The Golden Trade: OR, A discovery of the River Gambra, and the Golden Trade of the Aethiopians.  
ALSO, The Commerce with a great black Merchant, called Buckor Sano, and his report of the houses covered with Gold, and other strange observations for the good of our own country;  
Set down as they were collected in travelling, part of the years, 1620. and 1621.  
By Richard jobson, Gentleman.  
LONDON, Printed by Nicholas Okes, and are to be sold by Nicholas Bourne, dwelling at the entrance of the Royal Exchange, 1623.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL, SIR WILLIAM St. JOHN Knight, Covernour of the Countries of Guinea, and Binney: Sr. Allen Apsley Knight, Lieutenant of the Tower of London, and Deputy Governor as a foresaid: Sr. Thomas Button Knight, and other the Noble Knights, and Gentlemen, adventurers for the said Countries of Guinea and Binney.  
Honourable Gentlemen:  
IF it may please you to take into consideration, the cause of publishing this ensuing treatise, it may someway satisfy for my presumption, in offering to bring to the public press, that which to you hath been so chargeable in discovering, and therefore by all reason to you belongs the benefit of what is discovered, or at the least free will to dispose of your own privileges as to your wisdom should be most approvable; But such are the turbulent spirits of some men, that no courtesies can win fair correspondency, but as professed enemies to the ingenious search of worthy minded Gentlemen, proclaim wars against their endeavours, if they tend to merchandizing, thereby intermeddling (as they term it) to discover their secret mystery, although in their particulars to begin such an interprize, they can no ways parallel the meanest of your true experience and well grounded desigments, but it might have been hoped, that there would have been some better respect towards you, in regard of your persons, and not to deal in that nature as to every ordinary Gentleman, or other by them employed, by whose industry after the way is opened to any profitable business, and that he hath made plain the discovery, than they do find occasion to cavil and turn them off, and presently employ servants of their own, many times very unfitting, in regard they will not requite deserts, nor allow of any society in an apparent way of gain: All which is endeavoured towards you, for whilst you have been suffered to disburse your moneys in the first discovering, and as it were beating and laying open the way, where and how this Golden Trade should rise, you have quietly past one, but now there can be no more evasions, but that the profit plainly appears; what complaints have been framed? what combination and plotting together? Wherein to avoid suspicion, the face of simplicity, the honest Countryman hath been made the instrument to bring about the encroaching gain they aimed at: That it may therefore appear, how the first grounds of this hopeful business by you were laid, and how you have seconded one loss by another, and how needful and necessary it is, that you should now proceed to follow what is begun, and make use of what you so dear have paid for; I have written this Discourse out of my own careful observation, in the time of my employment for you, that you might (if you please) see what you have done, and what (if it please God to bless the courses) you are like to do, which may not only encourage you, but invite other Gentlemen of your Rank, to associate with you, to follow and proceed upon this hopeful enterprise, wherein intending faithfully, in demonstrating the truth, to manifest the zeal and service I must ever owe you, humbly craving pardon, I remain  
Your devoted Servant, RICHARD JOBSON.   


The Invitement to this golden Trade, showing the cause of the first underta king it, and orderly proceedings therein.  
IT hath been the usual course (for the most part,) of such as travail Foreign parts, in the obseruiug and setting down such things as they see, to neglect the noting of what is held public, in regard that after the whole Company, be they 60. 40. or but ten together, have taken perfect view, it stands conceited, the same is as well manifest to our whole Country, whereby divers times, many things worthy of note here at home, to such as take pleasure in reading of other men's adventures, and delight in variety of other nations, are either quite left out, or slited in so poor a manner, as the Reader goes away unsatisfied: I having received this caveat from that worthy gentleman, Mr. Samuel Purchus, who is so diligent a searcher, and setter forth of all our English travails, of whose true industry those great volumes he hath published to the world, shallbe perpetual witness, spending therein (as he rightly termeth it) his talon for his Country's service, and being likewise encouraged by him, after he had seen and read my journal briefly relating each days particular, in my travails, into this great and spacious Country: whereof by God's grace I intend to write, laying as it were a command upon me, not to conceal that, which by publishing may first tend, unto the advancement of God's glory, and next undoubtedly the honour, wealth, and preferment of our own nation: Likewise having been still earnestly invited by all sorts of people, and especially by some of worthy note, (as occasions have fallen out at any time, whereby I have been drawn into discourse of these travails) that I ought not, nor might not without offence leave unpublished, that which doth proffer so apparent hopes of so great a golden Trade, which at this time seems so needful, that by the general complant of our great want, the earth hath shut up her rich bowels toward us in other places, the rather to invite us to seek after that, which lies as it were under our noses, in respect of other travails, and hath been lest as a concealed business, untell our time of need, that then it might be more effectually followed, and more seriously regarded: For apparent proofs whereof, first there is no Historian but will accord, that in all ancient Histories discoursing of the inward parts of Africa, assure'ly always called by the name of Ethiopia, it hath been noted for the golden region, in the whole conquests of Alexinder, as Quintus Curtius sets it down, lie only had a great desire to visit these parts of Ethiopia, but never came there. The Romans likewise, careful Relaters of their great victories, do speak little of the interior parts of Africa, their greatest entrance being in the wars of jugurth, and in pursuit of him, only mention is made, of a great desire they had to search the South parts, in regard they were thereunto invited, by those rich and golden arms, they found those black people to come against them withal, where of so many golden shields, were carried to their famous City, in their so glorious triumphs, but in their discoveries they had no success: Returning with the loss of most of their people, in regard as is alleged, they met with divers dry and sandy deserts to pass, wherein as many were lost and overwhelmed, so again the parching heat, and continual drought was cause of the perishing of many others, and enforced their return, without any satisfaction.  
