five and twenty souldiers, and some ten or twelve others, slaves, and mariners ; there he entertained the enemy with harquebuse shot the space of half an hour, in which time, having used all their munitions of war, some forty of them, that seemed to be more valiant then the rest, longing to finish their enterprize, leaped into our junk, with a purpose to make themselves masters of the prow ; but to hinder them from it, our captain was constrained to go and receive them, so that there began a most bloody fight, wherein it pleased God within an hour to give us the upper hand by the slaughter of four and twenty of their forty in the place. Thereupon twenty of ours, pursuing this good successe, boarded the enemies junk, where finding but small resistance, by reason the principals were already slain, aU that were in her quickly rendred themselves unto us. That dione, Antonio de Faria went with all speed to succour Ghristovano Borallho, who was boarded by the other junk, and very doubtftd of the victory, in regard the greatest part of his men were hurt ; but at our approach the enemies threw themselves all iato the sea, where most of them were drovmed, and so both the junks remained in our power. After this we took a survey of our com- pany, the better to understand what this victory had cost us ; and we f oun3 there was one Portugal, five boyes, and nine mari- ners kUled, besides those that were hurt; andontheenemiespart fourscore, were slain, and almost as many .taken. Having given order then for the dressiag and accommodating of our wounded .men in the best manner that could be, Antonio de Faria caused as many mariners to be taken up as could be ' saved, and com- manding them to be brought into the great junk where he was, he demanded of them what those junks were, how the captain of them was named, and whether he were alive or dead ; where- pnto not pffe pf them would make any answer, but ohose rather 92 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES to dye in torments like mad dogs, when as Christovano Borrallw cryed out from the junk where he was, Sigiiior, Signior, come hither quickly, for we liave more to do then we think of; whereat Antonio de FarSa, accompanied with fifteen or sixteen of his men, leapt into his junk, asking what the matter was ? I hear a many talking together, said he, towards the proiu, which I doubt are hidden there ; hereupon opening the scuttle, they heard divers cry out, Lord Jesus, Imve mercy upon us ; and that in such a woful manner, as struck us all with pity: Antonio de Faria approaching to the scuttle, and looking down, could perceive some persons there shut up, but not able to discern what they might be, he made two of his boys to go down, who a little after brought up seventeen Christians, namely, two Portugals, five small children, two girls, and eight boys, which were in such a lamentable case, as would have grieved any heart to have beheld them ; the first thing he did was to cause their irons to be strucken off, and then he enquired of one of the Portiujals (for the other was Uke a man dead) unto whom those children appertained, and how they fell into the hands of this pyrat, as also what his name was. Whereunto he answered, that the pyrat had two names, the one Christian, the other Pagan, and that his Pagan name, wherewith he used to be called of late, was Necoda Nicaulem, and' his Christian name Francisco de Saa, being christned at Malaca, at such time as Garcia de Saa was captain of the fortress, and for that he was his god-father, and had caused him to be baptized, he gave him that name, and married him to an orphan maid, a very handsome wench, the daughter of an honourable Portugal, to obhge him the more to our reUgion and coimtry ; but in the year 1534. setting sail for China in a great junk of his, wherein there accompanied him twenty of the wealthiest Portugals in Malaca, as also his wife, and arriving at the island of Pullo Gatan, they staid two days to take in fresh water, during which time he and his company, who were all Chineses like himself, and no better Christians, conspired the death of the poor Portugals for to despoil them of their goods, so that one night whil'st the Portugals were asleep, and little dream'd of such treason, they kiUed them all with their hatchets, and their servants likewise, not sparing the life of OF FEBMltAND MENDE2 PWTO. 93 any one that bore the name of a Christian ; after which, he per s waded with his wife, to turn Pagan, and adore an idol, that Tucan, captain of the junk, had concealed in his chest, and that then being free from the Christian religion he would marry her to Tucan, who in exchange would give him a sister of his to Avife, that was a Chinese, and there with him. But in regard she would neither adore the idol, nor consent to the rest, the dog struck her over the head with a hatchet till her brains flew out, and then departing from thence went to the port of Liampoo, where the same year before he had traded ; and not daring to go to Patana, for fear of the Portugals that resided there, he wintred at Siam, and the year following he returned to the port of Ghinclieo, where he took a little junk that came from Sunda, with ten Portugals in her, all which he slew ; and because the wickedness that he had done us was known over all the country, doubting to encounter some Por- tugal forces, he had retired himself into this streight Cauchen- china, where as a merchant he traded, and as a pyrat robbed those he rnet with all that were weaker then himself. It being now three years since he had taken this river for a refuge of his robberies, thinking himself here secure from us Portugals, by reason we have not used to traffique in the ports of this streight, the island of Ainan. Antonio de Faria asked of him whether those children belonged to the Portugals he had men- tioned before ; whereunto he answered, that they did not, but that both they, and the boys and girls, were the children of Nwio Preto, Gian de Diaz, and of Pero Barges, whom' he had killed at Monvpollacota, near the mouth of the river of Smto in Joano Oliveyra's junk, where he also put sixteen Portugals more to death, only he saved their two Uves, because one was a ship- wright, and the other a caulker, and had carried them along with him in this manner, continually whipping, and almost famishing of them ; further he said, that when he set upon us, he did not think we had been Portugals, but some Chinese mer- chant, like such as he had accustomed to rob when he found them at advantage, as he thought to have found us. Antonio de Faria demanded of him, whether he could know the pyrat amongst those other dead bodies ? Having replyed that he could, the captain presently arose, & taking him by the hand, 94 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES went with him into the other junk, that was fastned to his, and having made him view all that lay dead upon the hatches, he said it was none of them. Whereupon he commanded a manchuas, which is a little boat, to be made ready, wherein he and this man went and sought for hun amongst the other dead bodies that floated on the water, where they found him with a great cut over his head, and thrust quite through the body ; so causing him to be taken up, and laid upon the hatches, he demanded of that man again, if he were sure that this was he, who answered, how without doubt it was he. Whereunto Antonio de Faria gave the more credit, by reason of a great chain of gold he had about his neck, to which was fastned an idol of gold with two heads, made in the form of a lizard, having the tail and paws enamelled with green and black ; and commanding him to be drawn towards the prow, he caused his head to be chopt off, and the rest of the body to be cut in pieces, which were cast into the sea. Having obtained this victory in the manner I have before declared, and caused our hurt men to be drest, and provided for the guard of our captains, we took an inventory of the goods that were in these two jrmks, and found that our prize was worth forty thousand Taeis, which was immediately committed to the charge of Antonio Borges, who was factor for the prizes. Both the junks were great and good, yet were we constrained to burn one of them for want of mariners to man it : there was in them besides seventeen pieces of brass ordnance, namely, four faulconets, and thirteen small pieces, the most part whereof had the royal arms of Portiigal upon them, for the pyrat had taken them in the three ships where he kUled the forty Fortiigals. The next day Antonio de Faria went about once more to get into the river, but he was advised by fisher- men, which he took a little before, that he should beware of going to the town, because they were advised there of all that had passed betwixt Jiim and the renegado pyrat, for whose death the people were in an uproar; in so much that if ho would let them have his commodities for nothing, yet would they not take them, in regard that Chileu, the governor of that province, had contracted with him, to give him the third part of aU the prizes he took, in lieu whereof he would render him OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 95 a safe retreat in his country ; so that his loss being now great by the death of the pyrat, he should be but badly welcomed by him, and to that purpose had already commanded two great rafts, covered with dry wood, barrels of pitch, and other com- bustible stuff, to be placed at the entriug into the port, that were to be kindled and sent down upon us, as soon as we had cast anchor, for to fire us, besides two hundred proas, full of shot, and men of war were also in readiness to assault us. These news made Antonio de Faria conclude to make away unto another port, UBXOBdiMutipinan, distant from thence above forty leagues towards the east, for that there were many rich mer- chants, as well natives as strangers, which came in great troops from the countries of Lauhos, Fafuaas, and Gueos, with great sums of mony. So we set sail with the three junks, and the lorch, wherein we came from Patana, coasting the land from one side to the other, by reason of a contrary wind, untU we arrived at a place .called Tilaumera, where we anchored, for that the current of the water ran very strong against us. After we had continued so three daji'es together, with a contrary wind, and in great want of victual, our good fortune about even- ing brought four Lanteaas unto us, that ai^e hke unto foysts, in one of the which was a bride, that was going to a vUlage, named Pandxi/rea : now because they were aU in a jollity, they had so many drums beating aboard them, as it was almost impossible to hear one another for the noise they made. Whereupon we were in great doubt what this might be, and wherefore there was such triumphing ; some thought that they were spies sent from the captain of Tanauquir's army, who insulting, for that we were already in their power, gave this testimony thereof. Antonio de Faria left his anchors in the sea, and preparing him- self to sustain all that might happen unto him, he displayed all his banners and flags, and with demonstration of joy attended the arrival of these Lanteaas, who when they perceived us to be all together, imagining it was the bridegroom that stay'd to receive them, they came joyfully towards us. So after we had saluted one another after the manner of the country, they went and anchored by the shore. And because we could not com- prehend the mystery of this affair, aU our captains concluded that they were spies from the enemies army, which forbore 96 THE THAVELS, voyages, and ADVJUlfTUMES assaulting us in expectation of some other vessels that were also to come ; in this suspicion we spent the little remainder of that evening, and almost two hours of the night : but when the bride, seeing that her spouse sent not to visit her, as was his part to do, to shew the love she bore him, she sent her uncle in one of the Lanteaas •with a letter to him, containing these words. If the feeble sex of a wmiian would permit me to go from the place where lam for to see thy face, without reproach to mine honour, assure thy self that to kiss thy tardy feet my body would fly as doth the hungry falcon after tJie fearful heron : but since I am parted from my fathers house for to seek tliee out here, come thy self hither to vie, wliere indeed I am not, for I caniwt see my self, hut in seeing thee. Now if tlwu dost not come to see vie in tlie obscuritie of this night, making it bright for me, I fear that to morrow morning wlien tlwu arrivest liere, tlwu slialt not find me liviiig. My uncle Licorpinau ivill 7nore particularly acquaint thee with what I keep concealed in my lieart ; for I am not able to say any mare, such is my grief to be so long deprived of thy so much desired sight : wlierefore I pray thee come unto vie, or per- mit vie to come unto thee, as the greatness of my love to tJiee doth deserve, and as tlwu art obliged to do unto lier, wJwm now tlwu art to possess in marriage until death, from which Almighty God of His infinite goodness keep thee as many years, as tlie sunne and inoon have made turns about tlie world, since the beginning of their birth. This Lanteaa being arrived with the brides uncle and letter, Antonio de Faria caused aU the Portu^als to hide themselves, suffering none to appear but our Chinese mariners, to the end they might not be afraid of us : to our junk then they approached with confidence, and three of them coming aboard us, asked where the bridegroom was ? AU. the answer we made them was to lay hold of them, and clap them pre- sently under hatches ; now because the most part of them were drunk, those that were in the Lanteaa never heard our bustling with them, nor if they had, could they have had time to escape, for suddenly from the top of om- poop we fastned a cable to their mast, whereby they were so arrested, as it was impossible for them to get loose of us ; whereupon .casting in some pots of powder aniongst them, the most of them leapt into the sea, by which time six or seven of our souldiers, and OF FEBDINAND MENBEZ PINTO. 97 aB many mariners^ got into the Lanteaa, and straight rendred themselves masters of her, where the next thing they did was to take up the poor wretches, who cried out that they drowned : having made them sure, Antonio de Faria went towards the other three Lanteaas, that anchored some quarter of a league from thence ; and coming to the first, wherein was the bride, he entered her without any resistance, in regard there were none other in her but a few mariners, and six or seven men that seemed to be of good reckoniug ; aU of kin to the bride, being there only to accompany her, together with two httle boyes her brothers, that were very white; and certain ancient women, of such as in China are hired for money to dance, sing, and play of instruments upon like festival occasions. The other two Lanteaas beholding this bad success, left their anchors ia the sea, and fled in such haste, as if the devil had been ia them ; but for aU that we took one of them, so that we had three of the four : this done, we returned aboard our junk, and by reason it was now midnight, we did nothing for the present but take our prisoners, and shut them up under the hatches where they remained until day ; that Antonio de Faria came to view them, and seeing they were most of them aged, full of sorrow, and fit for nothing, he caused them to be set on shore, retaining onlythe bride and her 2 brothers, because they were young, white, and weU-favoured, and some 20 mariners, which afterwards were of great use to us for the navigation of our junks. This bride as since we learn'd, was daughter to the Anchary of Golem (which signifies governour) and betrothed to a youth, the son of Ghisuu, captaia of Fandurea, who had written imto her that he would attend her in this place with 3 or 4 junks of his fathers, who was very rich ; but alas 1 we shamefully cozened him. After dinner, being departed from thence, the bride- groom arrived seeking for his bride, with five sail full of flags, streamers, and banners ? Passing by us, he saluted us with great store of musick and shews of gladness, ignorant of his misfortune, and that we carried away his wife. In this jollity he doubled the Cape of Tilaumera, where the day before we took this prize, and there anchored attending his bride, accord- ing as he had written to her, whilest we saihng on arrived three days after at the port of Mutijpiman, which waS the 8 98 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES place -we aynied at, in regard of the advice that Antonio de Faria had, that there they might sell off his commodities. CHAPTER XV. Antonio de Favia's arrival at the Port : the infonnation that Antonio de Faria had of the country; some passages between him and the Nautarel of the town ; his going to the river of Madel ; with his incountring a pyrat there, and that which passed betwixt them. BEING arrived at this port we anchored in a rode, which the land makes near to a little island on the south side of the mouth of the river, at the entry whereinto we remained without saluting the port, or making any noise, intending as soon as it was night to send for to sound the river, and to be informed of that we desired to know. Upon the appearing of the moon, which was about 11 of the clock, Antonio de Faria sent away one of his Lanteaas, well furnished, and 12 souldiers in her, besides the captain named Valentino Martins Dalpoevi, a discreet man, and of great courage, that at other times had given good proof of himself in like occasions, who departing went alwayes sounding the depth of the river, untU he arrived where divers vessels rode at anchor ; there he took two men that were sleeping in a barque laden with earthen ware, and returning aboard undiscovered, he rendred Antonio de Faria an accompt of what he had found touching the greatness of the place, and the fewness of the ships that were in the port, wherefore his opinion was, that he might boldly enter into it, and if it happened he could not trade there as he desired; no body could hinder him from issuing forth whensoever he pleased, by reason the river was very large, clean, and vdthout any shelves, sands or other things that might endanger him. Having consulted then with his company, he concluded by their advice, not to put the two Malwmetans, that were taken, to torture as was before ordained, because there was no need of it; day being come, Antonio -de Faria, desiring before he stirred to be informed from those two Malwmetans of some particulars he would fain know, and thinking he might sooner OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 99 prevail with them by fair means, then by menaces and torment, he made very much of them, and then declared his mind : whereupon both of them with one accord said, that touching the entrance of the river there was nothing to be feared, in regard it was one of the best in all that bay, and that ordinarily far greater vessels then his went in and out there, for that the shallowest place was 15 fathom at the least ; and as for the people of the country he was not to stand in any doubt of them, by reason they were naturally weak, and without arms ; and that the strangers which were at that instant there, arrived some 9 days • before from the kingdom of Benan in 2 companies of fifty oxen a piece, laden with store of silver, wood of aloes, cloth, silk, linnen, ivory, wax, lacre, benjamin, eamphire, and gold in powder, like to that of the island of Samatra, who were come with this merchandise to buy pepper, drugs, and pearls of the Isle of Ainan. Being demanded whether there was any army in those parts, they answered No, because most of the wars, which the Preclutu, that is, the Bmperour of the Cauchins, made, or were made against him, were by land; and that when any was made upon the rivers, it was always with little vessels, and not with such great ships as his, for that they were not deep enough for them : further being asked, whether the PrecJmu was near to that place, they replyed, that he was 12 days jom-ney from thence, at the city of Quangepaaru, where most commonly he with his court resided, governing the kingdom in peace and justice, and that the mynes, reserved for his Crown, rendred him in yearly rent fifteen thousand Picos of silver, every Pico weighing five quintals, the moyety whereof by the Divine law, inviolably observed in his countries, was for the poor labourers, that tiUed the groimd, to sustain their families withal ; but that all his people by a general consent had freely relinquished that right unto him, upon condition that from thence-forward he should not constrain them to pay tribute, or any other thing that might concern them, and that the ancient PrecJums had protested to accomplish it as long as the sun should give light to the earth. Antonio de Faria further demanded of them, what belief they were of ; where- imto they answered, that they held the very verity of all 100 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES verities, and that they believed there was but one God Almighty, who as He had created all, so He preserved all; howbeit if at any time our understandings were intangled with the disorder and discord of our desires, that no way proceeded from the sovereign Creator, in whom was no im- perfection, but only from the sinner himself, that out of his impatience judged according to the wicked inclination of his heart. Moreover, asking of them, whether in their law they believed, that the great God, which governeth this all, came at any time into the world, clothed with a humane form, they said No, because there could be nothing that might obUge Him to so great an extremity, in regard He was through the excellency of the Divine nature delivered from our miseries, and far esloigned from the treasures of the earth, all things being more then base in the presence of his splendor. By these answers of theirs, we perceived that these people had never attained to any knowledge of our truth, more then their eyes made them to see in the picture of heaven, and in the beauty of the day ; for continually in their Combayes, which are their prayers, hfting up their hands they say, By Thy works, Lord, we confess Thy greatness. After this Antonio de Faria set them at Uberty, and having given them certain presents, wherewith they were very well pleased, he caused them to be conveyed to land ; that done, the wind beginning a Uttle to rise he set sail, having all his vessels adorned with divers coloured silks, their banners, flags and streamers, displayed, and a standard of trade hung out after the manner of the country, to the end they might be taken for merchants, and not for pyrats, and so an hour after he anchored just against the key of the town, which he saluted with a httle peal of ordnance, whereupon ten or eleven Almadiaes came presently to us with good store of refreshments; howbeit finding us to be strangers, and discerning by our habits that we were neither Siams, Jaos, nor Malayos, nor yet of any other nation that ever they had seen, they said one to another, Phase Heaven, that tlie dew of the fresh morning may he as profitable to us all, as this evening seems fair with the presence of tliese whom our eyes behold. Having said thus, one of the Ahnadiacs asked leave to come aboard us, which they were OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 101 told they might do, because we were all their brothers ; so that three of nine, which were in that Ahnadia, entered into our junk, whom Antonio de Faria received very kindly ; and causing them to sit down upon a Turky carpet by him, he told them, that he was a merchant of the kingdom of Siam, and going with his goods towards the Isle of Ainan, he had been advertised, that he might better and more securely sell off his commodities in this town, then in any other place, because the merchants thereof were juster and truer of their word, then the Chineses of the coast of Ainan ; whereunto they thus answered, Tlwu art not deceived in that which tJiou sayest,for if thou he a merchant, as thou affirmest, believe it, that in every thing and every where thou shalt be honoured in this place, wherefore thou mayest sleep witlwut fear. Antonio de Faria mistrusting some intelligence might come over land concerning that which he had done to the pyrat upon the river of Tanauquir, and so might work him some prejudice, would not dis-imbarque his goods, as the officers of the Custom-house would have had, which was the cause of much displeasure and vexation to him afterward, so that his business was twice interrupted by that means, wherefore perceiving that go'od words would not serve to make- them consent to his propositions, he sent them word by a merchant, who dealt between them, that he knew well enough they had a great deal of reason to require the" landing of his goods, because it was the usual course for every one so to do ; but he assured them that he could not possibly do it, in regard the season was almost past, and therefore he was of necessity to hasten his departure as soon as might be, the rather too for the accommodating of the junk wherein he came, for as much as she took in so much water, that 60 mariners were alwayes labouring at three pumps to clear her, whereby he ran a great hazard of losing aU his goods ; and that touching the kings customs, he was contented to pay them, not after thirty in the hundred,'as they demanded, but after ten, as they did in other kingdoms, and so much he would pay presently and wiUingly. To this offer they rendred no answer, but detained him that carried the message prisoner ; Antonio de Faria seeing that his messenger returned not, set sail immediately, hanging forth a 102 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES number of flags, as one that eared not whether he sold or no ; whereupon the merchants strangers that were come thither to trade, perceiving the commodities, of which they hoped to make some profit, to be going out of the port, through the perversness and obstinacy of the Nautarel of the town, they went all to him, and desired him to recal Antonio de Faria, ■ otherwise they protested to complain to the king of the injustice he did them, in being the cause of hindering their traf&que. The Nautarel, that is, the governour, with all the officers of the Custom-house, fearing lest they might upon this occasion be turned out of their places, condescended to their request, upon condition since we would pay but ten in the hundred, that they should pay five more, whereunto they agreed, and instantly sent away the merchant, whom they had detained prisoner, with a letter full of complements, wherein they declared the agreement they had made. Antonio de Faria answered them, that since he was out of the port, he would not re-enter it upon any terms, by reason he had not leasure to make any stay ; howbeit if they would buy his commodities in gross, bringing, lingots of silver with them for that purpose, he would sell them to them, and in no other manner would deal, for he was much distasted vrith the little respect the Nautarel of the town had carried towards him, by despising his messages ; and if they w-ere contented to accept thereof, that then they should let him know so much within an hour at the farthest,otherwise he would sail away to Ainan, where he might put off his commodities far better then there. They finding him so resolved, and doubting to lose so fair an occasion, as this was, for them to return into their country, embarqued themselves in five great lighter with forty chests full of lingots of silver, and a many sacks to bring away the pepper : and arriving at Antonio de Faria's junk,- they were very well received by him, unto whom they represented,' anew, the agreement they had made with the Nautarel of the town, greatly complaining of his iU government and of some wrongs, which without all reason he had done them ; but since they had pacified him by consenting to give him 15 in the hundred, whereof they would pay five ; they desired him to pay the ten, as he had promised, for otherways they could not buy his Of FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. lOS commodities. Whereunto Antonio de Faria answered, that he was contented so to do, m^ore for the love of them, then for any profit he hoped to reap thereby, for which they gave him many thanks, and so being on all sides agreed, they used such diligence in discharging the goods, as in 3 days the most of it was weighed and consigned into the hands of the owners thereof; whereupon the accompts were made up, and the lingots of silver received, amounting in aU to an hundred and thirty thousand Taeis, after the rate of 7 shillings and six pence the Taei, as I have said elsewhere. And though aU possible speed was used herein, yet before aU was finished, news came of that which we had done to the pyrat in the river of Tanaiiquir, in so much that not one of the inhabitants would come near us afterward, by reason whereof Antonio de Faria was constrained to set sail in all haste. After we had quit the river of Mutepinan, directing our course northward, Antonio de Faria thought good to make to the coast of the island of Ainan, for to seek out a river named Model, with a purpose there to accommodate the great junk, wherein he was, because it took in much water, or provide himseU of a better in exchange upon any tearms whatsoever ; so having saUd for the space of 12 days, with a contrary wind, at length he arrived at the cape of Fullo Hiulw, which is the island of Cocos ; there hearing no nev.'s of the pyrat he sought for, he returned towards the south coast, where he took certain prizes, which were of good value, and well gotten as we thought. For it was the mairi intention of this captain to deal with the pyrats which frequented this coast of Ainan, as they before had done with divers Christians, in depriving them of their lives and goods ; for as God doth ordinarily draw good out of evil, so it pleased Him out of His divine , justice to permit, that Antonio de Faria, in revenge of the robbery committed by Coia Acem upon us in the port of Lugor should in the pursuit of him chastise other thieves that deserved to.be punished by the hands of the Portugals. Now having for certain days together with much labour continued our navigation within this bay of Gauchenchina, as we were newly entred into a port, called Model, upon the day of the Nativity of our Lady, being the 8 of Se^tem. for the fear that 104 THE TRAVELS, VOTAGSS, AND ADVENTURES we were in of the new moon, during the which there often- times happens in this climate such a terrible storm of wind and rain, as it is not possible for ships to withstand it, which by the Ghineses is named Tufan, and that the sky charged full mfh clouds had 4 days together threatned that which we feared, it pleased God amongst many other junks that fled into this port for shelter, there came in one belonging to a notorious Ghinese pyrat, named Hinimilau, who of a Gentile, that he had been, was not long before become a Mahometan, induced thereunto (as it was said) by a Gacis of that accursed sect, who had made him such an enemy to the Christian name, as he vaunted pubUquely, that God did owe heaven unto him for the great service he had done Him upon earth, in depopulating it by httle and little of the Portugal nation, who from their mothers wombs delighted in their offences, as the very inhabitants of the smoaky house, a name which they give to hell ; and thus did he with such sayings, and other Uke blasphemies, speak as villanously and abominably of us as couldJ)e imagined. This pyrat, entring into the river in a very great and tall junk, came up to us where we rode at anchor, and saluted us after the custom 'of the country, whereunto we retm-ned the like, as it is the manner there to do at the entry into any of the ports, they neither knowing us to be Fortv^als, nor we what they were ; for we thought they ■ had been Ghineses, and that they came into the port to shroud themselves from the storms as others did, whereupon, behold, five young men, that were Christians, whom this robber held as slaves in his junk, guessing us to be Portugals, fell a crying out three or four times together. Lord, have mercy upon us. At these words we aU stood up to see who they were, and perceiving them to be Christians, we called aloud to the mariners for to stay their course, which they would not do, but contrarily beating up a drum, as it were in contempt of us, they gave three great shouts, and withal brandished their naked scymitars in the ayr in a way of threatning us, and then cast anchor some quarter of a league beyond us. Antonio de Faria desiring to learn the reason hereof, sent a Baton to them, which no sooner arrived near them, but the barbarous rogues pelted them with so many stones, that the vessel was OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 105 almost overwhelmed, so that they were glad to retm-n, both mariners and souldiers being very sore hurt ; Antonio de Faria seeing them come back all bloody, demanded the cause of it : Sir, answered they, we are not able to tell you, only you beJwld in what plight we are ; saying so, and shewing him the hurts on their heads, they declared unto him in what manner they had been entertained. At first this accident much troubled Antonio do Faria, so that he stood musing a good while upon it, but at length turning himself to them that were present, Let every one here, said he, prepare himself, for I cannot he perswaded hut this is that dog Coia Acem, who I hope this day sliall pay for all the wrong he hath done us. Whereupon he commanded presently to weigh anchor, and vnth all the speed that might be he set sail with the three junks and Lanteas. Being come within a musket shot of them, he saluted them with six and thirty pieces of ordnance, whereof twelve were faulconers, and other field-pieces, amongst the which was one of battery, that carried cast bullets, wherewith the enemies were so amazed, as all the resolution they could take for the instant was to leave their anchors in the sea, not having leasure to weigh them, and to make to the shoar, wherein also they failed of their desire; for Antonio de Faria perceiving their design got before them and boarded their junk with all the forces of his vessels : hereupon began a most furious combat both writh pikes, darts, and pots full of powder thrown from either side, so that' for half an hour it could not be discerned who had the better : but at length it pleased God to favour us so much, that the enemies finding themselves weary, wounded, and hurt, threw themselves into the sea. Antonio de Faria, seeing these wretches ready to ank, by reason of the impetuousness and strength of the current, he imbarqued himself with some souldiers in two balons, and with much ado saved 16 men, whereunto he was induced by the great need he stood in of them for the manning of his Lanteas, because he had lost a great many of his people in the former fights. 106 TBE TitAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES CHAPTEE XVI. What Antonio de Faria did with the Captain of the Pyiats Junk; that whioli past between him and the people of the Country; with oui casting away upon the Island of Thieves. ANTONIO DE FAEIA having obtained this victory in the manner I have related, the first thing he did was to see his hurt men drest, as that virhich chiefly imported him ; then being given to understand that the pjnrat Hinimilau, the captain of the junk he had taken, vyas one of the sixteen he had saved, he commanded him to be brought before him, and after he had caused him to be drest of two woimds that he had received, he demanded of him what was become of the young Porhtgals which he held as slaves ? Whereunto the pyrat, being mad with rage, having answered that he could not tell, upon the second demand that was made him, with menaces, he said, that if first they would give him a Uttle water, in regard he was so dry as he was not able to speak, that then he would consider what answer to make. Thereupon having water brought him, which he drunk so greedily as he spilt the most part of it without quenching his thirst, he desired to have some more given him, protesting that if they would let him drink his fill, they would oblige him by the law of MaJwmets Alcoran voluntarily to confess all that they desired to know of him. Antonio de Fario, having given him as much as he would drink, questioned him again about the young Christians ; whereto he replyed, that he should find them in the chamber of the prow ; thereupon he commanded 3 souldiers to go thither and fetch them, who had no sooner opened the scuttle to bid them come up, but they saw them lie dead in the place, with their throats cut; which made them cry out, Jesus, Jesus, come hither we beseech you, Sir, and behold a most lamentable spectacle ; hereat Antonio de Faria, and those that were with him, ran thither, and beholding those youths lying so one upon another, he could not forbear shedding of tears ; having caused them then to be brought upon the deck, together with a woman and two pretty children, about 7 or 8 years old, that had their throats also cut ; he demanded of the pyrat why he used such 'OF FEBDINAND MENDED PINTO. i07 cruelty to those poor innocents : whereTinto he answered, that it was because they were traytours, in discovering themselves to th&se, which were such great enemies to him as the Portu- gals were, and also for that having heard them call upon their Christ for help, he desired to see whether he would dehver them ; as for the two infants, there was cause enough to kiU them, for that they were the children of Porkigals, whom he ever hated : with the hke extravagancy he answered to many other questions which were propounded to him, and that with so much obstinacy as if he had been a very devil. Afterwards being asked whether he were a Christian, he answered, no ; but that he had been one at such time as Don Paulo de Gaina was captain of Malaca. Whereunto Antonio de Faria demanded of him, what moved him since he had been a Christian, to forsake the law of Jesus Christ, wherein he was assured of his salvation, for to embrace that of the false prophet Maliomet, from whence he could hope for nothing but the loss of his soul. Thereunto he answered, that he was induced so to do, for that so long as he was a Christian, the Portugals had alwayes contemned him, whereas before when he was a Gentile, they called him Quiay Necoda, that is to say, Signior captain ; but that respect immediately upon his bap- tism forsook him, which he verily believed did arrive to him by Malwmets express permission, to the end it should open his eyes to tmti Mahoinetan, as after he did at Bintan, where the King of Jantana was in person present at the ceremony, and that ever since he had much honoured him, and that all the Man- darins called him brother, in regard of the vow he had made upon the Holy Book of Mowers, that as long as he lived he would be a sworn enemy to the Portograms, and of all others that profest the name of Christ, for which both the King and Gacis Moulana had exceedingly commended him, promising that his soul should be most blessed if he performed that vow. Being Ukewise demanded how long ago it was since he revolted, what Portugal vessels he had taken, how many men he had put to death, and what merchandize he had despoyled them of? He answered, that it was 7 years since he became a Mahometan ', that the first vessel he took was Luiso de Pavia's junk, which he sm-prised in the Eiver of Liampoo with 400 108 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES bars of pepper only, and no other spice, whereof having made himself master, that he had put to death 18 Portitgals, besides iheir slaves, of vsrhom he made no reckoning, because they v^ere not such as could satisfie the oath he made. That after this prize he had taken our ships, and in them had put to death above 100 persons, amongst whom there were some 70 Portu- gals, and that he thought the merchandize in them amounted to fifteen or sixteen hundred bars of pepper, whereof the King of Pan had the better moyity for to give him a safe retreat in his ports, and to secure him from the Portugals, giving him to that purpose 100 men, with commandment to obey him as their king. Being further demanded, whether he had not kiUed any Portugals, or lent an hand for the doing thereof, he said no, but that some two years before, being in the Eiver of Choaboquec on the coast of China, a great junk arrived there with a great many Portugals in her, whereof an intimate friend of his named Buy Lobo, was captain, whom Don Estevan de Gama, then governour of the fortress of Malaca, had sent thither in the way of commerce, and that upon the sale of his commodities going out of the x^ort, his junk about five dayes after took so great a leak, as not being able to clear her, he was constrained to retm-n towards the same port from whence he parted ; but that by iU fortune clapping on all his sails to get the sooner to laud was overset by the violence of the wind, so as all were east away, saving Buy Lobo, 17 Portugals, and some slaves, who in their skiff made for the island of Lamau, without saU, without water, or any manner of victuals ; that in this extremity Buy Lobo, relying on the ancient friendship that was between them, came with tears in his eyes, and praid him on his knees to receive him and his into his junk, which was then ready to set sail for Patana, whereunto he agreed, upon condition that therefore he should give him two thousand ducates, for the performance whereof he bound himself by his oath of a Christian. But that after he had taken them in, he counselled by the Malwvietans not to trust unto the friendship of Christians, lest he might endanger his own life ; for when they hadrecovered strength, they would without doubt seize upon his junk, and all the goods that were in her, it being their usual custom so to do in all places where they found themselves the OF FERDINAND MENDFZ PINTO. 109 strongest : wherefore fearing lest that which the Mahometans suggested should hefall him, he slew them all on a night as they slept, for the which notwithstanding he was sorry after- wards. This declaration so much incensed Antonio de Faria, and aU that were about him, as indeed the enormity of so wicked a fact did require, that presently, without questioning or hear- ing of him further, he commanded him to be put to death with four more of his company ; and so they were all thrown into the sea. This justice being executed on the pyrat and his four com- panions, Antonio de Faria caused an inventory to be taken of all that was in the junk, which was adjudged to mount unto forty thousand Taeis in raw and twisted silk, pieces of sattin, damask, musk, fine pourcelains, and other less valuable com- modities, which with the junk we were constrained to burn, because we wanted mariners for our navigation. With those valorous exploits the Ghineses were so amazed, as they stood in dread of the very mention of -the name of the Portugals, in so much that the Necodaes, or masters of the junks that were in the port, fearing the like might be done to them assem- bled all together in couneel ; and there making election of two of the principal amongst them, whom they held most capable of performing their charge, they sent them as embassadoure unto Antonio de Faria, desiring him, that as King of the Sea, he would protect them, upon the assurance of his word, so as they might pass safely out of the place where they were for to make their voyage whil'st the season served ; in consideration whereof, as his tributary subjects and slaves, they would give him twenty thousand Taeis in ingots of silver, whereof pay- ment should be made out of hand, by way of acknowledging him to be their lord. Antonio de Faria received them very courteously, and granting their request, protested and sware to perform the same, and upon his word to protect them for the future, from having any of their goods taken from them by any pyrat ; whereupon one of the embassadours remained as surety for the twenty thousand Taeis, and the other went to fetch the ingots which he brought an hour after, together with a rich present of many several things sent him over and above by the Necodaes. This done, Antonio de Faria desiring to 110 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES advance a servant of his, named Costa, made him dark of the patents tliat were to be granted to the Necodaes, vyhereof he presently set a rate, namely five Taeis for a junk, and two Taeis for a Vanco, Lantea, and small barque, which proved so beneficial to him, that in the space of thirteen days, wherein these patents we dispatched, he got (according to the report of those that envyed him) above four thousand Taeis in silver, besides many good gratuities that were given him for expedi- tion. The form of these patents was thus : I give assurance upon my word to Necoda stwh a one, that he shall sail safely all about the coast of China without any disturbance, of any that belongs to me, upon condition that wheresoever he meets with any Portugals, he shall entreat them as brethren : and underneath he signed, Antonio de Faria : All which patents were most exactly observed, and by that means he was redoubted all along the coast, as the Chaem himself of the island of Ainan, who is the Vice-roy thereof, upon the report which he heard of him, sent to visit him by his embassadour, vrith a rich present of pearls and jewels ; as also a letter, whereby he desired him to take entertainment from the Son of the Sim, a name which they give to the Bmperour of this monarchy for to serve him as Commander General of all the coast from Lamau to Liampoo, with ten thousand Taeis pension yearly, and that if he carried himself well, according to the renown went of him, he assured him that upon the expiration of his three' years charge, he should be advanced into the rank of the Chaems of the state, and that such men as he if they were faithful, might attain to be one of the twelve Tutoens of the Emph-e, whom the sovereign Son of the Sun, being the Lion crowned on the throne of the world, admitted to his bed and board, as mem- bers united to his person by means of the honour, power, and command that he gave them with an annual pension of an hundred thousand Taeis. Antonio de Faria gave bJTn many thanks for this offer, and excused himself with complements, after their manner ; saying, that he was not capable of so great favour as he would honour him withal, but that without any regard at all of mony he would be ready to serve him as often as the Tutoens of Pequin would be pleased to command him. After this going out of the port of Model, where he had OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. Ill been fourteen days, he ran all along the coast of that country for to find out Coia Acevi, it being the main design of all his voyage, as I have declared before. Imagining then that he might meet with him in some of these places, he stayed there above six months, with much pain and hazard of his person. At length he arrived at a very fair town, named Qiiangiparu, wherein were goodly buildings and temples. In ' this port he abode all that day and the night following, under colour of being a merchant, peaceably buying that which was brought him aboard ; and because it was a town of fifteen hundred fires, as we guessed, the next morning by break of day we set sail without any great notice taken of us. So returning to sea, although it were with a contrary wind, in 12 days with a troublesome navigation he visited the shores both of tha south and north coasts, without incountring any thing worthy the observation, although they were replenished with a many of little villages, whereof divers were inclosed with walls of brick, but not strong enough to withstand the force of thirty good soldiers, the people of themselves being very weak, and having no other arms but staves hardned in the fire ; howso- ever the scituation of this country was under one of the best and fertUest climates on the earth, abounding with great store of cattel, and many goodly large fields, sowed with wheat, rice, barly, millet, and sundry other kinds of grain ; as also reple- nished with many great groves of pine, and Aiigeline trees, as in the Indies, able to furnish a world of shipping. Moreover, by the relation of certain merchants Antonio de Faria was in-, formed, that in this land there were many mynes of copper, silver, tin, saltpeter, sulphur, and an infinite deal of imtUled, but excellently good ground, altogether neglected by this weak nation, which were it in our power, we might in all probabUity be more advanced in the Indies, then now we are through the unhappiness of our sins. After we had been 7 months and an half in this country, somtimes on the one side, somtimes on the other, from river to river, and on both coasts, north and south ; as also in the Isle of Ainan, without hearing any news of Coia Acem, the souldiers weary of so long and tedious travel, assembled altogether, and desired Antonio de Faria, to make a partition of that which had 112 TEB TRAVELS, VOYAaES, AND ADVENTURES been gotten, according to a promise before made to them by a note imder his hand, saying, that thereupon they -would return unto the Indies, or where else they thought good, -whereby a great deal of stir arose amongst us. At length it -was agreed, that -we should go and -winter in Siam, -where aU the goods ■which were in the junk should be sold, and beiag reduced into gold, di-vision should be made of it, as was desired. With this accord, sworn and signed by all, we went and anchored in an island, called the island of Thieves, in regard it was the outer- most island of all that bay, to the end that from thence we might make our -voyage -with the first fair -wind that should blow. So having continued there twelve dayes with an earnest desire to effect the agreement we had made together ; it for- tuned that by the conjunction of the new moon in October, ■which we had alwayes feared, there arose such a tempest of rain and wind, as seemed to be no natural thing, in so much that lying open to the south -wind, as we traverst the coast, the waves went so high, that though we used all means possible to save our selves, cutting down our masts, and aU the dead works from poup to prow ; as also casting into the sea even the most part of our merchandize, reducing our great ordnance into their places again out of which they had been toss'd, and strengthning our cables that were halt rotten -with ropes ; but aU this was not able to preserve us, for the night was so dark, the weather so cold, the sea so rough, the wind so high, and the storm so horrible, that in these extremities nothing could deliver us but the meer mercy of God, whom -with con- tinual cries and tears we called upon for help. But for as much as in regard of our sins we did not deserve to receive this grace at His hands. His Divine Justice ordaiued, that about 2 hours after midnight there came such a fearful gust of -wind, as drove our 4 vessels foul of one another upon the shore,^ where they were all broken to pieces, so that 400 and 80 men were drowned, amongst which were eight Portu- gals, and it pleased God that the remainder being 53 persons were saved, whereof 23 were Portugals, the rest slaves and mariners. After this lamentable ship-wrack, we got half naked, and most of us hurt into a marish hard by, where we stayed till the next morning ; and as soon as it was day we returned OFFSBDINAND MENDEZ FINTO. 113 to the sea side, which we found all strewed with dead bodies, a spectacle of that dread and horrour as scarce any one of us coidd forbear swooning to behold it : over them we stood lamenting a great while, till such time as Antonio de Faria, who by the mercy of God was one of those that remained alive, whereof we were all very glad, conceaUng the grief which we could not dissemble, came where we were, having on a scarlet coat that he had taken from one of the dead, and with a joyful countenance, his eyes dry and void of tears, he made a short speech unto us, wherein he remon- strated how variable and uncertain the things of this world were, and therefore he desired us, as brethren, that we would endeavour to forget them, seeing the remembrance of them was but a means to grieve us ; for considering the time and miserable estate whereimto we were reduced, we saw how necessary his coimsel was : and how he hoped that God would in this desolate place present us with some good opportunity to save our selves, and how we might be assured that He never per- mitted any evil but for a greater good ; moreover how he firmly believed, that though we had now lost five hundred thousand crowns, we should ere it were long get above six hundred thou- sand for them. This brief exhortation was heard by us all with tears and discomfort enough ; so we spent two days and an half there in burying the dead ; during which time we recovered some wet victuals, and provisions to sustain us withal ; but they lasted not. above fivedayes of fifteen that we stayed there, for by reason of their wetness they corrupted presently, and did us Uttle good. After these 15 days it pleased God, who never forsakes them that truly put their trust in Him, miracu- lously to send us a remedy, whereby we escaped out of that misery we were in, as I will declare hereafter. 114 THS TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ABVENTUBES GHAPTEE XVII. In wliat sort we escaped miraculoTisly out of this island; onr passage from tfience to the river of Xingrau ; our incountring with a Chinese pyrat, and the agreement we made with him. BEING escaped from this miserable shipwrack, it was a lamentable thing to see how we walked np and down almost naked, enduring such cruel cold and hmiger, that many of us talking one to another, fell down suddenly dead with very weakness, which proceeded not so much from want of victuals, as from the eating of such things as were hurtful to us, by reason they were aU rotten, and stunk so vUely, that no man could endure the taste of them in his mouth. But as our God is an infinite good, there is no place so remote, for desert, where the misery of sinners can be hid from the assistance of His infinite mercy, which I speak, in regard that on the day, when as the feast of S. Michael is celebrated, as we were drowned in tears, and without hope of any humane help, according as it seemed to the weakness of our little faith, a kite came unexpectedly flying over our heads from behinde a point which the island made towards the south, and by chance let fall a fish called a mullet, about a foot long. This fish falling close by Antonio de Faria, he took it and caused it to be broyled upon coals, and given to such of the sick as had most need of it ; then looking towards the point of the island from whence the kite came, we perceived divers others that in their flying made many stoopings, whence we concluded that there was some kind of prey there whereon these fowls fed ; now aU of us being most desirous of relief, we went thither in all haste, and coining to the top of the higher ground, we discovered a low vally full of divers fruit trees, and in the middle a river of fresh water, whereupon by good fortune before we went down we saw a stag newly killed, and a tyger beginning to eat him, therewith we made a great cry which frighted him away into the wood, leaving us the stag as he was. Then descended we to the river, and by the bank of it staid all that night, making a feast, as well with the stag; as with divers mullets that we took there ; for there were a great number of kites, that from OF FEBBINASI) MENDE2 PINTO. lis the water eatched a many of those fishes, and oftentimes let them fall being scared -with oar cries. Thus continued we by the rivers till Saturday foUo-srLQg, when about the break of day we discerned a sail making as we thought towards the island where we were : the better to be assured whereof we returned to the shoar where we were ^rracked, and there staying about half an hour, we found it to be so indeed, in which regard we got us presently into the wool to decline discovery from those in the vessel ; which arriving in the port we perceived it to be a Lamea, and that those that were in her fastned her to the shoar with 2 cables, at the feak and the stern the better to accommodate a plank for to jass in and out of her. Being all dis-imbarqued out of her to aiout the number of thirty persons, more or less, they went pres^atly, some to making provision of water and wood, some to washing of their Unnen, and dressing of meat, and others to wrastling, and such like pastimes, little thinking to find any body in ihat place which could any way annoy them. Antonio de Faria seeing them altogether without fear and order, and that there was none remaining in the vessel able to resist us ; My masters, said he unto us, you behold the wretched estate whereinto car mis-fortune hath rediiced us, wliereof I confess my sins arc she catise ; but the mercy of God is so infinite, as I am verily j^rswaded He will not suffer ms to perish thus miserably here, an.i therefore liath as it were miracu- lously sent this vessel hither, by seizing wliereupon we may escape from hence, which befon to humane reason seemed almost impossible : wherefore I exhcrt you all to joytir with me in making our selves masters su&iemly of her ere ever we be heard or seen, and having so done, hi our onely care be to possess our selves of the arms we shall fird in her, that therewith we may defend our selves, and maJtc good- our possession, upon lohich, next under God, our safety dtvends ; and as soon ds you shall hear me say three times, Jesus, do as you sluM see me do. - Whereunto we answered, visX we would diligently perform what he had enjoyned us ; s.o that we standing aJl prepared to execute his design, Antonio di Faria gave the signal which he had spoken of, and withall raa as fast as ever he could, and we along with him, tUl he arrived at the Lantea, whereinto we suddenly entered without ary contradiction; then unloosing 116 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES the two cables with which she was fastned, we put out to sea about a cross-bow shot from land. The Chineses surprized in this manner, ran all to the sea side, upon the noise that they heard ; and seeing their vessel taken, were much amazed, but knew not how to help it ; for we shot at them with an iron base that was in the Lantea, which made them fly into the wood, where no doubt they passed the rest of that day in lamenting the sad success of their ill fortune, as we had done ours before. After we were gotten into the Lantea, and that we were sure the deceived Chhieses could no way hurt us, we sat us down to eat that at leasm-e, which they had caused to make ready for their dinner by an old man, that we found there, and it was a great skillet full of rice with bached lard, whereunto we fell with good stomacks, as being not a little hungry. Dinner done, and thanks rendred to God for His gracious mercy to us, an inventory was taken of the goods that were in the Lantea, which was raw silks, damasks, sattins, together with three great pots of musk, amounting in all to the value of four thousand crowns, beside good store of rice, sugar, gammons of bacon, and two coups full of poultry, whereof we had more need then of aU the rest, for the recovery of our sick men, which were not a few amongst us. Hereupon we all began without fear to cut out pieces of sUk, therewith to accommo- date every one with clothes. Antonio de Faria, having found a prety boy in the Lantea, about some twelve or thirteen years old, demanded of him from whence she came, and what she did in this place, as also to whom she belonged, and whither she was bound. Alas ! answered the boy, sJie not long since belonged to my unfortunate Jatlier, whose ill Iwp it is to have that taken from him hy you in less then an hour, which lie hath been above thirty years in getting. He came fro7n a place called Quoaman, where in exchange of lingots of silver he bought all these commodities that you have, with a purpose to have gone and sold tJiem to the junks of Siam, which are in the port of Comhay ; and wanting fresh water, it was his ill hap to come hither for to take in some, where you have robbed him of all that he hath, without any fear at all of the Divine justice. Whereupon Antonio de Faria bade him leave weeping, and making much OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 117 of Mm, promised to use him as Ms own son, and that he would alwayes account him so ; hereat smiling as it were in disdain, he answered. Think iwt (hough I am but a childe, that I am so foolish to believe, that having robbed my father, thou canst ever use me like thy son ; but if thou wilt do as tlwu sdyest, I beseech thee for the love of thy God suffer me to swim unto tliat sad land, where he remains that begot me, who indeed is my true father, withwhom Ihad rather dye where I see him lamenting, then live with such wicked people as you are. Then some of them that were present, reprehending and telling him that it was not well spoken. Would you know, replyed he, why I said so ? It teas because I saw you after you had filled your bellies, praise God with lifted up hands, and yet for all tlmt like hypo- crites never care for making restitiction of that you have stollen ; but be assured, that after death you sliall feel tlie rigorous clms- tisement of the Lord Almighty for so unjustly taking mens goods from them. Antonio de Fa/ria, admiring the childs speech, asked him whether he would become a Christian? Where- unto, earnestly beholding him, he answered, I understand not wliatyou say, iwr tliat you propounded ; declare it first unto me, and then you shall know my mind further. Then Antonio de Faria began to instruct him therein after the best manner he could, but the boy would not answer him a word ; only liftiag up his hands and eyes to heaven, he said, weeping, Blessed be Thy power, Lord, that permits such people to live on the earth, that speak so well of Thee, and yet so ill observe Thy law, as these blinded miscreants do, who think that robbing and preaching are things acceptable to Tliee. Having said so, he got him into a corner, and there remained weeping for three dayes together, without eating any thing that was presented unto him. Hereupon falling to consult whether it were the best course for us to hold from this place, either northward, or southward, much dispute arose thereabout, at length it was concluded that we would go to Liampoo, a port distant from thence northwards two hundred and threescore leagues; for we hoped that along this coast we might happen to incounter and seize on some other greater and more commodious vessel then that we had, which was too little for so long a voyage, in regard of the dangerous storms that are ordinarily caused by 118 TEE TEAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES the new moons on the coast of China, where dayly many ships are cast away. With this design we put to sea about sun-set, and BO went on this night with a south-west wind, and before day we discovered a little island, named Quintoo, where we surprized a fisher-boat fuU of fresh fish, of which we took as much as we had need of, as also 8. of 12. men that were in her for the sei-vice of our Lantea, by reason our own were so feeble as they were not able to hold out any longer. These 8. fishermen, being demanded what ports there were on this coast to Ghinclieo, where we thought we might meet with some ship of Malaca, answered, that about 18. leagues from thence there was a good river and a good rode called Xingrau, much frequented with junks, where we might be easily and throughly accommodated with all that we stand in need of ; that at the entring into it, there was a little village named Xamoy, inhabited with poor fishermen, and 3. leagues beyond that, the town where was great store of silks, musk, pource- lains, and many other sorts of commodities, which were transported into divers parts. Upon this advice we steered our course towards that river, where we arrived the nest day inimediately after dinner, and cast anchor just against it about a league in the sea, for fear lest our ill fortune should run us into the same mischief we were in before. The night follow- ing we took a Peroo of fishermen, of whom we demanded what junks there were in this river, and how they were man'd, with divers other questions proper for our design. Whereunto they answered, that at the town up the river there was not above 200. jimks, by reason the greatest part were akeady gone to Ainan, Sumbor, Lailoo, and other ports of GauchencTiiiia ; moreover, that we might ride in safety at Xamoy, and that there we might buy any thing we wanted. Whereupon we entred into the river, and anchored close to the village, where we continued the space of halt an hour, being much about midnight. But Antonio de Faria seeing that the Lantea wherein we sailed could not carry us to Liampod, where we purposed to lie aU the winter, he concluded by the advice of his company to fmTiish himself with a better vessel ; and although we were not then in case to enterprise any thing, yet necessity constrained vis to undertake nior§ then our forc§g 01' FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 119 would permit. Now there being at that instant a little junk riding at anchor fast by us alone, and no other near her, having but few men in her, and those asleep, Antonio de Faria thought he had a good opportunity to effect his purpose; wherefore leaving his anchor in the sea, he got up close to this junk, and -with 27. souldiers and 8. boyes boarded her on a sudden unespied, where finding 7. or 8. Chinese mariners fast asleep, he caused them to be taken, and bound hand and foot, threatning if they cryed out never so Httle to kill them all, which put them in such a fear, as they durst not so much as quetch. Then cutting her cables, he got bim straight into the river, and sayled away with all the speed he could. The next day we arrived at an island, named PiiUg Quirim, distant from Xamoy not above nine leagues ; there meeting with a favour- able gale within 3 dayes we went aud anchored at another island, called Luxitay, where in regard the ayr was wholsom, and the water good, we thought fit to stay some 15. days for the recovery of our sick men. In this place we visited the junk, but found no other commodity in her then rice, the greatest part whereof we cast into the sea, to make her the lighter and securer for oiu: voyager; then we unladed aU her furniture into the Lantea, and set her on ground for to caulk her, so that in doing thereof, and making our provision of water, we spent (as I said before) fifteen days in this island, by which time our-sick men fully recovered their health ; whereupon we departed for Liampoo, being given to understand, that many Portugals were come thither from Malaca, Sunda, Siam, and Patana, as they used ordinarily to do about that time for to winter there. We had sailed two days together along the coast of Lamau with a favourable wind, when it pleased God to make us encounter with a junk of Patana, that came from Lequio, which was commanded by a Chinese pyrat, named Quiay Panian, a great friend of the Portugal nation, and much addicted .to our fashions and manner of life, with bim there were thirty Portugals, choice and proper men, whom he kept in pay, and advantaged more then the rest with gifts and presents, so that they were aU very rich. This pyrat had no sooner discovered us but he resolved to attaqueus, thinking nothing less then that we were Portzigals, so that endeavouring to invest us, like an I'lO THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES old Bouldier that he was, and verst in the trade of pyrat, he got the wind of us ; that done, falhng down within a musket shot of us, he saluted us with 15. pieces of ordnance, wherewith we were much affrighted, because the most of them were faul- conets; but Antonio de Faria encouraging his men, Uke a valiant captain, and a good Christian, disposed them on the hatches in places most convenient, as well in the prow as the poop, reserving some to be afterwards fitted as need should- require. Being thus resolved to see the end of that which Fortune should present us, it pleased God that we descried a cross in our enemies flag, and on the fore-deck a number of red caps, which our men were wont to wear at sea in those times, whereby we were perswaded that they might be Portiigals that were going from Liampoo to Malaca ; whereupon we made them a sign to make our selves known to them, who no sooner perceived that we were Fortugals, but in token of joy they gave a great shout, and withal vailing their two top saUs in shew of obedience, they sent their long boat, called a balon, with 2. Fortugals in her, for to learn what we were, and from whence we came. At length having well observed and considered us, they approached with some more confidence to our junk ; and having saluted us, and we them, they came aboard her, where Antonio de Faria received them very courteously ; and for that they were known to some of our souldiers, they continued there a good while, during the which they reeoimted divers particu- lars unto us necessary for our design. That done, Antonio de Faria sent Ghristovano Borralho to accompany them back, and to visit Quiay Panian from him, as also to deUver him a letter full of complements, and many other offers of ■ friendship, wherewith this pyrat Panian was so contented and proud, that he seemed not to be himself (such was his vanity) and passing close by our junk, he took in all his sails ; then accompanied with 20. Portiigals, he came and visited Antonio de Faria with a goodly rich present, worth about two thousand ducates, as well in ambergreece and pearls, as jewels of gold and silver, Antonio de Faria, and the rest of us, received him with great demonstrations of love and honour. After this he and all his company were set, Antonio de Faria fell to discourse with them of divers things according t-o the time and occasion, and then OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 121 recited unto them his unhappy voyage, and the loss he had sustained ; and acquainting them with his determination to go unto Liampoo, for to re-inforce himself with men, and make provision of vessels with oars, to the end he might return again to pass oAce more into the Streight of Gaucheiicliina, and so get to the mynes of Quoaniaparu, where he had been told there were six large houses full of lingots of silver, besides a far greater quantity that was continually melted all along the river, and that without any peril one might be wonderfully enriched. Where- unto the pyrat Panian made this answer. For my own part, Signior Captain, I am not so rich as nnany think, tliough it is true I have been so heretofore ; but Imving been beaten with the same misfortune, which thou sayest has befallen thee, my riches have been taken from me. Now to return to Patana, where I have a wife and children, I dare not, by reason I am assured that tJie King will despoil me of all that I should bring thither, because I departed from thence without his permission, which he would make a inost hainous crime, to the end he might seize upon my estate, as he has done to others for far lesser occasions tlien that wherewith he may charge me. Wlierefore if thou canst be con- tented that I shall accompany thee in the voyage thou meatiest to undertake, with an hundred men that I have in my junk ; fifteen pieces of ordnance, thirty muskets, and fourty harquebuses, which these signiors, the Portugals that are with me do carry, I shall most willingly do it, upon condition that thou wilt impart unto me a third part of tliat which shall be gotten, and to that effect I desire thee to give vie an assurance under thy hand, as also to swear unto me by thy law to perform it accordingly. Antonio de Faria accepted of this offer very gladly, and after he had ren- dred bim many thanks for it, he swore unto him upon the holy evangeUsts fuUy and without all fail to eccomphsh what he required, and thereof likewise made him a promise under his ■ hand, to which divers of their company subscribed their names as witnesses. This accord past between them, they went both together into a river, called Anay, some 5. leagues from thence, where they furnished themselves with all that they stood in need of, by means of a present of an hundred dueates, which they gave to the Mandarin, captain of the town. 122 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES CHAPTEE XVIII. Our encounter at sea with a little fisher-boat, wherein were eight Poriugals very sore hurt ; and Antonio de Faria's meeting and fighting with Coia Acem the pyrat. BEING parted from this river of Anay, and -weU provided of all things necessary for the voyage we had undertaken, Antonio de Faria resolved by the ad%ice and councel of Quiay Panian, vrhom he much respected, to go and anchor in the port of Ghincheo, there to be informed by such Portugals as were come from Sunda, Malaca, Timor, and Patana, of certain matters requisite for his design, and whether they had any news from Liampoo, in regard the report went in the country, that the King of China had sent thither a fleet of 400. junks, wherein there were an hundred thousand men, for to take the Portugals that resided there, and to burn their houses, for that he would not endui^e them to be any longer in his dominions, because he had been lately advertised, that they were not a people so faithful and peaceable as he had been formerly given to understand. Arriving then in the port of Ghincheo, we found five Portugal ships, that were come thither about a month before, from the places above mentioned. These ships received us with great joy, and after they had given us inteUi- genoe of the country, trafiBque, and tranquility of the ports, they told us they had no other news from Liampoo, but that it was said a great number of Portugals were come thither from many parts to winter there ; and how that great army, which we so much feared, was not thereabout ; but that it was sus- pected to be gone for the islands of Goto, to the succour of Sucan de Pontir, from whom the bruit went a brother-in-law of his had taken his kingdom, and that in regard Sucan had lately made himself subject to the King of China, and his tributary for an hundred thousand Taeis by the year, he had in compensation thereof given him this great army of 400. junks, vnth the forces aforesaid, for to restore him to his crown and signiories, whereof he had been despoyled. Being very glad of this news, after we had remained in this port of Ghin- cheo the space of 9. days, we departed from thence for Liampoo, OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 123 taking along with us five and thirty souldiers more out of the five ships we found there, to whom Antonio de Faria gave very good pay ; and after we had sailed five days with a contrary wind, coasting from one side to another, without advancing any whit at all, it happened that one night about the first watch, we met with a little fisher-boat, or Paroo, wherein there were eight Portugals, very sore hurt, two of the which were named Mem Taborda, and Antonio Anriques, men of honour, and very much renowned in those quart-ers, the cause why in particular I name them. These and the other sis were in such a pitiful estate, and so hideous to see to, as they moved every one to compassion. This Paroo coming close to Antonio de Faria, he caused them to he taken up into his junk, where they presently cast themselves at his feet, from whence he raised them up, weeping for pity to behold them so naked, and all bathed in their own blood with the wounds they had received, and then demanded of them the occasion of their misfortune : whereunto one of the two made answer, that about 17 days before they set sail from Lianvpoo for Malaca, and that being advanced as far as the Isle of Swnibor, they had been set upon by a pyrat, a Guzarat by nation, called Goia Acem, who had three junks, and four Lanteaas, wherein were fifteen hundred men, namely an hundred and fifty Mahometans, the rest Luzzons, Jaoas, and Ghampaas, people of the other side of Malaya, and that after they had fought with them from one to foiu: in the afternoon, they had been taken with the death of fourscore and two men, whereof 18. were Portugals, and as many made slaves ; and that in their junk, what of his and of others, there was lost in merchandize above an hundred thousand Taeis. Antonio de Faria remaining a good while pensive at that which these men related unto him, at length said unto them ; I pray tell me how was it possible for you" to escape more than the rest, the fight passing as you deUver ? After we had been fought withal about an hour and an half, the three great junks boarded us five {imes, and with tlie force of their shot they so tore the prow of our vessel, that we were ready to sink ; wherefore to keep out the water, and lighten our ship, we were constrained to cast the most part of our goods into the sea; and whil'st oiir rnen were laboring to do so, our eiiernies laved so 124 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES close at its, as every one was fain to leave that he was about, for to defend himselfe on tlie hatches. But whil'st we were thtis troubled, most of our conipany being hurt, and inany slain, it pleased God tJiat one of tlie enemies junks came to be so furiomly fired, as it caught hold likewise of anotlier that was fastned unto it, which made the pyrats souldiers leave the fight for to go and save their vessels ; yet that they could not do so speedily, hut that one of tliem was burnt down even to tlie very water, so tliat they of the junh were compelled to leap into the sea to save themselves from burning, wJiere most of them were droivned. In tlie mean time we made shift to get our junh close to a stoch of piles, which fishermen had planted tliere against a roclc, hard by the mouth of the river, where at this present is the temple of tlie Siams ; but the dog Coia Acem was instantly with us, and liaving fast grapled us, he leapt into our vessel, being followed by a great number of Mahometans, all armed with coats of mail, and huff jerkins, who straight way killed above an hundred and fifty of ours, wliereof eighteen were Portugals ; which we iw sooner per- ceived, hit all wounded as we were, and spoyled with the fire, as you see, we sought for some way to save our selves, and to tliat end we sped us into a Manchua, that was fastned to the stem of our junh ; wlierein it pleased God that fifteen of us escaped, whereof two dyed yesterday ; and of the thirteen that remain yet miraculously alive, there are eight Portugals, and five servants. In this sort we got us with all speed between this pallisado and the land amongst the rocks, the better to preserve us from being hoarded by their junk, but they were otherwise employed in seek- ing to save the men of their burnt vessel ; and afterwards they entered into our junk, wliere they were so carried away with the bootie, as they never thought of pursuing us ; so that the sun being almost set, and tliey wonderful glad of tlieir victorie over MS, they retired into the river with great acclamations. Antonio de Faria, very joyful of this news, though he was sad again on the other side, for the bad success of those that had made him this relation, rendred thanks unto God for that he had found his enemy, it being a matter so much desired of him and his. Certainly, said he unto them then, by your report they must needs be now in great disorder, and much spoyled in the river where they are ; for I am perfwaded that neitlier your junk, OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 125 nor that of theirs, which was fastned to the burnt one, can do them any longer service, and that in the great junk which assaulted you, it is not possible but that you have hurt and killed a good many. Whereunto they answered, that without doubt they had kiUed and hurt a great number. Then Antonio de Faria, putting off his cap, fell down on his knees, and with his hands and eyes lifted up to heaven, he said weeping, Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Saviour, even as thou art the true hope of those tlmt put tlieir tnist in thee ; I, that am the greatest sinner of all men, do most humbly beseech thee, in tlie name of thy servants that are liere present, wJwse souls thou hast bought with Thy precious blood, that Tlwu wilt give us strength and victoi'y against this cruel enemy, the murtherer of so many Portugals, whom with Thy favour and aid, and for the Iwtwur of Thy holy name, I have resolved to seek out, as hitherto I liave done, to the end he may pay to Thy souldiers and faithful ser- vants what he liath so long owed them. Whereunto aU that were by answered with one cry, To them, to them, in the name of Jesus Christ, that this dog may now render us tliat, which for so long together lie hath taken, as well from us, as from our poor miserable companions. Hereupon with marvellous ardor and great acclamations, we set sail for the port of Lailoo, which we had left eight leagues behind us, whither by the advice of some of his company Antonio de Faria went to furnish himself vyith all that was necessary for the fight he hoped to make with the pyrat, in the quest of whom (as I have already dehvered) he had spent so much time, and yet could never tiU then hear any news of him in all the ports and places where he had been. The next morning we arrived at the port of Lailoo, where Quiay Panian had much kindred and many friends, so that he wanted no credit in that place ; wherefore he intreated the Mandarin (who is the captain of the town) to perroit us to buy for our mony such things as we stood in need of, which he instantly 'granted, as well for fear lest some displeasure might be done him, as for the sum of 1000 duckets, presented unto him b^ Antonio de Faria, wherewith he rested very well satis- fied. Hereupon some of our company went ashore, who with aU diligence bought whatsoever we wanted, as saltpeter, and 126 tHE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES sulphur to make powder, lead, bullets, victual, cordage, oyl, pitch, rosin, ockam, timber, planks, arms, darts, staves hardened in the fire, masts, sails, sail-yards, targets, flints, pullies, and anchors ; that done, we took in fresh water, and furnished our vessels with mariners. Now although that this place contained not above three or four hundred houses, yet was there both there, and in the vUlages adjoyning, such a quantity of the aforesaid things, that in truth it were hard to express it ; for China is excellent in this, that it may vaunt to be the coimtry in the world most abounding in all things that may be desired. Besides for that Antonio de Faria was ex- ceeding liberal, in regard he spent out of the general booty, before the partitions were made, he paid for all that he bought at the price the sellers would set, by means whereof he had more brought him by far then he had use for; so that within 13 dayes he went out of this port wonderfully well accommo- dated, with two other new great junks, which he had exchanged for two Uttle ones that he had, and 2 Lanteaas with oars, as also 160 mariners, both for rowing, and for governing the sails. After all these preparations were made, and we ready to weigh anchor, a general muster was taken of all that were in our army, which in number was found to be 500 persons, as well for fight, as for the service and navigation of our vessels, amongst whom were fourscore and fifteen Portugals,jamig and resolute, the rest were boys, and mariners, and men of the other coast, which Quia Panian kept in pay, and were well practised to sea-fight, as they that had been five years pyrats. JVToreover, we iiad 160 harquebuses, forty pieces of brass ord- nance, whereof twenty were field-pieces, that carried stone- buUets, threescore quintals of powder ; namely, fifty-four for the great ordnance, and six for the harquebuses, besides what the harquebusiers had already delivered to them, nine hundred pots of artificial fire, whereof four hundred were of powder, and five hundred of unslaked lime after the Chinese manner, a great number of stones, arrows, half -pikes, four thousand small javelings, store of hatchets to serve at boarding, six boats full of fiints, wherewith the sailors fought; twelve cramp-irons with their hooks fastned to great iron chains for to grapple vessels together, and many sorts -of fire-works, which an OF FMBDINAND MENBBZ PINTO. 127 engineer of the Levant made for us. With all this equipage we departed from this port of Lailoo, and within 3 days after it pleased God that we arrived at the fishing place, where Coia Acem took the Portugals junk. There as soon as it was night, Antonio de Faria sent spies into the river, for to learn where- abouts he was, we took a Paroo, with six fishermen in her, that gave us to understand how this pirat was some 2 leagues from thence in a river called Tinlau, and that he was accommodating the junk he had taken from the Portugals, for to go in her, with two others that he had, unto Siam, where he was born, and that he was to depart within 2 days. Upon this news . Antonio de Faria called some of his company to councel, where it was concluded that first of all the places and forces of our enemy was to be visited and seen, because in a matter of so much hazard, it was not safe to run as it were blindfold, unto it, but to advise on it well beforehand ; and that upon the cer- tainty of that which should be known, such resolution might afterwards be taken, as should seem good to all ; then drawing the fishermen out of the Paroo, he put some of Quiay Panians mariners into her, and sending heir away only with the two of those fishermen, keeping the rest as hostages, he committed the charge of her to a valiant souldier, named Vinoentio Morosa, attired after the Chinese fashion, for fear of discovery ; who arriving at the place where the enemy rode, made shew of fishing, as others did ; and by that means espied all that he came for, whereupon returning, he gave an account of what he had seen, and assured us that the enemies were so weak, as upon boarding of them they might easily be taken. Antonio d!e i^arw caused the most experienced men of his company to be assembled, to advise thereon, and that in Quiay Panians junk, to honour him the more, as also to maintain his friendship, which he much esteem'd. At this meeting it was resolved, that as soon as it was night, they should go and anchor at the mouth of the river where the enemy lay, for to set upon him the next morning before day. This agreed unto by all, Antonio de Faria set down what order and course should be held at the entring into the river, and how the enemy should be assaulted: then divi^ng his men, he placed thirty Portugals in Quiay Panians junk, such as he pleased to choose, because he would 128 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTVBES be sure to give him no distaste; likewise he disposed six Portugals into each of the Lanteaas, and into Ghiistovano Borralho's junk twenty ; the rest of the Portugals, being 33. he retained with himself, besides slaves and divers Christians, all vahant and trusty men. Thus accommodated and ordered for the execution of his enterprize, he set sail towards the river of Tinlau, where he arrived about sun-set; and there keeping good watch he past the night tiU three of the clock in the morning, at which time he made to the enemy, who rode some half a league up in the river. It pleased God that the sea was calm, and the wind so favourable, as our fleet sailLag up the river, arrived in less than an hom- close to the enemy, unperceived of any ; but because they were thieves, and feared the people of the country, in regard of the great mischiefs and robberies which they dayly committed, they stood so upon their guard, and so good watch, that as soon as they discerned us, in all haste they rung an alarum with a bell, the sound whereof caused such a rumor and disorder, as well amongst them that were ashore, as those aboard, that one could hardly hear one anoj;her, by reason of the great noise they made. Whereupon Antonio de Faria, seeing we were discovered, cried out to his company. To them, my masters, to them in the name of God, "before they he succoured by their Lorches ; wherewith discharging all his ordnance, it pleased heaven, that the shot light to such purpose, as it over- threw and tore in pieces the most part of the vahantest that then, were mounted and appeared on the deck even right as we could have wished. In the neck hereof our harquebusiers, which might be some hundred and threescore, failed not to shoot upon the signal that had formerly been ordained for it, so that the hatches of the junk were cleared of all those that were upon them, and that with such a slaughter, as not an enemy durst appear there afterwards ; at which very instant our two junks boarded their two in the case they were in, where the fight grew so hot on either side, as I confess I am not able to relate in particular, what passed therein, though I was present at it ; for when it began it was scarce day. Now that which rendred the conflict betwixt us and oup enemies most dreadful was the noise of drums, basins and bells, aecom- OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 129 panied with the report of the great ordnance, wherewith the valleys and rooks thereabouts resounded again. This fight continuing in this manner some quarter of an hour, their Larches and Lanteas came forth from the shore to assist them with fresh men, which one named Diego Meyrelez, in Qida/y Panians junk, perceiving, and that a gunner employed not his shot to any purpose, in regard he was so beside himself with fear, that he knew not what he did, as he was ready to give fire to a piece, he thrust him away so rudely, as he threw him down into the scuttle, saying to him, Away villain, thou canst 'do nothing, this business belongs to men, such as I am, not to thee : whereupon pointing the gun with its wedges of level, as he knew very well how to do, he gave fire to the piece which was charged with bullets and stones, and hitting the Lorch that came foremost, carried away the upper part of her from poup to prow, so that she presently sank, and all that were in her, not a man saved. The shot then having past so through the first Lorch, fell on the hatches of another Lorch that came a little behind, and killed the captain of her, with six or seven more that were by him, wherewith the two other Larches were so terrified, that going about to fly back to land, they fell foul one of another, so as they could not clear themselves, but remained entangled together, and not able to go forward or backward, which perceived by the captains of our two Larches, called Gaspa/ro d'Oliveyra, and Vincentio Jlforosa, they presently set upon them, casting a great many artificial pots into them, wherewith they were so fired, that they burnt down to the very water, which made the most of those that were in them to leap into the sea, where our men killed them all with their pikes, so that in those three Larches alone, there dyed above two hundred persons ; and in the other, whereof the captain was slain, there was not one escaped, for Quiay Panian pur- sued them in a Champana, which was the boat of his junk, and dispatched most of them as they were getting to land, the rest were aU battered against the rocks that were by the shore : which the enemies in the junks perceiving, being some hundred and fifty Mahometans, Luzzans, Borneos, and Jaos, they began to be so discouraged, that many of them threw themselves ■ into the sea ; whereupon th.e dog Coia Acem, who yet was not 10 130 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES known, ran to this disorder, for to animate his men. He had on a coat of mail lined with crimson sattin, edged with gold fringe, that had formerly belonged to some Portugal; and crying out with a loud voyce, that every one might hear him, he said 3 times, Lah hilah, hilah la Mahumed rocol halah, Massulmem, and true believers in the holy law of Mahomet, will you suffer your selves to be vanquished by such feeble slaves as these Christian dogs, who have no more heart then white pullets, or bearded women ? To them, to tJiem, for we are assured by the Book of Flowers, wherein tlie Prophet Nohy doth promise eternal delights to the Daroezes of the Jiouse o/Meequa, that he will keep his word both with you and me ; pro- vided, that we batJie our selves in the blood of these dogs witlwut law. With these cursed words the devil so incouraged them, that rallying all iuto one body, they reinforced the fight, and so valiantly made head against us, as it was a dreadful thing to see how desperately they ran amongst our weapons. In the mean time Antonio de Faria thus exhorted his men : Courage valiant Christians, and whitest these wicked miscreants fortifle themselves in their devilish sect, let us trust in our Lord Jesus Christ nailed on the Cross for us, who mil iiever forsake us, how great sinners soever we be ; for after all we are His, which these dogs here are not. With this fervour and zeal of faith flying upon Coia Acem, to whom he had most spleen, he discharged so great a blow on his head with a two-handed sword, that cutting through a cap of mail he wore, he laid him at his feet, then redoubling with another reverse stroke he lamed him of both his legs, as he could not rise, which his followers behold- ing, they gave a mighty cry, and assaulted Antonio de Faria with such fury and hardiness, as they made no reckning of a many of Portugals, by whom they were invironed, but gave him divers blows that had almost overthrown him to the ground. Our men seeing this ran presently to his aid, and behaved themselves so well, that in half a quarter of an hour fourty eight of our enemies, lay slaughtered on the dead- body of Coia Acem, and but fourteen of ours, whereof there were not above five Portugals, the rest were servants and slaves, good and faithful Christians. The remainder of them, beginning to faint, retired in disorder towards the foredeck, with an intent OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 131 to fortifie themselves there, for prevention whereof 20 souldiers of thirty that -were in Quiay Panians junk, ran instantly and got before them ; so that ere they could render themselves masters of what they pretended unto, they were inforced to leap into the sea, where they fell one upon another, and were by our men quite made an end of, so that of all their number they remained but only five, whom they took aUve, and cast into the hold bound hand and foot, to the end they might afterwards be forced by torments to confess certain matters that should be demanded of them ; but they fairly tore out one anothers throats with their teeth, for fear of the death they expected, which yet could not keep them from being dismem- bred by our servants, and after thrown into the sea, in the company of the dog; Goia Acem their captain, great Cocts of the King of Bintan, the Shedder and Drinker of the blood of Portugals ; titles which he ordinarily gave himself in his letters, and which he pubhshed openly to all MaJwmetans, by reason whereof, and for the superstition of his cursed sect, he was greatly honoured by them. CHAPTEE Xrs. What Antonio de Faria did after his victory. THIS bloody battel finished with the honoxir of the victory, before mentioned, in the description whereof I have not used many words ; for if I should imdertake to recount the particulars of it, and set forth aU that was performed by ours, as also the valour wherewith the enemies defended themselves, besides that I am not able to do it, I should then be forced to make a far larger discourse, and more ample history then this is : but it being my intention to declare things en passant, I have laboured to speak succinctly in divers place, where possibly better wits then mine would amplifie matters in a more accom- plished manner ; and this is the reason that I have now deUyered nothing but what was needful to be written. Eeturning then to my former discourse, I say, that the first thing Antonio de 132 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES Faria did after this victory was to see his hurt men looked unto, whereof there were about fourscore and twelve, the most part Portugals, our servants being included ; as for the number of the dead there were on our side forty two, amongst which eight were Porhigals, "the loss of whom afflicted Antonio de Faria more then aU the rest, and of the enemies three hundred and twenty, whereof an hundred and fifty fell by fire and sword, the remainder were drowned. Now albeit this victory brought a great deal of content to us all, yet were there many tears shed, both in general and particular for the slaughter of our companions, the most part of whose heads were cleft asunder with the enemies hatchets. After this Antonio de Faria, notwithstanding he was hurt in two or three places, went presently ashoar with those that were in case to accom- pany him, where the first thing he did was to give order for the bm'ial of the dead; thereupon he surrounded the island for to see what he could discover. Compassing of it then in this sort he lighted upon a very pleasant valley, wherein were many gardens, replenished with sundry kinds of fruits ; there also was a village of about forty or fifty very low houses, which the infamous Coia Acem had sacked, and in them slain many of the inhabitants, that had not the means to escape his hands. Further, In the said valley, and by a deUcate river of fresh water, wherein were a number of mullets and trouts, he met with a very fair house, which seemed to be i^ePagode of the village, that was full of sick and hurt persons, whom Coia Acem had put there to be cmred ; amongst these were ■ divers Malwmetans of his kindred, and others of his best souldiers, to the number of ninety six, who as soon as they perceived Antonio de Faria afar off cried out to him for mercy and for- giveness, but he would by no means hearken unto them, alledging that he could not spare those that had killed so many Christians ; saying so, he caused the house to be fired in six or seven places, which in regard it was of wood, bepitched, and covered with dry pahn-tree leaves, burned in such sort as it was dreadful to behold; in the mean time it would have moved any man to pity, to hear the lamentable cries made by ' these wretches within, and to see them cast themselves head- long out of the windows, where our men provoked with a OF FMRMNAND MENDEZ PINTO. 133 desire for revenge, received them upon their pikes and halberds. This cruelty performed, Antonio de Fwria returned to the sea side, where the junk lay that Goia Acem had taken a month before from the Portugals of Liampoo, and caused it to be lanched into the sea, having been formerly repaired and caulked, vyhich being done, and he aboard again, he restored it to Mem Tabordo, and Antonio Anriques, to whom it belonged, as I have already declared. [Antonio de Faria departs from the river of TinUm, is ship- wrecked 071 the point of Micuy, and loses his treasure-laden junk, omtttelir.] CHAPTBE XX. Antonio de Faria hatli news of the five Portugals that were made captives ; his letter to the Mandarin of Nouday about them; and his assaulting the said town. AFTBE this furious tempest was wholly asswaged, Antonio de Faria incontinently imbarked himself in the other great junk, that he had taken from Goia Acem, whereof Pedro de Silva was captain, and setting sail, he departed with' the rest of his company, which consisted of 3. junks, and 1. Lorch or Lantea, as the Ghineses term them. The first thing he did then, was to go and anchor m the haven of Nouday, to the end, he might learnr some news of the 13. captives that were carried thither ; being arrived there about night he sent two small barques, called Baloes, well man'd, to spy the port, and sound the depth of the river ; as also to observe the scituation of the country, and to learn by sunrise what ships were riding there ; together with divers other matters answerable to his design; for which effect he commanded the mariners to endeavour all they could for to surprize some of the inhabitants of the town, that by them he might be truly informed what was become of the Portugals, by reason he was afraid they were already carried further up into the country. These Baloes went away about two hours after midnight, and arrived at a little village seated at the mouth of the river on a little stream 134 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAQES, AND ADVENTURES of water, called NipapTiau : there it pleased God that they behaved themselves so well, as they returned before day aboard our junk, bringing along with them a barque laded with earthen vessels, and sugar canes, which they had found lying at anchor in the midst of the river : in this barque there were eight men, and two women, together with a little child some 6. or 7. years old, who seeing themselves thus in our power, became so trans- ported with the fear of death, that they were in a manner besides themselves; which jl?iio7wo(iei''ana perceiving laboured all he could to comfort them, and began to speak them very fair ; but to all his questions he could draw no other answer from them then these words following. Do not Mil us witlwut cause, for God will require an account of our blood from you, because we are poor folks, and saying thus, they wept and trembled in such sort, as they could scarce pronounce a word; whereupon Antonio de Faria, pitjang their misery and sim- plicity, would importune them no further : howbeit, the better to compass bis intent, he intreated a Chinese woman, that was a Christian, and came along with the pilot, to make much of them, and to assure them they should have no hurt, to the end, that being more confirmed by this means they might answer to that should be demanded of them: wherein the Chinese so well acquitted her self, and made them so tractable, as about an hour after they told her, that if the captain would let them freely return in their boat to the place from whence they were taken, they would willingly confess all that either they had heard or seen. Antonio de Faria having promised them to do so, and that with many words and protestations, one amongst them, that was ancienter, and that seemed to be of more authority then the rest, addressing himself to him : Truly, said he, I do not rely much on thy words, because tJmt by amiMfying of tk&n in sioch tnanner thou iiiahest me afraid, that the effect will not be conformable to thy sjjeech : lolierefore I beseech thee to swear unto me by this element that bears thee, tlmt tlwu wilt not fail to perform that which tlwu hast promised unto me : for otlierwise perjuring thy self, be assured that the Lord, whose liand is Almighty, will be incensed agairist tliee with suxih indignation, as tlie winds from above, and the seas from below, will never cease to oppose thy desires during thy voyages ; for I vow unto tliee by OF FERDINAND MBNDB2 PINTO. ISS the beauty of tliese stars, that lying is no less odious and ahomin- dhle in the sight of that Sovereign Lord, than tlie pride of tlwse judges on earth, that with scorn and contempt do answer those which demand justice of them. Antonio de Faria obliging him- self by oath, as the old man required, to perform his word, the Chinese said he was satisfied,and then he continued in this sort : About two dayes since I saw tlwse men wlwm thou cnquir est after, laid in prison at Nouday, with great irons on their legs, because it was believed they were notorious thieves, that made trade of robbing such as tliey met upon tJie seas. This relation very much inraged and disquieted Antonio de Faria, who was per- swaded that it might well be as the old man delivered; so that desiring to take some course for their dehverance as soon as might be, he sent them a letter by one of the CMfieses, re- taining all the rest in hostage for him, who departed the next morning by break of day ; and because it much imported the Ghineses to be deUvered out of captivity, he that carried the letter, and that was husband to one of the two women, which had been taken in the boat of earthen vessels, and were now aboard in our junk,made such speed,tliathe returned about noon, with an answer endorsed on the letter we sent,and signed by all the five Portugals ; thereby they gave Antonio de Faria to under- stand, that they were cruelly detained in prison, out of which they did not think they should ever get, imless it were to go to execution ; and therefore they besought him for the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would not suffer them to perish there for want of succour, according as he had promised them in their setting forth in that voyage ; and the rather in regard it was only for his sake that they were reduced to that miser- able estate ; hereunto they added many other very pitiful intreaties as might well come from such poor wretches that were captives under the tyranny of such fell and cruel people, as the Ghineses were. Antonio de Faria, having received this letter, read it in the presence of all his company, of whom he asked counsel thereupon ; but as they were many, so were their opinions many and different, which was the occasion of much contention amongst them; whereby perceiving" that nothing would be concluded concerning this affair, he said to them as it were in choler ; My masters and friends, I have 136 THE TSAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES promised to God by a solemn oath that I have taken, never to part from hence, till by some means or other I have recovered these poor souldiers, my companions, though I should therefore venture my life a tlunisand times, yea and all my estate, which I mahe little reckoning of in regard of them. Wherefore my masters, I earnestly desire you, that no man go about to oppose this resolu- tion of mine, upon the execution whereof mine honour wholly depends, for whosoever shall contrary me therein, I must take him for mine enemy, as one that would seek the prejudice of my soul. To this speech all made answer, that he was in the right, and for the discharge of his conscience nothing should stay him from performing the same ; adding, moreover, that aU of them would stand to him in that behalf to the death. The captain hereupon giving them many thanks, and with tears in his eyes, and his hat in his hand, imbracing them, pro- tested that he would when time should serve acknowledge this good- win of theirs in such real manner as it deserved, where- vfith. they all remained very well satisfied. This resolution being taken, they fell to councel concerning the carriage of this affair, whereupon they concluded to treat with the Mandarin in a gentle manner, and for that end to send unto him to demand these prisoners, with promise to give him for their ransom whatsoever should be thought reasonable, and that according to his answer such further courses should be taken therein as should seem requisite. A petition then was presently drawn, answerable to the form that was usually presented to the judges, which Antonio de Faria sent to the Mandarin by 2. of the chief est of the Ghiiieses he had taken, who also carried him a present worth 200. ducates, whereby he hoped to induce him to restore the poor prisoners ; but it fell out far otherwise then he expected : for as soon as the Ghineses had deUvered the petition and the present, they returned the next day with an answer written on the back of the petition, the tenor whereof was this ; Let thy inouth come and present it self at my feet, and after I have heard thee, I will do tJiee justice. Antonio de Faria seeing what high words the Matidarin gave, was exceedingly troubled, because he well perceiv'd by this beginning that' he should have much ado to deKver his companions: wherefore having communicated this affair in OF FEBDlNANb MENDEZ PINTO. 137 particular to some few, whom for that end he had called imto him, they were of several opinions ; nevertheless after good deliberation, it was at length concluded to send another mes- senger, that should more effectually demand the prisoners of him, and for their ransom offer the sum of 2000. Taeis in lingots of silver and commodities, declaring unto him, that h& would not part from that place till he had retum'd them ; for he made account that it might be this resolution would oblige him to do that which he had refused him another way, or that he would be carried to it by the consideration of his own gain and interest. So the 2. Ghineses went again the second time with a letter seal'd up, as from one person to another, without any kind of ceremony or complement which these Gentiles so much use amongst themselves ; and this Antonio de Faria did of purpose, to the end, that by the sharpness of this letter the Maiidarin might know he was displeased, and resolved to execute what he had written. But before I proceed any further, I wUl only relate the two main points of the contents of the letter, which were the cause of the utter ruine of this business. The first was, when Antonio de Faria said, that he was a merchant stranger, Portv-gal by nation, that was going by way of traffique towards the port of Liampoo, where there were also many other merchants strangers like himself, who duly paid the usual customs, without committing any manner of iU, or injustice. The second point was, where he said, that the king of Portugal his master was allyed in a brotherly amity with the king of China, by reason whereof they traded in his country, as the Ghineses used to do at Malaca, where they were entertained with all favour and justice duly ministred unto them. Now though both these points were distasteful to the Mandarin, yet the last wherein he mentioned the king of Portiujal to be brother to the king of China, was that which put him so out of patience, that without any regard at all he commanded them that brought the letter, not only to be crueUy scourged, but to have their noses cut off, and in that pickle he sent them back to Antonio de jPana,.vrith an answer VTritten on a scurvie piece of torn paper; where these words were written : StinTcing Carrion, begotten of vile flies in the filthiest sink that ever was in any dungeon of a hthsome jprison, what 138 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES ]iath made thy baseness so bold, as that thou darest undertake to meddle with Heavenly things ? Having caused thy petition to be read, whereby like a Lord, as I am, thou prayest me to Imve pity on thee, which art bid a poor wretch, my greatness, out of its getierosity, was even deigning to accept of tJiat little thou pre- sentedst vie witlial, and was also inclining to grant thy request, wlien as my ears were touched with tlie horrible blasphemy of thy arrogance, which made tliee term thy King brother to the Son of the Sun, the Lion crowned by an incredible power in the throne of the world, under whose feet all the diadems of those that govern the Universe are subjected, nay all scepters do serve but as latchefs to his most rich sandals, as tlie writers of the golden temple do certifie under the Law of their Verities, and that through the ivhole habitable earth. Know tlien, that for the great heresie thou hast uttered, I liave caused thy paper to be burnt, thereby representing tlie vile effigies of thy person, ivhich I desire to use in like maniier for tlie enormous crime tJwu hast committed : wherefore I command tliee to be speedily pack- ing, that the river which bears thee may not be accursed. So soon as the interpreter had read the letter, and expounded the contents thereof; all that iieard it were much vexed therewith, but no man was so sensible of it as Antonio de Faria, who was exceedingly grieved to see himseK thus wholly deprived of all hope of recovering his prisoners ; wherefore after they had well considered the insolent words of the Mandarins letter, and his great discourtesie, they in the end concluded to go ashoar, and attaqiie the town, in hope that God would assist them, seeing their intentions were good ; for this effect they instantly pre- pared vessels to land with, which were the four fishermens great barques that they had taken the night before : where- upon taking a muster of the forces he could make for this enterprize, he found the number to be 300. whereof 40. were Portugals, the rest were slaves and mariners, besides Quiay Panians men, amongst whom were an hundred and threescore harquebusiers, the other .were armed with pikes and lances ; he had also some pieces of ordnance, and other things necessary for his design.^ The next morning a little before day, Antonio de Faria sailed up the river with three junks, the Larches, and four barques he OF FEBDINAND MENBFZ PINTO. 139 had taken, and so went and anchored at six fathom and an half of water close by the walls of the town ; then causing the sails to be taken down without any noise, or discharge of ordnance, he displayed the banner of trade according to the fashion of China, to the end that by this demonstration of peace, no complement should rest unperformed, although he was persuaded that nothing would prevail with the Mandarin : hereupon he sent another messenger unto him, never making shew that he had received any ill usage from him, by whom with a great deal of complement he demanded the prisoners, and offered him a round sum of mony for their ransom, with a promise of j)erpetual correspondence and amity ; but so far was this dog the Mandarin from hearkning thereunto, that con- trariwise he made the poor Chinese, that carried the letter, to be hewed in pieces, and so shewed him from the toxs of the wall to the whole fleet, the more to despight us. This tragical act wholly deprived Antonio de Faria of that little hope which some had given him for the deUverance of the prisoners ; here- upon the soldiers, being more incensed then before, said unto him, that since he had resolved to land, he should no longer defer it, because further delay would but give his enemies leisure to gather more strength. This counsel seeming good to him, he presently imbarqued with them he had chosen for the action, having first given .order to shoot continually at the town, and the enemy, wheresoever they perceivd any store of people assembled ; howbeit, with this caution, to forbear till they saw them together by the ears with them. Having landed them about a faulcon shot below the rode, he marched without any let along the shoars side directly to the town : in the mean time a number of people appeared upon the walls, with divers ensigns of different colours, where these barbarians made a mighty noise, with fifes, drums, and bells, and withal hooting at us, made us signs with their caps to approach, thereby intima- ting the little reckning they made of us. Now by that time we were come within a musket shot of the walls, we discerned 1000. or 1200. men, as we guessed, sally out at 2. several gates, of which some 120. were mounted on horses, or to say better, on . lean carrion tits that were nothing but skin and bone, wherewith they began to course up and down the field in a 140 TBE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AlTD ADVENTUBES skirmisliiug manner, wherein they shewed themselves so un- toward, as they often ran one upon another, and tumbled down together ; which when Antonio de Faria saw he was exceeding glad, and encouraged his men to fight. He stood firm attend- ing the enemy, who continued still wheeling about us, being perswaded it seems, that that would suffice to skare us, and make us retire to our vessels ; but when they perceived us remain unmoved, without tiuning our backs, as they believed, and as it may be, they desired we would do, they closed themselves into one body, and so in a very iU order they made a stand without advancing on. But then our captain, seeing them in this posture, caused all his musketeers to discharge at one instant, who tiU that time had not stirred, which such effect, as it pleased God that the most part of this goodly cavalry fell to the ground with fear ; we taking this for a good presage ran and lustily pursued them, invoking the name of Jesus, whose good pleasure it was, through His Divine mercy, to make our enemies flye before us so amazed, and in such disorder, as they tumbled peU-meU one upon another, in which manner arriving at a bridge that crost the town ditch, they were so pestered together, as they could neither go forward nor backward : in the mean time our forces coming up to them, discharged their shot to such purpose amongst them, that we laid three hun- dred of them on the earth, which in truth was a pitiful sight to behold, because there was not one of them that had the heart so much as to draw a sword : whereupon hotly pursuing the first point of this victory, we ran to the gate, where we found the 'Mandarin in the front of six hundred nien, mounted upon a good horse, having on a cuirass lined with purple velvet, which had belonged, as we knew afterwards to a Portugal, named Tome Perez, whom King Don Emamiel, of glorious memory had sent as Ambassadour to China, in Fernando Perez, his ship, at such time as Lopo Euarez d' Alhergaria governed the Indies. At the entrance into the gate, the Mandarin and his people made head against us, so that there was a shrewd bickering between us, this enemy shewing another manner of courage then we had met with on the bridge-; but by good hap it fortuned that one of our servants, hit the Mandarin just in the breast with an harquebuss shot, and overthrew him dead OF FERDINAND MENDFZ PINTO. 141 from his horse, wherewith all the Ghinesses were so terrified, as they presently turned their backs, and in great disorder retired within the gate, not one of them having the wit to shut it after them, so that we chased them before us with our lances, as if they had been a drove of cattel. In this sort they fled pell mell together quite through a great street, and issued out at another gate, which was on the lands, from whence they got all away, not so much as one remaining behinde. Thereupon Antonio de Faria, assembling his men into one body, for fear of some disorder, marched with them directly to the prison where our companions lay, who seeing us coming, gave a great cry ; saying. Lord Imve mercy ujion us ; straightway the doors and iron-grates were broken up, and our poor fellows irons knocked off their legs ; which being done, and they set at liberty, all our company had leave to make what purchase they could, to the end that without speaking afterwards of partition, every one might be master of what he had gotten. Howbeit Antonio de Faria desired them to per- form it suddenly, and therefore he gave them but half an hours time for it ; whereunto they all condescended very wilHngly, and so fell to ransaking the houses. In the meen space Antonio de Faria went to that of the Mandarin, which he took for his part, where he met with eight thousand Taeis in silver, together with eight great vessels fuU of musk, and that he caused to be reserved for himself ; the rest he left to the servants that were with him, who moreover found there a great deal of raw sOk, sattin, damask, and fine pourcelain, whereof every one took as much as he could carry ; so as the four barques, and the three champanaes, that brought our men on shore, were four several times laden and unladen aboard the junks ; insomuch that the meanest mariner amongst us spake not of this booty, but by whole cases, besides what each one concealed in his particular. But when Antonio de Faria perceived that an hour and an half had been spent in pillaging, he conmaanded a surcease thereof, buf his company were so hot upon the spoil, that by no means they would be drawn from it, wherein the persons of quality were most faulty ; in which regard our captain, fearing lest Boine disaster might happen by reason the night ap- 142 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES preached, he caused the town to be set on fire in eleven or twelve places ; now for that most of it was bmlt of firr, and other wood, it was in snch a flame within a quarter of an hour, as to see it burn so ; one would have taken it for a portraiture of Hell. This done, and aU our company retired, Antonio de Faria embarqued without any impediment, every man being well satisfied and contented, only it was great pity to behold a number of handsome maids led away, tyed four and four, and five and five together, with the matches of their muskets, weeping and lamenting, whilest our people did nothing but laugh and sing. CHAPTEE XXI. Antonio de Faria's na-rigation till he came to the Port of Liampoo. APTEE that Antonio de Faria had embarqued his men, the first thing he did was to give order for the dressing of those that were hurt, which were in number fifty, whereof eight of them were Portugah, and the rest slaves and mariners. He also took care for the burial of the dead, that were not above nine, of which onely one was a Portugal. All that night we kept good watch, and placed sentinels in sundry parts, for fear of the junks that were upon the river ; the next morning as soon as it was day, our captain went to a Uttle town that was on the other side of the water, where he met not with any inhabitant, they being all fled, howbeit he found a great deal of merchandise in their houses, together with good store of victuals, wherewith he had laded the junks, fearing lest that which he had done in this place, should be the occasion of bar- ring Viim from being furnished with any in the ports where he should happen to arrive. Furthermore, by the advice of his company, he resolved to go and winter, during the three moneths he had yet to make his voyage in, at a certain desart island, distant some fifteen leagues from the sea of Liampoo, called Pullo Hinlwr, where there was a good.road, and good water ; whereunto he was chiefly induced, because he thought that going directly to Liampoo, his voyage thither might bring OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 143 some prejudice to the traffique of the Fortugals, who wintered there peaceably with their goods : and indeed this advice was so approved of every one, as it was generally applauded. Being departed then from Nouday, after we had sailed five days between the isles of Comolem, and the continent, we were set upon on Saturday about noone by a pirate, named Premata Gundel, a sworn enemy to the Portugals, unto whom he had oftentimes done much damage, as well at Patana, as at Sunda, Siam, and many other places, when he found himself the stronger. This rover beheving that we were Chineses came and assailed us with 2 great junks, wherein there were two hundred fighting men, besides mariners : one of them being grappled to Me7n Tahorda's junk had almost made her self master of it; which Quiay Panian perceiving, who was a httle before, he turned upon her, and with full sails running her on the starboard side gave her so terrible a shock, that they sank both together, whereby Mem Taborda was delivered from the danger he was in, howbeit Quiay Panian was instantly and opportunely succoured by three lorches, which Antonio de Faria had taken a little before at Nouday, that all his men in a manner were saved, but every one of the enemies were drowned. In the mean time the pirate Premata Gundel setting upon the great junk, wherein Antonio de Faria was, the first thing he did was to grapple her poop to prow with two great cramp-irons, fastened to long chains, whereupon began such a fight betwixt -thein, as deserved to be seen, which for half an hour was so couragiously maintained by the enemy, that Antonio de Faria and most of his men were hurt, and himself besides in danger twice to have been taken ; nevertheless it was his good hap to be reUeved in time by three lorches, and a small junk, commanded by Pedro de Sylva, by which.means it pleased God that ours not onely recovered what they had lost, but pressed the enemy in such sort, as the fight ended with the death of fourscore and six Mahometans, which were in Antonio de Faria's junk, and had held him up so strait, that our men had nothing left them but the fore-deck in her. After this we entred into the pirate's junk, and put all those to the edge of the sword that we found there, not sparing so much as one, all the mariners having cast themselves before 144 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES into the sea. Howbeit we got not this victory so cheap, but that it cost seventeen mens lives, whereof five were Portu- gals, and of the best souldiers we had, besides three and forty were hurt, Antonio de Faria being one of them, who had one wound with a dart, and two with a sword. The fight being ended in this sort, an inventory was taken of all that was in the enemies junk, and this prize was estimated at fom*- score thousand Taeis, the better part whereof consisted in Lingots of silver of Japan, which the pirate had taken in three merchants ships, that from Firando were bound for Ghiiicheo, so that the pirate had in this ouely vessel to the value of sixscore thousand crowns, and it was thought that the other junk which was sunk was worth as much, to the extreme grief of all o\ir company. With this prize Antonio de Faria retked to a Uttle island, called Buncalou, which was 3 or 4 leagues westward from thence, and much com- mended for good water, and safe riding. Having landed in this place, we spent 18 days there, lodging in cabbins, that were made for the accommodation of our hurt men. From this island we sailed towards that part, whither we had resolved before to go, namely, Antonio de Faria in the great junk, Mem Taborda, and Antonio Anriquez in theirs, Pedro de Sylva in the little junk, that was taken at Nouday, and Quiay Panian with all his followers in the pirats, last taken, which was given him in recompence of his that he had lost, together with 20000 Taeis out of the general booty, wherewith he rested very well contented, being done with consent of the whole company at the request of Antonio de Faria. Sailing in this manner we arrived 6 days after at the ports of Liampoo, which are two islands, one just against another, distant 3 leagues from the place, where at that time the Portugals used their commerce ; there they had built above a thousand houses, that were governed by sheriffs, auditors, consuls, judges, and 6 or 7 other kinde of officers, where the notaries underneath the pubUck acts, which they made, wrote thus, J, such puhlich notary of this town of Liampoo for the King our Sovereign Lord. And this they did with as much confidence and assurance, as if this place had been scituated between Santarem and Lisbon, so that there were houses there which OF FEBDINANB MENDEZ PINTO. 145 Cost tluree or four thousand ducates the building, but both they and all the rest were afterwards demolished for our sins by the Ghiiieses, as I hope to relate more amply hereafter : whereby one may see how uncertain our affairs are in China, whereof the Forttigals discourse with so much curiosity, and abused ■with appearances make such account, never considering what hazard they hourly run, and how they are exposed to infini te disasters. [The Portuguese are received with much honour at Liampoo, in which town they remain five months.^ This term expired, Antonio de Faria made preparation of vessels and men, for his voyage to the mines of Qiwaniaparu ; for in regard the season was then proper for it, he resolved to be gone as soon as possibly he could ; but in the mean time, it happened that Quiay Panian feU into a dangerous sickness, whereof not long after he died, to the extream grief of Antonio de Faria, who exceedingly affected him for many good quaUties that were in him, worthy of his friendship, and therefore he caused him to be honourably buried, as the last duty that he could do for his friend. After the death of Quiay Panian he was counselled not to hazard himself in that voyage, because it was reported for a certainty, how aU that countrey was up in arms by reason of the wars which the Prechau Muan had with the King of Chamay, and Ghamjpaa; and withaU he had information given him of a famous pirate, named Similau, whom he went presently to seek out, and having found him, the said Similau related strange wonders unto him of an island, called Galempluy, where he assured him there were 17 Kings of China interred in tombs of gold, as also a great number of idols of the same metaU, and such other immense treasures, as I dare not deliver, for fear of not being credited. Now Antonio de Faria, being naturally curious, and carried with that ambition, whereunto souldiers are for the most part inclined, lent so good ear to this Chinese's report, as looking for no other assurance of it then what he gave him, he presently resolved to undertake this voyage, and expose himself to danger, without talking further counsel of any man, whereat many of his friends were with reason offended. 11 146 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE8 CHAPTEE XXII. iutonio de Faria departs from Liampoo for to seek out the Island of Calempluy, the strange things that we saw, and the hazard we ran in our voyage thither. T H K season being now fit for navigation, and Antonio de Faria furnished with all that was necessary for this new voyage, which he had undertaken to make on Munday the 14th of May, in the yeare 1642, he departed from this port to go to the Island of GaUmpluy ; for which purpose he imharqued in two Panoures, resembling small gaUies, but that they were a little higher, by reason he was counselled not to use junks, as well to avoid discovery, as in regard of the great currents of water that descended from the Bay of Nanquin, which great vessels with all their sails were not able to stem, especially at the time wherein he set forth, for then the snows of Tartaria and Nixihumfiao dissolving ran all the months of May, June, and July, iuto these seas with a most violent impetuosity. In these two vessels were fifty Portugals, one priest to say mass, and forty-eight mariners, all natives of Patana, as also two and forty slaves, so that the whole number of our company amounted to an hundred forty and one persons, for the Pirate Similau, who was our pilot, woxdd have no more men, nor vessels, for fear of being known, because he was to traverse the str eight of Nanquin, and to enter into rivers that were much frequent-ed, whereby we might probably be subject to great hazard. That day and all the night follovring we im- ployed in getting out from amongst the islands of Angitur, and pursued our course through the seas, which the Porkogals had neither seen or sailed on tiU then. The first five days we had the winde favourable enough, being stUl within sight of land till we came to the mouth of the river of the fishings of Nan- quin ; there we crost over a gulf of forty leagues, and discovered a very high mountain, called Nangqfo, towards the which bending northwardly, we sailed fifty days ; at length the vdnde abated somewhat, and because in that place the tides were very great, Similau put into a Uttle river, where was good anchoring and riding, inhabited by men that were white and OF FiSBBlNAiJD MENDE^ PINTO. 147 handsome, having very little eyes like to the Ghineses, but much different from them, both in language and attire. Now during the space of 3 days, that we continued there, the inhabitants would have no manner of communication with us, but contrari- wise they came in troops to the shore, by which we anchored, and running up and down lite madmen they howled in a most hideous fashion, and shot at us with sUngs and cross-bows. As. soon as the weather and the sea would permit us, Similau, by whom all was then governed, began to set sail, directing his course east north-east, and so proceeded 7 days in sight of land ; then traversing another gulf, and turning more directly to the east, he past through a streight, 10 leagues over, called Sileupaquin ; there he sailed 5 days more, still in view of many goodly cities and towns, this river being frequented with an infinite company of vessels; where- upon Antonio de Faria, knowing that if he hapned to be discovered he should never escape with life, resolved to get from thence, and continue .this course no longer, which Similau perceiving, and opposing the advice that every one gave bim ; Signior, said he unto him, I do not think that any of your company can accuse me for misperforming my duty hitherto, you know how at Liampoo I told you publickly in the General Council that was held in the church before an hundred Portugals at. the least, that we were to expose our selves to great dangers, and chiefly my self, because I was a Chinese and a pilot, for all you could be made to endure but one death; whereas I should be made to endwe two, thousand if it were possible, whereby you may well conclude, that setting apart all treason, I must of necessity be faithful unto you, as I am, and ever will be, not onely in this voyage, but in all other enterprizes, in despight of those that murmur, and make false reports unto you of me ; howbeit if you fear the danger so much as you say, and are therefore pleased that we should take some other way less frequented with men and vessels ; and where we may sail without dread of any thing, then you must be contented to bestow afar longer time in this voyage, wherefore resolve with your company upon it with any further delay, or let us return back, for lo I am ready to do whatsoever you will. Antonio de Faria, embracing, and giving him many thanks, fell to discourse with him about that other safer way 148 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES of which he spake. Whereupon Similau told him, that some hundred and forty leagues further forwards to the north, there was a river somewhat larger by half a league, called Sumhepa- dano, where he should meet with no ohstacle, for that it was not peopled like the streight of Nanquin, wherein they now were, but that then they should be retarded a moneth longer, by the exceeding much -svynding of this river. Antonio de Faria thinking it far better to expose himself to a length of time, then to hazard his life for abridgement of way, followed the counsel that Similatc gave him ; so that going out of the streight of Nanqidn, he coasted the land 5 days, at the end whereof we discovered a very high mountain towards the east, which Similau told us was called Fanim, approaching somewhat near unto it we entred into a very fair port, 40 fathom deap, that extending it self in the form of a crescent was sheltred from all sorts of windes, so spacious withall, as 2,000 vessels how great soever might ride there at ease. Antonio de Faria went ashore with some 10 "or 11 souldiers, and rounded this haven, but could not meet with any one bodj", that could instruct him in the way he pretended to make, whereat he was very much vext, and greatly repented him for that without any kinde of considera- tion, or taking advice of any one, he had rashly, and out of a capricious humour, imdertaken this voyage. Howbeit he dis- sembled this displeasure of his the best he could for fear lest his company should tax him vrith want of courage. In this haven he discoursed again with Similau before every one con- cerning this our navigation, which he told them was made but by guess ; whereunto the Chinese answered, Signior Captain, If I had any thing I could engage to you of more value then my head I protest unto you I would most willingly do it, for I am so sure of the course I hold, that I would not fear to give you my venj children in Iwstage of the promise I made you at Liampoo. NevertJieless I advertise you again, that if repenting the under- taking of this enterprize you fear to proceed any further, in regard of the tales your people are ever tailing in your ear, as I have often observed, do hut command, and you shall finde how ready I am, to obey your pleasure. And whereas they would make you believe that I spin out this voyage longer then I promised you at Liampoo, tlie reason thereof you know well enough, which seemed OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 149 not amiss when I propounded it unto you, seeing tlien you once allowed of it, let me intreat you to set your heart at rest for that matter, and not to break off this design by returning back, whereby at length you shall find how profitable this patience of yours will prove. This speech somewhat quieted Antonio de Faria's miade, so that he bid him go on as he thought best, aud never trouble himself with the murmurings of the souldiers, whereof he complained, saying, that it was ever the manner of such as were idle, to finde fault with other mens actions, but if they did not mend their errour the sooner, he would take a course with them to make them to do it ; wherewith Siviilau rested very well satisfied and contented. After we were gone from this haven, we sailed along the coast above thirteen days together, always in sight of land, and at length arrived at a port, called Buxipalem, in the height of forty-nine degrees. We found this climate somewhat colder then the rest, here we saw an infinite company of fishes and serpents, of such strange forms, as I cannot speak of them without fear ; Similau ioldi Antonio de Faria incredible things con- cerning them, as well of what he had seen himself ; having been there before, as of that had been reported imto him, especially in the full moons of the moneths-of November, December, and Janvnry, when the storms reign there most, as indeed this Chinese made it appear to our own eyes, whereby he justified unto us the most of that which he had affirmed. For in this place we saw fishes, in the shape of thombacks; that were four fathoms about, and had a muzzle Uke an ox ; hkewise we saw others resembUng great Hzards, spotted all over with green and black, having three rows of prickles on their backs, that were very sharp, and of the bigness of an arrow ; their bodies also were full of the like, but they were neither so long, nor so great as the others. These fishes would ever and anon bristle up themselves Uke porcupines, which made them very dreadful to behold ; they had snouts that were very sharp and black, with two crooked teeth out of each jaw-bone, two spans long, like the tusks of a wild boar. We also saw fishes whose bodies were exceeding black, so prodigious and great, that their heads onely were above six spans broad. I will pass over in silence many other fishes of sundry sorts, which we beheld in this 150 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES place, because I hold it not fit to stand upon things that were out of our discourse ; let it suf&ee me to say, that during two nights we stayed here we did not think ourselves safe, by reason of lizards, whales, fishes and serpents, which in great numbers shewed themselves to us. Having left this haven of Buxipalem, by us called the Eiver of Serpents, which in great numbers shewed themselves to us, Similau sailed fifteen leagues further to another bay named Galiiidano, which was in form of a crescent, six leagues in circuit, and invironed with high mountains, and very thick woods, in the midst whereof divers brooks of fresh water descended, which made up four great rivers that fell aU into this bay. There Similau told us, that all those prodigious creatures we had both seen and heard of, as well in this bay, as iu that where we were before, came thither to feed upon such ordiu-e and carrion, as the overflowing of these rivers brought to this place. Antonio de Faria demanding of him, thereupon, whence those rivers should proceed, he answered that he knew not, but it was said that the annals of China affirmed, how two of those rivers took their beginnings from a great lake, called Moscombia, and the other two from a province, named Alimania, where there are high mountains, that all the year long are covered with snow, so that the snow coming to dissolve, these rivers swelled in that manner as we then beheld them, for now they were bigger then at any other time of the year. Hereunto he added, that entring into the mouth of the river, before the which we rode at anchor, we should continue our course, steering eastward, for to find out the port of Nanquin again, which we had left two hundred and threescore leagues behind us, by reason that in aU this distance we had multiplied a greater height than that of the island was, which we were in quest of. Now although this was exceeding grievous imto us, yet Similau desired Antonio de Faria to think the time we hai past well spent, because it was done for the best, and for the better securing of our lives ; being asked then by Antonio de Faria how long we should be in passing through this river, he answered that we should be out of it in fourteen or fifteen days, and that in five days after he would promise to land him and his souldiers in the island of Calemplm/, where he hoped fully to content his desire, and to make him think OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 151 his pains well bestowed, whereof he now so complained. Antonio de Faria, having embraced him very lovingly thereupon, vowed to be his friend for ever, and reconciled him to his soTildiers, who were very mnch out with him before. Being thus reconfirmed by Similaus. speeches, and certified of this new course we were to take, he iacouraged his company, and put aU things in order convenient for his design, to that end preparing his ordnance which till then had never been charged ; he caused also his arms to be made ready, ordained captains, and sentinels to keep good watch, together with aU besides that he thought necessary for our defence, in case of any attempt upon us. That done, he spake unto Diego Lohato, who was the priest that we carried along with us, and one that we much respected, as a man of the church, to make a sermon unto his company for to animate them against aU dangers that might happen, which he worthily performed, and by the efficacy of his words, full of sweetness, and excellent examples, he so revived our spirits, that before were much dejected through the apprehension of the dangers that menaced us ; as there was not one amongst us but presently took fresh heart, boldly to excuse the enterprise we had undertaken. Whereupon vrith great devotion and zeal we sung a Salvo, before an image of our Lady, every man promising without any future fear to finish the voyage we had begun. That done, we joyfully hoysed sail, and entring into the mouth of the river, steering directly east, and with tears in our eyes, invoked from the bottome of our hearts, the assistance of that Sovereign Lord which sits at the right hand of the Father everlasting, to preserve us by His Almighty power. Continuing on our course with the force of oars and sails, and steering divers ways, by reason of the many turnings of the river, the next day we arrived at a very high mountain called Botinafau, whence sundry rivers of fresh water ran down. In this mountain were a number tygers, rhinocerots, lyons, ounces, and such other creatures of several kinds, which run- ning and roaring in their wilde manner, made cruel war upon other weaker beasts, as stags, boars, apes, monkeys, baboons, wolves, and foxes, wherein we took much delight, spending a great deal of time in beholding them ; and ever and anon we 152 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES cryed out from our ships to fright them, but they were little moved by it, in regard they were not used to be hunted. We were about six days in passing this mountain, it being some forty or fifty leagues long. Within a pretty while after we had left this mountain we came to another, named Gangitanon, no less wilde then the former, beyond the which all the country was very stony, and almost inaccessible ; moreover it was full of such thick woods, as the sun could not possibly pierce them with his beams. Similau told us, that in this mountain there were ninety leagues of desart land, altogether unfit for tillage, and the bottome thereof onely was inhabited by certain most deformed men, called Giganhos, who lived after a most brutish fashion, and fed on nothing but what they got in hunting, or some rice, that the said merchants of China brought them to Gatan in exchange of Furs ; which the said merchants carried from thence to Pocassor and Lantau, amounting yearly as by the books of the customs thereof appeared, to the number of twenty thousand cates, each cate, or pack, containing threescore skins, wherewith the people used in winter to Hne their gowns, hang their houses, and make coverings for their beds, to with- stand the cold of the climate, which is great there. Antonio de Faria •wondrLng at the relation this Chinese made of the deformity of these Giganhos, desked him if it were possible to let him see one of them, whereby he said he should more con- tent him then if he should give him the treasures of China ; whereunto Similau made him this answer, Signior Captain, since it so much imports me, as well to maintain my credit with you, as to stop tJieir moutlies that murmur against me, and tJiMt jogging one anotlier scoff at me when I recount tJiese things unto you, which they account as so many fables, and to tlie end tlmt by the truth of the one, they may be ascertained of tlie otlier, I will promise before sun-setting yet to shew you a couple of these people, and that you shall also speak with them, upon condition you do not go ashore, as you luwe still used to do hitherto, for fear some mischance slwuld happen to you, as many times it doth to mercliants in like cases : for I assure you, tliat the Giganhos are of so savage and brutish a nature, as tliey feed on nothing corhmonly but raw flesh and blood, like tlie wilde beasts that live in this forrest. So continuing our course all OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 153 along the side of this mountain, at length behind a little point of land, we discovered a young youth, without ere an hair on his face, driving six or seven cows before him, that pastured there by. Similau making a sign to him with a napkin, he presently stayed, whereupon coming a little neerer to him, Similau shewed him a piece of green taffeta, which he told us was a stuff very acceptable to these brutish men, and withal by signs demanded of him whether he would buy it ; this drew hiinto the bank of the river, were he answered, with an hoarse voice, some words that we could not comprehend, because there was not one in all our vessels that im.derstood this bar- barous language, so that of necessity this commerce was to be made by signs. Antonio de Faria commanded three or four yards of the said piece of taffeta to be given him, as also six pourcelaius, wherewith this salvage seemed to be very well pleased, for taking both the one and the other, transported with joy he said something to us, which we could under- stand no better then the former, then making a sign with bis hand towards the place of his abode, he left his cows, and ran away to the wood, clothed as he was with a tigers skin, his arms and legs naked, bare-headed, and a staff hardned at one end with the fire in his hand. Eor his person, he was well proportioned of his limbs, his hair red and curled hanging down on his shoulders ; his stature by conjecture was above ten foot high, but we were amazed to see him return about a quarter of an hour to the very same place again, carrying a live stag on his back, and having thirteen persons in his company, namely eight men and five women, leading three cows tyed together, and dancing as they went at the sound of a kind of tabor, upon the which they beat five strokes at a time, and as often clapped their hands together singing to it, with a very hoarse voice in their language. Hereupon 'Antonio de Faria caused five or six pieces of sUk stuff, and a great many of pourcelaius to be shewed them, for to make them believe that. we were mer- chants, at the sight whereof they very much rejoyced. These persons, both men and women, were apparelled aU after one and the same fashion, without any kind of difference, saving that the'women wore great tinnen bracelets about the middle of their arms, and their hair a' great deal longer then the mens. 154 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES stuck all about with flowers, resembling our flower de luces ; they had chains also of red cockles about their necks, almost as big as oyster-shels ; as for the men, they carried great staves in their hands, covered to the midst with the same skins wherewith they were clothed ; moreover they had all of them fierce looks, great lips, flat noses, wide nostrils, and were of stature very tall, but yet not so high as we thought they had been ; for Antonio de Faria having caused them to be measured, he found that the tallest of them exceeded not ten spans and an half, except one old man that reached to eleven. The womens stature was not fully ten spans. Their very countenances shewed them to be very rude and blockish, and less rational then all the other people which we had seen in our conquests. Now Antonio de Faria being glad that we had not altogether lost ova labour, bestowed on them threescore pourcelains, a piece of green taffety, and a pannier full of pepper, wherewith they seemed to be so contented, that prostrating themselves on the ground, and lifting up their hands to heaven, they fell to saying certain words which we took for a thanksgiving after their manner, because they fell down three several times on the earth, and gave us the three cows and the stag, as also a great many of herbs. Having been talking about two hours with them by signs, and no less wondring at us, then, we at them, they returned into the wood from whence they came, and we pursued our course up the river by the space of five days, during the which we saw more of them along by the water side ; after we had past all this distance of land, which might be some forty leagues, or thereabouts, we navigated sixteen days more with the force of oars and saUs, without seeing any person in that desart place, only for two nights together we discerned certain fires a good way off at land. In the end, it pleased God that we arrived at the Gulf of Nanquin, as Similau had told us, with a hope in five or six days to see our desires accomplished. Being come into the gulf of Nanquin, Similau coimselled Antonio de Faria, that at any hand he should not suffer any Portugal to be seen, because if such a thing should happen he feared some tiproar would follow amongst the Ghineses, in regard no strangers had ever been seen in those quarters ; OF FJEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 155 adding ■withal, that it would be safer for them to keep still in the middle of the gulf, then by the shore, by reason of the great number of Larches and Lanteaas, that incessantly sailed up and down; this advice was approved of by every one; so that having continued our course some six days east and east north- east, we discovered a great town, called Sileupamor, whither we directly went, and entred the haven about two hours within night, where we found an infinite company of vessels riding at anchor, to the number, according to our thinking, of three thousand at the least, which gave us such an alarm, as not daring scarce to wag we got out again with all the secrecy that might be ; crossing over the whole breadth of the river then, which was some sis or seven leagues, we prose- cuted our course all the rest of that day, and coasted along by a great plain, with a resolution to accommodate our selves with victuals wheresoever we could first meet with any ; for we were in such scarcity, as for thirteen days together, no man had more than three mouthfulls of boyled rice allowance. Being in this extremity we arrived close to certain old build- ings ; there we went ashore one morning before day, and fell upon a house, that stood a httle way off from the rest, where we found a great quantity of rice, some beans, divers pots full of honey, poudred geese, onions, garUck, and sugar canes, wherewith we thoroughly furnished our selves. Certain Ghmeses told us afterwards, that this was the store-house of an hospital, which was some two leagues off, where such were entertained, as past that way in pilgrimage to the sepulchres of the kings of China. Being reimbarqued, and well provided of victual, we continued on our voyage seven days more, which made up two moneths and an half, since we put out of Liampoo. Then Antonio de Faria began to mistrust the truth of what Similau had said, so that he repented the undertaking of this voyage, as he confessed publiquely before us all ; nevertheless in regard there was no other remedy for it but to recommend, himself to God, and wisely to prepare for all that might happen, he couragiously performed it. Hereupon it fell out that Antonio de Faria having one morning demanded of Similau in what part he thought they were, he answered him so far from the purpose, and like a man that 156 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES had lost his judgement, or that knew not which way he had gone, as put Antonio de Faria into such choler, that he was going to stab him with a ponyard that he wore, which without doubt he had done, had he not been diverted from it by some, that counselled him to forbear, lest it should be the cause of his utter ruine, whereupon moderating his anger he yielded to the advice of his friends ; nevertheless he was not for aU that so contained, but that taking him by the beard he swore, that if within three days at the farthest, he did not let him see, either the truth or the falshood of what he had told him, he would ponyard him infallibly ; wherewith Shnilau was so exceed- ingly terrified, that the night following as we were abiding by the shore he slid down from the vessel into the river, and that so closely, as he was never discovered by the sentinels or any other until the end of the first watch, when as Antonio de Faria was thereof advertised. This news put him so far besides him- self, as he lost all patience, the rather for that he feared some revolt upon it from his souldiers, who he saw were too much disposed thereunto. But he presently went ashore with a great many of his company, and spent the most part of the night in seeking of Similau, without meeting him, or any other living soul that was able to tell any news of him, but the worst of it yet was, that upon his return into his junk, of forty six Chinese mariners, that he had aboard him, he found sis and thirty fled away to prevent the danger they were afraid of, whereat Afitonio de Faria and all his company were so amazed, that lifting up their hands and eyes to heaven, they stood a ' long time mute, their tears supplying the defect of their speech, thereby testifying the secret sorrow of their hearts, for con- sidering well what had hapned unto them, and the great peril they were in, the least that they could do in this confu- sion was to lose their courage and judgement, much more their speech. Howbeit falling at length to consult what we should do for the future, after much diversity of opinion, it was in the end concluded, that we should pursue our design, and labour to take some body that might inform us how far it was from thence to the Island of Calempluy, and this to be done as secretly as possible might be for fear the country should rise ; likewise that if upon the report should be made us we found it OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINfd. 157 would be easily taken, as Similau had assured us, we should then proceed on, otherwise, that we should return with the current of the water, which would bring us directly to the sea with its ordinary course. This resolution taken and approved of every one, we went on with no less confusion then fear, for in so manifest a danger we could not chuse but be very much perplexed; the night following about break of' day we dis- covered a little barque ahead of us riding at anchor in the midst of the river ; her we boarded vdth as little noise as might be, and took five men asleep in her, whom Antonio de Faria questioned each one apart by himself, to see how they would agree in that they said. To his demands they answered -all of them, that the country wherein we were, was called Teinquilem, from whence the Island of Calempluy was distant but ten leagues, and to many other -questions propounded to them for our common security, they answered likewise sepa- rately one from the other to very good purpose, wherewith Antonio de Faria and his whole company, were exceedingly well satisfied, but yet it grieved us not a little, to think what an inconvenience the lack of Similau would prove to us in this attempt ; however Antonio de Faria causing the five Ghineses to be arrested, and chained to oars, continued his course two days and an half more, at the end whereof it pleased God that doubling a cape of land, called &idmai Tarao, we discovered this island of Calempluy, which we had been fourscore and three days seeking for, with extream confusion of pains and labour, as I have before related. CHAPTEE XXIII. Our arrival at Calempluy, and the description thereof; what hapned to Antonio de Faria in one of the hermitages thereof, and how we were discovered. HAVING doubled the Cape of Guimai Tarao, two leagues beyond it, we discovered a goodly level of ground, scitu- ated in the midst of a river, which to our seeming was not above a league in circuit, whereunto Antonio de Faria ap^ 158 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES preached with exceeding great joy, which yet was intermingled with much fear, because he knew not to what danger he and his were exposed ; about twelve of the clock at night he anchored within a cannon shot of this island, and the next morning as soon as it was day, he sate in councel with such of his company as he had called to it, there it was concluded that it was not possible so great and magnificent a thing should be without some kind of guard, and therefore it was resolved that with the greatest silence that might be, it should be rounded aU about, for to see what advenues it had," or what obstacles we might meet with when there was question of landing, to the end that accordingly we might dehberate more amply on that we had to do. "With this resolution, which was approved by every one, Antonio de Faria weighed anchor, and without any noise got close to the island, and compassing it about exactly observed every particular that presented itself to his sight. This island was aU inclosed with a platform of jasper, six and twenty spans high, the stones whereof were so neatly wrought, and joyned together, that the wall seemed to be aU of one piece, at which every one greatly marvelled, as having never seen any thing till then, either in the Indiaes, or elsewhere, that merited comparison with it ; this wall was six and twenty spans deep from the bottom of the river to the super- ficies of the water, so that the full height of it was two and fifty spans. Furthermore the top of the platform was bordered with the same stone, cut into great tower- work; upon this waU, which invironed the whole island, was a gallery of balisters of tiu-n'd copper, that from six to six fathom joyned to certain piUars of the same metal, upon each of the which was the figure of a woman holding a bowl in her hand ; within this gallery were divers monsters cast in metal, standing all in a row, which holding one another by the hand in manner of a dance incompassed the whole island, being, as I have said, a league about. Amidst these monstrous idols there was like- wise another row of very rich arches, made of sundry coloured pieces ; a sumptuous work, and wherewith the eye might well be entertained and contented. Within was a little wood of orange trees, without any mixture of other plants, and in the midst an hundred and threescore hermitages dedicated to the OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 169 gods of the year, of whom these Gentiles recount many pleasant fables in their chronicles for the defence of their bhndness in their false belief. A quarter of a league beyond these hermi- tages, towards the east, divers goodly great edifices were seen, separated the one from the other with seven fore-fronts of houses, built after the manner of our churches, from the top to the bottom as far as could be discerned, these buildings were gilt aU over, and annexed to very high towers, which in all likelihood were steeples; their edifices were environed with two great streets arched all along ; like unto the frontispieces of the houses; these arches were supported by very huge piUars, on the top whereof, and between every arch was a dainty prospective ; now in regard these buildings, towers, pillars and their chapiters, were so exceedingly gilt aU over, as one could discern nothing but gold, it perswaded us that this temple must needs be wonderful sumptuous and rich, since such cost had been bestowed on the very walls. After we had sur- rounded this whole island, and observed the advenues and entries thereof, not\\dthstanding it was somewhat late, yet would Antonio de Faria needs go ashore to see if he could get any inteUigence in one of those hermitages, to the end he might thereupon resolve, either to prosecute his design, or return back. So having left a guard sufficient for his two vessels, and Diego Lobato, his chaplain, captain of them, he landed with fourty souldiers, and twenty slaves, as well pikes, as harquebuses. He also carried with him four of the Ghineses, which we took a while before, both for that they knew the place well, as having been there at other times, and likevnse that they might serve us for truchmen and guides. Being got to the shore unespied of any one, and without noise, we entred the island by one of the eight advenues that it had, . and marching through the midst of the Uttle wood of orange- trees we arrived at the gate of the first hermitage, which might be some two musket-shot from the place we dis-imbarqued, where that hapned unto us which I wUl deliver hereafter. Antonio de Faria went directly to the next hermitage he saw before him with the greatest silence that might be, and with no little fear, for that he knew not into what danger he was going to ingage himself; which he found shut on the IGO THJE TBAVJSLS, VOYAGES, AND ADVBNTUBES inside, he commanded one of the Gliineses to knock at it, as he did two or three times, when at last he heard one speak in this manner, Praysed he the Creator, wlio hath enamelled the heaiUy of the shies, let him that knocks at the gate go about, aiid lie shall fiiid it open on the other side, where let me know what he desires. The Chinese went presently ahout, and entring into the hermitage by a back door, he opened the foregate to Antonio de Faria, and let him in with all his followers ; there he found an old man, that seemed to be an hundred years old ; he was apparelled in a long violet coloured damask gown, and by his countenance appeared to be a man of quality, as we understood afterwards. Being amazed to see so many men he fell to the ground, where he lay a good while without speaking a word, howbeit at length he began to be better confirmed, and beholding us with a serious look, he gravely demanded of us what we were, and what we would have ; whereunto the inter- preter answered by the express commandment of Antonio de Faria, that he was a captain stranger, a native of the kingdom of Siam, and that sayling in a junk of his, laden with merchan- dise, and bound for Liampoo, he had suffered shipwrack, whence he had miraculously escaped with all his company: and for that he had vowed to make a pilgrimage to this holy place, to praise God for preserving him from so great a peril, he was now come to perform his vow ; also to crave somewhat of him by way of alms, whereby his poverty might be relieved, protesting within three years to render him twice as much as he should then take from him : whereupon the hermit, named Hiticon, having mused a little on the matter, and fixing his eye on Antonio de Faria : Whoever thou art, said he unto him, k7iow that I throughly understand wliat thou sayest, and that I perceive but too well thy damnable intention, wherewith out of the obscurity of thy blindness, like an infernal pilot, thou carriest both thy self, and these otliers, into tJte profound abyss of the lake of night : for instead of rendring thanks to God for so great a favour as thou confessest He hath shewed tliee, thou comest hitlier to rob this Iwly house. "But let me ask thee, if tJiou executest this mischievous design, what will the Dvuine Justice, thinkest thou, do with thee at the last gasp of thy life ? Change then thy perverse inclination, and never suffer the imagination of OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 161 SO great a sin to enter thy thoughts ; give credit unto me that tells thee nothing hut the very truth, even as I hope to thrive by it all the rest of my life. Antonio de Faria seeming to approve of the counsel which the old hermit gave him, earnestly desired him not to be displeased, assuring him that he had no other means or way left to reheve him and his, but what he could find ia that place. To which the hermit, wringing his hands, and lifting up his eyes, said weeping. Praised be Tlwio, Lord, that permittest men to live on the earth, who offend Tliee under pretext of seehing means to live, and tliat vouchsafe not to serve Thee one hour, although they know how assured Thy glory is. After he had uttered these words, he remained very pensive and much troubled to see the great disorder we used in break- ing up the coffins, and flinging them out of their places; at length looking upon Antonio de Faria, who stood leaning upon his sword, he iatreated him to sit down by him, which he did with a great deal of complement, not desisting for aU that from making signs to his souldiers to persist as they had begun, that was, to take the silver which was mingled amongst the bones of the dead in the tombs that they brake up ; where- at the hermit was bo grieved as he fell down twice in a swoon from his seat ; but being come to himself, he spake thus to Antonio de Faria ; I will declare unto thee, as to a man that seems discreet, the means whereby thou mayst obtain pardon for the sin which thou and thy people now commit, to the end that thy soul may not perish eternally, when as the last breath of thy mouth shall go out of thy body. Seeing then, as thou sayest, that it is necessity constrains thee to offend in this grievous manner, and that thou hast apwrpose to make restitution before thou diest, of that thou tahest away from hence ; if thou hast time and power, thou must do these three things : First, thou must render again what thou now carriest away, that the Sove- reign Lord may not turn His mercy from thee. Secondly, thou must with tears ash Him forgiveness for thy fault, which is so odious unto Him, never ceasing to chastise thy flesh both day and night. And thirdly, thou must distribute thy goods to the poor, as liberally as to thy self, giving them alms with prudence and discretion, to the end the servant of the night may have nothing to accuse thee of at the last day. Now, for recompence of this 12 162 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES counsel, I desire thee to cominand thy followers to gather togetlier the hones of the saints, that tliey may not he dispersed on the earth. Antmio de Faria promised him very courteously to perform his request, wherewith the hermit was a little better at quiet than before, but yet not fully satisfied ; howbeit he spake him very fair, and assured him that after he had once seen him, he very much repented the undertaking of this enter- prise, but his souldiers had threatned to kill him, if he returned without executing of it, and this he told him as a very great secret. God grant it he so, replyed the hermit, for that thou shalt not he so hlame worthy as these other nnonsters of the night, which are so greedy, like to famished dogs, tlmt it seems all the silver in the world is iwt able to satiate them. After we had gathered all the silver together that was in the graves amongst the dead mens bones, and carried it aboard our ships, we were all of opinion not to go any farther to the rest of the hermitages, as well because we knew not the countrey, as for that it was almost night, upon hope that the nest day we might continue our enterprise more at leisure. Now before he re-imbarqued himseK, Antonio de Faria took leave of the hermit, and giving him very good words, he desired him fox Gods sake not to be offended with that his followers had done, being constrained thereunto by meer necessity: for as for his particular he exceedingly abhorred such like actions, adding withaU, that at the first sight of him he would have returned back, out of the remorse of conscience, and true repentance ; but that his company had hindred him, saying, that if he did so, they would surely kOl him ; bo that, for to save his life he was compelled to yield and consent thereunto, though he plainly saw that it was a very great sin, in regard whereof he was resolved, as soon as he could rid his hands of them, to go up and down the world to perform such penance as was requisite for the purging of him from so enor- mous a crime. Hereunto the hermit answered, Pleaseth tJie Lord, who living, reigneth above the beauty of the stars, that the knowledge which, by this discourse, thou showest to have, be not prejudicial unto tliee ; for I he assured, that he who knows these things, and doth tliem not, runs a far greater danger, than he that sins through ignorance. Then one of ours, named Nuno OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 163 Coelho, who would needs have an oar in our talk, told him, that he was not to be angry for a matter of so small import- ance ; whereunto the hermit beholding him with so stern a countenance, answered, Certainly, tlie fear which thou hast of death is yet less, siiice thou imployest thy self in actions as infamotts and blach as the soul that is in thy body ; and for my jpart, I cannot but be perswaded, that all thy ambition is wholly placed upon money, as but too well appears by tlie thirst of thy insatiable avarice, wliereby tJwu wilt make an end of heaping up the measure of thine infernal appetite : continue then thy theeveries, for seeing then thou must go to hell for that which tliou hast already taJcen out of this holy house, thou sJmlt also go thither for those things which thou shalt steal otherwise, so the heavier the burden shall be that thou bearest, the sooner shalt thou be precipitated into the bottom of hell, where already thy wicTced works- have prepared thee an everlasting abode. Hereupon Ntmo de Coelho prayed him to take all things patiently, affirming that the law of God commanded him so to do so. Then the hermit lift up his hand, by way of admiration, and as it were smiling at what the souldier had said, Truly, answered he, I am come to see that I never thought to see or hear, namely, evil actions disguised with a 'specious pretext of vertue, which makes me believe that thy blindness is exceeding great, since trusting to good words tJwu spendest thy life so wickedly, wJierefore it is not possible thou shouldest ever come to Heaven, or give any account to God at the last day, as of necessity thou must do. Saying so, he turned him to Antonio de Faria, without attending further answer from him, and earnestly desired him not to suffer his company to spit upon and prophane the altar, which he vowed was more grievous to him, then the induring of a thousand deaths ; whereupon to satisfie him, he presently commanded the forbearance of it ; wherewith the hermit was somewhat comforted. Now because it grew late, Antonio de Faria resolved to leave the place, but before he departed he held it necessary to inform himself of certain other particulars, whereof he stood in some doubt, so that he inquired of the hermit how many persons there might be in aU those hermitages : whereunto Hiticon answered, that there were about three hundred and threescore Talagrepos, 164 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES besides forty Menigrepos, appointed to furnish them -with things requisite for their maintenance, and to attend them when they were sick: moreover he asked him, whether the King of China came not sometimes thither ; he told him. No, for, said he, the King cannot be condemned by anybody, he is the son of the Sun, but eontrarily he had power to absolve every one. Then he enquired of him if there were any arms in their hermitages ? O no, answered the hermit, for all such as pretend to go to lieaven have more need of patience to indure injuries, then of arins to revenge themselves : being also desirous to know of him the cause why so much silver was mingled with the bones of the dead. This silver, replied the hermit, comes of the alms that the deceased carry with tliem out of this into tlie other life, for to serve them at tlieir need in tlie lieaven of tlie moon, wliere they live eternally. In conclusion, having demanded of him whether they had any women, he said. That they which would maintain the life of their souls, ought not to taste the pleasures of the flesh, seeing experience made it ap- parent, that the lee which nourislieth herself in an Jwney-comb, doth often sting such as offer to meddle with tliat sweetness. After Antonio de Faria had propounded all these questions, he took his leave of him, and so went directly to his ships, with an intention to return again the next day, for to set upon the other hermitages, where, as he had been told, was great abundance of silver, and certain idols of gold ; but our sins would not permit us to see the effect of a business which we had been two moneths and an half a purchasing with so much labour and danger of our lives, as I will deliver hereafter. At the clearing up of the day, Antonio de Faria, and all of us, being embarqued, we went and anchored on the other side of the island, about a faulcon shot from it, with an intent, as I have before declared, to go ashore again the next morning, and set upon the chappels where the kings of China were interred, that so we might the more commodiously lade omr two vessels with such treasures ; which peradventure might have succeeded according to our desires, if the business had been well carried, and that Antonio de Faria had followed the counsel was given him, which was, that since we had not been as yet discovered, that he should have carried the hermit OF FBRDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 165 away with him, to the end he might not acquaint the house of the Bonzoes with what we had done; howbeit he would never hearken to it, saying, that we were to fear nothing that way, by reason the hermit was so old, and his legs so swoln with the gout, as he was not able to stand, much less to go. But it fell out clean contrary to his expectation, for the hermit no sooner saw us imbarqued, as we understood afterwards, but he presently crawled as well as he could to the next hermitage, which was not above a flight shoot from his ; and giving intelligence of all that had past, he bad his companions, because himself was not able, to go away with all speed to the Bmizoes house to acquaint them with it, which the other instantly performed ; so that about midnight we saw a great many of fires hghted on the top of the wall of the Temple, where the kings were buried, being kindled to serve for a signal to the countrey about, of some extraordinary danger towards. This made us ask of our Chineses, what they might mean ; who answered, that assuredly we were discovered, in regard whereof they advised us without any longer stay to set sail immediately ; herewith they acquainted Antonio de Faria, who was fast asleep; but he straightway arose, and leaving his anchor in the sea, rowed directly, afraid as he was, to the island, for to learn what was done there. Being arrived near to the key, he heard many bells ringing in each hermitage, together with a noise of men talking ; whereupon the Chineses that accompanied him, said, Sir, never stand to hear or see more, but retire, we beseech you, as fast as you may, -and cause ns not to be aU miserably slain with your further stay. Howbeit Uttle regarding, or afraid of their words, he went ashore only with six soiildiers, having no other arms but swords and targets, and going up the stairs of the key, whether it were that he was vext for having lost so fair an occasion, or carried thereunto by his courage, he entred into the gallery, that invironed the island, and ran up and down in it like a mad man, without meeting any body ; that done, and being returned aboard his vessel, much grieved and ashamed, he consulted with his company about what they should do, who were of opinion that the best course we could take, was to depart, and therefore they required him to put it accordingly in execution ; 166 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AMD ADVENTURES seeing them all so resolved, and fearing some tumults among the souldiers, he was fain to answer, that he was also of their mind ; hut first he thought it fit to know for what cause they should fly away in that manner, and therefore he desired them to stay for him a little in that place, because he would try whether he could learn by some means or the other the truth of the matter, whereof they had but a bare suspition; for which, he told them, he would ask but half an hour at the most, so that there wovild be time enough to take order for any thing before day ; some would have alledged reasons against this, but he would not hear them ; wherefore having caused them all to take their oaths upon the holy Evangelists, that they would stay for him, he returned to land with the same souldiers that had accompanied him before, and elitering into the Uttle wood he heard the sound of a bell, which addressed him to another hermitage, far richer then that wherein we were the day before. There he met with two men, apparelled like monks, with large hoods, which made him think they were her- mits, of whom he presently laid hold ; wherewith one of them was so terrified, as he was not able to speak a good while after : hereupon four of the six souldiers past into the hermitage, and took an idol of silver from the altar, having a crown of gold on its head, and a wheel in its hand; they also brought away three candlesticks of silver, with long chains of the same belonging to them. This performed, Antonio de Faria carrying the two hermits along with him, went aboard again, and sailing away, he propounded divers questions to him, of the two, that was least afraid, threatning to use him in a strange fashion if he did not tell the truth. This hermit seeing himself so menaced, answered. That an holy man, named Piloii, Angiroo came about midnight to the house of the kings sepultiures, where knocking in haste at the gate, he cryed out, saying ; O miserable men, huried in the dntnkenness of caiiial sleep, -who hy a solemn vow have jprofest your selves to the Iwnour of tlie Goddess Amida, the rich reivard of our labours, hear, hear, hear, the tnost lor etched men that ever were bom; there are strangers come into our island, from the furtliest end of the . world, which have long beards, and bodies of iron ; these wicked creatures liave entered into the Holy House of tlie seven and OP FERDINAND MENDEZ FINTO. 16V twenty Pillars, of wJwse sacred temjjle an lioly man is keeper, tliat hath told vie, where after they liad ransacked the rich treasures of thy saints, they contenvptuously threw their bones to the ground, which they prophaned with their stinking and infectious spitting, and made a vwckery of them like devils, obstinate and hardned in their wretclied sins ; wherefore I advise you to look well to your selves ; for it is said that they have sworn to kill us all as soon as it is day : fly away tlien, or call some people to your succour, since being religious men you are not permitted to meddle with any thing that may shed tlie blood of man. Herewith they presently arose and ran to the gate, where they found the hermite laid on the ground, and half dead "vvith grief and weariness through the imbecilhty of his age ; whereupon the Grepos and Mcnigrepos made those fires that you saw, and withall sent in all haste to the towns of Corpilem, and Fonbana, for to succoux them speedily with the forces of the country; so that you may be assured it win not be long before they fall upon this place with all the fury that may be. Now this is all that I ain able to say concerning tlie truth of this affair ; ivlierefore I desire you to return us both unto our hermitage with our lives saved ; for if you do not so you will commit a greater sin, then you did yesterday : remember also that God, in regard of the continuall penance we perform, hath taken us so far into His protection, as He doth visit MS almost every hour of the day ; wherefore labour to save your selves as much as you will, yet shall you liardly do it ; for be sure, tliat the earth, tlie air, the winds, tlie waters, tlie beasts, the fishes, the fowls, tlie trees, the plants, and all things created, will pursue and torment you so cruelly, as none but He that lives in heaven will be able to help you. Antonio de Faria being hereby certainly informed of the truth of the business sailed instantly away, tearing his hair and beard for very rage, to see that through his neghgenoe and indiscretion he had lost the fairest occasion that ever he should be able to meet withalL 168 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES CHAPTBE XXIV. Our casting away in the Gulf of Nanquin, witli all that befell ns after this lamentable shipwrack. WE had already sailed seven days in the Gulf of Naiiquin, to the end that the force of the current might carry us the more swiftly away, as men whose safety consisted wholly in flight ; for we were so desolate and sad, that we scarce spake one to another; in the mean time we arrived at a village, called Susequerim, where no news being come either of us, or what we had done, we furnished our selves with some victual, and getting information very covertly of the course we were to hold, we departed within two hours after, and then, with -the greatest speed we could make, we entred into a streight, named Xalingau, much less frequented then the gulf that we had past ; here we navigated nine dayes more, in which time we ran an hundred and forty leagues, then entring again into the said Gulf of Nanquin, which in that place was not above ten or eleven leagues broad, we saUed for the space of thirteen dayes from one side to another with a westerly winde, exceedingly afflicted, both with the great labour we were fain to endure, and the cruel fear we were in, besides the want we began to feel of victuals. In this case being come within sight of the mountains of Conxinacau, which are in the height of forty and one degrees, there arose so terrible a south winde, called by the Ghineses, Tufaon, as it could not possibly be thought a natural thing; so that our vessels' being low built, weak, and without mariners, we were reduced to such extremity, that out of aU hope to escape we suffered our selves to be driven along the coast, as the current of the water would carry us ; for we held it more safe to venture ourselves amongst the rocks, then to let us be swal- lowed up in the midst of the sea ; and though we had chosen this design, as the better and less painful, yet did it not succeed ; for after dinner the winde turned to the north-west, whereby the waves became so high, that it was most dreadful to behold ; our fear then was so extream, as we began to cast all that we had into the sea, even to the chests full of silver. OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 169 That done, we cut down our two masts, and so without masts and sails we floated along aU the rest of the day ; at length about midnight we heard them in Antonio de Faria's vessel cry. Lord have mercy upon us, which perswaded us that they were cast away ; the apprehension whereof put us in such a fright, as for an hour together no man spake a word. Having past aU this sad night in so miserable a plight, about an hour before day our vessel opened about the keel, so that it was instantly full of water eight spans high, whereupon perceiving our selves to sink, we verily beUeved, it was the good pleasure of God that in this place we should finish both our Uves and labours. As soon then as it was day we looked out to sea, as far as possibly we could discern, but could no way discover Antonio de Faria, which put us quite out of heart ; and so continuing in this great affliction till about ten of the clock, with so much terror and amazement, as words are not able to express ; at last we ran against the coast, and even drowned as we were, the waves roUed us toward a point of rocks that stood out into the sea, where we were no sooner arrived but that all went to pieces, insomuch that of five and twenty Portugals, which we were, there were but fourteen saved, the other eleven being drowned, together with eighteen Christian servants, and seven Chinese mariners. This miserable disaster hapned on a Munday,. the 5th of August, 154:2, for which the Xiord be praised everlastingly. We fourteen Portugals, having escaped out of this shipvsrack by the meer mercy of God, spent all that day, and the night following, in bewailing our mis-fortune, and the wretched estate wherexmto we were reduced ; but in the end con- sulting together, what course to take- for to give some remedy thereunto ; we concluded to enter into the country, hoping that far or neer we should not faU to meet with some body, that taking us for slaves would relieve us with meat, till such time as it should please Heaven to terminate our travels with the end of our lives. With this resolution we went some six or seven leagues over rocks and hills, and on the other side discovered a great marsh, so large and void, as it past the reach of our sight, there being no appearance of any land beyond it ; which made us turn back again, towards the same 170 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ABVENTURE8 place where we were cast away ; being arrived there the day after about sun-set, we found upon the shore the bodies of our men, which the sea had cast up, over whom we commenced our sorrow and lamentations, and the next day we buried them in the sand, to keep them from being devom-ed by the tygers, whereof that country is full, which we performed with much labour and pain, in regard we had no other tools for that purpose but our hands and naUs. After these poor bodies were interred we got us into a marsh, where we spent all the night, as the safest place we could chuse to preserve us from the tygers : from thence we continued our journey towards the north, and that by such precipices and thick woods, as we had much ado to pass through them. Having travelled in this manner three dayes, at length we arrived at a little streight, without meeting anybody, over the which resolving to swim, by ill fortune the four first that entred into it, being three Portugah and a young youth, were miserably drowned ; for being very feeble, and the streight somewhat broad, and the current of the water very strong, they were not able to hold out any longer when they came to the midst; so we eleven, with three servants that remained, seeing the infortunate success of our companions, could do nothing but weep and lament, as men that hoiirly expected such or a worse end. Having spent aU that dark night, exposed to the winde, cold, and rain, it pleased our Lord that the next morning before day we discovered a great fire towards the east ; whereupon as soon as the day broke, we marched fair and softly that way, recommending our selves to that Almighty God from whom alone we could hope for a remedy to our miseries; and so continuing our journey all along the river, the most part of that day, at last we came to a little wood, where we found five men making of coals, whom on our knees we besought for Gods sake to direct us to some place where we might get some relief ; I wotild, said one of them beholding us with an eye of pitie, it lay in our jpower to help you, hut alas I all the comfort we can give you is to bestow some part of our supper on you, which is a little rice, wherewith you tnay pass this night here with us if you will, though I hold it better for you to proceed on your way, and recover tlie place OF FEBDINANi) MENDE2 PiNTO. 171 you see a little below, where you shall finde an hospital tJiat serves to lodge such pilgrims as chance to coine into tliese quarters. Having thanked him for his good address, we fell to the- rice they gave us, which came but to two mouthfuls apiece, and so took our leaves of them, going directly to the place they had shewed us, as well as our weakness would permit. About an hour within night, we arrived at the hospital, where we met vrith four men, that had the charge of it, who received us very charitably. The next morning as soon as it ' was day, they demanded of us, what we were, and from whence we came? Thereunto we answered, that we were strangers, natives of the Kingdom of Siam, and that coming from the Port of Liampoo to go to the fishing of Nanguin, we were cast away at sea by the violence of a storm, having saved nothing out of this shipwrack, but those our miserable and naked bodies. Whereupon demanding of us again, what we intended to do, and whither we woiild go ; we replyed, that we pm-posed to go to the city of Nanguin, there to imharque our selves as rowers in the first Lanteaa that should put to sea, for to pass unto Gantan, where our countrymen, by the permission of the Aitco of Panguin, exercised their traffique under the protection of the son of the Sun, and Lyon crowned in the throne of the world ; wherefore we desired them for Gods cause to let us stay in that hospital, until we had recovered our healths, and to bestow any poor clothes on us to cover our nakedness. After they had given good ear imto us; it were reason, answered they, to grant you that which you require with so much earnestness, and tears ; but in regard the house is now very poor, we cannot so easily discharge our duties unto you as we should, howbeit, we vdll do what we may with a very good will. Then quite naked, as we were, they lead us all about the village, containing some forty or fifty fires, more or less ; the inhabitants whereof were exceeding poor, having no other living but what they got by the labour of their hands, from whom they drew by way of alms some two taeis in - money, half a sack of rice, a little meal, aricot beans, onions, and a few old rags, wherewith we made the best shift we could; over and above this they bestowed two taeis more on us out of the 172 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES stock of the hospital. But whereas we desired that we might be permitted to stay there, they excused themselves, saying, that no poor might remain there above three days, or five at the most, unless it were sick people, or women with child, of whom special care was to be had, because in their extremities they could not travel without endangering their lives, wherefore they could for no other persons whatsoever transgress that ordnance, which had of ancient time been instituted by the advice of very learned and religious men ; nevertheless, that three leagues from thence, we should in a great town, called Sileyiacau, find a very rich hospital, where all sorts of poor people were entertained, and that there we should be far better looked unto then in their house, which was poor, and agreeable to the place of its scituation ; to which end they would give us a letter of recommendation, by means whereof we should in- continently Idc received. For these good of&ces we rendred them infinite thanks, and told them that God would reward them for it, since they did it for His sake ; whereupon an old man, one of those four, answered us fairly and gave us to the brotherhood of the other hospital, whither we were to go, and so we departed about noon, and arrived at the town an hour or two before sun-set. The first thing we did, was to go to the house of the repose of the poor ; for so the Chineses call the hospitals. There we delivered our letters to the masters of that Society, which they term Tanigories, whom we found altogether in a chamber, where they were assembled about the affairs of the poor. After they had received the letter with a kind of complement, that seemed very strange to us, they commanded the Eegister to read it ; whereupon he stood up and read it to them that were sitting at the table. This letter being read, they caused us presently to be lodged in a very neat chamber, accomodated with a table, and divers chairs, where after we had been served with good meat, we rested our selves that night. The next morning the Eegister came along with the rest of the 'of&cers, and demanded of us who we were, of what nation, and whereabout we had suffered ship- wrack; whereunto we answered, as we had done before, to those of the village from whence we came, that we might not be found in two tales, and convinced of lying ; whereupon OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 173 having further enquired of us what we meant to do ; we told them that our intention was to get our selves cured in that house, L£ it pleased them to permit us, in regard we were so weat and sickly as we could scarce stand upon our legs. To which they replyed that they would very wiUingly see that performed for us, as a thing that was ordinarily done there for the service of God ; for the which we thanked them weeping, , with so much acknowledgement of their goodness and charity, as the tears stood in their eyes ; so that presently sending for a physician, they bid him look carefully to us, for that we were poor flocks, and had no other means but what we had from the house. That done, he took our names in writing, and set them down in a great book ; whereunto we all of us set our hands, saying, it was necessary it should be so, that an accoimt might be rendred of the expence was to be made for us. \Pinto and his companions, being cured, continue their journey ; tlieir furtlier adventures, and Jwspitable reception by a gentleman at a country house ; oxnxXizii.'] CHAPTEE XXV. Out arrival at the town of Taypor, where we were made prisoners, and so sent to the city of Nanquin. THE next morning by break of day parting from that place, we went to a village called Finginilau, which was some four leagues from the old gentlemans house, where we remained three dayes, and then continuing traveUing from one place to another, and from vUlage to village, ever declining the great tovms, for fear lest the Justice of the country should call us in question in regard we were strangers ; in this manner we spent almost two moneths without receiving the least damage from any body. Now there is no doubt but we might easily have got to the city of Nanquin in that time if we had had a guide ; but for want of knowing the way we wandred we knew not whither, suffering much, and running many hazards. At length we arrived at a village, named Chaucer, at such a time 174 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES as they were a solemnizing a sumptuous funeral of a very ricli woman, that had disinherited her kindred, and left her estate to the Pagode of this yillage, where she was buried, as we understood by the inhabitants ; we were invited then to this funeral, as other poor people were, and according to the custom of the country we did eat on the grave of the deceased. At the end of three days that we stayed there, which was the time the funeral lasted, we had six taeis given us for an alms, con- ditionally that in all our oraisons we should pray unto God for the soul of the departed. Being gone from this place we continued on our journey to another village, called Guinapalir, from whence we were almost two monetbs travelling from country to country, untill at last our ill fortune brought us to a town, named Taypor, where by chance there was at that time a Ghumhim, that is to say, one of those super-intendents of Justice, that every three years are sent throughout the provinces for to make report unto the king of all that passeth there. This naughty man seeing us go begging from door to door, called to us from a window where he was, and would know of us who we were, and of what nation ; as also what obliged us to run up and down the world in that manner ? Having asked us these questions in the presence of three Eegisters, and of many other persons, that were gathered together to behold us ; we answered him, that we were stangers, natives of the kingdom of Siam, who being cast away by a storm at sea went thus travelling and begging our living, to the end we might sustain our selves with the charity of good people, untill such time as we could arrive at Nanquin, whither we were going vnth an intent to imbarque our selves there in some of the merchants Lanteaas for Canton, where the shipping of our nation lay. This answer we made imto the Ghumhim, who questionless had been well enough contented with it, and would have let us go, had it not been for one of his clerks ; for he told them that we were idle vagabonds, that spent our time in begging from door to door, and abusing the ahns that were given us, and therefore he was at no hand to let us go free, for fear of incurring the punishment, ordained for such as offend in that sort, as is set forth in the seventh of the twelve books of the Statutes of the Eealm ; wherefore as OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 175 his faithful servant he counselled him to lay us in good and sure hold, that we might he forth-coming to answer the Law. The Ghumbim presently followed his clerks advice, and carried himself toward us with as much barbarous cruelty, as could be expected from a Pagan, such as he was, that lived without God or religion ; to which effect after he had heard a number of false witnesses, who charged us with many fowl crimes, whereof we never so much as dream'd, he caused us to be put into a deep dungeon, with irons on our hands and feet, and great iron collars about our necks. In this miserable place we endured such hunger, and were so fearfully whipped, that we were in perpetual pain for six and twenty days together, at the end whereof we were by the sentence of the same Ghumbim sent to the Parliament of the Cheam of NanqiiAn, because the jurisdiction of this extended not to the condemnation of any prisoner to death. We remained six and twenty days in that cruel prison, whereof I spake before ; and I vow we thought we had been six and twenty thousand years there, in regard of the great misery we suffered in it, which was such, as one of our com- panions called Joaiio Boderiguez Bravo died in our arms, being • eaten up with Hce, we being no way able to help him ; and it was almost a miracle, that the rest of us escaped aHve from that filthy vermine ; at length, one morning, when we thought of nothing less, loaden with irons as we were, and so weak that we could hardly speak, we were dravm out of that prison, and then being chained one to another we were imbarqued vrith many others, to the number of thirty or forty, that having been convicted for sundry hainous crimes, were also sent to the Parliament of Nanquin, where, as I have already declared, is always residing a Cliaem of Justice, which is like to the sovereign title of the Vice-roy of Ghina. [Here follows a relation of tJie Chinese Law."] , After being reimbarqued, we sailed up a great river seven days together, at the end whereof we arrived at Nanquin. As this city is the second of all the empire, so is it also the capital of the three kingdoms of Liampoo, Fanius, and Sambor. Here 176 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES we lay six weeks in prison, and suffered so much pain and misery, as reduced to the last extreamities, we died insensibly for want of succour, not able to do any thing, but look up to heaven with a pitiful eye ; for it was our ill fortune to have all that we had stoln from us the first night we came thither. This prison was so great, that there were four thousand prisoners in it at that time, as we were credibly informed, so that one should hardly sit down in any place without being robbed, and filled full of lice : having layn there a month and an half, as I said, the Anchacy, who was one of the judges before whom our cause was to be pleaded, pronounced our sentence at the suit of the Atturney General, the tenor whereof was : That having seen and considered our process, which the Ghumhim of Taypor had sent him, it appeared by the accusa- tions laid to our charge, that we were very haiuous malefactors, and though we denied many things, yet in justice no credit was to be given unto us, and therfore that we were to be publickly whipped, for to teach us to Uve better in time to come, and that withal our two thumbs should be cut off, wherewith it was evident by manifest suspicions, that we used to commit robberies, and other vile crimes ; and furthermore, that for the remainder of the punishment we deserved, he referred us to the Aytau of Bataupina, unto whom it apper- tained to take cognisance of such causes, in regard of the jurisdiction that he had of Ufe and death. This sentence was pronounced in the prison, where it had been better for us to have suffered death, then the stripes that we received, for all the ground round about us ran with blood upon our whiping, so that it was almost a miracle, that of the eleven which we were, nine escaped aUve, for two of our company died three days after, besides one of our servants. After we had been whipped in that manner, I have declared, we were carried into a great chamber, that was in the prison, where were a number of sick, and diseased persons, lying upon beds, and other ways ; there we had presently our stripes washed, and things applyed unto them, whereby we were somewhat eased of our pain, and that by men, much like unto the fraternity of mercy among the Papists, which onely out of charity, and for the honor of God, do tend those that are sick, OP FEBDWAND MENDEZ PINTO. 177 and liberally furnish them -with all things necessary. Hereafter some eleven or twelve days, we began to be prettily recovered, and as we were lamenting our ill fortune, for being so rigorously condemned to lose our thumbs, it pleased God one morning, "when as we little dreamt of it, that we espied two men come into the chamber, of a good aspect, clothed in long gowns of violet coloured sattin, and carrying white rods in their hands ; as soon as they arrived, all the sick persons in the chamber cried out. Blessed be the ministers of the works of God : where- unto they answereid, holding up their rods, May it please God to give you patience in your adversity : whereupon having distributed clothes and money to those that were next to them, they came unto us, and after they had saluted us very cour- teously, with demonstration of being moved at our tears, they asked us who we were, and of what countrey, as also why we were imprisoned there : whereunto we answered weeping, that we were strangers, natives of the kingdom of Siam, and of a country called Malaca; that being merchants and well to live, we had imbarqued our selves with om- goods, and being bound for Liampoo, we had been cast away just against the Isles of Laman, having lost all that we had, and nothing left us but our miserable bodies in the case they now saw us ; moreover we added, that being thus evil intreated by fortune, arriving at the city of Taypor, the Ghumbin of Justice had caused us to be apprehended without any cause, laying to our charge, that we were thieves and vagabonds, who to avoid pains-taking went begging from door to door, entertaining our idle laziness with the alms that were given us unjustly, whereof the Ghiimbin having made informations at his pleasure, as being both judge and party, he had laid us in irons in the prison, where for two and forty days space, we had indured incredible pain and hunger, and no man would hear us in our justifications, as weU because we had not wherewithal to give presents for to main- tain our right, as for that we wanted the language of the country. In conclusion, we told them, how in the mean time, without any cognisance of the cause, we had been condemned to be whipped, as also to have our thumbs cut off, like thieves ; so that we had already suffered the first ptmishment, with so much rigour and cruelty, that the marks thereof remained -but 13 178 THE TBA7ELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE^ two visibly upon our -wretched bodies, and therefore we con- jured them by the charge they had to serve God in assisting the afflicted, that they vrould not abandon us in this need, the rather for that our extream poverty rendred us odious to all the -world, and exposed us to the induring of aU affronts. These t-wo men ha-dng heard us attentively, remained very pensive and amazed at our speech ; at length lifting up their eyes, all bathed vsdth tears, to heaven, and kneeling do-wn on the ground, Almighty Lord, said they, that govemest in tlie highest places, and whose patience is incomprehensible, he Tlwu evermore blessed, for that Hum art pleased to hearken unto tlie complaints of necessitous and miserable men, to the end that the great offences committed against Thy Divine goodness by the Ministers of Justice may not rest unpunished, as we hope that by Thy Iwly Law they will be cliastised at one time or otlier. Whereupon they informed themselves more amply by those who -were about us, of -what -we had told them, and presently sending for the Eegister, in -whose hands our sentence -was, they straitly commanded him, that upon pain of grievous punishment he should f orth-with bring them all the proceedings •which had been used against us, as instantly he did ; no-w the two officers, seeing there was no remedy for the whipping that we had suffered, presented a petition in our behalf unto the Ghaem, whereunto this answer was returned by the Court: Mercy hath no place, where Justice loseth her name, in regard whereof your request cannot be granted. This answer was sub- scribed by the Ghaem, and eight Conchacis, that are like criminal judges. This hard proceeding much astonished these two Proctors for the poor, so named from their office ; where- fore, carried with an extream desire to draw us out of this misery, they presently preferred another petition to the Sovereign Court of Justice, of which I spake in the precedent chapter, where the Menigrepos and Talegrepos were judges, an assembly which in their language is called. The breath of tlie Creator of all things. In this petition, as sinners, confessing aU that we were accused of, we had recourse to mercy, which sorted well for us ; for as soon as the petition was presented unto them, they read the process quite through, and finding that om- right was over-bom for want of succour, they instantly Of FEBMNAND MENBEZ pinto. 