The self same causes continue still, for which we need not search written books, but talk or discourse with any Merchant of this City of London, who have yearly trade and commerce in Barbary, being the nearest parts of Africa, adjoining unto us, and many times from our Country, into their principal Harbours, run in twelve days, and in the like time again, from them to us, and inquire of them, whence the Moor of Barbary hath that rich gold, he makes his Chequens of, and they will tell you, there is no gold growing, within the confines of Morocco, or Fez, at least that is known, or made use of, but that the great abundance of 
The trade of the Moors in in Barbary for their gold.  that rich gold they have, is fetched and brought into the Country, by the natural inhabitants, for which they undergo great travails, only by land wherein they do pass great deserts of sand, with much danger, as appears by the loss they receive many years, of divers both of their people, and Camels, yet so commodious is their trade, and followed with such great diligence and government, that amongst themselves, none are admitted but principal persons, and by especial order, without entertaining any other nation, what respect or familiarity so ever, they have gained amongst them.  
This in effect hath been the sole ground, to attain unto that knowledge, which I presume here to write for my Country's service, wherein duty especially requires me, to manifest the care and diligence, of those noble and worthy Gentlemen, who are the grounds, and originals of this hopeful work, unto whom these my labours, as their own proper rights are dedicated, whose virtues aiming at good actions, in this our blessed and peaceful time, and cessation from those sea affairs, they were wont to be bufied in summoned them up, to in choir and make search after the goldnest hopes, and upon good grounded conferances with such principal Merchants of Barbary as their wisdoms could make choice of, attain some better satisfaction, to their former knowledge of the Moor of Barbarios Marchandizing, as I lightly have touched before, wherein their practice and true understanding in the Mathematics assured them, the Moors unknown travail must be to the South-west, if other ways our Quotidian trade, into all and every part of the Mediterrane sea, must needs have had some or other intelligence. And theresore uniting themselves together, concluded upon a lawful and warrant-able course to undergo the search of this 
The King's Majesty's Letters Patents.  golden trade, by the South-parts, and to adventure upon those promising rivers, that fall into the main Ocean, on the South-west side, wherein it now requires, I should briefly relate, the manner of their proceeding.  
In the year 1618. in the month of September, they set forth a ship called the Catherine, burden 120. tun, and in her employed on George Thompson a man about fifty years of age, who had lived many years a Merchant in Barbary, the carcazon of goods he carried with him amounted unto 1856 f. 19 s. 2 
The first voyage.  having his instructions from the Governor and Company to enter in the River of Gambra, and with such shallops, as he had, and were thought convenient for him, to follow his trade, and to discover up the River, leaving the ship in a secured harbour: All which in his part being carefully performed, in his absence, through the overmuch trust of our English hearts, and fair familiarity we use to all nations, with whom we are in amity, the ship was betrayed, and every man left in her, his throat cut, by a few poor dejected Portugeses 
The ship taken by the vagrant Portugal, and the men slain.  and Melatos, whom they gave free recourse aboard, being only banished people, and for the most runnagadoes from their Country, as when I come more particularly to write of them, will more fitly be delivered: Thompson upon intelligence, being gotten far up into the River, and finding the inhabitants to use him courteously, with the King's allowance of the Country, seated himself upon the land, and through the kindness of the inhabitants, near those parts where the ship was lost, some of the English who came down from Thompson, where safely conveyed many day's travail over land, until they found means, to meet with shipping to transport them home, with their woeful tidings: Whereupon the noble Adventurers, with all expedition set forth a Pinnace of fifty tons, called the S. john, and in her a new supply of goods, and direction to Thompson, either for his repair, withal his Company home, 
The second voyage.  or as he did affect his trade, or had hope of his discovery, to make use of those goods, and abide there: He utterly refused to come away, and therefore sent away the S. john, who for that they came in an unseasonable time, which then experience made them understand, and through some other abuses, which more conveniently else where I shall set down, which loss of many of her men returned, and as little comfort of gain to the Adventurers, only hopeful letters from Thompson, inviting them to a new supply, and by the next season to send unto him a ship and pinnace, with some especial commodity he made mention of, confidently affirming, they should no ways doubt of a hopeful discovery, where the Moors of Barbary traded, and a valewable return for their losses sustained, promising in the mean time, which such company as he had left with him, being in all only eight persons, in his small boat to search up the River, which he attempted in a pair of Oars, takeing only two of his own Company with him, the rest people of the Country, which whom he passed up the River, and got to Tinda, a place he aimed at; in hope to have had conference with a black Merchant, called Buckor Sano, (of whom I shall have cause to speak in the Relation of my own travails) failing of him, for that he was then in his travails within the land, he stayed not many hours above, howbeit in that time, he received such intelligence of the trade he looked after, that such an ecstasy of joy possessed him, as it is and hath been aleadged against him, that growing more peremptory than he was wont, and seeming to govern with more contempt, by a quarrel falling out amongst them one of his Company 
Captain Thompson slain.  slew him, to the utter loss of what he had attained unto, who in regard of emulation in striving to keep others he affected not in ignorance, committed nothing to paper, so as all his endeavours and labours were lost with him. These things I have presumed to write, that it may appear, what rubs have been in the infancy of this discovery, and may partly make answer to the question may be propounded, by any that shallbe pleased to read over my ensuing discourse, why so hopeful and promising a businesse should be neglected.  
And now I return to the worthy Adventurers who little distrusting this mishap, not withstanding Thompson was slain in March, whereof they could have no intelligence: In October after being a convenient season set forth again a ship and Pinnace, the ship called the Zion, burden 200. ton, and the S. john a Pinnace of 50 ton: 
The third voyage.  In this ship it pleased them to employ me the present writer, and now what doth ensue of this discourse; is written from me either as an eye witness, or what I have received from the Country people, and none but such, as were of esteem, and as my confidence assures, would deliver no false thing, as where I come to speak of the black people in particular, may be more aptly conceived. The 25. of October 1620. we set sail from Dart-mouth, the 4. of November, when the day appeared we were up with the Island of Launcerot, and the next day by noon, past the Canary Island, and had laid all that land the 17. of November, we came to an anchor in the River of Gambra, having had some occasion of stay by the way, to the loss of near three days, so as our 
The whole way from England to the River, run in 20. days.  whole travail from Dart-mouth thither was in 20. days, we anckored some four leagues within the mouth of the River.  
And to avoid inconveniences, by intermingling one thing with another, to set down each particular as they presented themselves: I have thought it most acceptable to the Reader, to divide my discourse into particular heads, the more aptly to be understood, wherein I think it fit to begin with 
The particulars handled in this book.  the description of the River, with the limit and bounds thereof, so far as we have scene, likewise what opinion experience makes me hold for the continuance thereof, and how necessary it is, to be searched into for advancing the Golden Trade, with a relation what we find living therein, which may serve for sustenance, and maintain the Traveller, next the several sorts of people, inhabiting upon the land, Blackmen alias Mandingoes, or Ethiopians, Fulbies, and the vagrant Porting all, with the manner of their lives, buildings, and fortifications, the state of their Kings, and the title of other Commanders, and their manner of life. The government of the mary-buck or Bissareas', the discourse of their Religion, and separations from the rest, and course of trading, and therein speaking of their luliettoes or Merchants, with the Relation of my meeting with Buckor Sano, a great black Merchant, and commerce with him: Their juddies or Fiddlers, and manner of meeting, with the discourse of circumcision, and report of their devil Ho-re, what manner of trads are amongst the common people, their order for tilling the ground, and several sorts of grain, and other plants in use amongst them, and therewith an ample Relation of the times and seasons of the year, when those great storms of thunder and lightning, with abundance of rain do fall, the unwholsomens' of the air in those times and what natural reasons may be all edged as well for those contagious times, as also to avoid the inconveniences that have formerly by most of our nations been fallen unto: Again what variety of wild beasts aswell offensive, and ravenous, as also such as are for the sustenance and comfort of those as travail, we find the Country replenished with, thereunto adjoining what land foul is likewise there, the abundance of both, which kinds are always at hand to mend the diet of any ingenious looker out; and with a brief conclusion from myself, I shut up my discourse unto which severally I now proceed: & first to the River.   

The description of the River.  
THIS River, whereof I now take in hand, (by God's grace) to write, is situate in the latitude of 13 degrees and ½, by all or the most part of Maps and Cards, and by some called, by the name of Gambia, by others Gamba, and by another sort set down Gambra, to which latter name being most frequent, I do apply myself, for by the natural inhabitants, either below in the mouth of it, neither it above to the farthest I have traveled, being upon the truest account I could keep, some 320 leagues, or 960 miles, could I ever hear any proper name, but only the word Gee, which in their language, they use to all rivers, and waters: It hath one sole entrance, which in the very mouth, is about some 4 leagues broad, and in the channel 3 fathom water, at the least, without any bar, contrary to the setting of it formerly forth, where it is generally noted to have a bar, and much sholer water than we have found: After we are run some 4 leagues in, it doth spread itself, into so many rivers, bays, and creeks, that for the space of some 30 leagues, unto a Town called Tauckro valley, it is so intricate, that many months might be spent to search each particular within that limit; but for that my occasion of writing, is grounded upon the great hopes, and expectations, that are from above I intend not to make any stay there, but refer what is to be said, until I speak of the inhabitants, only, as I proceed to let you know, that the main channel, is not to be mistaken, except within the limit aforesaid, and then also through great neglect, or rather some wilful ignorance.  