170 dispatched away two of their Comt, who with an express mandate under their hands and seals, went and prohibited the Chaems Court from intermedUng with this cause, which they commanded away before them. In obedience to this prohibition the Chaems Court made this decree, We, that are assembled in this Court of Justice of the Lyon crowned in tlie throne of tlie ■world, liaving perused tlie petition presented to tlie four and twenty judges of the austere life, do consent, that those nine strangers he sent by way of appeal to the Court of tlie Aytau of Aytaus in tlie City of Pequin, to tlie end that in mercy tlie sentence pronounced against them may be favourably moderated : Given the seventh day of the fourth Moon, in tlie three and twentieth year of the reign of tlie Son of the Sun. This decree, being signed by the Cliaem, and the eight Conchacis, was presently brought us by the two Proctors for the poor ; upon the receit whereof we told them, that we could but pray uuto God to reward them for the good they had done us for His sake ; whereunto beholding us with an eye of pity, they answered, May His Celestial goodness direct you in tlie Icnowledge of His works, tliat thereby you may with patience gatlier tlie fruit of your labours, as they which fear to offend Sis holy Name. After we had past all the adversities and miseries, whereof I have spoken before, we were imbarqued in the company of some other thirty or forty prisoners, that were sent, as we were, from this Court of Justice to that other Sovereign one by way of appeal, there to be either acquitted or condemned, according to the crimes they had committed, and the punish- ment they had deserved. Now a day before our departure, being imbarqued in a Lanteaa, and chained three and three together, the two Proctors for the poor came to us, and first of all furnishing us with all things needful, as clothes, and victuals, they asked us whether we wanted any thing else for our voyage. Whereunto we answered, that aU we could desire of them was, that they would be pleased to convert that further good they intended to us into a letter of recommendation unto the officers of that holy fraternity of the city of Pequin, thereby to oblige them to maintain the right of our cause, in regard (as they very weU knew) they should otherwise be sure to be utterly abandoned of every one, by reason they were 180 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, ANjD AbVENTVREB strangers and altogether unknown. The Proctors hearing us speak in this manner : Say not so, replyed they, for though your ignorance: discharges you before God, yet have you com- mitted a great sin, because the more you are abased in the world through ^poverty, the more shall you he exalted before the eyes of Sis divine Majesty, if you patiently bear yowr crosses, whereunto tlie flesh indeed doth always oppose it self, being evermore rebellious against tlie spirit, but as a bird cannot fly without her wings, no more can the soul meditate without works : As for the letter you require of us ; we will give it you most willingly, knowing it will be very necessary for you, to the end that the f amour of good people he not wanting to you in your need. This said, they gave us a sack full of rice, together with four Taeis in silver, and a coverlet to lay upon us ; then having very much recommended us unto the Ghifuu, who was the ofiBcer of justice that conducted us, they took their leaves of us in most courteous manner. The next morning as soon as it was day they sent us the letter, sealed with three seals in green wax, the contents whereof were : — [J. recital of the misfortunes of tlie Portuguese.] CHAPTEE XXVI. The marvels of the city of Nanquin, our departure from thence towards Pequin, and that which hapned unto us, till we arrived at the town of Sempiiay. THIS letter being brought to us very early the next morning, we departed in the manner before declared, and con- tinued our voyage tiU sun-set, when as we anchord at a little village, named Minhacutem, where the Ghifuu, that conducted us, was bom, and where his wife and children were at that time, which was the occasion that he remained there three days; at the end whereof he imbarqued himself with his family, and so we passed on in the company of divers other vessels, that went upon this river unto divers parts of this empire : Now though we were all tyed together to the back OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 181 of the Lanteaa, where we rowed, yet did. we not for all that lose the yiew of many towns and villages that were scituated along this river, whereof I hold it not amiss to make some . descriptions ; to which effect, I will begin with the city of Nanquin, from whence we last parted. This city ... is seated by the river of Batampina, upon a reasonable high hill, so as it conmiands all the plains about it ; the climate thereof is some- what cold, but very healthy, and it is eight leagues about, which way soever it is considered, three leagues broad, and one long. The houses in it are not above two stories high, and all built of wood ; only those of the Mandarins are made of hewed stone, and also invironed with walls and ditches, over which are stone bridges, whereon they pass to the gates, that have rich and costly arches, with divers sorts of inventions upon the towers ; all which put together make a pleasing object to the eye, and represent a certain kind of I know not what majesty. The houses of the Ghaems, Anchacys, Aytaus, Tutons, and Chumbims, which are all governours of provinces or kingdoms, have stately towers, six or seven stories high, and gUt all over, wherein they have their magazines for arms, their wardrobes, their treasuries, and a world of rich house- hold stuff, as also many other things of great value, together with an infinite of delicate and most fine porcelain, which amongst them is prized and esteemed as much as precious stone ; for this' sort of porcelain never goes out of the king- dom, it being expressly forbidden by the laws of the country, to be sold, upon pain of death, to any stranger, imless to the Xatamaas, that is, the Sophyes of the Persians, who by a particular permission buy of it at a very dear rate. The Ghineses assured us, that in this city there are eight hundred thousand fires, four score thousand Mandarins houses, three score and two great market-places, an hundred and thirty butchers shambles, each of them containing four score shops, and eight thousand streets, whereof six hundred that are fairer and larger than the rest, are compassed about with baUisters of copper; we were further assured, that there are likewise two thousand and three hundred Pagodes, a thousand of which were Monasteries of rehgious persons, professed in their accursed sect, whose buildings were exceeding rich and 182 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES sumptuous, with very high steeples, "wherein there were between sixty and seventy such mighty huge bells, that it was a dreadful thing to hear them rung ; there are, moreover, in this city thirty great strong prisons, each whereof hath three or four thousand prisoners ; and a charitable hospital, ex- pressly estabUshed to supply the necessities of the poor, with proctors ordained for -their defence, both in civil and criminal causes, as is before related. At the entrance into every prin- cipal street, there are arches and great gates, which for each mans security are shut every night, and in most of the streets are goodly fountains whose water is excellent to drink. Besides, at every full and new moon, open fau-s are kept in several places, whither merchants resort from all parts, and where there is such abundance of all kind of victuaU as cannot well be exprest, especially of flesh and fruit. It is not possible to deUver the great store of fish that is taken in this river, chiefly soles and mullets, which are all sold aUve, besides a world of sea fish, both fresh, salted, and dried; we were told by certain Chineses, that in this city there are ten thousand trades for the working of silks, which from thence are sent all over the kingdom. The city it self is invironed with a very strong wall, made of fair hewed stone. The gates of are an hundred and thirty, at each of which there is porter, and two halberdiers, who are bound to give an account every day of all that passes in and out ; there are also twelve forts or citadels, like unto ours, with bulwarks and very high towers, but without any ordnance at all. The same Chineses also affirmed unto us, that the city yielded the king daily two thousand Taeis of silver, which amount to three thousand ducates, as I have deUvered heretofore. I wiU not speak of the palace royal, because I saw it but on the outside, howbeit the Chineses tell such wonders of it, as would amaze a man, for it is my intent to relate nothing save what we beheld here with our own eyes, and that was so much as I am afraid to write it ; not that it would seem strange to those that have seen and read the marvels of the kingdom of China ; but because I doubt that they, which would compare those won- drous things that are in the countrys, they have not seen, with that little they ^have seen in their own, vdU make some OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 183 question of it, or, it may be, give no credit at all to these truthes, because they are not conformable to their understand- ing, and small experience. Continuing our com-se up this river, the first two days we saw not any remarkable town or place, but onely a great number of villages, and little hamlets of two or three hundred fires apiece, which by their buildings seemed to be houses of fisher men, and poor people, that hve by the labour of their hands. For the rest, all that was within view in the countrey was great woods of fir, groves, forests, and orange-trees, as also plains fuU of wheat, rice, beans, pease, millet, panick, barley, rye, flax, cotton-wool, with great inclosures of gardens, and goodly houses of pleasure, belonging to the Mandarins, and lords of the kingdom. There was likewise all along the river such an infinite number of cattel of all sorts, as I can assure you there is not more in Ethiopia, nor in all the dominions of Frester John ; upon the top of the mountains many houses of their sects of Qentiles were to be seen, adorned with high steeples gUt all over, the glistering whereof was such, and so great, that to behold them afar off was an admirable sight. The fourth day of our voyage we arrived at a town, called Pocasser, twice as big as Cantano, compassed about with strong walls of hewed stone, and towers and bulwarks almost like ours, together with a key on the river side, twice as long as the shot of a falconet, and inclosed with two rows of iron grates, with very strong gat«s, where the junks and vessels that arrived there were unladen. This place abounds with all kinds of merchandise, which from thence is trans- ported over all the kingdom, especially with copper, sugar, and aUum, whereof there is very great store. Here also in the middest of a carrefouj, that is almost at the end of the town, stands a mighty strong castle, having three bulwarks and five towers ; in the highest of which the present kings father, as the Ghineses told us, kept a king of Tartaria nine years prisoner, at the end whereof he killed himself with poyson, that his subjects sent him, because they would not be con- strained to pay that ransom which the king of CM«a demanded for his deUverance. In this town the Ghifuu gave three of us leave to go up and down for to crave the alms of good people, 184 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES accompanied with four Hupes, that are as sergeants, or bailiffs amongst us, who led us, chained together, as we were, through six or seven streets, where we got in ahns to the value of above twenty ducates, as well in clothes, as money, besides flesh, rice, meal, fruit, and other victuals, which was bestowed on us ; whereof we gave the one half to the Hupes that conducted us, it being the custom so to do. Afterwards we were brought to a Pagode, whither the people flocked from all parts that day, in regard of a very solemn feast that was then celebrated there. This temple, or Pagode, as we were told, had sometime been a palace royal, where the king then reigning was bom ; now because the qaeen his mother died there in child-birth, she commanded her self to be buried in the very same chamber where she was brought to bed ; where- fore to honour her death the better, this temple was dedicated to the invocation of Tauhinaret, which is one of the principal sects of the Pagans in the kingdom of China, as I wiU more amply declare, when as I shall speak of the Labyrinth of the two and thirty laws that are in it. All the buildings of this temple, together with aU the gardens, and walks, that belong to it, are suspended in the air upon three hundred and three- score piUars, every one of the which is of one intire stone of a very great bigness. These three hundred and threescore piUars are called by the names of three hundred and three score days of the year, and in each of them is a particular feast kept there \7ith many alms, gifts, and bloody sacrifices, accompanied with musick, dancing, and other sports. Under this Pagode, namely between those pillars, are eight very fair streets, inclosed on every side with grates of copper, and gates for the passage of pilgrims, and others, that run continually to this feast, as it were to a jubUee ; the chamber above, where the queen lay, was made in the form of a chappel, but round, and from the top to the bottom all garnished with silver, the workmanship whereof was of greater cost then the matter it self. In the midst of it stood a kind of tribunal, framed round, like the chamber, some fifteen steps high, com- passed about with six gates of silver, on the top whereof was a great bowl, and upon that a lion of silver, that with his head supported a shrine of gold, three hand-breadths square, OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 185 wherein (they said) the bones of the queen were, which these blinded ignorants reverenced as a great relique. Below this tribimal, in equal proportion, were four bars of silver, that traversed the chamber, whereon hung three and forty lamps of the same metal, in memory of the three and forty years that this queen Hved, and seven lamps of gold in commemora- tion of seven sons that she had ; moreover, at the entry into the chappel, just against the door, were eight other bars of iron, whereon also hung a very great number of silver lamps, which the Chineses told us were offered by some of the wives of the Ghacms, Aytaos, Tutons, and Anchacys, who were assistant at the death of the queen, so that in acknowledg- ment of that honour they sent those lamps thither afterwards; without the gates of the temple, and round about sixballisters of copper that invironed it, were a great many statues of giants, fifteen foot high, cast in brass, aU weU proportioned with halberts or clubs in their hands, and some of them with battk-axes on their shoulders, which made so brave and majestical a shew, as one could never be satisfied enough with looVJTtg on them. Amongst these statues, which were in number twelve hundred, as the Chineses affirmed, there were four and twenty very great serpents also of brass, and under every one of them a woman seated, with a sword in her hand, and a silver crown on her head. It was said, that those four and twenty women carried the titles of queens, because they saciinced themselves to the death of this queen, to the end their souls might serve hers in the other hfe, as in this their bodies had served her body ; a matter which the Chineses, that draw their extraction from these men, hold for a very great honour, insomuch as they inrich the crests of their coats of R-nna with it ; ro'und about this row of giants was another of triumphant arches, gilt aU over, whereon a number of silver bells hung by chains of the same metal, which moved with the air kept such a continual ringing, as one could hardly hear one another for the noise they made. Without these arches there were likewise at the same distance two rows of copper grates, that inclosed all this huge work, and among them certain pillars of the same metal, which supported lions rampant, mounted upon bowls, being the arms of the kings of China, as 186 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE8 I have related elsewhere. At each corner of the carrefour was a monster of brass, of so strange and Tinmeasurable an heigth, and so deformed to behold, as it is not possible almost for a man to imagine ; so that I think it best not to speak of them, the rather for that (I confess I) am not able in words to express the form wherein I saw their prodigies. Howbeit, as it is reasonable to conceal these things without giving some knowledge of them, I will say, as much as my weak under- standing is able to deUver. One of these monsters which is on the right hand, as one comes into the carrefour, whom the Ghineses call the Sergeant Glutton of the hollow or profound house of smoak, and that by their histories is held to be Lucifer, is represented under the figm-e of a serpent of an excessive heighth, with most hideous and deformed adders coming out of his stomack, covered aU over with green and black scarrs, and a number of prickles on their backs above a span long, Uke unto porcupins quils ; each of these adders had a woman between his jaws, with her hair all dishevelled, and standing on end, as one affrighted. The monster carried also in his mouth, which was unmeasurable great, a vizard that was above thirty foot long, and as big as a tun, with his nostrils and chaps so fuU of blood, that all the rest of his body was besmeared with it ; this vizard held a great elephant between his^paws, and seemed to gripe him so hard, as his very guts came out of his throat ; and aU this was done so pro- portionably, and to the life, that it made a man tremble to behold such a deformed figure, and which was scarce possible for one to imagine. His tail might be some twenty fathom long, and was entortilled about such another monster, that was the second of the four, whereof I spake, in the figure of a man, being an hundred foot high, and by the Ghineses called Turcamparoo, who (they say) was the son of that serpent ; besides that he was very ugly, he stood with both his hands in his mouth, that was as big as a great gate, with a row of horrible teeth, and a foul black tongue, hanging out two fathom long, most dreadful to behold. As for the other two monsters, one was in 'the form of a woman, named by the Ghineses, Magdelgau, seventeen fathom high, and six thick. This same abovit the girdlesteed before had a face made proportion- OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 187 able to her body, above two fathom broad, and she breathed out of her mouth and nostrils great flakes, not of artificial, but true fire, which proceeded, as they told us, from her head, where fire was continually kept, that in like manner came out of the said face below. By this figure these idolaters would demonstrate that she was the queen of the fiery sphear, which according to their belief is to burn the earth at the end of the world. The fourth monster was a man, set stooping, which with great swobi cheeks, as big as the mainsaU of a ship, seemed to blow extreamly; this monster was also of an un- measurable height, and of such an hideous and ghastly aspect, that a man could hardly endure the sight of it ; the Chineses called it Vzanguenaboo, and said, that it was he which raised tempests upon the sea, and demolished buildings ; ia regard whereof the people offered many things unto him, to the end he should do them no harm ; and many presented him with a piece of money yearly, that he might not drown their junks, nor do any of theirs hurt that went by sea. I will omit many other abuses which their bUndness makes them believe, and which they hold to be so true, as there is not one of them but would endure a thousand deaths for the main- tenance thereof. The next day, being gone from the town of Pocasser, we arrived at another fair and great town, called Xinligau ; there we saw many buildings inclosed with walls of brick, and deep ditches about them, and at one end of the town two castles, very well fortified with towers and bulwarks after our fashion ; at the gates were draw bridges, suspended in the air with great iron chains, and in the midst of them a tower five stories high, very curiously painted with several pictures ; the Chineses assured us, that in those two castles there was as much treasure as amounted to fifteen thousand pieces of silver, which was the revenue of all this Archipelage, and laid up in this place by the King's grandfather now reigning, in memorial of a son of his that wis born here, and named Leuquinau, that is to say. The joy of all ; those of the country repute him for a saint, because he ended his days in rehgion, where also he was buried in a temple, dedicated to Quiay Varatel, the god of all the fishes of the sea, of whom these miserable ignorantg 188 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES recount a world of fooleries, as also the laws he invented, and the precepts which he left them, being able to astonish a man, as I will more amply declare when time shall serve. In this town and in another five leagues higher the most part of the silks of this kingdom are dyed, because they hold that the waters of these places make the colours far more lively then those of any other part ; and these dyers, which are said to be thirteen thousand, pay unto the King yearly three hundred thousand Taeis. Continuing our course up the river the day after ; about evening we arrived a certain great plains, where were great store of cattle, as horses, mares, colts, and cows, guarded by men on horsback, that make sale of them to butchers, who afterwards retale them indifferently as any other flesh. Having past these plains containing some ten or eleven leagues, we came to a town called Jimquileu, walled with brick, but without battlements, bulwarks, or towers, as others had, whereof I have spoken before ; at the end of the suburbs of this town we saw divers houses built in the water upon great piles, in the form of magazines. Before the gate of a little street stood a tomb made of stone, invironed with an iron grate, painted red and green, and over it a steeple framed of pieces of very fine pourcelain, sustained by four pillars of curious stone ; upon the top of the tomb were five globes, and two others that seemed to be of cast iron, and on the one side thereof were graven in letters of gold, and in the Chinese lan- guage, words of this substance. Here lyes Trannoeem Mudeliar, uncle to the King of Malaca, whom death took out of tlie world before he could be revenged of Gwptain Alphonso Albuquerque, tJie lyon of the robberies of the sea. We were much amazed to behold this inscription there ; wherefore enquiring what it might mean, a Chinese, that seemed more honourable than the rest, told us ; that about some forty years before, this man which lay buried there, came thither as ambassador from a prince, that stiled himseW King of Malaca, to demand succour from the son of the Sun against men of a country that hath no name, which came by sea from the end of the world, and had taken Malaca from him ; this man recounted many other incredible things concerning this matter, whereof mention is made in a printed book thereof ; as also that this ambassador OF FEEmNAND MENDEZ PiNtO. 189 having contimied three years at the kings court suing for this succour, just as it was granted him, and that preparations for it were a maMng, it was his ill-fortune to he surprised one night at supper with an apoplexie, whereof he died at the end of nine days ; so that extreamly afflicted to see himself carried away by a sudden death before he had accomplished his business, he expressed his earnest desu-e of revenge by the in- scription which he caused to be graven on his tomb, that posterity might know wherefore he was come thither. After- wards we departed from this place, and continued our voyage up the river, which thereabouts is not so large as towards the city of Nanquin ; but the country is here better peopled with villages, boroughs, and gardens, than any other place, for every stones cast we met stiU with some Pagode, mansion of pleasure, or country house. Passing on about some two leagues further, we arrived at a place encompassed with great iron grates, in the midst whereof stood two mighty statues of brass upright, sus- tained by pillars of cast metal of the bigness of a bushel, and seven fathom high, the one of a man, and the other of a woman, both of them seventy-four- spans in heighth, having their hands in their mouths, their cheeks horribly blown out, and their eyes so staring, as they affrighted all that looked upon them. That which represented a man, was called Quiay Xingatalor, and the other in the form of a woman was named Apancwpatur. Having demanded of the Chineses the expUcation of these figm-eSj they told us that the male was he, which with those mighty swoln cheeks blew the fire of heU for to torment all those miserable vnretches that would not UberaUy bestow alms in this life ; and for the other monster, that she was porter of heU gate, where she would take notice of those that did her good in this world, and letting them fly away into a river of very cold water, called Ochilenday, would keep them hid there from being tormented by the devils, as other damned were. Upon this speech one of our company could not forbear laugh- ing at such a ridiculous and diaboUcal foolery, which three of - their priests, or Bonzoes then present, observing, they were so exceedingly offended therewith, as they perswaded the Ghifuu, which conducted us, that if he did not chastise us in such manner, as those gods might be well contented with the punish- IGO THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUEES ment inflicted on us for our mockery of them, both the one and the other would assuredly torment his soul, and never suffer it to go out of hell ; which threatning so mightily terri- fied this dog, the Ghifuu, that without further delay, or hearing us speak, he caused us all to be bound hand and foot, and commanded each of us to have an hundred lashes given him with a double cord, which was immediately executed with so much rigour, as we were all in a gore bloud, whereby we were taught not to jeer afterwards at anything we saw, or heard. At such time as we arrived here we found twelve Bonzoes upon the place, who with sUver censers fuU of perfumes of aloes and benjamin, censed those two devilish monsters, and chanted out aloud. Help us, even as we serve thee ; whereunto divers other priests answered in the name of the idol with a great noise, So I promise to do like a good Lord. In this sort they went as it were in procession round about the place, singing with an Ul- tuned voice to the sound of a great many bells, that were in steeples thereabouts. In the mean time there -were others, that with drums and basins made such a dinne, as I may truly say, put them aU together, was most horrible to hear. CHAPTEE XXVII. Our arrival at Sempitay, our encounter there with a Christian woman, and an account of many things seen on the journey ; with an account of Pequin. FEOM this place we continued our voyage eleven days more up the river, which in those parts is so peopled with cities, towns, villages, boroughs, forts and castles, that commonly they are not a flight shot distant one from another, besides a world of houses of pleasure, and temples, where steeples were all gUt ; which made such a glorious show, as we were much amazed at it. In this manner we arrived at a town, named Sempitay, where we abode five days, by reason the Ghifuus wife, that conducted us, was not well. Here by his permission we landed, and chained together as we were, we went up and down the streets craving of alms, which was very liberally given us by the inhabitants, who wondering to see such men as we, Oi? FESDINAift) MENDED PINTO. 191 demanded of us what kind of people we were, of what king- dom, and how our countrey was called ? Hereunto we answered conformably to that we had said before, namely that we were natives of the kingdom of Siam, that going from Lianvpoo to Nanquin, we had lost all our goods by shipwrack, and that although they beheld us then in so poor a case, yet we had been formerly very rich ; whereupon a woman who was come thither amongst the rest to see us : it is very likely, said she, speaking to then about her, that what these poor strangers have related is most true, for daily experience doth shew how those that trade by sea do oftentimes make it their grave, wherefore it is best and surest to travel upon the earth, and to esteem of it, as of that whereof it has pleased God to frame us; saying, so she gave us two Mazes, which amounts to about sixteen pence of our money, advising us to make no more such long voyages, since our Uves were so short. Here- upon she unbuttoned one of the sleeves of a red sattin gown ■ she had on, and baring her left arm, she showed us a cross im- printed on it, like the mark of a slave, Do any of you hnow this sign, which amongst those, that follow the way of truth, is called a cross ? or liave any of -you heard it named ? To this falling down on our knees, we answered, with tears in our eyes, that we know exceeding well. Then lifting up her hands, she cried out, Our Fatlier, which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, speaking these words in the Portugal tongue, and because she could speak no more of our language, she very earnestly desired us in Chinese to teU her whether we were Christians ; we replied that we were ; and for proof thereof, after we had kissed that arm whereon the cross was, we repeated all the rest of the Lord's Prayer, which she had left imsaid, wherewith being assured that we were Christians indeed, she drew aside from the rest there present, and weeping said to us, come along Christians of the other end of the world, with her that is your true sister in the faith of Jesus Christ, or peradventure a kinswoman to one of you, by his side that begot me in this miserable exile ; and so going to carry us to her house, the Hupes which guarded us, would not suffer her, saying, that if we would not continue our craving of alms, as the Ghifuu had permitted us, they would return us back to the ship ; but this 102 THE TBAVBLS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUMES they spate in regard of their own interest, for that they were to have the moity of what was given ns, as I have before declared, and accordingly they made as though they would have lead us thither again, which the woman perceiving, I understand your meaning, said she, and indeed it is but reason you sliould make the best of your places, for thereby you live ; so opening her purse, she gave them two Taeis in silver, where- with they were very well satisfied ; whereupon with the leave of the Chifuu, she carried ns home to her house, and there kept ns all the while we remained in that place, making ex- ceeding much of us, and using us very charitably. Here she shewed us an oratory, wherein she had a cross of wood gilt, as also candlesticks, and a lamp of silver. Furthermore she told us, that she was named, Inez de Leyria, and her iather Tome Pirez, who had been great ambassadour from Portugal to the King of China, and that in regard of an insurrection with a Portugal captain, made at Canton, the Chineses taking him for a spy, and not for an ambassador, as he termed himself, clapped him and all his followers up in prison, where by order of justice five of them were put to torture, receiving so many, and'Such cruel stripes on their bodies, as they died instantly, and the rest were all banished into several parts,' together with her father into this place, where he married with her mother, that had some means, and how he rnade her a Christian, living so seven and twenty years together, and converting many Gentiles to the faith of Christ, •whereof there were above three hundred then abiding in that town; which every Sunday assembled in her house to say the catechisme : whereupon demanding of her what were their accustomed prayers, she answered, that she used no other but these, which on their knees, with their eyes and hands lift up to Heaven, they pro- nounced in this manner, Lord Jesus Christ, as it is most true that Thou art tlie very Son of God, conceived by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgine Mary for the salvation of sinners, so Thou wilt be pleased to forgive us our offences, that thereby wemay become worthy to behold Thy face in the glory of Thy kingdom,- wliere Thou art sitting at the right hand of the Almighty. Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy SHI p OF CHINA AND JAVA, RIGGED WITH MAT SAlLi. OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 193 Ghost. Amen. And so all of them kissing the cross, inibraced one another, and thereupon every one returned to his own home. Moreover she told us, that her father had left her many other prayers, which the Chineses had stollen from her, so that she had none left but those before recited ; whereunto we repUed, that those we had heard from her were very good, but before we went away we would leave her divers other good and wholsome prayers. Do so then, answered she, for tlie o-espect you owe to so good a God, as yours is, and that hath done such things for you, for me, and all in geTieral. Then causing the cloth to be laid, she gave us a very good and plentiful! dinner, and treated us in like sort every meal, during the five days we continued in her house, which (as I said before) was permitted by the Chifuu, in regard of a present that this good women sent his wife, whom she earnestly entreated so to deal with her husband, as we might be well intreated, for that we were men of whom God had a particular care, as the Ghifuu's wife promised her to do with many thanks to her for the present she had received. In the mean space, during the five days we remained in her house, we read the catechism seven times to the Christians, wherewithal! they were very much edified; beside, Christophoro Borhallio made them a little book in the Chinese tongue, containing the Pater noster, the Greed, the Ten Commandments, and many other good prayers. After these things we took our leaves of Inez de Leyria, and the Christians who gave us fifty Taeis in silver, which stood us since in good stead, as I shall declare hereafter ; and withal! Itiez de Leyria gave us secretly fifty Taeis more, humbly desiring us to remember her in our prayers to God. After our departure from the town of Sempitay we continued our course upon the river of Batanpina, imto a place, named Lequinpau, containing about eleven or twelve thousand fires, and very well built, at least we judged so by that we could discern, as also inclosed with good walls, and curtains round about it. Not far from it was an exceeding long house ; having within it thirty fornaces on each side, where a great quantity of silver was melted, which was brought in carts from a mountain, some five leagues off, called Tuxenguim. The Chineses assured us, that above a thousand men wrought continually in that nline 14 194 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUEES to draw out the silver, and that the King of China had in yearly revenue out of it above five thousand Pico's. This place we left about sun-set, and the next day in the evening we arrived just between two httle towns, that stood opposite one to another, the river onely between, the one named Pacau, and the other Nacau ; which although they were little, yet were they faMy built, and weU walled with great hewed stone, having a number of temples, which they call Pagodes, all gilt over, and enriched vrith steeples and fanes of great price, very pleasing and agreeable to the eye. [Here follows a legend of 'the foundation of China, ontttteb.] Now that I have spoken of the original and foundation of this empire, together with the circuit of the great city of Pequin, I hold it not amiss to intreat as succinctly as I may of another particular, which is no less admirable then those whereof I have made mention before. It is written in the fifth book of the Scituation of all the remarkable places of this empire, or rather monarchy, (for to speak truly, there is no appellation so great but may be well attributed imto it) that a king, named Crisnagol Dicotay, who according to the com- putation of that book, reigned in the year of our Lord 518, happened to make war with the Tartar, about some difierence between them concerning the state of Xenxinapau, that borders on the kingdom of Lauhos, and so valiantly demeaned himself in a battel against him, that he defeated his army, and remained master of the field ; whereupon the Tartar con- federating himself \rith other kings, his friends, did by their assistance assemble together greater forces than the former, and therewith invaded the kingdom of China, where (it is said) he took three and thirty very important towns, of which the principal was Panguilor, insomuch that the Chinese fearing he should not be well able to defend himself, concluded a peace with him upon condition to relinquish his right, which he pretended to that in question betwixt them, and to pay bim two thousand Picos of silver for to defi-ay the charges of those strangers the Tartar had entertained in this war ; by this means China continued for a good while quiet, but the King dpubting lest the Tartar might in time to come return to annoy OF FEBDINAND MENDE2 PINTO. 195 him again, resolved to build a wall, that might serve for a bulwark to his empire ; and to that end calling all his estates together, he declared his determination imto them, which was presently not onely well approved of, but held most necessary ; so that to enable him for the performance of a business so much concerning his state, they gave him ten thousand Picas of silver, which amount, according to our account, unto fifteen millions of gold, after the rate of fifteen hundred ducates each Pico ; and moreover they entertained him two hundred and fifty thousand men to labour in the work, whereof thirty thousand were appointed for officers, and all the rest for manual services. Order being taken then for whatsoever was thought fit for so prodigious an enterprise, they fell to it in such sort, as by the report of the history aU. that huge wall was in seven and twenty years quite finished from one end to the other ; which if credit may be given t-o the same chronicle is seventy Joas in length, that is six himdred and fifteen miles after nine miles every Joa ; wherein that which seemed most wonderfull and most exceeding the behef of man, was that seven hundred and fifty thousand men laboured incessantly for so long a time in that great work, whereof the Commonalty, as I delivered before, furnished one third part ; the priests, and isles of Aynen, another third ; and the King assisted by the princes, lords, Chaems, and Anchacys of the kingdom, the rest of the building, which I have both seen and measured, being thirty foot in height, and ten foot in breadth, where it is thickest. It is made of Ume and sand, and plaistered on the outside with a kind of Bitumen, which renders it so strong, that no cannon can demolish it : instead of bulwarks it hath sentries, or watch-towers, two stages high, fl.anked with buttresses of carpentry made of a certain black wood, which they call Gaubesy, that is to say, wood of iron, because it is exceeding strong and hard, every buttress being as thick as an hogshead, and very high, so that these sentries are far stronger than if they were made of lime and stone. Now this ,waU, by them termed Gliaufacan, which signifies, strong resistance, extends in height equal to the mountains, whereunto it is joyned, and that those mountains also may serve for a wall they are cut down very smooth and steep, which renders them 196 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES far stronger then the wall itself ; but you must know that in all this extent of land there is no waU, but in the void spaces from hiU to hill, so that the hills themselves make up the rest of the wall and fence. Further it is to be noted, that in this whole length of a hundred and fifteen leagues, which this fortification contains, there are but onely 5 entries whereby the rivers of Tartaria do pass, which are derived from the impetuous torrents that descend from these mountains, and running above five hundred leagues in the country, render themselves into the seas of China and Causheiichina ; howbeit one of these rivers, being greater then the rest, disembogues by the Bay of Guy in the kingdom of Souniau, commonly called Siam. Now in all these five passages both the -Eing of China, and the King of Tartaria, keep garrisons ; the Chinese in each of them entertains seven thousand men giving them great pay, whereof six thousand are horse, the rest foot, being for the most part strangers, as Mogores, Pancrus, Cliairvpaas, Corosones, Gizares of Persia, and other different nations, bordering upon this empire, and which in consideration of the extraordinary pay they receive, sen-e the Chinese ; who (to speak truth) are nothing couragious, as being but little used to the wars, and ill provided of arms and artillery. In aU this length of wall there are three hundred and twenty companies, each of them containing five hundred souldiers ; so that there are in all one hundred and threescore thousand men, besides officers of justice, AiicJiacis, Chaems, and other such like persons necessary for the government, and entertainment of these forces ; so that all joyned together make up the number of two hundred thousand, which are all maintained at the King's onely charge, by reason the most of them are male- factom's condemned to the reparations and labours of the wall, as I shall more aptly declare when I come to speak of the prison destined to this purpose, in the City of Pequin, which is also another edifice, very remarkable, wherein there are continually above thirty thousand prisoners, the most of them from eighteen to forty-five years of age, appointed to work in this wall. Being departed from those two towns Pacau and Nacau, we continued our course up the river, and arrived at another town OF FERDINAND MENDED PINTO. 197 called Hindoo, somewhat bigger then those from whence we parted, where about half a mile off was a great lake of salt water, and a number of salt-houses round about it ; The Chinese assured us, that this lake did ebb and flow like the sea, and that it extended above two hundred leagues into the country, rendring the King of China in yearly revenue one hundred thousand Taeis, onely for the third of the salt that was drawn out of it ; as also that the town yielded him other one hundred thousand Taeis for the sUk alone that was made there, not speaking at aU of the camphire, sugar, pourcelain, vermilion, and quick-silver, whereof there was very great plenty ; moreover, that some two leagues from this town were twelve exceeding long houses, like unto magazines, where a world of people laboured in casting and pmifying of copper and the horrible din which the hammers made there was such and so strange, as if there were anything on earth that could represent hell, this was it ; wherefore being desirous to under- stand the cause of this extraordinary noise, we would needs go to see from whence it proceeded ; and we found that there were in each of these houses forty fornaces, that is twenty of either side, with forty huge anvils, upon every of which eight men beat in order, and so swiftly, as a mans eye could hardly discern the blows, so as three hundred and twenty men wrought in each of these twelve houses, which in all the twelve houses made up three thousand eight hundred and forty workmen, beside a great number of other persons that laboured in other particular things ; whereupon we demanded how much copper might be wrought every year in each of these houses, and they told us, one lyindred and ten, or sixscore thousand Pico's, whereof the King had two thirds, because the mines were his ; and that the mountain from whence it was drawn was called Corotum haya, which signifies a river of copper, for that from the time since it was discovered, being above two hundred years, it never failed, but rather more and more was found. Having past about a league beyond those twelve houses up the river, we came to a place inclosed with three ranks of iron grates, where we beheld thirty houses, divided into five rows, six in each row,- which were very long and complete, with great towers full of bells of cast metaU, and much carved 198 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES. AND ADVENTURES work, as also gilt pillars, and the fi-ontispieces of fair hewed stone, -whereupon many inventions were engraved. At this place we went ashore by the Ghifuu's permission, that carried ns, for that he had made a vow to this Pagode, which was called JBigay potim, that is to say, god of an hundred and ten thousand gods, Gorchoo fungane, ginaco ginaca, which (according to their report) signifies, strong and great above all others ; for some of the errours vyherewith these wretched people are blinded are, that they believe every /particular thing hath its god, who liath created it, and preserves its natural being ; but tlmt this Bigay potun brought them all forth from under his arm-pits, and that from him as a father, they derive their being, by a filial lonion, which tJiey term Bira Porentasay ; Aiid in the hingdom of Pegu, where I have often been, I have seen one like unto this, named by those of the country, Ginocoginans, the god of greatness, which temple was in times past built by tJie Chinese, wheii as they commanded in the India's, being accord- ing to their suppidation, from the year our Lord Jesus Christ 1013, to tlie year 1072, by which account it appears that the India's were under tlie Empire of China but onely fifty and nine years, from tlie successour of him that conquered it, called Exiragano, voluntarily abandoned it in regard to the great expence of money and bloud that the unprofitable keeping of it cost him. In those thirty houses, whereof I formerly spake, were a great number of idols of gilt wood ; and a like number of tin, latten, and pourcelain, being indeed so many, as I should hardly be believed, to declare them. Now we had not past above five or six leagues from this place but we came to a great town, about a league in ckcuit, quite destroyed and ruinated. [Here follmvs a religious legend, onttttel*.] After our departure from the mines of Fiunganorsee, we arrived at a great town, called Junquinalau, which is very rich, abounding with all kind of things, fortified with a strong garrison of horse and foot, and having a number of junks and vessels, riding before it. Here we remained five days to celebrate the funeral of our Ghifuu's wife ; for whose soul he gave us by way of alms both meat and clothes, and withall OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 199 freeing us from the oar, permitted us to go ashore without irons, which was a very great ease uuto us : Having left this place, we continued our course up the river, beholding still on either side a world of goodly great towns invkoned with strong walls ; as also many fortresses and castles aU along the waters side ; we saw likewise a great number of temples, whose steeples were all gUt, and in the fields such abundance of cattel that the ground was even covered over with them, so far as we could well discern. Moreover, there were so many vessels upon this river, especially in some parts, where fairs were kept, that at first sight one would have thought them to be popTolous towns; besides other lesser companies of three hundred, five hundred, six hundred, and a thousand boats, which continually we met withall on both sides of the river, wherein aU things that one could imagine were sold ; More- over, the Chineses assure us, that in this empire of Ghma, the number of those which levied upon the rivers, was no less than those that dwelled in the towns, and that without the good order which is observed to make the common people work, and to constrain the meaner sort to supply themselves unto trades for to get their living, they would eat up one another. Now it is to be noted, that every kind of traffique and commerce is divided among them into three or four forms, as f oUoweth : They which trade in ducks, whereof there are great quantities in this countrey, proceed therein diversly ; some cause their egs to,^be hatched for to sell the ducklings ; others fat them when they are great for to sell them dead after they are salted. These traffique only with the egs ; others with the feathers ; and some with the heads, feet, gizards, and intraUs, no man being permitted to trench upon his companions sale, under the penalty of thirty lashes, which no priviledg can exempt them from. In the same manner, concerning hogs, some sell them aUve, and by whole sale, others dead, and by retail ; some make bacon of them, others sell their pigs, and some again sell nothing but the chitterlings, the sweet-breads, the blood, and the haslets ; which is also observed for fish, for such a one sels it fresh, that cannot seU it either salted or dried ; and so of other provisions, as flesh, fruit, fowls, venison, pulse, and other things, wherein such rigour is used, as there are 200 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES chambers expressly established, whose officers have commission and power to see, that they which trade in one particular may not do it in another, if it be not for just and lawful causes, and that on pain of thirty lashes. There be others likewise that get their living by selling fish alive, which to that purpose they keep in great well-boats, and so carry them into divers countries, where they know there is no other but salt fish. There are likewise all along this river of Batampina, whereon we went from Nanquin to Peqiiin, which is distant one from the other one himdred and fourscore leagues, such a number of engines for sugar, and presses for wine and oyl, made of divers sorts of pulse and fruit, as one could hardly see any other thing on either side of the water. In many other places also there were an infinite company of houses, and magazines full of aU kinds of provision, that one could imagine, where all sorts of flesh are salted, dried, smoked, and piled up in great high heaps, as gammons of bacon, pork, lard, geese, ducks, cranes, bustards, ostriches, stags, cows, buffles, wild goats, rhinocerotes, horses, tygers, dogs, foxes, and almost aU other creatures that one can name, so that we said many times amongst our selves, that it was not possible for aU the people of the world to eat up all those provisions. We saw likewise upon the same river a number of vessels, which they call Panouras, covered from the poup to the prow with nets, in manner of a cage, three inches high, full of ducks and geese, that were carried from place to place to be sold ; when the owners of those boats would have these fowl to feed, they approach to the land ; and where there are rich medows, or marshes, they set forth planks ; penning the doors of those cages, they beat three or four times upon a drum, which they have expressly for that perpose ; whereupon all these fowl, being six or seven thousand at the least, go out of the boat with a mighty noise, and so fall to feeding aU along the waters side. Now when the owner perceives, that these fowl have fed sufficiently, and that it is time to return them, he beats the drum the second time, at the sound whereof they gather all together, and re-enter with the same noise, as they went out ; wherein it is strange to observe, that they return all in again, not so much as one missing. That done, the master of the OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 201 boat parts from that place, and afterwards when he thinks it is time for them to lay, he repairs towards land, and where he finds the groraids dry, and good grass, he opens the doors, and beats the drum again, at which all the fowl of the boat came forth to lay ; and then at such time as the master judges that these fowl have laid, he beats his drum afresh, and suddenly in haste they all throng in to the boat, not so much as one remaining behind. Thereupon two or three men get ashore, with baskets in their hands, whereinto they gather up the egs, till they have gotten eleven or twelve baskets full, and so they proceed on their voyage to make sale of their ware ; which being almost spent, to store themselves anew, they go for to buy more unto them that breed them, whose trade it is to sell them young ; for they are not suffered to keep them when they are great, as the others do, by reason, as I have said before, no man may deal in any commodity for which he hath not permission from the governours of the towns. They that get their living by breeding of ducks have neer to their houses certain ponds, where many times they keep ten or eleven thousand of these ducklings, some bigger, some lesser. Now for to hatch the eggs, they have in very long galleries twenty or thirty furnaces full of dung, wherein they bury two hundred, three hundred, and five hundred eggs together, then stopping the mouth of each furnace that the dung may become the hotter, they leave the eggs there tiU they think the young ones are disclosed ; whereupon putting into every several furnace a capon half pulled, and the skin stript from off his brest, they leave him shut up therein for the space of two days ; at the end whereof being aU come out of the shell, they carry them into certain places imder ground made for that purpose, setting them bran soaked in liquor ; and so being left there loose some ten or eleven dayes, they go afterwards of them- selves into the ponds, where they feed and bring them up for to sell them unto those former merchants, who trade with them into divers parts, it being unlawful! for one to trench upon anothers trafiSque, as I have before related ; so that in the markets and pubHque places, where provisions for the mouth are sold, if any that sell goose eggs do chance to be taken siesed with hens eggs, and it is suspected that they sell 202 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES of them, they are presently punished with thirty lashes on the bare buttocks, without hearing any justification they can make for themselves, being as I have said, found siesed of them ; so that if they will have hens eggs for their own use, to avoid incurring the penalty of the law, they must be broken at one end ; whereby it may appear that they keep them not to sell, but to eat. As for them that sell fish alive, if any of their fish chance to die, they cut them in pieces, and salting them sell them at the price of salt-fish, which is less then that of fresh- fish, wherein they proceed so exactly, that no man dares pass the limits which are prescribed and ordained by the Gonchalis of the State, upon pain of most severe punishment ; for in all this county the King is so much respected, and justice so feared, as no kinde of person, how great soever, dares murmur, or look awry at an of&cer, no not at the very IIit,ppes, which are as the baj-liffs or beadles amongst us. GHAPTEE XXVIII. The order which is observed in the reruoving towns that are made upon the rivers ; and that which further befell us. WB saw likemse all along this great river a nimiber of hogs both wilde and domestick, that were kept by certain men on horseback, and many herds of tame red deer, which were driven from place to place like sheep, to feed, aU lamed of their right legs, to hinder them from running away ; and they are lamed so, when they are but calves, to avoid the danger that otherwise they might incur of their lives : we saw also divers parks, wherein a world of dogs were kept to be sold to the butchers ; for in these countries they eat all manner of ' flesh, whereof they know the price, and of what creatiires they are, by the choppings they make of them. Moreover, we met with many small barques, whereof some were full of pigs, others of tortoises, frogs, otters, adders, eeles, snails, and lizards; for (as I have said) they buy there of all that is judged good to eat ; now to the end that such provisions may pass at an easier rate, all that sell them are permitted to make traffique OP FPl{t)iNAND ilENDEZ PINTO. 203 of them in several fashions ; ti-ue it is, that in some things they have greater franchises then in others, to the end that by means thereof no merchandise may want sale. We saw many boats likewise laden with dried orange pils, wherewith in victualhng houses they boyl dogs flesh, for to take away the rank savour and humidity of it, as also to render it more firm. In brief, we saw so many Vatwans, Lanteaas, and Barcasses, in this river, laden with all kinds of provision, that either the sea or land produces, and that in such abundance, as I must confess, I am not able to express it in words ; for it is not possible to imagine the infinite store of things that are in this country ; of each whereof you shall see two or three hundred vessels together at a time, all fuU, especially at the fairs, and markets, that are kept upon the solemn festival days of their Pagodes ; for then all the fairs are free, and the Pagodes for the most part are scituated upon the banks of rivers, to the end all commodities may the more commodiously be brought thither by water. Now when aU these vessels come to joyn together, during these fairs, they take such order, as they make, as it were, a great and fair town of them ; so that sometimes you shall have of them a league in length, and three quarters of a league in bredth, being composed of above twenty thousand vessels ; besides Balons, Guedees, and Manchuas, which are smaU boats, whose number is infinite; for the government hereof there are threescore captains appointed, of which thirty are to see good order kept, and the other thirty are for the guard of the merchants that come thither, to the end they may sail in safety. Moreover, there is above them a Cliaem, who hath absolute power, both in civil and criminal causes, without any a;ppeal or opposition whatsoever, during the fifteen days that this fair lasts, which is from the new to the full moon ; and indeed more come to see the policy, order, and beauty of this kind of town, then otherwise ; for (to speak the truth, the framing of it in that manner with vessels) makes it more to be admired then all the edifices that can be seen -upon the land. There are ia this moving town two thousand streets, exceeding long, and very strait, inclosed on either side with ships, most of which are covered with sUks, and adorned with a world of banners, flags, and streamers, wherein all kinds of commodities 204 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES that can be desired are to be sold. In other streets are as many trades to be seen, as in any town on the land ; amidst the which they that traffique, go up and down in little Man- chuas, and that very quietly, and without any disorder. Now if by chance any one is taken stealing, he is instantly punished according to his offence. As soon as it is night, all these streets are shut up with cords athwart them, to the end none may pass after the retreat sounded ; in each of these streets there are at least a dozen of lanthorns, with lights burning, fastened a good heighth on the masts of the vessels, by means whereof all that go in and out are seen, so that it may be known who they are, from whence they come, and what they would have, to the end the Cliaem may the next morning receive an account thereof. And truly, to behold all these lights together in the night, is a sight scarce able to be imagined ; neither is there a street without a bell, and a sen- tinel ; so as when that of the Ghaems ship is heard to ring, all the other bels answer it, with so great a noise of voices ad- joyned thereunto, that we were almost beside our selves, at the hearing of a thing which cannot be well conceived ; and that was ruled with such good order. In every of these streets, even in the poorest of them, there is a chappel to pray in, framed upon great barcasses, Uke to galhes, very neat, and so well accommodated, that for the most part they are enriched with silks, and cloth of gold. In these chappels are their idols, and priests which administer their sacrifices, and receive the offerings that are made them, wherewith they are abundantly furnished for their living. Out of each street, one of the most account, or chiefest merchant, is chosen to watch aU night in his turn with those of his squadron, besides the captains of the government, who in ballons walk the round without, to the end no thief may escape by any avenue whatsoever ; and for that purpose these guards cry as loud as they can, that they may be heard. Amongst the most remarkable things, we saw one street, where there were above an himdred vessels, laden with idols of gilt wood, of divers fashions, which were sold for to be offered to the Pagodes ; together with a world of feet, thighs, arms, and heads, that sick folks bought to offer in devotion. There also we beheld other ships, covered with silk hangings, OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 205 where comedies and other plays were represented to entertain the people withall, which in great numbers flocked together. In other places, bills of exchange for Heaven were sold, whereby these priests of the devil promised them many merits, with great interest, affirming that without these bils they could not possibly be saved ; for that God, say they, is a mortal enemy to aU such as do not some good to the Pagodes ; whereupon they tell them such fables and lies, as these unhappy vrr etches do often times take the very bread from their mouthes to give it them. There were also other vessels all laden with dead mens skuls, which divers men bought for to present as an offering at the tombs of their friends, when they should happen to die ; for, say they, as the deceased is laid in the grave in the company of these skuls, so shall his soul enter into Heaven, attended by those unto whom those skuls belonged ; wherefore when the porter of Paradise shall see such a merchant, with many followers, he wiU do him honour, as to a man that in this life hath been a man of quality ; for if he be poor, and without a train, the porter will not open to him ; whereas, contrarily, the more dead mens skuls he hath buried with him, the more happy he shall be esteemed. There were many boats likewise, where there were men that had a great many of cages, full of Uve bii-ds, who playing on divers instruments of musick, exhorted the people with a loud voice, to deHver those poor creatm-es of God, that were there in captivity ; whereupon many came and gave them money for the redemption of those prisoners, which presently they let out of the cages ; and then as they flew away, the redeemers of them cried out to the birds, Pichau pitanel catan vacaxi, that is. Go, and tell God, Iww we serve him here below. In imitation of these, there are others also, who in their ships kept a great many of live fishes in great pots of water, and Kke the sellers of birds invite the people, for Gods cause, to free those poor innocent fishes, that had never sinned ; so that divers bought many of them, and casting them into the river, said. Get ye gone, and tell there below the good I have done you for Gods sake. To conclude all, the vessels where these things are exposed to sale are seldom less in number then two hundred, besides thousands of others, which sell such like wares in a far greater quantity. 206 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES We saw likewise many Barcasses full of men and -women, that played upon divers sorts of instruments, and for money gave them musick that desired it. There were other vessels laden vnth horns, which the priests sold, therewith to make feasts in Heaven ; for they say, that those were the horns of several heasts, which were offered in sacrifice to the idols out of devotion, and for the performance of vows that men had made in divers Mnd of mis-fortunes, and sicknesses, wherein they had at other times been. And that as the flesh of those beasts had been ^ven here below for the honour of God to the poor, so the souls of them for whom those horns were offered do in the other world eat the souls of those beasts to whom those horns belonged, and thereunto invite the souls of their friends, as men use to invite others here on earth. Other vessels we saw covered with blacks, and ful'of tombs, torches, and great wax lights ; as also women in them, that for money would be hired to weep and lament for the dead ; others there were, called Fitaleus, that in great barques kept divers kinds of wild beasts to be shewed for money, most dreadful to behold as serpents, huge adders, monstrous lizards, tygers, and many others such like ; we saw in like sort a great number of stationers, which sold all manner of books that could be desired, as well concerning the creation of the world, whereof they teU a thousand lies, as touching the states, kingdomes, islands, and provinces of the world, together with the laws and customs of nations ; but especially of the kings of China, their nxunber, brave acts, and of all things else that happened in each of their reigns. Moreover, we saw a great many of the light, swift foysts, wherein were men very well armed, who cried out vnth a loud voice, that, if any one had received an affront, whereof he desired to be avenged, let him come unto them, and they would cause satisfaction to be made him. In other vessels there were old women, that served for midvdves, and that would bring women speedily and easUy abed ; as also a many of nurses, ready to be entertained for to give children Buck. There were barques likewise very well adorned, and set forth, that had in them divers reverend old men, and grave matrons, whose profession was to make marriages, and to comfort vyidows, or such as had lost their children, or suffered OP FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 207 any other mis-fortune. In others there were a number of young men and maids, that lacked rdasters, and mistresses, which offered themselves to any that would hire them. There were other vessels that had in them such as undertook to teU fortunes, and to help folks to things lost. In a word, not to dwell any longer upon every particular that was to be seen in this moving town, (for then I should never have done) it shall suffice me to say, that nothing can be desked on land, which was not to be had in their vessels, and that in greater abun- dance than I have delivered, wherefore I wiU pass from it to shew you that one of the principal causes why this monarchy of China, that contains two and thirty kingdoms, is so mighty, rich, and of so great commerce, is, because it is exceedingly replenished with rivers, and a world of chanels that have been anciently made by the kings, great lords, and people thereof, for to render all the coujitry navigable, and so communicate their labours with one another. The narrowest of these chanels have bridges of hewed stone over them, that are very high, long and broad, whereof some are of one stone, eighty, ninety, nay, an hundred spans long, and fifteen or twenty broad, which doubtless is very marvellous ; for it is almost - impossible to comprehend by what means so huge a mass of stone coidd be drawn out of the quarry without breaking, and how it should be transported to the place where it was to be Bet. AH the ways and passages, from cities, towns, and villages, have very large causeys made of fair stone, at the ends whereof are costly pUlars and arches, upon which are inscriptions with letters of gold, containing the prayses of them that erected them ; moreover, there are handsome seats placed all along for poor passengers to rest themselves on. There are likewise innumerable aqueducts and fountains every where, whose water is most wholesom and excellent to drink. And in divers parts there are certain wenches of love, that out of charity prostitute themselves to travellers which have no money ; and although amongst us this is held for a great abuse and . abomination, yet . with them it is accounted a work of mercy ; so that many on their death-beds do by their testa- ments bequeathe great revenues, for the maintenance of this wickedness, as a thing very meritorious for the salvation of 208 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES their souls; moreover, many others have left lands for the erectmg and maintaining of houses, in desarts and uninhabited places, where great fires are kept all the night to guide such as have strayed out of their way ; as also water for men to drink, and seats to repose them in ; and that there may be no default herein, there are divers persons entertained with very good means, to see these things carefully continued, according to the institution of him that founded them for the health of his soul. By these marvels which are found in the particular towns of this empire may be concluded, what the greatness thereof might be, were they joyned all together ; but for the better satisfaction of the reader, I dare boldly say, if my testimony may be worthy of credit, that in one and twenty years space (during which time, with a world of mis-fortune, labour and pain, I traversed the greatest part of Asia, as may appear by this my discourse) I had seen in some countries a wonderfull abimdance of several sorts of victuals, and pro- visions, which we have not in our Europe ; yet, without speaking what each of them, might have in particular, I do not think there is in all Europe so much as there is in Chiim alone. And the same may be said of aU the rest, wherewith Heaven hath favoured this climate, as well for the temperature of the air, as for that which concerns the pohcy, and riches, the magnificence and greatness of their estate. Npw that which gives the greatest lustre unto it, is, their exact observation of justice ; for there is so well ruled a government in this country, as it may justly be envied of all others in the world. And to speak the truth, such as vrant this particular, have no gloss, be they otherways never so great and commendable. Verily, so often as I represent unto my self those great things which I have seen in this China, I am on the one side amazed to think how liberally it hath pleased God to heap upon this people the goods of the earth ; and on the other side I am exceedingly grieved to consider how ungrateful! they are in acknowledging such extraordinary favours ; for they commit amongst them- selves an infinite of most enormous sins, wherewithal! they incessantly offend the Divine Goodness. OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 209 CHAPTEE XXIX. Out arrival at the city of Pequin, together with our imprisonment, and that ■which moreover happened unto us there ; as also the great majesty of the ofaoers of their Court of Justice. AFTEE we were departed from that rare and marvellous town, whereof I have spoken, we continued our course up the river, until at length, on Ttiesday, the nineteenth of October, in the year 1541, we arrived at the great city of Pequin, whither, as I have said before, we had been remitted lay appeal. In this manner, chained three and three together, we were cast into a prison, called Gofaniauserca, where for our welcom we had at the first dash thirty lashes apiece given us, wherewith some of us became very sick. Now as soon as the Ghifuu who conducted us thither had presented the process of our sentence, sealed with twelve seals, to the justice of the Aytao, which is their Parliament, the twelve CJwiichaUs of the criminal cham- ber, imto whom the cognisance of our cause appertained, com- manded us presently away to prison ; whereupon one of those twelve, assisted by two Eegisters, and six or seven of&cers, whom they term Hupes, (and are much Uke our Catchpoles here), terrified us not a little, as he was leading us thither; for giving us very threatning speeches, Come, said he unto us. By tJie power Mid autlwrity which I have from the Aytao of Batampina, chief president of the two and thirty judges of strangers (iqithin whose brest are the secrets of the lyon crowned on the throne of the world inclosed) I enjoyn and command you to tell me, what people you are, as also of what country, and whetlier you have a king, who for the service of God, and for the discliarge of his dignity, is iiiclined to do good to the poor, and to retvder them justice, to the end tlwA with tears in their eyes, and hands lifted up, they may not address their complaints to tliat Sovereigne Lord which hath made tlie bright enainel of the - skies, and for whose holy feet all they that reign with Him, serve but for sandals. To this demand we answered him, that we were poor strangers, natives of the kingdom of Siam, who being imbarqued with our merchandise for Liampoo were cast away in a great storm at sea, from whence we escaped naked 15 210 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES with the loss of all that we had ; and how in that deplorahle estate we. were fain to get our living by begging from door to door, till such time as at om- arrival at the town of Taypor, the Chuvibim, then resident there, had arrested us for prisoners without cause, and so sent us to the city of Nanquin, where by his report we had been condemned to the whip, and to have our thumbs cut off, without so much as once deigning to hear us in our justifications ; by reason whereof, lifting up our eyes to Heaven, we had been advised to have recourse, with our tears, to the four and twenty judges of austere life, that (through their zeal to God) they might take our cause in hand, since by reason of our poverty we were altogether without sup- port, and abandoned of all men, which with an holy zeal they incontinently effected, by revoking the cause, and annulling the judgment that had been given against us ; and that, these things considered, we most instantly besought him, that for the service of God he would be pleased to have regard to our misery, and the great injustice that was done us, for that we had no means in this country, uor person, that would speak one word for us. The judge remained sometime in suspence upon that we had said to him ; at length he answered, that we need say no more to him ; for it is sufficient that I know you are poor, to the end this affair may go another way then hitherto it hath done ; nevertheless, to acquit me of my charge, I give you five days time, conformably to the law of the third book, that within the said term you may retain a proctor to undertake your cause ; but if you will be advised by me, you shall present your request to the Tanigores of the sacred ofi&ce, to the end that they, carried by an holy zeal of the honour of God, may out of compassion of your miseries take upon them to defend your right. Having spoken thus, he gave us a Taeis, in way of alms, and said further to us, -Beware of the prisoners that are here ; for I assm-e you, that they make it their trade, to steal all that they can from any one ; whereupon entering into another chamber where there were a great number of prisoners, he continued there above three hours in giving them audience ; at the end whereof he sent seven and twenty men, that the day before had received their judgement, to execution, which was inflicted upon them by whipping to death ; a spec- OF PMBDtNAND MENDEZ PiNTO. 2il tacle so dreadful to us, and tliat put tis in such a fright, as it almost Bet us besides our selves. The next morning, as soon as it wasdayi the jaylors clapt irons on our feet, and manacles on our hands, and put us to exceeding great pain ; but seven days after we had endured such misery, being laid on the ground one by another, and bewayhng our disaster, for the extream fear we were in of suffering a most cruel death, if that which we had done at Galempluy should by any means chance to be discovered, it pleased God that we were 'visited by the Tanigores of the house of mercy, which is of the jurisdiction of this prison, who are called la their language Gofilem Gnaxy. At their arrival aU the prisoners bowing themselves, said with a lamentable tone, Blessed be the day wlmrein God doth visit us by the ministry of His servants ; whereunto the Tanigores made answer, with a grave and modest countenance, The Almighty and Divine hand of Him that liath formed the beauty of the stars keep and preserve you. Then approaching to us, they very courteously demanded of us what people we were, and whence it proceeded that our imprisonment was more sensible to us then to others ? To this speech we replyed, with tears in our eyes, that we were poor strangers, so abandoned of men, as in all the country there was not one that knew our names, and that all we could in our poverty say, to intreat them to think of us for Gods sake, was contained in a letter, that we had brought them from the chamber of the society of the house of Quiay Hinarol, in the city of Nanquin ; whereupon Ghristo- phoroBorralho, presenting them with the letter, they received it with a new ceremony, full of aU courtesie, saying, Praised be He who Imth created all things, far tJiat He is pleased to serve Himself of sinners here below, whereby they may be recompensed at the last day of all days, by satisfying them double their labour with the riches of His holy treasures, which shall be done, as we believe, in as great abundance, as the drops of rain fall from the clouds to the earth. After this, one of the four, putting up the letter, said unto us, that as soon as the chamber of justice for the poor was open, they would all of them give an answer to our business, and see us furnished with all that we had need of, and 60 they departed from us. Three days after they retiirned to visit us in the prison ; and in. the next morning 212 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND AbVENTUBUS coming to us again, they asked us many questions answerabls to a memorial -which they had thereof ; whereunto we replyed in every point according as we were questioned by each of them, so as they remained very well satisfied with our answers. Then calling the Eegister to them, who had our papers in charge, they inquired very exactly of him, touching many things that concerned us, and withall required his advice about our affair ; that done, having digested all that might make for the conversation of our right into certain heads, they took our process from him, saying, they would peruse it aU of them together in their Chambers of Justice with the proctors of the house, and the next day return it him again, that he might carry it to the Gliaem, as he was resolved before to do. Not to trouble my self with recounting in particular all that occurred in this affair, untill such time as it was fully con- cluded, wherein six moneths and an half were imployed, (during the which we continued stiU prisoners in such misery) I wUl in few words relate all that befell us unto the end ; when as our business was come before the twelve Conclialis of the criminal court, the two proctors of the house of mercy most willingly took upon ihem to cause the unjust sentence which had been given against us to be revoked. Having gotten then all the proceedings to be disannulled, they by petition remon- strated unto the Ghaem, who was the president of the court. How we cmild not for any cause whatsoever he condemned to death, seeing there were no witnesses of any credit that could tes- tifie that we had roibed any man, or had ever seen us carry arvy offensive weapons contrary to the prohibition made against it by the law of tlie first booh ; but that we were apprehended quite naked, lihe wretclied men, wandering after a lamentable ship- tvraclc ; and tliat therefore our poverty and misery was worthy rather of a pitiful compassion, then of that rigour wherewith the first minister of the arm of wrath had caused u^ to be whipt ; moreover, that God alone was the judge of ou/r vnnocency ; in whose name they required him once, twice, nay many times, to consider that he was mortal, and could not last long ; for that God had given him a perishable life, at the end whereof he was to render an account of that which had been required of him, since by a solernn oath he was obliged to do all that should be OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 213 vianifest to his judgonent, without any considsrations of men of the world ; whose custom it was to make the hallance sway down, which God would have to be upright, according to the integrity of His Divine justice. To tMs petition the Kings proctor oppo- sing himself, as he that was our adverse party, and that in certain articles, which he framed against us, set forth, how he would prove by ocular witnesses, as well of the country, as strangers, that we were pubUque thieves, making a common practice of robbing, and not merchants, such as we pretended to be ; whereunto he added, that if we had come to the coast of China with a good design, and with an intent to pay the King his due in his custom-houses, we would have repaked to the ports, where they were established by the ordinance of the Aytan of the Government ; but for a punishment, because we went from isle to isle, like pirats. Almighty God, that detests sin and robbery, had permitted us to suffer shipwrack, that so falling into the hands of the ministers of His justice we might receive the guerdon of our wicked works, namely, the pains of death, whereof our crimes rendred us most worthy. In regard of all which, he desired we might be condemned according to the law of the second book, that commanded it in express terms. And that if for other considerations, no way remark- able in us, we could by any law be exempted from death, yet nevertheless, for that we were strangers, and vagabonds, with- out either faith, or knowledg of God, that alone would suffice, at leastwise to condemn us to have our hands and noses cut off, and so to be banished for ever into the country of Ponxileytay, whither such people as we, were wont to be exiled, as might be verified by divers sentences given and executed in like cases ; and to that effect, he desired the admittance of his articles, which he promised to prove within the time, that should be prescribed him. These articles were presently excepted against by the proctor of the Com-t of Justice, established for the poor, who offered to make the contrary appear within a certain term, which to that end, and for many other reasons aUedged by him in our favour, was granted him ; wherefore he required that the said articles might not be admitted, especially for that they were infamous, and directly contrary to the ordinances of justice. Whereupon the Chaem ordered, that his articles should not be 214 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES admitted, unless he did prove them by evident testimonies, and Buch as were conformable to the divine law, within six days next ensuing, and that upon pain in case of contravention not to be admitted to any demand of a longer delay. The said term of six days being prescribed the Kings proctor, he, in the mean time, producing no one proof against us, nor any person that, so much as knew us, came and demanded a delay of other six days, which was flatly denied him, in regard it but too well appeared, that all he did was only to win time, and therefore he would by no means consent unto it ; but contrarily, he gave the proctor for the poor five days respit to aUedge all that fur- ther he could in our defence. In the mean time, the Kings proctor declaimed against us in such foul and opprobrious terms, as the Cliaem was much offended thereat ; so that he condemned him to pay us twenty Taeis of silver, both for his want of charity, and for that he could not prove any one of the obligations which he had exhibited against us. Three days being spent herein, four Tanigores of the house of the poor, coming very early in the morning to the prison, sent for us iuto the Infirmirie, where they told us that our business went very well, and how we might hope that our sentence would have a good issue ; whereupon we cast our selves at their feet, and with abundance of tears desired God to reward them for the pains they had taken in our behaK. Thereunto one of them replyed. And we also inost humbly beseech Him to keep you in tlie knowledge of His law, wlierein all tlie happiness of good men con- sists ; and so they caused two coverlets to be given us, for to lay upon om- beds in the night, because the weather was cold, and withaU. bid us, that we should not stick to ask any thing we wanted, for that God Almighty did not love a sparing hand in the distributing of akns for His sake. A little after their departm-e came the Eegister, and shewing us the Ohaems order, whereby the Kings proctor was condemned to pay us twenty Taeis, gave us the money, and took an acquittance under our hands for the receipt of it. For which giving him a world of thanks, we intreated him for his pains to take as much thereof as he pleased ; but he would not touch a peny, saying, I will not for so small a matter lose the recompence which I hope to gain from God, for the consideration of you. OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 215 We past nine days in great fear, still expecting to have our sentence pronounced, when as on Saturday morning two Chuvi- bims of Justice came to the prison for us, accompanied with twenty of&cers, by them called Huppes, carrying halberts, por- tisans, and other arms, which made them very dreadful to the beholders. These men tying us all nine together in a long iron chain, lead us to the Oaladigan, which was the place where audience was given, and where execution was done on delin- quents. Now how we got thither, to confess the truth, I am not able to relate ; for we where at that instant so far besides our selves, as we knew not what we did, or which way we went ; so as in that extremity all our thought was how to conform our selves to the will of God, and beg of Him with tears, that for the merit of His sacred passion, He would be pleased to receive the punishment that should be inflicted on us for the satisfac- tion of our sins. At length after much pain, and many affronts, that were done us by many which followed after us, with loud cries, we arrived at the first haU of the Caladigan, where were four and twenty executioners, whom they call, Tlie Ministers of tlie arm of justice, with a great many of other people, that were there about their affairs. Here we remained a long time, till at length upon the ringing of a beU, other doors were opened, that stood under a great arch of architecture, very artificially wrought, and whereon were a number of rich figures. On the top a monstrous Hon of silver was seen, with his fore and hind feet upon a mighty great bowl, made of the same metal, whereby the arms of the King of China are represented, which are OLdinarily placed on the fore-front of aU the sovereign courts, where the Chaems preside, who are as vice-roys amongst us. Those doors being opened, as I said before, all that were there present entred into a very great hall, Uke the body of a church, hung from the top to the bottom with divers pictures, wherein strange kinds of execution done upon persons of all conditions, after a most dreadful manner were constrained ; and under every picture was this inscription. Such a one was executed with this kind of death for committing such a crime ; so that in beholding the diversity of these fearful pourtraitures one might see in it, as it were, a declaration of the kind of death that was ordained 216 THE TEAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES for each crime, as also the extream rigour which the justice there observed in such executions. From this hall we went into another room far richer, and more costly, for it was gilt all over, so that one could not have a more pleasing object, at least wise, if we could have taken pleasure in any thing, considering the misery we M'ere in. In the midst of this room there was a Tribunal, whereunto one ascended by seven steps, invironed with three rows of balUsters of iron, copper, and ebony ; the tops whereof were beautified with mother of pearl. At the upper end of all was a cloth of state of white damask, frenged about with a deep cawi frenge of green silk and gold ; under this state sat the Chaem with a world of greatness and majesty; he was seated in a very rich chair of silver, having before him a little table, and about him three boys on their knees, sumptuously apparelled, with chains of gold ; one of the which (namely, he in the middle) served to give the GJiaem the pen wherewithal he signed ; the other two took the petitions that were preferred, and presented them on the table, that they might be signed ; on the right hand, in another place somewhat higher, and almost equal with the Clmem, stood a boy, some ten or eleven years old, attired in a rich robe of white satin, imbroidered with roses of gold, having a chain of pearl three double about his neck, and hair as long as a womans, most neatly plaited with a fillet of gold, all enamelled with green, and powdered over with great seed pearl. In his hand he held, as a mark of that which he represented, a little branch of roses, made of silk, gold thread, and rich pearls, very curiously intermixed. And in this manner he appeared so gentle, handsome, and beautiful, as no woman, how fair soever, could overmatch him ; this boy leaned on his elbow upon the Ghaems chair, and figured mercy. In the hke manner, on the left hand was another goodly boy, richly apparelled in a coat of carnation satin, all set with roses of gold, having his-right arm bared up to the elbow, and died with a vermilion as red as blood, and in that hand holding a naked sword, which seemed also to be bloody : moreover, on his head he wore a crown, in fashion like to a myter, hung all with little razors, like unto lancets, wherewith Chirurgiona let men blood; being thus gallantly set forth, and of most OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 217 beautiful presence, yet he struck all that beheld him with fear, in regard of that he represented, which was justice. For they say, that the judge, who holds the place of the King, who presents God on earth, ought necessarily to have those two qualities, pistice, and viercy ; and that he which doth not use them is a tyrant, acknowledging no law, and usm-ping the power that he hath. The Ghaem was apparelled in a long gown of violet satin, frenged with green silk and gold, with a Hnd of scapulair about his neck, in the midst of which was a great plate of gold, wherein an hand holding a very even pair of baUance was engraven, and the inscription about it : It is the nature of the Lord Almighty, to observe in His justice, weight, measure, and true account ; tlierefore take heed to wliat tlwu doest, for if tlwu earnest to sin tlwu shalt suffer for it eternally. Upon his head he had a kind of round bonnet, bordered about with small sprigs of gold, aU enamelled violet and green, and on the top of it was a little crowned Hon of gold, upon a round bowl of the same metal ; by which lion crowned, as I have delivered heretofore, is the King signified, and by the bowl, the world ; as if by these devices they would denote, that the King is the Lion crowned on the throne of the world. In his right hand he held a httle rod of ivory, some three spans long, in manner of a scepter ; upon the top of the 3 first steps of this tribunal stood eight ushers with silver mace's on their shoulders, and below were threescore Mogors on their knees, disposed into three ranks, carrying halberds in their hands, that were neatly damasked with gold. In the vantgard of these same stood, like as if they had been, the commanders or captains of this squadron, the statues of two giants, of a most gallant aspect, and very richly attired, with their swords hanging in scarfs, and mighty great halberds in their hands, and these the Ghineses in their language caU Gigaes ; on the two sides of this Tribunal, below in the room, were two very long tables, at each of which sat twelve men, whereof four were presidents, or judges, two registers, four sohcitors, and two Gonchalis, which are (as it were) assistants to the Court, one of these tables was for criminal, and the other for civil causes, and all the officers of both these tables were apparelled in the gowns of white satin, that were very 218 TEE TBAVBLS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES long, and had large slieves, thereby demonstrating the latitude and purity of justice ; the tables were covered with carpets of violet damask, and richly bordered about with gold, the Ghaems table, because it was of silver, had no carpet on it, nor any thing else, but a cushion of cloth of gold, and a standith. Now all these things put together, as we saw them, carried a wonderful shew of state and majesty; but to proceed, upon the fourth ringing of a bell, one of the Conchalis stood up, and, after a low obeysance made to the Cliaem, with a very loud voice, that he might he heard of every one, he said. Peace there, and with all submission hearken, on pain of incurring the punishment, ordained hy the Chaems of the Government for those, that interrupt the silence of sacred justice. Whereupon this same sitting down again, another arose, and with the like reverence, mounting up to the Tribunal, where the Chaem sat, he took the sentences from him that held them in his hand, and pubHshed them aloud one after another, with so many ceremonies, and compliments, as he employed above an hour therein. At length coming to pronounce our judgment, they caused us to kneel down, with our eyes fixed on the ground, and our hands hfted up, as if we were praying unto heaven, to the end that in aU humility we might hear the - pubhcation thereof, which was thus : [A portion only of the judgment is here given.} ' I do ordain, and decree, that these nine strangers shall be clearly quit and absolved of all that which the Kings proctor hath laid to thei/r charge, as also of all the punishment belonging tliereunto, condemning tliem only to a years exile, during which tim£ they sliall work for their living in the reparations of Quansy ; and when as eight moneths of the said year shall be accomplished, then I expresly enjoyn all the Chumbims, Con- chalis, Monteos, and otJier ministers of their government, that immediately upon their presenting of this my decree unto them, they give them a pass-port and safe conduct, to the end they may freely and securely return into their country, or to any oilier place they shall think fit. After this sentence was thus pub- lished in our hearing, we aU cried out with a, loud voice, The OF FERDINAND MFNDEZ PINTO. 219 sentence of thy clear judgevient is confirmed in us, even as the purity of thy heart is agreeable to the Son of the Sun. This said, one of the Gonchalis, that sate at one of the tables, stood up, and having made a very low obeisance to the Chaein, he said aloud five times one after another, to all that press of people which were there in great number; Is there any one in this court, in this city, or in this kingdom, that will oppose this decree, or the deliverance of these nine prisoners ? Whereunto no answer being made, the two boys, that represented justice and mercy, touched the ensigns which they held in their hands together, and said aloud. Let them he freed and discharged according to tlie sentence very justly pronounced for it ; where- upon one of those ministers, whom they call Huppes, having rung a bell thrice, the two Ghumbims of execution, that had formerly bound "us, unloosed us from our chain, and withal took off our manacles, collers, and the other irons from our legs, so that we were quite delivered, lor which we gave infinite thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, because we always thought, that for the ill conceit men had of us we should be condemned to death. From thence, so delivered as we were, they led us back to the prison, where the two Ghumbims signed our enlargment in the jaylors book ; nevertheless that we might be altogether discharged, we were to go two months after to serve a year according to our sentence, upon pain of becoming slaves for ever to the King, conformable to Ms ordinances. Now because we would presently have gone about to demand the alms of good people in the city, the Ghifuu, who was as Grand Provost of that prison, perswaded us to stay tiU the next day, that he might first recommend us to the Tanigores -of mercy, that they might do something for us. 220 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES CHAPTEE XXX. What past tetwixt us and the Tanigores of mercy, with the great favorg they did us ; and a brief relation of the city of Pequin, where the King of China kept his Court. T HHi next morning the four Tanigores of mercy came to visit the infirmity of this prison, as they used to do ; where they rejoyced with us for the good success of our sen- tence, giving us great testimony, how well contented they were with it, for which we returned them many thanks, not without shedding abundance of tears, whereat they seemed to be not a httle pleased, and willed us not to be troubled with the term we were condemned to serve in, for they told us that in stead of a year we should continue but eight months there, and that the other four moneths, which made the third part of our punishment, the King remitted it by way of alms for Gods sake, in consideration that we were poor ; for otherwise, if we had been rich, and of ability, we should have had no favour at all, promising to cause this diminution of punishment to be endorsed on our sentence, and besides that they would go, and speak to a very honour- able man for us, that was appointed to be the chief Marshal, or Monteo, of Quansy, the place where we were to serve, to the end he might shew us favour, and cause us to be truly paid for the time we should remain there. Now because this man was naturally a friend to the poor, and inclined to do them good, they thought it would be fit to carry us along with them to his house, the rather for that it might be he would take us into his charge ; we gave them all veiy humble thanks for this good offer of theirs, and told them that God would reward this charity they shewed us for His sake ; whereupon we accompanied them to the Monteos house, who came forth to receive us in his outward Court, leading his wife by the hand; which he did, either out of a greater form of comple- ment, or to do the more honour to the Tanigores, and coming neer them he prostrated himself at their feet, and said: It is now, my lord, and holy brethren, that I have cause to rejoyce for that it ]iath pleased God to 'permit, that you His holy servants OF FEBJDTNAND MENDEZ PINTO. 221 siwuld conie unto my house, being that which I could not liope for, in regard I held my self unworthy of stich favour. After the Tanigores had used many complements and ceremonies to him, as is usual in that country, they answered him thus, May God, our Sovereign Lord, the infinite source of mercy, recompense the good thou dost for the poor with blessing in this life ; for believe it, dear brother, the strongest staff wliereon tlie soul doth lean to keep her from falling so often as she Jiappens to stumble, is the charity which we use towards our iieighbour, when as the vain glory of this world doth not blind the good zeal whereunto His holy law doth oblige us ; and that thou viayst merit the blessed felicity of beholding His face, loe have brought tliee liere these nine Portugals, w/w are so poor, as iione in this kingdom are like to them ; wlierefore we pray thee, tliat in the place whitlier thou art going nmo, as Monteo, tJwu luilt do for them all that thou thinkest tvill be acceptable to the Lord above, in whose behalf we crave this of thee. To this speech the Monteo, and his wife, reply ed in such courteous and re- markable terms, as we were almost besides our selves to hear in what manner they attributed the success of their affairs to the principal cause of all goodness, even as though they had had the light of faith, or the knowledge of the Christian verity. Hereupon they withdrew into a chamber, into which we went not, and continued there about half an hour; then as they were about to take leave of one another, they commanded us to come in to them, where the Tanigores spake to them again about us, and recommending us unto them more then before, the Monteo caused oux names to be written down in a book that lay before him, and said unto us, I do this, because I am not so good a man, as to give you something of mine own, nor so bad as to deprive you, of the sweat of your labour, where- unto the King hath bound you ; wlierefore even at this instant you shall begin to get your livitig, although you do not serve as yet, for the desire I have that this may be accotmted to me for an alms, so that now you have nothing to do, but to be merry in my house, where I will give order that you shall be provided of all that is necessary for -you. - Besides this, I will -not promise you any thing,. for the fear I am in of the shewing some vanity by my promise, and so the divel may make use thereof a,s of an 222 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES advantage, to lay Iwld on me, a matter that often arrives through the weahiess of our nature ; wherefore let it suffice you for the present to know, that I will be mindful of you, for the love of these holy brethren here, who have spoken to me for you. The four Tanigores thereupon taking their leave, gave us four Taeis, and said unto us, Forget not to render thanks unto God for the good success you have Iwd in your business ; for it would be a grievous sin in you not to acknowledge so great a grace. Thus were vre very well entertained in the house of this captain for the space of two months, that we remained there ; at the end whereof we parted from thence, for to go to Quansy, where we were to make up our time, imder the conduct of this captain, who ever after used us very kindly, and shewed us many favours, until that the Tartars entred into the town, who did a world of mischief there, as I will more amply declare hereafter. Before I recount that which happened unto us, after we were imbarqued with those Chineses that conducted us, and that gave us great hope of setting us at liberty, I think it not amiss to make a brief relation here of the city of Pequin, which may truly be termed the capital of the monarchy of the world; as also of some particulars I observed there, as weU for its arches and policy, as for that which concerns its extent, its government, the laws of the countrey, and the admirable manner of providing for the good of the whole state, together in what sort they are paid that serve in the time of war, according to the ordinances of the kingdom, and many other things like tmto these ; though I must needs confess that herein I shall want the best part, namely, wit, and capacity, to render a reason in what clymate it is scitu- ated, and in the height of how many degrees, which is a matter the learned and cmrious most desire to be satisfied in. But my design having never been other (as I have said hereto- forej then to leave this my book unto my children, that therein they may see the sufferings I have undergone, it little imports me to write otherwise then I do, that is, in a gross and rude manner ; for I hold it better to treat of these things in such sort as nature hath taught me, then to use hyperboles, and speeches from the purpose, whereby the weakness of my poor OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 223 tinderstanding may be made more evident. Howbeit, since I am obliged to make mention of this matter, by the promise I have made of it heretofore, I say, that this city, which we call Pequin, and they of the country Pequin, is scituated in the height of forty and one degrees of northerly latitude; the walls of it are in circuit (by the report of the Chineses themselves, and as I have read in a little book, treating of the greatness thereof, and intituled Aguisendan, which I brought since along with me into Portugal) thirty large leagues, namely ten long, and five broad ; some others hold, that it is fifty, namely seventeen in length, and eight in bredth : and forasmuch as they that treat of it are of different opinions, in that the one make the extent of it thirty leagues, as I have said before, and others fifty, I will render a reason of this doubt, comformable to that which I have seen my self. It is true, that in the manner it is now built, it is thirty leagues in circuit, as they say; for it is invironed with two rows of strong walls, where there are a number of towers and bulwarks after our fashion ; but without this circuit, which is of the city it self, there is another far greater, both in length and breadth, that the Chineses affirm was anciently all in- habited, but at this present there are only some boroughs and villages, as also a many of fair houses, or castles, about it, amongst the which there are sixteen hundred that have great advantages over the rest, and are the houses of the proctors of the sixteen hundred cities, and most remarkable towns of the two and thirty kingdoms of this monarchy, who repair unto this city at the general assembly of the estates, which is held every three years for the publique good. Without this great inclosure, which (as I have said) is not comprehended in the city, there is in a distance of three leagues broad, and seven long, fourscore thousand tombs of the Mandaritis, which are little chappels all gilded within, and compassed about with baUisters of iron and lattin, the entries whereinto are through very rich and sumptuous arches : near to these chappels there are also very great houses, with gardens and tufted woods of high trees, as also many inventions of ponds, fountains, and aquseducts; whereunto may be added, that the walls of the inclosure are on the inside covered with fine porcelain, and on 224 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES the fanes above are many lions pourtrayed in gold, as also in the squares of the steeples, which are likewise very high, and embellished with pictures. It hath also five hundred very great palaces, which are called the "houses of the son of the sun, whither all those retire that have been hurt in the wars for the service of the King, as also many other souldiers, who in regard of age or sickness are no longer able to bear arms, and to the end that during the rest of their days they may be exempted from incommodity, each of them receives monethly a certain pay to find himself withal, and to live upon. Now all these men of war, as we learned of the Ghineses, are ordinarily an hundred thousand, there being in each of those houses two hundred men according to their report. We saw also another long street of low houses, where there were four and twenty thousand oar-men, belonging to the King Panoures ; and another of the same structure a good league in length, where fourteen thousand taverners that followed the Court dwelt ; as also a third street like unto the other two, where live a great number of light women, exempted from the tribute which they of the city pay, for that they are curti- sans, whereof the most part had quitted their husbands for to follow that wretched trade; and it for that cause they come to receive any hurt, their husbands are grievously punished for it, because they are there as in a place of freedom, and under the protection of the Tutan of the Court, lord steward of the Kings house. In this inclosure do likewise remain all the landresses, by them called Maynates, which wash the linnen of the city, who as we were told, are above an himdred thousand, and live in this quarter, for that there are divers rivers there, together with a number of wells, and deep pools of water, compassed about with good v^alls. Within this same inclosure, as the said Aquisendan i&l&ies, there are thirteen hundred gallant and very sumptuous houses of reUgious men and women, who make profession of the four principal laws of those two and thirty which are in the empire of China ; and it is thought that in some of these houses there are above a thousand persons, besides the servants, that from abroad do furnish them with victuals, and_ other necessary provisions. We saw also a great many houses, which have OF FEBDINAND MBNDEZ PINTO. 225 fair buildings of a large extent, with spacious inclosures, wherein there are gardens, and very thick woods, fuU of any kind of game, either for hawking, or hunting, that may be desired ; and these houses are as it were inns, whither come continually in great number people of aU ages and sexes, as to see comedies, plays, combates, buU-baitings, wrastlings, and magnificent feast, which the Tutons, Chaevis, Conchacys, Aytaos, Bracalons, Gliumhims, Monteos, Lauteas, lords, gentlemen, captains, merchants, and other rich men, do make for to give content to their kindred and friends ; these houses are bravely furnished with rich hangings, beds, chairs, and stools, as likewise with huge cupbords of plate, not onely of silver, but of gold also ; and the attendants that wait at the table, are maids ready to be married, very beautiful, and gallantly attired ; howbeit all this is nothing in comparison of the Bumptuousness, and other magnificences that we saw there. Now the Chineses assured us, there were some feasts that lasted ten days after the Garachina, or Chinese manner, which in regard of the state, pomp, and charge thereof, as well in the attendance of servants and wayters, as in the costly fare of aU kind of flesh, fowl, fish, and aU delicacies in musick, in sports of hunting, and hawking, in plays, comedies, tuts, turnayes, and in shews both of horse and foot, fighting and skirmishing together, do cost above twenty thousand Taeis. These inns do stand in at least a miUion of gold, and are maintained by certain companies of very rich merchants, who in way of commerce and traffique employ their mony therein, whereby it is thought they gain far more, then if they should ventiire it to sea. It is said also, that there is so good and exact an order observed there, that whensoever any one will be at a charge that way, he goes to the Xipaton of the house, who is the superintendent thereof, and declares unto bim what his design is ; whereupon he shews h im a book, all divided into chapters, which treats of the, ordering and Bumptuousness of feasts, as also the rates of them, and how they shall be served in, to the end, that he who wiU. be a't the charge, mayichuse which he pleases. ' This book, called Pinetoreu, I have seen, and heard it read ; so that I remember how in the three first chapters thereof, it speaks of the. feasts, 16 226 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES whereunto God is to be invited, and of wliat price they are ; and then it descends to the King of China, of whom it says, That by a special grace of Heaven, and right of sovereignty, he hath the government of the whole earth, and of all tlie kings that inhabit it. After it hath done with the Eing of China, it speats of the feasts of the Tutons, which are the ten sovereign dignities, that command over the forty Ghaems, who are as the vice-roys of the state. These Tutons also are termed the beams of the sun, for, say they, as the King of China is the son of the sun, so the Tutons, who represent him, may rightly be termed his beams, for that they proceed from him, even as the rays do from the sun. [Here follows a description of the inns and universities of Pequin, onxitieSa,'] CHAPTEE XXXI. The Prison of Xinanguibaleu, wherein those are kept, which have been condemned to serve at the reparations of the wall of Tartaria ; and another inclosure, called the Treasure of the Dead, with the revenues wherewith the prison is roaintained. DESISTING now from speaking in particular of the great number of the rich and magnificent buildings, which we saw in the city of Pequin, I wiU only insist on some of the edifices thereof, that seemed more remarkable to me then the rest,_whence it may be easie to infer, what aU. those might be, whereof I will not make any mention here, to avoid prolixity. The first building which I saw of those that were most remarkable, was a prison, which they call Xinanguibaleu, that is to say, the inclosure of the Epiles ; the circuit of this prison is two leagues square, or little less, both in length and bredth : it is inclosed vdth a very high waU without' any battlements ; the wall on the outside is invironed vnth a great deep ditch fuU of water, over the which are a many of draw bridges, that are drawn up in the night with certain iron chains, and so hang suspended on huge cast pillars ; in this prison is an arch OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 227 of strong hewed stone, abutting in 2 towers, in the tops whereof are 6 great sentinel-bells, which are never rung but all the rest within the said inclosure do answer them, which the Chineses af&rm to be above a hundred, and indeed they maie a most horrible din. In this place there are ordinarily three hundred thousand prisoners, between 17 and 60, whereat we were much amazed ; and indeed we had good cause, in regard it is a thing so imusual and extraordinary. Now desiring to know of the Ghineses the occasion of so marvellous a building, and of the great number of prisoners that were in it ; they answered us, that after the King of China, named Grisnago Docotay, had finished a wall of 300 leagues space betwixt the kingdom of China, and that of Tartaria, as I have declared other where, he ordained by the advice of his people, (for to that effect he caused an assembly of his estates to be held) that all those which should be condemned to banishment should be sent to work in the repairing of this wall, and that after they had served 6 years together therein, they might freely depart, though they were sentenced to serve for a longer time, because the king pardoned them the remainder of the term by way of charity and alms ; but if during those years they should happen to perform any remarkable act, or other thing, where it appeared they had advantage over others, or if they were 3 times woimded in the sallies they should make, or if they killed some of their enemies, they were then to be dispensed with for aU the rest of their time, and that the Chasm should grant them a certificate thereof, ^where it should be declared why he had deHvered them, and how he had thereby satisfied the ordinances of war. Two hundred and ten thousand men. are to be continually entertained in the work of the wall, by the first institution, whereof defalcation is made of a third part, for such as are dead, maimed, and delivered, either for their notable actions, or for that they had accomphshed their time : and hkewise when as the Cliaem, who is the chief of all those, sent to the Pitaucamay, which is the highest court of justice, to furnish him with that number of inen, they could not assemble them together so- soon as was necessary, for that they were divided in so many several places of that empire, which is prodigiously great, as 228 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES I have delivered before, and that withall a long time was required for the assembling them together, another king named Gopiley Apirau, -who succeeded to that Grisnago Docotay, ordained that the great inclosure should be made in the city of Pequin, to the end that as soon as any v^ere condemned to the work of this wall, they should be carried to Xinanguibaleu, for to be there altogether, by which means they might be sent away without any delay, as now is done. So soon as the court of justice hath committed the prisoners to this prison, whereof he that brings them hath a certificate, they are immediately left at liberty, so" that they may walk at their pleasure within this great inclosure, having nothing but a little plate of a span long, and 4 fingers broad, wherein these words are engraven, such a one of such a place hath been condemned to tlie general exile for such a cause ; lie entred such a day, such a inoneth, such a year. Now the reason why they make every prisoner to carry this plate for a testimony of their evil actions, is, to manifest for what crime he was condemned, and at what time he entred, because every one goes forth conformably to the length of time that shall be since he entred. in. These prisoners are held for duly dehvered when they are drawne out of captivity for to go and work at the wall, for they cannot upon any cause whatsoever be exempted from the prison of Xinanguibaleu, and the time they are there is counted to them for nothing, in regard they have no hope of Uberty but at that instant when their term permits them to work in the reparations ; for then they . may be sure to be dehvered, according to the ordinance whereof I have made mention before. . Having now delivered the occasion wherefore so great a prison was made, before I leave it, I hold it not amiss to speak of a fair we saw there, of two that are usually kept every year ; which those of the country call Crunxinem, A;ppdrau, Xinanguibaleu, that is to say. The rich fair of tJie prison of tlie condemned. These fairs are kept in the moneths of July and Jamuiry, vnth very magnificent feasts, solemnized for the invocation of their idols, and .even, there they have their plenary indulgences, by means whereof great riches of gold and silver are promised them in the other world. They are both of them frank and. OF FERDINAND MENDFZ PlNTO. 