Thus with a fair stream, this brave river shooteth in flowing from his mouth, into the land, near upon 200 leagues, unto a Town called Baraconda, or some little above, & that is the uttermost bounds of his flowing, even in the lowest season of the year: For as in all rivers, running into the sea, the increase of the inland waters, occasioned by reins, or snows, do abate of the seas in draught; so much more, in this great River, who swells upright 30 foot, observing one due time, and season of the year for ever, must the seas force in those swelling times, be mightily driven back; whereby a certain knowledge is attained, which are the settled times, to be followed eamestly, to meet with no impediment, in passing up, which impediment, is only want of water to pass over flats, which in the lowest season of the year, in certain places, are met withal, as is commonly seen, in all rivers, of such mighty inlets, which banks as it were being past, presently a fair passable River continues, for many leagues; and as we expect our seasons of Winter, and Summer, so do these inhabitants these times of floods, occasioned by abundance of rain, which raines always proceed forth of the Southeast, and have their beginnings, much sooner in the inland, then at the River's mouth, so as in those parts, where we have had abode, they begin to fall in the latter end of May, and at the 
These are all more largely written of, where the tillage of the ground is handled.  River's mouth, not until the end of june: These reins continue very violent, for three months, coming down with great winds, and very much thunder, and lightniug, not perpetually, but as we say, in sudden gusts, and storms, the violence whereof being overpassed, the people continue their labour, as where I write of their manner of Tillage, is more largely set down, as also a more free description of these contagious times: The increase of the River likewise, in the beginning of the year, before any rain is seen to fall where we abode, did make it propable, that rain wasfallen, within the land, before we tasted any, all which affirms the great inlet of this hopeful River, and gives an assurance, that it is passable, if times and seasons be observed, and with diligence followed, with boats, and vessels fitted accordingly, as experience in travelling it already so far, may some ways warrant a sufficient director.  
Next to show a continuance of this great stream, when we had rowed beyond the ebbing and flowing, and 12. days against the currant, which we travailed in the month of january, when the water was at the lowest of his nourishment, and then the shoal we met withal, and stopped our further proceeding, had 9 inches water, which shallowness continued not above to yards, wherein if we had 
We were 10 of our own company, that went up in a shallop, and 4 Black that I hired to carry up a Canoe.  been an able company together, being only 10. of us, and likewise had had provision of tools wherewithal, and been assured of a commodius trade, and so friendly a people to converse withal, as after we found, any encouragement would have made us work a gut through that little distance, and being past that place, the river showed himself again, with fair promising, so far as we bad occasion to look, near a league, and how far he might so continue, we are ignorant, and in those places above did we see sea-horses, whosenature requires deep waters, as where I write at large of him, you may better perceive, likewise the higher still, more store of Crocodiles, which adds encouragement of the largeness of the River; and likewise a fair breadth between the shores: I follow these probabilities, to encourage the farther search of the River, which diligently followed, may even in one season, give a full satisfaction to the forward Adventurer, and if it so fall out, we can meet with any town above, standing by the River side, it will assuredly prove a commodious place, to make our abode in, to take the advantage of the seasonable times, and to make returns, to, and again, as experience must lead, to the greatest advantage. And for trade there is no question, but a marvellous recourse would be unto us, which is already testified, in that so many hundreds of them came down unto us, to the remote place where we were enforced to stay, building them houses of reads on both sides the shore, and the recourse still more, and more increasing, in so much as we had intelligence, the people were coming, from a great Town called Iaye in their language, and we do conceive it to be Gago, if we had been furnished with commodities enough for them, and likewise known the seasonable times for our passage in the 
These 〈…〉  River, and convenient harbour for our safer abode; and why may not the town they call Mumbar, which they say is but 6. days journey from the place we stayed at, according to their travail, which in the discourse of the people Laster lay down, belikewise upon the River, if so, how great an advantage, might it bring unto us, if we were minded to stay there, when the Moor of Barbary come, for at this town the Caravan from Barbary doth stay and abide, we know their whole trade is for gold, but what quantity they have here, or what people it is, they trade withal, we are as yet ignorant, and this adventure up the river, would undoubtedly discover, that the gold is there, we are assured of, having battered, and had trade for some, and upon trial the same in goodness, that Barbary affords our Countries, having the river to friend, we should be able, though but few of us, to defend ourselves, from the rage of the Barbary Moor, if he should attempt any thing against us, for undoubtedly, when he shall see us entered into his trade, he will appose what may be, to affront us; And although I have been promised safe defence, by the country people, yet a boat is a certain retreat, and the River a constant friend, to trust unto.  
Again, what know we, whither the River may bring us within the confines of those people, who will not be seen, and are those to whom our salt doth pass, of whom in the relation of the Country, in his place, as it followeth I write, and if it be as in all descriptions that are set out, it is laid down, that the River of Senega, and this River do meet, yet cannot be in any probability, but a few day's journey, above the place, and heigh, we have already been at, must needs reach to it, and no doubt afterwards, that which affords two such branches, must contain within himself, a fair and promising stream, which may take head from some great and large lake, above, such as is described, to be about Gago, and if any such place should be found, what use or profit might arise, cannot but promise a hopeful expectation.  