229 free, so as the merchants pay no duties, which is the cause that they flock thither in such great number, as they assured us tliat there were three miUions of persons there ; and for as much as I said before, that the three hundred thousand that are imprisoned there are at Uberty, as well as those that go in and out, you shall see what course they hold to keep the prisoners from getting forth amongst others. Every one that is free and comes in hath a mark set on the wrist of his right arm with a certain confection made of oyl, bitumen, lacre, rhubarb, and alum, which being once dry cannot be any ways defaced, but by the means of vinegar and salt mingled together very hot : and to the end that so great a number of people may be marked, on both sides of the gates stand a many of Chainpatoens, who with stamps of lead, dipt in this bitumen, imprints a mark on every one that presents himself unto them. and so they let him enter ; which is onely practised on men, not upon women, because none of that sex are ever condemned to the labour of the wall. "When therefore they come to go out of the gates, they must aU have their arms bared where this mark is, that the said Chainpatoens, who are the porters and ministers of this affair, may know them, and let them pass ; and if by chance any one be so unhappy as to have that mark defaced by any accident, he must even have patience, and remain with the other prisoners, in regard there is no way to get him out of this place if he-be foimd without that mark. Now those Ghainpatoens are so dextrous and weU versed in it, that an hundred thousand men may in an hour go in and out without trouble, so that by this means the three hundred thousand prisoners continue in their captivity, and none of them can slip away amongst others to get out. There are in this prison 3 great inclosures like great towns, where there are a number of houses, and very long streets, without any lanes ; and at the entrance into each street there are good gates, with their sentinel bells aloft, together with a Ghumbim, and 20 men for a guard ; within a flight- shoot of those inclosures are the lodgings of the Ghaem, who commands aU this prison, and those lodgings are composed of a number of fair houses, where- in are many out-courts, gardens, ponds, halls, and chambers, enriched with excellent inventions, able to lodge a king at his 230 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES ease, how great a court soever he have. In the 2 principal of these towns there are 2 streets, each of them ahout a flight-shoot long, which abut upon the GJiaem's lodgings, arched aU along with stone, and covered over head like the hospital at Lhhon, but that they far surpass it. Here are aU things to be sold that one can desire, as well for victual, and other kind of provisions, as for aU sorts of merchandise, and rich wares. In those arched streets, which are very spacious and long, are these 2 fairs kept every year, whither such a multitude of people resort, as I have declared before. More- over within the inclosure of this prison are divers woods of tall and high trees, with many smaU streams, and ponds of clear sweet water for the use of the prisoners, and to wash their linuen, as also sundry hermitages, and hospitals, together with 12 very sinnptuous and rich monasteries, so that whatso- ever is to be had in a great town, may in great abmidance be found within the inclosure, and with advantage in many things, because the most part of these prisoners have their wives and children there, to whom- the king gives a lodging answerable to the household or family, which each one hath. The second of those things, which I have undertaken to relate, is another inclosure we saw almost as big as the former, compassed about with strong walls, and great ditches. This place is called the Muadparan, which signifies. The treasure of the dead ; where are many towers of hewed carved stone, and steeples diversly painted. The walls on the top are instead of battlements environed with iron gates, where there are a number of idols of different figures, as of men, serpents, horses, oxen, elephants, fishes, adders, and many other mon- strous forms of creatures (which were never seen) some of brass, and iron, and others of tin and copper; so that this infinite company of several figures joyned together is one of the most remarkable and pleasantest things that can be imagined. Having passed over the bridge of the ditch we arrived at a great court that was at the first entrance, inclosed round about with huge gates, and paved all over with white and black stones in chequer-work, so polished and bright, as one might see himself in them as in a looking-glass. In the midst of this court was a pillar of jasper six and thirty spans 02? FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 231 Mgh, and as it seemed all one piece, on the top whereof was an idol of silver in the figure of a woman, which with her han^s strangled a serpent, that was excellently enamelled with blaci and green. A little further at the entrance of another gate,\which stood between two very high towers, and accom- panied vrith four and twenty piUars of huge great stone, there wereitwo figures of men, each of them with an iron club in his hand, as if they had served to guard that passage, being an hundred and forty spans high, with such hideous and ngly visages, as make them even to tremble that behold them. The Chineses called them Xixipatan Xalican, that is to say, The blowers of the house of smoke. At the entring into this gate there were twelve men with halberds, and two registers, set at a table, who enrolled aU that entered there, vmto whom every one paid a matter of a groat ; when we were entered within this gate, we met with a very large street, closed on both sides with goodly arches, as well in regard of the work- manship, as the rest, round about the which hung an infinite company of little bells of Lattin, by chains of the same metall, that moved by the air, made such a noise as one could not without inuch ado hear one another. The street might be about half a league long, and within these arches, on both sides of the way, were two rows of low houses, like unto great churches, with steeples gUt, and divers inventions of painting. Of these houses the Ghineses assured us there was- in that place three thousand, all which (from the very top to the bottom) were fuU of dead men's skulls, a thing so strange, that in every mans judgment a thousand great shops could hardly contain them. Behind these houses, both on the one side and the other, were two great mounts of dead mens bones, reaching far above the ridges of the houses, full as long as the street, and of a mighty bredth. These bones were ordered and disposed one upon another so curiously and aptly, that they seemed to grow there. Having demanded of the Ghineses whether any register was kept of these bones ; they answered, there was ; for the Talagrepos, tmto whose charge the ad- ministration of these three thousand houses was committed, enrolled them aU ; and that none of the houses yielded less than two thousand Taeis revenue out of such lands, as the 232 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES owners of these bones had bequeathed to them for their souls health; and that the rent of these three thousand houses together amounted unto five milUons of gold yearly, whereof the King had four, and the Talagrepos the other, for to defray the expences of this fabrick, and that the four appertained to the King, as their support, who dispenced them in the mainten- ance of the three hundred thousand prisoners of Xinangui- baleu. Being amazed at this marvel, we began to go along this street, in the midst whereof we found a great Piazza, compassed about with two huge grates of Lattin, and vyithin it was an adder of brass, infolded into I don't know hov^ many boughts, and so big that it contained thirty fathom in circuit, being withall so ugly and dreadfull, as no words are able to describe it. Some of us would estimate the weight of > it, and the least opinions reached to a thousand quintals, were it hollow within, as I beUeve it was. Now although it was of an unmeasurable greatness, yet was it in every part so well proportioned, as nothing could be amended, whereunto also the workmanship thereof is so correspondent, that all the perfection that can be desired from a good workman is ob- served in it. This monstrous serpent, which the Chiiieses call, the gluttonous Serpent of the house of smoke, had on the top of his head a bowl of iron, two and fifty foot in circum- ference, as if it had been thrown at him from some other place; twenty paces further was the figure of a man of the same brass in the form of a giant, in like manner very strange and extraordinary, as well for the greatness of the body, as the hugeness of the limbs. This monster held an iron bowl just as big as the other aloft in both his hands, and beholding the serpent with a frcxwning and angry countenance, he seemed as though he would throw his bowl at him. Bound about this figure was a number of Uttle idols aU gilt on their knees, with their hands lifted up to him, as if they would adore him. AU -this great edifice was consecrated to the honour of liiis idol, called Mucluparon, whom the Ghineses af&rmed to be treasurer of aU the dead bones, and that when the gluttonous serpent before mentioned came to steal them away, he made at him with the bowl which he held in his hands, whereupon the serpent in great fear fled immediately OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 233 away to the bottom of the profound house of smoke, whither God had precipitated him for his great wickedness ; and further that he had maintained a combat with him three thousand years already, and was to continue the same three thousand years more, so that from three thousand to three thousand years he was to imploy five bowls, wherewith he was to make an end of killing him. Hereunto they added, that as soon as this serpent should be dead, the bones that were there assembled, would return to their bodies, to which they appertained formerly, and so should go and remain for ever in the House of the Moon. To these brutish opinions they joyn many others such hke, unto which they give so much faith, that nothing can be able to remove them from it, for it is the doctrine that^is preached unto them by their Bonzes, who also teU them that the true way to make a soul happy, is to gather these bones together into this place, by means where- of there is not a day passes but that a thousand or two of these wretches bones are brought thither. Now if some for their far distance cannot bring all the bones whole thither, they will at leastwise bring a tooth or two, and so they say that by way of an alms they make as good satisfaction as if they brought all the rest ; which is the reason that in all these chamel houses there is such an infinite multitude of these teeth, that one might lade many ships with them. [Here follows an account of the cJiapels of the Kings of China, and other matters, umittei'.] CHAPTEE XXXII. Of our going to Quincay to accomplish the time of our exile; and •vrhat befell us there. WS had been now two moneths and an half in this city of Pequin, when as on Saturday, the 13th of July, 1554. we were carried away to the town of Quancy, there to serve all the time that we were condemned unto. Now as soon as we arrived there, the Chaem caused us to be 234 TSE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE8 brought before him, and after he had asked us some questions, he appelated us to be of the number of fourscore halberdiers, which the King assigned him for his guard. This we took as a special favour from God, both in regard this imployment was not very painful, as also because the entertainment was good, and the pay of it better, being assured besides that at the time we should recover our liberty. Thus lived we almost a moneth very peaceably, and well contented for that we met with a better fortune then we expected, when as the devil, seeing how well all we nine agreed together (for all that we had was in common amongst us, and whatsoever misery any one had, we shared it with him like true brethren), he so wrought that two of our company fell into a quarrel, which proved very prejudicial to us all. This division sprung from a certain vanity too famihar with the Portugal nation, whereof I can render no other reason, but that they are naturally sensible of any thing that touches iipon honour. Now see what the difference was ; two of us nine faUing by chance in contest about the extraction of the Madureyras and the Fonsecas, for to know which of these two houses was in most esteem at the King of Portugals Court, the matter went so far, that from one word to another they came at length to terms of oyster- wives, saying one to the other, Who are you? and again, who are you? so that thereupon they suffered themselves to be so transported with choler, that one of them gave the other a great box on the ear, who instantly returned bim a blow with his sword, which cut away almost half his cheek ; this same feeling himself hm-t caught up an halberd, and therewith ran the other through the arm ; this disaster" begot such part-takiug amongst us, as of nine that we were seven of us found our selves grievously wounded. In the mean time, the Ghaem came running in person to this tumult with all the Ancliacys of Justice, who laying hold of us gave us presently thirty lashes apiece, which drew more blood from us than our hurts. This done, they shut us up in a dungeon under ground, where they kept us six and forty days vrith heavy iron collars about om: necks, manacles on our hands, and irons on our legs, so that we suffered exceedingly in this deplorable estate. This while our busiuess was brought before OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PlNTO. 235 the Kings atttimey, who having seen our accusations, and that one of the articles made faith, that there were sixteen wit- nesses against us, he stuck not to say, That we were people without the fear or knowledge of God, who did not confess him otherwise with our mouthes, then as any wild heast might do if he could speak ; that these things presupposed it was to he believed, that we were men of blood, of a language, of a law, of a nation, of a country, and of a kingdom, the inhabitants whereof wounded and killed one another most cruelly without any reason or cattse, and therefore no other judgment could be made of us, but that we were the servants of the most gluttonous serpent of tJie profound pit of smoak, as appeared by our works, siiice they were no better then such as that accursed serpent had accustomed to do ; so that according to the law of the third Book of tJie will of the Son of the Sun, called Mileterau, we were to be condemiied to a banishment from all commerce of people, as a venemous and contagious plague ; so that we deserved to be confined to the mountains of Chabaguay, Sumbor, or Lamau, whither such as we loere used to be exiled, to the end they might in that place hear the wild beasts howl in the night, which were of as vile a breed and nature as we. From this prison we were one morning led to a place, called by them Pitau Calidan, where the Anchacy sat in judge- ment with a majestical and dreadful greatness. He was accompanied by divers Chumbims, Huppes; Lanteas, and Gypatons, besides a number of other persons ; there each of us had 30 lashes apiece more given us, and then by pubUck sentence we were removed to another prison, where we were in better case yet then in that out of which we came, howbeit for all that we did not a httle detest amongst our selves both the Fonseca's, and the Madureyra's, but much more the devil, that wrought us this mischief. In this prison we continued almost 2 moneths, during which time our stripes were throughly healed, howbeit we were exceedingly afflicted with hunger, and thirst. At length it pleased God that the Ghaem took compassion of us ; for on a certain day, wherein they use to do works of charity for the dead, coming to review our sentence he ordained. That in regard we were strangers, and of a country so far distant from theirs, as no man 236 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES had hioivledge of us, nor that tliere luas any booh or writing which made mention of our name, and that none understood our language; as also tJiat we were accustomed, and even hardncd to misery and poverty, which many times puts the best and most peaceable persons into disorder, and therefore might well trouble such, as made no profession of patience in their adversities ; whence it followed, that our discord proceeded rather from the effects of our misery, then from any inclination unto mutiny and tumult, wherewith the Kings atturny charged us ; and further- more representing unto himself what great need there was of men for the ordinary service of the state, and of the officers of justice, for which provision necessarily was to be made, he thought fit, that the punishment for tlie crimes we had co^nmitted, should in the way of an alms bestowed in tlie Kings navic be moderated, and redu/ied to tlie whipping which we twice already had, upon condition nevertJieless tliat we should be detained there as slaves for ever, unless it should please tlie Tuton otherwise to ordain of us. This sentence was pronounced against us, and though we shed a many of tears to see our selves reduced unto this miser- able condition, wherein we were, yet this seemed not so bad unto us as the former. After the publication of this decree we were presently drawn out of prison, and tied 3 and 3 together, then led to certain iron forges, where we past 6 whole moneths in strange labours, and great necessities, being in a manner quite naked, without any bed to lie on, and almost famished. At last after the enduring of so many evils, we fell sick of a lethargy, which was the cause, in regard it was a contagious disease, that they turned us out of doors for to go and seek our living, untiU we became well again. Being thus set at Uberty we continued 4 moneths sick, and begging the alms of good people from door to door, which was given us but sparingly, by reason of the great dearth that then reigned over aU the country, so as we were constrained to agree better together, and to promise one another by a solemn oath, that we took, to live lovingly, for the future, as good Christians should do, and that every moneth one should be chosen from amongst us to be as it were a kinde of chief, whom, by the oath we had taken, aU the rest of us were to obey, as their Buperiour, so that none of us was to dispose of himself, or do OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 237 any thing, witliout his command, or appointment ; and those rules were pnt into writing by us, that they might be the better observed ; as indeed God gave us the grace to live ever afterward in good peace and concord, though it were in great pain, and extreme necessity of aU things. [Pinto vieets a certain Portuguese, one Vasco Galvo, settled in China many years, mttittelr.] CHAPTBE XXXIII. A Tartar commander enters with his army into the town o£ Quinsay, and that which followed thereupon; with the Nauticor's besieging the Castle of Nixiamcoo, and the taking of it by the means of some Portugals. WE had been now 8 moneths and an half in this captivity, wherein we endm-ed much misery and many incommo- dities, for that we had nothing to live upon but that we got by begging up and down the town, when as one Wednesday, the 3rd of July, in the year 1544. a Uttle after midnight there was such a hurly burly amongst the people, that to hear the noises and cries which was made in every part, one would have thought the earth would have come over and over, which caused us to go in haste to Vasco Galvo his house, of whom we demanded the occasion of so great a tumult, whereunto with tears in his eyes he answered us, that certain news were come how the King of Tartary was fallen upon the city of Pequin with so great an army, as the like had never been seen since Adam's time. In this army, according to report, were seven and twenty kings, under whom marched eighteen hundred thousand men, whereof six hundred thousand were horse, which were come by land from the cities of Luamsaina, Famstir, and Mecuy, with fourscore thousand Bhinocerots, that drew the waggons, wherein was aU the. baggage of the army, as for the other twelve hundred thousand, which were foot, it was said that they arrived by sea in seventeen thousand vessels, down through the river of Batampina ; by reason whereof the King of China finding himself too weak for the resisting of such great forces, had with a few retired himself to the city of '238 TRE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES Nanquin. And that also it was reported for certain, that a Nanticor, one of the chiefest Tartar commanders, was come to the forrest of Malincataran, not above a league and a half from Quinsay, with an army of threescore and two thousand horse, wherewith he marched against the town, that in all likelihood he would be there within two hours at the furthest. These news so troubled us, that we did nothing but look one upon another, without being able to speak a word to any purpose, howbeit desiring to save our selves, we prayed Vaseo Galvo to shew us what means he thought we might use to effect it, who sad and full of grief thus answered us ; that we were in our countrey between. Laura and Garucha, where I have often been, and should be there now in safety, but since it cannot be so, aU that we can do for the present, is to recommend our selves to God, and to pray unto Him to assist us ; for I assure you that an hour ago I would have given a thousand Taeis in silver to any one, that could have got me from hence, and saved me with my wife and children, but there was no possibihty for it, because the gates were then all shut up, and the walls round about invironed with armed men, which the Gliaem had placed there to withstand the enemy. So my fellows -and I, that were nine in niunber, past the rest of the night in much affliction and unquietness, without any means of counselling one another, or resolving on what we were to do, continually weeping for the extreme fear we were in of what should become of us. The next morning a little before sun-rising the enemy appeared in a most dreadful manner, they were divided into 7 very great battaUons, having their ensigns quartered with green and' white, which are the colours of the King of Tartaria ; marching in this order to the sound of their trumpets, they arrived at a Pagode, called Fetilau Nameioo, a place of good receit,'in regard of the many lodgings it had, which was not much distant from the walls. In their vantguard they had a number of light-horse, who ran confusedly up and down vrith their lances in their rests. Being in this sort come to the Pagode, they staid there about halt an hour, and then marching on tiU they were within an harquebuse-shot of the waUs, they sud- denly ran to them with such hideous cries, as one would have thought that heaven and earth would have come together, and OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 239 rearing up above two thousand ladders, which for that purpose they had brought along with them, they assaulted the town on every side vnth a most invincible courage. Now though the besieged at the beginning made some resistance, yet was it not able to hinder the enemy from effecting his design, for by the means of certain iron rams breaking up the 4 principal gates, they rendred themselves masters of the town after they had slain the Chaein, together with a great number of Mandarins, and gentlemen, that were run thither to keep them from entring. Thus did these barbarians possess themselves of this miserable town, whereof they put aU the inhabitants they could meet withaU to the sword, without sparing any ; and it was said that the number of the slain amounted to threescore thou- sand persons, amongst whom were many women and maids of very great beauty, which appertained to the chiefest lords of the place. After the bloudy massacre of so much people, and that the town was fired, the principal houses overthrown, and the most sumptuous temples laid level with the ground, nothing remaining on foot during the disorder, the Tartars continued there 7 days, at the end whereof they returned towards Pequin, where the King was, and from whence he had sent them to this execution, carrying with them a world of gold and silver onely, having burnt all the merchandize they found there, as well because they knew not how to transport it away, as for that the Ghineses should not make any benefit of it. Two days after their departure they arrived at a castle, named Nixicmicoo, where the Nauticor of Imansama, their general, pitched Ms camp, and intrenched himself on aU sides with an intention to take it by assault the next day to be revenged on the Ghineses there, for that upon his passing by them towards Quinsay, they had cut off an hundred of his men by an ambus- cado. After the army was encamped, and intrenched, and that the general had placed 4 guards and sentinels in aU places, he retired to his tent, whither he sent for 70 captains that commanded his army, unto whom upon their arrival he dis- covered his resolution, which being weU approved of, they feU into deliberation in what manner the castle should be assaulted the day following, which concluded on, the next morning as soon 240 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES as it was light the souldiers began to march towards the castle, divided iato 14 battaUons ; being come within a flight-shoot of it with the sound of trumpets, and most hideous cries, they reared up their ladders against the walls, and com-agiously mounted up ; but in the heat of this assault, where every one showed his Talour, the one ia bravely attempting, and the other in well defending, the Tartar in less then 2 hours lost above three thousand of his men, which made him sound a retreat in great disorder, and he past the rest of that day in burying the dead, and curing of the wounded, whereof, there being a great number, the most part died not long after, for that the arrows wherewith they were hurt had been smeared by the Ghmeses with so strange and deadly poison, as there was no remedy found for it. In the mean time the Tartar commanders seeing the ill success of this assault, and fearing the King would be offended at so great a loss for so small an occasion, perswaded the general to call another council, wherein it might be considered, whether it would be most expedient for the Kings honour to persist in the siege of that place, or to give it" over, whereupon this affair coming accordingly into dehberation it was a long time debated with such diversity of opinions, as they were not able to conclude upon any thing ; so that it was thought fit, in regard it was then late, to put off the assembly tiU the next day. This resolution taken, every man retired to his quarter. Now we being led away amidst a great many of other slaves, with whom we had escaped out of the fire of the town, it fell out, (whether for our good, or for our greater mis-fortune, we could not then tell) that we were under the guard, as prisoners of war, of one of that assembly, a rich and honourable man ; who returning to his tent with three other persons, of like quaUty to himself, whom he had invited to supper, it chanced after they were risen from table that one of them espied us, where we stood chained in a comer of the tent, and perceiving us to weep, was so moved, that he demanded of us what people we were ? what the name of our country was ? and how we came to be slaves to the Ghineses 1 whereunto we gave such an answer, as the Tartar ingaging himself further in this discourse, enquired ofus whether our king was inclined to the wars, and whether we did use to OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. ^H fight in our country ? to whom one of our companions, named Jorge Meiidez, replyed that we did, and that -we had been trained Tip from our infancy in a mihtary course of life ; which so pleased the Tartar, that oalhng his two friends unto him, Come hither, Baid he, and have the patience to hear what these prisoners can say ; for, beUeve me, they seem to be men of understanding ; whereupon the other two came near, and hearing us relate some part of our mis-fortunes, it begat a desire in them to ask us other questions ; wherein having satisfied them the best that we could, one of them that seemed more curious then the rest, addressing himself to Jorge Mendez, spake thus ; Siiice you have seen so muali of the world, as you say, if there were any one amongst you that could find out any device, or stratagem of war, whereby the Mitaquer (for so was the Nauticor called) might take this castle, I vow to you, that he would become your prisoner, whereas you are his. Then Jorge Mendez, never considering with what imprudence he spake, nor understanding what he said, nor into what danger he was putting himself, boldly answered him ; If my Lord Mitaquer luill in tJie name of the King give it us under his Jmnd, that we shall have a safe conduct to convey us by sea to the Isle of Kinaxi, from whence wemay safely return into our country, possibly I may be the man that will shew him how he shall take the castle loith little ado. This speech being heard, and maturely considered by one of the three, a man in years, and of great authority, as having the honour to be much esteemed and beloved of the Mitaquer ; Think well of lohat tJwu say est, replyed he to' Jorge Mendez ; for I assure thee if thou doest it, that whatsoever thou dewMndest shall be granted tJiee, aye, and more too. Hereupon the rest of lis seeing what Jorge Mendez was going to undertake, as also how far he ingaged himself in his promise, and that the Tartars began already to ground some hope thereupon, we thought fit to reprehend him for it, and to tell him, that he was not to hazard himself, so at random, by promising a thing that might bring us into the danger of our lives. I fear nothing less, said he unto us ; for as for my life in the estate where now lam; I make so little account of it, that if any of these Barbarians would play for it at Primero, I would with three of the worst cards in the pack venture *f ujpon the first encounter ; for I am confident that all the benefit they can expect 17 ^S TSE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUJRES from us will never oblige them to grant us either life or liberty i so that, for my particular, Iliad as lief die to day as to morrow ; judge you oily by tliat which you saw them do at Quincay, wliether you are likely to be better dealt withall iiow. The Tariars were much abashed to see us thus in contestation one with another, and to hear us talk so loud, whichis not usual amongst them ; wherefore they reprehended us very seriously, sa3dng ; That it was for women to speak aloud, who could not put a bridle to their tongue, nor a key to their mouthes, and not for men, tliat carry a sword, and are made for the wars ; Sowieit, if it were so tluLt Jorge Mendez could execute wliat he had propounded, the Mitaquer could not refuse him any thing he could demand. This said, the Tartars retired every one to his lodging, for that it was eleven of the clock at night, the first watch being newly past, and the captains of the guard beginning then to walk the round about the camp, at the sound of divers instruments, as is the custom in semblable occasions. The same of the three Tariar-commanders, which I said before was so esteemed of by the Mitaquer, had no sooner learnt of Jorge Mendez, that he could tell how to take the castle of Nixiamcoo, but that he went presently to acquaint the general with it, and making the matter greater then it was, he told him, that he could do no less then send for him to hear his reasons, which peradventure would perswade him to give credit unto him ; and in case it proved not so, yet was there nothing lost thereby. The Mitaquer being well pleased with this advice, sent incontinently a command to Tileymay, which was the captain under whose guard we were, for to bring us imto Mm, as presently he did. Being then arrived, chained as we were, at the Mitaquer' s tent, we found him' set in councel with the seventy commanders of the army about two hours after midnight. At our coming, he received us with an affable countenance, yet grave and severe ; and causing us to approach nearer unto him, he commanded part of our chains to be undone ; then asked us if we would eat, whereunto we answered, most willingly ; for that in three days together we had not so much as tasted a bit of any thing; whereat the Mitaquer yiZiS very much offended, and sharply reproving the Tileymay for it, willed two great platters of sodden rice, and ducks cut in small pieces, to be set OF FEBDINANJD MENDEZ PINTO. 2-U! before us, whereto we fell with such an appetite, like Dien that were almost famished, as those of the company, who took great pleasure to see us feed so, said to the Mitaquer, When as you had nothing else, my Lord, hut to cause these to come before you for to slack their hunger, verily you had done very omichfor tliem, by saving them from a languishiiig death, which otlierwise tliey could not have avoided ; and so you might have lost these slaves, of whom the service or sale might have been some way profitable unto you ; for if you will not make use of them at Lancama, you 'may sell them for a thousand Taeis at least. Here some began to laugh, but the Mitaquer commanded more rice to be given us, together with some apples, and other things, conjuring us again to eat, as a thing which he took pleasure to see us do, wherein we most wilhngly gave him satisfaction. After we had fed well, he began to talk with Jorge Mendez, about that which had been told him of him, and of the means that were to be used for taking the castle, making him many great promises of honours, pensions, favour with the King, and liberty for all the rest of his fellows, with other such oilers, as passed all measure : for he swore unto him, that if by his means God sheuld give him the victory, whereby he sought nothing but to be revenged on his enemies for the blood which they had shed of his men, he should every way be hke unto himself, or at least, to any of his children which soever. Herewith Jorge Mendez found himseK somewhat perplexed, because he held it almost impossible for bim to bring it to effect J howsoever he told him, that, not to hold him longer in hand, he did not think but if he might view the castle with his own eyes, he might then peradventure let him know how it might be taken; wherefore, if his lordship pleased, he would the next naoming consider it all about, and thereupon render him an account what course was to be taken therein. The Mitaquer, and aU the rest, allowed very well of his answer, and greatly commending him for it sent us to be lodged in a tent not far from his, where we spent the rest of the night under a sure guard ; you rnay judg now in what fear we were, knowing that -if the business did not succeed according to the desire of these Barbarians, they would cut us all in pieces, for that they were a people which for never so small a matter would not stick to kill twenty or thirty men, without any regard either of God, or 244 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE^ any thing else. The next morning, ahout eight of the clock, Jorge Mendez, and two of us, that were appointed to accompany him, went to survey the place with thirty horse for our safe- guard ; when as Jorge Mendez had weU observed the situation thereof, as also that part whereby it might most commodiously be assaulted, he returned to the Mitaquer, that expected him with impatience, to whom he gave an account of what he had seen, and facilitated the taking of the castle with little hazard ; whereat the Jfiiogwerwasso overjoyed, that he presently caused the rest of ourirons, and the chains, wherewith we were fastened by the neck and feet to be taken off, swearing to us by the rice he did eat, that as soon as he came to PegMm, he would present us to the king, and infallibly accomplish all that he had promised us ; for the more assurance whereof he confirmed it by a deed under his hand, that was written in letters of gold, to make it more authentical. That done, he sent for us to dinner, and would needs have us to sit with him at table, doing us many other hono\u:s according their manner, which greatly contented us ; but on the other side, we were in no little fear, lest this affair should not for our sins have a success answerable to that hope the Mitaquer had already conceived of it. The rest of this day the commanders spent in resolving upon the order that was to be observed for assaulting the castle, wherein Jorge Mendez was the sole director. First of all then, an infinite company of bavins and fagots was gotten together for to fiU up the ditches; there were also three hundred ladders made, very strong, and so large, that three men might easily mount up on them afront without incombring one another ; likewise there was a world of paniers, dossers, and baskets provided, together with a great multitude of mattocks, and spades, that were found in the villages and burroughs thereabout, which the inhabitants had deserted upon the bruit of this war; and all the souldiers of the army made preparation of such things as they should need the next day when the assault was to be given. In the mean time Jorge Mendez loie alwa.js by the Mitaquers side, who shewed him many great favours, which we perceived had begotten in him. a stately carriage, far different from that he was wont to have; whereat we wondering, some of us (who envious of anothers good fortune, and out of an iU nature) could not chuse OF FEBDINAND MENJDEZ PINTO. 245 but murmur, saying one to another, as it were in disdain, and in a kind of jeering, What think you of this dog ? verily he will he the cause that either to morrow Tnornwig we shall he all cut in pieces, or if the business he hath undertaken siocceed as we desire, it is probable that he will he in such credit with these Barbarians, that we shall account it for a happifiess to be his servants ; and this was the talk which we had amongst us. The next day all the army was put into order, and divided into twelve battalions, whereof they made twelve files, and one counterfile in the vantguard, that ineompassed the whole camp, in manner of an half moon : upon the wings were the foremost, with all that mass of bavins, ladders, baskets, mattocks, spades, and other materials, to fill up the ditch, and make it equal with the rest of the ground. Marching in this manner they arrived at the castle, which they found strongly mann'd, and with a number of flags and streamers waving upon the battlements. The first salutation between the besiegers and the besieged was with arrows, darts, stones, and pots of wild-fire,' which continued about half an hour ; then the Tartars presently filled the ditch with bavins and earth, and so reared up their ladders against the waU, that now by reason of the filling up of the ditch, was not very high. The first that mounted up was Jorge Mendez, accom- panied with two of ours, who as men resolved had made up their mind, either to die there, or to render their valour remarkable by some memorable act ; as in effect it pleased our Lord that their resolution had a good success ; for they not only entred first, but also planted the first colours upon the wall, whereat the Mitaquer, and aU that were vrith him, were so amazed, as they said one to another-. Doubtless if these people did besiege Pequin, as we do, the Ghineses, which defend that city, would sooner lose their honour, then we shall make them to do it with all the forces we have ; in the mean time all the Tartars, that were at the foot of the ladders, followed the three Portugals, and carried themselves so valiantly, what with the example of a captain that had shewed them the way, as out of their own natural disposition, almost as resolute as those of Japan, that in a very short space above 6000 of them were got upon the walls, from whence vfith great violence they made the Ghineses to retire ; whereupon so furious and bloody a fight ensued 246 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES between either party, tliat in less then half an hour the business was fully decided, and the castle taken, with the death of two thousand Ghineses and Mogores that were in it, there being not above sixscore of the Tartars slain. That done, the gates being opened, the Mitaquer with great acclamations of joy entred, and causing the Ghineses colours to be taken down, and his own to be advanced in their places, he with a new ceremony of rejoycing at the sound of many instruments of war, after the manner of the Tartars, gave rewards to the wounded, and made divers of the most valiant of his followers knights, by putting bracelets of gold about their right arms ; and then about noon he with the chief commanders of his army, for the greater triumph, dined in the castle, where be also bestowed bracelets of gold upon Jorga Meiidez, and the other Portugals, whom he made to sit down at table with him. After the cloth was taken away, he went out of the castle with all his company, and then causing all the walls of it to be dismantled, he razed the place quite to the ground, setting on fire all that remained, with a number of ceremonies, which was performed with great cries and acclamations, to the sound of divers instruments of war. Moreover he commanded the ruines of this castle to be sprinkled with the blood of his enemies, and the heads of aU of them that lay dead there to be cut off ; as for his own souldiers that were slain, he caused them to be triumphantly buried, and such as were hurt to be carefully looked Tinto ; this done, he retired, with a huge train, and in great pomp, to his tent, having Jorge Mendez close by him on horsback. As for the other eight of us, together with many brave noblemen and captains, we followed him on foot. Being arrived at his tent, which was richly hung, he sent Jorge Mendez a thousand Taeis for a reward, and to us but an hundred apiece ; whereat some of us, that thought them- selves to be better qualified, were very much discontented, for that he was more respected then they, by whose means, as well as his, the enterprise had been so happily achieved, though by the good success thereof we had all obtained honour and liberty. OF FEBBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 247 CHAPTEE XXXIV. The Mitaqner departs from the castle of Nixiancoo, and goes to the King of Tartary his camp before Pequin ; with the Mitaquers presenting us unto the King. THE next day the Mitaquer having nothing more to do where he was, resolved to take his way towards the city of Pequin, before which the King lay, as I have delivered before ; to this effect having put his army into battle aray, he departed from thence at eight of the clock in the morning, and marching leasurely to the sound of his warlike instruments, he made his first station about noon on the bank of a river, whose scituation was very pleasant, being aU about invironed with a company of fruit trees, and a many goodly houses, but wholly deserted, and bereaved of aU things which the Bar- barians might any way have made booty of. Having past the greatest heat of the day there, he arose and marched on until about an hour in the night that he took up his lodgings at a pretty good town, called Lantimay, which likewise we found deserted, for all this whole country was quite dispeopled for fear of the Barbarians, who spared no kind of person, but wheresoever they came put aU to iire and sword, as the next day they did by this place, and many other along this river, which they burnt down to the ground ; and that which yet was more lamentable, they set on fire, and clean consumed to ashes a great large plain, being about six leagues about, and full of com ready to be reaped. This cruelty executed, the army began again, to move, composed, as it was, of some three- score and five thousand horse, (for as touching the rest they were all slain, as well at the taking of Quincay, as in that of the castle of Nixiancoo,) and went on to a mountain, named Pomniitay, where they remained that night ; the next morning dislodging from thence, they marched on somewhat faster then before, that they might arrive by day at the city of Pequin, which was distant about seven leagues from that mountain. At three of. the clock in the afternoon we came to the river of Palamxitan, where a Tartar captain, accompanied with an hundred horse, came to receive us, having waited 248 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES there two days for that purpose. The first thing that he did, ■was the delivering of a letter from the King to our general, who received it with a great deal of ceremony. Erom'this river to the Kings quarter, which might be some two leagues, the army marched without order, as being unable to do other- wise, partly as well in regard of the great concourse of people, wherewith the ways were full in coming to see the generals arrival, as for the great train which the lords brought along with them, that overspread all the fields. In this order, or rather disorder, we arrived at the castle of Lautir, which was the first fort of nine that the camp had for the retreat of the spies ; there we found a young prince, whom the Tartar, had sent thither to accompany the general, who alighting from his horse took his scymitar from his side, and on his knees offered it unto him, after he had kissed the ground five times, being the ceremony or complement ordinarily used amongst them. The Prince was exceedingly pleased with this honour done unto him, which with a smiUng countenance, and much acknowledgment of words he testified unto him. This" past, the Prince with a new ceremony stept two or three paces back, and lifting up his voice with more gravity then before, as he that represented the person of the King, in whose name he came, said unto him. He, the border of whose rich vesture my mouth kisseth, and that out of an incredible greatness mastereth the scepters of the earth, and of the Isles of tJie Sea, sends tJiee word by me, who am his slave, that thy lionourahle arrival is no' less agreeable unto him, then the summers sweet morning is to the ground, when as tJie dew doth comfort and refresh our bodies, and therefore would have tliee without further delay to come and hear his voice mounted on his Iwrse, wlwse trappings are gamislied with jewels taken out of his treasicry, to the end, that riding by my side, thou mayest be made equal in Iwnour to the greatest of his Court, and tJmt th-ey which behold thee marching in this sort, may acknow- ledge that the right hand of him is mighty and valiant unto whom the labours of war giveth this recompence. Hereupon the Mitaquer prostrating himself on the earth, vnth his hands lifted up, answered him thus; Let my head be an hundred times trampled on by the sole of his feet, that all those of my race inay be sensible of so great a favour, and that my eldest son may ever OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 249 carry it for a mark of honour. Then mounting on the horse which the Prince had given him, trapped with gold and precious stones, being one of those that the King used to ride on himself, they inarched on with a great deal of state and majesty. In this pomp were many spare horses led richly harnessed ; there were also a number of ushers, carrying silver maces on their shoulders, and six hundred halberdiers on horsback, together with fifteen chariots, full of silver cymbals, and many other ill-tuned barbarous instruments, that made so great a din, as it was not possible to hear one another. Moreover, in all this distance of way, which was a - league and a half, there were so many men on horsback, as one could hardly pass through the crowd in any part thereof. The Mitaquer, being thus in triumph arrived at the first trenches of the camp, he sent us by one of his servants to his quarter, ' where we were very well received, and abundantly furnished with all things necessary for us. [Pinto and his companions are called before the King.'] Fourteen days after we arrived at this camp, the Mitaqtier, our general sent us nine horses, upon which we mounted, and, attending him in a litter drawn by two horses, we went to the tent of the King. The King was set on his throne under a rich cloth of state, and had about him- 12 young boys kneehng on their knees, with little maces of gold sceptres, which they carried on their shoulders ; close bohinde was a young lady extremely beautiful, and wonderfully richly attired, with, a ventiloe in her hand, wherewith she ever and anon fanned him. The same was the sister of the Mitaquer, our general, and infinitely beloved of the King, for whose sake therefore it was that he was in such credit and reputation throughout the whole army. The King was much about 40 years of age, full stature, somewhat lean, and of a good aspect ; his beard was very short, his mustaches, after the Turkish manner, his eyes like to the Ghineses, and his countenance severe and majestical. As for his vesture, it was violet-colour, i5i fashion like to a Turkish robe, imbroidered vrith pearl, upon his feet he had green sandals wrought all over with gold-purl, and great pearls among it, and on his head a sattin cap of the 250 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES colour of his habit, with a rich band of diamonds and rubies intermingled together. Before we past any farther, after we had gone ten or eleven steps in the room, we made our com- plement by kissing of the ground three several times, and performing other ceremonies, which the Truch-men taught us. In the mean time the King commanded the musick to cease, and addressing himself to the Mitaquer ; ask these men of the other end of the world, said he unto him, whether they have a king, what is the name of their country, and how far distant it is from this kingdom of China where now I am ? Thereupon one of ours, speaking for all the rest, answered. That our country was called Portitgal, that the king thereof was ex- ceeding rich and mighty, and that from thence to the city of Pequin was at the least three years voyage. This answer much amazed the King, because he did not think the world had been so large, so that striking his thigh with a wand that he had in his hand, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, as though he would render thanks unto God ; he said aloud, bo as every one might hear him : Creator of all things ! are we able to cow/prehend tJie marvels of Thy greatness, we that at tlie best are but poor worms of the earth ? Puxic[uidane, fuxiquidane, let tliem approach, let them approach. Thereupon beckning to us with his hand, he caused us to come even to the first degree of the throne, where the fourteen kings sate, and demanded of him again, as a man astonished, Pucan, piican, that is to say, how far, how far ? whereunto he -answered as before, that we should be at least three years in returning to our country. Then he asked, why we came not rather by land, then by sea, where so many labom's and dangers were to be undergone ? Thereunto he reph'ed, that there was too great an extent of land, through which we were not assured to pass, for that it was commanded by kings of several nations, WJiat come you for to seeh for then, added the King, and wherefore do you expose your selves to such dangers ? Then having rendred him a reason to this last demand, with all the submission that might be, he stayed a pretty while without speaking; and then shaking his head three or four times, he addressed himself to an old man that was not far from him, and said. Certainly we miist need$ conclude, that tliere is either much ambition, or little OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 251 justice in the country of these people, seeing they come so far to conquer otlier lands. To this speech the old man, named Baia Benan, made no other answer, but that it must needs be so ; for men, said he, who have recourse unto their industry and invention to run over the sea for to get that which God hath not given them, are necessarily carried thereunto, either by extreme poverty, or by an excess of blindness and vanity, derived from much covetousness, which is the cause why they renounce God, and those that brought them into the world. This reply of the old man was seconded by many jeering words by the other courtiers, who made great sport upon this occa- sion, that very much pleased the Bang ; in the mean time the women fell to theu' musick again, and so continued, tUl the King vdthdrew into another chamber in the company of these fair musicians, and that young lady that fanned him, not so much as one of those great personages daring to enter besides. Not long after one of those twelve boys that carried the scepters before mentioned, came to the Mitaquer, and told him from his sister, that the King commanded him to depart away, which he held for a singular favour, by reason this message was deUvered to him in the presence of those kings and lords that were in the room, so that he stirred not, but sent us word, that we should go imto our tent with this assurance, that he would take care the Son of the Sun should be mindful of us. CHAPTEE XXXV. The King of Tartaria's raising of his siege from before Pequin, for to return to his aountry. T\7'7E had been now full three and forty days in this camp, W during which- time there past many fights and skir- mishes between the besiegers and the besieged, as also two assaults in the open day, which were resisted by them within with an invincible courage, like resolute men as they were. In the mean time the King of Ta/rtaria, seeing how contrary to his hope so great an enterprise had been, wherein he had consumed so much treasure, caused his council of wa/r 202 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES to be assembled, in the which were present the seven and twenty kings that accompanied him, and likewise many princes, and lords, and the most part of the chief commanders of the army. In this council it was resolved, that in regard winter was at hand, and that the rivers had already overflowed their banks with such force and violence, as they had ravaged and carried away most of the trenches and palUsadoes of the camp, and that moreover great numbers of the souldiers died daily of sickness, and for want of victuals, that therefore the King could not do better then to raise his siege, and be gone before winter came, for fear lest staying longer, he should run the hazard of losing himseH, and his army. All these reasons seemed so good to the King, that without further delay he resolved to follow this counsel, and to obey the present necessity, though it were to his great grief ; so that incon- tinently he caused all his infantry and ammunition to be imbarqued; then having commanded his camp to be set on fire, he himself went away by land with three hundred thou- sand horse, and twenty thousand rhinocerots. Now after they had taken an account of aU the dead, they appeared to be four hundred and fifty thousand, the most of whom died of sickness, as also an hundred thousand horses, and threescore thousand rhinocerots, which were eaten in the space of two moneths and an half, wherein they wanted victual ; so that of eighteen hundred thousand men where vdth the King of Tartaria, came out of his country to besiege the city of Pequin, before the which he lay six moneths and a half, he carried home some seven hundred and fifty thousand less then he brought forth, whereof four and fifty thousand died of sickness, famine, and war, and three hundred thousand went and rendred themselves unto the Chineses, drawn thereunto by the great pay which they gave them, and other advantages of honor and presents which they continually bestowed on them ; whereat we are not to marvel, seeing experience doth show, how that alone is of far more power to obhge men, then , aU other things in the world. After the King of Tartaria was gone from this city of JPequin, upon a Munday, the 17th of October, with three hundred thousand horse, as I have related before, the same day about evening he went and lodged OF PeMdINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 253 Hear to a river, called Quatragun, and the next morning, an hour before day, the army began to march at the sound of the drums, fifes, and other instruments of war, according to the order prescribed them. In this manner he arrived a little before night, at a town named &iiiiampea, which he found altogether depopulated. After his army had reposed there about an hour and an hah, he set forth again, and marching somewhat fast he came to lodge at the foot of a great mountain, called Liampeu, from whence he departed towards morning. Thus marched he eight leagues a day for fourteen day together, at the end whereof he arrived at a good town, named Guauxitim, which might contain about eleven or twelve thousand fires. There he was counselled to furnish himself with victuals, whereof he had great need, for which- purpose therefore he begirt it round, and skaUng it in the open day he quickly made himself master of it, and put it to the sack with so cruel a massacre ' of the inhabitants, as my fellows and I were ready to swoond for very astonishment. Now after that the sword and fire had consumed all things, and that the army was abundantly provided of ammunition and victual, he departed at the break of day; and though he past the next morning, in the view of Caixiloo, yet would not he attaque it, for that it was a great and strong town and by scituation impregnable, having heard besides that . there were fifty thousand men within it, whereof ten thousand vrere Mogores, Gauclmis, and Ohampaas, resolute souldiers, and much more warUke then the Chineses. From thence passing on he arrived at the walls of Singrachirau, which are the very same that, as I have said heretofore, do divide those two empires of China and Tartaria. There meeting with no resistance he went and lodged on the further side of it at Panquinor, which was the first of his own towns, and seated some three leagues from the said wall, and the next day he marched to Fsipator, where he dismissed the most part of his people. ' In this place he stayed not above seven days, which he spent in providing pay for his souldiers, and in the execu- tion of certain prisoners he had taken in that war,. and brought along \rtth him. These things thus expedited, he, as a man not very well pleased, imbarqued himself for Lancame, in 254 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES sixscore Lanlees, with no more then ten or eleven thousand men. So in six days after his imbarquing, he arrived at Lancaine, where not permitting any reception to be made him, he landed about two hours within night. CHAPTEE XXXVI. In what manner we were brought again before the King of Tartaria ; with our departure from that kingdom ; and our adventures after quitting the city of Uzamguee in Cochin-Chiua, till our arrival at the Isle of Tauixumaa in Japan. AFTEE some time had been spent in the celebration of certain remarkable feasts, that were made for joy of the conclusion of a marriage betwixt the Princess Meica vidan, the Kings sister, and the Emperour of Caran, the Tartar, by the advice of his captains, resolved -to return anew to the siege of Pequin, which he had formerly quitted, taking the ill success . that he had there as a great affront to his person. To this effect then he caused all the estates of his kingdom to be assembled, and also made a league with all the kings and princes bordering in his dominions: whereupon considering with our selves how prejudicial this might prove to the promise had been made us for the setting of us at liberty, we repaired to the Mitaquer, and represented unto him many things that made for our purpose, and obliged him to keep his word with us. To which he returned us this answer : Certainly you have a great deal of reason for that you say, and I have yet more, not to refuse you that which you demand of me with so much justice ; wherefore I resolve to put the King in minde of you, that you may enjoy your liberty ; and the sooner you shall be gone from hence, the sooner you shall be freed from the labors which the time begins to prepare for us in the enterprise that his Majesty hath newly undertaken by- the counsel of some particulars, who for that they know not how to govern them- selves have more need to be counselled, then the earth hath need of water to produce the fruits that are sowed in her ; but to morrow morning I shall put the King in minde. of you, and DP FMBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 255 your poverty, and witliall I shall present unto him how you have poor fatherless children, as you have heretofore told me,' to the end he may be thereby incited to cast his eyes upon you,,as he is accustomed to do in like cases, which is none of the least marks of his greatness. Hereupon he dismissed us for that day, and the next morning he went to Pontiveu, which is a place where the King useth to give audience to all such as have any suit to him. There beseeching his Majesty to think of us, he answered him, that as soon as he had dispatched away an ambassador to the King of GauchencMna, he would send us along with him, for so he had resolved to do. "With this answer the Mitaquer returned to his house, where we were ready attending his coming, and told us what the King had promised him, wherewithal! not a little contented we went back to our lodging. There in the expectation of the good success of this promise we continued 10 days with some impatience ; at the end whereof the Mitaquer by the Kings express command carried us vdth him to the Court, where causing us to approach near to his Majesty, with those cere- monies of greatness which are observed in coming before him, being the same we used at Pequin, after he had beheld us with a gentle eye, he bid the Mitaquer ask of us whether we would serve him, and in case we would, he should not onely be very w^U pleased with it, but he would also give us better enter- tainment, and more advantageous conditions then all the strangers that should follow him in this war. To this demand the Mitaquer answered very favourably for us, how he had often heard us say, that we were maried in our cormtry, and had a great charge of children, who had no other means to maintain them, but what we got with our labor, which was poorly enough, God knows. The King heard this speech with some demonstration of pity, so that looking on the Mitaqzier ; I am glad, said he, to know that they have such good cause to return home as they sjgeah of, that I may with the more content- ment OfCquit me of that which thou hast ^promised them in my narne. At these words the Mitaquer and all we that were vnth him, lifting up our hands, as a testimony of our thankfulness unto him, we kissed the ground 3 times and said. May thy feet rest themselves upon a thousand generations, to the endthat thou 256 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES inayst be Lord of tlie inlmbitants of the earth. Hereat the King began to smile, and said to a prince that was near him, These •men speak as if they had been bred amongst us. Then casting his eyes on Jorge Mendez, who stood before us all next to the Mitaquer, And thou, said he unto him, in wliat condition art thou, wilt thou go, or stay ? whereupon Mendez, who had long before premeditated his answer, Sir, replied he, for me, that have neither wife nor children to bewail my absence, the thing I most desire in tlie world is to serve your Majesty, since you are pleased therewith, whereunto I have more affection then to be Ghaem of Pequin one thousand years together. At this the King smiled again, and then dismissed us, so that we returned very well satisfied to our lodging, where we continued 3 days in a readiness to depart, at the end of which, by the mediation of the Mitaqiier, and means of his sister, who, as I have said before, was wonderfully beloved of the King, his Majesty sent us, for the eight that we were 2000 Taeis, and gave us in charge to his ambassador, whom he sent to the city of TJzam,' guee in Caiichenchina, in the company of the same King of Gav^henchiiia's ambassador. With him we departed from thence 5 days after, being imbarqued in the vessel wherein he went himself. Eut before our departure Jorge Mendez gave us 1000 duckets, which was easie for him to do, for that he had already 6000 of yearly rent, withall he kept us company all that day, and at the length took his leave of us, not without shedding many a tear for grief that he had so exposed himself to a voluntary exile. [Here follows an account of Pinto[s journey with the Ambas- sador to the city of Uzamguee in Gochin-China, omtttelf.j Upon the 12 of January we departed from the city of Uzamguee, exceedingly rejoycing at our escape from so many labors and crosses, which we before had sustained, and im- barqued our selves upon a river, that was above a league broad, down the which we went 7 days together, beholding in the mean time on either side thereof many fair tovras, and goodly boroughs, which by the outward appearance we believed were inhabited by very rich people, in regard of the sumptuous- OF FEEDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 257 ness of the buildings, not onely of particular houses, but much more of the temples, -whose steeples were all covered over vdth gold ; as likevnse in regard of the great number of barques and vessels that were on this river, abundantly fraught with all Borts of provisions and merchandise. Now when we were come to a very fair town called Quangeparuu, containing some 18 or 2000 fires, the Naudelum, who was he that conducted us by the express commandment from the King, stayed there 12 days to trade in exchange of silver and pearl ; whereby he confessed to us that he had gained 14 for 1, and that if he had been so advised as to have brought salt thither, he had doubled his money above thirty times : we were assured that in this town the King had yearly out of the silver mines above 1500 Picos, which are 40000 Quintals of om- weight, besides the huge revenue that he drew out of many other different things. This tovsm had no other fortification then a weak brick wall, 8 foot high, and a shallow ditch some 30 foot broad. The inhabitants are weak and unarmed, having neither artillery, nor any thing for their defence, so that 500 resolute souldiers might easily take it. We parted from this place on Tuesday morning, and continued our course 13 days, at the end whereof we got to the port of Sanchan, in the kingdom of China. Now because there was no shipping of Malaca there, for they were gone from thence 9 days before, we went 7 leagues further to another port, named Lampacau, where we found 2 juncks of Malaya, one of Patana, and another of Lugor. And whereas it is the quality of us Portugah to abound in om- own sense, and to be obstinate in our opinions, there arose amongst us eight so great a contrariety of judgement about a thing, (wherein .nothing was so necessary for us, as to maintain our selves in peace and imity) that we were even upon the point of kiUing one another. But because the matter would be too shamefull to recount in the manner as it past, I will say no more, but that the Necoda of the Lorch^, which had brought us thither from Uzamguee, amazed at this so great barbarousness of ours, separated himself from us in such displeasiure, that he would not charge himself "either with our messages of letters, saying, that he had rather the King shoidd command his head to be cut off, than to offend God in carrying with him any thing 18 258 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES whatsoever that belonged to us. Thus different as we were in opinions, and in very bad terms amongst onr selves, we lingred above 9 days in this little island, during which time the juncks departed without vouchsafing to take us in, so that we were constrained to remain in these solitudes, exposed to many great dangers, out of which I did not think that ever we could have escaped, if God had not been extraordinarily mercifull unto us ; for having been there 17 days in great misery and want ; it happened that a pyrat, named Samipoclieca, arrived in this place, who having been defeated, went flying from the fleet of Ay too of Chincheo, that of eight and twenty saU, which this pyrat had, had taken six and twenty of them from him, so that he had with much ado escaped with those onely two remaining, wherein the most part of his men were hurt, for which cause he was constrained to stay there 7 days to have them cured. Now the present necessity enforcing us to take some course, whatsoever it were, we were glad to agree to serve under him untill such time as we might meet with some good opportunity to get unto Malaca. Those 20 days ended, wherein yet there was no manner of reconcihation between us, but still continuing in discord we imbarqued our selves with the pyrat, namely, 3 in the junck where he himself was, and 5 in the other, whereof he had made a nephew of his captain. Having left this island vsdth an intent to sail unto a port, called Lailoo, some 7 leagues from Chincheo, we continued our voyage with a good winde all along the coast of Lanum for the space nine days, untUl that one morning when we were near to the Eiver of Salt, which is about five leagues from Ghabaqtiea, it was our Dl fortune to be assailed by a pirate, who with seven great juncks fell to fighting with us from sis in the morning tiU ten of the clock before noon, in which conflict we were so entertained vrith shot, and pots full of artificiaU fire, that at last there were three sail burnt, to wit, two of the pirats, and one of ours, which was the jimck, whereia the five- Pori/ugals were, whom we could by no means succour, for that then most of our men were hurt. But at length towa,rds night being well refreshed by the afternoons gale, it pleased our Lord that w6 escaped out of this pirats hands. In this Ul equipage wherein we were, we continued our course for three OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 259 days together, at the end whereof we were invironed by so great and impetuous a tempest, thab the same night in which it seized us we lost the coast ; and because the -violence of the storm would neyer suffer us after to recover it again, we were forced to make with fuU sail towards the islands of the Lequios, where the pirate, with whom we went, was weli known, both to the King, and those of the country ; with this resolution we set our selves to sail through the Archipelago of these islands, where notwithstanding we could not make land, as well for that we wanted a pilot to steer the vessel, ours being slain in the last fight, as also because the wind and tide was against us. Amidst so many crosses we beat up and down with labour enough from one rhomb to another for three and twenty dayes together, at the end whereof it pleased God that we discovered land, whereunto approaching to see if we could descry any appearance of a port, or good anchorage, we perceived on the south-coast near to the horizon of the sea a great fire, which perswaded us that there we might peradventure find some borough, where we might furnish oior selves with fresh water, whereof we had very great need. So we went and rode just before the island in seventy fathom, and presently we beheld two Almedias come towards us from the land with sis men in them, who being come close to the side of our junck, and having complemented with us according to their manner, demanded of us from whence we came? whereunto having answered, that we came from China, vrith merchandize, in- tending to trade in this place if we might be suffered, one of the six reply ed; That the Nautaquim, lord of that island, called Tanixumaa, would very willingly permit it upon payment of such customs as are usual in Jappan, which is, continued he, this great country that you see here before you. At these news, and many other things which they told us, we were • exceeding glad ; so that after they had shewed us the port, we weighed anchor, and went and put our selves xmder the lee- shore of a creek, which was on the south- side, and where stood a great town, named Miay-gimaa, from whence there came instantly aboard of us divers Fa/roos with refreshments, which we bought. We had not been two hours in this creek of Miay-gimaa,, 260 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES when as the Nautaquim, Prince of this island of Tanixumaa, came directly to our junck, attended by divers gentlemen and merchants, who had brought with them many chests full of silver ingots, therewith to barter for our commodities ; so after ordinary complements past on either side, and that we had given our word for his easiest coming aboard of us; he no sooner perceived us three Portugals, but he demanded what people we were, saying, that by our beards and faces we could not be Ghiiieses : hereunto the pirate answered, That we were of a country called Malaca, whither many years before we were come from another land, named Portugal, which was at the further end of the world. At these words the Nautaquim remained much amazed, and turning himself to his followers ; Let vie not live, said he unto them, if tliese men here be not the Cheuchicogis, of wJiom it is written in our books, That flying on the top of the waters they shall froin thence subdue the inhabitants of tlie earth, tohere God hath created the riclies of tlie world, wlierefore it will be a good fortune for us if tliey come into oxir country as good friends. Thereupon having called a woman of Lequia, whom he had brought to serve as an inter- preter between him and the Chinese, captain of the junck ; AsTc the Necoda, said he imto her, wliere he met with these men, and upon wliat occasion he liad brought them hither with him into our country of Jappan ? The captain thereunto replied, That we were honest men and merchants, and that having found us at Lampacau, where we had been cast away, he had out of charity taken us in, as he used to do unto aU such as he met withaU in the like case, to the end that God might out of His gracious goodness be thereby moved to deliver him from the danger of such violent tempests, as commonly such as sail on the sea are subject to perish in. This saying of the pirate seemed so reasonable to the Nautaquim, that he presently came aboard of us, and because those of his train were very many, he commanded that none but "such as he named should enter in. After he had seen all the commodities in the junck, he sate him down in a chair upon the deck, and began to question us about certain things which he desired to know, to the which we answered him in such sort, as we thought would be most agreeable to his humour, so that he seemed to be OP FEBDINANt) MENDEZ PINTO. 26l exceedingly satisfied therewith ; in this manner he entertained Us a good while together, making it apparent by his demands that he was a man very curious, and much ineUned to hear of novelties and rare things. That done, he took his leave of us, and the Necoda, little regarding the rest, saying, Gome and see me at my Iwuse to morrow, and for a present bring me an ample ■relation of the strange things of that great world through which you have travelled, as also of the countries tliat you have seen, and withall remember to tell me how they are called ; for I swear unto you that I would far more willingly buy this commodity then any that you can sell me. This said, he retm-ned to land, and the next morning, as soon as it was day, he sent us to om- junck a great Parao, full of divers sorts of refreshments, as raysins, pears, melons, and other kinds of fruits of that country ; in exchange of this present the Necoda returned him, by the same messenger, divers rich pieces of stuff, together with certain knacks and rarities of China, and withall sent him word, that as soon as his junck should be at anchor, and out of danger of the weather, he would come and wait on him ashore, and bring him some patterns of the commodities which we had to sell ; as indeed the next morning he went on land, and carried us three along with him, as also some ten or eleven of the chiefest of the Ghineses of Ms company, to the end that at this first sight he might settle a good opinion of himself in this people for the better satisfaction of that vanity whereunto they are naturally inclined ; we went then to the Nautaquims house, where we were very well entertained, and the Necoda having given him a rich present, shewed him the patterns of all the commodities he had, wherewith he rested so contented, that he sent presently for -the principal merchants of the place, with whom the Necoda having agreed upon a price for his commodities, it was resolved that the next day they should be transported from the junck into a certain house, which was appointed for the Necoda and his people to remain in tO such time as he should set sail for China. After all this was con- cluded, the Nautaquim fell again to questioning of us about many several matters, whereunto we rendred Mm such answers as might rather fit Ms humour, then agree vnth the truth indeed, which yet we did not observe but in some esrtain 262 TSE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, ANt) AT>VSNTVBE8 demands that he made us, where we thought it necessary to make use of certain particulars altogether fained by us, that so we might not derogate from the great opinion he had conceived of our country. The first thing he propounded was, how he had learned from the Ghineses and Lequois, that Portugal was far richer and of a larger extent, then the whole empire of China, which we confirmed unto him. The second, how he had likewise been assured, that our king had upon the sea conquered the greatest part of the world, which also we averred to be so ; the third, that our Tdng was so rich in gold and silver, as it was held for most certain, that he had above two thousand houses fuU of it even to the very tops; but thereunto we answered, that we could not truly say the number of the houses, because the kingdom of Portugal was so spacious, so abounding with treasure, and so populous, as it was impossible to specifie the same. So after the Nautaquim had entertained us above two hours with such and the like discourse, he turned him to those of his train, and said. Assuredly iiot one of tlwse kings, which at this present we know to he on tlie earth, is to he esteemed happy, if he he not the vassal of so great a monarch as the emperour of this people here. Whereupon having dismissed the Necoda and his company, he intreated us to passe that night on shore with him, for to' satisfie the extream desire that he had to be informed from us of many things of the world, whereunto he was exceedingly carried by his own incHnation; withaU he told us, that the next day he would assigne us a lodging next to his own palace, which was in the most commodious place of the town, and for that instant he sent us to lie at a very rich merchant's house, who entertained us very bountifully that hisht. OF FEEDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 263 CHAPTEE XXXVII. The great honour which the Nautaquim, Lord of the Isle, did to one of ds for having seen him shoot with an harquebuse ; and his sending me to the King of Bungo ; and that which passed till my arrival at his Court. THE next 'day the Chinese Necoda oisimbarqned all his commodities, as the Nautaquim had enjoyned him, and put them into sure rooms, which were given him for that purpose, and ia three days he sold them aU, as well for that he had not many, as because his good fortune was such, that the country was at that time utterly unfurnished thereof, by which means this pirate profited so much, that by this sale he wholly recovered himself of the loss of the six and twenty saUe which the Chinese pirate had taken from him ; for they gave him any price he demanded, so that he confessed unto us, that of the value of some five and twenty hundred Taeis which he might have in goods, he made above thirty thousand. Now as for us three Portugals, having nothing to seU, we imployed our time either in fishing, hunting, or seeing the temples of these Gentiles, which were very simiptuous and rich, where- into the Bonzes, who are their priests, received us very courteously, for indeed it is the custome of those of Jappan to be exceeding kind and courteous. Thus we having Utile to do, one of us, called Diego Zeimoto, went many times a shooting for his pleasure in an harquehuse that he had, wherein he was very expert, bo that going one day by chance to a certain marsh, where there was a great store of fowl, he kUled at that time about six and twenty wild ducks. In the mean time these people beholding this manner of shooting, which they had never seen before, were much amazed at it, insomuch that it came to the notice of the Nautaquim, who was at that instant riding of horses, and not knowing what to think of this novelty, sent presently for Zeimoto, just as he was shooting in the marsh, but when he saw him come with his harqiiebuse on his shoulder, and two Chineses with him carrying the fowl, he was so mightily taken vnth the matter, as he could not sufficiently admire it : for whereas they had never seen any gun before in that country, they could not comprehend what 264 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES it might be, so that for want of understanding the secret of the powder, they all concluded that of necessity it must be some sorcery ; thereupon Zevmoto seeing them so astonished, and the Nautaquim so contented, made three shoots before them, whereof the effect was such, that he killed one kite, and two turtle doves; in a word then, and not to lose time, by endearing the matter with much speech, I will say no more, but that the Nautaquim caused Zeimoto to get up on the horses crupper behind him, and so accompanied with a great croud of people, and four Ushers, who with battoons headed with iron went before him, crying aU along the streets. Know all men, that tJie Nautaquim, Prince of this island of Tardxumaa, a7id lord of our heads, enjoyns and expresly comnmnds. That all persons whatsoever, which inhabit tlie land tliat lies between tlie two seas, do honour this Chenchicogim, of the further end of the world, for even at this present and for liereafter he makes him his kinsman, in such manner as tlie Jacharons are, who sit next his person; and whosoever shall not do so willingly, lie shall be sure to lose his head. Where- upon aU the people answered with a great noise ; We will do so for ever. In this ~pomp Zeimoto being come to the palace gate, the Nautaquim aUghted from his horse, and taking him by the hand, whilest we two followed on foot a prety way after, he led him into his court, where he made him sit with him at his own table, and to honour him the more, he would needs have him lodge there that night, showing many other favours to him afterwards, and to us also for his sake. Now Zeimoto conceiving, that he could not better acknowledge the honour which the Nautaquim did him, then by giving him his harquebuse which he thought would be a most acceptable present unto him; on a day when he came home from shooting, he tendred it imto him with a number of pigeons and turtle-doves, which he received very kindly, as a thing of great value, assuring him that he esteemed of it more, then of all the treasures of China, and giving him withall in recompence thereof a thousand Taeis in silver, he desired him "to teach him how to make the powder, saying, that without that the har- quebuse would be of no use to him, as being but a piece of unprofitable iron, which Zeimoto promised him to do, and OF FEIiBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 265 accordingly performed the same. Now the Naiitaqxdm taking pleasmre in nothing so much as shooting in this harquehuse, and his subjects perceiving that they could not content him better in any thing, then in this, wherewith he was so much delighted, they took a pattern of the said harqnebuse to make others by it, and the effect thereof was such, that before our departure (which was five moneths and an half after) there was six himdred of them made in the country ; nay I wiU say more, that afterwards, namely, the last time that the Vice-roy Don AlpJwnso de Noronlia sent me thither with a present to the Ejng of Bungo, which happened in the year 1556. those of Jappan affirmed, that in the city of Fucheo, being the chief of that kingdom, there were above thirty thousand; whereat finding my self to be much amazed, for that it seemed impos- sible unto me, that this invention should multiply in such sort, certain merchants of good credit assured me that in the whole island of Jappan there were above three hundred thou- sand harquebuses, and that they alone had transported of them in the way of trade to the country of the Lequios, at six several times, to the number of five and twenty hundred ; so that by the means of that one, which Zeimoto presented to the Nautaquim in acknowledgment of the honour and ^ good offices that he had done him, as I have declared before, the country was filled with such abundance of them, as at this day there is not so small an hamlet but hath an hundred at the least; for as for cities and great towns, they have them by thousands, whereby one may perceive, what the inclination of this people is, and how much they are naturally addicted to the wars, wherein they take more deUght, then any other nation that we know. We had been now three and twenty days in the Island of Tanixumaa, where very contentedly we past away the time, either in fishing, fowling, or hunting, whereunto these people of Jappan are much addicted, when as a vessel belonging to the King .of Bungo arriving in that port, in the which were divers men of quality, and certain merchants, who as soon as they were landed went to wait upon the Nautaquim with their presents, according to the usua,l custom of the country. Amongst them there was an ancient man, very weU attended, 266 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES and unto whom the rest carried much respect, that falUng on his knees before the Nautaquim, presented him with a letter, and a rich courtelass garnished with gold, together with a box full of ventiloes, which the Nautaquim received with a great deal of ceremony. Then having spent some time with him in asking of certain questions, he read the letter to himself, and thereupon having remained a pretty while as it were in suspence, and dismissed the bearer thereof from his presence, with an express charge to those about him to see him honourably enter- tained, he called us unto him, and commanded the truchman that was thereby, to use these words unto us. My good friends, I intreat you that you will hear this letter read, which is sent me from my lord and uncle, and then I will let you know what I desire of you ; so giving it to a treasurer of his, he commanded him to read it, which instantly he did, and these were the contents of it, Tlwu right eye of my face, Hynscarangoxo, Nautiquim' of Tanixumaa, I Orgemdoo, wlw am your father in tlie true love of my bowels, as he from whom you have taken the name and being of your person, King of Bungo and Fatacaa, Lord of the great Souse of Eiancima, Tosa, and Bandou, chief soveraign of tlie petty kings of the Islands of Goto and Xanian- axequa, I give you to understand, my son, by the words of my mouth, which are spoken of you/r person, that some days since certain men, coming from your country, have assured me, that you, Imve in your town three Ohenchicogims of the other end of the world, men that accommodate themselves very well with those of Jappan, are clothed in silk, and usually wear sioords by their sides, iwt like merchants that use traffique, but in the quality of persons that make profession of honour, and which by that only mean pretend to render their names immortal ; moreover, I have Iveard for a truth, tJiut these same men have entertained you at large with all matters of the whole universe, and have assured unto you on tlieir faith, that there is another world greater then ours, inhabited with black and tawny people, of whom they have told you things most incredible to our judgement, for which cause I infinitely desire you, as if you were my son, that by Kangean- dono, whom I have despatched from hence to visit my daughter, you will send me one of those three strangers, which I am told you liavc in your house ; the rather for that you know my long OF FEBDINAHtD MENDE2 PINTO. 267 iiidisposition, accompanied with so much pain and grief, hath great need of some diversion : now if it should happen tliat they would not he willing thereunto, you may thefi assure them, as well on your oion faith, as on mine, that I will not fail to return them bach in all safety ; whereupon, like a good son that desires to please his fatlier, so order the matter that I may rejoyce my self in the si-ght of tliem, and so have my desire accomplislied. What I have further to say unto you, my ambassadour Pingean- dono shall acquaint you with, by whom I pray you liberally impart to me the good news of your person, and that of my daughter, seeing she is, as you hww, the apple of my right eye, whereof tlie sight is all the joy of my face. From the house of Pucheo the seventh Mamoque of the Moon. After that the Nautaquim had heard this letter read; the King of Bungo, said he uato us, is my lord, and my uncle, the brother of my mother, and (above all) he is my good father, for I call him by that name, because he is so to my wife, which is the reason that he loves rne no less then his own children ; wherefore I count my self exceedingly bound unto him, and do so much desire to please him that I could now find in my heart to give the best part of my estate for to be transformed into one of you, as well for to go unto him, as to give him the content of seeing you, which out of the knowledge I have of his disposition, I am assured he win value more then all the treasures of China. Now having thus acquainted you with his desire, I earnestly intreat you to render yom: selves conformable thereimto, and that one of you two will take the pains to go to Bungo, there to see the King whom I hold for my father and my lord ; for as for this other, to whom I have given the name and being of a kinsman, I am not willing to part with him tiU he hath taught me to shoot as well as himself. Hereupon Ghristovano Borralho, &nd. I, greatly satisfied vyith the Nautaquim' s courtesie, answered him, that we kissed his Highness hands for the exceeding honor he did us in vouchsafing to make use of us ; and seeing it was his pleasure so to do, that he should for that effect make choice of which of us two he thought best, and he should not fan to be suddenly ready for the voyage. At these words standing a while in musing to himself, he looked on me, and said, I am resolved to send him there, because' he seems not 208 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES so solemn, but is of a more lively humour, wherewith those o/ Jappan are infinitely delighted, and may thereby chear up tha sick man, whereas the too serious gravitj' of this other, said he, turning him to Borralho, though very commendable for more important matters, would serve but to entertain his melancholy instead of diverting it. Thereupon falling into merry discourse, and jesting with those about him, whereunto the people of Jappan are much inclined, the Fingeandono arrived, unto whom he presented me, with a special and par- ticular recommendation touching the assurance of my person, wherewith I was not onely well satisfied, but had my minde also cleared from certain doubts, which out of the little knowledge I had of these peoples humors, had formerly troubled me. This done, the Nautaquini commanded 200 Taeis to be given me for the expence of my voyage, whereupon the Fingeandono and I imbarqued our selves in a vessel with oars, called a Punce, and in one night having traversed all this island of Tanixwmaa, the next morning we cast anchor in an haven, named Hiamangoo, from whence we went to a good town, called Qiumquixumaa, and so continuing our course afore the winde, with a very fair gale, we arrived the day ensuing at a very sweet place, named Tanaro, whence the morrow after we went to Minato, and so forward to a fortress of the King of Bungoes, called Osquy, where the Fingeandono stayed some timej by reason that the captain of the place (who was his brother in law) found himself much indisposed in his health. There we left the vessel in which we came, and so went by land directly to the city, where being arrived about noon, the Fingeandono, because it was not at a time fit to wait upon the King, went to his own house. After dinner having rested a little, and shifted himself into a better habit, he mounted on horsback, and with certain of his friends rode to the court, carrying me along with him, where the King was no sooner advertised of his coming, but he sent a son of his about nine or ten years of age to receive him, who accompanied with a number of noblemen, richly apparelled, and his ushers with their maces going before him, took the Fingeandono by the hand, and beholding him with a smiling countenance ; May thy entrance, said he unto him, into the house of the King my OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 269 lord, bring tJiee as much content and honour as thy children deserve, and are worthy, being thine, to sit at table with me in tlte solemn feasts. At these words the Fingeandono prostrating himself on the ground ; My lord, answered he, I most humbly beseech tliem that are in heaven above, which have taught thee to be so courteous and so good, eitlier to answer for me, or to give me a tongue so voluble, as may express my thankfulness in terms agreeable to thy ears for the great honour thou art pleased to do me at this present ; for in doing -otherwise I should offend no less, then tJiose ungratefull wretches which inhabit the lowest pit of the profound and obscure house of smoah. This said, he offered to kiss the curtelass which the young prince wore by his side, which he would by no means permit, but taking him by the hand, he led him to the King his father, unto whom, lying sick in his bed, he delivered a letter from the Nautaguim, which after he had read, he commanded him to call me in from the next room where I staid attending, which instantly he did, and presented me to the King, who entertaining me very graciously ; Thy arrival, said he unto me, in this my country is no less pleasing to me, then tlie rain which falls from heaven is profitable to our fields that are sowed loith rice. Knding my self somewhat perplexed with the novelty of these terms, and this manner of salutation, I made him no answer for the instant, which made the King say to the lords that were about him, I imagine that this stranger is daunted with seeing so much company here, for that peradventure he hath not been accustomed unto it, wherefore I hold it fit to remit him unto some other time, when as he may be better ac- quainted, and not be so abashed at the sight of the people. Upon this speech of the Kings I answered by my truchman, that whereas his Highness had said that I was daunted, I confessed that it was true, not in regard of so many folks as were about me, because I had seen far many more, but that my amazement proceeded from the consideration that I was now before the feet of so great a king, which was sufficient to make vae mute an hundred thousand years, if I could. live BO long. I added further, that those which were present there seemed to me but men, as I my self was, but as for his High- ness, that God had given him such great advantages above 270 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES all, as it was His pleasure he should be lord, and that others should be mere servants, yea, and that I my self was but a silly ant, in comparison of his greatness, so that his Majesty could not see me in regard of my smalness, nor I in respect thereof be able to answer unto his demands. All the assistants much such accoimt of this mad answer of mine, as clapping their hands by way of astonishment, they said unto the King, Mark, I beseech your Highness, how he speaks to purpose ; verily it seems that this man is not a merchant, which meddles with base things, as buying and selling, but rather a Bonze, that offer sacrifices for the people ; or if not so, surely he is some great captain that hath a long time scoured the seas. Truly, said the King, I am of the same opinion, now that I see him so resolute ; but let every man be silent, because I purpose that none shaU speak to Viiin but my self alone ; for I assm-e you that I take so much delight in hearing him talk, that at this instant I feel no pain. At those words the Queen and her daughters, which were set by him, were not a little glad, and falling on their knees* with their hands lifted up to heaven, they thanked God for this Hjs goodness unto them. CHAPTEE XXXVni. I The great mishap that befell the King of Bnngo's son, with the extreme danger that I was in for the same; and what followed thereupon; AUTTLE after the King caused me to approach unto his bed, where he lay sick of the gout, when I was near him. J pritliee, said he unto me, be not unwilling to stay here by me, for it does me nmch good to look on tliee, aitd talk with thee ; tliou slmlt also oblige me to let me know whetJier in thy country, which is at the further end of the world, thou hast not learn' d any remedy for this disease wherewith I am, tormented, or for the loch of appetite, which hath continued with me now almost these two moneths without eating any thing to speak of. Hereunto I answered, that I made no profession of physick, for that I had never leam'd that art, but that in the junk, wherein I came from China, there was a certain wood, which OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 271 infused in water healed far greater sicknesSes then that where- of he complained, and that if he took of it, it would assuredly help him. To hear of this he was very glad, insomuch that transported with an extreme desire to be healed, he sent away for it in aU haste to Tanixumaa, where the junck lay, and having used of it 30 days together, he perfectly recovered of his disease, which had held him so for 2 years together, as he was not able to stir from one place to another. Now during the time that I remained with much content in this city of Fuchea, being some 20 days, I wanted not occasions to entertain my self withall ; for sometimes I was imployed in answering the questions, which the King, Queen, princes, and lords asked of me, wherein I easily satisfied them, for that the matters they demanded of me were of very httle consequence. Other-whiles I bestowed my self in beholding their solemnities, the temples where they offered up their prayers, their warlike exercises, their naval fleets, as also their fishing and hunting, wherein they greatly deUght, especially in the high-flying of falcons and vultures. Oftentimes I past away the time with my harquebuse in killing of turtles and quaUs, whereof there is great abundance in the country. In the mean season this new manner of shooting seemed no less marvellous and strange to the inhabitants of this land, then to them of Tanixumaa ; so that beholding a thing which they had never seen before, they made more reckoning of it than I am able to express, which was the cause that the Kings second son, named Arichaudono, of the age of 16 or 17 years, and whom the King wonderfully loved, intreated me one day to teach him to shoot ; but I put him off, by saying that there needed a far longer time for it then he imagined, wherewith -not well pleased he complained to his father of me, who to content the prince desired me to give him a couple of charges for the satisfying of his minde ; whereunto I answered that I would ^ve him as many as his Highness would be pleased to command me. Now because he was that day to dine with his father, the matter was referred to the afternoon, howbeit then too, there was nothing done, for that he waited on his mother to a village adjoyning, whither they came from all parts on pilgrimage by reason of a certain feast, which was 272 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES celebrated there for the health of the King. The next day this young prince came -with onely 2 young gentlemen waiting on him to my lodging, where finding me asleep on a mat, and my harquehiise, hanging on a hook by, he would not wake me till he had shot off a couple of charges, intending, as he told me afterwards himself, that these two shoots should not be comprised in them I had promised him. Having then com- manded one of the young gentlemen that attended him, to go softly and kindle the match, he took down the harquehuse from the place where it hung, and going to charge it, as he had seen me do, not knowing how much powder he should pu-t in, he charged the piece almost two spans deep, then putting in the bullet, he set himself with it to shoot at an orange tree that was not far off ; but fire being given, it was his ill hap that the harqiiahuse brake into 3 pieces, and gave him 2 hurts, by one of the which his right hand thimib was in a manner lost ; instantly whereupon the prince fell down as one dead, which the 2 gentlemen perceiving, they xsxi away towards the court, crying along in the streets that the. strangers harquehuse had killed the prince. At these sad news the people flocked in all haste with weapons and great cries to the house where I was. Now God knows whether I was not a little amazed when coming to awake I saw this tumult, as also the young prince lying along upon the floor by me weltring in his own bloud without stirring either hand or foot. All that I could do then was to imbrace him in my arms, so besides my self, as I knew not where I was. In the mean time, behold the King comes in a chair carried upon 4 mens shoulders, and so sad and pale, as he seemed more dead then alive; after Vn'm followed the Queen on foot leaning upon 2 ladies, with her 2 daughters, and a many of women all weeping. As soon as they were entred into the chamber, and beheld the young prince extended on the ground, as if he had been dead, imbraced in my arms, and both of us wallowing in bloud, they all concluded that I had kiUed him; so that 2 of the company drawing out their scymitars, would have slain me ; which the King perceiving. Stay, stay, cried he, let us know first how the matter goes, for I fear it comes further off, and that this fellow here hath been corrupted by some of tlwse OP FEBDlNAND MENBBZ PINTO. 273 traitors Mnred, whom I caused to be last executed. Thereupon conimanding the 2 young gentlemen to be called which had accompanied the prince, his son, thither, he questioned them exactly. Their answer was, that my harquebuse vrith the inchantments in it had MUed him. This deposition served but to incense the assistants the more, who in a rage address- ing themselves to the King. What need, sir, have you to hear more, cried they ? Here is but too much, let him be put to a cruel death. Therewith they sent in aU. haste for the Jardbuca, who was my interpreter, to them ; now for that upon the arrival of this disaster he was out of extreme fear fled away, they brought him straight to the Elng ; but before they fell to examining of him, they mightily threatned him, in case he did not confess the truth ; whereunto he answered trembling, and with tears in his eyes, that he would reveal all that he knew. In the mean time being on my knees, with my hands bound, a Bonzo, that was President of their Justice, having his arms bared up to the shoulders, and a poiniard in his hand dipped in the bloud of the young prince', said thus unto me, I conjure thee, thou son of some devil, and culpable of the same crime for which they are damned thai inhabit in tlie - house of sinoak, where they lie buried in the obscure and deep pit of the centre ■ of the earth, that thou confess unto me with a voice so loud tliat every one may hear thee, for what cause thou hast with these sorceries and inchantments hilled this young innocent, whom we hold for the hairs, and chief ornaments of our heads. To this demand I knew not what to answer upon the sudden, for that I was so far besides my self, as if one had taken away my life, I believe I should not have felt it ; which the president perceiving, and beholding me with a terrible countenance, Seest thou not, continued he, that if thou doest not aiiswer to the questions I ask thee, that thou mayest Tiold thy self for con- demned to a death of bloud, of fire, of water, and of the blasts of the winde ; for thou shalt be dismembred into air, like the feathers of dead fowl, which the winde carries from one place to another, separated from the body with which they were joyned whitest they lived. This said, he gave me a great kick with his foot for to rowse up my spirits, and cried out again, Speak, confess who they are 'that have corrupted thee ? what sum of 19 274 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTtJBES money have they given thee ? hoiu are they called ? and ivhere are they at this present ? At these -words being somewhat come again to my self, I answered him, that God knew my innocence, and that I took him for -witness thereof. But he not contented -with -what he had done began to menace me more than before, and set before mine eyes an infinite of torments and terrible things ; -wherein a long time being spent, it pleased God at length that the young prince came to him- self, -who no sooner saw the King his father, as also his mother and sisters dissolved into tears, but that he desired them not to -weep ; and that if he chanced to die, they -would attribute his death to none but himseK, -who -was the onely cause thereof, conjuring them moreover by the bloud, wherein they beheld him weltring, to cause me to be unbound -without all delay, if they desired not to make him die ane-w. The King much amazed -with this language, commanded the manacles to be taken off which they had put upon me ; -whereupon came in 4 Bonzoes to apply remedies unto him, but -when they sa-w in -what manner he was wounded, and that his thumb hung in a sort but by the skin, they were so troubled at it, as they knew not what to do ; which the poor prince observing, Away, away, said he, send hence these de-vils, and let others come that have more heart to judge of my hurt, since it hath pleased God to send it me. Therewith the 4 Bonzoes were sent away, and other 4 came in their stead, who Uke-wise wanted the courage to dress him ; which the King percei-ving was so much troubled as he knew not what to do ; howbeit he resolved at length to be advised therein by them that were about him, who counselled him to send for a Bonzo, called Teioceandono, a man of great reputation amongst them, and that lived then at the city of Facataa, some 70 leagues from that place ; but the wounded prince not able to brook these delays ; I know not, answered he, what yoti mean by this counsel which you give my fatlier, seeing me in the deplorable estate wherein I am ; for whereas I ought to Jiave been drest already, you would have me stay for an old rotten man, who cannot be here untill (me hath made a journey of _ an hundred and forty leagues, both in going and coming', so that it must he a moneth at least before ha can arrive ; wherefore speak no more of it, but if you desire to t)F FEBDINANH MENDEZ pinto. 273 do me a pleasure, free this stranger a little from tliefear you have put him in, and clear tlie room of all this throng^ he that you believe Imth hurt me will help me, as he may, for I had rather die under tJie hands of this poor wretch ; that hath wept so much for me, then he touched by Bonzo of Facataa, who at the age he is of, of ninety atid two years, can see no further then his nose. CHAPTEE XXXIXi My curing the young Prince o£ Bungo ; with my return to Tanixumaa, and imbarquing there for Liampoo ; and also that which happened to us on land, after the shipwrack we suffered by the way. THE Eing of Bungo being extremely grieved to see the disaster of his son, turned himself to me, and behold- ing me with a very gentle comitenance ;' Stranger, said he unto me, try I pray tJiee, if thou canst assist my son in this peril of his life, for I swear unto theC) if thou canst do it, I will mahe no less esteem of thee, then of him himself, and will give thee whatsoever thou wilt demand of me. Hereunto I answered the King, that I desired his Majesty to command all those people away, because the coyl that they kept confounded me, and that then I would see whether his hurts were dangerous; for if I found that I was able to cure them, I would do it most wiUingly. Presently the King willed every one to be gone ; whereupon approaching unto the prince, T perceived that he had but two hurts ; one on the top of his forehead, which was no great matter ; and the other on his right hand thumb, that was almost cut off. So that our Lord inspiring me, as it were, vnth new courage, I besought the King not to be grieved, for I hoped in less then a month to render him his son perfectly recovered. Having comforted him in this manner, I began to prepare my self for the dressing of the prince ; but in the mean time the King was very much reprehended by the Bonsoes, who told him, that his son -Would assuredly die that night, and therefore it was better for him to put me to death presently, then to suffer me to kill the 276 TRE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES prince outright, adding further, that if it should happen to prove so, as it was very likely, it would not only he a great scandal unto him,- but also much alienate his peoples affections from him. To these speeches of the Bonzoes the King repUed, that he thought they had reason for that they said, and there- fore he desired them to let him know how he should govern himself in this extremity. You must, said they, stay the coming of the Bonzo Teixeandono, and never think of any other course ; for we assure you, in regard he is the hoUest man living, he will no sooner lay his hand on him but he vdll heal him strait, as he hath healed many others in our sight. As the King was even resolved to foUow the cursed counsel of these servants of the devU, the prince complained that his wounds pained him in such sort that he was not able to endure it, and therefore prayed that any handsome remedy might be instantly appUed to them; whereupon the King, much distracted between the opinion of the Bonzoes, and the danger that his son was in of his life, together with the extreme pain that he suffered, desiring those about him to advise him what he should resolve on, in that exigent ; not one of them but was of the mind, that it was far more expedient to have the prince drest out of hand, then to stay the time which the Bonzoes spake of. This counsel being approved of the King, he came again to rne, and making very much of me, he promised me mighty matters if I could recover his son ; I answered him with tears in my eyes, that by the help of God I would do it, and that he himself should be witness of my care therein. So recommending my self to God, and taking a good heart unto me, for I saw there was no other way to save my life, but that, I perpared all things necessary to perform the cure. Now because the hurt of the right hand thumb was most dangerous, I began with that, and gave it seven stitches, whereas peradventure if a chirurgion had drest him, he would have given it fewer ; as for that of the forehead, I gave it but four, in regard it was much sUghter then the other ; that done, I applyed to them tow wet in the whites of eggs, and so bound them up very close, as I had seen others done in theLidiaes. Five days after I cut the stitches, and continued dressing him as before, until that at the end of twenty days itj)leased God he OF FERDINAND MENDFZ PINTO. 