And lastly, if the inhabitants above, be enemies amongst themselves, as we see in the mouth of the River, and hear likewise of them, what advantage our force in the River, may work, will easily be considered, in regard they have not the use of any 
The Country people have no boats or Canoes above the ebbing and flowing.  boats, above where it ebbs and flows, so far as we have hitherunto been, which is about 120. leagues, or 360. miles, which we were travelling, as I have said before, only 12. days, wherein is to be understood, we laboured not the whole day, but setting forward so soon as it was day light, we contained working until 9 or 10. of the clock, 
We laboured to get up the River only 7. hours in 24.  resting the heat of the day, and again from 3. until the evening shut in, and not at all in the night when it was cool, and convenient, for avoiding of trees sunk, rocks, and shoals, which in the day time we could see, and have now taken notice of, and perfectly writ down, that upon any second attempt, we may be much bolder, and thereby ask lesser time for performance, how beit our return downward, for those 12. days travail, was in 6. and God be praised, both going, coming, and staying there, without sickness, or loss of any one man; Nay more (to our great comfort we found) the higher we went, the more healthful our bodies. And it is likely, if towns were found again, near 
No towns near the River side after we passed the ebbing and flowing.  the River, they do so continue, for from Baraconda, whither the River flowed, we never heard, nor saw of any Town, or plantation, nor recourse of any people unto us, but what we sent for, neither show of any boat, only some two, or three bundles of Palmeta leaves, we found bound uptogether, which our Blacks would tell unto us, some of the people had made shift to pass the river upon, so as our passage then must needs afford more discouragement to the Actors, than any that can, (by God's grace) happen hereafter, for we were discouraged, that the people above were of a bad condition, if we could pass unto them, which the inhabitants held, as impossible, in regard they did affirm, the river was full of trees sunk, and drifts, we should meet withal, and our time in passing, being uncertain, our provision which was small, might fail us, and poorly (God knows) we were provided of those materials, that would have helped to maintain that principal, in respect the place, and way affordeth it; and what experience hereafter, can direct in that kind to do, which being good comforts, and encouragers to the Adventurer, I will not by any means leave unwritten.  
There is abounding in this River, who are bred and live therein, two sorts especial, as I may term them monstrous, the one devouring as the people report, and the other dangerous, as I have found: The devouring is the Crocodile or Alegatha, because they carry one, and the same resemblance, but 
The Description of the Crocodile, whom the Country people call Bumbo.  doubtless, I am persuaded, there is no other Crocodile, but such as we have seen in this River, whom the people call by the name of Bumbo, sundry times when we have driven them from the shore, where they have been lying in the morning, or otherwise forth of the water, when we have observed the print they leave behind them, upon the foft sand, we have found by measure of rule, his whole length, from the point of his nose, to the end of his tail, contain thirty three foot; The people of the Country, stand in such dread of these, that they dare not wash their hands in the great River, much less, offer to swim, or wade therein, reporting 
How the people do fear him.  unto us many lamentable stories, how many of their friends, and acquaintance have been devoured by them: neither do they at any time bring any of their Cattle, to pass the River, as within ebbing, and flowing, they have divers occasions to do, but with great dread, and ceremony: for at all Towns within that compass, they have small boats, which we call Canoes, to ferry over withal, which cannot receive a live beef, only some five or six of the people: but when they pass a beef over, he is led into the water, with a rope to his horns, whereby one holds him close to the boat, and another taking up his tail, holds in the like manner; the Priest, or mary-buck, stands over the middle of the beast, praying and spitting upon him, according to their ceremonies, charming the Crocodile, and another again by him, with his bow and arrows ready drawn, to expect when the 
The manner they pass their cattle over the River, for foare of Bumbo.  Crocodile will cease, and in this manner, if there be twenty at a time, the pass them one after another, never thinking them safe, until they be on the top of the River bank: One thing more, to show the fear they have of him, when I was going in my discovery up the River; having as I said, only nine of our own people with me, I did hire Blacke-men, as I had occasion to use them, to serve as Interpreters, likewise to send abroad, and to help to row, and get up the boat, so that when I came to pass the flowing, and to go all against the currant, I did furnish myself, of four able Blackmen: the first place we found a stiff gut to resist us, the water being not above four foot deep, for speedier and more easier passing our men went into the water, and laying hands, some one the one side of the boat, and some likewise on the other, waded along, and led her through, which we found a good refreshing; the River being sweet and clear, was comfortable in the heat, by no means I could not make any of my black people, go out of the boat, denying flatly to go into the water, saying that Bumbo would have them; after some 
The Blacks would not go into the River.  two of these ages, there was another straight, where was a necessity of more hands, so that striping myself, I leapt into the water, the Blacks seeing me prepare, seem much to dissuade me, but when they saw me in the water, they presently consulting together, stripped themselves, and came likewise in, the business ended, and we all aboard again, I asked of them the cause made them come in, having so earnestly denied it before, they made answer, they had considered amongst themselves, the white man, 
Their answer when they went in.  shine more in the water, than they did, and therefore it Bumbo come, he would surely take us first, so that after they never refused to go in, yet in all our whole passage, did we never receive any assult, but to the contrary, where we have seen great companies of them, lying upon the sands, they have perpetually avoided us, with the same shines, that Snakes do use, to avoid the noise, and sight of men here, only boldest to show himself where the water was deepest, and the Black people, do not stick to say, that since the white men have had to do in the River, the Crocodile is not so dangerous, as in former times; Again, whereby it doth appear, they are more abundantly above, whereas he doth naturally smell exceeding sweet, after the manner of musk, so as in all places, where they use to come one shore they leave a sent behind them, that many times we are not able to receive, but enforced to stop our nostrils: some three days, before we came to the highest place we stayed at, we began to find the River water, which was our daily drink, to change his relish, 
The strong sent of the Crocodile, changing the taste of the River water, & the fish were taken in it.  but after we came there, it had such a sweet musky taste, that we not only refused, to drink of it, but also could not endnre, our meat to be dressed therewith, but sought out springs and freshes, upon the land, nay more, those great fish which with our hooks, we took in that place, lost the savour they had below, and did taste and relish as the Crocodile smelled, that we utterly refused, to eat them ourselves, but bestowed them upon the people of the Country, which received them thankfully; land likewise the cry and noise of them in this place, was more than we had heard all the way, for the noise he makes is resembled right to the sound of a deep great well, with which the great ones call one to another, and may be distinctly heard a league, which surely argues, the continuance of this hopeful river, and that some great lake above may be the nourisher of them.  