277 was throughly cured, -without any other inconvenience remain- ing in him than a Uttle weakness in his thumb. For this cause after that time the King and his lords did me much honour ; the Queen also, and the princesses her daughters presented me with a great many sutes of silks, and the chiefest of the court with cymitars, and other things, besides aU which the Eing gave me six hundred Taeis ; so that after this sort I received in recompence of this my cure above fifteen hundred ducates, that I carried with me from this place. After things were past in this maimer, being advertised by letters from my two companions at Tanixumaa, that the Chinese pirate, with whom we came thither, was preparing for his return to China, I besought the King of Bungo to give me leave to go back, which he readily granted me, and with much acknowledgment of the curing of his son he wOled a Funce to be made ready for me, furnished with all things necessary, wherein commanded a man of quality, that was attended by twenty of the Kings servants, with whom I departed on Saturday morning for the city of Fucheo, and the Friday following about sun-set I arrived at Tanixumaa, where I found my two camrades, who received me with much joy. Here we continued fifteen days longer, tUl such time as the junck was quite ready, and then we set sail for Liampoo, which is a sea-port of the kingdom of China, whereof I have spoken at large heretofore, and where at that time the Portugals traded. Having continued our voyage with a prosperous wind, it pleased God that we arrived safe at our desired port, where it is not to believed how much we were welcomed by the inhabitants of the place. [Pinto sets sail with the Portuguese from Liampoo, and is shipwrecked on the Island of the Leguios ; his imprisonment in the town of Pungor, and other adventures, till his safe return to Liampoo, ojrtittcl**] 378 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES CHAPTER XL. My sayling from Liampoo to Malaca, from whence the captain of the fortress sent me to the Chaubainhaa at Martabano ; and all that befel us in oar voyage thither. BEING arrived at Liampoo, we were very well received by the Portugals, that lived there. From whence within a whUe after I imbarqued mj' self in the ship of a Portugal, named Tristano de Gaa, for to return unto Malaca, with an intention once more to try my fortune, which had so often been contrary to me, as may appear by that which I have delivered before. This ship being safely arrived at Malaca, I went presently unto Pedro de Faria, Governour of the fortress, who desiring to benefit me somewhat before the time of his Government was expired, he caused me to undertake the voyage of Martaban, which was usually very profitable, and that in the junck of a Malwvietan, named Necoda Mamude, who had wife and children at Malaca. Now the principal designe of this voyage was, to conclude a peace with the Chaubainhaa, King of Martabano; as also to continue the commerce of those of that country vnth us, because their juncks did greatly serve for the provisions of our fortress, which at that time was unfurnished thereof by reason of the success of the wars of Jaoa. Besides I had a designe in this my voyage of no less consequence, then the rest, which was to get one, called Lancarote Gtierreyro, to come thither, who was then on the coast of Tanaucarim, vnith an hundred men ia four foists, under the name of a rebel or mutiner ; I was to require him to come to the succour of the fortress, in regard it was held for certain, that the King of Achem was suddainly to fall upon it ; so that Petro de Faria, seeing himself destitute of aU that was necessary for him to sustain a siege, and of men like- wise, found it fit to make use of these hundred men, the rather for that they were nearest, and so might be the sooner with him. In the third place, he sent me upon another important occasion, namSly, to give advice to the ships of Bengala, that they should come aU carefully in consort OF FBBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 279 together, lest their negligence in their navigation should be the eanse of some disaster. This voyage then I undertook very unwillingly, and parted from Malaca upon a Wednesday, the 9th day of January, in the year 1545 ; being under sail I continued my course -with a good wind to Picllo Pracelar, where the pilot was a little retarded by means of the shelves, which cross all that channel of the firm land, even unto the island of Sumatra. When we were got forth with much labour, we passed on to the islands of Pulh Samhillam, where I put my self into a Manchua, which I had very well equipped ; and sayling in it the space of twelve days, I observed, accord- ing to the order Pedro de Faria had given me for it, all the coast of that country of Malaya, which unto Juncalan con- tains an htmdred and thirty leagues, entring by all the rivers of BartuTiaas, Salangor, Panaagim, Qiiedam, Paries, Pendan, and Sambilan, Siam, without so much as hearing any news at all of his enemies in any of them. So continuing the same course nine days more, being the three and twentieth of our voyage, we went and cast anchor at a little island, called Pisandurea, where the Necoda, the Mdhumetan captain of the junck, was of necessity to make a cable, and furnish himself with wood and water. With this resolution going on shore every man applyed himself to the labour he was appointed unto, and therein spent most part of the day. Now whilest they were thus at work the son of this Mahumetan captain came and asked me whither I would go with him, and see if we could kill a stag, whereof there was great plenty in that island ; I answered him that I would accompany him with all my heart, so that having taken my Sarquehuse, I went along vnth him athwart the wood, where we had not walked above an hundred spaces, but that we espied a many of wild boars, that were rooting in the earth near to a pond. Having dis- covered this game, we got as near to them as we could, and discharging amongst them, we carried two of them to the ground. Being very glad of this good success we presently gave a great shout, and ran straight to the place we had seen them rooting. But (O dreadful to behold) in this place we found above a dozen bodies of men digged out of the earth, and some nine or ten others half eaten. Being much amaze^ 280 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES at this object, we withdrew a little aside by reason of the great stench which proceeded from these dead bodies. Here- upon the Saracen told me, that he thought we should do well to advertise his father of this, to the end we might instantly surround this island all about for to see whether we could discover any vessels with pirats ; for, said he, there may be some lie hidden behind yonder poynt, whereby we may very well run the hazard of our lives, as it hath often befallen other ships, where many men have been lost by the carelessness of their captains. This advice of the Saracen seemed so good unto me, that we presently returned back unto the rode, where he gave an account to his father of that we had seen. Now for that the Necoda was a very prudent man, and scalded (as one may say) with the like inconveniences, he straight way gave order to have the island surrounded ; then causing the women, children, and Hnnen, although it were but half washed, to be imbarqued, he himself being followed by forty men, armed with harquebuses and lances, went directly to the place where we had discovered those bodies, and viewing them one after another, with stopping our noses by reason of the stench, which was insupportable, he was so moved' with compassion, that he commanded the mariners to dig a great pit for to bury them in. But as they were about to render them this last duty, and looking over them again, there was found upon some of them little daggers garnished with gold, and on others bracelets. Whereupon the Necoda, understanding well this mystery, wished me with aU speed to dispatch away the rowing vessel that I had to the captain of Malaca, for that, as he assured me, those dead men, which they saw there, were Achems, who had been defeated near to Taiiaucarim, whither their armies ordinarily retired because of the war which they had with the King of Siam. The reason he alledged to us for this was, that those which we saw there lying dead, having golden bracelets about them, were captains of Achem, who had caused themselves to. be buried without permittiog them to be taken away, and that- he would lose his head if it were not so. For a greater proof whereof, he further added, that he would make some more of them to be dis-enterred, as incontinently he did; and having digged some seven and OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 281 thirty of them out of the earth, there was found about them sixteen bracelets of gold, twelve very rich daggers, and many jewels, so that thinking of no other but hunting, we got a booty worth above a thousand ducates, which the Necoda had, besides .what was concealed ; but the truth is, this was not altogether to owe advantage, for the most part of our men became sick with the extream stench of those bodies. At the very instant I dispatched away the rowing vessel that we had to Malaca, and advertised Pedro de. Faria of the whole success of .our voyage. Withall I certified him what com-se we had held ; as also into what ports, and into what rivers we had entred, without hearing any other news of his enemies, then that it was suspected they had been at Tanaucarim, where by the appearances of those dead bodies, it was to be believed that they had been defeated ; whereunto I added, for a conclusion, that if I could light on any more, assured news concerning them, I would presently acquaint him with it, in what part soever I were. After I had dispatched away the rowing vessel to Malaca, with the letters which I had directed to Pedro de Faria, and that our junck was furnished vrith all things necessary for her, we sayled towards the coast of Tanaiuiarim, where, as I said before, I had order to land for to treat with Lancerote Ghirer- reyro, that he, and the rest of the Poriugals of his company, might come to the succour of Malaca, which the Achems in- tended to besiege, according to the report that went of it. Being under sail then we arrived at a httle island, a league in circuit, called Pulho Hinhor, where a Parao came unto us, in the which were six tawny Moors, poorly clad, with red bonnets on their heads; their boat being close to our junck, which was then imder saU, they saluted us in the way of peace, where- unto we answered in the like -manner. That done, they demanded of us if- there were any Portiigals amongst us ? We told them that there were, but mistrusting it, they desired to see one or two of them upon the hatches, because, added they, it imports much that it should be so. Whereupon the Necoda prayed me to come up, which incontinently I did, though at that time I was shut up in my cabbin below some- what indisposed in my health ; when I was on the deck I 282 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES called to them that were in the Parao, who had no sooner seen me, and known me to be a Portugal, but they gave a great shout ; and clapping their hands for joy, they came aboard our junck. Then one of them, who by his countenance seemed to have more authority then the rest, began to say unto me : Seignior, before I crave leave of tliee to speah, I desire thee to read this letter, to the end it may induce tliee the more readily to believe that which I am to say unto tliee. Thereupon, out of an old filthy clout he took a letter, wherein (after I had opened it) I found this written: Signiors Portugals, which are true Christians, this honourable man, that shall sheio you this letter, is king of this island, newly converted to the faith, and called Dom Lancerote. He hath rendred many good offices, iwt onely to them loho have subscribed this writing, but to us also wlw have navigated on these coasts. For lie hath given us very important advertisements of the treasons which the Aehems and Turks have plotted against us, so tliat by the means of this honest man we have discovered all their designs : withall God hath made use of Mm for to give us not long since a great victory against them, wherein we have taken from tliem one gaily, four galliots, and five foists, with the death of above a thousand Sar- ra2ans. 'Wherefore we intreat you, by the wounds of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the merits of His holy passion, not onely to keep him from all wrong, but to assist him with all your power, as the manner is of all good Portugals, tluxt it may serve for an example to tJwse which sJuM know this, to do the like in imita- tion of you. And so we kiss your hands, this 13th day of November, 1544. This letter was signed by more then 50 Portugals, amongst whom were the 4 captains that I fought for, namely, Lancerote Gnerreyra, Anionic Gomez, Pedro Fer- reyra, and Cosmo Bernaldes. When I had read this letter, I made a tender of my person to this petty king, for otherways my power was so small, as it could not reach further then to the giving him a bad dinner, and a red bonnet I had on, which all worn as it was, was yet better then his own. Now after this poor king had made some declaration to me of himself, and of his miseries, lifting up his hands to heaven, and shed- ding abundance of tears. Our Lord Jesus Christ, said he unto me, whose slave I am, doth know wliat great need I have now of OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 283 the favour and succour of some Christians ; for because I am a Christian, as tliey are, a Mahometan slave of mine, about four montlies ago, reduced me to that extremity wherein I belwld my self at this instant, being not able in the state I am in to do any other then cast wp mine eyes to heaven, and lament my mis- fortune, with much sorrow, and little remedy. And I assure thee, by tlie verity of that holy and new law, wliereof I now make profession, that not onely for being a Christian, and a friend of tlie Portugals, I am persecuted in this sort. Now for that being alone, as thou art, it is not possible for tliee to assist me. I beseech thee, Signior, to take me along with tliee, to the end that this soul which God hath put into me may not perish, and in rccompence thereof I promise to serve tliee as a slave all the days of my life. Lo this is that which this poor king said with so many tears, as it was great pity to behold it ; in the mean time the Necoda, who was of a good disposition, and charitably inclined, was very much moved with the disaster of the unfor- tunate king, so that he gave him a little rice, and some linnen to cover him withaU, for he was so ragged, that one might see his naked skin every where about him. After he had informed himself from him of certain particulars, the knowledge where- of concerned him, he demanded him where his enemy was, and what forces he had ? Whereunto he answered, that he was a quarteir of a league from thence, in a cabbin covered with straw, having not above thirty fishermen with him, who were • most of them without arms. Hereupon the Necoda cast his eye upon me, and seeing me sad, for that I was not able of my self to succour this poor Christian, thinking withaU that he should much oblige me thereby, Signior, said he xmto me, if thou wert now captain of my junck, as I am, what remedy wouldst thou give to the tears of this poor man, wherewith also thy eyes do participate ? I knew not what reply to make him, for that I was greatly moved to behold my neighbour, a Christian like my self, to suffer in that manner, which the Necoda' s son perceiving, who was, as I have said, a young man of a good spirit, and brought up amongst the Portu^als, and .guessing at the shame and sorrow I was in, he desired his father to lend him 20 mariners of his junck, that -by their means he might re-estabUsh this poor King, and chase the 284 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES thief out of the island. To this the Necoda answered, that if I would demand so much of him, he would do it very wil- lingly ; whereupon casting my seU at his feet, and embracing him, which is the humblest complement used amongst them, I told him with tears in my eyes, that if he would do me this favour I would be his slave whilest I lived, and that both he and his children should finde how ready I would be always to acknowledge the same. He presently granted my request, so that causing the jimck to approach near the shoar, he prepared himself in 3 boats with one faulcon, 3 bases, and 60 men, Jaos and Lesons, all weU armed, for 30 of them carried Sarque- buses, the rest lances, andbowes and arrows, besides grana- does, and other such like fire-works, as we thought were convenient for our design. It was about 2 of the clock in the afternoon when we landed, and so we went directly to the trench where the enemies were. The Necoda' s son led the vanguard, consist- ing of 40 men, whereof 20 were armed vyith Harquebuses, and the rest with bowes and arrows. The Necoda himself brought on the rear; wherein were 30 souldiers, carrying a banner, which Pedro de Faria had given him at his parting from Malaca, with a cross painted in it, to the end that he might be known for a vassal to our king, in case he should encounter any of our ships. Marching in this order by the guiding of this petty king, we arrived where the rebell was with his men set in order, who by the shoutiag and cries seemed in shew, not to make any reckoning of us. There were ia number about ,50, but weak, unarmed, and- utterly destitute of all things necessary for their defence, having for all their arms but staves, 10 or 11 lances, and 1 Harquebuse. As soon as we had discovered them we gave fire to the faulcon and bases, discharging withall 20 Harquebuses, whereupon the thieves betook themselves presently to flight, being in great disorder, and most of them hurt. We pursued them then so close, that we overtook them on the top of a little hiU, where they were defeated in the space of 2 Credo's, not one of them escaping with Ufe save onely 3, whom we spared for that they said they were Christian^. That done, we went to a village, where there were nqt aljQve 20 poor lo-s^ cabbins, coyered with straw ; OF FEBDINAND MENJDEZ PINTO. 285 in it were found some threescore and four women, with a many of little children, who no sooner perceived us, but aU of them with tears fell a crying out. Christian, Christian, Jesus, Jesus. At these words being fuUy perswaded that they were Christians, I desired the Necoda that he would cause his son to retire, and not to suffer any of them to be killed, because they were not Gentiles, which he presently yielded unto, and yet for all that he could not keep the cabbins from sacking, though in them all there was not found the value of 5 ducates. For the people of this island are so poor, that scarce one of them is worth a groat ; they feed on nothing but a little fish, which they take with angling, and eat it broiled on the coals without salt ; yet are they so vain and presumptuous, that not one almost amongst them but terms himself a king of some vile piece of ground, wherein there is little more then one poor cabbin ; besides, neither the men nor the women have wherewithal! to cover their nakedness. After the slaughter of the rebellious Saracen and his followers, and the re-estabUshment of the poor Christian king, putting him in possession of his wife and children, whom his enemy had made slaves, together with above threescore and three Christian souls, we ordained a kinde of church amongst them, for the instruction of those that were newly converted. And then returning to our junck, we presently set sail, and continued our course towards Taunacarim, where I was perswaded I should finde Lancerote Gv^rreyra, and his companions, for to treat with them about the business, whereof I have formerly spoken. But for as much as in the letter, which the petty king shewed me, the Portugals made mention of a victory which God had given them against the Turks and Achems o'f this coast, I hold it not amiss to relate here how that hapned, as weU for the content the reader may take therein, as to shew that there is no enterprise which valiant souldiers at a need may not bring to pass, in regard whereof it imports much to cherish, and make esteem of them. For eight moneths and more our hundred Portugals had scoured up and down this coast in four weU rigg'd foists, wherewith they had taken three and twenty rich ships, and many other lesser vessels, so that they which used to sail ia those parts were so terrified with the sole name of the 286 fnE tBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTTJBE^ Portugals, as they quitted their commerce without making any further use of their shipping : by this sm-cease of trade the custom-houses of the ports of Tanaucarbn, Jmicalan, Merguim, Vagaruu, and Tavay, fell much in their revenue, in so much that those people -were constrained to give notice of it to the Emperor of Sornau, King of Siani, and soveraign lord of all that country, beseeching him to give a remedy to this mischief, whereof every one complained. Instantly whereupon, being then at the city of Odiaa, he sent with all speed to the frontire of Lauhos for a Turkish captain of his, named Seredrirt Mahomet, the same who in the year 1538 came from Suez to the army of Soliinan the Bashaw, Vice-roy of Gain, when as the great TurTc sent him to invade the Indies ; but it fell out that this man slipping from the body of the army arrived in a gaily on the coast of Tanaucarim, where he was entertained by the Soman King of Siam, and for a pension of twelve thousand ducates by the year served him as a general of that frontire. Now for that the King held this Turh for invincible, and made more account of him then of all others, he commanded him from the place where he was, with three hundred Janizaries that he had with him, and giving him a great sum of money he made him General of aU the coast of this sea, to the end that he might free those people from our incursions ; withal he promised to make him Duke of Banchaa, which is an estate of great extent, it he could bring him "the heads of four Portugal captains. This proud Tit/rk, becoming more insolent by the reward and promises which the King made him posted presently away to Taiiaucarim, where being arrived he rigged forth a fleet of ten saUs for to fight with us, being so confident of vanquishing us, as in answer of certain letters, which the Sornau had. written unto him from Odiaa, these words were found in one of them. From the tiine that my head was esloigned from the feet of your Bigness for to execute this small enterprize, wherein it seems you are pleased I should serve you, I continued my voya-ge till at the end of nine days I a/rrived at Tanaucarim, wliere I presently provided my self of such vessels as were necessary for me, and indeed would have had but only two, for I hold it most infallible that those would suffice to chase away these petty thieves ; howbeit not to disobey the commission, OF PEtiMNAND MENJbEZ PWTO. 281 iohich Combracalon the Governor of tlie Empire liath given -me under your great seal, I have -made ready the great gaily, as also the four little ones, and the five Foists, with which I purpose to set forth with all speed ; for I fear lest these dogs slwuld have news of my coming, and tliat for my sins God slwuld be so much their friend, as to give tliem leasure to fly, which would be so great a grief unto me, that the very imagination thereof might be my death, or through an excess of despair render me like unto them ; but I hope that the Prophet Mahomet, of whose law I have made profession from mine infancy, will not permit that it should so happen for my sins. This Seredrin Mahomet being arrived &t' Tanaucarim, as I have deUvered before, presently raade ready his fleet, which was composed of five foists, foinr gaUiots, and one gaily royal : within these vessels he im- barqued eight hundred Malwmetans, men of combat (besides the mariners), amongst the which were three hundred Janizaries, as for the rest they were Turks, Greeks, Malabares, Achems, and Msgores, all choyce men, and so disciplined, that their captain held the victory already for most assured ; assisted with these forces he parted from the port of Tanaucarim for to go in the quest of our men, who at that time were in this island of Pulho Hinlwr, whereof the foresaid Christian was king. Now during those levies of men of war, this petty king going to the town for to sell some dryed fish there, as soon as he perceived what was intended against us, he left all his commodities behind him, and in aU haste returned to this island of his ; where finding our men in great security, as httle dreaming of that which was in hand agaiust us, he related it all unto them, whereat they remained so much amazed, as the importance of the matter did require; in so much that the same night and the next day having well caulked their vessels which they had . drawn ashore, they lanched them into the sea, after they had imbarqued their provisions, their water, their artillery, and ammunition. So falling to their oars, with a purpose (as I have heard them say since) to get to Bengala, or to Bacan, for that they durst not withstand bo great an army ; but as they were unresolved thereupon, and divided in opinion, behold they saw aU the ten sails appearing together, and behind them five great ships of 288 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES Guzarates, whose masters had given Hcredrin Mahomet thirty thousand ducates for to secure them against our Portugals. The sight of these fifteen sails put our men Into a very great confusion; and because they were not ahle at that time to make to sea for that the wind was contrary, they put them- selves Into a creek, which was on the south-side of the Island and Invironned by a down, or hill, where they resolved to attend what God would send them. In the mean time the five Guzarat ships shewed themselves with fuU sails at sea, and the ten sails with oars went directly to the island, where they arrived about sun-set. Presently thereupon the Turkish captain sent out spies to the ports, where he was advertised that they had been, and entered by little and little into the mouth of the haven, that so he might render himself more assured of the prize which he pretended to make, with hope that as soon as it was day he should take them all, and so bound hand and foot present them to the Soman of Siam, who in recompence thereof had promised him the state of Banchaa, as I have said before. The Maiichua, which had been at the port to spy them out, retm-ned to the fleet about two hours within night, and told Heredrin for news, that they were fled and gone ; wherewith it is said this barbarian was so afflicted, that tearing his hair, I always.feared, said he weeping, my sins would be the cause that in the execution of this enterprize God would shew Himself more a Christian, then a Sarazin, and that Mahomet would be like to these dogs, of whom I go in quest. This said, he feU down all along in the place, and so continued a good while without speaking a word. Nevertheless being come again to himself he gave order, like a good captain, to all that was necessary. First of all then he sent the four galliots in quest of them to an island, called Tanbasoy, distant from that of Pulho JSinlior about seven leagues, for he was perswaded that our men were retired thither, because this was a better harbor then that of the island from whence they were gone. As for the five foists he divided them into three, whereof he sent two to another island, named Sambilan, and other two to those which were nearest to the firm land, for that all these places were very proper to shelter one in ; as for the fifth foist, in regard she was flatter then the rest, he sent OF FEBDINAND MENDBZ PINTO. 289 her along with the four galliots, that she might before it was day bring him news of that which should happen, with promise of great reward for the same ; but during these things our men, who had always a watchful eye, seeing the Turk had rid himself of his greatest forces, and that there was no more remaining with him but the gaily wherein he was, they resolved to fight with him ; and so sailing out of the creek, where they had shrouded themselves, they rowed directly to her. Now in regard' it was past midnight, and that the enemies had but weak sentinels, for that they thought them- selves most secure, and never dreamt of any body lying in wait to attaque them there, our four foists had the opportunity to board her all together, and threescore of their lustiest men leaping suddenly into her, in less then a quarter of an hour, and ijSfore the enemies knew where they were for to make use of their arms, they killed above fourscore Turks ; as for the rest they cast themselves aU into the sea, not one man re- maining ahve : the dog Heredrin Mahomet was slain amongst the rest, and in this great action God was so gracious to our men, and gave them this victory at so cheap a rate, that they had but one young man killed, and nine Portugals Tiurt. They assured me since, that in this gaily, in so short a time, what by water, and the sword, above three hundred Maho- metans lost their lives, whereof the most part were Janiaanes of the Gold Chain, which among the Turks is a mark of honour. Our Portugals 'having past the rest of the night with much cor^ntment, and always keeping good watch, it pleased God tiw; the next morning the two foists arrived from the island whither they had been sent ; who altogether ignorant of that which had past, came carelessly doubling the point of the haven, where the gaUy lay, so that the four foists made themselves masters .of them in a little spacej and with the loss of but a few men. After so good a success they fell dOigently to work in fortifying the gaUy and the two foists, which they had taken, and then flanked the south-side of the island vfith five great pieces of ordnance to defend the entry into the haven. Now about evening the other two foists arrived, making to land with the same indiscretion as the others ; and although they had much ado to reach them, yet an 290 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES were they constrained at length to render themselves, with the loss onely of two Porttigals. Hereupon onr men resolved to attend the four galliots that remained, and which had been sent to the next island, but the next day so great a wind arose from the north, that two of them were east away upon the coast, not one that was in them escaping. As for the other two, about evening they discovered them very much in dis- order, destitute of oars, and separated above three leagues the one from the other; but at last about sun-set one of them came to the port, and ran the same fortune as the former, without saving any one of the Sarazins lives. The next morning an hour before day, the wind being very calm, our men discovered the other galliot, which for want of oars was not able to recover the port, in regard whereof our men resolved to go and fetch her in, as accordingly they di^ and coming somewhat near her with two cannon shot, they killed the most part of them that were in her, and boarding her took her very easily ; now because all her men were either slain, or hurt, they drew her to land by force of other boats ; so that of the ten sail of this fleet, our men had the gaily, two galliots, and four foysts ; as for the other two gaUiots, they were cast away on the Isle of Taubasoy, as I have dehvered before ; and touching the fift foyst, no news could be heard of her, which made it credible that she also suffered shipwrack, or that the wind had cast her upon some of the other islands. This glorious victory, which it pleased God to give us, was obtained in the month of September, 1544, on Michaelmas Eve, which rendred the name of the Portugals so famous through aU those coasts, that for three years after there was nothing else spoken of ; so that the Chaubainhaa, King of Martfibano, hearing of it, sent presently to seek them out, and promised them great advantages if they would succour him against the Kin g of BraTnaa, who at that time was making preparation in his city of Pegu, for to go and besiege Martabano, with an army of seven hundred thousand men. OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 291 OHAPTEE XLI. The continuance of our voyage to the Bar of Martabano ; and certain memorable particularities hapuing there. BEING departed, as I said, from the Island of P-ulho Hinhor, "we continued our course towards the port of Tarnassery, for the affair of which I have spoken ; but upon the approach of the night, the pUot desiring to avoid certain sands that were to the prow-ward of him, put forth to sea, with an intention as soon as it was day to return towards land with the westerly wind, which at the instant blew from the Indiaes by reason of the season. We had now held this course five days, running with much labour by many different rhombs, when as it pleased God that we aceidently discovered a little vessel ; and for as much as we thought it to be a fisher-boat, we made to it, for to be informed from them in her where- abouts we were, and how many leagues it was from thence to Tarnassery ; but having passed close by her, and haled her without receiving any answer, we sent off a shallop, well furnished with men for to compel her to come aboard us : our boat then going directly to the vessel, we entred her, but were much amazed to find in her only five Portugals, two dead, and three ahve, with a coffer, and a sack full of Tangues, and Larius, which is the mony of that country, and a fardle, wherein there were basins and ewers of sUver, and two other very gi;eat basins. Having laid up all this safely, I caused the Portiigals to be brought into our junk ; where looking very carefully unto them, yet could I not in two days get one word from them ; but at length by the means of yelks of eggs, and good broaths, which I made them take, they came again to themselves; so that in six or seven days they were able to render me a reason of their accident. One of those Portugals was called Ghristovano Doria, who was since sent into this country for a captain to Saint Tome ; the other Luys Tabonda, and the third Simano de Brito, aU men of credit, and rich merchants. These same recounted unto us, that coming from the Indies in a vessel belonging to Jorge Manhoz, that was married at Goa, jmth a purpose to go to the port of Ghamngan,- 292 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES in the kingdom of Bengala, they were cast away in the sands of Bucano for want of taking heed; so that of fourscore persons, that they were in the vessel, onely seventeen being saved, they had continued their course ail along by the coast for five days together, intending if possibly they could to recover the river of Cosmira in the kiugdom of Pegu, there to ship themselves for the Indiaes in some vessel or other that they- should meet with in the port ; but whilst they were in this resolution, they were so driven by a most impetuous westerly wind, that in one day and a night they lost the sight of land, finding themselves in the main sea without oars, without sayls, and all knowledge of the winds, they continued in that state sixteen days together, at the end whereof their water coming to fail, all died but those throe he saw before him. Upon the finishing of this relation we proceeded on in our course, and within four days after we met with five Portugal vessels, which were sayling from Beiigala to Malaca. Having shewed them Pedro de Faria's order, I desired them to keep in consort together for fear of the Achems army, that ranged aU over the coast, lest through their imprudence they should fall into any mischief, and thereof I demanded a certificate from them, which they willingly granted, as also furnished me very plentifully with aU things necessary. Having made this dispatch we continued our coiu:se, and nine days after we arrived at the bar of Martabano, on a Friday, the 27th of March, 154:5, having past by Tamassey, Tovay, Merguin, Juncay, Pullo, Gamuda, and Vagaruu, without hearing any tidings of those hundred Portugals, in search of whom I went, because before that they had taken pay in the service of the GhaubainJuia, "King of Martabano, who, according to report, had sent for them to assist him against the King of Bravum, that held him besieged with an army of seven hundred thousand men, as I have declared before ; howbeit they were not at this time in his service ; as we shall see presently. It was almost two hours within night, when we arrived at the mouth of the river ; where we cast anchor with a resolii- tion to go up the next day to the city. Having continued some- time very quiet, we ever and anon heard many cannon shot, whereat we were so troubled, as we knew not what to resolve OF FEUDmANt) MENBBZ PINTO. 293 on. ; as soon as the sun rose, t^he Necoda assembled his men to couneel ; for in semblable occasions tie always used so to do, and told them, that as sure as they were aU to have a share in the peril, so it was fit that every one should give his advice about it ; then he made a speech, wherein he represented unto them that which they had heard that night, and how in regard thereof he feared to go unto the city. Their opinions upon it were very different, howbeit at length they concluded, that their eyes were to be witnesses of that whereof they stood in such doubt. To this end we set sail, having both wind and tyde, and doubled a point, called Mounay, from whence we discovered tie city, invironed with a world of men, and upon the river almost as many vessels, and although we suspected what this might be, because we had heard something of it, yet left we iiot off from sayhng to the port, where we arrived with a great deal of care, and having discharged our ordnance according to the usual manner, in sign of peace, we perceived a vessel very iweU furnished came directly to us from the shore, wherein there was six Portiigals, at which we exceedingly rejoyced ; these presently came aboard our junck, where they were very well entertained ; and having declared unto us what we were to do for the safety of our persons, they counselled us not to budge from thence for any thing in the world, as we had told them our resolution was to have fled that night to Bengala; because if we ^ had followed that design, we had assuredly been lost, and taken by the fleet which the King of Bramaa had in that place, consisting of seventeen hundred sayls, wherein were comprised an hundred gaUies very well furnished with strangers. They added withal, that they were of opinion I should go ashope with them to Joano Gayeyro, who was captain of the Portugals, for to give him an account of the cause that brought me thither, the rather for that he was a man of . sweet disposition, and a great friend of Pedro de Faria's, to whom they had often heard him give much com- mendation, as weU for his noble extraction, as for the goodly qiiaUties that were in him ; besides they told me that I should find Lancarote Gueyreyo, and the rest of the captains with him, unto whom my aforesaid letters were directed, and that I should do nothing therein prejudicial to the service of God, 294 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES and the King. This counsel seeming good unto me, I went presently to land -with the Portugals to wait on Joano Cayeyro, to whom I was exceeding welcome, as likewise to all the rest that were in Ms quarters, to the number of seven hundred Portugals, all rich men, and of good esteem. Then I shewed Joano Cayeyro my letters, and the order that Pedro de Faria had given me ; moreover I treated with him about the affair that led me thither : whereupon I observed that he was very instant with the captains, to whom I was addrest, who answered him that they were ready to serve- the King in all occasions that should be presented; howbeit since the letter of Pedro de Faria, Govemour of Malaca, was grounded on the fear that he was in of the army of the Achems, composed of an hundred and thirty sayl, whereof Bijaya Sora King of Pedir was General ; and it having fallen out, that his Admiral had been defeated at Tarnasery by those of the country, with the loss of seventy Laiichares, and six thousand men, it was not needful they should stir for that occasion ; for according to what they had seen with their own eyes, the forces of that enemy were bo mightily weakned, as they did not think he could in ten years space recover again the loss he had sustained. To this they added many other reasons, which made them aU to agree, that it was not necessary they should go to Malaca. After these things I desired Joano Cayeyro to make me a declaration of aU that had. past in this business, that it might serve me, as it were, for a certificate at my return to our fortress, determining as soon as I had it to get me from this place, for that I had nothing more to do there. With this resolution I stayed there with Joano Cayeyro, in continual expectation to be gone when the season should serve for the junck to depart, and remained with him at this siege the space of six and forty days, which was the chief time of the King of Bramaa his abode there ; of whom I wiU say something here in a few words, because I conceive the curious would be well content to know what success the Chauhamhaa, King of Martabano, had in this war. This siege had lasted now six months and thirteen days,' in which space the city had been assaulted five times in plain day, but the besieged defended themselves always very valiantly, and Uke men of OP FEBDtNAND MENDEZ PINTO. 295 great courage. Howbeit in regard they were insensibly con- sumed with length of time, and the success of war, that no succoiu: came to them from any part, their enemies were without comparison far more in number then they, in such sort as the Chauhainlvaa, found himself so destitute of men, as it was thought he had not above five thousand soldiers left in ; the city, the hundred and thirty thousand which were said to be there at the beginning of the siege, being consumed by famine, or the sword, by. reason whereof the Council assembling for to deUberate what was to be done thereupon, it was resolved that the king should sound his enemy by his interest, which he presently put in execution. Por that effect he sent to tell him, that if he would raise the siege he would give him thirty thou- sand bissesof silver, which is in value a million of gold, and would become his tributary at threescore thousand ducates by the year. The answer made by the King of Bramaa, hereunto was, that he could accept of no conditions from him, if he did not first yield himself to his mercy. The second time he propounded unto him, that if he would suffer him to depart away with two ships, ill one of which should be his treasure, and in the other his wife and children, that then he would dehver bim the city, and all that was in it. But the King of Bramaa would hearken no more to that then the former. The third proposition which he made him was this, that he should retire vnth his army to Tagalaa, some six leagues off, that so he might have liberty to go away freely with aU his, and thereupon he would dehver him the city, and the kingdom, together with all the treasure belonging to the king his predecessor, or that in lieu thereof he would give him three mUhons of gold. But he also refused this last offer, insomuch that the GlumhaiiihoM utterly dispairing of ever making his peace with so cruel an enemy, began to meditate with himself what means he might use to save himself from him. Having long thought upon it he found no better an expedient then therein to serve himself of the succour of the Portugals, for he was perswaded that by their means he might escape the present danger. He sent then secretly to tell Joano Cayeyro, that if he would imbarque himseK in the night in his four ships, and take him in with his wife and "children, and so save them, he would give him half his treasure. In this 296 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES afifair he very closely imployed a certain Portugal, named Paulo de Seixas, bom in the town of Obidos, who at that time was with him in the city. This same having disguised himself in a Pegu habit, that he might not be known, stole one night to Cayeyro's tent and deUvered him a letter from the Ghaubainhaa, wherein this was contained. Valiant and faithful Commander of the Portugals, through the grace of the King of the other end of the world, the strong and mighty Lion, dreadfully roaring, with a crown of majesty in the House of the Sun, I the unhappy Chaubainha's, heretofore a prince, hut now no longer so, finding my self besieged in this wretched and infortunate city, do give thee to understand by the words pronounced out of my vwuth, with an assurance no less faithful then true, that I now render my self the vassal of the great king of Portugal, soveraign lord of me, and my children, with an acknowledgement of homage, and such tribute as lie at his pleasure shall impose on me : wherefore I require thee on his behalf, that as soon as Paulo Seixas shall present this my letter unto tliee, thou come speedily with thy ships to the bulwarlc of the Chappel-key, where thou shall find me ready attending thee, and then without taking further counsel, I will deliver my self up to thy mercy, with all the treasures that I have in gold, aiid precious stones, whereof I will most willingly give the one half to the King of Portugal, upon condition that he shall permit me with tlie remainder to levy in his kingdom, or in the fortresses which he liath in the Indiaes, two thousand Portugals, to whom I will give extraordinary great pay that by their means I may be re-estaMished in this state, which now I am constrained to abandon ; since my ill fortune will have it so. As for that which coiwerns tJiee, and thy men, I do promise them, by the faith of my verity, that in case they do help to save me, I will divide my treasure so liberally among tJiem, that all of them shall be very well satisfied and contented ; and for that time will not suffer me to enlarge any further, Paulo de Seixas, by whom I send this unto thee, shall assure thee both of that which he hath seen, and of^ the rest which I have communicated unto him. Joano Gayeyro had no sooner received this letter, but he presently caused the chief of his followers secretly to assemble together in Councel. Having shewed them the letter, he represented unto them how important and profitable it would be for the service of God, and OF FEBDINAND MENDF2 PtNTO. 297 the King, to accept of the offer, which the Ghauhainhaa had made them. Whereupon causing an oath to he given to Paulo de Seixas, he willed him freely to declare all his knowledge of the matter, and whether it were true that the Chaubainhaa his treasure was so great, as it was reported to be. Thereunto he answered by the oath what he had taken, that he knew not certainly how great his treasure was, but that he was well assured how he had often seen, with his own eyes, an house in form of a church, and a reasonable bigness, all full up to the very tyles of bars and wedges of gold, which might very well lade two great ships. He further said, that he had more- over seen six and twenty chests bound about with strong cords, wherein according to the CJiaubainhaa his own report was the treasure of the deceased Presaguean King of Pegu, which said treasure containing an hundred and thirty thousand bisses, and every biss in value five hundred ducates, made up all together the sum of threescore millions of gold. He said also, that he knew not certainly the number of wedges of gold which he had seen in the Temple of the God of Thunder, but he was most assured notwithstanding that they would fully lade four good vessels. And for a conclusion, he told them, that the said GhaubainhoAi had shewed him the golden image of Quiay Frigau, which was taken at Degum, all full of such rich and resplendent stones as it was thought the like again were not in the whole, world. So that this declaration which "this man made upon oath astonished them so that heard it, as they could not possibly beUeve it to be true. Howbeit after they had sent him out of the tent, they entered into consultation about this affair, wherein nothing was resolved, of which I verily believe our sins were the cause ; for there were in this assembly as many different opinions, as Babel had diversities of languages,.which proceeded especially from the envy of six or seven men there present, who .would needs perswade the rest, that if this affair should happen to have Buch success as was hoped for, Joano Gayeyro (unto whom they all bore no good will) would go then into Portugal with so much honor and reputation, as it would be a small matter for the_ King to make him an earl, or a marquis, or at least recom- pence him "with the government of the Indies ; so that after these ministers of the devU. had aUedged many reasons where- 298 TEE TBAVMLS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES fore it might not be done, which I think was but the mask of their weakness and ill nature, though it may be they did it out of the fear they were in of losing both their goods and lives it this matter should come to be discovered to the King of Bramaa; howsoever they would not agree to accept of this offer, but contrariwise they threatened Joano Gayayro, that if he desisted not from his purpose, which was to comply with the Ghaubainhaa, they would disclose it to the Bramaa ; so that Gayeyro was constrained to abandon this business, lest if he should persist therein the Portugals themselves would discover him, as they threatened to do, without either fear of God, or regard of men. Joano Gayeyro, seeing he could not possibly bring his desire to pass, wrote a letter to the Gauhainliaa, wherein he used many weak excuses for not performing that which he demanded of him, and giving it to Paulo de Scixas, he speedily dispatched him away with it ; so that departing about three hours after midnight he arrived safe at the city, where he found the Gauhainliaa, attending him in the same place which he had named in his letter, unto whom he dehvered the answer he had brought. After he had read it, and thereby found that he could not be succoured by our men, as he always thought he should, it is said that he remained so confounded, that for very grief and sorrow he sunk' down to the ground like a dead man, and continuing a pretty while in that manner, at length he came again to himself, and then beting his brest, and bewailing his miserable fortune. Ah Portugals, said he with tears in his eyes, liow ill do you acknowledge that which I have done for you, imagining that thereby I should make acquisition of your friendship, ns of a treasure, to the end that like faithful men you would he assisting to me in so great a necessity as this is which now I am in, whereby I desired no other thing then to save my childrens lives, inrich your king, and state you in the number of my chiefest friends ? And would it had pleased him toho raigns in the beauty of these stars, that you had merited before him the doing vie this good office, which onely for my siTis you liave refused me; for in so doing you had by my means augmented his law, and I been saved in the promises of his truth. Thereupon sending away Pauh de -Seixas, with a Of FEBblNAND MENDEZ PINTO. 299 young wench, by whom he had had two sons, he gave him a pah" of bracelets, and said unto him, I desire tliee not to think of this little which now I give thee, hut of the great love I Imve always bom thee ; above all, forget not to tell the Portugals, with how much cause and grief I complain of their extream in- gratitude, whereof I will render them cicVpable before God at the last and dreadful day of judgement. The night following Paul de Seixas came back to the Portugals, with two children, and a very fair young damosel their mother, with whom he married afterwards at Coromandel, and shewed to Simon de Binto, and Pedro de Bruges, lapidaries, the bracelets which the Chau- bainhaa had given him, who buying them of him payd six and thirty thousand ducats for them, and had afterwards fourscore thousand for them of Trimira Baia Governour of Narsingua. Pive days after Paulo de Seixas coming to the camp, where he recounted all that I have related before, the CJumbainhaa, seeing himself destitute of all humane remedy, advised with his Councel what com-se he should take in so many misfortunes, that dayly in the neck of one another fell upon him ; and it was resolved by them to put to the sword aU things living that were not able to fight, and with the blood of them to make a sacrifice to Quiay Nivandel, God of Battels, then to cast aU the treasure into the sea, that their enemies might make no benefit of it, afterward to set the whole city on fire, and lastly that all those which were able to bear arms should make themselves Amaucos, that is to say, men resolved either to dye, or vanquish, in fighting with the Bramaas. The Ghaubainhaa very much approved this counsel, and concluding of it accordingly they fell presently to the de- mohshing of houses, and were preparing all other things for the effecting of their design, when as one of the three principal commanders of the city, apprehending that which was to foUow the next day, fled the night ensuing to the enemies camp, and there rendered himself with four thousand men imder his leading to the Bramaa. Hereupon the courages of all the rest were so abated by such a strange infidelity and flight, that not one of them cared afterwards either to keep watch, maintain the breaches, or do any other service what- soever, but contrarily all that remained stuck not to say 300 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES publiquely, that if the Cliaubainhaa would not suddenly re- solve to yield himself to the Bramaa, they would open the gates and let him in, for that it would be better for them to dye so, then to languish and consume away like rotten beasts as they did. The Ghaubainliaa seeing them stifly bent there- unto, for to appease them, answered, that he would perform their desire ; howbeit withal he caused a review to be made of those that would fight, but he found them to be not above two thousand in aU, and they too bo destitute of courage, as they could hardly have resisted feeble women. Beholding himseH then reduced to the last cast, he communicated his mind to the Queen onely, as having no other at that time by whom he might be advised, or that indeed could advise him. The onely expedient then that he could rest on, was to render himself into the hands of his enemy, and to stand to his mercy, or his rigor. "Wherefore the next day about six of the clock in the morning he caused a white flag to be hung out over the wall in sign of peace, whereunto they of the camp answered with another hke banner. Hereupon the Xenimbrum, who was as it were marshal of the camp, sent an horseman to the bulwark, where the flag stood, imto whom it was dehvered from the top of the wall. That the Ghati- bainhaa desired to send a letter to the King, so as he might have a safe-conduct for it; which being signified to the Xenimbrum, he instantly dispatched away two of good quality in the army with a safe-conduct, and so these two Bramaas remaining for hostages in the city, the Ohaubainhaa sent the King a letter by one of his priests, that was fourscore years of age, and reputed for a saint amongst them. The contents of this letter were these : 2%e love of children hath so much power in this house of our weakness, that amoiigst us, who are fathers, there is not so much as one that for their salces would not be well contented to descetid a thousand times into the deep pit of tlie house of the serpent, much more would expose his life for them, and put himself into the hands of one tliat useth so much clemency towards them that shall do so. For which reason I resolved this night with my wife and children, contrary to the opinions that would disswade me from this good, which I hold the greatest of all others, to render my self unto your High- OF FEBDINANS MENBEZ PINTO. 301 ness, that you may do with me as you think fit, and as shall be most agreeable to your good pleasure. As for the fault where- with I may be charged, and which I submit at your feet, I humbly beseech you not to regard it, that so the merit of the mercy, which you shall shew me, may be the greater before God and men. May your Highness therefore he pleased to send some presently for to take possession of my person, of my wife, of my children, of the city, of the treasure, and of all the kingdom ; all which I do even now yield up unto you, as to my sovereign lord, and lawful king. All the request that I have to make unto you hereupon with my knees on the ground, is, that we may all of Jts with your permission finish our days in a cloister, loliere I have already vowed continually to bewail and repent my faults past. For as touching the honors and estates of tJie world, wherewith your Highness might inrich me, as Lord of the most part of the Earth, and of the Isles of the Sea, tlmy are things which I utterly renounce for evermore. In a word, I do solemnly swear unto you before the greatest of all tlie gods, who with the, gentle Umch of His Almighty hand makes the clouds of heaven to move, never to leave tlmt religion which by your pleasure I shall be commanded to profess, where being freed from the vain hopes of the world, my repentance may be the more pleasing to Him that pardoneth all things. This holy Grepo, Dean of tlie Golden House of Saint Quiay, who for his goodness and austerity of life hath all power over me, will make a mare ample relation unto you of what I have omitted, and can more particularly tell you that which concerns the offer I make you of rendring my self; that so relying on the reality of his speech, tlie unquietness wherewith -my soul is incessantly troubled may he appeased. The King of Bramaa having read this letter instantly returned another in answer thereunto fuU of promises and oaths to this effect. That he would forget all that was past, and tliat for the future he would provide him an estate of so great a revenue, as should very well content him. Which he but hadly accom- plished, as I shall declare hereafter. These news was pub- lished throughout aU the camp with a great deal of joy, and the next morning all the equipage and train that the King had in his quarter was set forth to view. First of all there were to be seen fourscore and six field-tents, wonderful rich^ each 302 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES of them being invironed with thirty elephants, ranked in two' files, as if they had been ready to fight, with castles on their backs full of banners, and their Paiwres fastened to their trunks, the whole number of them amounted unto two thousand, five hundred, and. .fourscore. Not far from them were twelve thousand and five hundred Bramaas, all moimted on horses, very richly accoustred ; with the order, which they kept, they inclosed all the Kings quarter in four files, and were all armed in corslets, or coats of mayl, with lances, cymitars, and gilded bucklers. After these Horse followed four files of Foot, all Bramaas, being iij number above twenty thousand. For all the other souldiers of the camp, there were so many as they could not be counted, and they marched aU in order after their captains. In this publique muster were to be seen a world of banners, and rich colours, and such a number of instruments of war sounded, that the noise thereof, together with that which the souldiers made, was most dreadful, and so great as it was not possible to hear one another. Now for that the King of Bramaa would this day make shew of his greatness, in the reddition of the Chau- bainhaa, he gave express command, that all the captains which were strangers, with their men, should put on their best clothes, and arms, and so ranged in two files, they should make as it were a kind of street, through which the Ghaubainhaa might pass ; this accordingly was put in execu- tion ; and this street took beginning from the city gate, and reached as far as to the Kings tent, being in length about three quarters of a league, or better. In this street there were six and thirty thousand strangers, of two and forty different nations, namely Portugals, Grecians, Venetians, Turks, Jani- zaries, Jews, Armenians, Tartars, Mogores, Ahyssins, Baiz- butos, Nobins, Goracones, Persians, Tuparaas, Gizares, Tanacos, Malabares, Jaos, Achems, Moens, Siams, Lussons of the Island Borneo, Chacomas, Arracons, Predine, Papiiaas, Selebres, Min- dancas, Pegus, Bramaas, and many others whose names I know not. All these nations were ranked according to the Xemimbrums order, whereby the Portiigals were placed in the vanguard, which was next to the gate of the city where the Chabainhaa was to come. After them followed the Armenians, then the Janizaries and Turks, and so the rest. OF FERDINAND MENDE2 PINTO. 303 CHAPTBE XLn. In what manner the Chanbainhaa rendred himself to the King of Bramaa, and the cruel proceeding against the Queen of Martabano, and the ladies, her attendants. ABOUT one of the clock in the afternoon a cannon was shot off, which was the signal for the instant opening of the gates of the city; whereupon first of all issued out the souldiers, whom the King had sent thither for the guard of it, being 4000 Siams and Brainaas, all harquebusiers, halber- diers, and pikemen, with above 300 armed elephants; all which were commanded by a Bramaa, uncle to the King, named Monpocasser Baitiha, of the city of Melietay. Ten or eleven paces after this guard of elephants marched divers princes, and great lords, whom the King had sent to receive the Chaubainlma, all mounted on elephants, richly harnessed, with chairs' upon their backs, plated over with gold, and collars of precious stones about their necks. Then followed at some 8 or 9 paces distance the Bolim of Mounay, Sovereign Talapoy of all the priests of the kingdom, and held in the reputation of a saint, who went alone with the ChauhairilujM, as a mediatour between the King and him ; immediately after Viim came in a close chair, carried upon mens shoulders, Nliay Canateo, the daughter of the King of Pegu, from whom this Bramaa had taken his kingdom, and wife to the Cliauhainliaa, having with her 4 small children, namely, 2 boys, and 2 girls, whereof the eldest was not 7 years old ; round about her and them went some 30 or 40 young women of noble extraction, and wonderfull fair, with cast down looks, and tears in their eyes, leaning upon other women. After them marched in order certain Talagrepos, which were amongst them as the Capuchins with us, who bare-foot and bare-headed went alone praying, holding beads in their hands, and ever and anon comforting those ladies the best they could, and casting water in their faces for to bring them to themselves again, when as they fainted, which they did very often; a spectacle so lamentable, as it was not possible to behold it without shedding "of tears. This desolate company was attended by 304 TEE TEAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES another guard of Foot, and 500 Bramaas on horsback. The Ghaubainhaa was mounted on a little elephant, in sign of poverty and contempt of the world, conformable to the re- ligion which he intended to enter into, being simply apparelled in a long cassock of black velvet, as a mark of his mourning, having his beard, head, and eye-brows shaven, with an old cord about his neck, so to render himself to the King. In this equipage he appeared so sad and afflicted, that one could not forbear weeping to behold him. As for his age, he was about threescore and two years old, tall of stature, with a grave and severe look, and the countenance of a generous prince. As soon as he was arrived at a place which was near to the gate of the city, where a great throng of women, children, and old men, waited for him, when they saw him in so deplorable an estate, they all made (7 times one after another) so loud and dreadfull a cry, as if heaven and earth would have come together. Now these lamentations and complaints were presently seconded with such terrible blows, that they gave themselves without pity on thek faces with stones, as they were most of them aU of a gore-bloud. In the mean time things so horrible to behold, and mournfull to hear, so much afflicted all the assistants, that the very Bramaas of the Guard, though men of war, and consequently but little inclined to compassion, being also enemies to the Ghaubainhaa, could not forbear weeping. It was likewise in this place, where H^Hiay Ganatoo, and all the other ladies that attended on her, fainted twice, by reason whereof they were fain to let the Ghaubainhaa alight from his elephant for to go and comfort her ; whereupon seeing her lying upon the ground in a swoon with her 4 children in her arms, he kneeled down on both his knees, and looking up to heaven with his eyes full of tears, mighty power of God, cried he, who is able to com- prehend the righteous judgments of Thy divine justice, in that Thou, having no regard to the innocency of these poor creatures, givest way to Thy- wrath, which passeth far beyond the reach of our weak capacities ! but remember, Lord, who Thou art, and not what I dm. This said, he feU with his face on the ground, near to the Queen his wife, which caused aU the assembly, who were without number, to make another such OF FBBDINAND MENBEZ PINTO. 305 loud and horrible cry, as my words are not able to express it. The Chaubainhaa then took water in his mouth, and spurted it on his wife, by which means he brought her to her self again, and so taking her up in his arms, he fell a comforting her with speeches so full of zeal and devotion, as any one that heard him would have taken him rather for a Christian, then a Gentile. After he had employed about haK an hours time therein, and that they had remounted him on his elephant, they proceed on their way in the same order as they held before, and as soon as the Chaubainhaa was out of the city gate, and came to the street which was formed of the several companies of the strangers, ranked in 2 files, he by chance cast his eye on that side where the 700 Portugals were, aU of them in their best clothes, with their buff-coats, great feathers in their caps, and their harquebusiers on their shoulders, as also Joano Cayeyro in the midst of them, in a carnation sattin suit, and a gilt partisan in his hand, wherewith he made room ; the afflicted prince no sooner knew him, but he presently feU down on the elephant ; and there standing still without passing on, he said with tears in his eyes, to those that were about him; My brethren, and good friends, I protest unto you, that- it is a less grief unto me to make this sacrifice of my self, which the divine justice of God permits me to make him this day, then to look upon men so wicked aiid ingratefull as these same here are : either hill me then, or settd these away, for otherwise I will not stir a foot further. Having said so he turned away his face three times that he might not behold us, thereby shewing the great spleen that he bore us ; and indeed aU things well considered there was a great deal of reason that he should carry himself in that sort towards us, in regard of that which I have related before. In the mean time the captain of the guard seeing the stay which the Chaubainhaa had made, and understanding the cause why he would not go on, though he could not imagine wherefore he complained so of the Portugals, yet he hastily turned his elephant towards Cayeyro, and giving him a scTirvy look ; Get you gone, said he, and that instantly, for such wicked m^n as you are do not deserve to stand on any ground that bears fruit ; and I pray God to pardon him which hath put it into the Kings liead that 21 306 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES you can be any ways profitable unto him. It were fitter for you therefore to shave away your beards, that you may not deceive the world as ymi, do, and we will have woinen in your places tlmt shall serve us for our money. "Whereupon the Bramaas of the guard, being incensed against us, drove us away from thence with a great deal of shame and contumely. And truly, not to lye, never was I so sensible of anything as this, in respect of the honour of my country-men. After this, the Chaubainhaa went on tiU he came to the tent of the King, who attended him with a royal pomp : for he was accompanied with a great nimiber of lords, amongst the which, there were 15 Bainliaas, who are as dukes with us, and of 6 or 7 others, that were of greater dignity then they. As soon as the Chau- bainhaa came near him, he threw himself at his feet, and so prostrated on the ground he lay there a good while, as it were in a swoon, without speaking a word ; but the jRolim of Mounay, that was close by him, suppUed that defect, and like a religious man, as he was, spake for him to the King, saying ; Sir, here is a spectacle able to move thy heart to pity, tlwugh the crime he su^h a^ it is. -Bemembej' then that the thing most pleasing. to God in this world, and whereunto the effects of His mercy is soonest communicated, is such an action, and voluntary submission, as this is, which here thou beholdest. It is for thee now to imitate His clemency, and so to do thou art most humbly intreated by the hearts of all them that are mollified by so great a misfortune a^ this .is. Now if thou grantest them this their request, which with so mu/:h instance they beg of thee, be assured that God will take it in good part, and that at tJie hour of thy death He will stretch forth His mighty hand over thee, to the end thou mayst be exempted from all manner of faults. Hereunto he added many other speeches, whereby he perswaded the King to pardon him ; at leastwise he promised so to do, wherewith the BoUm, and all the lords there present, shewed themselves very well contented, and commended him exceedingly for it, imagining that the effect would be answerable to that which he had engaged himself for before all. Now because it began to be night, he com- manded the most of them that were about Viim to retire ; as for the Chaubainhaa, he committed him into the hands of a OF FEBDlNANJb MBNDEZ. FINtO. 307 Bramaa commander, named Xemin Commidau ; and the Queen his -wife, with his children, and the other ladies were put into the custody of Xemin Ansedaa, as well because he had his wife there, as for that he was an honourable old man, in whom the King of Bramaa much confided. The fear which the King of Bramaa was in lest the men of wat should enter .into the city of Martabano, and should piQage it now that it was night before he had done all that which I am hereafter to relate, was the cause that he sent to all the gates of the city, (being 24) Bramaa captains for to guard them, with express commandment, that upon pain of death no man should be suffered to enter in at any of them, before he had taken order for the performance of the promise which he had made to the strangers, to give them the BpoU of it ; howbeit he took not that care, nor used such diligence for the consideration he spake of, but onely that he might preserve the Ghauhainhaa' s treasure ; to which effect he spent two whole days in conveighing it away, it being so great that a thousand men were for that space altogether imployed therein ; at the end of these two days the King went very early in the morning to an hill, called Beidao, distant from his quarters some two or three flight-shoot, and then caused the captains that were at the guard of the gates to leave them, and retire away ; whereupon the miserable city of Martabano was dehvered to the mercy of the souldiers, who at the shooting off of a cannon, which was the signal thereof, entred presently into it pell-mell, and so thronging together, that at the entring into the gates, it is said, above three hundred men were stifled ; for as there was there an infinite company of men of war of different nations, the most of them without king, without law, and without the fear and knowledge of God, they went all to the spoil with closed eyes, and therein shewed themselves so cruel minded, that the thing they made least reckoning of was to kUl an hundred men for a crovyn ; and truly the disorder was such in the city, as the King himself was fain to go thither six or seven times in person for to appease it. The sack of this city endured three days and an half, with so much avarice and cruelty of these barbarous enemies, as it was wholly pillaged, without any thing left that 308 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES might give an eye cause to covet it. That done, the King with a nev7 ceremony of proclamations caused the Chaubain- Jma's palaces, together with thirty or forty very fair rich houses of his principal lords, and aU the Pagodes and temples of the city to be demolished ; so that according to the opinion of many, it was thought that the loss of those magnificent edifices amounted to above 10 millions of gold : wherewith not yet contented he commanded aU the buildings of the city that were still afoot, to be set on fire, which by the violence of the vrinde, kindled in such manner, as in that onely night there remained nothing vmburnt, yea the very walls, towers, and bulwarks were consumed even to the foundations. The number of them that were killed in this sack was threescore thousand persons ; nor was that of the prisoners much less. There were an hundred and forty thousand houses, and seventeen hundred temples burnt, wherein also were consumed threescore thousand statues, or idols of divers metaUs ; during this siege they of the city had eaten three thousand elephants. There was found in this city six thousand pieces of artUlery, what of brass and iron, an hundred thousand quintals of pepper, and as much of sanders, benjamin, laere, lignum aloes, campMre, silk, and many other kindes of rich merchan- dise, but above all an infinite number of commodities, which were come thither from the Indiaes in above an hundred vessels of Gavibaya, Achem, Melinda, Geilam, and of aU. the Streight of Mecqua, of the Lequios, and of China. As for gold, silver, precious stones, and jewels, that were found there, one truly knows not what they were, for those things are ordinarily concealed ; wherefore it shall suffice me to say, that so much as the King of Bramaa had for certain of the Ghaubainhaa's treasure, amounted to an hundred millions of gold, whereof, as I have said before, our King lost the moity, as weU for our sins, as through the maUce and envy of vncked dispositions. The next day after the city was piUaged, de- moUshed, and biurnt, there was seen in the morning upon the hiU where the King was, one and twenty pair of gaUows, twenty of the which were of equal height, and the other a little lower erected on pillars of stone, and guarded by an hundred Bramaa horsmen ; there ^ere also round about the OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 309 place very large trenches, where a great many banners spotted with drops of bloud were planted. As this novelty promised somewhat which no man had heard of before, six of us Portugals ran thither to learn what the matter might be ; and as we were going along we heard a great noise made by the men of war from the camp, whereupon we saw come out of the Kings quarter a number of horsmen, who with lances in their hands prepared a great street, and cried out aloud ; Let no man wpon fain of death appear in arms, nor utter that with his Tnouth which he thinks in his heart. A pretty way off from these horse was the Xemimhrum, vrith an hundred armed elephants, and a good many foot ; after them went fifteen hundred Bratnaas on horsback, cast into four orders of files, each of them six in a rank, whereof the Talanagybras, Viceroy of Tangu, was commander : then marched the Glmuferoo Siammon with three thousand Siammes, armed with Harquebuses and lances, all in one battalion : in the midst of these were an hundred and twenty women tied and bound four and four together, and accompanied with Talagrepos, men of great austerity, and are such as the Captichins amongst us, who laboured all they might to comfort them in this last act of life ; behinde them were twelve ushers with maces, that went before 2^hay Canatoo, daughter to the King of Pegu, from whom this Bramaa tyrant had usurped his -kingdom, and wife to the Ghaubainhaa, with four children of hers, which were carried by so many horsmen; all these sufferers were the wives or daughters of the principal commanders that the Ghaubainhaa had with him in the city, upon whom in the way of a strange revenge this Bramaa tyrant desired to wreak his spight, and the hatred that he had always bom unto women. The most of these poor wretches were between seventeen and five and twenty years of age, aU of them very white and fair, with bright auborn hair, but so weak in body, that often-times they feU -down in a swoon, out of which certain women upon whom they leaned, endeavoured stOl to bring them again, presenting them comfits, and other such things fit for that purpose, but they would take none of them, for that they were, as I have said, so feeble and benummed, as they could scarce bear what the Talegrepos spake unto 310 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES them; onely now and then hfted up their hands to heaven. After this princess marched threescore Crrepos, in two files, praying with their looks fixed on the ground, and their eyes watered with tears, saying ever and anon in a dolefuU tone ; TIwu which holdest Thy Being of none but Thy self, so justifie our worlcs, tliat they inay he agreeable to Thy justice. Where- unto others answered weeping ; Grant, Lord, tlwbt it may be so that through our fault we lose not the rich gifts of Thy promises. After these Grepos followed a . procession of three or four hundred little children, quite naked from the girdle-sted downwards, having in their hands great white wax lights, and oords about their necks; these, like the others, with a sad and lamentable voice, which moved every one to com- passion, uttered these words : We most humbly beseech Thee, Lord, to give ear unto our cries and groans, and shew inercy to these Thy captives, that with a full rejoycing they may have a part of the graces and benefits of Thy rich treasures ; and much more they said to that purpose, in favour of these poor sufferers : behinde this procession was another guard of foot- men, all Bramaas, and armed with lances, arrows, and some Sarguebuses. As for the rearward, it consisted of an hundred elephants, like to them tha,t marched first of aU, so that the number of the men of war that assisted at this execution, as well for the guard, as for the pomp thereof, was ten thousand foot, and , two thousand horse, besides the two hundred elephants, and a world of other people, both strangers and natives, that came thither to behold^ the end of so mournfull and lamentable an" action. CHAPTEE XLin. In what ' sort the sentence of death was executed on the person of the Chanbainhaa King of Martahan, Nhay Canatoo his wife, and an hundred and forty women ; with that which the King of Bramaa did , after his retnni to Pegu. THESE pooir sufferers having been led in the order before mentioned clean through the camp, they came at last to the place of execution, where the six ushers with a, loud OF FEBBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 311 voice made this proclamation : Let all manner of people see and observe tlie bloudy justice, which is here to be done by the living God, Lord of all truth, and our King the Sovereign of our heads, Wlw of His absolute power doth command that these hundred and forty women be put to death, and thrown into the air, for that by tJieir counsel and incitement their fathers and husbands stood out against us in this city, and at times killed twelve thousand Bramaas of the kingdom of Tangu. Then at the ringing of a bell aU the of&cers and ministers of justice, pell-meU together with the guards, made such a cry, as was most dreadfull to hear ; whereupon the cruel hangmen being ready to put the sentence of death in execution, those poor wretches embraced one another, and shedding abundance of tears they addressed themselves to Nhay Canatoo, who lay at that time almost dead in the lap of an old lady, and with their best complements one of them spake for all the rest unto her in this manner ; Excellent lady, that art as a crown of roses upon our heads, now that we thy humble servants are entring into those mournful mansions where death doth reside, comfort us we beseech thee with thy dear sight, that so we may with less grief quit these bodies full of anguish, for to present ourselves before that Almighty just Judge, of whom we will for ever implore His justice for a perpetual vengeance of the wrong that is done ms. Then Nhay Canatoo beholding them with a countenance more dead then alive, answered them with a feeble voice, that could scarce be beard. Go not away so soon, my sisters, but help me to sustain these little children. That said, she leaned down again on the bosom of that lady, without speaking a word more ; whereupon the ministers of the arm of vengeance, so they term tbe hangmen, laid hold on those poor women, and hanged them up all by the feet, with their heads downwards, upon twenty gibbets, namely, seven on each one : now so painfull a death as this was, made them give strange and fearfull groans and sobs, untill at length the bloud stifled them all in less then an hour. In the mean time Nhay Canatoo was conducted by the four women, upon whom she leaned, directly to tbe gallows, whereon she and her four -children were to be hanged, and there the Bolim of Mounay, who was held amongst them for a holy man, used some speeches unto her 312 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES for to encourage her the better to suffer death; whereupon she desired them to give her a little water, which being brought unto her, she filled her mouth with it, and so spurted it upon her four children, whom she held in her arms ; then having kissed them many times, she said unto them weeping, my children, my children, whom I have conceived anew within tlie interior of my soul, how happy would I thinh my self if I might redeem your lives with loss of mine own a thousand times over, if it were possible ! for in regard of the fear and anguish wherein I see you at this present, and wherein every one sees me also, I should receive death with as good an lieart from the hand of this cruel enemy, as I willingly desire to see my self in the preseiice of my Sovereign Lord of all things, within the repose of His celestial habitation. Then turning her to the hangman, who was going to binde her two little boys, Good friend, said she, be not I pray thee, so void of pity, as to mahe ine see my children die, for in so doing tlwu wouldst commit a great sin : wherefore put me first to death, and refuse me not this boon which I crave of thee for Gods sake. After she had thus spoken she took her children again in her arnis, and kissing them over and over in giving them her last farewell, she yielded up the ghost in the ladies lap upon whom she leaned, not so much as once stirring ever after ; which the hangman perceiving, ran presently unto her and hanged her as he had done the rest, together with her four little children, two on each side of her, and she in the middle. At this cruel and pitiful spectacle there arose from amongst all this people so great and hideous a cry, that the earth seemed to tremble under the feet of them that stood upon it, and withaU there followed such a mutiny throughout the whole camp, as the King was constrained to fortifie himself in his quarter with 6000 Bramaa horse, and 30000 foot, and yet for all that he thought not himself secure enough from it, had not the -night come, which onely was able to cahn the furious motions of these men of war ; for of seven himdred thousand which were in the camp, six hundred thousand were by nation Pegu's, whose Mng was the father of this queen, that was thus put to death; but this Tyrant of Bramaa had so disarmed and subjected them, as they durst not so much as quich upon any OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 313 occasion. Behold in what an infamous manner Nhay Ganatoo finished her days, a princess every way aecomphshed, wife to the Ghaubainhaa King of Martabano, and the daughter of the King of Pegu, Emperour of 9 kingdoms, whose yearly revenue amounted unto 3 mUlions of gold. As for the infortunate king her hushand, he was the same night cast into the river with a great stone tied about his neck, together with 50 or 60 of his ehiefest lords, who were either the fathers, husbands, or brothers of those hundred and forty ladies, that were most unjustly put to such an ignominious death, amongst the which there were 3, whom the King of Bramaa had demanded in marriage at such time as he was but a simple earl, but not one of their fathers wordd condescend unto it ; whereby one may see how great the revolutions of time and fortune are. After the Tyrant of Bramaa had caused this rigorous justice to be done, he stayed there 9 whole days, during the which many of the inhabitants of the city were also executed ; at last he departed for to go to Pegu, leaving behinde him Bainliaa Chaque, lord steward of his house, to take order for all things that might conduce to the pacifying of that kingdom, and to provide for the repairing of what the iire had consmned ; to which purpose he placed a good garison there, and carried with him the rest of his army; Joano Gayeyro followed him also with seven hundred Portugals, not above three or four remaining behinde in the ruines of Martabano, and those too not very considerable, except it were one, named Goncalo Falcan, a gentleman well born, and whom the Gentiles commonly called Grisna Pogom, that is to say. Flower of Flowers, a very honourable title amongst them, which the King of Bramaa had given him in recompence of his services : now forasmuch as at the departure from Malaca, Pedro de Faria had given me a letter directed unto hirn, whereby he desired him to assist me with his favour, in case I had need of it in the afeir for which he sent me thither, as well for the service of the King, as for his own particular ; as soon as I arrived at Martabano, where I found him resident, I delivered him this letter, and withaU gave him an account of the occasion that brought me thither, which was to confirm the ancient League of Peace that the Ghaubainhaa had made by 314 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES. AND ADVENTURES his ambassadours with them of Malaca, at such time as Pedro de Faria was first governour of it, and whereof he could not chuse but have some knowledge; adding moreover, how to that effect I had brought the Chaubainhaa letters full of great protestations of amity, and a present of certain very rich pieces of China. Hereupon the Goncalo Falcan imagining that by means hereof he might insinuate himself much more into the good grace of the King of Brainaa, to whose side he turned at the siege of Martaibano, quitting that of the Chaubainhaa, whom formerly he served, he went three days after the Kings departure to his said governour, and told him that I was come thither, as ambassadour from the captain of Malaca to treat with the Chaubainhaa, unto whom the captain sent an offer of great forces against the King of Bramaa ; in so much that they of the country were upon the point of fortifying themselves, in Martabano, and chasing away the Bramaa' s out of the kingdom ; whereunto he added so many other such like matters, that the Governour sent presently to apprehend me ; and after he had put me into safe custody, he went directly to the jimek, in which I came from Malaca, and seized upon all the -goods that were in her, which were worth an hundred thousand ducates, committing the Necoda, captain and master of the junck, to prison, as also all the rest that were in her, to the number of an hundred threescore and four persons, wherein comprized forty rich merchants, Malayes, Menancabo's, Mahumetans, and Gentiles, natives of Malaca. All these were incontinently condemned to the confiscation of -their goods, and to remain the Kings prisoners, as well as I, for being complices in the treason, which the captain of Malaca had plotted in secret with the Chaubainhaa against the King of Bramaa. Having thus caused them to be put into a deep dungeon, he made them to be so cruelly scourged, that within a moneth after their imprisonment, of an hundred, sixty four of them, which they were, there died nineteen, either of a lethargy, or of himger, or thirst. As for the rest, they were put into a miserable shallop without sails or oars, wherein they were exposed down the river; being deUvered in this sort to the mercy of fortune, they were cast by the winde into a, desert island, OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 315 Pullw Ganuida, seated 20 leagues witliin the sea of this bar, where they furnished themselves with some sea-fish and such fruits as they found in the woods ; and in this necessity making a kinde of sail of the clothes they had, and with 2 oars, which it may be they met withall there, or made themselves, they took their course all along by the coast Juncalan, and from thence to another place, wherein they imployed the space of 2 moneths, arriving at length at the river of Paries, in the kingdom of Queda, where they all died of certain imposthumes, which rose in their throats, like unto carbuncles, two onely excepted, who came to Malaca, and recounted to Pedro de Faria the whole success of this sad voyage, and how that I was condemned to die, as indeed I expected every hour to be led to execution, when it pleased God to dehver me miracu- lously ; for as soon as the Necoda, and the merchants were banished in the manner that I have declared, I was committed to another prison farther off, where I remained six and thirty days laden with chains and irons in a most cruel and insup- portable manner. During all that time the traitor Goncalo exhibited against me daily new and false allegations, wherein he charged me with a world of things which I never so much as thought of, and that to no other intent but to procure my death, that so he might rob me, as he had done all the rest that were in the junck. To which end, having questioned me 3 several times in judgment, I never answered any thing to his interrogatories that was to purpose, whereat he and other of my enemies were much enraged, saying, that I did it out of pride, and in contempt of justice ; so that for a punishment thereof they caused me to be openly whipped, and a great deal of lacre, which is like unto hard wax to be dropped scalding hot upon me, whereof the pain was such as it had almost . killed me ; and indeed all that were by held me for a dead man. Now because for the most part I knew not what I spake, but talked like a desperate man, I happened 3 or 4 times to say, that for to rob me of my goods I had all these false accusations put upon me, but that Captain Joano Cayeyro, who was at Pegu, would ere it were long acquaint the King vnth this cruel usage of me, which was the cause of saving piy life ; for even as this wicked Gpvernoipr was going to have 316 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES the sentence executed, which was given against me, some of his friends counselled him to forbear, saying, that if he put me to death no doubt but that all the Portugals, which were at Pegu would complain of him to the King, and tell him, that for to rob me of an hundred thousand ducates, which I had there in Commodities, appertaining to the captain of Malaca, he had most unjustly taken away my life ; and that this being so, the King would demand an account of him of all those commodities, or of the money for them ; and that if he rendered him even all that he had taken from me, yet would not that content him, imagining still there was somewhat more, whereby he would so put himself out of the good grace of the King, as he would never recover it again, which would be the cause of the utter overthrow both of himself and his children, besides the dishonour that would redound to him over and above. This dog the Governour Bainhaa Ghaqne, fearing lest that should come to pass which they had said, de- sisted from his former obstinacy, and correcting the sentence he had given, he ordained, that-I should not die, but that my goods should be confiscated, and my self arrested for the Kings prisoner. As indeed, so soon as I was healed of the hurts which the burning of the lacre, and the stripes of the whips had made upon me, I was conducted in chains to Pegu, and there as a prisoner was put into the hands of a Bramaa, treasurer to the King, named Diosoray, who had also in his custody 8 other Porticgals, whose sins had procured them the same misfortune which mine had caused unto me ; for it was now fuU 6 moneths since these poor wretches had been in his power, being taken in the ship of Don Aiirique Deca of Gananor, which by a tempest was cast on that coast. Now seeing that hitherto I have discoursed 'of the success of my voyage to Martahano, and of the benefit that redounded to me by my going thither for the service of the King, which was no other then to loss of my goods, and the imprisonment of my person ; before I engage my self further in these relations, I am resolved to entreat of the divers fortunes which I ran in that kingdom for "the space of 2 years and a half that I travelled therein, being the time of my captivity, as also of the several countries through which I was carried by my crosses OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 817 and mishaps ; as holding it altogether necessary for the declaration of that which I am going on withal. I say then, that after this the King of Bramaa was departed from the city Martabano, as I have related before, he journeyed so long that at length he came to Pegu, where, before he dismissed his commanders, he caused a muster to be made of his army, and found that of seven hundred thousand men, which he had carried along with him to the besieging of the Chaubamhaa, there was fourscore and six thousand of them wanting. And for as much as he had about that time some inckhng how the King of Avaa confederated with the Savadis and GJialem, would give entry unto the Siantnon (whose country borders on the west and north-west side of the Galaminlian, Emperour of the indomitable forces of the elephants of the earth, as I will shew hereafter when I speak of him) to the end he might win from this Bramaa the chiefest strengths of his kingdoms, he like a good captain as he was, and very cunning in matter of war, before he passed on further, caused men to be levied, with whom, as also with all other necessary things, he furnished those principal fortresses from whence his greatest fear proceeded. Then having resolved to go and besiege the city of Prom, he retained the army which he had already a-foot, and made new and great preparations throughout the kingdom, using such diligence therein, and in six moneths time he had got together the number of nine hundred thousand men, whom he imbarqued in 12000 rowing vessels, whereof 2000 were Seroos, Laulers, Caturos, and Foists. Now all this great fleet set forth from Pegu the 9th.oi March, 1545, and going up the river of Ansedaa, it went to Danapluu, where It was furnished with all such provisions as were necessary. Erom this place following on-their way through a great river of fresh water, called Picau Malacou, which was above a league broad, at length upon the 13th of April they came within view of Prom. There, by some whom they took that night, they learned, that the King was dead, and how he had left for his successour to the kingdom a son of his of 13 years of age, whom - the King his father before he died had married to his wives sister, the aunt of the said yovmg prince, and daughter to the King of Avaa. The young King was no sooner advertised of 318 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AiO) ADVENTUBEJS the King of Bramaa his coming to besiege him in his city of Prom, but he sent presently away to the King his father in law for succour, which he instantly granted, and to that end speedily raised an army of 30000 Mons, Tarees, and Chalems, choice men and trained up in the wars, of whom he made a son of his, and brother to the Queen, General. In the mean time the Bramaa, having intelligence thereof, used all possible diligence for to besiege the city before so great a succour might arrive. To which purpose, having landed his army in a plain, called Meigavotau, some 2 leagues below the city, he continued there 5 days in making ready such preparations as were needfuU. Having given order for all things, he caused his army to march one morning before day dkectly to the city, with the sound of drums, fifes, and other such instruments of war ; where being arrived about noon without any opposition, he began presently to settle his camp ; so that before it was might, the whole city was environed with trenches, and very great ditches, as also with sis rows of cannons, and other pieces of ordnance. CHAPTEE XLIV. That which passed between the Queen of Prom, and the King of Bramaa, together with the first assault that was given to the city, and the success thereof. THE King of Bramaa had been now five days before the city of Prom, when as the Queen that governed the State in the place of her husband, seeing her self thus besieged, sent to visit this her enemy vnth a rich jewel of precious stones, which was presented unto him by a Talagrepo, or religious man, of above an hundred years old, who was held amongst them for a saint, together with a letter, wherein was written \an offer to pay homage if the city was spared] . The Bramaa received this letter and ambassage with a great deal of authority, and entertained the religious man that delivered it unto him with much honour, as well in regard of OF FMBDlNAND MENDB2 PINtO. 319 his age, as for that he was held as a saint amongst them ; with all he granted hii-n certain things which were at first demanded, as a cessation of arms tUl such time as articles should be agreed on ; as also a permission for the besieged to converse with the besiegers, and other such things of Uttle consequence. In the mean time judging with himself that aU those offers, which this poor queen made him, and the humble submissions of her letters, proceeded from weakness and fear, he would never answer the ambassadour clearly, or to purpose. Contrarily he caused all the places there abouts that were weak, and un- armed, to be secretly ransaked, and the poor inhabitants there- of to be unmercifully butchered by their barbarous enemies, whose cruelty was so great, that in five dayes, according to report, they killed fourteen thousand persons, the most part whereof were women, children, and old men, that were not able to bear arms. Hereupon the Bolim, who brought this letter, relying no longer on the false promises of the Tyrant, and discontented with the little respect he used towards him, demanded leave of him to return to the city, which the Bramaa gave him, together with this answer : that if the Queen would deliver up her self, her treasure, her kingdom, and her vassals to him, he would recompence her another way for the loss of her State ; but withaU that she was to return him a peremptory answer to this propositions of his the very same day, which was aU the time he could give her, that so he might upon the knowledge of her resolution determine upon what he had to do. The Bolim went herewith back to the city, where he gave the Queen an account of aU things, saying, That this Tyrant was a man without faith, and replete with damnable intentions ; for proof whereof he represented unto her the siege of Martabano, the usage of the Chaubainhaa after he had rendred himself unto him upon his word, and how he had put him, his vyife, his children, and thechiefest nobiUty of his kingdom, to a most shamefull death. These things considered it was instantly concluded, as well by the Queen, as by all those of her Councel, that she should defend the city, till such time as succour came from her father, which would be within 15 days at the furthest. This resolution taken, she (being of a great courage) without further delay took order for all things 820 TBE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTVBES that were thought necessary for the defence of the city, animating to that end her people with great prudence, and a man-like spirit, though she was but a woman. Moreover, as she liberally imparted to them of her treasure, so she promised every one throughly to acknowledg their services with aU manner of recompences and honours, whereby they were mightily encouraged to fight. In the mean space the King of Bramaa, seeing that the Bolim returned him no answer within the time prefixt, began the next day to fortifie all the quarters of his camp with double rows of cannon, for to batter the city on every side ; and for assaulting of the walls he caused a great number of ladders to be made, publishing withaU throughout his whole army, that aU. souldiers upon pain of death should be ready v?ithin three days to go to the assault. The time then being come, which was the 3rd of May, 1545, about an hour before day the King went out of his quarter, where he was at anchor upon the river with two thousand vessels of choice men, and giving the signal to the commanders which were on land, to prepare themselves, they altogether in one body assailed the walls, with so great a cry, as if heaven and earth would have come together, so that both sides faUing to encounter pell-meU with one another, there was such a conflict betwixt them, as \yithin a little whUe the air was seen all on fire, and the earth all bloody ; whereunto being added the clashing of weapons, and noise of guns, it was a spectacle so dreadful, that we few Porticgals, who beheld these things, remained astonished, and almost besides our selves. This fight indured full five hours, at the end whereof the tyrant of Bramaa seeing those within defend themselves so valiantly, and the most part of his forces to grow faint, he went to land vnth ten or eleven- thousand of his best men, and with aU diligence re-inforcing the companies, that were fighting, the bickering renewed in such sort, as one would have said it did but then begin, so great was the fury of it. The second trial continued till night, yet would not the King desist from the fighti what counsel soever was given him to retire ; but con- trarUy he swore not to give over the enterprise begun, and that he would lie that night within the inclosure of the city walls, or cut off the heads of all those commanders that were OF FEBDINAND MENBEZ PINTO. 821 not wounded at their coming off. In the mean time this obstinacy was very prejudicial to him, but continuing the assault till the moon was gone down, which was two hours past midnight, he was then forced to sound a retreat, after he had lost in. this assault, as was the next day found upon a muster, fourscore thousand of his men, besides those which were hurt, which were thirty thousand at the least, whereof many died for want of dressing ; whence issued such a plague in the camp, as well through the corruption of the air, as the water of the river, (that was all tainted with blood and dead bodies), that thereby about fourscore thousand more perished, amongst whom were five hundred Forticgals, having no other buriaU then the bodies of vultures, crows, and such like birds of prey, which devoured them aU along the coast where they lay. The King of Bramaa, having considered that this first assault had cost him so dear, would no more hazard his men in that manner, but he caused a great terrace to be made with bavins, and above ten thousand date-trees, which he com- manded to be out down, and on that he raised up a platform so high, as it over-topped the city two fathoms, and more, where he placed 80 pieces of ordnance, and with them con- tinually battering the city for the space of nine dayes together, it was for the most part demolished, with the death of fourteen thousand persons, which quite abated the Queens courage, especially when she came to understand that she had but six thousand fighting men left, aU the rest, which consisted of women, children, and old men, being unfit and unable to bear arms. The miserable besieged seeing themselves reduced to Buch extreamity, assembled together in councel, and there, by the advice of the chiefest of them, it was concluded, that all in general should anoint themselves with the oU of the lamps of the chapel of Quiay Nivandel, God of Battel of the field Vitau, and so offering themselves up in sacrifice to him, set upon the platform, with a determination either to dye, or to vanquish, in vowing themselves all for the defence of their young king, to whom they had so lately done homage, and sworn to be true and faithful subjects. This resolution taken, which the Queen and her nobility approved of for the best and most assured, in a time wherein all things were wanting to them for the longer 22 322 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES defending themselves, they promised to accomplish it in the manner aforesaid by a solemn oath, which they all took. Now there being no further question but to see how they should carry themselves in this affair, they first of all made an uncle of the Queens the captain of this resolute band, who assembUng these six thousand together, the same night, about the first quarter of the watch, made a sally out of the two gates that were neerest to the terrace and platform, and so taking courage from their despah-, and resolution to dye, they fought so valiantly that in less then half an hour the whole camp was put in disorder, the terrace gained, the fom-score pieces of cannon taken, the King himself hurt, the pallisado burnt, the trenches broken, and the Xenimhrum, General of the army, slain, with above fifteen thousand men more, amongst the which were five hundred Turks ; there were moreover forty elephants taken, besides those that were killed, and eight hundred Bramaas made prisoners ; so that these six thousand resolute men did that which an hundred thousand, though vaUant enough, could hardly have effected. After this they retreated an hour before day, and upon a review they found, that of six thousand which they were, there was but seven hundred slain. This bad success so grieved and incensed the King of Bramaa, as attributing the cause thereof to the negligence of some of his captains in the ill guarding of the terrace, that the day following he caused two thousand Pegu's to be beheaded, which had stood sentinel that night. This adventure rendred things quiet for the space of twelve days, during which the besieged stirred not ; in the mean time one of the four principal captains of the city, named Xemim Meleytay, fearing that which aU others in general misdoubted, namely, that they could not escape from falling into the hands of so cruel an enemy, treated secretly with the Tyrant, and upon condition that he would continue him in his charge, nor meddle with any of the houses of his friendsj and make him Xemin of Ansedaa in the kingdom of Pegu, with all the revenue which the Bainhaa of Malacou had there, being thirty thousand ducates a year, he would deHver him up the city by giving him entrance into it through the gate which he com- manded. The King of Bramaa accepted hereof, and for a gage- OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 823 of performance on his part, lie sent him a rich ring from ofi his finger. This treason so concluded, was effected on the 23rd of August, in the year 154:5. wherein this Tyrant of Bramaa carried himself with all the barbarousness and cruelty that he used to practice, in the Uke cases. And for as much as I conceive that I should never have done, if I should recount here at large how this affair past, I will say no more, but that the gate was opened, the city delivered up, the inhabitants all cut in pieces, without so much as sparing one ; the king and queen made prisoners, their treasurers taken, the buildings and temples demolished, and many other inhumani- ties exercised with such outragiousness, the belief whereof is beyond the imagination and thought of man ; and truly I never represent unto my self in what manner it was done, as having seen it with mine own eyes, but that I remain as it were astonished and besides my self at it. For as this tyrant was touched to the quick with the affront he had lately received, so he executed all the cruelties he could imagine against those miserable inhabitants, for to be revenged of the ill success he had had in the siege, which could not proceed from any other but a base mind and vile extraction ; for it ordinarily falls out, that barbarousness finds place in such kind of people, rather then in generous and valiant hearts ; whereunto may be added, that he was a man without faith, and of an effeminate disposi- tion, though he was nevertheless an enemy to women, albeit there were in that kingdom, and in aU the others whereof "^he was lord, those that were very white and fair. After the bloudy mine of that wretched city, the Tyrant entred into it in great pomp, and as it were in triumph, through a breach that was made of purpose in the wall, and by his express commandment. When he was arrived at the young kings palace, he caused himself to be crowned King of Prom ; and during the ceremony of this coronation, he made that poor prince, whom he had deprived of his kingdom, to continue kneeling before him, with his hands held up, as if he adored some god, and ever and anon they constrained him to stoop down and kiss the Tyrants feet, who in the mean time made shew as if he were not pleased therevnth. This done, he went into a balcone, which looked on a great market place, whither 324 TSE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES he commanded all the dead children, that lay up and down the streets, to be brought ; and then causing them to be hacked very small, he gave them, mingled with bran, rice, and herbs, to his elephants to eat. Afterward, with a strange kind of ceremony, at the sound of trumpets, drums, and other such like instruments, there was above an hundred horses led in, loaden with the quarters of men and women, which also he commanded to be cut small, and then cast into a great fire, kindled expresly for it. These things so done, the queen was brought before him, that was wife to the poor little king, who, as I said before, was but thirteen years of age, and she thirty and six, a woman very white, and well favom-ed, aunt to her own husband, sister to his mother, and daughter to the King of Avaa, which is the country from whence the rubies, saphirs, and emeralds do come to Pegu; and it was the same lady, whom the Bramaa had sent to demand in marriage of her father, as it was then spoken, but that he refused him, saying to his ambassador, for an answer. That the thoughts of his daughter soared a pitch higher then to be the wife of the Xemim of Tanguu, which was the family whence this Tyrant was issued ; but now that she was fallen into his hands as his slave, whether he used her so, either out of a revenge of that affront, or out of scorn and contempt, so it was that he made her to be pubUquely stript stark naked, and to be torn and mangled with whipping, and then in that manner to be led up and down all the city, where amidst the cries and hooting of the people, he exposed her to other cruel torments, wherewith she was tortured till she gave up the ghost. When she was dead, he made her to be bound to the little king • her husband, who was yet living ; and having commanded a great stone to be tyed about their necks, they were cast into the river, which was a kind of cruelty very dreadful to all that beheld it. To these barbarous parts he added many others so inhumane, as it is not likely that any other but he could imagine the like. And for a conclusion of his cruelties, the next day he caused all the gentlemen that were taken alive, being some three hundred, to be impaled, and so spitted like rested pigs, to be also thrown into the river, whereby may be seen how great and unheard of the injustice of this Tyrant was, which he exercised on these miserable wretches. OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 325 CHAPTER XLV. The King of Bramaa hia besieging of the Portress of Meleytay, with his going from thence to Avaa ; and that which passed there. FOUETEEN days were past since the doing of these things, during the which the Tyrant employed himseK in fortify- ing the city with a great deal of dihgence and care, when as his spies, whom he had sent out, brought him word, that from the city of Avaa a fleet of four hundred rowing vessels was come down the river of Queitor, wherein there were thirty thousand Siatrwn souldiers, besides the mariners, of which the King of Avaa's son, and brother to the poor queen, was general ; for this prince having received advertisement of the taking of the city of Prom, and of the death of his sister and brother-in- law, went and lodged in the fortress of Meleytay, which was some twelve leagues up the river from Prom. This news much troubled the Tyrant, howbeit he resolved to go himself in person against his enemies before that other succours came to joyn with them, as indeed the report went, that fourscore thousand, all Mons by nation, and led by the King of Avaa, were on their way thither. With this resolution the Tyrant of Bramaa set forth towards Meleytay with an army of three hundred thousand men, namely, two hundred thousand by land alongst the rivers side, whereof the Chaxomigrem his foster-brother was the commander in chief, and the other hundred thousand under his own conduct, being all choyce men, and imbarqued in two thousand Seroes. Being come Avithin sight of Meleytay, the Avaas desiring to shew that the resolution wherewith they were come thither was of far more power with them, then any fear they could have, and that also their enemies might not receive any benefit by their fleet which lay on the river, and do them an affront beside by taking it, they set all their vessels on fire, and burnt them every one. Then, vrithout any dread of that which the flesh doth naturally most fear, they got all into the field, and ranged themselves into fotir battalions, in three of which, whereof each one -made ten thousand men, were the thirty thousand Mons; and in the other, that were somewhat bigger, were all the mariners of 326 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES the four hundred vessels they had burnt. These same they placed in the vaunt-guard, with an intention that they should vreary the enemies, mth whom they made a cruel fight, which lasted about half an hour, wherein aU these mariners were cut in pieces; presently after them the thirty thousand Mons, close compacted together in three battalions, presented them- selves, and with wonderful violence set upon their enemies, between whom and them followed so extraordinary and cruel a battel, as not longer to insist upon it, nor to recount in particular how things past, which also I cannot well do, it shall suffice me to say, that of the thirty thousand Mons, eight hundred only escaped out of it ; who being routed made their retreat into the fortress of Meleytay ; but that which was most memorable herein was, that of the King of Brainaas two hundred thousand men, an hundred and fifteen thousand lay dead in the field, and all the rest for the most part were wounded. In the mean time the Tyrant, which came along on the river in the two thousand Seroos, arrived at the place of battel, where beholding the strange massacre which the Mons had made of his people, he became so enraged at it, that dis-imbarquing his forces, he instantly layd siege unto the fortress, with a purpose, as he said, to take all those eight hundred that were in it aUve. This siege continued seven whole days together, during the which those without gave five assaults to it, and the besieged defended themselves always very valiantly ; howbeit seeing that the last hour of their life was come, and that they could no longer hold that place for their king, as they had hoped they ihight, by reason of the fresh forces which the King of Bramaa had landed, like couragious men, as- they were, they resolved to dye in the field, as their companions had done, and vaUantly revenge their deaths with that of their enemies ; whereunto they were the more willingly carryed, because they perceived well that if they continued stiU in the place, they should never make use of their valour, as they desired to do, for that the Tyrants ordnance would by little and httle consume them. This resolu- tion taken, they imder the favour of a very dark and rainy night saUyed 'forth, and first of all fell upon the two first courts of guard that were on. the lands side, cutting all in OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 327 pieces that they met withall. Then following their design they passed on like desperate men ; and whether they did it, either to shew that they regarded not death which threatened them, or for the desire they had to gain honor, so it was that they behaved themselves so couragiously, and pressed the Tyrant so neer, as they forced him to leap into the river, and swim for his life, insomuch that all the camp was in disorder, and broken through in I know not how many places, with the death of above twelve thousand men ; amongst whom were fifteen hundred Bramaas, two thousand strangers of divers nations, and all the rest Pegu's. This fight lasted not above half an hour, in which time the eight hundred Mons were all slain, there being not so much as one of them that would yield upon any composition whatsoever. Hereupon the Tyrant of Bramaa seeing the fight ended, and aU things quiet, went and reassembled his forces together, and so entered the fortress of Meleytay, where he presently commanded the Xemims head to be cut off, saying, that he was the sole cause of that disaster, and that he who had been a traytor to his king could not be faithful unto bim : behold the recompence which this trajrtor made him for delivering up the city of Prom unto him, how- soever it justly belonged unto him for a punishment of his perfidiousness, that carried him to betray his king and his own country into the power of his enemies. After this they fell to dressing of the hurt men, which were in very great number. We past all this night with much apprehension, always keeping good watch ; and the next morning as soon as it was day, the first thing that we did was to rid away the dead bodies, which were in so great number all over the camp, that the ground was quite covered with them. After this we took a view of those that were killed, as well on the one, as the other party, and we found that on the Brainaas side there were an hundred and fourscore thousand, and on the Prince of Avaas forty and two thousand, wherein were comprized the thirty thousand Mons. That done, after the Tyrant had for- tified the city of Prom, as also the fort of Meleytay, and made two other forts upon the bank of the river, in such places as he judged to be most important for the safety of that kingdom, he went up the river or Queitor in a thousand rowing Seroos, 32S THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES wherein were imbarqued seventy thousand men. In this foyage his intention was to go in his own person, for to observe the kingdom of Avaa, and to see the city himself, the better to consider the strength of it, and thereby judge what forces he should bring for to take it. So he proceeded still on for the space of eight and twenty days, and during that time passed by many goodly places, which within the kingdom of Ghaleu and Jaeupalaon were upon the bank of the river. At length he arrived at the city of Avaa, the 13th of October, the same year, 1545. Being come to the port, he remained there thirteen days, and that while burned between two and three thousand vessels that he found there. Moreover, he set fire on many villages thereabout, which cost him not so little but that he lost in all these degasts eight thousand of his men, amongst the which were threescore and two Portugals. Now whereas this city was very strong, as well in regard of the scituation of it, as of the fortifications which were newly made there, it had besides vTithin it twenty thousand Mons, who (as it was said) were come thither some five days before from the mountains of Pondaleu, where the King of Avaa, by the permission of the Siamon, emperour of that monarchy, was levying above fourscore thousand men for to go and regain the city of Prom: for as soon as that king had received certain news of the death of his daughter and son-in-law, perceiving that he was not strong enough of himself to revenge the wrongs this Tyrant had done him, or to secure himself from those which he feared to receive of him in time to come, namely, the depriving him of his kingdom, as he was threat- ened, he went in person with his wife and children and cast himself at the Siamons feet, and acquainting him with the great affronts he had received, and what his desire was, he made himself his tributary at threescore thousand bisses by the year, which amount to an hundred thousand ducates of our money, and a gueta of rubies, being a measure like to our pint, therewith to make a jewel for his vrife ; of which tribute it was said that he advanced the payment for ten years before- hand, besides many other precious stones, and very rich plate, which he presented him with, estimated in all at two nuUions; in recompence whereof the Siamon obliged himself to take him OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 329 into his protection, yea and to marcli into the field for him as often as need should require, and to restablish him within a year in the kingdom of Prom, so as for that effect he granted him those thirty thousand men of succour, which the Bramaa defeated at Meleytay ; as also the twenty thousand that were then in the city, and the fourscore thousand which were, to come to him, over whom the said King of Avaa was to be the general. The Tyrant having intelligence thereof, and appre- hending that this, above all other things he could fear, might be the cause of his mine, he gave present order for the fortify- ing of Prom with much more care and diligence then formerly : howbeit, before his departure from this river where he lay at anchor, being about some league from the city of Avaa, he sent his treasurer, named Viocory (with whom we eight Portugals, as I have related before, remained prisoners) embassador to the Calaminhan; a prince of mighty power, who is seated in the midst of this region in a great and spacious extent of country, and of whom I shall say something when I come to speak of him. The subject of this embassage was to make him his brother in arms by a league and contract of new amity, offering for that effect to give him a certain quantity of gold and precious stones ; as also to render unto him certain frontier lands of his kingdom, upon condition that the spring following he should keep the Siamon in war for to divert him from succouring the King of Avaa, and thereby give bim means the more easily to take his city from him, without fear of that assistance which the King hoped should serve for an obstacle to his design. This embassadour departed then after he had imbarqued himself in a Laiilea, that was attended on by twelve Seroos, wherein there were three hundred men of service, and his guard, besides the watermen and mariners, whose number was little less. The presents which he carried to the Calaminhan were very great, and consisted in divers rich pieces, as well of gold as of precious stones, but above all in the harness of an elephant, which according to reports was worth above six hundred thousand ducates; and it was thought that all the presents put together amounted to a million of gold. At his departure, amongst other favours which the Hng his master conferred on him^ this 330 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES same was not the least for us, that he gave us eight unto him for to be his perpetual slaves. Having clothed us then very well, and furnished us abundantly with all things necessary, he seemed to be exceedingly contented with having us along with him in this voyage, and ever after he made more account of us, then of all the rest that followed him. CHAPTEE XLVI. Our going -with the King of Bramaa's ambassadour to the Calaminham, with the course which we held until we arrived at the Temple or Pagode of Timagoogoo. IT seems fit unto me, and conformable to that which I am relating, to leave for a while this Tyrant of Bramaa (to whom I will return again when time shall serve) for to en- treat here of the way we held for to go into Timplan, the capital city of the Empire of the Calaminham, which signifies. Lord of the world ; for in their language Gala is Lord, and Minham the world. This prince also entitles himself. The absolute Lord of the indomiptable force of the Elephants of the Earth. And indeed I do not think that in all the world there is a greater lord than he, as I shall declare hereafter. This am- bassadour then departing from Avaa in the moneth of October, 1545, took his comrse up the river of Queitor, steering west, south- east, and in many places eastward, by reason of the winding of the water ; and so in this diversity of rhombes we continued our voyage seven days together, at the end whereof we arrived at a channel, called Guampaiioo, through which the Bhobaino, who was our pilot, took his course, that he might decline the Siamons country, being so commanded to do by the express order of the King. A while after we came to a great town, named Gataldy, where the ambassadour stayed three days to make provision of certain things necessary for his voyage. Having left this place we went on still, rowing up throug his channel eleven days longer, diuing which time we met not with any place that was remarkable, only we saw some small OP PEBDINAifb MENbEZ PiNTO. 831 villages, the houses whereof were covered with thatch, and peopled with very poor folks, and yet for all that the fields are full of cattel, which seemed to have no master, for we killed twenty and thirty of them in a day in the sight of those of the country, no man so much as finding fault with it, but con- trarily they brought them in courtesie to us, as if they were glad to see us kill them in that sort. At our going out of this . channel of Gnampanoo, we entred into a very great river, called Angegumaa, that was above three leagues broad, and in some places six and twenty fathom deep, with such impetuous currents as they drove us often-times from our course. This river we coasted above seven dayes together, and at length arrived at a pretty little waUed town, named Chimbim, in the kingdom of Jangroniaa, invironed on the lands side for five or six leagues space with forrests or Binjamin, as also with plains of lacre, wherewith they ordinarily traded to Martahaiio, and do also lade there many vessels with those commodities for to transport them into divers countries of the Indiaes, as to the Str eight of Mecqua, to Alcocer, and JudoM. There is also in this town great store of musk, far better then that of China, which from thence is carried to Martabano and Pegu, where those of our nation buy of it, therewith to traf&que at Nar- singua, Orixaa, and Masulopatan. The women of this country are all very white and well-favoured ; they apparel themselves with stuffs made of silk and cotton-wool, wear links of gold and silver about their legs, and rich carcanets about their necks. The ground there is of it self exceedingly fertile in wheat, rice, millets, sugar, wax, and catteL This town, with ten leagues of circuit about it, yields every year to the King of Jangomaa threescore altars of gold, which are seven hundred . thousand ducates of our money. From thence we coasted the river southward, for the space of above seven dayes, and arrived at a great town, named Gatammas, which in oux language signifies, the Golden Crevice, being the patrimony of Baudiavaa Tinhau, the Calaminliams second son. The Nau- gator of this town gave good entertainment to the ambassadour, and sent him many sorts of refreshment for his followers; withaU he gave him to understand "that the Galaminham was at the city of Ti/mplan. We departed, from this place on 332 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES a Sunday morning, and the day after about evening we came to a fortress, called Gampalagor, built in the midst of the river in the form of an island upon a rock, and invironed with good free-stone, having three bulwarks and two towers seven stories high, wherein, they told the amhasgadour, was one of the four and twenty treasures, which the Galaminham had in this kingdom, the most part whereof consisted in hngots of silver, of the weight of six thousand Caudins, which are four and twenty thousand quintals ;, and it was said, that all this silver was buried in weUs under ground. After this we still continued our course for the space of thirteen days, during the which we saw on both sides of the river many very goodly places, whereof the most were fair towns, and the rest stately high trees, delicate gardens, and great plains full of corn, as also much cattel, red deer, shamoises, and rhinocerots, under the keeping of certain men on horsback, who looked to them whilst they fed. On the river there were a great number of vessels, where in much abundance was all things to be sold which the earth prodnceth, wherewith it hath pleased God to enrich these countries more then any other in the world. Now forasmuch as the ambassadour feU sick here of an impos- tume in his stomack, he was counselled to proceed no further till he was healed, so that he resolved to go with some of his train for to be cured to a famous hospital, some twelve leagues from thence, in a Pagode, named Tinagoogoo, ^whieh signifies the God of thousand Gods, and so departing at the same instant he arrived there on Saturday about night. [Here follows an account of the Temple of Tinagoogoo, onxiiieif,} CHAPTBE XLVII. The great and sumptuous procession made in this Pagode, together with ■ their sacrifices ; and other particularities. WHILEST this feast of these Gentiles, as also the fair, which was kept all the time thereof, endured for the space of fifteen days, with an infinite concourse of merchants OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 333 and pilgrims, tliat came flocking thither from all parts, as I have declared before, there were many sacrifices made there ■with different ceremonies, -not a day passing without some new thing or other. For amongst many of great charge, and very worthy of observation, one of the chiefest was a Juhile, after their manner, which was published the fifth day of the moon, together with a procession, that was above three leagues in length, as we could guess. It was the common .opinion of aU, that in this procession there were forty thousand priests of the four and twenty sects, which are in this empire ; most of them were of different dignities, and called Grepos, Tala- grejoos, Boolims, Neepois, Bicos, Sacarens and Chanfarauhos. Now by the ornaments they wear, as also by the devices and ensigns which they carry in their hands, they may be dis- tinguished ; and so every of them is respected according to his dignity. Howbeit these went not on foot as the other ordinary priests, for that they were on this day forbidden upon pain of great sin to tread upon the ground, so that they caused themselves to be born in Pallaquins, or arm-chairs, upon the shoulders of other priests their inferiors, apparelled in green sattin, vyith their stoles of carnation damask. In the midst of the ranks of this procession were aU the inventions of their sacrifices to be seen, as also the rich custodes of their idols, for the which each of them had a particular devotion. They that carried them were clothed in yellow, having each of them a big wax candle in his hand ; and between every fifteen pf those custodes went a triumphant, charet, aU which charets put together were in number an hundred twenty and six. All these charets were four, and some five stories high, with as many wheels on either side. In each of them there were at the least two hundred persons, what with the priests and the guards, and on the top of all an idol of silver, with a miter of gold on its head, and all of them had rich chains of pearl and precious stones about their necks ; round about every charet went little boys, carrying siver maces on their shoulders, and behind them were a many of caskets full of exquisite perfumes, as also divers persons with censers in. their hands, who ever and anon censed the idol to the tune of certain instruments of musick, saying three times, with a lamentable voyce, Lord, 334 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES asswage tlie pains of the dead, to the end they may praise Time peaceably ; •whereunto all the people answered with a strange noise, Such may Thy pleasure he, and so may it come to pass every day wherein Thou sliewest us the sun. Each of these charets was drawn by above three thousand persons, who for that purpose made use of very long cords, covered with silk, and thereby gained to themselves plenary remission of their sins, without restitution to be made of any thing at all. Now that many might participate of this absolution by drawing the coard, they set their hands to it one after and close to another, continuing doing so to the very end, in such sort that the whole coard was covered with hands, and nothing else to be seen ; but that they also which were without might gain this indul- gence, they helped those that had their hands on the coard by putting theirs about their shoulders ; then they that were behind them did the like, and so consequently all the rest. In this manner throughout the whole length of the coard there were six or seven ranks or files, and in each of them above five hundred persons. This procession was environed with a great number of horsemen, that carryed staves with pikes at both ends, who riding aU about, went crying to the people, which were infinite in number, that they should make way, and not interrupt the priests in their prayers. Many times also they struck those so rudely- whom they first met withal, as they beat down three or four together, or hurt them grievously, no man daring to find fault vnth, or so much as speak a word against it. In this order this marvelous procession passed through above an hundred streets, which to that end were all adorned with boughs of palms and myrtle, amongst the which were many standards and banners of silk planted. There were also many tables set up in divers places, where all that desired it for Gods sake were admitted to eat of free-cost ; yea and in other parts they had clothes and money given them. There likewise enemies reconciled themselves one to another, and the rich men forgave them their debts which were not able to pay. In a word, so many good works were done there, more proper for Christians than for Gentiles, as I must needs conclude, that if they had been done with faith, and baptism, for the love of our Lord Jesus OF FEBDINANU MENDEZ PINTO. 335 Christ, and without any mixture of the things of this world, assuredly they would have been acceptable to him. But alas ! the best was wanting to them, and that both for theirs and ' our sins. Whilest this procession, together with the chariots wherein the idols were, passed along in this manner, and that with a dreadful noise of drums, and other such instruments, behold where out of certain wooden sheds made expresly for the purpose, six, seven, eight, or ten men, all besmeared with odours, and wrapped up in silk, wearing gold bracelets about their wrists, start forth all at once, and room being instantly made them by the people, after they had saluted the idol which was on the top of the chariot, they went and laid themselves down athwart on the ground, so that the wheels coming to go over them crush'd them all to pieces, which the assistants beholding, cried out aloud together, My soul be with thine. Presently whereupon nine or ten of the priests descending from the chariot took up these blessed, or rather accursed, creatures, that sacrificed themselves in this sort, and putting the head, bowels, and all the other members so crushed in pieces into great bowls made for that purpose, they shewed them to the people from the highest part of the chariot where the idol stood, saying with a pitifull voice. Miserable sinners, fall ye to praying, that God may make you worthy to be a saint, as this here is, who hath now offered himself up as a sweet smell- ing sacrifice. Whereunto aU the people, prostrated on the ground, answered with a fearfull noise, We hope that the God of a thousand Gods will permit it to be so. In this manner many other of these poor wretches sacrificed themselves, to the nxunber, as we were told by certaia merchants worthy of credit, of six' hundred and more. After these followed other martyrs of the devil, whom they called Xixaporaus, which sacrificed themselves before the said chariots, by most merci- lesly slashing themselves with sharp rasors, that to behold them how they did it, one could not think but that they were altogether insensible; for they cut off great gobbets of their flesh, and holding them on high at the end of arrows, as if they would shoot them up to heaven, they said. That they made a present thereof to God for the souls of their fathers, of their wives, of their children, or of such an one, for whose sake- 336 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES they did this wicked work. Now wheresoever this gobbet of flesh chanced to fall, there ran so much people to catch it up, as oftentimes many were stifled in the press, for they held it as a very great relick. In this sort these miserable wretches stood upon their feet, all bathed in their own bloud, without noses, without ears, and without any resemblance at aU of a man, untill at length they fell down stark dead on the earth ; then came the Grepos in aU haste down from the top of the chariot, and cutting off their heads, shewed them to all the people, who kneeling on the ground, and lifting up their hands to heaven, cried out with a loud voice. Let us, Lord, live to that time, wherein for thy service we may do as this savie here Jiath done. There were others also whom the devil drew thither after another manner. Those same craving an alms, said, Give rne an alms for Gods sake, or if thou dost it not, I will kill my self. So that if they were not presently contented they would instantly cut their own throats with rasors which they held in their hands, or stab themselves into the belly, and so drop down stark dead, whereupon the Grepos ran suddenly to them, and having cut off their heads, shewed them, as before, to the people, who reverenced them prostrated on the ground. Of the 15 days that this feast was to last, 9 being past, aU the people, which were there assembled, feigning that the gluttonous serpent of the house of smoke (who is their Ltici- fer, as I have said elsewhere) was come for to steal away the ashes of them that were dead in these several sacrifices, and so to keep their souls from going into heaven, there arose among them so great and dreadfull a noise, as words are not able to express it ; for to the confused voices that were heard from every part, there was adjoyned such a ringing of bells and basins, beating of drums, and winding of horns, as it was not possible to hear one another ; and aU this was done to fright away the devil. Now this noise endured from one of the clock in the afternoon till the next morning ; and it is not to be believed what a world of lights and torches were spent that night, besides the infinite number of fires that were kindled every where ; the reason hereof was, as they said, For that Tinagoogoo, the God of thomand Gods, was in quest of the glut- OF FERDINAND MENDFZ PINTO. BS? tonous serpent, for to kill him icith a sivord which had been given him from heaven. After the night had been past thus amidst this infernal noise and tumult, assoon as it was day, the whole hill, whereon the temple was built, appeared full of white banners, which the people beholding, they fell straight to giving thanis unto God, and to that end they prostrated themselves on the ground with great demonstrations of joy, and then began to send presents one to another, for the good news they received from the priests by the shew of those white banners, an assured sign that the gluttonous serpent was kiUed. So all the people, transported with incredible gladness, fell to going up the hill, whereon the temple stood, by four and twenty several accesses that there were unto it, for to give thanks imto the idol, and chaunt his praises, for the victory he had the night past obtained over the gluttonous serpent, and cutting off his head. This throng of people continued three days, and three nights ; so during that time it was not possible to break through the press on the way, but with much pain. Now we Portugals having little to do, resolved to go thither also to see those abuses, wherefore we went to ask leave of the embassadour, but Ije denied us for the present, wilUng us to stay till the next day, and that then we should wait on him thither, for in his last sickness he had vowed to visit it ; hereat we were very glad, because we thought that by this means we should the more easily see all that we desired. The morrow after, which was the third day of this assembly, the greatest croud being over, we went along with him to the Temple of Tinagoogoo, and at length arrived, though with much ado, at the hill whereon it was bmlt. There we saw six very fair long streets, all fuU of scales hanging on great rods of brass. In these scales a number of people weighed themselves, as weU for the accomplishment of the vows they had made in their adversities and sickness, as for the remission of aU the sins they had committed tUl that present ; and the weight which each of them laid in the other scale was answerable to the quality of the fault they had done. So they that found them- selves culpable of gluttony, and had not aU that year used any abstinence, weighed themselves with honey, sugar, eggs, and butter, which were things not displeasing to the priests, from 23 338 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES) AND ADVENTVBE3 whom thej' were to receive absolution. They that were addicted to sensuahty weighed themselves with cotton-wool, feathers, cloth, apparel, wine, and sweet odours ; because, say they, those things incite a man to that sin. They that were un- charitable to the poor weighed themselves with coin of copper, tin, and silver, or with pieces of gold. The slothfuU with wood, rice, coals, pork, and fruit ; and the envious, because they reap no benefit by their maligning the prosperity of others, expiated their sin by confessing it publickly, and suffering a dozen boxes on the ear to be given them in the memory and praise of the twelve moons of the year. As for the sin of pride, it was satisfied with dried fish, brooms, and cow-dung, as being the basest of things. And touching them that had spoken ill of their neighbours, without asking them forgiveness, they put for that a cow into the scale, or else a hog, a sheep, or a stag; so that infinite was the number of those which weighed themselves in the scales that were in those six streets, from whom the priests received so much alms, as there were great piles of all sorts of things made up all along. Now for the poor that had nothing to give for the remission of their sins, they offered their own hair, which was presently cut off by above an hundred priests, who for that effect sate in order one by another on low stools, with sizzars in their hands. There also we saw great heaps of that hair, whereof other Grepos, which were a" thousand at least, and ranked also in order, made wreathes, tresses, rings, and bracelets, which one or another bought for to carry home to their houses, even as our pilgrims use to do, that come from Santiago de Gompostella, or other such places. Our embassadour, being amazed at the sight of these things, inquired further of the priests concern- ing them, who besides other particulars told him, that all those alms, and other offerings which were given there during the fifteen days of this assembly, amounted to a great revenue and that even of the hair of the poor alone there were raised every year above an hundred thousand Pardunis of gold, which axe fourscore and ten thousand ducates of our money; whereby one may judge what a world of wealth was made of all the rest. After that the embassadour had staid some time in the streets o£ the scales, he passed on through all the other OF FJERDlNAND MENDED PINTO. 839 quarters, where were comedies, dancing, wrestling, and ex- cellent, consorts of all kinds of musick, till at length we arrived at TinagoogoOj but with much labour and pain, because the throng was so great, as none could hardly break through it. This temple had but one isle, that was very long and spacious, and full of great wax lights, each of them having ten or eleven wicks in it, set up all about in silver candlesticks ; there was also great store of perfumes of aloes and benjamin. As for the image of Tinagoogoo, it was placed in the midst of t"he temple upon a stately tribunal, in the form of an altar, environed with a number of silver candlesticks, and a many of children, attired in purple, which did nothing but cense it at the sound of instruments of musick, whereon the priests played reason- able well. Before this idol danced, to the tune of the said instrument, certain ladies, which were wonderfuU fair, and richly clad, to whom the people presented their alms and offerings, which the priests received for them, and then laid them before the tribunal of the idol with a great deal of cere- mony and complement, ever and anon prostrating themselves on the ground. The statue of this monster was seven and twenty spans high, having the face of a giant, the hair of a negro, wide distorted nostrils, mighty great lips, and a very sowre and Ul-favoured countenance. He had in his hand an hatchet in the form of a cooper's addis, but with a far longer handle. With this addis, as the priests made the people believe, this monster the night iefore hilled the gluttonous serpent of the home of smoke, for that he would, heme stoln away the ashes of those that sacrificed themselves. There also we saw the serpent amidst the place before the tribunal in the form of an adder, more horrible to behold then the wit of man can imagine, and done so to -the life, as all that looked on it trembled for fear. It was laid all along, with the head cut off, being eight fathom long, and the neck of it as thick as a bushel, so lively represented, that though we knew it to be an artificial thing, yet could we not chuse but be afraid of it. In the mean time aU the assistants ran thronging about it, Boine pricking it with the points of their halberds, and some with their daggers, every one with railing speeches, du-sing and calling it, _Proud, presumpttums, accursed, infernal moiister, 340 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES pool of damnation, envious against God's goodness, hunger-starved dragon, in the midst of the night, and many other names, which they dehvered in such extraordinary terms, and so fitted to the effects of this serpent, as we could not but admire them. That done, they put into hasins which stood at the foot of the idols tribunal a world of alms, of gold, silver, jewels, pieces of sUk, fine caUicoes, money, and a hundred other things in very great abundance. After we had seen all these things, we continued following the embassadour, who went to see the grots of the henpits or penitents, which were at the utmost end of the wood, all cut out of the hard rock, and in such order, as one would have thought that nature, rather then the hand of man, had laboured in it. There were an hundred forty and two of them, in some of the which remained divers men, whom they held for saints, and that did very great and austere penance. They in the first grots wore long robes like the Bonzes of Japan, and followed the law of an idol, that had sometimes been a man, called Situmpor Michay, who during his life enjoyned those of his sect to lead their lives in great austerity, assuring them that the onely and true way to gain heaven, was to subdue the flesh, and that the more they laboured to afflict themselves, the more liberally God would grant them all they could demand of him. They which accompanied us thither, told us, that they seldom eat any thing but herbs boiled, a few beans of Aricot rosted, and wUde fruit, which were provided for them by other priests, who as the purveyors of a cloister took care to furnish these penitents with such things as were conformable to the law whereof they made profession. After these we saw in a grot others of a sect of one of their saints, or rather of a devU, named Angemacur ; these lived in deep holes, made in the midst of the rock, according to the rule of their wretched order, eating nothing but flies, ants, scorpions, and spiders, vrith the juice of a certain herb growing in abundance thereabouts, much like to sorrel. These spent their time in meditating day and night, with their eyes lifted up to heaven, and their hands closed one within another, for a testimony that they desired nothing- of this world, and in that manner died like beasts ; but they are accounted greater saints then all the rest, and as such, after OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 341 they are dead, they buxn them in fires, whereinto they cast great quantities of most precious perfumes. The funeral pomp being celebrated with great state, and very rich offerings, they have sumptuous temples erected unto them, thereby to draw the living to do as they had done, for to obtain this vain-glory, which is all the recompense that the world gives them for their excessive penance. We likewise saw others of a sect altogether diaboHeal, invented by a certain Gileu Mitray. These liave sundry orders of penance, and are not much different in their opinions from the Abissins of Ethiopia. Now that their abstinence may be the more agreeable to their idol, some of them eat nothing but bitter fruits and herbs brought to them from the wood, by reason whereof they hve but a short time, and have so bad a look and colour, as they fright those that behold them. I wiU pass by them of the sect of Godomem, who spend their whole hfe in crying day and night on those mountains, Godomem, Godomem, and desist not from it untUl they f aU down stark dead to the ground for want of breath. Neither will I speak of them which they call Taxilacons, who die more brutishly then the rest ; for they shut themselves up in certain grots made of purpose for it, that are very little and close, stopped on aU sides, and then burning green thistles and thorns in them, they choke them- selves with the smoke thereof. Whereby one may see how by such rude and different ways of living these miserable creatures render themselves the devil's martyrs, who in reward thereof gives them everlasting hell-fire ; and verily it is a pitifull thing to behold the great pains which these wretches take to lose themselves, and the little that we do to be saved. CHAPTEE XLVm. What -we saw in the continuing of our voyage, until we arrived at the city of Timplan. , AFTEE we had seen all these things with wonder enough, we departed from this Pagode of Tinagoogoo, and continued on our way for thirteen days together, at the end whereof we 842 THE TSAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES arrived at two great towns, scituated on the bank of the river, just opposite the one against the other, about the distance of a stones cast, one of the which was called Maiiavedea, and the other Singilapau. In the midst of this same river, which was there somewhat narrow, there was an island by nature formed round, and in it a rock six and thirty fathom high, and a cross-bow shot broad ; upon this rock was a fort built, with nine bulwarks and five towers ; without the rampire of the wall it was in- vironed with two rows of great iron gates, and from the bulwarks to the other side of the river ran a huge chain of iron, to keep vessels from passing along, so that nothing could possibly enter there. At one of these two towns, which was caUed Singilapau, the ambassadour landed, where he was ex- ceedingly well entertained by the Xemimbrum, or governour of it, who Ukevnse furnished all his train with great store of refreshments. The next morning we left this place, accom- panied with twenty Lcmles, wherein there were a thousand men and better, and about evening we arrived at the custom- houses of the kingdom, which are two strong places, and from the one to the other run five mighty great chains of latten aU athwart the whole breadth of the river, so that nothing can pass in and out vrithout leave. Hither came a man in a svrif t Seroo to the ambassadour, and told him that he was to go ashore at Campalagro, which was one of the two castles on the south- side, for to shew the letter which this king had sent by him to the Calaminham, to see if it were written in the form that was required in speaking to him, as was usually observed. The ambassadour presently obeyed, and being come to land he was lead into a great haU, where were three men set at a table, with a great many gentlemen, who gave him good entertain- ment, and demanded of bim the occasion of his coming thither, as they that knew nothing of it. Whereunto the ambassadour answered ; That he came thither from the King of Bramaa, Lord of Tanguu, and that he had a message to deliver unto the holy Calaminham concerning matters greatly importing his estate. Then having made further answer to other questions, which were put to him in a way of ceremony by the three principal persons that were at the table, he showed them the letter, ■wherein they corrected some words, which were not of the OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 843 style wterewith they were accustomed to speak to the Cala- minham ; together with this letter the ambassadour shewed them the present which he had brought for him, whereat they very much wondred, especially when they saw the chair for an elephant of gold and precious stones, which in the judge- ment of divers lapidaries was worth above six hundred thou- sand ducates, besides the other rich pieces that he carried Mm also, as I have before related. After we had our dispatch from this first custom-house, we went to the other, where we found more venerable men then the former, who with another new ceremony looked likewise on the letter, and the present, and put to all the several parcels of it strings of wreathed carnation sUk,* with three seals in lacre, which was as the conclusion of the receiving of the ambassy by the Calaminham. The same day there came a man from the next town of Queitor, sent by the governour of the kingdom to visit the ambassadour with a present of refreshments of flesh, fruit, and other such things after their manner. During nine days that the ambas- sadour stayed in this place he was abundantly furnished with all things necessary, both for his own person, and his train, and withal was entertained with sundry sports of hunting and fishing, as also with feasts, accompained with musick and comedies represented by very beautiful women, and richly attired. In the mean time we Portugals went, with the permission of the ambassadour, to see certain things which they of the country had much commended tmto us, namely very antique buildings, rich and sumptuous temples, very fair gardens, houses and castles that were aU along the side of this river, made after a strange fashion, well fortified, and of great charge, amongst the which there was an hospital for to lodge pilgrims in called Manicafaran, signifying in oux tongue, The Prison of the Gods, which was . above a league in breadth. Here we saw twelve streets, aU vaulted over, and in every one of them two hundred and forty houses, namely, sixscore on each side, which made in aU two thousand, eight hundred, and iourscore, aU full of pUgrims, who the whole year through came thither in pilgrimage ftom divers coimtries; for, as they hold, this pilgrimage ought to be of far greater * The first mention in history of red-tape? 344 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE8 merit then all others, because that these idols imprisoned by strangers have need of company. All these pilgrims, which, as they of the country say, are all the year long without dis- continuing above six thousand, have meat given them the whole time of their abode there, at the charge, and out of the revenue of the house. They are served by four thousand priests of Manicafaran, who with many others reside within the same inclosure in sixseore religious houses, where there are also as many women that serve in like manner. The temple of this hospital was very great, with three isles after the fashion of ours, in the midst whereof was a remarkable chappel built round, and invironed with three very big ballisters of latten; within it there were fom-score idols of men and women, besides many othei little gods, that lay prostrated on the ground ; for the forescore great idols onely stood upright, and were all tied together with chains of iron. As for the little ones, they were, as I said, laid along on the pavement, as the children of these greater, and tied six to six by the middle with other sleighter chains. Moreover without the baUisters in two files there stood two hundred, forty and four, giants of brass, six and twenty spans high, with their halberds and clubs upon their shoulders, as if they had been set there for the guard of the captive gods. There was over -head upon iron rods, that traversed the isles of the temple, great store of lamps hanging, having seven or eight matches apiece in them, in the fashion of candlesticks, Uke to them of the Indiaes, all varnished without, as also the walls were, and every thing else that we saw there, in token of mourning, by reason of the captivity of these gods. Being amazed as well at that which I have recounted, as at many other things which I pass over in sUence, and not able to comprehend what they meant by the imprisonment of these gods, we demanded the signification of it of the priests, whereunto one amongst them, that seemed of more authority then the rest, made us this answer. Since I see that being strangers you desire to learn of me that which I know very well, and which you liave never heard spoken, nor read of in your boohs, I will declare the matter unto you as it past, according as it is truly delivered by our histories. Know then, tliat it is now seven thousand, three hundred, and OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 845 twenty moons, which make six hundred and ten years, after the supputation of other nations, since the time that an holy Cala- minliam, named Xixivarem Melentay, commanding over the monarchy of the six and twenty hingdoms of this crown, waged wars with the Siamon, Emperour of tlie Mountains of the Earth irtsomuch that there assembled, wliat on the one part and tlie other, threescore and two kings, who putting themselves into field, fought so cruel and bloody a battel, as it endured from an hour before day till night, and there was slain on both sides sixteen Laquesaas of men, each of which makes an hundred thousand. At length the victory remaining to our Calammham, without any more resting alive of his forces then two hundred and thirty thousand, he ruined in four moneths space all the enemies countries, with sv^h a destructio7i of people, as (if credit may be given our histories, or to what any other besides have assured) there died fifty Jj&qxiies&ss of persons. This battel was fought in the first of the said seven thousand, three hundred, and twenty moons, in the renowned field Vitau, where Quiay Nivandel appeared to the Calaminham, sitting in a chair of wood, who acquired unto himself in this place a greater and more famous title of honour, then all the other gods of the Mons and Siammes ; in regard whereof so often as they that inhabit the earth desire to make oath of things which pass the belief of men, they use for the more authorizing thereof to swear by tlie holy Quiay Mvandel, Qod of Battels of the field Vitaii. Now in ■a great city named Sarocatam, where five hundred tJumsand persons were slain, all these gods, which here you see before you, were made prisoners in despight of the kings that believed in them, arid the priests that served them with the perfumes in their sacrifices. Thus by reason of so glorious a victory all those people become subject to us, and tributaries to the crown of the Calaminliam, who at this day holds the scepter of this monarchy, whereunto he was not raised but with much labour, and the shedding of a world of blood, d/wring the threescore and four .rebellions made by the said people since that time until this present ; who not able to endure the captivity of their gods, for that, to say the truth, is a mighty affrcmt unto them, they do still in memory of so unhappy a success continue making great demon- strations of sorrow for it, renewing every year the vow they liave 346 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES made not to celebrate any feast, nor to rejoyce in any kind of sort whatsoever, until tJiey liave provided for the deliverance of these •prisoners ; which also is the cause that no lamps are seen in their temples, and tliat tliey are resolved to light up none during the captivity of their idols. Some of us seeming to doubt the verity hereof, because it seemed strange unto them, the Grepo swore that it was most true, and that also there had been killed at sundry times, about the deliverance of these Gods, whom there we saw captive, above three miUions of men, besides those that fell in precedent battels ; whereby one may clearly see in what a strange manner the devil keeps these poor blinded wretches subjected unto him, and vrith how much abuse and extravagancy he precipitates them into hell. When we had well observed all the singularities of this temple, we went to see another, called Urpanesendoo ; to speak of which I desire to be excused, that I may not be forced to treat of infamous and abominable matters ; whecefore omitting the great abundance of riches, and other things which we saw there ; it shall suffice me to say, that this temple is served by none but women, who are all of them the daughters of princes, and of the principal lords of the kingdom, which dedicate them from their infancy to offer up their honom: in sacrifice there. Now this filthy and sensual sacrifice is performed with so great charge, that many of them bestow above ten thousand ducats in it, besides the offerings which are made to this idol Urpanesendoo, to whom they sacrifice their honour. This idol is in a. chappel that is round, and gilt aU over ; it is made of silver, and set upon a tribunal in form of an altar, environed over-head with a great number of candlesticks, which are all of silver likewise, every light in them having six wicks. Sound about this tribunal are many other idols gilded over, of very comely and weU-favoured women, who with their knees on the ground, and hands hfted up, adore this idol. These same, as the priests told us, are the holy souls of certain young ladies, which finished their days there to the great honour of their parents, who made more esteem of that then of all the King could give them. They assured us, that the revenue belonging to the idol was three hundred thousand ducates by the year, besides the offerings and rich OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 347 ornaments of their abominable sacrifices, which was yet worth more. In this diabolical temple were shut up within many religious houses that we saw above five thousand women, being aH of them old, and for the most part exceeding rich ; so that coming to die, they make a donation of all their wealth to the Pagode ; wherefore it is no marvel, if it have the revenue I spoke of. From this place we went to see the companies of strangers, which came thither in pilgrimage in the manner that I have declared. These companies were forty and six in number, every one of an hundred, 200, 300, 400, or 500 persons; nay, some of them were more, and were all lodged along by the river, as if it had been a camp. Amidst these troops of strangers we met by chance with a Portugal woman, whereat we wondred more then at all we had seen before ; so that desiring to know of her the reason of so strange an accident, she told us, with tears, who she was, what occasion had brought her thither, and how she was at that instant the wife of one of those pilgrims, to whom she had been married three or four and twenty years ; whereunto she further added, that not daring to go and live amongst Christians, because of her sin, she continued still in her vdckedness, but that she hoped God would at length be pleased to bring her into some country, where before she ended her days, she might repent her of her life past ; and that although we found her in the company of people devoted to the service of the devil, yet she left not for all that to be stiU a true Christian ; we remained much amazed at so strange a relation, and not a Uttle sorrowfuU also to see and understand to what a point of misfortune this poor woman was reduced, so that We told her our opinion, and what we thought was fit for her to do," whereupon she concluded to go along with us to Timplam, and so to Pegu, and from thence to set sail for Coromandel, there to finish her days in the island of St. Tome. Having vowed unto us to do thus we quitted her, not doubting that she would lose so good an opportunity to retire her self out of -the err ours wherein she was, and to restore her self to an estate whereLu she might be saved, since it had pleased God to permit her to meet with us in a tountry so far distant from that which she could hope for. Howbeit she performed 348 TEE TEAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES nothing, for we could never see nor hear of her afterwards, which made us to believe, that either something had befallen her that kept her from coming to us ; or that through the obstinacy of her sins, she deserved not to make her profit of the grace which our Lord had offered to her out of His infinite goodness and mercy. CHAPTEE XLIX. The magnificent reception of the King of Bramaa his Ambassadour, at the city of Timplam. NINE days after the King of Bramaa his ambassadour had reposed himself there by way of ceremony, accord- ing to the fashion of the country, for the more honour of his ambassage, one of the govemours of the city, called Campano- grem, came to fetch him, accompanied with fourscore Seroos and Laulees, very well equipped, and full of lusty able men. Throughout this fleet they played on so many barbarous and ill accorded instruments, as bells, cymbals, drums, and sea- cornets, that the din thereof coming to joyn with the noise which the rowers made, terrified aU those that heard it ; and indeed one would have thought it at first to be some inchant- raent, or to say better, a musick of hell, if there be any there. Amidst this stir we drew near to the city, where we arrived about noon. Beir^ come to the first key, that was named Gampalarraia, we saw a great many men, both horse and foot, all richly accoutred, as also a number of fighting elephants, very well furnished, having their chairs and fore-head pieces garnished vnth silver, and their warlike Panares fastened to their teeth, which rendered them very terrible. The am- bassadour was no sooner come on shore, but the Gampanogrem took him by the hand, and falling on his knees presented him to another great man that attended for him at the key in great pomp. This same was called Patedacan, one of the chief est of the kingdom, as we were told. After he had with a new complement of courtesie received the ambassadour, he offered him an elephant furnished vrith a chair and harness of gold; OF FEBDINANI) MENDFZ PINTO. 349 but whatsoever the Matidarin could do to make the ambassa- dour accept of it, he could by no means draw him thereunto ; whereupon he caused another almost as well furnished to be brought, and gave it to him. As for us nine Portugals, and fifty or threescore Bramaas, they provided horses, on which we mounted. In this manner we departed from that place, having his chariots before us full of men, that amidst the acclamations of the people played upon divers kindes of instruments ; namely, on silver cjraibals, beUs, and drums. Thus we were conducted through many long streets, whereof nine were environed with baUisters of lattin, and at the entrance into them, there were arches very richly wrought, as also many chapiters of pUlars gilt, and great bells, which Uke unto clocks, struck the hours, nay, the quarters of the hour of the day, whereby the people were ordinarily directed. After that vTith much ado, by reason of the great press of people that was in the streets, we were come to the outward court of the Galaminhan' s palace, which was as long, or little less, as a faulcons shot, and broad proportionably thereunto, we saw in it above six thousand horses, all trapped with silver and silk, and those that were mounted on them were armed -with corslets of lattin and copper, head-pieces of silver, carrying ensigns in their hands of divers colours, and targets at their saddle-bows. The commander of these troops was the Quietor of Justice, who is as the superintendent over aU the other civil and criminal ministers, which is a jurisdiction separate by it self, from whence there is no appeal. The ambassadour being come near unto him, who was also advanced to receive him, and the two govemoxirs, they all prostrated themselves on the ground three times, which is amongst them a new kinde -of complement, whereupon the Quietor spake not a word to the ambassadour, but onely laid his hand on his head, and then gave him a rich scymitar that he wore by his side, which the ambassadour accepted of very thankfully, and kissed it thrice. That done the Quietor set the ambassadour on his right hand, and leaving the two Mandarins a little behinde, they passed along through two rows of elephants, which made a kinde of a street of the length of the outward court, they being fifteen hundred in number, all furnished with castles, and rich chairs 350 TBB TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES of divers inventions, as also "with a great many of silk banners, and gorgeous coverings ; round about were a great company of halberdiers, and many other shews of greatness and majesty, which made us believe that this prince was one of the mightiest in the country. When we were come to a great gate, that stood between two high towers, two hundred men which guarded it no sooner saw the Qiiietor, but they all fell down on their knees. Through this gate, we entered into another very long outward court, where the Kings second guard was, composed of a thousand men, who were all in gilt arms, their swords by their sides, and on their heads helmets wrought with gold and silver, wherein stuck gallant plimies of several colom-s. After we had past through the middle of aU this guard we arrived at a great hall, where there was a Mandarin, uncle to the king, called the Monvagaruu, a man of above seventy years of age, accompanied with a great number of nobility, as also with many captains and officers of the king- dom. About him were twelve little boys richly clad, -with great chains of gold three or four times double about their necks, and each of them a silver mace upon his shoulder. Assoon as the ambassadour was come near him, he touched him on the head with a Ventiloe that he held in his hand, and behelding Mm, May thy entrance, said he, into this jialace of the Lord of the World be as agreeable to his eyes, as the rain is to our field of rice, for so shall he grant thee all that thy King deinands of him. From thence we went up an high pair of stairs, and entered into a very long room, wherein there were many great lords, who seeing the Monvagaruu stood up on their feet, as acknowledging him for their superior. Out of this room we entered into another, where there were 4 altars, very well accommodated with idols of silver ; upon one of these altars we saw the statue of a woman as big as a giant, being eighteen spans high, and with her arms all abroad looking up to heaven. This idol was of sUver, and her hair of gold, which was very long, and spread over her shoulders. There also we saw a great ' throne, encompassed round about with thirty giants of brass, who had gilded clubs upon their shoulders, and faces as deformed as those they paint for the devil. From this room we passed into a manner of a gallery, OP FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 351 adorned from the top to the bottom -with a number of little tables of ebony, inlayed with ivory, and full of mens heads, under every one of the which the name of him to whom it belonged was written in letters of gold. At the end of this -gallery there were a dozen of iron rods gilt, whereon hung a great many silver candlesticks of great value, and a number of perfuming pans, from whence breathed forth a most ex- cellent odour of amber, and calambuco, or lignum aloes, but such as we have none in Christendom. There on an altar environed all about with three rows of ballisters of silver, we saw thirteen kings visages of the same metaU, with golden mitres upon their heads, and under each of them a dead mans head, and below many candlesticks of silver, with great whit-e wax lights in them, which were snuffed ever and anon by little boys, who accorded then- voices to those of the Chrepos that sung in form of -a letany, answering one another. The Grepos told us that those thirteen dead mens heads which were under the visages were the skulls of thirteen Galaminhans, which in times past gained this empire from certain strangers, called Boparons, who by arms had usurped the same upon them of the country. As for the other dead mens heads which we saw there, they were the skulls of such commanders as by their heroic deeds had honourably ended their days in helping to recover this empire, in regard whereof it was most reasonable, that though death had deprived them of the recompence which they had merited by their action, yet" their memory should not be abolished out of the world. When we were gone out of the gallery, we proceeded on upon a great bridge, that was in the form of a street, railed on either sides with balUsters of lattin, and beautified with a many of arches curiously wrought, upon which were scutcheons of arms, charged with several devices of gold, and the crest over them were silver globes, five spans in circumference, all very stately and majes- tical to behold. At the end of this bridge was another build- ing, the doors whereof we found shut, whereupon we knocked d times, they vrithin not deigning to answer us, which is a ceremony, observed by them in such occasions. At the length after we had rung a beU 4 times more, as it were, in haste, out comes a woman of about 50 years of age, accompanied vyith 6 352 TRE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AXD ADVENTURES little girls, richly attired, and scymitars upon their shoulders garnished -with flowers wrought in gold. This ancient woman having demanded of the Monvagaruu why he had rung the bell, and what he would have, he answered her with a great deal of respect, Tliat he had tliere an ambassadour from the King of Bramaa, tlie Lord of Tanguu, who was come thitlier to treat at the feet of the Calaminhan about certain matters much ivvport- iri^ his service. By reason of the great authority which this woman was in she seemed little to regard this answer, whereat we wondred much, because he that spake to her was one of the ehiefest lords of the kingdom, and uncle to the Calaminhan, as it was said. Nevertheless one of the 6 girls that accom- panied her, spake thus in her behalf to the Monvagaruu, My Lord, may it please your greatness, to have a little patience till we may know whether the time be fit for the kissing of the foot of tJie throne of this Lord of the World, and advertising him of the coming of this stranger, and so according to the grace which our Lord tvill sheio him therein, his heart may rejoyce, and we loith him. That said, the door was shut again for the space of three or four Credo's, and then the six girls came and opened it, but the ancient woman that at first came along with them we saw no more ; howbeit instead of her there came a boy of about nine years of age, richly apparelled, and having on his head an Hurfangua of gold, which is a kinde of mitre (but that it is somewhat more closed aU about, and without any overture) he had also a mace of gold, much like a sceptre, which he carried upon his shoulder ; this same, without making much reckoning of the Monvagaruu, or of any of the other lords there present, took the embassadour by the hand, and said unto him. The news of thy arrival is come unto the feet of Binaigaa the Calaminhan, and sceptre of the kings that govern the earth, and is so agreeable to his ears, that with a smiling look he noto sends for tJiee to give thee audience concerning that which is desired of him by the King, whom he newly receives into the number of his brethren, with the love of the son of his entrals, that so he may reinain powerfiill and victorious over his enemies. Thereupon he caused him, together with the Kings uncle, and the other govemours that accompanied him, to come in, leaving all the rest without ; the embassadour then OF FEEDINAND MENBEZ PINTO. 353 seeing none of his train follow him, looked three or four times back, seeming by his countenance to be somewhat discon- tented, which the Monvagancu perceiving, spake to the Quietor, who was a little behinde, that he should cause the strangers to be let in, and none else ; the doors being then opened again, we Portugals began to go in with the Bramaas ; but such a number of others came thrusting in amongst ns, as the gentlemen ushers who were above' twenty, had much ado to keep the doors, striking many with battoons which they had in their hands, and (of those) some that were persons of quality, and yet could they not therewith, neither with their cries, nor menaces, stop them all from entering. Thus being come in, we past along through the midst of a great garden, made with such art, and where appeared so many goodly things, so divers, and so pleasing to the eye, as words are not able to express them. Eor there were there many alleys environed with balhsters of silver, and many arbors of extra- ordinary scent, which we were told had so much sympathy with the moons of the year, that in all seasons whatsoever they bare flowers and fruits ; withall there was such abundance and variety of roses and other flowers, as almost passeth belief. In the midst of this garden we saw a great many young women, very fair, and well clad, whereof some past away their time in dancing, and others in playing on sundry sorts of instruments much after our manner, which they per- formed with so much harmony, as we 'were not a little delighted therewith: some also bestowed themselves in making of curious needle-works and gold»strings, some in other things, whilest their companions gathered fruit to eat ; and aU this was done so quietly, and with such order and good behaviour, as made us admire it. At our going out of this garden, where the Monvagaruu would needs have the embassadour to stay a whUe, that he might there observe something worthy to enter- tain his king with at his return to Pegu, we went into a very great antichamber, where many commanders and lords were sitting, as also some great princes, who received the ernbassa- dour vnth new ceremonies, and complements, and yet not one of them stirred from his place. Through this antichamber we came to a door, where there were six gentlemen ushers 24 854 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE3 •with silver maces, by which we entered into another room very richly furnished : in this was the Galaminhan seated on a most majestical throne, encompassed with three rows of baUisters of silver. At the foot of the degrees of his throne sate twelve women that were exceeding beautifull, and most richly appareUed, playing on divers sorts of instruments, whereunto they accorded their voices. On the top of the throne, and not far from his person, were twelve young damsels about nine or ten years old, aU of them on their knees round about him, and carrying maces of gold in the fashion of sceptres ; amongst them there was also another that stood on her feet and fanned him. Below, aU along the whole length of the room, were a great many of old men, wearing mitres of gold on their heads, and long robes of sattin and damask, curiously embroidered, every one having silver maces on their shoulders, and ranked in order on either side against the walls. Over all the rest of the room were sitting, upon rich Persian carpets, about two hundred young ladies, as we could guess, that were wonderfull fair, and exceeding well-favoured. Thus did this room, both for the marvellous structure of it, and for the excellent order that was observed therein, represent so great and extraordinary a majesty, as we heard the embassa- dour say afterwards, talking of it, that if God would grant him the grace to return to Pegu, he would never speak of it to the King, as well for fear of grieving him, as of being taken for a man that reports things which seem altogether incredible. Assoon as the embassadour, was entered into the room where the Calaminhan was, accompanied with the four princes that conducted him, he prostrated himself five times on the ground, without so much as daring to behold the Calaminhan, in sign of the great respect he carried towards him, which the Monvagaruu perceiving, willed him to advance forward; so that beiug arrived near to the first degree of his throne, with his face stiU bending downward, he said to the Calaminhan, with so loud a voice as every one might hear him ; The clouds of the air, which recreate the fruits whereof we eat, have pub- lished over the whole monarchy of the world the great majesty of thy power, which ha,th caus^ my King, desiring to be honoured OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 355 with thy amity, as with a rich pearl, to seiul me for that purpose, and to tell thee from him, that thou shalt much oblige him, if thou pleasest to accept of him for thy brother, with the honour- able obedience which he will ahoays render to thee, as to him that is the elder, as thou art. And for that end it is, that he sends thee this letter, which is the jewel of all his treasure tliat he prizes most, and wherein his eyes tahe viore pleasure, for the Itcnour and contentment they receive by it, then being lord of the kings o/Avaa, afid of all the precious stones of tlie mov/iitain of Falent, of Jatir, and Pontau. Hereunto the Galaminhan made him this answer following, and that with a grave and severe countenance ; For my part, I accept of this neio amity, thereby to give full satisfaction to thy king, as to a son newly bom of my intrals. Then began the women to play on instruments of musick, and six of them danced with little children for the space of three or four Credo's. After that, other six little girls danced with six of the oldest men that were in the roora, which seemed to us a very pretty fantasticalness. This dance ended, there was a very fine comedy represented by twelve ladies, exceeding beautifull, and gorgeously attired, wherein appeared on the stage a great sea-monster, holding in his mouth the daughter of a king, whom the fish swallowed up before them aU, which the twelve ladies seeing went in all haste weeping to an hermitage that was at the foot of a mountain, from whence they returned with an hermit, who made earnest supplications to Quiay Patureu, God of the Sea, that he would bring this monster to the shore, so as they might come to bury the damsel according to her quality. The hermit was answered by Quiay Patureu, that the twelve ladies should change their lamentations and complaints into so many consorts of musick, that were agreeable to his ears, and he would then command the sea to east the fish upon the strand to be done vnthall as they thought good ; whereupon comes on the stage six little boys vrith wings and crowns of gold upon their heads, in the same manner as we use to paint angels, and naked all over, who falling on their knees before the ladies, presented them with three harps and three viols, saying, that Quiay Patureu sent them these instruments from the heaven of the moon, therewith to cast the monster of the sea into a 356 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES sleep, that so they might have their desire on him ; -whereupon the twelve ladies took them out of the hands of the little bbys, and began to play upon them, tuning them unto their voices with so lamentable and sad a tone, and such abundance of tears, that it drew some from the eyes of divers lords that were in the room. Having continued their musick about half a quarter of an hour, they saw the monster coming out of the sea, and by little and little as it were astonished, making to the shore where these fair musicians were ; all which was performed so properly, and to the life, that the assistants could hardly imagine it to be a fable, and a matter devised for plea- sure, but a very truth, besides the scene was set forth with a world of state and riches. Then one of the twelve ladies drawing out a poniard, all set with precious stones, which she wore by her side, ripped up the fish, and out of the belly of it drew the Infanta alive, which presently went aud danced to the tiine of their instruments, and so went and kissed the Calaminhan's hand, who received her very graciously, and made her sit down by him. It was said that this young lady was Ms niece, the daughter of a brother of his ; as for the other twelve, they were all the daughters of princes, and of the greatest lords of the country, whose fathers and brothers were there present. There were also three or four comedies more like this, acted by other young ladies of great quahty, and set forth with so much pomp and magnificence, as more could not be desired. About evening the Calaminhan retired into another room, accompanied with women onely; for aU the rest they went along with the Monvagaruu, who took the embassadour by the hand, and led him back to the outermost room of all, where with many complements, after their manner, he took his leave of him, and so committed him to the Queitor, who straightway carried him to his house, where he lodged all the while that he was there, being two and thirty days, during which time he was feasted by the principal lords of the court, in a splendid and sumptuous manner, and continually enter- tained with several sports of fishing, hunting, hawking, and other such like recreations. [-Here follows a discourse on the Christian religion between a priest and the. Portnguese, «?»nittcliO OF FERDINAND MBNDEZ PINTO. 857 CHAPTEE L. An ample relation of the empire of the Calaminham, and of the kingdoms of Pega, and Bramaa, with the continuance of our voyage, and what we Eaw among the same. AMONETH after our arrival at this city of Timplan, where the court then was, the ambassador demanded an answer to his ambassie, and it was immediately granted him by the Gala/minham, with whom he spake himself, and being graciously entertained by him, he referred bim for his dispatch to the Monvagaruu, that was, as I have heretofore delivered, the chief man in governing the kingdom, who gave him an answer on the behalf of the Calaminham, as also a present in exchange of that which the King of Bramaa had sent him, withal he wrote him a letter [entering into the proposed alliance with him] . The ambassador having received this letter, departed from the court the 3rd of November, 1546, accom- panied with certain lords, who by the express commandment of the Galaminliam went along with him to Bidor, where they toot their leave of him, after they had made him a great feast, and presented him with divers gifts. But before I entreat of the way- which we held from this place till we came to Pegu, where the Eing of Braiiiaa was, I think it convenient and necessary to make a relation here of certain things which we saw in this country, wherein I wiU acquit my self as succinctly as I can, as I have done in all other matters whereof I have spoken heretofore ; for if I should discourse in particular of all that I have seen, and of that which hath past as well in this empire, as in other kingdoms, where I have been during my painful voyages,-! had then need to make another, volume far bigger then this same, and be indued with a wit much above that I have : howbeit that I may not wholly conceal things so remarkable, I am contented to say so much thereof as my gross stUe will permit me to deliver. The kingdom of Pegu hath in circuit an hundred and forty leagues, is scituate on the south side in sixteen degrees, and in the heart of the country towards the rhomb of the east it hath an hundred and forty leagues, being invironed aU above with a high ground, named 358 THE TRAVBLS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES Pangavirau, where .the nation of the Bramaas doth inhabit, whose country is fourscore leagues broad, and two hundred long. This monarchy was in times past one sole kingdom, which now it is not, but is divided into thirteen estates of sovereigns, who made themselves masters of it by poysoning their king in a banquet which they made him in the city of Chaleu, as their histories relate : of these thirteen estates, there are eleven that are commanded by other nations, who by a tract of another great country are joyned to all the bounds of the Bramaas, where two great emperors abide, of which the one is called the Siamon, and the other the Galaminlidm, who is the same I purpose onely to treat of. According to report, the empire of the prince is above three hundred leagues breadth, and as much in length, and it is said that anciently it contained seven and twenty kingdoms, the inhabitants whereof spake all one language : within this empire we saw many goodly cities, exceedingly well peopled, and abounding - with aU provisions necessary for . mans life, as flesh, fresh water, fish, com, pulse, rice, pastures, vines, and fruits ; the chief of aU these cities is Timplan, where this emperor, the Calaminham, with his com-t cornmonly resides : it is seated along by a great river, named Pituy, and invironed aU about with two broad walls of earth, made up with strong stone on either side, having'very broad ditches, and at each gate a castle with high towers. Certain merchants af&rmed unto us, that this city had within it some four himdred thousand fires ; and albeit the houses are for the most part not above two stories high, yet in recompence thereof they are built very stately, and with great charge, especially those of the nobUity, and of the merchants, not speaking of the great lords, which are separated by great inclosures, where are spacious outward courts, and at the entring into them arches after the manner of China, as also gardens, and walks planted with trees, and great ponds^ all very handsomely accommodated to the plea- sures and delights of this life, whereunto these people are very much inclined. We were also certified, that both within the inclosure of the city, and a league about it, there were six and twenty hundred Fagodes, some of which, wherein we had teen, were very sumptuous and rich ; indeed (for the rest) the most OF FSBDiNANt) MENDEZ PINTO. 359 of them were but petty houses in the fashion of hermitages. These people follow four and twenty sects, all different one from another, amongst the which there is so great a confusion of errors, and diabolical precepts, principally in that which concerns their bloody sacrifices, as I abhor to speak of them ; but the idol which is most in vogue amongst them, and most frequented, is that whereof I ' have already made mention, called Quiay Frigau, that is to say, The God of the Moats of the Sun; for it is in this false god that the Galaminham believes, and does adore him, and so do all the chiefest lords of the kingdom, wherefore the Grepos, Menigrepos, and Tala- grepos of this false god, are honored far more then all others, and held in the reputation of holy personages ; their superiours, who by an eminent title are called Gabizondos, never know women, as they say ; but to content their bructish and sensual appetites they want not diabolical inventions, which are more worthy of tears then recital. During the ordinary fairs of this city, called by them Ghanduhos, we saw all things there that nature hath created, as iron, steel, • lead, tin, copper, lattin, salt-peter, brimstone, oyl, vermiUion, honey, wax, sugar, lacre, benjamin, divers sorts of stuffes and garments of silk, pepper, ginger, cinamon, linnen cloth, cotton wool, alum, boras, coma- lines, cristal, camphire, musk, ivory, cassia, rhubarbe, turbith, scamony, azure, woad, incense, cochenel, saffron, myrrhe, rich porcelain, gold, silver, rubies, diamonds, emeraulds, saphirs, 'and generally all other kind of things that can be named, and that in so great abundance, as it is not possible for me to speak that which I have seen, and be believed ; women there are ordinarily very white and fair, but that which most commends them is, that they are of a good nature, chast, charitable, and much inclined to compassion. The priests of all these four and twenty sects, whereof there are a very great number in this empire, are cloathed in yellow, like the Boolims of Pegu; they have no money either of gold or silver, but all their com- merce is made with the weight of cates; cacis, maazes, and conderins. The court of the Galaminham is very rich, the nobility exceeding gallant, and the revenue of the lords and princes very great, the king is seated and respected in a mar- vellous manner ; he hath in his court many commanders that 360 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES are strangers, unto whom he giveth great pensions, to serve him ior the safety of his person ; our ambassador was assured, that in the city of Timplaii, where most commonly the court is, there are above threescore thousand horse, and 10000 elephants. The gentlemen of- the country live very hand- somely, and are served in vessels of silver, and sometimes of gold, but as for the common people they use porcelain and lattin ; in summer they are apparelled in sattin, damask, and wrought taffeties, which come from Persia, and in winter in gowns furred with marterns ; there is no going to law amongst them, nor does any man enter into bond there ; but if there be any difference among the common people, certain magistrates, like to our aldermen of wards, do decide it ; and if contention happens to arise between persons of an higher quality, then they submit to the judgement of certain religious men, who are expresly deputed for that purpose, and from them matters pass on in manner of appeal to the Queitor of Justice, which is as the superintendent thereof, from whose sentence there is no appeal, how great and important soever the business be. The monarchy of these seven and twenty kingdoms hath seven hundred provinces, that is six and twenty in every kingdom ; and in the capital town of each of those provinces doth a governor preside, aU of them being of hke and equal power. Now on every new moon, each captain is bound to muster the souldiers that are under his charge, which ordinarily are two thousand foot, five hundred horse, and fourscore fighting elephants, one of the which is called by the name of the capital town of the same province ; so that if one should make a just computation of all those men of war that are in those seven hundred companies of those provinces, they would appear to be seventeen hundred and fifty thousand, whereof there are three hundred and fifty thousand horse, and five and fifty thousand elephants ; for in regard of the great mmiber that there are of those beasts in that country, this emperor stiles himself, in his titles.. Lord of the indomitable force of Elephants. The revenue which the monarch draws from his royal prerogatives, by them called, the price of the Scepter, as also . from his mines, amounts to twenty millions of gold, without comprising therein the presents which are 'given Him OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 361 by the princes, lords and captains, and a great quantity of money that is distributed amongst the men of war, according to every one's merit, which are not of that account. In all this country, pearl, amber, and salt, are very much esteemed of, because they are things that come from the sea, which is far distant from the city of Timplan ; but of all other commodities they have infinite store. The country of it self is very healthy, the air very good, and Jikewise the waters. When they sneeze they use to say, the God of truth is three and one, whereby one may judge that these people have had some knowledge of the Christian reUgion. Being departed from the town of Bidor, we held on our course down the great river of Pituy, and the same day at night we went and lodged at a certain Abby of the land of Quiay Jarem, the god of married folks ; this abby is seated on the bank of the river in a plain, where are a great many of trees planted, and very rich buildings, here the ambassador was well entertained by the Gabizondo and the Talagrepos ; then continuing our voyage seven days longer, we arrived at a town named Pavel, where we staid three days, to furnish our vessels vrith some provisions which we needed ; in this place the ambassador bought divers knacks of China, and other commodities that were sold there at a very cheap rate, as musk, fine porcelains, wrought silks, ermins, and many other sorts of furs, which are much used in. that country, because it is extreme cold there ; these wares were brought thither by great troops of elephants and rhinocero's from a certain far distant province, as the merchants told us, called Friouca- raniaa, beyond the which, they said, was a kind of people called Galogens, and Funcaos, tawny men, and great archers, having their feet Uke unto oxen, but hands like unto other men, save that they are exceeding hairy, they are naturally inclined to cruelty, and have below at the end of the backbone a lump of flesh as big as ones two fists, their dwelling is in mountains. that are very high and rough on some parts, where there are mighty deep pits, or caves, from whence are heard in winter nights most dreadful cries, and doleful lamentations. We were told likewise, that not far from these people there were others, called Calouhos, Timpates, and Bttgems, and a 362 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES good way beyond them some, named Oqucns and Magores, who feed on wild beasts which they catch in hunting, and eat raw, as also on aU kind of contagious creatures, as lizards, serpents, and adders ; they hunt those wild beasts mounted on certain animals, as big as horses, which have three horns in the midst of their foreheads, with thick short legs, and on the middle of their backs a row of prickles, wherewith they prick when they are angry, and aU the rest of the body is like a great lizard ; besides they have on their necks, instead of hair, other prickles far longer and bigger then those on their backs, and on the joynts of their shoulders short wings Uke to the fins of fishes, wherewith they fly, as it were, leaping the length of five or six and twenty paces at a jump. These creatures are called Banazes, upon which these savages ride into the country of their enemies, with whom they hold con- tinual war, and whereof some pay them tribute in salt, which is the thing they make most account of, in regard of the need they have of it, for that they are very far distant from the sea. We spake also with other men called Bumioens, who hve on high mountains, where there are mines of alum and lacre, and great store of wood ; of this nation, we saw a troop conducting of above two thousand oxen, on [whom they had put pack saddles, and so made them to carry their mer- chandise ; these men were very taU, and had eyes and beards like the Ghineses. We saw others hkewise, that had reason- able long beards, their faces full of freckles, and their ears and nostrils pierced, and in the holes thereof small threds of gold made into clasps, these were called CHnaphogaas, and the province whereof they were natives Surobosay, which within the mountains of the Lauhos are bounded with the lake of Ghiammay, and are cloathed with hairy skins, going bare-foot and bare-headed, certain merchants told us that these had great riches, and that all their trafifique was in silver, whereof they had great store. We spake also with another sort of men, called Tuparoens, who are tawny, great eaters, and much- addicted to the pleasures of the flesh ; .these gave us better entertainment then aU the rest, and oftentimes feasted us. Now because in a certain banquet, where we nine Portugals were with the ambassador, one of us, named Francisco Temuda, OF FMBBINAND MENDED PINTO. 363 challenged them to dxink, they taking it for a great afEront, caused the feast to continue the longer for the recovery of their honour ; but the Portugal set on them so lustily, twenty that they were, as he laid them all along drunk on the ground, himself remaining still sober ; when they were out of their drink, the Sapitou, that was their captain, and in whose house the feast had been made, called his company together, which "were above three hundred, and, whether the Portugal would or no, made him to mount upon an JElejoliant, and so lead him through all the town, accompanied with a great multitude of people that followed him at the sound of trumpets, drums, and other such instruments ; the captain himself, as also the ambassador, and the rest of us, together with all the Branums, marching on foot after him, with boughs in our hands, and two men before him on horseback, that rode crying, all ye people, praise with gladness the beams which proceed from the midst of tlie sun, who is the god that -inahes our rice to grow, for that you have lived to see a man so holy, that hnoioing Jiow to drink better tlien all the men of the world, hath laid on the ground twenty of tlie, principal drinkers of our troop, to the end his renoion may be dayly more and more augmented. Where- rmto all the crowd of people that accompanied him, answered with such cries and acclamations, as the very noise thereof frighted all that heard it. In this equipage they lead the Portugal to the ambassadors house, where they set him down with a great deal of respect and many complements ; then on their knees they rendred him to the ambassador, desiring Viim to have a care of him as of an holy man, or the son of some great king, for, said they, it cannot be otherwise, seeing God hath bestowed so great a gift on him, as to know how to drink so well. "Whereupon having made a gathering for him, they got together above two hundred Ungots of silver, which they gave him ; and until the time that we departed he was continually visited by the inhabitants, whereof many presented him with rich pieces of sUk, and other gifts, as if they had made an offering to some saint upon a solemn day of his invocation. After these we saw other men that were very white, named Pavilens, great archers, and good horsemen, apparrelled in cassocks of silk like those of Japan, and that 364 T3E TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES carried their meat to their mouths with little sticks, after the manner of the Gliincses ; these same told us that their country- was called Biiiagorein, and that it was distant from thence about two hundred leagues up the river ; their merchandize was store of gold in powder, like to that of Meuancabo, of the island of Sumatra, as also lacre, aloes, musk, tin, copper, sUk, and wax, which they exchanged for pepper, ginger, salt, wine, and rice : the wives of these men which we saw there are very white, of better conversation then all the rest of those countrys, well natured, and exceeding charitable ; demanding of them what was their law, and what was the divinity that they adored, they answered us. That their gods were tlie sun, tJie lieaven, and, tlie stars, for that from them tliey received by an holy communication all the good that tJiey enjoyed upon earth; and furthermore, tJiat the soul of man was but a breath which ended in the death of tlie body, and tliat aftenuards tumbling up and down in tlie air site mingled her self toith the clouds, until such time as coming to be dissolved into water, she died again upon tlie earth, as the body had done before. I omit an infinite many of such extravagances which were told us, and that gave us good cause to wonder at the blindness and confusion of these wretches, and doth also oblige us to render thanks continually unto God for dehvering us from these errors, and this false behef. Now from the diversity of these unknown nations, which we saw in these parts, it is easie to infer, that in this monarchy of the world there are many countries yet undivided, and unknown to us. CHAPTEE LI. Oar arrival at Pegu. CONTINUING our course from this town of Pavel, we came the next day to a village, caUed Luncor, invironed about the space of three leagues, with a great number of trees of Benjamin, which from this place is transported into the kingdoms of Pegu, and Siam. Erom thence we sailed for nine OF FEBDINAND MFNDEZ PINTO. 305 days together down that great river, all alongst the which we saw many goodly towns ; and then we arrived at another river, called Ventrau, through the which we continued our voyage to Penauchin, the first borrough of the kingdome of Jangumaa, where the ambassador registred his vessels, and all that were within them, because such was the custom of the country. Being departed from thence, we went and lay that night at the Bauditens, which are two strong places belonging .to the Prince of Pancanor. Five da,ys after we came to a great town, called Magdaleu, wliich is the country from whence lacre is brought to Martabano ; the prince thereof, during the time that we stayed there, shewed the ambassador a general muster of all the men of war that he had levied against the King of the Lauhos, with whom he was at difference, because he had repudiated a daughter of his, which he had married three years before, intending to espouse a gentlewoman by whom he had had a son that he had legiti- mated, and made choice of for heir of his kingdom, thereby frustrating his nephew (by his daughter) of his right. Passing on then through the streight of Madur, wherein we sailed five days, we arrived at a village called Mouckell, the first place of the kingdom of Pegu ; there one Glialagonim, a famous Pyrat, that went up and down robbing in this place with thirty Seroos, well equipped, and full of warlike men, assailed us one night, and fighting with us till it was almost day, he handled us in such sort, as it was the great grace of God that we escaped out of his hands ; nevertheless it was not without the loss of five of the twelve vessels that we had, together with an hundred and fourscore of our men, whereof two were Portitr- gals. The ambassador himself had a cut on one of his arms, and two wounds besides with arrow shot, which had almost cost him his life ; all of us likewise were cruelly hurt ; and the present which the Calcrniinham sent to the King of Bramaa, being worth above an hundred thousand ducates, was taken by the pyrat, together with a great .deal of rich merchandize that was in the five vessels, whereof he had made himself master. In this sad equipage we arrived three days after at the city of Martabano, hovQ. whence the ambassador wrote the King a letter, wherein he rendred him an account of all that had 366 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES hapned to him in his voyage, as also in his disaster. Where- upon the King sent presently away a Fleet of sixF . ore Seroos, with a number of choice men, amongst which wer^- '^a hundred Portiigals in quest of this pyrat. fThis fleet having by good fortune discovered him, found that he had put on shore his thirty Servos, wherewith he had assailed us, and was with all his forces retired into a fortress, which was full of divers prizes that he had taken in several parts thereabout; our men immediately attacqued the place, and carried it easily at the very first assault, only with the loss of- some few Bramaas and one Portugal, howbeit many were hurt with arrows, but they recovered in a short time without the maiming of anj' one. As soon as the fortress was gained, all that were found within it were put to the sword, not sparing the Hfe of any, but that of the pyrat, and sixscore otheis of his company, which were led alive to the Bang of Brainaa, who caused them to be cast to his elephants, that instantly dismembred them. In the mean time the taking of this fortress was so advan- tagious to the Portugals that were sent thither, as they returned from thence aU very rich ; and it was thought that five .or six of them got each of them the value of five and twenty, or thirty thousand ducates apiece, and that he which had least had the worth of two or three thousand for his share. After that the ambassador was cured at Martabano of the hurts which he had received in the - jht, he went directly to the city of Pegu, where, as I have declared, the King ol Bramaas court was at that time ; who being advertised of his arrival, and of the letter which he brought him from the Galamiriham, (whereby he accepted of his amity, and allied himself with him) he sent the Gha/wmigrem, his foster-brother, and b-JCtHer-in-law, to receive him ; to which end he set forth, accompanied with all the grandees of the kingdom, and four battalions of strangers, amongst the which were a thousand Portugals commanded by Antonio Ferreira, born in Braguenca, a man of great understanding, and to whom this king gave twelve thousand ducates a year pension, besides the presents which he bestowed on him in particular, that came to little less. Hereupon the King of Bramaa seeing that by this new league God had contented his desire, he,resolved to shew OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 367 himself thankful for so great a favour, wherefore he caused great feasts to be rdade amongst these people, and a number of sacrifices to be offered in the temples, where there was no spare of perfumes, and wherein it was thought there were killed above a thousand stags, cows, and hogs, which were bestowed for an alms among the poor, besides many other works of charity, as the cloathing of five thousand poor folks, and imploying great sums of money in the releasing of a thousand prisoners which were detained for debt. After that these feasts had continued seven whole days together, with a most ardent zeal, and at the incredible charge of the King, lords, and people, news came to the city of the death of the Aixquendoo, Soolim of Mouimy, who was as it were their sovereign bishop, which caused all rejoicings to cease in an instant, and every one to fall into mourning, with great expressions of sorrow. [Here follows a description of tlie funeral ceremonies and an account of the ifistallation of the new Boolim, ontttteif.J V CHAPTEE LH, That whicli the King of Bramaa did after his arrival at the city of Pegu, together with his besieging of Savady. TWO and twenty dayes after the King of Bramaa arrived at the city of Pegu, he perceived by the letter which his ambassadour brought him from the Galammham, that he had concluded the league -with him against the Siamon ; yet in regard the season was not fit for Mm, either to commence that war, or to assail the kingdom of Avaa, as he desired, he resolved to send his foster-brother, unto whom, as I have already declared, he had given the title of lawfull brother, to the siege of Savady, which was some hundred and thirty leagues from thence to the north-east. Having assembled an army'then of an hundred and fifty thousand men, amongst whom were thirty thousand strangers of divers nations, and 368 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES five thousand fighting elephants, besides three thousand others that carried the baggage, and the victualls ; the Ghaumigrem departed from Pegu with a fleet of thirteen hundred rowing vessells, the 15th of the moneth of March. Fourteen dayes after he arrived in the sight of Savady ; and having cast anchor neer to a great plain, called Gumjpalaor, he arrived there six dayes in attending the five thousand elephants which were to come to him by land, which were no sooner arrived, but he began to besiege the town; so that having begirt it round, he assaulted it three times in the open day, and re- treated stiU with very great loss, as well in regard of the notable resistance which they within made against him, as of the extream trouble his people were at in planting their ladders against the walls, by reason of their bad scituation, which was all of slate ; whereupon consulting with his com- manders about what he should do, they were all of opinion to have it battered with the canon on the weakest side, imtiU that by the overthrow of some part of the wall, a breach might be made, whereby they might enter vnth more ease and less danger. This resolution was as soon executed as taken, so that the ingineers feU. to making of two manner of bull- works on the outside upon a great platform, composed of great beams and bavins, which in five dayes they raised up to such an height, as it sm-passed the wall two fathom at the least. This done, they planted on each bulwark twenty great pieces of ordnance wherewith they began to batter the town so valiantly, that in a little time they beat down a pane of the wall; and besides those pieces of battery, there were above three hundred falcons that" shot incessantly, with an intention only to kill those that were in the streets, as indeed they made a great havoc, which was the cause that seeing themselves so 01 entreated, and their people slain in that manner, they re- solved, Uke valiant men as they were, to sell their lives as dearly as they could; -so that one morning having saUied forth by the same breach of the wall which the cannon had made, they gave so valiantly upon those of the camp, that in less then an hour they almost routed the Bramaas whole army. Now because it began to be day, the Savadis thought it fit to re-enter into the town, leaving eight thousand of their OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ FINTO. 369 enemies dead on the place. After this they repaired the breach in a very little time by the means of a rampire of earth, which they made up with bavins and other materialls, that was strong enough to resist the cannon. Hereupon the Chaumigrem seeing the bad success he had had, resolved to make war, both upon the places neer about, as also upon the frontiers that were furthest off from the town ; for which purpose he sent Diosanay, high treasurer of the kingdom, whose slaves we Portugals were, colonel of five thousand men, to spoil a certain borrough, called Yaleutay, which furnished the besieged town with provisions ; but this voyage was so infortunate unto him, that before his arrivall at the designed place, his forces were by two thousand Savadis, whom he incountred by the way, all cut in pieces in less then half an hour, not one escaping with hfe that fell into their enemies hands. Nevertheless, it pleased our Lord that amidst this defeat we saved our selves by the favour of the night, and without knowing whither we went, we took the way of a very craggy mountain, where we marched in exceeding great pain three dayes and an half, at the end whereof we entred into certain Moorish plains, where we could meet with no path or way, nor having other company then tygers, serpents, and other savage beasts, -which put us into a mighty fear. But as our God, whom incessantly we invoked with tears in our eyes, is the true guide of travellers, He out of His infinite mercy permitted, that at length we perceived one evening a certain fixe towards the east, so that continuing our course towards that place where we saw this light, we found our selves the next morning neer to a great lake, where there were some cottages, which in all likelihood were inhabited by very poor people; howbeit not daring to discover our selves as yet, we liid us aU that day in certain hanging precipices that were very boggy, and full of horsleaches, which made us all gore blood. As soon as it was night we fell to marching again untill the next morning, when as we arrived neer to a great river, all alongst the which we continued going for five dayes together. At last with much pain we got to another lake, that was far greater then the former, upon the bank whereof -was a little temple ia the form of an hermitage, and 25 370 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBE8 there we found an old hermite, who gave us the best entettain- ment that possibly he could. This old man permitted us to repose our selves two dayes with him, during which time we demanded many things of him that made for our purpose ; whereunto he alwayes answered according to the truth, and told us, that we were stiU within the territories of the King of Savady, that this lake was called Oreguantor, that is to say, tlie opemng of tlie night ; and the hermitage, the God of succour. Whereupon being desirous to know of him the signification of this abuse, he laid his hand on an horse of brasse, that stood for the "idol upon the altar, and said that he often read in a book, which entreated of the foundation of the kingdom, that sortie two hundred, thirty, and seven years before, this lake being a great town, called Ocumhaleu, a king that was named Avaa had taken it in war, that in acknow- ledgement of this victory, his priests, by whom he was wholly governed, counselled him to sacrifice unto Quiay Chuitor, the god of war, all the young male children which had been made captives ; and in case he did not so, they would when they became men regain the kingdom from him. The . King apprehending the event of this threatning, caused all these children, being fourscore and five thousand in number, to be brought all into one place, and so upon a day that was kept very solemn amongst them, he made them to be put most inhumanely to the edge of the sword, with an intent to have them burned the next morning in sacrifice ; but the night following there came a great earthquake, and such lightning and fire from heaven upon the town, as within less then half an hour it was quite demolished, and all that was in it reduced to nothing ; so that by this just judgement of God, the King, together with all his, were e.tricken dead, not so much as one escaping ; and besidel them thirty thousand priests in like manner, who ever since during all the new moons are heard to cry and roar so dreadfully, that all the inhabitants thereabouts were ready to go besides themselves with fear ; by reason whereof the country was utterly depopu- lated, no other habitation remaining therein, save only four- score and five hermitages, which were erected in memory of the fourscore and five thousand children, whom the King had caused to be butchered through the evill counsell of his priests. OF FEBDli^AND MENDEZ PiNTO. 