The other is the Sea-horse, who in this River do wonderfully abound, and for that the name of Sea-horse is a common word, in regard of the Greene-land voyages, where they use the same to the Sea-mosses they kill there, who are of contrary 
The desctiption of the sea-horse.  shapes, I think it fit to describe this fish or beast, or what I may call him, because questionless, there was never beast, nor any thing in that kind, set forth to show in these our Countries, that would produce more admiration. He is in fashion of body, a complete horse, as round buttocked as a horse of service, and in his whole body answerable: his head like unto a horse with short ears, but palpably appearing which he wags, and stirs, as he shows himself, only toward his mouth, he grows broad down like a Bull, and hath two teeth standing right before upon his lower chop, which are great and dangerous in regard he strikes with them: his cry, or neighing, directly like a great horse, and hath in the same manner four legs, answerable to his body, whereupon he goes, and wherewith he likewise swimmeth, as a horse doth, yet in these is his greatest difference, for they are somewhat shorter in proportion, than horses are, and where they should be round hoofte, it divides itself into five paws, upon every which he hath a hoof, the whole foot, containing a compass of great breadth, as the beast is in growth, insomuch as I have taken the measure of some prints they leave, where they walk, of twenty ynches over: His manner of feeding likewise, resembles the horse, for although he live all day in the River, yet every night he goeth duly on shore, in diverse places feeding upon their Rice, and Corn, doing the Country people much spoil, but his general feeding, is upon low marish grounds, where the grass or sedge is 
The sea-horse feeds in the night upon the shore.  green, to which they resort in great companies, & in those reaches of the River, which have deepest water, and lie nearest, and convenienst, to such manner of grounds, do we always find greatest store: in some places, they go a mile from the shore side to their feed, having tracks that are beaten as hard and palpable, as London high way; he returns by the break of day to the River, where he is very bold, when our boats come by, he will hold his head above the water, many time's store of them together, and so near as within Pistols shot, snorting, neighing, and tossing the water, making shows of great displeasure, and sometimes attempting it, for in my passage too and again in the River, my boat was stricken by them three times, and one of the blows was very dangerous, for he struck his tooth quite through, which I was enforced, 
A dangerous blow, by a sea-horse.  with a great deal of diligence to stop, or it had dangered our sinking; but the hazard of them may be well avoided, if men be provided to shoot at them, when they press overbold, which we could not do, in regard out allowance of powder was small, and we were driven to put it to other uses, neither had we 
A neglect to be hereafter, carefully provided for.  pieces accordingly, through the neglect of some ill wishing persons, who deceive the trust the worthy Adventurers opposed upon them: In the night, while we had candle burning, some of them, disturbed by us, would remain in the River, and would come staring up the stream, snoring, and pressing near upon us, but we found means to send them packing, for breaking a small piece of wood, we would stick a short candle lighted upon it, and let it drive with the stream upon them, from which they would fly, and make way, with a great deal of horror, and one note we observed amongst them, they werealwayes most dangerous, when they had their young with them, which they sometimes leave on shore, but being in the water, every female carries her young upon her back, so as when she puts up her head, the young head likewise will look his share, and where they appear many heads together, there is as much variety, as from the great horse, to the hunting nag: the Sea-horse, we found greatest store: when we were likewise past the flowing of the tide, and continued above the highest place we were, which still argues, a large and constant River: The people do account 
The Country People esteem the sea-horse, for excellent meat.  of these for an excellent meat, not resusing to eat them, if they be taken up dead in the River, as they are many times found swimming, howsoever they come killed, howbeit I conceive, the Crocodile and they agree, for that I have stood upon the bank, and see them swim, one by another without offence.  
Having spoken of these, I now return to matter of sustenance, which the River affordeth, there is variety of good fish, among which great store of Mullet, if men have nets, and provision to take them, which in some places, within the ebbing and flowing, the shore lies convenient to make use of, and above, that in most places, howbeit we never made use above any place where our ship rid, who always kept the net with her, wherewith we made divers draughts, most especially at a Town called Cassan, and against which the ship did ride, and was the highest place in the River she went, where our convenientst drawing was close to the Town, and when the people at any time saw us bring our net on the shore, and provide to fish, as the net came near the shore, they would come rudely in and many times with their uncivilnes, endanger the breaking, and spoiling of our net, with their greediness to lay hold on the fish, that we were enforced to speak unto the King, dwelling in the Town, to command them to forbear troubling us, promising when we had taken for our own present use, and reserved some for him, the residue should be taken out and remain amongst them, and his Command being given, they were careful to observe it.  