371 CHAPTEE LIII. A continnation of the success whioh we had in this voyage, with my dejiar- tnre from Goa to Zunda, and what passed during my abode there. WE past two dayes in this hermitage, where, as I declared before, we were very well entertained by the hermite ; the third day after betimes in the morning we took our leave of him, and departed from thence not a httle afflicted with that which we had heard, and so all the same day and the night following we continued on our way along by the river ; the next morning we arrived at a place where were a great many of sugar canes, of which we took some, for that we had nothing else to nourish us withall. In this manner we marched still along by this river, which we kept for a guide of our voyage, because we judged that how long soever it were, yet would it at last ingulfe it self in the sea, where we hoped that our Lord would raise us up some remedy for our miseries. The day ensuing we arrived at a village called Pommiseray, where we hid our selves in a very thick wood from being descried by passengers, and two hours within night we continued our design in following the current of the river, . being resolved to take our death in good part, if it should please God to send it us, for to put an end to so many suffer- ings as we had undergone day and night ; and without lying, the apprehension and visions of this last end troubled us more then death it self, wherewith we imagined our selves to be already ensnared. At the end of seventeen dayes, that this painfull and sad voyage had lasted, God shewed us so much grace, that during the obscurity of a very rainy night we dis- covered a certain light little more then a f aulcon shot before us; the fear we were in at the first that we were neer some town, made us to stand still for a good space; without knowing what to resolve upon, untiU we observed that this light seemed to move, whereby we conjectured that it was some vessel which went from one port to another ; as indeed half an hour after we perceived one, wherein there were nine persons, who approaching to the bank of the river, neer to the place where S72 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES ■we were, landed all in a creek that was there in the form of an haven, and presently making a fire, they began to prepare their supper, which was no sooner ready, but they fell to eating with great demonstrations of mirth, wherein they bestowed a pretty good time. At length when they were weU replenished with meat and drink, it happened that aU nine of them, amongst whom there were three women, fell fast asleep ; whereupon seeing that we could not find a more favourable occasion to make our benefit of this adventm'e, we went aU eight of us very softly into the barque, that stuck half in the ouze, and was tyed fast to a great stake, which pushing forth with our shoulders we set aflote ; and then imbarquing our selves in it vrith aU speed, we began to row down the river with as little noyse as possibly we could make. Now in regard the current of the water and the wind were both very favourable imto us, we found our selves the next morning above ten leagues from the place whence we parted, namely, neer to a Pagode, called Quiay Hinarel, that is to say, the God of Sice, where we met but only with one man and seven and thirty women, the most of them old, and reUgionaries of this temple, who received us with a great deal of charity, although in my opinion they did it rather out of fear of us, then any -mil that they had to do us good. Having questioned them about many things which served for our purpose, they could give us no pertinent answer thereunto, alledging still, that they were but poor women, who upon a solemn vow had renounced all things in the world, and confined themselves into this inclosure, where they bestowed aU their time in continual! prayer to Quiay Ponuedea, which moves the clouds of heaven, that he would be pleased to give them rain, where- by their grounds might be made fruitful! to produce them abundance of rice. In this place we spent aU the day in caulking our barque, and furnishing our selves at these re- ligious womens cost, with rice, sugar, French beans, onyons, and some smoak-dried flesh, wherewith they were sufiiciently provided. Being parted from hence about an hour within night, we continued our course with our oars and sails for seven whole dayes together, without so much as once daring to touch the land, so much were we in fear of some disaster OF FEBDINAND MENBEZ PINTO. 373 that might easily arrive to us from those places which we saw aU aloBgst the river. But as it is impossible to avoid that here below which is determined there above, just at the instant as we were continuing on our course, all confused as we were, and in a perpetuall alarm, by reason of the danger that was alwayes present before om* eyes, as well for that which we saw, as for that we were in doubt of, our ill hap would have it, that an hour before day, as we past thorough the mouth of a ehannell, three Paraos of pyrats assaulted us with such violence, and with so many different sorts of darts, which they showred upon us, that within less then two Gredoes, they had killed three of our companions ; as for us five that remained, we cast our selves into the sea, all bloudy as we were with the wounds which we had received, whereof two others died a Uttle after. When as we were got ashore we hid our selves in the woods, where we past all that day in lamenting our present mishap after so many fortunes as we had run thorough before time. Thus wounded as we were, parting from thence in more hope of death then life, wa proceeded on our way by land, with so much pain and irreso- lution concerning what we were to do, as we felL many times a weeping, without being able to comfort one another, in regard of the small likelihood there was of saving our lives by any humane means. As we were reduced to this deplor- able estate, with two of our companions ready to die, it pleased our Lord (whose succour doth ordinarily supply our defects) that in a place where we found our selves upon the bank of the water, there chanced to pass by a vessel, wherein there was a Christian woman, named Violenta, who was married to a Pagan, to whom this vessel appertained, which he had laden with cotton wooll to sell off at Gosmin ; this woman no sooner perceived us, but moved with pity at the sight of us, Jesus, cried she, these are Christians which I behold 1 that said, she caused the vessel wherein she was to come to the shore, and leaping on land, together with her husband, they feU both of them to imbracing us with tears in their eys, and then made us to be imbarqued with them ; presently whereupon this vertuous dame took a care to have our wounds drest, and provided us of cloaths the best that 874 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES she could, rendring us many other good offices of a true and charitable Christian. Then setting aside aU fear, we parted from this place with all speed, and five dayes after thorough Gods grace we arrived safely at the town of Cosmin, which is a part of the sea in the kingdom of Pegu, where in the house of this good Christian woman we were so well looked unto, that in a short time we found our selves thoroughly cm'ed of all our hurts. Now whereas there is never any want in the grace which God doth to his creatures, it pleased Him that at that very time we met in this port with a ship, whereof Luis de Montorrayo was master, who was upon the poynt of setting sail for Bengala ; so that after we had taken our leave of our hostess, to whom we rendred many thanks for aU the benefits which we had received of her, we imbarqued our selves with the said Luis de Montorrayo, who hkewise entreated us ex- ceeding well, and furnished us abundantly with all that was necessary for us. At our arrivall at the port of Chatigan in the kingdom of Bengala, where there was at that time many Portugals, I instantly imbarqued my self in the foist of a certain merchant, called Fernando Caldeyra who was bound for Goa, where it pleased God I arrived in good health. There I found Pedro de Faria, who had been Captain of Malaca, and by whom I had been sent as ambassador to the Chmuhanhaa of Mariabano, as I have declared heretofore. To him I ren- dred an exact account of all that had past, for which he shewed himself very sorrowful, and accommodated me with divers things, whereunto his conscience and generosity obUged him, in regard of the goods which I had lost for his occasion. A little after, that I might not lose the opportunity of the season, I imbarqued my self with an intention to go to the southward, and once more to try my fortune in the kingdoms of China and Japan, to see if in thosa countries where I had so many times lost my coat, I could not find a better then that I had on. Being imbarqued at Goa in a junck that belonged to Pedro de Faria, which was bound in way of trade for Zunda, I arrived at Malaca the same day that Buy vas Pereyra, termed Marramaque died, who was -then captain of the fortress there. Being departed from ihat place to go to Zunda, at the end of . OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 875 seventeen days I arrived at Santa, where the Portugals are accustomed to traffique. And because there vsras at that time great scarcity of pepper over all the country, and that vre came thither of purpose for it, we were constrained to pass the winter there, with a resolution to go for China the year following. We had been almost two moneths in this port, where we exercised our commerce very peaceably, whfin as from the King of Demaa, Emperor of all the islands of Jaoa, Angenia, Bala, Madura, and of the rest of the islands of that Archipelago, there landed in this country a widow woman, named mxiy Pombaya, about the age of threescore years, who came as ambassador to Tagaril, King of Zunda, that was also his vassal as well as all the rest of that monarchy, for to tell him that he was within the term of six weeks to be in person at the town of Japara, where he was then making preparation to invade the kingdom of Passaruan. When this woman arrived in this port, the King went in person to the vessel where she was, from whence he carried her to his palace with great pomp, and put her into the company of his wife for her better entertainment, whilest he himself retired to another lodging farther off to do her the more honor. Now that one may know the reason wherefore this ambassage was executed rather by a woman then a man, you must note, that it hath always been the custom of the Kings of this kingdom to treat of the most important matters of their state by mediation of women, especially when it concerns peace, which they observe not only in particular messages that are sent by the lords to their vassals, (such as this was) but also in matter of publique and general affairs, which is performed by ambassage from one king to another ; and aU the reason they give for it, is ; That God hath given more gentleness and incliimtion to courtesiei yea and more authority to women then to men, who are severe, as they say, and hy conseguent less agreeable to those unto whom they are sent: Now it is their opinion, that every &ne of those women which the kings are accustomed to send about affairs of importance, ought to have certain quaUties for weU execut- ing of an ambassage, and worthily discharging the commission which is granted to them : for first of all, they say. That sh/j must not be a maid, for fear she chance to lose her honor in 376 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES going out of lier house, because that even as with her beauty sJie contents every one, so by the same reason she may be a motive of discord and unquietnes in matters where unity is required, ratlier tlien an access to concord, and tlie peace which is pre- tended unto. To this they add, that site must be married, or at leastwise a widow after a lawful marriage ; that if she have had children, she must have a certificate how she liath given them all such with her own breasts, alledging tlieretipon, that she who hath born children, and doth not nourish tliem if she can, is rather a carnal, voluptuous, corrupted, and dishonest woman, then a true mother. And this custom is observed so exactly over all this country, principally amongst persons of quality, that if a mother hath a chUd which she cannot give suck unto for some valuable consideration, she must make an attestation thereof, as of a thing very serious, and much importing her honor. That if being -young too she happens to lose her husband, and becomes a widdovr, she must for the better testifying of her vertue enter into religion, to the end she may thereby shew, that she did not formerly marry for the pleasure which she expected from her marriage, but to have children, according to the pure and honest intention, wherewith God joyned together the first married couple in the terrestial paradise. Furthermore, that there might be nothing to be found fault with in the purity of their marriage, and that it might be altogether comformable to the law of God, they say, that after a woman is with child, she ought no longer to have the company of her husband, because the same could not then be but dishonest and sensual. To these conditions they add many others which I will pass over in silence, for that I think it unreasonable to use prolixity in matters that I hold worthy of excuse, if I do not relate them at length. In the mean time after that Nhay Pombaya had delivered her embassage to the King of Zunda, as I have declared before, and treated with him about the occasion which brought her thither, she presently departed from this town of Banta ; whereupon the King having speedily prepared all things in readiness, he set sail with a fleet of thirty Galaluzes, and ten Juripangoes, well furnished with ammunition and victual, in which forty vessels there were 7000 fighting men, besides the mariners and rowers. OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 377 Amongst this number were forty Fortugals, of six and forty that we were in all, in regard whereof they did us many particular favors in the business of our merchandize, and publikely confessed, that they were much obliged to us for foUowing them as we did, so that we should have had little reason to have excused our selves from accompanying them in this war. CHAPTEE LIV. The expedition of the Pangueyran, Emperor of Jaoa, and King of Demaa, against the King of Passeruan, and all that which passed in this war. TEE King of Zunda being departed from the port of Banta the 5th day of January, in the year 1546, arrived on the 19th of the same at the town of Japara, where the Eing of Demaa, Emperor of this island of Jaoa, was then making his preparatives, having an army on foot of eight hundred thousand men. This prince being advertised of the King of Zunia's coming, who was his brother-in-law and vassal, he sent the King of Panaruca, Admiral of thq fleet, to receive him, who brought along with him an hundred and threescore Galaluzes, and ninety Lanchares, fuU of Luffons from the Isle of Borneo : with all this company he arrived where the King of Zunda was, who entertained him very courteously, and with a great deal of honor. Fourteen days after our coming to this town of Japara, the King of Demaa went and imbarqued himseM for the kingdom of Passaruan in a fleet of two thousand and seven hundred sails, amongst the which were a thousand high built juncks, and aU the rest were vessels vnth oars. The 11th of February he arrived at the river of Hicandurea, which is at the. entrance of the bar ; and because the King of Panaruca, Admiral of the fleet, perceived that the great vessels could not pass unto the port, which was two leagues off, by reason of certain shelves of sand that were in divers parts of the river, he caused all those that were in them to be disimbarqued, and the other vessels vnth oars to go and anchor in the road before the town, with an intention to 378 TBE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES burn the ships that were in the port, which indeed wag accordingly executed. In this army was the Emperor Pangueyran in person, accompanied with all the grandees of the kingdom ; the King of Zunda, his brother in law who was General of the army, went by land with a great part of the forces, and being aU arrived at the place where they meant to pitch their camp, they took care in the first place for the fortifying thereof, and for placing the canon in the most commodious places to batter the town, in which labour they bestowed the most part of the day. As for the night ensuing it was spent in rejoycings, and keeping good watch until such time as it was day, when as each captain applied himself to that whereunto his duty obliged him, all in general imploying themselves according to the ingineers directions, so that by the second day the whole town was invironed with high Pallisadoes, and their platforms fortified with great beams, whereupon they planted divers great pieces of ordnance, amongst the which were eagles and Hons of metal, that the Achems and Turks had cast, by the invention of a certain Benegado, born in the kingdom of Algarues, appertaining to the crown of Portugal ; and by reason this wicked wretch had changed his belief, he called himself Goia Geinal : for as for the name which he had before when Jie was a Christian, I am contented to pass it over in silence for the honor of his family, being indeed of no mean extraction. In the mean time the besieged having taken notice how ill-advised they had been in suffering the enemies to labor two whole days together peaceably in fortifying of their camp, without any impeach- ment of theirs ; and taking the same for a great affront, they desired their King to permit them to fall upon them the night following, alledging how it was probable that men wearied with labor, could not make any great use of their arms, nor be able to resist this first impetuosity. The King, who at that time commanded the kingdom of Passaruan, was yong, and indued with many excellent quaUties which made him to be exceedingly beloved of all his subjects ; for as it wag reported of him, he was very liberal, no maner of tyrant, exceedingly affable to the common people, a friend to the poor, and so charitable towards widows, that if they acquainted OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 379 him with their necessities, he reUeved them instantly, and did them more good then they asked of him. Besides these perfections that were so recom m endable , he possessed some others so comfortable to mens desires, as there was not any one that would not have exposed his Ufe a thousand times for his service if need had been. Furthermore he had none but choice men with him, even the flower of all his kingdom, besides many strangers, upon whom he conferred much wealth, honor, and many graces, which he accompanied with good words, that being indeed the means whereby the minds both of great and small are so strongly gained, that they make them lions of sheep, whereas carrying ones self other waySj of generous hens, they are made fearful hares. This king then examining the request which his people made unto him, and referring himself to the advice of the antientest and most prudent counceUors of his state which were with him, ■there was a great contention about the success that the affairs might have ; but in the end, by the counsel of all in general, it was concluded. That in case fortune sJwuld be altogether adverse unto them in this sally which they meant to make -against their enemies, yet would it be a much less evil, and less considerable affront, then to see the King so besieged by vile people, who agadnst all reason would reduce them by force to quit their belief, wherein they had been bred by their fathers, to imbrace another new one by the suscitation of the Farazes, who place their salvation in not eating of swines flesh, and marrying of seven wives, whereby the best advised may easily judge, that God was so much their enemy, as he would not assist them in any thing, seeing that with so great offence they would under pretext of religion, and with reasons so full of contradic- tion, compel their king to become a Mahometan, and render himself tributary to them. To these reasons they added many others which the King, and they that were with him, found to be so good, as they all with one common consent agreed there- unto, which is an evident mark, that it is a thing no less natural for a good subject to expose his life for his king, then for a vertuous wife to conserve her chastity for the husband which God hath given her : this being so, said they, a matter of so great importance was no longer to be deferred, but we 380 TEB TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES all in general, and each one in particular, are by this sally to make demonstration of the extreme affection which we bear to our good king, who we are assured will never be unmindful 9f them that shall fight best for his defence, which is all the inheritance we desire to leave to our children. Whereupon it was resolved that the night following they should make a sally upon their enemies. Whereas the joy, which this designed sally brought to all the inhabitants of the town, was general, they never stayed tiU they were called, but two hours after midnight, and before the time which the King had appointed, they assembled all in a great place, which was not far from the royal palace, and where they of the country had accustomed to keep their fairs, and to solemnize their most remarkable feasts on those principal days which were destined to the invocation of their Pagodes. The King in the mean time, wonderfully content to see such heat of courage in them,' of seventy thousand in- habitants which were in the town, drew out twelve thousand only for this enterprise, and divided them into four companies, each of them containing three thousand, whereof an unkle of the Kings was General, a man whom experience had rendred very knowing in such undertakings, and that marched in the head of the first company. Of the second was captain another of the principal Mandarins ; of the third a stranger, a Chanvpaa by nation, and born in the island of Borneo ; and of the fourth one called Panbacaluio ; aU of them good commanders, very valiant, and exceeding expert in matters of war. When they were aU ready, the King made them a speech, whereby he succinctly represented unto them the confidence which he had in them touching this enterprise. After which, the better to encourage them, and assure them of his love, he took a cup of gold and drunk to them all, causing the chiefest of them to pledge him, and craving pardon of the rest, for that the time would not permit them to do the like. This gracious carriage of his so encouraged the souldiers, that without further delay the most part of them went and anointed themselves with Minhamundi, which is a certain confection of an odoriferous oyl, wherewith these people are accustomed to frote themselves with, when they OF FEMDtNAND MENDEZ PINTO. 381 have taken a full resolution to die, and these same are ordinarily called Amacos. The hour being come wherein this sally was to be made, four of twelve gates that were in the town were opened, thorow each of the which sallied forth one of the four captains with his company, having first sent out for spies into the camp six Orohalons, of the most vaUant that were about the King, whom he had honored vnth new titles, and with such special favors as use to give courage to them that want it, and to encrease it in them that are endued with some resolution. The four captains marched a little after the six spies, and weni and joyned all together in a certain place, where they were to fight with the enemies : whereupon falling into the midst of them with a marvellous impetuosity, they fought so valiantly, that in less then an hours time, which the fight endured, the twelve thousand Fassaruans left about thirty thousand enemies upon the place, besides those that were wounded, which were in a far greater number, and whereof many died afterwards. Fm-thermore they took prisoner three kings, and eight Pates, which are as the dukes amongst us; the King of Zunda too, with whom we forty Portiigais were, could not so save himself, but that he was liurt with a lance in three places, a number being kiUed in defending him. Thus was the camp put in so great disorder, as it V7as almost destroyed, the Pangueyran himself being woimded with a dart, and constrained to leap into the water, where little lacked but that he had' been drowned. Whereby one may see what the force of a nmnber of resolute and fearless men is against such as are surprised when least they think of it ; for before that the enemies could know what they did, or the commanders could j)ut their souldiers into order, they were twice routed. The next morning, as soon as the day gave them leave to know the truth of the business, the Passeruans retired into the town, where they found that they had not lost above nine hundred of their men, nor more then two or three thousand hm:t. It is scarcely to be believed how much the King of Demaa was grieved with the disaster of the former day, as well for the affront which he received from those within by the loss of -his people, as for the bad success of the beginning of this 382 TSE TBAVELS, rOYA(}BS, AND ADVENTUBES siege, whereof he seemed in some sort to impute the fault unto our King of Zunda, saying, that this fortune had hapned by the bad directions he had given to the sentinels. Now after he had commanded that the wounded should be drest, and the dead bmried, he called to councel all the kings, princes, and captains of the forces that he had, both by land and water, unto whom he said, Tliat lie had made a solemn vow, and oath upon the Mazajjlw of Mahomet, which is their Alcoran, or the hook of their law, never to raise the siege from hefore this town, until he had utterly destroyed it, or lost his own state therein. "Whereunto he added, Tliat he ^protested he would put to death whomsoever should oppose this resolution of his, what reason soever he could alledge iliereupon ; which begot so great a terror in the minds of all that heard him, as there was not one that durst contradict his- wiU, but contrarily they infinitely approved and com- mended it. He used then aU Mnd of diligence for the new fortifying of the camp with good ditches, strong paUisadoes, and divers bulworks made of stone and timber, garnished on the inside with their platforms, where he caused a great many of cannons to be planted, so that by this means the camp was stronger then the town it self, in regard whereof the besieged did often times jeer the sentinels without, teUing them. That it must needs be concluded they were notorious cowards, since instead of besieging their enemies like valiant men, they besieged themselves like feeble women, wherefore they hid them return home to their houses, where it was fitter for them to fall to spinning, then to make war. These were the jeers which they ordinarily put upon the besiegers, who were greatly offended with them. This town had been almost three moneths besieged, and yet had the enemies advanced but little ; for during all that time, wherein there had been five batteries and three assaults given to it, with above a thousand ladders planted - against the walls, the besieged defended themselves stUl like valiant and- com-agiou3 men, fortifying themselves with coimter-mires which they opposed to the breaches, which they made with pieces of timbet taken fropi the houses ; so that all the power of the Pangueyran, which (as; I have declared) was about eight OF FEBDH^AND MBNDEZ PINTO. 883 hundred thousand men, whereof the number -was much diminished, was not able to give him entrance into it. Hereupon the principal ingineer of the camp, who was a renegado of Maillorque, seeing that this affair had not a success answerable to what he had promised the Eing, he resolved to take another far different com-se. To that effect, with a great amass of earth and bavins he framed a kind of a platform, which he fortified with six rows of beames, and wrought so, that in nine days he raised it a fathom higher then the wall; that done, he planted forty great pieces of cannon upon it, together with a number of bases and faul- conets, wherewith he feU to battering the town in such sort, as the besieged were therewith mightily damnified, so that the King perceiving that this invention of the enemy was the only thing in the world that could most incommodate him in the town, he resolved by the means of ten thousand volunteers, who had offered themselves unto him for that purpose, and to whom for a mark of honor he gave the title of Tygers of tJie World, to attacque this fort, and they that were upon it ; this matter was no sooner resolved upon, but was presently put in execution, and for the better incouragement of them, the King himself would be their captain, albeit this whole enterprise was governed by the fom: Panaricons, which had formerly commanded in the first sally. Having put themselves into the field then with the rising of the sun, they fought so vaHantly without any fear at aU of the dreadful ordnance, which were plaiuted on the platform, as in less then two Credoes they got to the top of it, and there setting on the enemies, who were thirty thousand in number, they defeated them aU in a very short time. The Pangueyran of Pate seeiag his forces thus routed, ran thither in person with twenty thousand choice souldiers, intending to beat the Passeruans from the place which they had gained ; but they defended it so couragiously, as it is not possible to express it in words. This bloody battel having indure4,tiU evening, the Passeman, who had lost the most part of his men, made his retreat into the town by the gate that was next to the platform, whereunto having first set fire in six or seven places, it took hold of some barrels of powder, whereof there was great store there, 384 TBB TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES which inflamed it bo terribly in several parts, as it was not possible to approach unto it by the space of a flight shoot ; this accident was very favorable to the besieged, because the enemies were thereby kept from joyning together, and so the towD. was for this time preserved from the great danger where- withal it was threatned; howbeit the Passertums scap't not so scot-free, but that of the ten thousand volunteers imployed in this service, six thousand remained dead on the top of the platform. True it is, that in the Fangueyran part there was above forty thousand killed, amongst the which were three thousand strangers of divers nations, the most part Achems, Turks, and Malabares, as also twelve Pates, or dukes, five kings, with many other commanders, and men of quaUty. CHAPTBE LV. The death of the King of Demaa by a very strange accident, and that which ensued thereuijon. TO come again now to our history, you are to understand, that the Fangueyran of Fata, King of Demaa, being certified by some of the enemies whom his men had taken prisoners, of the piteous estate whereunto the besieged were reduced, the most part of them dead, their ammunition failing, and their king dangerously hurt; all these things together carried bim more ardently than ever to the assault, which he had purposed with himself to give to the besieged town. He resolved then to scale it in plain day, and to assault it with more violence then before, so that instantly great preparations were made over all the camp, where divers Serjeants at arms, on horseback, and carrying maces on their shoulders, went proclaiming aloud, after 'the men of war had been made to assemble together with the sound of trumpets. The Pangueyran of Para by the power of him who hath created all things. Lord of the Lands which inviron the Seas, being willing to discover unto all in general the secret of his soul, doth let you know, that nine days hence he will have you be in a readiness, to the end that OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 885 with the courages of tygers, and radouhlad forces , you assist him in tlis assault which he intends to give unto the town, for a recommence whereof he liberally promiseth to do great favors, as tvell in -money, as in honorable and remarhable titles, to those five souldiers which first of all shall plant colours on the enemies walls, or that shall perform actions which slmll he agreeable to him. Whereas, contrarily, they which do not carry themselves valiantly in this enterprise, conformably to his pleasure, shall be executed by the way of justice, witliout any regard liad to their condition. This ordinance of the kings, full of menaces, being published over every part of the camp, put them into such an alarm, as the commanders began incontinently to make them- selves ready, and to provide all things necessary for this assault, vfithout scarce taking any rest either day or night, making withal so great a noise, by interminghng their hues and cries with the sounds of drums, and other instrmnents of war, as it could not be heard without much terror. In the mean time, whereas of the nine days, destined for the purpose aforesaid, seven were already past, so as there rested no more but two, at the end whereof an assault was to be given to the town, one morning as the Pangueyran sate in coimcel, to resolve of the affairs of this siege with the principal lords of his army, as also of the means, of the time, and places, whereby they were to assault the town, and of other necessary things, it was said, that from the diversity of opinions, which the one and the other had, there arose so great a contention amongst them, as the king was constrained to take every ones advice in writing. During this time, whereas he had always neer about him a young page, who carried Bethel, an herb whose leaves are like unto plaintain, which these Pagans are accustomed to chaw, because it makes them have a sweet breath, and also purges the humours of the stomaek ; he asked this page then for some of it, who at first seemed not to hear him, being much about twelve or thirteen years old, for I hold it fit to make mention of his age, in regard of that I am to say of him hereafter. Now to return to the Pangueyran, as he was continuing his discourse with his coimcel of war, thorow much speaking, and somewhat in choler, his mouth became dry, 60 that he asked the page again for some Bethel, which 26 386 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES he ordinarily carried in a little box of gold, but he heard him no more this second time then he had done the first ; insomuch as the King having asked him for some the third time, one of the lords that was neer to the page pulled him by the sleeve, and bid him give the King some Bethel, which immediately he did, and falling on his knees he presented him with the box which he had in his hands ; the King then took two or three leaves of it, as he used to do, and without being otherwise angry, giving him a light touch with his hand on the head, art thou deaf, said he unto him, that thou amidst not hear mel and thereupon re-entred into discourse with them of his councel. Now because these Ja^as are the most punetillious and perfidious nation of the world, and that withal they of this country hold it for the greatest affront that can be done them, when one gives them a touch on the head, this young page imagining that the King had touched him so out of a mark of so great a contempt, as he should thereby be made infamous for ever, though indeed none of the company took notice of it, he went aside weeping and sobbing by himself, and in the end resolved to revenge the injury which the King had done him, BO that drawing out a little knife which he wore at his girdle, he stabbed the King vrith it into the midst of the left pap, and so because the blow was mortal, the King fell instantly down on the ground, not able to say any more then these two or three words, I am dead ^ wherewith all those of the council were so frighted, as it is not possible to express it. After that this commotion was a little calmed, they fell first unto looking to the King, to see if some remedy might not be applied to his wound ; but because he was hurt just in the heart there was no hope of recovery, so that he died within a very short time after. Presently they seized on the page, whom they put to torture, by reason of some suspitions which they had upon this accident, but he never confessed any thing, and said nought else, save, That he had done it of his own free will, and to he revenged of the blow which the King had given Mm on his' head by way of contempt, as if he had stntcJc some dog that was barhing up and down the streets in the night, without considering thai he was the son of the Pate Pondan, Lord of, Surebayaa. The page then was impaled alive, with OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 387 a good big stake, •which came out at the nape of his neck. As much -was done to his father, to three of his brothers, and to threescore and twelve of his kinsmen, so that his -whole race was exterminated, upon which so cruel and rigorous an execution, many great troubles ensued afterwards in all the country of Jaca, and in all the islands of Bale, Tymor, and Madura, which are very great, and whereof the govern ours are sovereigns by their laws, and from all antiquity. After the end of this execution, question was made what should be done with the Kings body, whereupon there were many different opinions amongst them; for some said that to bury him in that place was as much as to leave him in the power of the Passeruans ; and others, that if he were transported to Demaa, - where his tomb was, it was not possible but that it would be corrupted before it arrived there ; whereunto was added, that if they interred him so putrified and corrupted, his soul could not be received into Paradise, according to the law of the country, which is that of Malwmet, wherein he died. After many contestations thereupon, in the end they followed the counsel which one of our Portugals gave them, that was so profitable to him afterwards, as it was worth him above ten thousand ducates, wherewith the lords rewarded him as it were in vye of one other for a recompence of the good service which he did then to the deceased. This counsel was, that they should put the body into a coffin fuU.of lime and camphire, and so bury it in a junck also fuU of earth ; so that albeit the thing was not so marvellous of it self, yet left it not to be very profitable to the Portugals, because they all found it very good, and well invented, as indeed the success of it was such, as by means thereof the Kings body was carried to Demaa, without any kind of corruption or ill savour. As soon as the Kings body was put into the junck appointed for it, the King of Zunda, General of the army, caused the great ordinance and the ammunition to be imbarqued, and with the least noyse that might be committed to safe custody the most precious things the King had, together with all the treasures of the tents. But whatsoever care and silence was used therein, the enemy could not be kept irom having some inkling of it, and from understanding how things went in the 388 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES camp, so that instantly the King marched out of the town in person, with onely three thousand souldiers of the past confederacy, who by a solemn vow caused themselves to be anointed with the oyl which they call Minhwnmdi, as men resolved, and that had vowed themselves to death. Thus fully determined as they were, they went and fell upon the enemies, whom finding busie in trussing up their baggage, they entreated so ill, as in less than haU an hours space, for no longer lasted the heat of the fight, they cut twelve thousand of them in pieces. "Withal they took two kings, and five pates, or dukes, prisoners, together with above three hundred Turks, Abyssines, and Achems, yea and their Gacismoubatia, the sove- reign dignity amongst the Mahometans, by whose counsel the Paiigueyran was come thither. There were also four hundred ships burnt, wherein were the hurt men, so that by this means all the camp was neer lost. After this the King retreated into the town with his men, whereof he lost but four hundred. In the mean time the King of Zunda having caused the remainder of the army to be re-imbarqued with all speed the same day, being the 9th of March, they set sail directly for the city of Demaa, bringing along with them the body of the Pangueyran, which upon the arrival thereof was received by the people with great cries, and strange demon- strations of an universal mourning. The day after a review was taken of all the men of war, for to know how many were dead, and there was found missing an himdred and thirty thousand; whereas the Passenians, according to report, had lost but five and twenty thousand ; but be it as.it wUl, and let fortune make the best market that she can of these things, yet they never arrive, but the field is dyed with the bloud of van- quishers, and by a stronger reason with that of the vanquished, to whom these events do always cost far dearer, then to the others. The same day there was question of creating a new Pangueyran, who, as I have said heretofore, the Emperour over all the Pates and kings of that great Archipelxigo, which the Ghineses, Tartar, Japon, and Lequio, historians are wont to call Baterra Vendau, that is to say, the Eye-lid of the World, as one may see in the card, if the elevation of the heights prove true. Now because that after the death of the Panguey- OP FEBt)INAIfD MENt)EZ PINTO. 889 fan, there was not a lawful! successor to be found that might inherit this crown, it was resolved that one should be made by election ; for which effect by the common consent of aU, eight men were chosen, as heads of all the people, to create a Pan- gueyran. These same assembled then together in a house, and after order had been taken for the pacifying of all things in the city, they continued seven whole days together without being able to come to any agreement about the election ; for whereas there were eight pretendents of the principal lords of the kingdom, there were found amongst these electors many different opinions, which proceeded from this, that the most part, or all of them, were neerly allied to the eight, or to their kinsmen, so that each one laboured to make him Pangueyran which was most to his minde. Whereupon the inhabitants of the city, and the souldiers of the army, making use of this delay to their advantage, as men who imagined that this affair would never be terminated, and that there would be no chas- tisement for them, they began shamelesly to break out into all kinde of actions fuU of insolency and mahce. And foras- much as there was a great number of merchant ships in the port, they got aboard them, and fell pell-mell to rifling both of strangers and those of the country, with so much hcen- tiousness, as it was said, that in four days they took an hundred junks, wherein they kiUed about sis thousand men ; whereof notice being given to the King of Panaruca, Prince of Palambtiam, and Admiral of the Sea of this Empire, he ran thither with aU speed, and of the number of those which were convicted of manifest robbery, he caused fourscore to be hanged all along the shore, to the terrour of those that should behold them. After this action, Quiay Ansedeaa, Pate,, or Duke of Gherhom, who was Governour of the town, and greatly in authority, taking this which the King of Panaruca had done for ■ a manifest contempt, because he had, said he, little respected the charge of governour, was so mightily offended at it, as having instantly got together about six or seven thousand men, he went and fell upon this kings palace, with an intent to seize upon his person ; but the Panaruca resisted him vrith his followers, and as it was said, he endeavoured with many complements to justifie himself to him all that ever S90 THB TBAVELS, VOYA(iES, AND ADVENTVBM he could ; whereunto Quiay Ansedeaa was so far from having any regard, as contrarily entring by force into his house he slew thirty or forty of his men ; in the mean time so many people ran to this mutiny as it was a dreadful thing to behold. For whereas these two heads were great lords, one Admiral of the fleet, the other Governoiir of the town, and both of them allied to the principal families of the country, the devil sowed so great a division amongst them, as if night had not separated the fight, it is credible that not one of them had escaped; nevertheless the. difference went yet much farther, and ended not so, for the men of war, who were at that time above sis hundred thousand in number, coming to consider the great affront which Quiay Ansedeaa, Govemour of the town, had done to their admiral, they to be revenged thereof went all ashore the same night, the Faiiaruca not being of power enough to keep them from it, notwithstanding he laboured all that he could to do it. Thus all of them animated and trans- ported with wrath; and a desire of revenge, went and set upon Quiay Ansedeaa' s house, where they slew him, and ten thousand men ; wherewith not contented, they assaulted the town in ten or eleven places, and fell to killing and plundering all that ever they met with, so that they carried themselves therein with so much violence, as in three days alone, which was as long as the siega of this town lasted, nothing remained that was not an insupportable object to the sight. There was withaU so great a confusion of howl- ing, weeping, and heavy lamentation, as aU that heard it could think no other but that the earth was going to turn topsy- turvy. In a word, and not to lose time in aggravating this with superfluous speeches, the town was all on fire, which burnt to the very foxmdations, so that according to report there were above an hundred thousand houses consumed, above three hundred thousand persons cut in pieces, and almost as many made prisoners, which were led away slaves, and sold in divers countries. Besides, there was an infinite of riches stoUen, whereof the value, as it was said, onely in silver and gold, amounted even to forty millions, and all put together, to an hundred millions of gold. As for the number of prisoners, and of such as were slain, it was near five hundred thousand OF FEMDINAND MENDEZ pinto. 391 persons ; and all these things arrived by the evil counsel of a yotmg king, bred up amongst young people like himself, who did every thing at his ovm pleasure, without any body con- tradicting him. CHAPTEE LVI. That which befell us, untill our departure towards the port of Zunda, from whence we set sail for China, and what afterwards happened unto us. THESE days after so cruel and horrible a mutiny, whenas all things were peaceable, the principal heads of this com- motion fearing assoon as a Pangueyran should be elected, that they should be punished according to the enormity of their crime, they all of them set sail without longer attending the danger which threatened them. They departed away then in the same vessels wherein they came, the King of Paiiarioca, their admiral, being not possibly able to stay them, but con- trarily was twice in jeopardy of losing himself in endeavouring to do it with those few men that were of his party. Thus in the space of two days onely, the two thousand saUs that were in the port went away, leaving the town stiU burning, which 'was the cause that those few lords, which remained, being joyned together, resolved to pass unto the town of lapara, some five leagues from thence towards the coast of the Medi- terranean Sea. This resolution being taken, they put it pre- sently in execution, to the end that vrith the more tranquiUity (for the popular commotion was not yet weU appeased) they might make election of the Pangueyran, which properly signi- fies Envperour. As indeed they created one, called Pate Svdayo, Prince of Surubayaa, who had been none of those eight pre- tendents of whom we have spoken ; but this election they made, because it seemed to them necessary for the common good,, and the quiet of the country. All the inhabitants too were exceedingly satisfied with it, and they immediately sent the Panaruca for him to a place some dozen leagues from ■ thence, called Pisammenes, where he at that time lived. Nine days_after he was sent for he failed not to come, accompanied 392 THE tEAVELS, VOYAGES, ANt> AbVElJTURES witli above two hundred thousand men, imbarqued in fifteen hundred Galaluzes and Jufipangos He was received by all the people with great demonstration of joy, and a Uttle after he was crowned with the accustomed ceremonies, as Pangueyran of all the countries of Jaoa, Bala, and Mcidura, which is a monarchy that is very populous, and exceeding rich and mighty. That done, he returned to the town of Demaa, with an intent to have it rebuilt anew, and to restore it to its former estate. At his arrival in that place, the first thing he did was to give order for the punishing of those which were found attainted and convicted of the sacking of the town, who proved not to be "above five thousand, though the number of them was far greater, for aU the rest were fled away, some here, some there. These wretches suffered onely two kindes of death, some were impaled alive, and the rest were burned in the very same ships wherein they were apprehended ; and of four days, wherein this justice was executed, there past not one without the putting to death of a great number, which so mightily terrified us Portugals that were there present, as seeing the commotion very great still over the whole country, and no likelihood that things would of a long time be peace- able, we humbly desired the Bang of Zunda to give us leave to go to our ship which lay in the port of Banta, in regard to the season for the voyage to China was already come. This King having easUy granted our request, with an exemption of the customs of oiur merchandise, presented every of us besides with an hundred ducates ; and to each of the heirs of fourteen of ours, which were slain in the war, he gave three hundred, which we accepted of as a very honourable reward, and worthy of a most liberal, and good natured prince. Thus went we presently away very well satisfied of him to the Port of Banta, and there we remained twelve whole days together, during the which we made an end of preparing our selves for our voyage. After this, we set saU for China in -the company of other four ships, who were bound for the same place, and we took along with us the same Joano Bodrigiiez, whom we encountred at Passeruan, as I have before declared, that had made himself a Brachman of a Pagode, called Quiay Nacorel ; and as for him he had named himself Gauxitau Facalem, which is as much to OP FEBDlNAND MENDE2 PINTO. 393 say as, the Council of the Saint. The same Joano Bodriguez no sooner arrived at China, but he imbarqued himssK for Malaca, where (through the grace of God) he was reconciled anew to the Catholick faith ; and after he had continued a year there, he died with great demonstrations of a good and true Christian, whereby it seems we may believe that our Lord received him to mercy, since after so many years profession of an infidel, He reserved him to come and die in His service, for which be He praised for evermore. Our five ships then, with which we parted from Zunda, being arrived at Chincheo, where the Portugals at that time traded, we abode three moneths and an half there with travel and danger enough of our persons; for we were in a country, where nothing but revolts and mutinies were spoken of. Withall, there were great armies afoot all along the coast, by reason of many robberies which the pirats of Japon had committed thereabout ; so that in this disorder there was no means to exercise any commerce, for the merchants durst not leave their hoiises to go to sea. By reason of all this we were constrained to pass unto the port of Chabaquea, where we found at anchor sisscore juncks, who having set upon us, took three of our five vessels, wherein four hundred Christians were killed, of which fourscore and two were Portugals. As for the other two vessels, in one of the which I was, they escaped as it were by miracle. But because we could not make to land, by reason of the easterly windes which were contrary to us all that same moneth, we were constrained (though to our great grief) to regain the coast of Jaoa. At length after we had continued our course by the space of two and twenty days with a great deal of travel and danger, we discovered an island called Pullo Condor, distant eight degrees, and one third of heighth from the bar of the kingdom of Camboya. Whereupon as we were even ready to reach it, so furious a storm came from the 6outh-coast, as we were all in jeopardy to be cast away. Nevertheless driving along we got to the Isle of Lingua, where a tempest surprised lis at- west and south-west, with so impetuous a winde, as strugling against the biUow, it kept us from making use of our saUs ; so that being in fear of rocks and shelves of sand, which were in the prow-side, we steered the other way, untill that 3§4 tnE fMAVELS, VOtAGMS, Alftl ADVENTUiiEli after some time the fore-keel of our poup opened -within nine hand-hredths of the water, which was the cause, seeing our selves so near unto death, that we were enforced to cut down our two masts, and to cast aU our merchandises into the sea, whereby our ship was somewhat eased. This done, whereas we had left our ship the rest of the day, and a good part of the night, to the mercy of the sea, it pleased our Lord out of an effect of His divine justice, that without knowing how, or without seeing any thing, our ship ran her self against a rock, with the death of seventy and two persons. This miserable success so deprived us of aU our understandings and forces, that not so much as one of us ever thought of any way saving himself, as the Chineses, whom we had' for mariners in our junck had done, for they had so bestirred themselves all the night long, that before it was day they had made a raft of such planks and beams as came to their hands, tying them together in such sort with the cordage of their sails, that forty persons might abide upon it with ease. Now whereas we were in an imminent danger, and in a time wherein (as they say) the father does nothing for his son, nor the son for the father, no man took care but for himself alone, whereof we had a fair example in our Chinese mariners, whom we accounted but as our slaves ; for Martin Estevez, the captain and master of the junck, having intreated his own servants who were upon the raft, to receive him amongst them, they answered him, that they coiild not do it at any hand, which coming to the ears of one of ours called Buy de Moura, whereas he could not endure that those perfidious villains should use us with so much discourtesie and ingratitude, he got him up on his feet from a place where he lay hurt, and made unto us a short speech, whereby he represented unto us, That we were to remember how odious a thing cowardice was; and withaU, hoio absolutely it imported us to seize upon this raft for the saving of our lives. To these words he added many other such like, which so en- couraged us, that with one accord, and with one and the same resolution, whereunto the present necessity obUged us, being but eight and twenty Portugals, we set upon the forty Chineses which were upon the raft. We opposed our swords then to their iron hatchets, and fought so lustily with them, as we . 6]? FEBDtNAND MENDE^ PINTO. S9S killed them all in the space of two or three Credo's. It is true indeed, that of ns eight and twenty Portugals, sixteen were slain, and twelve escaped, but so wounded that four of them died the next day. This was an accident, whereof no doubt the like hath seldom been heard of, or seen, whereby one may clearly perceive how great the misery of humane life is, for it was not twelve hours before, when as we aJl embraced each other in the ship, and behaved our selves like right brethren, intending to die for one another ; and so soon after our sins carried us to such great extremity, as hardly sus- taining our selves upon four scurvy planks, tied together with two ropes, we killed one another with as much bar- barism, as if we had been mortal enemies, or something worse. It is true, that the excuse which may be alledged thereupon is, that necessity, which hath no law, compelled us thereunto. When as we were masters of this raft, which had cost us and the Chiiieses so much bloud, we set upon it eight and thirty persons of us that we were, of which there were twelve Portugals, some of their children, our servants, and the remainder of those that were hurt, whereof the most part died afterwards. Now forasmuch as we were so great a number upon a very Httle raft, where we floated at the mercy of the waves of the sea, the water came up to our middles, and in this fashion we escaped from that dangerous and infortunate rock, on Saturday, being Ghristmas day, 1547, with one onely piece of an old counter-point, which served us for a sail, having neither neeile nor compass to guide us. True it is, that we supphed this defect with the great hope which we had in our Lord, whom we invoked incessantly with groans and sighs, that were accompanied with abundance of tears. In this pitifull equipage we navigated four whole days without eating anything, so that upon the fifth day necessity constrained us to feed on a Caphar which died amongst us, with whose body we sustained our selves five days longer, which made up the nineth of our voyage; so that during other four, wherein we continued In this case, we had nothing else to eat but the foam and slime of the sea ; for we resolved to die with hunger rather then feed on any of those four 396 THE TBATBLS, VOYAGES, ANB ADVENTURES Portngals which lay dead by us. After we had wandered thus at the mercy of the sea, it pleased our Lord out of His infinite goodness to let us discover land on the twelfth day, which was so agreeable a sight to us, as the joy of it proved mortal to some of ours ; for of fifteen of us that were still alive, four died suddenly, whereof three were Portugals ; so that of eight and thirty persons which had been imbarqued on the raft, there was but eleven that escaped, namely, seven Portugals, and four of our boys. In the end, having got to land, we found our selves in a shallow rode, fashioned much like to an haven, where we began to render infinite thanks to God for having thus delivered us from the perils of the sea, promising our selves also, that through His infinite mercy He would draw us out of those of the land. Having then made pro- vision of certain shell-fish, as oisters, and sea-crabs, to nourish our selves withall, because we had observed how all this country was very desert, and full of elephants and tigres, we got up into certain trees, to the end we might avoid the fury of these beasts, and some others which we saw there ; then when we thought that we might proceed on our way with less danger, we gathered us together, and went on through a wood, (where to secure our lives) we had recourse to loud cries, and hollow- ings. In the mean' time, as it is the property of the divine mercy never to forsake the poor sufferers that are upon the earth, it permitted us to see coming along in a channel of fresh water, that ran ingulphing it self into the sea, a little barque, laden with timber and other wood, wherein were nine Negroes, Jaoas, and Papuas. As soon as these men saw us, imagining that we were some devils, as they confessed to us afterwards, they leapt into the water, and quite left the vessel, not so much as one of them abiding in her. But when they perceived what we "were, they abandoned the fear they were in before, and coming unto us they questioned us about many particulars, whereunto we answered according to the truth, and withall, desired them, for Gods sake, to lead us whither- soever they would, and there to sell us as slaves to some that would carry us to Malaca ;■ adding that we were merchants, and that in acknowledgment of so good an office, they should get a great deal of money for us, or as npuch in commodities OF FEBBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 397 as they would require. Now whereas these Jaoas are natu- rally incUned to avarice, when they heard us talk of their interest, they began to be more tractable, and gave us better words, with hope of doing that which we desired of them ; but these courtesies lasted no longer but till such time as they could get again into their barque, which they had quitted ; for as soon as they saw themselves aboard her, they put off from the land, and making as though they would part without taking us in, they told us, that to be assured of what we had said to them, they would have us before they proceeded any further, to yield up our arms to them, whereas otherwise they would never take us in, no not though they saw us eaten up with Uons. Seeing our selves thus constrained by necessity, and by a certain despair of finding any other remedy to our present extremity, we were enforced to do aU that these men required of us, so that having brought their barque a little nearer, they bid us swim to them, because they had never a boat to fetch us from the shore, which we presently resolved to do. Whereupon two boys and one Portugal leapt into the sea to take hold on a rope, which they had thrown out to us from off the poup of the barque ; but before they could reach it, they were devoured by 3 great Uzards, nothing of the bodies of these three appearing to us, but onely the bloud, wherewith the sea was all dyed. Whilest this passed so, we the other 8 that remained on the shore were so seized with fear and terrour, as we were not our selves a long time after, wherewith those dogs which were in the barque were not a whit moved ; but eontrarily, clapping their hands together in the sign of joy, they said in the way of jearing, how happy are these three, for that they have ended, their days 'Without pain ! Then when as they saw that we were half sunk up into the ouze, without so much strength as to get bur selves out of it, 5 of them leaped a shore, and tying us by the middle, drew us into their barque, with a thousand injuries and affronts. After this setting sail they carried us to a village called Gherbam, which was some dozen leagues from thence, where they sold all eight of us, namely, six Portitgals, one Chinese boy, and a Gaphar, for the Bvaca oils par dains, which are in value 300 reals of oiu: money. He that bought us was a Pagan merchant qf the Isle of Zele- 398 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES bres, in whose power we continued for six or eight and twenty days, and without Ipng, we had no lack with him, either of clothes or meat. The same merchant sold us afterwards for twelve pistols to the Bang of Calapa, who used so great a magnificence towards us, as he sent us freely to the port of Zunda, where there were three Portugal vessels, where Jeronimo Gomez Surmento was general, who gave us a very good reception, and furnished us abundantly with all that was necessary for us, untUl such time as he put to sea from the port, to set sail to China. CHAPTBE LVn. My passing from Zunda to Siam, where in the company of the Portugala I went to the war of Chiammay; and that which the King of Siam did, untill he returned into his kingdom, where his queen poisoned him. AFTEE we had been very near a moneth in this port of Zunda, where a good number of Portugals were assem- bled together, so soon as the season to go to China was come, the three vessels set sail for Chincheo, no more Portugals remaining ashore, but onely two, who went to Siam in a junck of Patana with their merchandise. I bethought me then to lay hold on this occasion, and put my self into their company, because they offered to bear my charges in this voyage, yea and to lend me some money for to try fortune once more, and see whether hy the force of importuning her, she would not use me better then formetly she had done. Being departed then from this place, in six and twenty days we arrrived at the city of Odiaa, the capital of this empire of Samau, which they of this country ordinarily call Siaam, where we were w;onderfuUy well received and intreated by the Portugals, which we found there. Now having been a moneth and better in this city, attending the season for the voyage to China, that so I might pass to Japan in the company of six or seven Portugals, who had imbarqued themselves for that purpose, I made account to imploy in commodities some OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 899 fmndred ducates, which those 2, with whom I came from Zunda_ had lent me. In the mean time very certain news came to the King of Siam, who was at that time with all his court at the said city of Odiaa, that the King of Ghiammay, aUied with the Timooouhos, Laaos, and Gucos, people which on the north-east hold the most part of that country above Gapimper and Passiloco, and are aU sovereigns, exceeding rich and mighty in estates, had laid siege to the town of Quiteruan, with the death of above thirty thousand men, and of Oyaa Capimper, Governour and Lieutenant General of aU that frontire. The King remained so much appalled with this news, that without further temporising, he passed over the very same day to the other side of the river, and never standing to lodge in houses, he went and encamped under tents in the open field, thereby to draw others to do the like in imitation of him. WithaU he caused proclamation to be made over aU the city, TJiat all stich as were neither old nor lame, and so could not be dispensed with for going to this war, should be ready to march within 12 days at the uttermost, upon pain of being burned alive, with perpetual infamy for themselves, and their descendants, and confiscation of tlieir estates to the Grown: to which he added many 'other such great and dreadfoll penalties, as the onely recital of them struck terrour, not onely into them of the country, but into the very strangers, whom the King would not exempt from -this war, of what nation soever they were, for if they would not serve,- they were very expresly enjoyned to depart out of his kingdom ■within three days. In the mean time so rigorous an edict terrified every one in such sort, as they knew not what counsel to take, or what resolution to follow. As fos us Portugals, in regard that more respect had always been carried in that country to them, then to all other nations, this King sent to desire them that they would accompany him -in this voyage, wherein they should do him a pleasure, because he would trust them onely with the guard of his person, as judging them more proper for it then any other that he could make choice of ; and to oblige them the more thereunto, the message was accompanied with many fair promises, and very great hopes of pensions, graces, benefits, favours, and honours, but above 400 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES all, with a permission which should be granted them to build churches in his kingdoni, which so obUged us, that of an hundred and thirty Portugals which we were, there were sixscore of us that agreed together to go to this war. The twelve days limited being past, the King put himself into the field with an army of four hundred thousand men, whereof seventy thousand were strangers of divsrs nations. They imbarqued all in three hundred Seroos, Lauleas, and langas, 60 that on the nineth day of this voyage the King arrived at a frontier town, named Suropisem, some 12 or 13 leagues from Quitiruan, which the enemies had besieged. There he abode above seven days to attend four thousand elephants which came to him by land. During that time, he was certified that the town was greatly prest, both on the rivers side, which the enemies had seized upon with two thousand vessels, as also towards the land, where there were so many men, as the number of them was not truly known, but as it was adjudged by conjecture, they might be some three hundred thousand, whereof forty thousand were horse, but no elephants at aU. This news made the King hasten the more, so that instantly he made a review of his forces, and found that he had five hundred thousand men ; for since his coming forth many had joyned with him by the way, as also four thousand elephants, and two hundred carts with field-pieces. With this army he parted from Suropisem, and drew towards Quitiruan, marching not above four or five leagues a day. At the end of the third, then he arrived at a vaUey called Siputay, a league and a half from the place where the enemies lay. Then all these men of war, with the elephants, being set in battel-aray by the three masters of the camp, whereof two were Twrhs by nation, and the third a Portugal, named Domingos de Sbixas, they proceeded on in their way towards Quitiruan, where they arrived before the sun appeared. Now whereas the enemies were already pre- pared, in regard they had been advertised by their spies of the King of Siam's forces, and of the design which he had, they attended him resolutely in the plain field, relying much on their forty thousand horse. Assoon as they discovered him, they presently advanced, and with their vant-guard, which were the said forty thousand horse, they so charged the King of Siam's DP pEliniNAND MENDEZ PINTO. 40l rereward, composed of threescore thousand foot, that they routed them in less than a quarter of an hour, with the loss of thi-ee princes that were slain upon the place. The King of Siam seeing his men thus routed, resolved not to follow the order which he had formerly appointed, but to fall on with the whole body of his army, and the four thousand elephants joyned together. With these forces he gave upon the battalion of the enemies with so much impetuosity, as at his first shock they were whoUy discomfited, from whence ensued the death of an infinite company of men ; for whereas their principal strength consisted in their horse, as soon as the elephants, sustained by the harquebuses and the field-pieces, fell upon them, they were defeated in less than half an hour, so that after the routing of these same, all the rest began instantly to retreat. In the mean time the King of Siam, following the honour of the victory, pursued them to the rivers side, which th6 enemies perceiving, they formed a new squadron of those that remained of them, wherein there were above an hundred thousand men, as well sound as hurt, and so past aU the same day there, joyned together in one entire body of an army, the King not daring to fight with them, by reason he saw them fortified with two thousand ships, wherein there were great numbers of men. Nevertheless, as soon as it was dark, night the enemies began to march away with all speed all along the river, wherewith the King was nothing displeased, because the most part of his souldiers being hurt, they were necessarily to be drest, as indeed that was presently executed, and the most part of the day and the night following imployed therein. After the King of Siam had obtained so happy a victory, the first thing that he did was to provide with all diligence for the fortifications of the tovrai, and whatsoever else he thought to be necessary for the security thereof. After that he com- manded a general muster to be made of aU his men of war, that he might know how many he had lost in the battel • •whereupon he found that some fifty thousand were wanting, ' all ^ men of 'little reckoning, whom the rigour of the King's edict -had compelled to serve in the war, iU provided, and ■without defensive arms. As for the enemies, it was known 27 402 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTt^BES the next day that an hundred and thirty thousand of theni had been slain. As soon as the hurt men were recovered, the King, haying put into the principal places of his frontier such guards as seemed requisite to him, was counselled by his lords to make war upon the kingdom of Guibem, which was not above fifteen leagues thence on the north side, to be revenged on the Queen of Guibem, for having given free passage through her dominions to those of Ghiammay, in regard whereof he attributed to her the loss of Oyaa Capimper, and the thirty thousand men that had been killed with him. The King approving of this advice, parted from this town with an army of four hundred thousand men, and went and fell upon one of this queen's town, called Fumbacor, which was easily taken, and all the inhabitants put to the sword, not one excepted. This done, he continued his voyage till he came to Guitor, the capital town of the kingdom of Guibem, where the Queen then was, who being a widow governed the State tmder the title of Regent, during the minority of her son, that was about the age of nine years. At his arrival he laid siege to the town, and forasmuch as the Queen found not her self strong enough to resist the King of Siam's power, she fell to accord with him to pay Viim an annual tribute of five thousand Turmes of silver, which are threescore thousand ducates of our money, whereof she paid him five years advance in hand. Besides that, the young prince her son did him homage as his vassal, and the King led him away with him to Siam. Hereupon he raised his siege from before the town, and passed on towards the north-east to the town of Taysiran, where he had news that the King of Chiammay was fallen off from league aforesaid. In the mean time, whereas he had been six days march in the enemies territories, he sacked as many places as he met withaU, not permitting the life of any male whatsoever to be saved. So proceeding onward, he arrived at the lake of Singipamor, which ordinarily is called Chiammay, where he staid six and twenty days, during the which he took twelve goodly places, environed vdth ditches and bulwarks after our fashion, all of brick and mortar, without any stone or lime in them, because in the country it is not the custome to buUd so; but they had no other artUlery then some faulconets, and certain muskets OF PUBDINAND mended riJ^TO. 40S of brass. Now forasmuch as winter began to approach, and that it was very rainy weather, the King too feeUng himself not very well, he retired back again to the town of Quitiruan, where he tarried three and twenty days and better, in which space he made an end of fortifying it with walls, and many broad and deep ditches, so that having put this town into an estate of being able to defend it seK against any attempt, he imbarqued his army in the three thousand vessels which brought him thitherj and so returned towards Siam. Nine days after he arrived at Odiaa, the chief city of his whole kingdom, where for the most part he kept his Court. At his arrival the inhabitants gave him a stately reception, wherein they bestowed a world of money upon divers inventions, which were made against his entry. Now whereas during the six moneths of the King's absence, the Queen his wife had com- mitted adultery with a purveyor of her house, named Uquum- cheniraa, and that at the Kings return she foimd her self gone four moneths with childe by him, the fear she was in lest it should be discovered made her, for the saving of her self from the danger that threatned her, resolve to poison the King her husband, as indeed, without further delaying her pernicious intention, she gave him in a mess of milk, which wrought that effect, as he died of it within five days after ; during which time he took order by his testament for the most important affairs of his kingdom, and discharged himself of the obliga- tion wherein he stood ingaged to. the strangers which had served him in this war of Ghiammay. In this testament, when as he came to make mention of us Portugals,hsi wovild needs have this clause added thereunto. It is my intent that the six- score Portugals, which have alviays so faithfully watched -wpon the guard of my person, shall receive for a recommence of their good services, half a years tribute which the Queen of Guibem gives me, ; and that in my custom-houses their merchandise shall pay no custom for the space of three years. Moreover my intent is, that their priests may throughout all the towns of my kingdom publish the law whereof they make profession, namely, of a God made man for the salvation of mankinde, as they have mMny times assv/red me. To these things he added many others such.hke, which well deseri^e to be reported here, though I 404 TSE TBAVELS, tof AGE'S, AND ADVENttJBMS pass them over in silence, because I hope to make a more ample mention of them hereafter. Furthermore, he desired aU the grandees of his Com-t which were present with him, that they would give him the consolation before he died, to make his eldest son be declared king, which was incontinently executed. For which effect, after that aU the Oyaas, Con- chalis, and Monteos, which are sovereign dignities over all the rest of the kingdom, had taken the oath of allegiance to this young prince, they shewed him out at a window to all the people, who were in a great place below, and they set upon his head a rich crown of gold in the form of a mitre, and put a sword into his right hand, and a pair of balances in his left, a custom which they always observe in such a hke ceremony. Then Oya Passilico, who was the highest in dignity in the kingdom, faUing on his knees before the new king, said unto him vrith tears in his eyes, and so loud that every one might hear him. Blessed childe, that in so tender an age doth hold from tlie good inflTience of thy star tlie happiness to be chosen by heaven there above for Governor of this Empire of Sornau ; see how God puts it into thy hand by me who am thy vassal, to tlie end thou maist take thy first oath, whereby thou dost protest to hold it with obedience to His divine will, as also to observe justice equally to all the people, without having any regard to persons, whether it be in chastising or recompensing the great or small, the mighty or the humble, that so in time to come thou maist not be reproached for not having accomplished that which thou hast sworn in this solemn action. For if it shall happen, that humane considerations shall make thee swerve from that which for thy justification thou art obliged to do before so just a Lord, thou shalt be greatly punished for it in the profound pit of the house of smoke, the burning lake of insupportable steruih, where the wicked and damned howl continually with a sadness of obscure night in their entrails. And to the end tliou maist oblige thy self to the charge which thou takest upon thee, say now Xamxaim- pom, which is as much as to say, amongst us. Amen. The Passilico having finished his speech, the young prince said" weeping Xamxaimpom ; which so mightily moved all the assembly of the people, as there was nothing heard for a good V?liile together, but sighing and wailing. At length, after that OF FERDINAND MENDEZ FINTOi 405 tMs noise was appeased, the Passilico proceeding on with his discourse in looking on the young king. This sword, said he unto him, which tlwu holiest naked in thy hand, is given thee as a scepter of sovereign power upon earth for the subduing- of the rebellious, which is also to say that thou a/rt truly obliged to be the support of the feeble and poor, to the end that they which grow lofty with their power, may not overthrow them with the jpuffe of their pride, which the Lord doth as much abhor, as he doth the mouth of him that blasphevieth against a little infant which hath never sinned: And that tlwu mayest in all things satisfie the fair enamelling of the stars of heaven, which is the. perfect, just, and good God, whose poioer is admirable over all things of the world, say once again Xamxaimpom ; whereunto the Prince answered twice weeping, Maxinau, Maxinau, that is to say, I promise so to do. Aiter this, the Passilico having instructed him in divers other such like things, the young prince answered seven times Xamxaimpom, and so the cere- mony of his coronation was finished, only there came first a Talagrepo, of a sovereign dignity above aU the other priests, named Quiay Ponu^dea, who it was said was above an hundred years old. This same prostrating himself at the feet of the prince, gave him an oath upon a golden bason full of rice ; and that done, they put an end to it, after they had created : h^m thus anew ; for time would not permit them to hold Viirn there longer, in regard the king his father was at the point of death; besides there was so universaU a mourning amongst the people, that in every place there was nothing heard but lamentations and wailing. CHAPTBE LVni.- The lamentable death of the King- of Siam, with certain illuslrious and - memorable things done by him during his life ; and 'many other accidents that arrived in this kingdom^ TyTHBN as the. day and the night following had been spent W j"^ the manner that I have related, the next morning about eight of -the clock the infortunate king yielded up the 406 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES ghost in the presence of the most part of the lords of his king- dom, for the which all the people made so great demonstrations of mourning, as every where there was nothing but wailing and weeping. Now forasmuch as this prince had hved in the reputation of being charitable to the poor, liberal! in his bene- fits and recompences, pitituU and gentle towards every one, and above aU incorrupt in doiag of justice, and chastising the ■wicked ; his subjects spake so amply thereof in their lamenta- tions, as if aU that they said of it was true ; we are to believe that there was never a better king then he, either amongst these Pagans, or in all the countries of the world. [Here follows an account of the memorable things done by the late king, omitteJr*] It is not to be believed with what infinite sorrow, both aU the great lords, and generally all the subjects of this kingdom, bewaUed the death of their good king; but at length an assembly was made of all the priests of this city, who as it was said, were twenty thousand in nimaber ; by whose direc- tion the principall persons of the kingdom concluded upon the funeraU pomp, and ceremonies which were to be used there- about, according to the custom of the country ; whereupon a mighty great pile was forthwith erected, made of sandal, aloes, calembaa, and benjamin ; on the which the body of the deceased king being laid, fire was put to it, vdth a strange ceremony : during aU the time that the body was a burning, the people did nothing but wail and lament beyond all expres- sion ; but in the end, it being consumed to ashes, they put them into a silver shrine, which they imbarqued in a Laulea very richly equipped, that was accompanied with forty Seroos fuU of Talagrepos, which are the highest dignity of their Gentile priests, and a great number of other vessells, wherein there was a world of people : after them followed an hundred small barques laden with divers figures of idols, under the forms of adders, lizards, tygers, Uons, toads, serpents, bats, geese, bucks, dogs, elephants, cats, vultures, kites, crows, and other such like creatures, whose figures were so well repre- sented to the life, ^s they seemed tQ b§ living. In another OF FERDINAND MENDE2 PINTO. 407 very great ship was the king of all these idols, which they called, The gluttonous Serpent of the profound pit of the Iwuse of smoah. This idol had the figure of a monstrous adder, was as big about as an hogshead, and writhed into nine circles ; so that when it was extended, it was above an hundred spans long ; it had the neck standing upright, and out of the eyes, throat, and breast, issued flames of artificiall fire, which ren- dred this monster so dreadfull and furious, as aU that beheld it trembled for fear. Now upon a theatre three fathom high, and richly gilt, was a very beautiful little boy, about four or five years old, covered all over vnth pearls, and chains, and bracelets of precious stones, having wings, and a bush of hair of fine gold, much after the manner as we use to paiat angels. This child had a rich curtelas in his hand ; by which invention these Pagans would give to understand. That it was an angel of Jieaven sent from God to imprison all those many devils, to tlie end they should not steal away the kings soul, before it should arrive at the place of rest, which was prepared for it there above in glory, for a recompence of the good works which he had done below in the world. In this order all these vessells got to land at a Pagode, called Quiay Poutor, where after that the silver shrine, in which the Kings ashes were, was placed, and the little boy taken from thence, fire was put to all that infinite number of idoUs, just in the manner as they stood in the barques ; and this was accompanied vrith so horrible a din of cries, great ordnance, harquebuses, drums, bells, comets, and other different kinds of noyse, as it was impossible to hear it with- out trembling. This ceremony lasted not above an hour ; for whereas all these figures were made of combustible stuffe, and the vessels filled with pitch and rozen, so dreadfull a flame ensued presently thereupon, as one might well have said that it was a very pourtraiture of heU ; so that in an instant the vessells, and all that were in them were seen to be reduced to nothing. When as this, and many other very lively inventions, which had cost a great deal of money, were finished, all the inhabitants, which were come thronging thither, and whereof the number seemed to be infinite, retired back to their houses, where they remained with their doors and windows shut, not qne appearing in the streets for the space of teii dayes, 4liriiig 408 THE IBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES ■which time all places were unfrequented, and none were seen stirring but some poor people, who in the night went up and down begging with strange lamentations. At the end of the ten dayes wherein they had shut themselves up so, they opened their doors and windows, and their Pagodes, or temples, were adorned with many ensigns of rejoycing, together with a world of hangings, standards, and banners of silk. Hereupon there went through aU the streets certain men on horseback, apparelled in white damask, who at the sound of very har- monious instruments, cryed aloiid with tears in their eyes, Te sad inJiabitants of this Kingdom of Siam, hearken, hearken to that which is made known to you from God, and with humble and pure hearts praise ye all His holy name; for tJie effects of His Divine justice are great ; withall laying aside your mourn- ing, come forth of your abodes wherein you are shut up, and sing the praises of tlie goodness of your God, since He hath been pleased to give you a new King, who fears Him, and is a friend of the poor. This proclamation being made, all the assistants, with their faces prostrated on the ground, and their hands lifted .up, as people that rendred thanks to God, answered aloud weeping : We make the angells of heaven our attorneys, to the end they may continually praise the Lord for tis. After this, aU the inhabitants of the city coming out of their houses, and thinking of nothing but dancing and rejoycing, went to the Temple of Quiay Fanarel, that is to say, the god of tlie joy full, where they offered sweet perfumes, and the poorest sort, fruits, pullen, and rice, for the entertainment of the priests. The same day the new king shewed himself over all the city with a great deal of pomp and majesty, in regard whereof the people made great demonstrations of joy and gladness. And :{pras- much as the King was but nine years old, it was ordained by the four and twenty JBrocaZows of the Government, that the Queen his mother should be the Protectress or Eegent of him, and that she should bear rule over aU the officers of the crown. Things past thus for the space of four moneths and an half, during the whick there was no manner of disorder, but all was peaceable in the kingdom ; howbeit, at the end of that time, the Queen coming to be delivered of a son which she had had by her Pmrveyor, being displeased with the bad report that, OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 409 went of her, she resolved with her self to satisfie her deske, which was to marry with the father of this new son, for that she was desperately in' love with him : and further, she wickedly enterprised to make away the new king, her lawfull child, to the end that by this means the crown might pass to the bastard by right of inheritance. Now to execute this horrible design of hers, she made shew that the excess of her affection to the young king her son kept her always in fear, lest some attempt should be made upon his Hfe ; so that one day having caused all the Councell of the State to be assem- bled, she represented unto them, that having but this only pearl enehaced in her heart, she desired to keep it from being plucked from thence by some disaster ; for which effect she thought it requisite, as well to secure her from her apprehen- sions, as to prevent the great mischiefs which carelessness is wont to bring ^n such like eases, that there should be a guard set about the palace, and the person of the King. This affair . was immediately debated in the CounceU, and accorded to the Queen, in regard the matter seemed good of it self. The Queen seeing then that her design had succeeded so well, 4pok instantly for the guard of the palace, and the person of her son, such as she judged were proper for the executing of her damnable enterprise, and in whom she most confided. She ordaiued a guard then of two thousand foot, and five hundred horse, besides the ordinary guard of her house, which were six hundred Gauchins and Lequios, and thereof she made captain one called Tileuhacus, the cozen of the same Purveyor, by whom she had had a child, to the end that by this mans favour she might dispose of things as she pleased, and the more easily bring to pass her pernicious design. Whereupon relying on the great forces which she had akeady on her party, she began to revenge her self upon some of the great ones of the king- dom, because she knew they despised her, and held her not in that esteem she desired. The two first whom she caused to be laid hands on were two deputies of the Government, making use of this pretext, that they held secret inteUigence with the King of Chiammay, and were to give him an entry into the kingdom, thorough their lands ; so that under colour of justice she caused' *>iem to be both executed, and confiscated their 410 TEE TBAVMLS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES estates, whereof she gave the one to her favourite, and the other to a brother-in-law of his, who (it was said) had been a smith. But in regard this execution had been done precipi- tously, and vdthout any proof, the greatest part of the lords of the kingdom murmured against the Queen for it, representing unto her the merit of them whom she had put to death, the services they had rendred to the Crown, the quality of the persons, and the nobility and antiquity of their extractions, as being of the blood royall, and UneaUy descended from the kings of Siam ; howbeit, she made no reckoning thereof, but contrarily a little after making shew as if she had not been well, she in a full Coimcill renounced her regency, and .con- ferred it on Uquumcheniraa, her favourite, to the end that by this means bearing rule over all others, he might dispose of the affairs of the kingdom at his pleasure, and give the most important charges thereof to such as would be of his party, which he thought to be the most assured way for him to usurp this crown, and make himself absolute lord of the Empire of Sornau, whereof the revenue was twelve millions of gold, besid^ other comings in, which amounted to as much more. With all these inventions this Queen used so great dUigence for the contenting of the desire which she had to raise her favourite to the royalty, to marry her self to him, and to make the illegitimate son, which she had had by him, successor of the crown, as within the space of eight moneths, fortune favouring her designes, and hoping mor6 fully to execute her wicked plot, she caused most of the great men of the kingdom to be put to death, and confiscated aU their lands, goods and treasures, which she distributed amongst such of her creatures as she daUy drew to her party. Now forasmuch as the young king her son served for the principal! obstacle to her inten- tions, this young prince could not escape her abominable fury, for she her self poysoned him even as she had poysoned the king his father. That done, she married with Uquumcheniraa, who had been one of the purveyors of her house, and caused him to be crowned King in the city of Odiaa, the 11th of November, 1545. But whereas heaven never leaves wicked actions unpunished, the year after, 1546, and on the 15th of • January, they were both of them slain by Oyaa Passilico, ar^d OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 411 the King of Camhaya, at a certain banquet which these princes made in a temple, that was called Quiay Figrau, that is to say, the God of tlie Atoms of the Sun, whose solemnity was that day celebrated : bo that, as well by the death of these two per- sons, as of all the rest of their party, whom these princes also killed with them, aU things became very peaceable, without any further prejudice to the people of the kingdom ; only it is true, that it was despoyled of the most part of the nobility, which formerly it had, by the wicked inventions, and pernicious practices, whereof I have spoken before. CHAPTEE LIX. The King of Bramaa's enterprize upon the Kingdom of Siam : and that which past untill his arrivall at the city of Odia ; with his besieging of it, and aU that ensued thereupon. T HTil Empire of Siam remaining without a lawfull suc- cessor, those two great lords of the kingdom, namely, Oyaa Passilico, and the King of Camhaya, together with four or five more of the trustiest that were left, and which had been confederate with them, thought fit to chuse for king a certain "xeUgious man, named Pretiem, in regard he was the naturall brother of the deceased prince, husband to that wicked queen of whom I have spoken ; whereupon this rehgious man, who was Talagrepo of a Pagode, called Quiay Mitran, from whence he had not budged for the space of tlurty years, was the day after drawn forth of it by Oyaa Passilico, who brought him on the 17th of January into the city of Odiaa, where on the 19th he was crowned King with a new kind of ceremony, and a world of magnificence, which (to avoid proUxity) I wiU not make mention of here, having formerly treated of such hke things. Withall passing by all that further - arrived in this Kingdom of Siam, I wiU content my self with reporting such things as I imagine vnll be most agreeable to the curious. It ■happened then that the King of Bramaa, who^at that time reigned tyrannically in Pegu, being advertised of the deplorable estate wbereinto the Empire of Sornau wa,3 reduced, and of 412 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES the death of the greatest lords of the country, as also that the new kuig of this monarchy was a religious man, who had no knowledge either of arms or war, and withaU of a cowardly disposition, a tyrant, and iU beloved of his subjects, he fell to consult thereupon with his lords in the town of Anapleu, where at that time he kept his court. Desiring their advice then upon so important an enterprise, they all of them told him, that by no means he should desist from it, in regard this kingdom was one of the best of the world, as well in riches, as in abundance of aU things ; thereunto they added, that the season which was then so favourable for him, promised it to him at so good a rate, as it was likely it would not cost him above the revenue of one only year, what expence soever he should make of his treasure ; besides, if he chanced to get it, he should remain monarch of all the emperours of the world, and therewithal! he should be honoured with the sovereign title of Lord of the white Elephant; by which means the- seventeen Kings of Gapimper, who made profession of his law, must of necessity render him obedience. They told him more- over, that having made so great a conquest, he might, thorough the same territories, and with the succour of the princes his aUies, pass into China, where was the great city of Peguin, the incomparable pearl of all the world; and against which the great Cham of Tartaria, the Smmore,.and the Galaminham, had brought such prodigious armies into the field. The King of Bramaa, having heard aU these reasons, and many others which his great lords alledged unto him, wherein his interest was especially concerned, which alwayes works powerfully on every man, was perswaded by them, and resolved to undertajie this enterprise. For this effect he went directly to Martabcmo, where in less then two moneths and an half, he raised an army of eight himdred thousand men," wherein there were an hundred thousand strangers; and amongst them a thousand Portugals, which were commanded by Diego Suaree d' Albergaria, called Galego by way of nick-name. This Diego Suarez departed out of the kingdom of Portugal in the year 1538, and went into the Indias with the fleet of the Vice-roy,^ Don Garcia de Noronha, in a junck, whereof Joano de Sepulveda, of .the town of Euora, was captain; but in the dF FEBDINAND MENDE2 PINTO. 4lS time of wliicli I speak, namely, in the year 1548, he had of the King of Bramaa two hundred thousand ducats a year, •with the title of his brother, and governour of the kingdom oiPegu. The King departed then from the town of Marta- bano the Sunday after Easter, being the 7th of April 1548. His army, as I have abeady said, was eight hundred thousand men, whereof only forty thousand were horse, and all the rest foot, threescore thousand of them being harquebuziers ; there were moreover five thousand warlike elephants, with whom they fight in those countries, and also a world of baggage, together with a thousand pieces of cannon, which were drawn by a thousand couples of buffles and rhinocerots ; withall, there was a like number of yokes of oxen for the carriage of the victualls. Having taken the field then with these forces, he caused his army to march still on, untill at length he entred into the territories of the King of Siam, where after five days he came to a fortress called Tapurau, containing some two thousand fitres, commanded by a certain Mogor, a vaUant man, and well verst in matters of war. The King of BramcM having invested it, gave three assaults to it in the open day, and laboured to scale it with a world of ladders which he had caused to be brought thither for that purpose ; but not being able to carry it, in regard of the great resistance of them within, he retreated for that time. But having by the counsel of Biego Suarez, who was generaU of the camp, and by whom he was whoUy governed, caused forty great pieces of ordnance, whereof the most of them shot bullets of iron, to be planted against it, he fell to battering it with so much fury, as having made a breach in the wall twelve fathom wide, he assaulted it vrith ten thousand strangers, Turks, Abyssins, Moors, Malaudres, Achems, Jaaos, and Malayos; whereupon ensued so terrible a conflict between the one and the other, that in less than half an hour, the besieged,- which were six thousand Siamites, were all cut in pieces, for not so much as one of them would render himself, As for the King bf bramaa, he lost above three thousand of his men, whereat he was so inraged, as that to be revenged for this loss, he cansed all the women to be put to the sword, which no doubt was a' strange kind of cruelty: after this execution, he drew 414 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ABVENTVUeS directly towards the town of Sacotay, which was nine leagues beyond, desiring to make himseLE master of that, as well as of the other. He arrived in the sight of this town on Saturday about sun-set, and incamped all along the river of Lebrau, which is one of the three that issue out of the lake of Ghiammay, whereof I have formerly made mention, with a design to march thorough it directly to Odiaa, the capital city of the empire of Sornau; for he had already been advertised that the King was there in person, and that he was making preparation to fight with him in the field ; he no sooner received this advice, but his lords counselled him to make no tarrying in any place, as weU that he might not lose time, as that he might keep himself from insensibly consuming his forces, in lying before places which he pretended to take, that were so well fortified as they would cost him dear if he amused, himself about Ihem ; so that at his arrivall at Odiaa he would find the most part of his men wanting, and his victualls quite spent. The King having approved of this advice caused his army to march away the next day thorough woods that vrere cut down by threescore thousand pioners, whom he had. sent before to plane the passages and wayes : which with m.uch ado they performed. "When -he was come to a place, called Tilau, which is besides Juncalau, on the south-east coast, near to the kingdom of Qvsdea, an hundred and forty leagues from Malaca, he took guides that were very well acquainted, vyith the way, by whose means in nine days journey he arrived in the sight of Odiaa, where .he pitched his camp, -which he invironed with trenches and strong paUisadoes. During the first five days that the King of Bramaa had been before the city of Odiaa, he had bestowed labour and pains enough, as weU. in making of trenches and paUisadoes, as in providing all things necessary for this siege ; in all which time the besieged never offered to stir, whereof Diego Suarez, the marshaU of the camp being aware, as also of the little reckoning which the Smmiies made of so great a power as was there assembled, and not knowing whereunto he should attribute the cause of it, he resolved to execute the design for which he came; to which effect, of the inost part of the 0^ FEBDtNANt) MENbEZ PlNtO. 