Amongst the rest, one time having made a draught, we had not such plenty as usually, only some fish, in the cod of the net, which being taken up, were shaked into a basket standing in the boat, with which we rowed aboard, & the basket being handed in as the custom is, the fish were poured upon the Deck, whereof many rude Sailors will be their own carvers, amongst which fish, there was one, much like unto our English bream, but of a great thickness, which one of the Sailors thinking for his turn, thought to take away, putting therefore his hands unto him, so soon as he touched, the fellow presently cried out, he had lost the use both of his hands, and arms: another standing by said, 
A strange operation of a fish.  what with touching this fish? and in speaking, put thereto his foot, he being barelegged, who presently cried out in the like manner, the sense of his leg was gone: this gave others, of better rank, occasion to come forth, and look upon them, who perceiving the sense to come again, called up for the Cook, who was in his room below, knowing nothing what had happened, & being come wild him to take that fish, and dress, which he being a plain stayed fellow, orderly stooping to take up, as his hands were on him, sunk presently upon his hinder parts, and in the like manner, made grievous moan: he felt not his hands, which bred a wonderful admiration amongst us: from the shore at the same time was coming a Canoe aboard us, in which was a Black man called Sandie, who in regard he had some small knowledge of the Portugal tongue, had great recourse amongst us, we brought him to the fish, and showed it unto him, upon sight whereof, he fell into a laughter, and told us, it was a fish they much feared in the water, for what he touched he numbed, his nature being to stroke himself upon another fish, whom presently he likewise num'b, and then prayed upon him, but bid us cut of his head; and being dead, his virtue was gone, and he very good to eat: At this place only we should see many Moors sporting, playing, and coming boldly into the water, a good distance from the shore, where lay a sandy bank, but they never went beyond their heights, and they would tell us, there was a blessing granted to that place, by some great mary-buck, that Bumbo should never hurt them; and on that side the Town stood, as our ship did ride in the middle of the River, and we have observed, we never saw any Crocodile; but on the contrary side, many times very great ones; And this being assuredly true, for variety's sake I have placed here.  
In the upper part of the River, there are store of fish, and more conveniently to be come by, if men go provided. Amongst which we note one little fish, 
The running fish.  which may well be called the running fish, and is much like our English Roach, with a red tail, who is enforced to run above the water, and will continue a great way, but only touching of it, to save his life from his pursuing enemy, who comes chopping after him, just like the Trout after the fly, and is of that bigness the Trout is, that sometimes the little fish hath run into our Canoe to avoid the pursuer: Likewise of foul, the higher we go, we find plenty, and much variety, but this we have ever observed, that in the main River, we never see them swimming, but as they are in 
The nature of the river foul.  shoals together be they Duck, and Mallard, or any other in their kind, they sit upon the shore, close to the River side, and dare not surely venture in, for fear of the Crocodile, but have their principal feeding upon the marish grounds, and ponds, which lie from the River, whereof the Country is very full, and you can find no such place, but is abundantly furnished, among which are many geese, of colour white, and black, rather bigger than our English tame goose, who hath upon each pinion of his wing, a sharp spur, in every point resembling a Cock's spur of the largest size, with which they are apt, not being shot dead, to give offence: but for foul that live naturally by the shore side, as Hernes, Corlews, Storks, Pluffer and the like, it doth yield plenty, so that whomsoever shall go up well furnished of pieces, and powder, shallbe sure to mend their fare, and light upon many a dainty dish.  
The people of the Country have likewise diverse wares, which they make use of in the time of reins, and when the River is over-floude, at which times, they kill much fish; and they have also, a strange manner of fishing, in their lakes and ponds, of which there are many that are very broad, and contain much circuit, but are not deep, to which they resort 
The manner of the people's fishing.  as they desire to fish, a whole town or plantation together, only the men, every one having a kind of basket, with the mouth open, which he holds downward, and so going into the water, close on by another, they over spread the pond, whereby the fish is moved; and so clapping down the mouth of their baskets before them, they hit upon the fish, and in this manner they take so many that most of them go loaden home, and if at any time we be near those places, they will lovingly impart them to us, upon returns from us of poor value: These things which now we know, and can tell how to provide for, may serve as encouragements, to proceed upon a farther discovery, but in that which follows, concerning the love of the people, what trade we already have found, and what relief they bring us, and at what rates, as also what Dear, and wild Cattle the land affords throughout, with such variety of land foul, and other necessaries, whereof in their due place I mean to speak; I hope (as I desire) may be some furtherances, to invite Adventurers, to advise of some few days search further into this hopeful River: Wherein the very River, if we had nothing else to friend, proving but as we have hitherunto sound it, will afford that comfortable relief, men need not stand in dread of starving, which considered, and the probable good that may and will rise, in obtaining the Golden Trade, I conclude it most necessary, to follow diligently a farther search, for which if I should be thereunto required, in place convenient, I could yield some other special account which for some respects I forbear to publish, and following my order, proceed to the inhabitants.   

The several Inhabitants, etc.  
TO speak of the Country, and the inhabitants, I take my beginning from the mouth of the River, whereat our first entrance, we find the Black men called Mandingoes, and that they do continue amongst themselves, still one and the self same language: Those of them who are inhabiting, or dwelling in the mouth of the River, or within certain leagues of the first entrance, are very fearful to speak with any shipping, except they have perfect knowledge of them, in regard they have been many times, by several nations, surprised, taken and carried away; but upon some knowledge they will resort to the shore near unto us, and bring with them Beefs, Goats, Hens, and abundance of Bonanos, in the West Indies called Plantanoes, a most excellent good, and wholesome fruit; likewise of their Country pease, and other grain, and in way of Tradesome hides: they there alone have the domination, their Kings and Governors being their seated, as in the upper parts, of whom especially my discourse is intended, howbeit for the more plainer proceeding, I must break of a while from them, and acquaint you first, of another sort of people we find dwelling, or rather lurking, amongst these Maudingoes, only some certain way up the River.  