415 men wldch he had under his command, he made two separated squadrons, in each of which there were six battalions of six thousand a piece. After this manner he marched in battell array, at the sound of many instruments, towards the two poynts which the city made on the south side, because the entrance there seemed more facUe to him then any other where. So upon the 19th day of June, in the year 164:8, an hour before day, all these men of war, having set up above a thousand ladders against the walls, endeavoured to mount up on them ; but the besieged opposed them so valiantly, that in less than half an hour there remained dead on the place above ten thousand on either part. In the mean time the King, who incouraged his souldiers, seeing the iU success of this fight, commanded these to retreat, and then made the wall to be assaulted afresh, making use for that effect of five thousand elephants of war which he had brought thither, and divided into twenty troops, of two hundred and fifty apiece, upon whom there were twenty thousand Moens and Chaleus, choice men, and that had double pay. The wall then was assaulted by these force's with so terrible an impetuosity, as I want words to express it. For whereas all the elephants carried wooden castles on their backs, from whence they shot with muskets, brass culverins, and a great number of harque- buses a crock, each of them ten or twelve spans long, these guns made such an havock of the besieged, that in less then a quarter ot an hour the most of them were beaten dovjn ; the elephants withall setting their trunks to the target fences, which served as battlements, and wherewith they within defended themselves, tore them down in such sort, as not one of them remained entire ; so that by this means the wall was abandoned of all defence, no man daring to shew himself above. . In this sort was the entry into the city very easy to . the assailants, who being invited by so good success to make their profit of so favourable an occasion, set up their ladders again which they had quitted, and mounting up by them to the top of the wall, with a world of cries and acclamations, they planted, thereon, in sign of victory, a number of banners ■ and ensigns. Now because the Turks desired to have therein a better share then the rest, they besought the King to do 416 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES tliem so much favour as to give them the vantguard, which the Kiug easily granted them, and that by the counsel! of Diego Suarez, who desired nothing more then to see their number lessened, always gave them the most dangerous imployments. They in the mean time extraordinarily con- tented, and proud to see themselves preferred before so many other nations as were in the camp, resolved to come off with honour from this service which they had undertaken. For which purpose having formed a squadron of twelve hundred men, wherein sonje Ahyssins and Janizaries were comprised, they mounted with great cries by those ladders up to the top of the wall, which, as I have declared was at that time in the power of the King of Braviaa's people. These Turks then, whither more rash, or more infortunate then the rest, sliding down by a pane of the wall, descended through a bulwark into a place which was below, with an intent to open a gate, and give an entrance unto the King, to the end they might rightly boast, that they aU alone had delivered to him the capital city of the kingdom of Siam, and so might gain the recompence which they might well expect for so brave an action ; for the King had before promised to give unto whom- soever shoidd deliver up the city imto him, a thousand hisses of gold, ■^hich in value are five hundred thousand ducates of our money. These Turks being gotten down, as I have said, laboured to break open a gate with two rams which they had brought with them for that purpose; but as they were occupied about it, upon a confidence' that they alone should gain the thousand bisses of gold, which the King had promised to whomsoever should open him the gate's, they saw them- selves suddenly charged by three thousand Jaos, aU resolute souldiers, who fell upon them vrith such fury, as in little more then a quarter of an hour there was not so much as one Turk left alive in the place, wherewith not contented, they moimted up immediately to the top of the wall with a wonderfull courage, and so flesht as they were, and covered over with the bloud of the Turks, whom they had newly cut in pieces, they set upon the Bramaa's men which they found there, and fought with them so valiantly, that they durst not make head' against them, so that most .of them were there slain, and the NATIVES OF PEGU AND THE MOLUCCAS. OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 417 rest ttimbled down over the wall. The King of Bramaa re- - doubling his courage more then before, would not for all that give over this assault, but contrarily resolved to undertake it , anew : so as imagining that' those elephants alone would be able to give him an entry into the city, he caused them once again to approach unto the wall. At the noise hereof, Oyaa Passilico, captain general of the city, ran in all haste to this part of the wall, accompanied with fifteen thousand men, whereof the most part were Luzons, Bomeos, and Ghampaa's with some Menancabo's among, and caused the gate to be presently opened, through which the Bramaa pretended to enter, and then sent him word, that whereas he was given to understand how his Highness had promised to give a thousand bisses of gold to whomsoever should open him the gates, that so he might thereby enter into the city, he had now performed it, so that he might enter if he would, provided that like a great king as he was, he would make good his word, and send .him the thousand bisses of gold, which he stayed there to receive. The King of Bramaa having received this jear, would not, vouchsafe to give an answer, thereby to shew his-contempt of Oyaa Passilico ; but instantly he commanded the city to be assaulted, which was presently executed with a great deal of fury; for the fight began so terrible, as it was a dreadfuU thing to behold, the rather for that the violence of it lasted above three whole hours, during the which time the gate was twice forced open, and twice the assailants got an entrance into. the city, which the King of Siam no sooner perceived, and that all was in danger to be lost, but he ran speedily to oppose them .with his followers, which were about thirty thousand in number, and. the best souldiers that were in aU the city : ; whereupon the conflict grew much hotter then before, and continued half an hour and better, during the which .1 do not know what past, nor can say any other thing, .save, that we saw streams of bloud running every where, and the a,irall of a light fire ; there was also on either part such a tumult and noise, as one would have said the earth had been tottering; for it was a most dreadfull thing to hear the discord and jarring of those barbarous instruments, as beUs, drums, and trumpets, intermingled with the noise of the great 28 418 TRE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES ordnance and smaller shot, and the dreadfull yelling of six thousand elephants, whence ensued so great a terrour, that it took from them that heard it both courage and sense ; withall, that place at the city gate, whereof the Bramaa had been master, was all covered over with bodies drowned in bloud, a spectacle so horrible, that the very sight of it put us almost besides our selves. Diego Suarez then, seeing their forces quite repulsed out of the city, the most part of the elephants hurt, and the rest so scared with the noise of the great ordnance, as it was impossible to make them return unto the wall; as also that the best of those that had fought at the gate were slain, and that the sun was almost down, came to the King, and counselled him to sound a retreat, whereunto the King yielded, though much against his wiU, because he observed, that both he and the most part of the Portugals were wounded, but it was with a purpose to return to the same enterprise again the next morning. The King being retired to his quarter, found himself wounded with the shot of an arrow which he received in that days conflict, and which he felt not untUl then, by reason of the heat of the fight. This accident hindred the executing of the resolution he had taken to give another assault to the city the next day ; for he was constrained to keep his bed twelve days together ; but at seventeen days end, when he was fuUy cured of his hurt he undertook again the prosecution of his design, and to effect that which he had so resolved upon, namely, not to raise the siege from before the city untUl he had made himself master of it, though it cost him both his life and bis whole state. He gave then a second assault unto the city, which proved like imto the former, for he lost a world of men in it, so that he was forced to retreat ; buthis wilfulness was such, as nothing daunted with the great slaughter of his men, he gave five assaults more to it in the open. day, wherein he made use of many warHke strata- gems, which a Greek enginier daUy invented for him; but whatsoever he could do, he was always fain to retire with loss, whereat he was greatly troubled. In the mean time,' whereas the siege of this -city had already endured four moneths and an half, he commanded a general muster of his souldiers to be OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 419 made, and he found that an hundred and forty thousand of them were wanting. Whereupon seeing to what estate he was reduced, for the putting of an end to the husiness, he resolved to assault the city again with another new invention, and this assault was the eighth he had already given to it, during the siege, which he enterprised by the council of war, and that under the favour of the night ; for they alledged unto him, that darkness would make the assault less dangerous, and the scaling of the walls more facile. This resolution taken, he instantly commanded all preparations necessary for this design to be made, so that in seventeen days they buUt up six and twenty castles of strong pieces of timber, whereof each one was set upon six and twenty wheels of iron, which faciUtated the motion of so great a frame. Every castle was fifty foot broad, threescore and five long, and five and twenty high, and aU of them were re-inforced with double beams, covered over with sheets of lead. Moreover each of them was full of wood, and had fastened to them before great iron chains, and that were very long in regard of the fire. Things thus prepared, on Friday about midnight, being very dark and rainy, the King of Bramaa - caused three times one after another aU the great ordnance of the camp to be discharged, which, as I remember, I have already said, consisted of an hundred and threescore great pieces, whereof the most part shot iron bullets, besides a many of falconets, bases, and muskets, to the number of fifteen hundred ; so that from all these guns shot off together three times one after another, proceeded so horrible and dreadfull a noise, as I cannot think that any where but in hell the like could be ; for on what- soever the imagination can be fixt, it cannot meet with any thing that may be rightly compared thereunto. At this time, it was not onely the great pieces of ordnance, whereof I have spoken before, and the small ones too, which were shot off, but the like was done by all the guns which were both within the city, and without the camp, of what bigness soever they were, being^ at least an hundred thousand in aU ; for whereas there were, as I have already said, threescore . thousand iiarquebusiers in the King of Bramaa' s army, there were thirty thousand also in the city, besides seven or eight thousand 420 THE TliAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES falconets and bases ; so that to hear all these shot off continually for the space of three hours together, and inter- mingled with thunder, lightning, and the tempest of the night, was, to say the truth, a thing which was never seen, read of, or imagined, and such indeed as put every one almost besides himself ; for some fell flat on the ground, some crept behind walls, and others got into walls. During the great violence of this horrible and furious tempest, they set fire on the six and twenty castles' which they had before brought close to the walls, BO that by. the force of the winde, which was at that time very great, and by the means of barrels of pitch that had been put into them, they fell a flaming in such a strange manner, as there was anew to be seen so dreadful a picture of hell (for it is the onely name that can be given it, because there is nothing upon earth that may rightly be resembled unto it) that if even those which were vdthout trembled at it, I leave you to think with how much more reason were they to fear it whom necessity constrained to abide the violence of it. Hereupon began a most bloody conflict on either part, they without falling to scale the walls, and the besieged ; who took no less care for all things then they, valiantly to defend them- selves, so that no advantage was to be found on either side, but rather both of them were in a condition to be utterly destroyed ; for whereas the one and other reinforced themselves contimi- aUy with fresh supplies, and that the King of Bramaas ob- stinacy was such, as he went himself in person amongst his souldiers, incouraging them with his speeches, and the great promises that he made them, the fight proceeded so far, and increased so mightily, as being unable to deliver the least part of that which passed therein, I leave it to the understanding of every one to imagine what it might be. Four hours after midnight, the six and twenty castles being quite burned to the ground, with so terrible a blaze, as no man durst come within a stones cast of it, the King of Bramaa caused a retreat to be sounded, at the request of the captains of the strangers ; for there were so many hurt men amongst them, as all the day, and most part of the night following, was employed in dressing of them. OF FEBBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 421 CHAPTER LX. The King of Bramaa's raising his siege from hefore the City of Odiaa. THE King of Bramaa, seeing that neither the great ordnance wherewith he had battered the city, nor the assaults which he had given unto it, nor his inventions of castles, accompanied with so many artifices of fire, whereon he had so much relied, had served him to any purpose for the execution of that which he had so mightily desired, and being resolved not to desist from the enterprise which he had begun, he called a councel of war, wherein aU the princes, dukes, lords, and commanders that were in the army were present. Having then propounded his desire and intention unto thena, he required them to give him their advice there- upon ; immediately the affair being put into deliberation, and thorowly debated on either part, they concluded in the end, that the King was by no means to raise this siege, in regard this enterprise was the most glorious, and most profitable of all that ever might be offered unto him ; they represented more- over unto him the world of treasure that he had imployed therein, and that if he continued battering the city without desisting from his assaults, at length the enemy would be spent, because it was apparent (as they were informed) that they were no longer able to withstand the least attempt that should be made against them. The King being exceedingly contented, for that their opinions proved to be conformable to his desire, testified the great satisfaction that he received thereby, so that he gave them many recompences in money, and vowed to them, that if they could take the city, he would confer upon them the greatest commands of the kingdom, with very honorable titles and revenues. This resolution being taken there was no further question but of considering in what mariner the business should be carried ; whereupon by the' counsel of Diego Suarez, and of the ingineers it was con- cluded, that with bavins and green turf a kind of platform should be erected higher then the walls, and that thereon should be mounted good store of great ordnance, wherewith the principal fortifications of the city should be battered, since that. 422 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES in them alone consisted all the enemies defence. Order then was presently given for all that was judged necessary there- unto, and the threescore thousand pioneers which were in the camp were imployed about it, who in twelve days brought the fort or platform into the estate which the JKing desired. There were already planted on it then forty pieces of cannon for the battering of the city the day ensuing, when as a post arrived with letters to the King, whereby he was advertised; That the Xemindoo heing risen wp in the Kingdom of Pegu, had cut fifteen tJwusand Bramaas there in pieces, and had withal seized ■ on the principal places of the country. At these news the King was so troubled, that without further delay he raised the siege, and imbarqued himself on a river, called Pacarau, where he stayed but that night, and the day following, which he imployed in retiring his great ordnance and ammunition. Then having set fire on all, the pallisadoes, and lodgings of the camp, he parted away on Tuesday, the 15th of October, 1548, for to go to the town of Martabano. Having used aU possible speed in his voyage ; at seventeen days end he came thither, and there was amply informed by the Ghalagonim, his captain of all the Xemindoos proceedings, in making himself King, and seizing on his treasure ; by killing fifteen thousand Bramaas, and that in divers places he had lodged five hundred thousand men, with an intention to stop his passage into the kingdom. This news very much perplexed the King of Bramaa, so that he fell to thinking with himself what course he should take for the remedying of so great a mischief as he was threatned with. In the end he resolved to tarry a while at Martabano, to attend some of his forces that were still behind, and then to go and fight a battel with his enemy ; but it was his ill luck, that in the space of fourteen days onely which he abode there, of four hundred thousand men which he had, fifty thousand quitted him. Por whereas they were all Fegues, and conse- quently desirous to shake off the Bramaas yoke, they thought it best to side with the new King the Xemindoo, who was a Pegu as weU as they ; and they were the rather induced thereunto, by understanding, that this prince was of an eminent condi- tion, liberal, and so affable to every one, that he thereby won most men to be of his party. In the mean time the King of. OF FBBBINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 423 Bramaa, fearing lest the defection of his souldiers should daily- more and more increase, was advised by his counsel to stay no longer there, in regard the longer he should tarry, the more his forces would diminish, for that a great part of his army was Pegues, which were not likely to be very faithful unto him. This counsel was approved of by the King, who presently marched away towards Pegu, neer unto which he was no sooner arrived, but he was certified that the Xemindoo, being advertised of his coming, was attending ready to receive him. So these two kings being in view of one another, incamped in a great plain, some two leagues from the city of Pegu, the Xemindoo with six hundred thousand men, and the Bramaa with three hundred and fifty thousand. The next day these two armies being put into battel array, came to joyn together on Friday, the 16th of November, the same year, 1548. It was about six of the clock in the morning when first they began their incounter, which was performed VTith so much violence, as a general defeat ensued thereupon, yet fought they with an invincible courage on either part ; but the Xemitidoo had the worse, for in less than three hours his whole army was routed, with the slaughter of three hundred thousand of his men, so that in this extremity he was forced to save himself onely "with six horse in a fortress, called Battelor, where he stayed but one hour, during the which, he furnished himself with a little vessel, wherein he fled the night ensuing up the river to Cedaa. Let us leave him now flying, until we shall come to him again when as time shall serve, and return to the King of Bramaa, who exceedingly contented with the victory which he had gotten, marched the next morning against the city of Pegu ; where as soon as he arrived, the inhabitants rendred themselves unto him, on condition to have their lives and goods saved. Whereupon he took order for the dressing of them that were hurt ; as for those that he lost in this battel, they were foimd to be threescore thousand in number, amongst the which were two hundred and fourscore Portugals, all the rest of them being grievously wounded. \He:re follows a description of the Kingdom of Siam, ontittelr.J 424 THE TlcAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES CHAPTEE LXI. A continuation of that which hapned in the Kingdom of Pegu, as well during the lite, as after the death of the King of Bramaa. TO return now unto the history which hitherto I have left, you must know that after the King of Bramaa had obtained that memorable victory neer to Pegu, as I have declared heretofore, by means whereof he remained peaceable possessor of the whole kingdom, the first thing he imployed himself in was to punish the offenders, which had formerly rebelled ; for which effect he cut off the heads of a great many of the nobiUty, and commanders, aU whose estates were confiscated to the crown, which (according to report) amounted unto ten miUions of gold, besides plate and jewels, whereby that common proverb, which was common in the mouths of all, was verified, namely, That one mans offence cost many m£n very dear. Whilest the King continued more and more in his cruelties, and injustice, which he exe- cuted against divers persons during the space of two moneths and a half, certain news came to him, that the city of Martabano was revolted, with the death of two thousand Bramaas, and that the Ohalogomin, govemour of the same city, had declared himself for the Xemindoo. But that the cause of this revolt may be the better tinderstood by such as are curious, I will (before I proceed any further) succiactly relate, how this Xemiiidoo had been of a religions order in Pegu, a man of noble extrac- tion, and (as some affirmed) neer of kin to the precedent king, whom this Bramaa had put to death twelve years before, as I have already declared. This Xemindoo had formerly to name Xoripam Xay; a man of about forty-five years of age, of a great understanding, and held by every one for a saint : he was withal very well versed in the laws of their sects and false religion, and had many excellent parts, which rendered him so agreeable unto all that heard him preach, as he was no sooner in the pulpit, but aU the assistants prostrated themselves on the grotmd, saying at every word that he uttered. Assuredly God speaks in thee. This Xemindoo, seeing himself then in such great credit with the people, spurred on by the generosity OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 425 of his nature, and the occasion ■which was then so favourable xmto him, resolved to try his fortune, and see to what degree it might arrive. To this end, at such a time as the King of Bramaa was fallen upon the kingdom of Siam, and had laid siege to the city of Odiaa, the Xemindoo preaching in the temple of Conquiay at Pegu, which is as it were the cathedral of aU the rest, where there was a very great assembly of people, he discoursed at large of the loss of this kingdom, of the death of their lawful king, as also of the great extortions, cruel punishments, and many other mischiefs which the Bramaas had done to their nation ; vnth so many insolences, and with so many offences against God, as even the very houses which have been founded by the charity of good people, to serve for temples wherein the divine word might be preached, were all desolated and demolished ; or if any were found stiU. standing, they were made use of, either for stables, lay stalls, or other such places accustomed to lay filth or dung in. These, and many other such like things, which the Xemindoo delivered, accompanied with many sighs and tears, made so great an impression in the minds of the people, as from thenceforward they acknowledged him for their lawful king, and swore allegeance unto him ; so that instead of calling him, as they did before, Xoripam Xay, they named him Xemindoo, as a sovereign title which they gave him above all others. Seeing himself raised then to the dignity of king, the first thing during the heat and fury of this people, was to go to the King of Bramaas palace, where having found five thousand Bramaas, he cut them all in pieces, not sparing the life of one of them ; the like did he afterwards to all the test of them that were abiding in the most important places of the state, and withal he seized on the King's treasure, which was not small. In this manner he slew aU the Bramaas that were in the kingdom, which were fifteen thousand, besides the women of that nation of what age soever, and seized on the places where they resided, which were instantly demoUshed ; so that in the space of three and twenty days onely he became .absolute possessor of the kingdom, and prepared a great army to fight vnth the King of Bramaa, if he should chance to return upon the bruit of this rebellion, as indeed he fought, with him to 426 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUBES his great damage, being defeated by him, as I have heretofore declared. And thus having methinks said enough for the in- telligence of that which I am to recount, I vdll come again to my first discourse. This King of Bramaa being advertised of the revolt of the town of Martahano, and of the death of those two thousand Bramaa's, gave order immediately to all the lords of the kingdom for their repair unto him with as many men as they could levj', and that within the term of fifteen days at the furthest, in regard the present necessity would not endure a longer delay. This done, he parted the day following vnth a small train from the city of Pegu, to give example to others to do the like, and went and lodged at a town called Mouchan, with an intention to tarry there those fifteen days he had limited the lords to come unto him. Now when as six or seven of them were abeady past, he was advertised that Xemin de Satan, governom: of a town so named, had secretly senl a great sum of gold to the Xemindoo, and withall had done him homage for the same town where he commanded. This news somewhat troubled the King of Bramaa, who devising with himself of the means which he might use to meet with the mischief that threatned him, he sent for Xemin de Satan, who was then in the said town of his government, with a purpose to cut off his head ; but he, betaking himself" to Ida bed, and making shew of being sick, answered, that he would wait upon the King assoon as he was able to rise. Now in regard he found himself to be guilty, and misdoubting the cause wherefore he was sent for, he communicated this affair to a dozen of his kinsmen who were there present with him, who all of them concluded together, how since there was no better way to save himself then in killing the King, that without further delay it was to be put in execution ; so that all of them offering secretly to assist him in this enterprise, they speedily assembled aU their confidents, without declaring unto them at first the occasion wherefore they did it ; and withall, drawing others ,unto them with many fair promises, they made up, all being joyned together, a company of sis hundred men. Whereupon being informed that the King. was lodged in a certain Pagode, they fell upon it with great violence;- and fortune was so favourable unto them,, tfa^t OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 427 finrdlng him almost alone in Ms chamber, they slew Mm withoTit incurring any danger. That done, they retired into an outward court, where the Kings guard having had some notice of this treason, set upon them, and the conflict was so hot between them, that in half an hours space, or thereabout, eight hundred men lay dead in the place, whereof the most part were Brwmaa's. After tMs Xemin de Satan making away with four hundred of Ms followers, went to a place of large extent, called Poutel, wMther all those of the country round about resorted unto Mm, who being advertised of the death of the King of Bramaa, whom they mortally hated, made up a body of five thousand men, and went to seek out the tM-ee thousand Bramaa' s wMch the King had brought thither with Mm. And forasmuch as these same were dispersed in several places, they were all of them easily slain, not scarce so much as one escaping. With them also were slain fourscore of tM-ee hundred Portugals that Diego Suarez had with him, who, to- gether with all the rest which remained with their lives saved, rendered themselves upon composition, and were received to mercy, upon condition that for the future they should faithfully serve Xemin de Satan, as their propdr king, wMch they easily promised to do. Nine days after this mutiny, the rebell seeing Mmself favoured by fortune, and such a multitude of people at his devotion, which were come to him out of this province, to the number of tMrty thousand men, caused himself to be declared the "King of Pegu, promising great recompences to such as should foUow and accompany Mm, uhtill he had wholly gotten the kingdom, and driven the Bramua's out of the country. "With tMs design he retired to a fortress called Tagalaa, and resolved to f ortifie himself there out of the feai he was in of the forces wMch were to come to the succour of the deceased king,' thinking to finde Mm alive, having been advertised that many were already set forth from the city of Pegu for that purpose. Now of those Bramaa' s wMch Xemin de Satan had slain, one by chance escaped, and cast Mmself all wounded as he was into the river, and swimming over, never left travelling all that night, and the day following, for feat of i\&Pegu's, untill he arrived at a place, called Coutasa- rem, where he encountred with the Ghaumtgrem, the deceased 428 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES Kings foster-brother, who -was encamped there with an army of an hundred and fourscore thousand men, whereof there were but onely thirty thousand Bramaa's, all the rest Pegu's ; finding him then upon the point of parting from thence, in regard of the heat that would be within two hours after, he acquainted him with the death of the King, and all that had past besides. Now though the news greatly troubled the Ghaumigrem, yet he dissembled it for the present with so- much courage and prudence, as not one of his followers, perceived any alteration in him. But contrarily, putting on a rich habit of carnation sattin, embroidered with gold, and. a chain of precious stones about his neck, he caused all the- lords and commanders of his army to assemble before him, and then speaking to them with the semblance of a joyfull man. Gentlemen, said he, this fellow which you saw come to me hut now in such }iaste, hath brought me this letter, which I haver here in my hand, from the King, my Lord and yours ; and although by the contents thereof he seeevieth to blame us for our carelesiiess in lingring thus, yet I hope ere long to render him such an account of it, as his Highness sliall give us all thanks- for the service we liave done him. By this letter too he certifier me, that he hath very certain intelligence, how the Xemindoo hath raised an army, with an intent to fall upon the towns of Cosmin and Dalaa, and to gain all along the rivers of Digon. and Meidoo, the whole province of Danapluu even to Ansedaa ; wherefore he hath expresly enjoyned me, that as soon as possibly I may, I put into those places {as the most important) such forces as shall he able to resist the enemy ; and that I tahb heed nothing he lost through my negligence, because in that case he will admit of no excuse. This being so, it seems to me very important and necessary for his service, that you my Lord Xemimbrum go instantly without all delay, and put your self with your forces into the town of Dalaa ; and your brother-in- law Bainhaa Quern into that of Digon, with his fifteen thousand men; as for Colonel Gipray and Monpocasser, they shall go with their thirteen thousand souldiers into Ansedaa, aTid Danapluu, and Ciguamcan, vdth twenty thousand men shall march along to Xaraa, and so to Malaeou; moreover Quiay Brazagaran, with his brethren and kinsmen, shall go for General OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 429 of the Frontier, with an army of fifty tlwusand men, to the end that assisted with these forces he may in person give order wheresoever need shall be. Behold, what tlie King hath written to me, whereof I jiray you let us make an agreement, and all sign it togetJier, for it is no reason that my head should answer for your want of care, and imprudence. His commanders presently obeyed him, and without longer tarrying there, each of them went straight to the place whither his commission directed him. The Ghaumigrem, by the means of this so cunning and well dissembled a sleight, rid himself in less then three hours of all the hundred and fifty thousand Pegu's, who he knew, if once they came to hear of the Kings death, woidd fall upon the thirty thousand Bramaa's that he had there with him, and not leave one of them alive. This done, assoon as it was night, turning back to the city, which was not above a league from thence, he seized with all speed on the deceased Kings treasure, which amounted, according to report, unto above thirty millions of gold, besides jewels that were not to be estimated ; and withall, he saved all the Bramaa's wives and children, and took as many arms and as much ammunition as he could carry away. After this, he set fire on all that was in the magazines, caused all the lesser ordnance to be rived asunder, and the greater, which he could not use so, to be cloyed. Furthermore, he made seven thousand elephants that were in the country to be killed, reserving onely two thousand for the carriage of his treasure, ammunition, and baggage. As for all the rest, it was con- sumed with fire, so that neither in the palace, where were chambers all sieled with gold, nor in the magazines and arsenals, nor on the river where were two thousand rowing vessels, remained ought that was not reduced to ashes. After this execution, he departed in all haste, an hour before day, and drew' directly towards Tanguu, which was his own country, from whence he came some fourteen years before to the conquest of the kingdom of Pegu, which in the heart of the country was distant from thence about an hundred and threescore leagues. Now whereas fear commonly adds wings to the feet, it made him march with such speed, as he and his arrived in fifteen days at the place whither they were 430 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES a going. In the mean time, whereas the Cliaiimigrem had cunningly sent away the hundred and fifty thousand Pegu's, as I have declared already, it happened that two days after they understood how the King of Brmnaa was dead. Now in regard they were mortal enemies of that nation, sixscore thousand of them in one great body turned back in haste for to go in quest of the thirty thousand Bramaa's ; but when they arrived at the city, they found that they were gone from thence three days before ; this making them to follow in pursuit of them with all the speed that possibly they could, they came to a place, called Guinacoutel, some forty leagues from the city whence they came ; there they were informed, that it was five days since they passed by ; so that despairing of being able to execute the design which they had, of cutting them in pieces, they returned back to the place from whence they were parted, where they consulted amongst themselves about that which they were to do, and resolved in the end, since they had no lawfuU King, and that the land was quite freed of the Bramaa's, to go to Xemin de Satan, as incon- tinently they did, who received them, not onely with a great . deal of joy and good entertaLument, but promised them mighty matters, and much honour, by raising them to the principal commands of the kingdom, assoon as time should -serve, and that he was more peaceably setled. Thereupon he went directly to the city of Pegu, where he was received with the magnificence of a king, and for such crovraed in the temple of Comquiay, which is the chiefest of all the rest. CHAPTEE LXn. That which airived at the time of Xenim de Satan, and an abominahle case that befell to Biego Suarez ; together with the Xemindoo's Expedition against Xenim de Satan ; and that which ensaed thereupon. THEEB moneths and nine days had this tyrant Xenim de Satan already peaceably possessed the city and kingdom of Pegu, when as without fearing any thing, or being contra- dicted by none, he fell to distributing the treasure and revenues OF FERDINAND MENDFZ PINTO. 431 of the crown to whomsoever he pleased ; whereupon great scandals ensued, which were the cause of divers quarrels and divisions amongst many of the lords, who for this cause, and the injustice which this tyrant did them, retired into several forreign countries and kingdoms. Some also went and sided "with the Xemindoo, who began at that time to be in reputation again. For after he had fled from the battel onely with six horse, as I have declared heretofore, he got into the kingdom of Ansedaa, where as well by 'the efficacy of his sermons, as by the authority of his person, he won so many to his devo- tion, as assisted by the favour and forces of those lords as adhered to him, he made up an army of threescore thousand men, with which he marched to Meidoo, where he was very -well received by those of the country. Now setting aside what he did in those parts, during the space of four moneths that he abode there, I wUl in the mean time pass to a strange accident which in a few days fell out in this city, that one may know what end the good fortune of the great Diego Suarez had, who had been Governour of this kingdom of Pegu; and the recompence which the world is accustomed to make at last unto all such as serve and trust in it, under . the semblance of a good countenance which she shews them at first. The matter past in this sort. There was in this city of 'Fegu a merchant, called Manbagoaa, a rich man, and that of good reputation in the country. This same resolved to marry a daughter of his to a young man, the son of a worship- full and very rich merchant also, named Manicaniandarim, about that time that Diego Suarez was in the greatest' height of his fortune, and termed the Kings brother, and in dignity above all the princes and lords of the kingdom. So the fathers of this young couple being agreed on this marriage, and of the dowry that was to be given, which by .report was three hundred thousand ducates ; when as the day was come wherein . the nuptials were celebrated vdth a great deal of state and magnificence, and honoured with the presence of most of the gentlemen of, chiefest quality in. the city, it happened that Diego Suarez, being come a Mttle. before . sun- set frora the royal palace, vdth a great -train, both of horse and foot, as Ms^ manner was to, be always well accompanied,: 432 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES passed by Manibagoaa's door, where hearing the musick and rejoicing that was in the house, asked what the matter was, whereunto answer being made him, that Mamhagoaa had married his daughter, and that the wedding was kept there, he presently caused the elephant on which he was mounted to stay, and sent one to teU the father of the bride, that he congratulated with him for this marriage, and wished a long and happy life to the new married couple; to these words he added many others by way of complement, yea and made him many offers if he would make use of him ; wherewith the old father of the bride finding himself so exceedingly honoured, as not knowing how to acknowledge it, in regard the person who did him so much honour was no less than the King him- self in greatness and dignity, the desire which he had to satisrie this obligation in part, if he could not wholly do it, made him go and take his daughter by the hand, accompanied with many ladies of quaUty, and so leading her to the street door, where Diego Suarez was, he prostrated himself on the ground with a great deal of respect, and with many comple- ments, after his manner, thanked him for the favour and . honour that he had done him. Thereupon the new married bride, having taken from off her finger a rich ring, presented it on her knees by her fathers express commandment, to Diego Suarez; but he that naturally was sensual and lasci- vious, instead of using civility, whereunto the laws of generosity and friendship obhged him, having taken the ring which the maid presented unto him, he reached out his hand, and plucked her to him by force, saying, God forbid, that so fair a maid as you should fall into am/ other hands hut mine ; whereupon ^ihe poor old man seeing Diego Suarez hale his daughter so rudely, lifting up both his hands to heaven, vrith his knees on the ground, and tears in his eyes. My lord, said he unto him, I humbly beseech thee for the love and respect of the great God, whom thou adorest, and which was conceived without any spot of sin in the Virgin's womb, as I confess and believe, according to that which I have heard thereof, that thou wilt not forcibly take away my daughter ; for if thou dost so, I shall assuredly die with grief and displeasure at it ; but if thou desire of me that I should give tliee her dowry, togetlier with all that is in OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 433 my Iwuse, and that I deliver iqo my self unto tliee for a slave, I will instantly do it, provided thou wilt permit tJiat her husband may possess her, for I liave no other good in the world hut she, nor will I have any other as long as I live. Where- upon offering to lay hold on his daughter, Diego Suarez, making no answer to him, turned himself about to the captain of his guard, who was a Turk by nation, and said imto him, Kill this dog.. The Turk presently drew out his seymitar to kill the poor old man, but he suddenly fled away, leaving his daughter with aU her hair about her ears in Diego Suarez his hands. In the mean time the bridegroom came running to this tumult, with his cheeks all bedewed with tears ; bjit he was scarcely arrived there, when as these barbarians slew him, and his father too, with six or seven other of his kinsmen. Whilest this past so, the women made such fearfuU cries in the house as terrified all those that heard them, so that even the earth and the air seemed to tremble at it, or to say better, they demanded vengeance of God for the little respect which was had to His divine justice, and for so great a violence as this was ; and truly, . if I do not more amply report the particularities of so black and so abominable an action, I desire to be excused, in regard I pass them by for the honour of the Portugal nation. Wherefore it shall suf&ce me to say, that this poor maid seeing her seK upon the point to be forced, strangled her self with a string that she wore about her middle for a girdle; which she chose rather to do, then suffer this sensual and brutish man to carry her away with him by force ; but he was therewith so displeased, as he was heard to say, that he repented him more for that he had not enjoyed her, then for using her in that sort as he did. Now from the day of "this abhorred act, till four years after, the good old man, the father of the bride, was never seen to go out of his house ; but at length . to give a greater demonstration of his sorrow, and to shew his extreme resentment of the matter, he covered himself with an' old tattered mat, and in that sad equipage went up and down, begging an alms of his very slaves, . never eating any thing, but lying all along naked, and his face fixed on the ground. Thus continued he in so sad a manner of lite, untUl 29 434 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTVBES ia the end he saw that the season invited him to have recourse unto justice, whieh he demanded in this sort; perceiving that in the kingdom there v^as another king, other governours, and other jurisdiction, alterations which time ordinarily produceth in every country, and in all kinde of affairs, he went out of his house in the wretched fashion he had so long used, having a hig cord about his neck, and a white beard, reaching almost down to his girdle, and got him into the midst of a great place, where stood a temple called Quiay Fantareu, that is to say, the God of the afflicted ; there he took the idol from off the altar, and holding it in his arms, he returned out of the temple, to the said great place, where having cried out aloud three times to draw the people together, as accordingly they came flocking in unto him, he said with tears in his eyes ; ye people, ye people I wJw with a clean and peaceable heart make profession of the truth of this god of tlie afflicted, which you see here in my arms, coine forth like lightning in a dark and rainy night, and joyn with ine in crying so loud, tliat our cries may pierce the heavens, to the end the pitifull ear of the Lord may he drawn to hear our heavy lamentations, and by them he may know tlie reason we have ' to demand justice against this accursed stranger, as the most wicked inan that ever was bom in the world ; for this abominable wretch hath not been contented with spoiling us of oicr goods, but hath also dishonoured our families ; wherefore whosoever shall net with me accompany the god which I hold in my hands, and water with my tears, in detesting so horrible a crime, let the gluttonous serpent of the profound pit of smoke abridge his days miserably, and tear his body in pieces at midnight. This old mans words so mightily terrified the assistants, and made so deep an impression in their minds, that in a short time fifty thousand persons assembled in that place, with so much fury and desire of revenge, as was won- derful! to behpld. Thus the number of' the people still more and more increasing, they ran thronging strait to the Kings palace, with so horrible a noise, as struck terrour unto all that heard them. In this . disorder, being arrived at the outward court, of the palace, they cried out six or seven times with a dreadf ull -tone ; Oh King come out of the place where thou art shut up, to hearken to. the voice of thy god, who demands justice OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 435 of thee by the mouth of thy poor people. At these cries the King put forth his head out of the window, and affrighted with so strange an accident, would needs know of them what they would have ? whereunto they all answered unanimously with such loud cries, a3 seemed to pierce the heavens, Jtcstice, justice, against a wicked, infidel, who to spoil us of our goods hath hilled our fathers, our children, our brothers, and our kinsmen. The King having thereupon inquired of them who it was : It is, a,nswered they, an accursed thief, participating with the works of the serpent, who in the Fields of Delight abused the first man that God created. Is it possible, said he unto them, that there should be any such thing as you tell me ? "Whereunto they aU replied, This same is the most accursed man that ever was bom on the earth, and is so out of his wicked nature and inclination, wherefore we all of us beseech thee in the name of this God of the afflicted, that his veins may he as much emptied of his bloud, as hell is filled with his wicked works. At these words the King turning towards them, that were about him, What do you think liereof, said he unto them ? What am I to do ? and how am I to carry m,y self in so strange and extraordinary a m^atter ? To which they aU answered, My lord, if thou wilt not hearken to - that which this God of the afflicted comes to demand of thee, it is to be feared that he will take care no longer to aid thee, and unll refuse to support thee in thy dignity. Then the King turn- ing himself again to the midtitude that were below in the court, bade them go to the place where the great market was kept, and he would give order that the mam, whom they required should be delivered unto them to be disposed of at their pleasure. "Whereupon having sent to the Ghirca of Justice, who is as the sovereign superintendent thereof above all others, he commanded him to go and apprehend Diego SuMrez, and deliver birr) bound hand and foot to the people, that they might do justice upon him, for he feared if he did otherwise, that God would execute it upon him. ---The Ghirca of Justice went immediately to Diego SvArez his house, and told him that the King had sent for him; he in the mean time was so troubled to see the Ghirca come for him, that he remained a pretty while not able to answer him, as a man that was. almost besides himself, and had lost his understand- 436 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTUJRES ing ; but at length being somewhat come to himself again ; Me earnestly desired him to dispense luitli him at this time for going with him, in regard of a great fain that he liad in his Jiead, and tliat in acknowledgment of so good an office, he would give him forty hisses of gold. Whereuuto the Ckirca replied, TJie offer which thou makest ine is too little for vie to take upon me tliat great pain which thou say est thou hast in thine head, wherefore thou must go along with me, either by fair means or by force, since thou ohligest me to tell thee the truth. Diego Suarez then, seeing that there was no means to excuse him, would have taken along with him six or seven of his servants, and the Chirca not permitting it ; I mmt, said he unto him, fulfill tin Kings command, which is, that thou sJialt come alone, and iwt with six or seven men, for the time is noiu past wlierein tJwu wcrt wont to go so well accompan ied, as I liave oftentimes seen thee do ; all thy support is gone by the death of the tyrant of Bramaa, wlio icas the quill whcreivith tlwu bloivedst up thy self to unsupportahle pride, as is ajparent by the wicked actions which tlwu ]iast committed, which at this present acciise thee before tlie justice of God. This said, he took him by the hand, and led him along with him, environed with a guard of three hundred men, whereat we remained very much dismayed. Thus marching from one street to another, he arrived in the end at the' Bazor, which was a publick place where all kinde of wares was sold; but as he was going thither, he met by chance with Balthazar Suarez his son, who came from a mer-- chants house, whither his father had sent him that morning to receive some money that was owing to him. The son, seeing his father in this pUght, alighted presently from his horse, and casting himBeU at his feet ; What means this, my lord, said he unto him with tears in his eyes, and whence comes it that you ■.ire led along in this sort ? Ask it of my sins, answered Diego Suarez, and they will tell thee, for I protest unto thee, my son, that in the case I am in, all things seem dreams unto me. Thereupon embracing one another, and mingling their tears together, they continued so, untUl such time as the Chirca commanded Balthazar Suarez to get him gone, which he would not do, being loth to part from his father ; but the ministers of justice haled him away by force, and pushed him so rudely, as OF FJEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 437 lie fell and broke his head, yea and ■withall they gave him many blows besides, whereat his father fell into a swoun. Being come again to himself, he craved a Uttle water, which he had no sooner taken, but lifting up his hands to heaven, he said with tears in his eyes, Si iniqtdtates observaberis, Domine, Domine quis sustinebit ? But, Lord, added he, out of the great confidence I have in the infinite price of Thy precious bhud, which Thou hast shed for me upon the cross, I may say with more assurance, Misericordias Domini in ceternum cantabo. Thus altogether desolated as he was in this last affliction, when he was come in sight of the place whither the King had commanded him to be conducted, it is said, that perceiving so many people, he remained so exceedingly dismayed, that turn- ing himself to a Portugal, who was permitted to accompany Mm, Jesus, said he unto him, have all these accused me to the King ? Whereunto the Chirca made him this answer, It is no longer time for thee to think of this, for thou hast wit enough to know, that the people are of so unruly a humour, that they always follow evil whereunto they are naturally inclined. It is not that, replied Diego Suarez with tears ia his eyes, for I know that if there be any unruliness in tJiem, it proceeds from my sim. Thou seest thereby, said the Ghirca, that this is the ordinary reeompence which the world is accustonied to give to them, who during this life have lost the memory of the divine justice, as thou hast done, arid Ood give thee the grace that in this Uttle time thou hast to live thou mayest repent thee of the faults thou hast committed, which possibly may avail thee more then all the gold that thou leavest behinde thee, for an inheritance to him, who peradventure is the cause of thy death. Here Diego Suarez falling dovm on his knees, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, O Lord Jesus Christ, cried he, my true Bedeemer, I beseech Thee by the pains which Thou hast stiffered upon the cross, to permit that tlie accusation of these hundred thousand hunger-starred dogs against me, may serve to satisfie tlie cliastisement of Thy divine justice in my behalf, to the end that the inestimable price which Thou hast imployed for the salvation of my soul, without any merit of mine, may not be unprofitable unto me. This said, he ascended the stairs which led to th6 market-place, and the Portugal that assisted him told me, how at every step he 438 TEE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ABVENTUEES kissed the ground, and called upon the Name of Jesus ; at length when he was come to the top, the Manhagoao, who held the idol in his arms, animating the people with great cries, said unto them. Whosoever shall not for the hoiiour of this god of the afflicted, whom I have liere in my arms, stone this accursed serpent, let him for ever he miserable, and let the brains of his children be consumed in the midst of the night, to the end that by the punishment of so great a sin, the righteous judgement of the Lord above may be justified in them. He had no sooner made an end of speaking thus, but there fell so great a shower of stones on Diego Suarez, as in less then a quarter of an hour he was buried under them, and they that flung them at him did it so indiscreetly, as the most part of them hurt one another . therewith. An hour after they drew forth the poor Diego Suarez from under the stones, and with another new tumult of cries and voices they tore him in pieces, with so much fm-y and hatred of the whole people in general, as there was not he which did not believe that he did a charitable and holy work in giving a reward to the most mutinous amongst those which dragged his members and entrails up and down the streets. This execution done, the King willing to confiscate his goods, sent men to his house for that pm-pose, where the disorder was so great, in regard of the extreme avarice which these hungry dogs had, they left not a tUe unmoved ; and because they found not so much as they expected, they put all his slaves and servants to torture, with such an excess of cruelty, as eight •and thirty of them remained dead in the place, amongst them were seventeen Portugals, who bore the pain of a thing where, of they were not guilty. In aU this spoil there were no more then six hundred bisses of gold found, which are in value three hundred thousand ducates, besides some pieces of rich hous- hold-stuff, but no precious stones, nor jewels at all, which perswaded . men that Diego Suarez had buried all the rest; howsoever it could never be foimd out, notwithstanding all the search that was made for it, and yet it was verified by the judgement of some who had seen him in his prosperity, that he had in means above three millions. of gold, according to the supputation of the country. Behold what was the end of the. great Diego Suarez, whom fortune had so favoured in this OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 439 kingdom of Pegu, as she had raised him up to the degree of the King's brother, the highest and most absolute title of all others, and given him withall two hundred thousand ducates yearly rent, with the chargp of general of eight hundred thousand men, and sovereign over all the other governours and vice-roys of fourteen kingdoms, which the King of Bramaa had at that time in his possession. But it is the ordinary course of the goods of this world, especially of such as are ill gotten, always to serve for a way to disgraces and misfortunes. I return now to the Xemindoo, of whom I have not spoken a long time. Whereas that tyrant and avaricious King Xemin de Satan gave daily new increases to the cruelties and tyrannies which he exercised against aU sorts of persons, never ceasing killing and robbing (indifferently) those, who were thought to have money; nor sparing any thing that he could lay his hands on, his rapiaes proceeded so far, as it was that in the space of seven moneths onely, wherein he was peaceable possessour of this kingdom of Pegu, he put to death six thousand very rich merchants, besides many ancient lords of the country, who by way of right of inheritance held their estates from -the crown. These extortions rendered him so odious, as the most part of those that were with him abandoned him to side with the Xemindoo, who had for him at that time the towns of Digon, Meidoo, Dalaa, and Goulam, even to the confines of Xaraa, from whence he parted in haste to go and besiege this tyrant with an army of two hundred thousand men, and five thousand elephants. When he was arrived at the city of Pegu, where Xemin de Satan then kept his court, he invested it round about with palisadoes and very strong trenches, yea, and gave some assaults to it, but he could not enter it so easily as he believed, in regard of the great resistance he found from them within ; wherefore, judging it requisite for hiui to .alter his minde, being prudent as he was, he came very subtUly to a truce of twenty days with the tyrant upon certain conditions, whereof ■the principal was, - that if within the term, of those twentj '.days he gave him a thousand bisses of gold, which are in Talue five .hundred thousand dueates, he would desist, from. 440 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES the pretention and right •which he had to this kingdom ; and all this he did (as I have akeady said) cunningly, hoping hy this means to bring him to his bowe with less peril. So the time of the truce beginning to run on, aU things remained peaceable on either side, and the besiegers feU to communicate with the besieged. During this pacification every morning two hours before it was day, they of the Xemindoo's camp played after their manner upon divers sorts of instruments very melodiously, at, the sound whereof aU they of the city ran to the walls to see what the matter was. Whereupon those instruments ceasing to play, a proclamation was made by a priest, accounted by every man a holy personage, who said these words with a very sad voice, ye people, ye people ! unto wlwm Nature Jiath given ears to hear, hearken to the voice of the holy captain Xemindoo, of whom God will make use for the restoring you to your liberty and former quiet ; in order where- unto lie admonislieth you from Quiay Nivandel, the God of battels and of the field Vitau, that none of you he so hardy as to lift up your hand against him, nor against this holy assembly which he hath made, out of a holy zeal towards these people of Pegu, as brother, that he is, to the least of all the poor. Other- wise whosoever shall come against the army of the servants of God, or shall have the will to^do them any harm, let him he accursed for it, and as deformed and vile as the children of the night, who foaming with poyson make horrible cries, and he delivered into the burning jaws of the dragon of discord, whom the true Lord of all the Gods hath cursed for ever ; whereas contrarily, to those that shall be so happy as to obey this pro- clamation, as his holy brethren and allies, shall he granted in this life a perpetual peace, accompanied with a great deal of wealth and riches ; and after their death their souls shall he no less pure and agreeable to God, then those of the saints which'go dancing amidst the beams of the sun in the celestial repose of the Lord Almighty. This publication made, the musick began to play again with a great noise as before, which made such an impression in the hearts of them that heard it, as in seven nights that it continued above threescore thousand persons went and rendered themselves to the. Xemindoo ; for most of them which heard those words gave as much credit thereunto. OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 441 as if an angel from heaven had spoken them. In the mean -time the besieged tyrant, seeing that these secret proclamations ■of the enemy were so prejudicial unto him, as they could not <3huse but turn to his utter ruine, brake the truce at twelve •days end, and deliberated with his council what he should ■do, who advised him by no means to suffer himself to remain any longer besieged, for fear lest the inhabitants should mutiny, and fall from him to the enemy ; and that the best and surest ■way was, to fight with the Xemindoo in the open field, before lie grew to any further strength. This ■resolution being approved •of by Xenim de Satan, he prepared himself for the execution of it; to which effect he, two days after, before it was day, sallied out at five gates of the city, with fourscore thousand men, which then he had,' and charged the enemies with strange fury. They then, in the mean time, who always stood upon their guard, received them with a great deal of courage; whereupon ensued so cruel a conflict between them, that in less then half an hour, for so long lasted the heat of the fight, there fell on both sides about forty thousand men ; but at the €nd of that time the new King Xenim was born from his ■elephant by an harquebuse shot, discharged at him' by a Por- tugal, named Goncalo Neto, which caused all the rest to render themselves, and the city likewise, upon condition that the inhaibitants shoiild have their goods and Uves saved. By this means' the Xemindoo entred peaceably into it, and the very «ame day, which was a Saturday, the 23r(^ of February, 1551, ie caused himself to be crowned King of Pegu in the greatest temple of the city. As for Goncalo Neto, he gave him in xecompence for kiUing the tyrant twenty hisses of gold, which are ten thousand ducates ; and to the other Por*ugals, being «ighty in number, he gave five thousand ducates, besides the honours and priviledges which they had in the country ; he also exempted them for three years from paying any custome for their merchandise, which was afterwards very exactly •observed. 442 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES CHAPTEE LXIII. That whicli the Xemindoo did, after he was crowned King of Pegn, nilh the Chaumigrems ; the King of Bramaa's foster-brothers coming against him, with an army ; and divers other memorable things. THE Xemindoo seeing himself crowned Bjng of Pegu, and peaceable lord of all the kingdom, began to have thoughts far different from those which Xemin de Satan had had, being raised to the same dignity of King ; for the first and principal thing wherein he imployed himself with all his endeavour, was to maintain his kingdom in peace, and to cause justice to flourish ; as, indeed, he established it with so much integrity, as no man how great soever he was, durst wrong a lesser than himself : withall in that which concerned the government of his kingdom, he proceeded with so much virtue and equity, as it filled the strangers that were there with admiration, so that one could not without marvel consider the peace, the quiet, and union of the wills of the people ; during the happy and peaceable estate of this kingdom, which continued the space of a year, and better ; at the end whereof the Chaumigrem, foster- brother to the same King of Brainaa, whom Xemin de Satan had slain, as I have before declared, having received adver- tisement, that by reason of the rebellions and wars, wliich since his departure from thence had happened in the kingdom of Pegu the principal men of state there, had lost their lives ; and the Xemindco who then reigned was unprovided of aU things necessary for his defence ; he resolved once again to adventure upon the same enterprise which had formerly been undertaken by his late king. With this design, he enter- tained into his pay a mighty army of strangers, unto whom he gave a tineal of gold by the moneth, which is five ducates of our money ; when as he had prepared all things in a readi- ness, he departed from Tanguu, the place of his birth. On the 9th day of March, 1652, with an army of three hundred thousand men, whereof onely fifty thousand were Bram/m's, and aU. the 'rest Mons, Chaleus, Galaminhans, Sauanis, Pam- crus, and AvMis. In the mean time the Xemindoo, the new King of Pegu, haying certain intelligence of these great forces,. OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 443 which were coming to fall upon him, made preparation to go and meet them, with a design to give them battel ; for which effect he assembled in the same city where he was, a huge army of nine hundred thousand men, which were all Pegu's by nation, and consequently of a weak constitution, and less war- like then all the others, whereof I have spoken ; and on Tuesday the 4th of April, about noon, having received advice that the enemies army was encamped all along the river of Meleytay, some twelve leagues from thence, he used such expedition, as the same day, and the next night, all his souldiers were put into battel-aray, for whereas they had prepared every thing long before, and had also been trained by their captains, there needed no great ado to bring them into order. Tha day ensuing, all these men of war began about nine of the clock in the morning, to march at the sound of an infinite number of warlike instruments, and went and lodged that night some two leagues from thence near to the river Potareu. The nest day, an hour before sun-set the Bramaa Ghaumigrem appeared with so great a body of men, as it took up the extent of a league and an half of groimd ; his army being composed of seventy thousand horse, of two hundred arid thirty thousand foot, and six thousand fighting elephants, besides as many more which carried baggage and victuals ; and in regard it was almost night, he thought fit to lodge himself all along- by the mountain, that he might be in the greater safety. Thus the night past with a good guard, and a strange noise that was made on either part. The day following, which was a Saturday, the 7th of April, in the year 1553, about five of the clock in the morning, these two armies began to move, but with different intentions ; for the design of the Brainaa was to pass the ford, and recover an advantageous piece of ground, which lay near to another river; and the Xemindoo had a desire to keep him from it, and to stop his passage; upon this contention, some skir- mishes ensued, which continued most part of the day, and wherein above five himdred men on the one side and the other were slain, howbeH the advantage remained with the Ghaumi- grem, because he gained the place whereunto he pretented, and passed all the night there in banquetting, and making 444 THE TBAVEL8, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES great bonfires for this good successe. The next day, betimes in the morning, the Xemindco, King of Pegu, presented the battail to his enemies, who did not refuse it ; so that they encountred one another with all the fury that a cruel hatred is accustomed to kindle in such like cases ; the two vantgards then, who were the best souldiers amongst them, feU so lustily unto it, that in lesse then half an hour, all the field was covered with dead bodies, and the Pegtces began to lack courage. Whereupon the Xemindoo, seeing his men give ground, came to succour them with a body of three thousand elephants, wherewith he set upon the seventy thousand horse so couragiously, and to the purpose, as the Bramaa's lost all that they had gained ; which perceived by the Chaumigrem, who was better experienced in matters of warre, knowing full well what he was to do, to recover all again, made shew of retyring, as if he had been vanquished ; the Xemindoo there- upon, who understood not this stratagem, and that thought of nothing but the victory, pursued his enemy about a quarter of a league : but incontinently the Bramaa facing about with all his forces, fell upon his enemy with such violence and -horrible cryes, as not only men, but even the very earth, and all the other elements seemed to tremble at it. By this means the conflict renewed in such sort, as in a little time the ayre was seen all on fire, and the ground watered all over with bloud ; for the Pegu lords and commanders, beholding their King so farre ingaged in the battle, and likely to lose the day, ran instantly to his succor ; the like did the Panonsaray, the Bramaa's brother, on his side, with fourty thousand men, and two thousand elephants ; so that there ensued betwixt them so bloudy and dreadfull a fight, as words are not able to expresse the truth of it ; wherefore I shall say no more, but that half an hour, or there about, before sun-set, the army of nine hundred thousand Pegues was utterly discomfited; and (as it was said) four hundred thousand of them were left dead on the place, and all the rest, or the most part of them, grievously wounded ; which the Xemindoo seeing, fled out of the field, and so escaped. Thus did the victory remwn unto the Chaumigrem, who thereupon caused himself to be' crowned King of Pegu, with the same royal ensignes. magid- OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 445 ficence, and triumph, as the other King of Bramaa, whom Xemin de Satan slew, had formerly been. And in regard it was already night, they bestowed the time in no other thing, but in dressing the hurt men, and keeping good watch in the camp. The next day, as soon as it was light, all the victorious souldiers, as weU wounded as unwounded, ran to the spoil of the dead bodies ; wherewith divers amongst them were mightily enriched ; for they found there great store of gold and jewels, by reason the custome of those Gentiles is, (as I think, I have heretofore dehvered) to carry aU. their wealth about them to the war. The souldiers being well satisfied in this particular, the new king of this miserable kingdome parted forthwith from the place were he had gotten the victory, and marched towards the eitie of Pegu, distant some three leagues from thence. Now forasmuch as he would not that day enter into it, for certain considerations which I will relate hereafter, he set himself down in the view of it, about half a league off, in a plain, called Sunday Patir : and after he had thus encamped his army, he gave order for the guard of the four and twenty gates thereof, by placing at each of them a Bramaa commander with five thousand horse. In this manner he remained there five dayes, without being able to resolve to enter into the eitie, out of the fear he was in, lest the strangers should requite of him the pillage of it, as indeed, he was obliged to grant; it to them by the promise which he had made them for it at Tanguu. Now the custom of men of war, who live but upon their pay, being to have regard to nothing but their interests, these six nations seeing the King thus defer his entry, into the eitie, which they could not brook, began to mutinie, and this by the instigation of a Portugal, named Christonano Sumento, a man of a turbulent spirit, but otherwise a good and valiant commander ; and this mutinie proceeded so far, as the King of Bramaa for his own safty was constrained to retire into a Parade, where he fortified himseK with his .Bramaa's, untiU that the next morning about nine of -the,, clock, he came to a truce with them, and causing them to assemble; together, from the top of a wall he epake to them in this sort. My worthy friends, and valiant 446 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES commanders, I liave caused you to come to this holy resting- place of the dead, to tlie end that with a solemn oath I may discover unto you my intentions ; wJiereof, with my knees on the ground, and my eyes lift up unto lieaven, I take to witness Quiay Nivandel, the God of battel of tJie field Vitau, beseeching him to be judg of this between you and »ie, and to strike me dumb, if I do not tell you- the truth. J very well remember the promise I made you at Tanguu, which was, to give you the pillage of this tumultuous citie ; as well because . I believed your valour would be as it were the minister of my revenge, as in some sort to satisfie your avarice, whereunto I know you are naturally very much inclined. Now having given you this promise for a gage of my faith, I achwtvledg that I am altogether obliged not to break my word with you. But when, on the other side, I come to consider tlie great incon- veniences which may accrue to me thereby, and the strict account which I shall one day render for it before the equitable and rigorous justice of the Lord above, I must confesse unto you, that I am very much affraid of charging my self with so heavie a burthen : wherefore reason advises me to render my self faulty towards men, rather than to fall into the displeasure of God. Besides, it is not reasonable that tlie innocent should pay for the guilty, and of whom I am sufficiently satisfied vnth the death which they have received in this last battel by your hands. Behold, how I earnestly intreat you, as children that you are of my bowels, that having regard to my good intention, you will not kindle this fire wherein my soul will be burnt, since you see well enough how reasonable that is which I desire of you, and how unjust it would be for you to refuse it me. Nevertheless, to the end you may not remain altogether without recompense, I do here promise you to contribute thereunto all that shall seem reasonable to you, and so supply this default in part with my own goods, with my person, with my kingdom, and with my state. Hereupon the commanders of those six nations hear- ing the King's justification, and the promise which he made them, yeelded to agree unto whatsoever he would do : howbeit, they prayed him above all things to'have regard unto'souldiers pretensions, who were not at any hand to be discontented, but greatly to be made account of. "Whereunto the King OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 447 replyed, That they had reason, and that in all things he would endeavour to conform himself to whatsoever they should judg reasonable. In the mean time, to avoid disputes which might ensue hereupon, it was concluded, that they should referr themselves to arbitrators : for which effect the mutiners were to name three on their side, and the King three others on his, which made six in all, whereof three were to be rehgious men and the rest strangers, that so the judgment might be given with lesse suspicion. This resolution being taken between them, they agreed together, that the three religious men shoTildbe the Menigrepos of a Pagode, tha,t was named Quiay Hifaron, that is to say, the God of Povertie ; and that for the other three strangers, the King and the mutiners should cast lots, to see who should chuse one or two of them on his side. The election being fallen to the King, he made a choice of two Portugals, of an hundred and forty that were then in the citie; whereof the one was Gonsalo Pacheco, the King our masters factor for lacre, a worthie man, and of a good con- science ; and the other a worshipful merchant, named Nuno Fernandez Teixeyra, whom the King held in good esteem, as having known him in the Ufe time of the deceased king. By the same means the commanders of the mutiners elected another stranger, whose name I do not know. Things thus concluded, the judges destined for the resolution of this affair were sent for, because the King was not willing to stirre out of the place where he was, untill the matter was determiaed ; to the end he might dismisse them all peaceably before he entred into the citie, for fear lest if they entred with him, they should not keep their word. For this purpose then the King about midnight sent a Bramaa on horseback to the Portugals quarter, who were in no lesse fear then the Pegues of being plundered and killed. After that the Bramaa was come into the citie, and that he had asked aloud (for so they use to do when, they come from the King) where the captain of the JPortugals was, he was. presently, conducted to his lodging, where being arrived, Jf is a thing (said he to the captain) as ftoper to. the nature of that Lord, above, who hath created the armament, and the whole • heavens, to: make good men for the conversion of the wicked, as it is ordinary with the pernicious 448 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES. AND ADVENTVBE3 dragon to nourish in his bosonie spirits of commotion and tumult, to bring disorder unto the peace which conserves us in the holy law of the Lord. I mean hereby (continued he) that amongst all tlwse of your nation there is one wicked man found, vomiting out of his infernal stomach flames of discord and sedition, by means whereof lie hath caused the three strange nations of the Chalons, Meleytes, and Savadis to mutinie in the King my masters army, whereupon hath ensued so great a mischief, that besides almost the utter mine of the camp, three thousand Bramaa's have been slain, and the King himself hath been in such danger, as he was fain to retire into a fort, wliere lie hath remained three dayes, and still is there, not daring to come out, because he cannot put any trust in those strangers. Howbeit, for a remedy of so great unguietnesse, it liath pleased God, wlw is the true Father of concord, to inspire the King's heart with patience to endure this injurie, being prudent as lie is, to the end he may by that meajis pacifie the tumult and rebellion of these three turbulent nations, wlw inhabit the most desart parts of the mountains of Mons, and are the most accursed of God amongst all people. Now, to make an entry into this peace and union, a treaty hath been had between tlie King and tlie convmanders of the mutiners, whereby it hath been concluded on either part, with an oath. That to exempt this city from the plundering which had been promised to the souldiers, the King sliall give them out of his own estate, as much as six men, deputed for that purpose, shall award ; of which number there are already fowr; so that to make up the whole six, there wants none but thee, whom the King hath chosen for him ; and another Portugal, whose name is written in this paper, whereby thou shalt be ascertained of that which I have said unto thee. Thereupon he delivered a letter unto him from the King of Bramaa ; which Gonsdlo Pacheco received upon his knees, and laid upon his head, with exterior complements so full of civilitie and cour- tesie, as the Bramaa remained very much contented and satisfied therewith, and said unto him, Surely, the King my master must needs have a great knowledge of thee, in that he hath chosen thee for a judge of his honour and estate. Here- upon Gonsdlo Pacheco read the letter aloud before all the Portugals, who heard it standing, with their hats in their OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. . 449 hands. The contents of it were to this effect, Captain Gon- salo Pacheoo, my dear friend, and that appears before my eyes like a precious pearl, as being no less vertuous in the tranquillitie of thy life, then the holiest Menigrepos which live in the desarts ; I, the ancient Chaumigrem, and now King of fourteen states, which God hath now put into my hands by the death 6f the holy King my master, do send thee a smile of my mxmth, to the end thou mayest be as agreeable to me, as those whom I cause to sit at my table, in a day of joy and feasting. Know- then, that I have thought good to take thee for a judge of the affair that is in question, and therefore have sent for thee, together with my good friend, Nuno Fernandez Teixyra, to come presently unto me, for to give an end to this business, which I wholly commit unto your trust. And for so much as concerns tlie security of your persons, in regard of the fear you may be in of 'the late mutiny, I do engage my word, and swear to you by the faith which a king otight to have, whom God himself hath anointed, that I will take you, and all those of your nation, with all others that beleeve in your God, into my protection. After that this letter was read, to the great astonishment of all us that heard it, we could beleeve no other, but that by divine permission it came from heaven for the assurance of our lives, whereof we stood in very great doubt until then, Gonsalo Pacheco and Nunc Fernandez, Vfith ten other Portugals, which were chosen for that pur- pose, instantly prepared a present of divers rich pieces to carry to the King, unto whom they went that very same night an hour before day, in the company of the Bramaa who brought the letter, in regard, the haste the King was in would brook no delay. Gonsalo Pacheco, Nunc Fernandez, and the other Portugals, arrived at the camp an hour before sun-rising, and the King sent to receive them one of the chiefest Bramaa commanders that he had, and in whom he very much confided, who was accompanied with above an hundred horse, and six Serjeants at armes that carried maces. This same received the Portu- ■gal's, and lead them to the King, who did much honour unto Gonsalo Pacheco, and Nuno Fernandez ; and after he had talked with them of divers matters, he put them in mind- of the importance of the businesse for which he had sent for them^ 30 450 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES and willed them by any means, to leane rather to the commanders then to him, assm-ing them that he should be very well contented therewith, and said many things to them to that purpose. Then he caused them to be conducted by the same Bramaa lord to the tent, where the other four arbitrators were with the high treasurer, and two registers; when as they had commanded silence to all that were without, they fell to debating of the businesse for which they we:e assembled together; whereupon there were many opinions, which took up the most part of the day, but at last all six came to conclude ; that albeit on the one side the King, by the promise which he had made at Tanguu to the forreigne souldiers, for to give them the spoil or pillage of the places which he should take by force, was exceedingly obliged to the performance thereof, yef seeing that on the other side this- promise was of great and notable prejudice to the innocent,, because it could not be put in execution without greatly offending God ; these things considered, they ordained by their award ; That tlie King, in regard of the promise which he- had made them, should pay unto tliem a thousand hisses of gold out of his own treasure ; and that upon the souldiers receiving thereof they should passe over to the other side of the river, and retire directly into their countries ; hut that they should first h& also paid all that was due to them hef ore this mutiny hegan, and that they should he furnished with victuals sufficient for twenty daies. This award being published was received with muck content to either party ; so that the King commanded it to be- instantly and punctually executed ; and for a greater testimony of his Uberahty, after he had payed them all this sum of mony, he bestowed upon the commanders and officers of each company many bountifuU rewards, wherewith they were all of them very weU pleased, and satisfied. In this sort were these three mutinous nations discharged ; for the King would by na means trust, or make use of them any longer. Howbeit, he- would -not sxiffer these strangers to go aU away together, but caused them to be divided into troups, each of them consisting; of a thousand men, to the end that by this means they should give the lesse suspicion in their return, and should he less abl& to plunder the open tovyns, by which they were to passe ; and: OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 451 thus the next day they departed As for Gonsalo Pacheco, and Nunc Ferimndez Teixyra, the King gave them ten hisses of gold, for being his arbitrators in this affair, whereunto he added a passport written -with his own hand, whereby the Portugals were permitted to retire freely into the Indies, without paying any custome or duty for their merchandize, whereof we made more account then of all the mony could have been given us ; because that, for three years before, the precedent kings had retayned us in this country, with exceed- ing much vexation and tyranny, whereby we were oftentimes in great danger of our Uves, by reason of the successe of that which I have spoken heretofore. This done, there were pro- clamations made by men on horseback, to give notice that the day following, the King would enter into the city in a peaceable manner, threatning all such as should" do the contrary, with a cruell death. Accordingly, the next morning at nine of the clock the King parted from the Pagode, whither he had retired himself ; and about an hour after arrived at the city, whereinto entring by the chiefest gate, he was received by an assembly (in form of a procession) of six thousand priests of all the twelve sects which are in this kingdome ; by one of whom, called Capizundo, an oration was made unto him, whereof the preface was thus, Blessed and praised be that Lord, who ought truly to be acknowledged of all men for such, in regard of the holy works which He hath made with His Divine hands, testified to us by the light of tJie day, the shining of the night, and all tJie other magnificences of His mercy which He hath produced in us ; praised be He, I say, for that by the effects of His infinite power, which are agreeable unto. Him, He hath been pleased to establish thee on the earth above all the kings that govern it ; and seeing we hold thee for His fa/vorite, we humbly beseech thee our lord, that thou wilt never more remember the faults_ and offences which we have committed against thee, to the end that these thy afflicted people may be comforted with the promise thereof, which they hope thy Majesty will make tJiem at -this present. This same request was hkewise made unto him by the six thousand Grepos, aU prostrated on the ground, and vritti their hands lifted ,up to heaven, who' with a dreadfull tumult of voices said unto him ; Grant, our Lord and King, 452 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES peace and pardon for that is past to all the> people of this thy kingdom of Pegu, to the end they may not he troiMed with the fear of their offences, which they confesse publikely before thee. The King answered them, that he was contented so to do, and swore to them by the head of Quiay Nivandel, the God of Battle of the field Yitau, for the confirmation thereof. Upon this promise all the people prostrated themselves with their faces on the ground, and said unto him ; God make thee to prosper for infinite years in the victory over thy enemies, that thou mayest trample their heads under thy feet. Hereupon for a token of great gladness, they fel to playing on divers instru- ments after their manner, though very barbarously, and unttmably; and the Grepo Capizondo set on his head a rich crown of gold and precious stones of the fashion of a mitre, wherewith the King made his entry into the city, with a great deal of state and triumph, causing to march before him all the spoils of the elephants and chariots, as also the statue of the Xemindoo, whom he had vanquished, bound with a great iron chain, and forty colours trayled on the ground ; as for him, he was seated on a very mighty elephant, harnessed with gold, and invironed with forty Serjeants at armes bearing maces : there marched likewise all the great lords and commanders on foot, with their scymitars covered with plates of gold, which they carried on their shouldiers, and three thousand fighting elephants, vdth their castles of divers inventions, besides a world of other people, as well foot as horse, which followed him without number. CHAPTEE LXIV. The finding of the Xemindoo, and bringing of him to the King ; with the manner of his ezecation and death ; and other particularities concerning the same. AFTER that the King of Bramaa had continued peaceably in this citie of Pegu for the space of six and twenty dales, the first thing he did was to make himself master of the prin- cipal places of this kingdome, which not knowing the defeat of the Xemindoo; h.^A still for him. To this purpose, having OF FERDINAND MENDEZ FINTO. 453 given commission to some commanders for it, he wrote to the inhabitants of those places divers courteous letters, wherein he called them his dear children, and gave them an abolition of all that was past. He also promised them, by a solemn oath, to maintain them in peace for the time to come, and alwayes to minister justice to them, without any imposts or other oppression ; but that he would (contrarily) do them new favours, as to the very Bramaas which served him in the warres. To these words he added many others, very well accommodated to the time and his desire ; for the better crediting whereof, they that were already reduced under his obedience wrote their letters also unto them, wherein they made an ample relation of the franchises and immunities which the King had granted to them. All this, accompanied with the fame which ran thereof in aU parts, wrought so great an effect, as all those places rendred unto him, and put them- selves under his obedience : so that, in imitation-of them all, the other cities, towns, states and provinces that were in the kingiom, did the like. For my part, I hold, that this king- dome whereof the King of Bramaa made at this time a new conquest, is the best, the most abundant, and richest in gold, in silver, and precious stones, that may be found in any part of the world. Things being thus accomphshed, to the great advantage of the Bramaa, he dispatches divers horsemen with all speed into all parts, to go in quest of the Xemindoo ; who (as I have already declared) had escaped from the past battel, and was so unhappy, that he was discovered in a place named Faulau, a league from the town of Potem, which separates the kingdom from Aracam : presently whereupon, he was lead vrith great joy, by a man of base condition, to this King of Bramaa, who in recompenee thereof gave him thirty thousand ducates of- yearly rent. Being brought before him, bound as he was with an iron coUar, and manacles, he said unto him, in way of derision, Thou art welcome (King of Pegu) and maist well hisse the ground which thou seest ; for I assure thee, I have set my foot on it ; whereby thou mayest perceive how much I am thy friend, since I da thee an honour which thou couldst never imagine. To these words the XemiTidoo made no answer; so that the King falling to jeer this miserable man anew, who lay 454 THE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES before him with his face on the ground, said unto him, What m-ians this ? Art thou amazed to see vie, or to see thy self in so great honour ? Or wliat is tJie matter, that thou dost not answer to that which I demand of tliee ? After this affront, the Xemindoo, whether it were that he was troubled with his misfortunes, or ashamed of his dishonour, answered him in this sort ; If the clouds of heaven, the sun, the moon, and the other creatures, which cannot expresse hi words that which God hath created for the service of man, and for the beautifying of tlie firmament, which hides fro7n us the rich treasures of His fower, could naturally with the horrible voice of their dreadful thunder explain to tliem which now looh upon me, tlie estate wJiereunto I see my self redvAxd before thee, and the extreme affliction which my soul doth suffer, they would answer for me, and declare the cause I have to be mute in the condition wherein iny sins liave set me : and whereas thou canst not be judg of that which I say, being the party tJiat accusest me, and the minister of the execution of thy designe, I liold my self for excused, if I do not make thee an answer, as I would do before that blessed Lord, who, luno faulty soever I could be, would Jiave'pitie on me, moved with tlie least tear that I should shed. This said, he fell down with his face on the ground, and twice together asked for a little water: whereupon the King of Bramaa, the more to afflict him, commanded that the Xemindoo should receive this water from the hand of a daughter of his, (held by birn as a slave) whom he exceedingly loved, and had at that time of his defeat promised to the Prince of Nautir, son to the King of Avaa. The princesse no sooner saw her father lying in that manner on the ground, but she cast her self at his feet, and straitly embracing him, after she had kissed him thrice, she said to him with her eyes aU bathed in tears, my father, my lord, and my king, I intreat you for the extreme affection which I have alwayes bom you, and for tliat also which you Jiave at all times shewed to m£, that you will be pleased to lead rne with you, thus imbracing you as I do, to the end that in this sad passage you may have one to comfort you with a cup of water, now that for my siTis the world refuses you that respect which is due unto you. It is said, that the father would fain have answered to these words, yet could not possibly do it, so OF FERDINAND MENDFZ PINTO. 455 mtich. was lie oppressed with grief and anguish of mind, to see this daughter whom he so dearly loved, in such a taking ; but fell as it were in a swoun, and so continued a good while ; wherewith some lords that were there present were so moved, as the tears came into their eyes ; which observed by the Eiog of Bramaa, and that they were Pegues, who had for- merly been the Xemindoo's subjects, feariag lest they should betray him in time to come, he caused their heads to be presently strucken o£f, saying with a disdainfuU and fierce countenance, Seeing you have so great pitie of the Xemindoo your King, get you before and prepare a lodging for him, and there he will pay you for this affection which you testifie to ha/oe for him. After this, his wrath redoubled in such sort, as instantly he caused this very daughter to be killed in her fathers arms ; which truly was more then a brutish and savage cruelty, in seeking to hinder the affections which nature hath imprinted in us. Then no longer enduring the sight of the Xemindoo, he commanded him to be taken from thence, and to be carried to a close prison, where he passed all the night following under a sure guard. The next morning, proclamation was made over all the city, for the people to be present at the death of the unhappy Xemindoo. I^ow, the chiefest reason why the Bramaa did this, was, that the inhabitants seeing him dead, might for ever lose all- hope of having him for their king,~as all generally desired ; for whereas he was their countryman, and the Bramaa a stranger, they were in extreame fear, lest the Bramaa should become in time like unto him whom Xemin de Satan slew, and that had been during his reign a mortal enemy to the Pegues ; entreating them with such extraordinary cruelty, as there scarcely passed a day, wherein he did not execute hundreds of them; and aU for matters of small importance, and which deserved no punishment, had they been proceeded against by the waies. of true justice. About ten of the clock, the unfortunate Xemindoo was drawn out of the dungeon where he was, in the manner ensuing. Before him marched through -the streets, by which he was to passe, forty men on horseback :with lances in their hands,, to prepare and clear the waies; there were as many behind as before him, which carried naked 456 TEE TBAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES swords, crying aloud to the people, whereof the number was infinite, to make room : after them, followed about fifteen hundred harquebusiers with their matches lighted ; next to these last, which they of the country use to call, the avant coureurs of the Kings wrath, went an hundred and threescore elephants armed with their castles, and covered with sUk tapestry, marching by five and five in a rank ; aft«r them rode in the same order, by five in a rank, fifteen men on horse- back, which carried black ensignes aU bloudy, crying aloud, as it were by way of proclamation ; Let those miserable wretclies, which are the slaves of hunger, and are continvally persecuted by the disgrace of fortune, hearken to the cry of the arm of vyrath, executed on them that liave offended their kin-g, to the end tliat the astonishment of the jpain, which is ordained them for it, may be deeply imprinted in their memory. Behind these same' were other fifteen, clothed with a kind of bloudy garment, which rendred them dreadful and of a bad aspect ; who at the sound of five- bells, which they rung in haste, said with so lamentable a voice, as they that heard them were moved to weep : This rigorous justice is done by the living God, the Lord of 'all truth, of whose holy body the hairs of our heads are the feet. It is he that will have the Xemindoo put to death, for usurping the estates of the great King of Bramaa, Lord of TangvM. These proclamations were answered by a troupe of people, which marched thronging before with such loud cryes, as would have made one tremble to hear them, saying these words; Let Mm die without having pity on him, that hath committed such an offence. These were followed by a company of five hundred Bramaa horse, and after them came another of foot, whereof some held naked swords and bucklers in their hands, and the rest were armed with corselets, and coats of maUe. In the midst of these came the poor patient, m.ounted on a lean Ul-favoured jade, and the hangman on the crupper behind him, holding him up imder both the armes. This miserable prince was so poorly clad, that his naked skinne was every where seen; withaU, in an exceeding derision of his person, they had set upon his head a crowne of straw, like unto an urinaU case ; which crowne was garnished with muscle-shells, fastned together with blew thred; and round OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 457 about his iron collar were a number of onions tyed. Howbeit, though he was reduced to so deplorable an estate, and that his face was scarce like to that of a living man, yet left he not (for all that) from having something of I know not what in his eyes, which manifested the condition of a king. There was besides observed in him a majestical sweetuesse, which drew tears from all that beheld him. About this guard which accompanied him there was another of above a thousand horsemen, intermingled with many armed elephants. Passing thus thorow the twelve principal streets of the city, where there was a world of people, he arrived at last at a certain street called Cabam Bainhaa, out of which he went but two and twenty days before, to go and fight with the Bramaa,, in such pomp and greatness, as by the report of them that saw it, and of which number I was one, it was (without doubt) one of the most marvellous sights that ever hath been seen in the world ; whereof notwithstanding I will make no mention here, either in regard I cannot promise to recount rightly how all past, or for that I fear some wiU receive these truths for Kes; neverthelesse mine eyes having been the witnesses of these two successes, if I do not speak of the greatnesse of the first, I will at leastwise declare the miseries of the second, to the end by these two so different accidents, happening in so short a time, one may learn what little assurance is to be put in the prosperities of the earth, and in aU the goods which are given to us by inconstant and deceitful fortune. When as the poor patient had past that street of Cabam Bainhaa, he arrived at a place where Gonsalo Facheco our captain was, with above an hundred Portugals in his company; amongst the which there was one of a very base birth, and of a mind yet more vile, who having been robbed of his goods some years before, as he said, at such time as the patient reigned, and complained to Tiini of those who had done it, he would not vouchsafe to give >iim audience ; so that thinking to be revenged on bim for it now, with extravagant and imseemly speech ; as Boon as this poor prince came where Gonsalo Pacheco was, •with all the other Portugals, the witlesse fellow said aloud to Mm, that all might hear him, O Bobber . Xemindoo, remember how when I complained to thee of those that had robbed me of 458 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES my goods, thou wouldest not do me, justice ; hut I hope that now thou shalt satisfie what thy works deserve : for I will at supper cat a piece of that flesh of thine, whereunto I will invite two. dogs that I have at hoine. The sad patient having heard the words of this hair-brained fellow, Ufted up his eyes to heaven, and after he had continued a while pensive, turning himself with a severe countenance towards him that uttered them, Friend, said he unto him, I pray tJiee, by tlie great goodness of that God in whom thou believest, to pardon me tJiat for which thou accusest me, and to remember that it is not the part of a Christian, in this painful estate wherein I see my self at this present, to put ine in mitid of that which I have done heretofore ; for besides that, thou canst not thereby recover the loss which thou sayest thou hast sustained, it will but serve to afflict and trouble me the more. Paclieco having heard what this fellow said, commanded him to hold his peace, which immediately he did ; whereupon the Xemindoo with a grave countenance made shew that this action pleased him ; so that seeming to be more quiet, it made him to acknowledge that with his mouth which he could not otherwise requite, I must confess, said he unto him, that I could wish, if God would permit it, I might have one hour longer of life to profess the excellency of tlie faith wherein you Fortugals live ; for, as I have heretofore heard it said, your God alone is true, and all other gods are lyers. The hangman had no sooner heard these words, but he gave him so great a buffet on the face, that his nose ran out with bloud, so that the poor patient stooping with his hands downward. Brother (said he unto him) suffer me to save this bloud, to the end thou maist not want some to fry my flesh with all. So passing on in the same order as . before, he finally arrived at the place where he was to be executed, with so little life as he scarcely thought of any thing. When he was mounted on a great scaffold, which had been expresly erected for him, the Chirca of Justice fell to reading of his sentence from . an high seate, where he was placed ; the contents whereof were in few words these : The living God of our heads, Lord of the crown of the Kings of Avaa, commands, that the perfidious Xemindoo he executed as the perturbator of the people of the earth, and the mortal enemy of the Bramaa Nation. This said, he made a sign with' his OF FEBDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 459 iand, and instantly the hangman cut off his head at one blow, shewing it to all the people, which were there without number, •and divided his body into eight quarters, setting Jiis bowels and other interior parts which were put together, in a place by "themselves ; then covering all with a yellow cloth, which is a .mark of mourning amongst them, they were left there till the going down of the sun, at which time they were burnt in the manner ensuing. [Mendez Pinto emharhs for Malacca, and thence for Japan, ■with a strange accident that occurs at the Port of Fticheo, CHAPTBE LXV." •Our passing from the town of Fucheo, to ihe port of Hiamangoo ; and that ■whicli befell us there ; together with my departure from Malaca and arrival at Goa. AFTEE that this revolt had taken an end by the death of so many men on the one and the other side, we few Portugals that remained, as soon as time would permit us, got to the port of the town, where seeing the country desolated, ■the merchants fled away, and the King resolved to leave the tovm, we lost all hope of selling our commodities, yea and of being safe in this harbour, which made us set saU, and go ninety leagues further to another port, called Hiamangoo, which is in the bay of Canguexumaa ; there we sojourned two months and an half, not able to sell anything at aUj because the country was so full of Chinese commodities^ as they fell above half in half in the price : for there was not a port or road in all this island of Japan, where there were not thirty or ioity junhs at anchor, and in some places above an hundred'; so that in the very same year, at least two thousand merchants ships came from China to Japan.' Now most of this mer- 'chandise consisted in sUk, which was sold at so cheap a rate, that the piece of sUk which at that time was worth an hundred tales in Chiria, was sold in Japan for eight and twenty, or thirty at the most, and that too with much adoe ; besides, the 460 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES prices of all other commodities were so low, as holding our selves utterly undone, we kaew not what resolution or counsell to take. But whereas the Lord doth dispose of things according to his good pleasure, by waies which surpasse our under- standing; he permitted, for reasons only known to himseU, that on the new moon in December, being the fifth day of the month, there arose so furious a tempest of wind and rain, as aU those vessels, saving a few, perished in it : so that the losse caused by this storm amounted unto a thousand, nine hundred, and sevanty two junks ; amongst the which were six and twenty PortugaU ships, wherein five hundred and two of our nation were drowned ; besides, a thousand Christians of other countries, and eight hundred thousand ducates worth of goods east away. Of Chinese vessels, according to report, there were a thousand, nine hundred, thirty and six, lost, together with above two millions of gold, and an hundred and threescore thousand persons. Now from so miserable a ship-wrack not above ten or eleven ships escaped, of which number was that wherein I was imbarqued, and that almost by miracle ; by reason whereof these same sold their commodities at what price they would. As for us, after we had uttered all ours, and prepared our selves for our departure, we put to sea on a twelfth day in the morning; and although we were well enough contented in regard of the profit we had made, yet were we not a little sad, to see things fall out so to the cost of so many lives and riches, both of those of our nation, and of strangers. But when we had weighed anchor, and hoisted our sailes for the prosecution of our course, the ties of our main sail brake ; by which means, the sail-yard falling down upon the prow of the ship, brake all to pieces ; so that we were constrained, by this accident, to recover the port again, and to send a shaUop on shore to seek for a sail-yard, and shipwrights to fit it for us. To this effect, we sent a present to the captain of the place, that he might suddenly give us necessary succor, as accordingly he did ; so that the very same day, the ship was put into her former estate, and better then before. Never- thelesse, as we were weighing anchor again, the cable of our anchor broke ; and because we had but one more in the ship, we were forced to endeavour all that we might for the recovery OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 461 thereof, by reason of the great need we stood in of it ; now, to do this, we sent to land for such as could dive, who in con- sideration of ten ducates that we gave them, feU to diving into the sea, where they found our anchor in six and twenty fathome depth ; so that by the means of the cordage which we fastned ■onto it, we hoisted it up, though with a great deal of labour, wherein we aU of us bestowed our selves, and spent the most part of the night. As soon as it was day, we set saile, and parting from this river of Hiamangoo, it pleased God, that in fourteen dales, with a good vnnd, we arrived at Ghincho, which is one of the most renowned and richest ports of the kingdome of China ; there we were advertised, that at the entrance of this river, there lay at that time a famous pirate, called Cheo- pocheca, with a mighty fleet, which put us into such a fear, that in all haste we got away to Lamau, where we m^ade some provision of victuals, which lasted us untiU our arrival! at Malaca. [Here follows the narration of Mendez Pinto's adventures until his arrival at the port of Zequa with a letter from the King of Japan, ontittel'.] CHAPTBE LXVI. What past after our departure from Zeqna, till my arrival in the Indiaes, and from thence into the Kingdom of Portugal. FEOM this port of Zequa we continued our course with northerly winds, which were favourable unto us in this season ; and on the 4th of December we arrived at the port of Lampacau, where we met with six Portugal ships, whereof was general a certain merchant, called Francisco Martinez, the creature of Francisco Barreto, at that time Govemour of the State of the Indiaes in the place of Don Pedro Mascarenhas. And because that then the season for navigation into India was almost past, our Captain Don Francisco Mascarenhas stayed no longer there than was necessary for providing of victual. We departed then from this port of Lampacau a 462 THE TRAVELS, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTURES little before Chris tmass, and arrived at Goa the 17 th of February. The first thing I did there was to go to Francisco, Barreto, unto whom I gave an account of the letter which I brought from the King of Japan : but he having referred it to the day following, I failed not to deliver it to him the next morning, together with the arms, the scymitars, and the other presents which that pagan king had sent. Whereupon, after he had seen all at leasure, addressing himself unto me, I assure you, said he unto me, that I prize these arms which you. Jiave brought me, as much as the Government of India : for I Iwpe that by the 'means of this present, and this letter from th» King of Japan, I shall render my self agreeable to the King our Sovereign Lord, tliat I shall be delivered from the fortune of Lisbon, where almost all us that govern this state, do go and land for our sins. Then, in acknowledgment of this voyage, and the great expence I had been at, he made me many large offers, which I would by no means accept of at that time. Nevertheless I was well contented to justifie before him by attestations, and acts past expresly for it, how many times I had been made a slave for the service of the king our master ; and how many times also I had been robbed of my mer- chandize : for I imagined that this would suffice to keep me, at my return into my country, from being refused that which I beheved was due to me for my services : as indeed, the Vice- roy past me an act of all these things, adding thereunto the certificates which I presented unto him : withal, he gave me a letter, addrest to the king, wherein he made so honorable a. mention of me and my services, that relying on these hopes, grounded as they were on such apparant reasons as I had on my side, I imbarqued my self for to return into the kingdom of Portugal ; so contented with the papers which I carried along with me, that I counted them the best part of my estate ; at leastwise, I believed so, because I was perswaded that I should no sooner ask a recompence for so many services, but it would be presently granted me. Upon this hope being put to sea, it pleased our Lord, that I arrived safely at the city of Lubon, the 22nd of September, -1558, at such time as the kingdom was governed by Madam Katherina, our queen of happy memory. Having dehvered her the letter the^n-froni OF FERDINAND MENDEZ PINTO. 463 the Vice-roy of the Indiaes, I told her by word of mouth all that I thought was important for the good of my business : whereupon she referred me to the minister of her state, who had the charge of dealing in her affairs. At first he gave me very good words, but far better hopes, as indeed I held them for most assured, hearing what he said unto me. But in stead of letting me see the effect thereof, he kept me these miserable papers of mine four years and an half ; at the end of which, all the fruit I reaped thereby was no other, then the labour and pains which to no purpose I had imployed in these -vain soUicitations, and which had been more grievous unto me, then all the troubles I had suffered during my voyages. "Wherefore seeing of what Httle profit all my past services were unto me, notwithstanding all the ouit I could make, I resolved to retire my self, and remain within the terms of my misery, which I had brought along with me, and gotten by the means of many misfortunes, which was all that was resting to me of the time and wealth which I had bestowed in the service of this kingdom, leaving the judgement of this process to the Divine Justice. I put this design of mine then in execution, not a httle grieved that I had not done it sooner, because I might thereby perad venture have saved a good piece of money. Eor a conclusion, behold what the services have been which I have done for the space of one and twenty years, during which time, I was thirteen times a slave, and sold sixteen times, by reason of the unlucky events of so long and painful a voyage, whereof I have made mention amply enough in this book* But although this be so, yet do I not leave to beheve, that the cause why I remained without the reeompence whereunto I pretented for so many services and travels, rather proceedc d from the Divine providence, which permitted it to be so for my sins, then from the neghgence and fault of him whom the duty of his charge seemed to obUge to do me right. For it- being true, that in all the kings of this kingdom, who are the lively source from whence all reeompence do flow, though many times they ran through pipes more affectionate then reasonable, there is always found an holy and acknowledging zeal, accompanied vdth a very ample and great desire, not onely to reeompence those which serve them, but also to con- 464 TEE TRAVELS OF MENDEZ PINTO. fer great estates on them -which render them no service at all ; whereby it is evident, that if I, and others, have not been satisfied, the same happens by the only fault of the pipes, and not of the source ; or rather, it is a vroik of the Divine Justice, vrhich cannot faU, and which disposeth of all things for the best, and as is most necessary for us ; in regard where- of, I render infinite thanks to the King of Heaven, whose pleasure it hath been, that His Divine vrill should be this way accomplished, and do not complain of the kings of the earth, since my sins have me unworthy of meriting more. PlHIS. C»W1N BBOTHBBS, TEE ORESHAM PRESS, CHTLWOBTH AKV t^KDOK.