And these are, as they call themselves, Portugese's, and some few of them seem the same; others of them are Molatoes', between black and white, but the most part as black, as the natural inhabitants: they are scattered, some two or three dwellers 
The vagrant Portugal.  in a place, and are all married, or rather keep with them the country black women, of whom they beget children, howbeit they have amongst them, neither Church, nor Friar, nor any other religious order. It doth manifestly appear, that they are such, as have been banished, or fled away, from forth either of Portugal, or the Isles belonging unto that government, they do generally employ themselves in buying such commodities the country affords, wherein especially they covet the country people, who are sold unto them, when they commit offences, as you shall read where I write of the general government: all which things they are ready to vent, unto such as come into the river, but the black people are bought away by their own nation, and by them either carried, or sold unto the Spaniard, for him to carry into the West Indies, to remain as slaves, either in their Mines, or in any other servile uses, they in those countries put them to: Some few of these sorting themselves together, in one time of the year, have used to go up this River, in a boat or small bark, as far as Setico, and there to remain in trade, from whence it is certainly known they have returned much gold, above which place they never attempted, which is not half the way, we have already gone up, since our trading there. With these, in their places of dwelling, we are very conversant, notwithstanding, we received such a horrible treachery from them, as is set down in my beginning, in regard they tell us, those that were the Actors thereof, are banished from amongst them, as being hated and detested for the fact. Howsoever, we hope, and desire it may stand, for all our Nations warning, never to let them have the like occasion, but believe, ever they will do as they say, in telling 
An especial Caveat.  us they do love and wish us well, provided they may never have us under their power, to be able to do us ill, which it behooneth us to take especial care of.  
The conditions they live subject unto, under the black Kings, makes it appear, they have little comfort in any Christian country, or else themselves are very careless what becometh of their posterity; for whensoever the husband, father, or master of the family dies, if he be of any worth, the King seizeth upon what he hath, without respect, either to wife, children, or servant, except they have warning to provide before, or are capable of themselves, to look out for the future time; whereby we find in some those few places we trade with them, poor distressed children left, who as it were exposed to the charity of the country, become in a manner naturalised, and as they grow up, apply themselves to buy and sell one thing for another as the whole country doth, still reserving carefully, the use of the Portugal tongue, and with a kind of an affectionate zeal, the name of Christians, taking it in a great disdain, be they never so black, to be called a Negro: and these, for the most part, are the Portingalls, which live within this River, who since they see we have followed a trade, and begun to settle upon it, in regard they much doubt, we wait but an opportunity (as they say amongst themselves) to have a valuable satisfaction, for the wrong their Nation began with, knowing the Englishmen do not ordinarily digest such horrible abuses, it hath made such as were of worth, and dwelling upon the coast, who were wont to look into the River, forbear that recourse, and also those, that were of the best and most ablest estates, to quit their dwellings, and to seek out elsewhere, leaving none but a few poor snakes, who for fear, rather than love, offer themselves, to do us any manner of service: which fear of theirs, is the more increased, because the natural black people, out of their moral understanding, and were some of them spectators of their bloody murder, the ship then riding before the Town, when the fact was done, and by them rightly understood, to be treacherously done in betraying our faithful trust, contrary to the great protestations and obligements before these inhabitants made and confirmed, did not only utterly disallow of the fact, but exclaiming against them, caused them to forsake their dwellings in that Town, neither have they at this time any habitations there, notwithstanding they had had continuance for many years before.  
And further, when some of our people, who were above in the River, not knowing of this evil accident, and were upon occasions returning to 
The courteous usage of the natural inhabieants.  the ship, whom they found so miserably lost, and carried away, the people of the Town, especially some principal, and most powerful men, took such compassion upon them, that they fed them, and lodged them, with a great deal of loving care, and that for no small time, until they had devised and concluded amongst themselves, what course to take; and having resolved, to take a tedious journey by Land, in seeking to cross the country to the Northward, until they came to Cape de Verde, where they were sure to meet with shipping, they not only fitted them, with such necessaries as they could, but also fent of their own people, as guides with them: and being in that manner commended from one King to another, were lovingly entertained, lodged, and fed, and with new guides still conveyed, never leaving them, until their desire was satisfied, and they safely arrived, where they found convenient shipping, and still the commendations that went alongst with them, from one black King to another, was, in regard their ship was betrayed, and taken away by the Portugal, whereby they found such compassion, that in some places they had horses to ride on, and in other places were entreated to rest, and recreate themselves, longer than they were willing.  
And thus much is said, for those people of the country, amongst whom the Portingalls dwelled, had their abode, and all familiar commerce; but for those black people who are dwelling above in the River, where these Portingalls never had any habitation, only as I said, a trade, in their boats up some part of the River, and amongst whom we have settled ourselves, with great league and testification of much amity (as I must deliver when I come unto them,) these I say, when there was only five of our men dwelling amongst them, their houses seated by the River side; and that ceraine Portugeses, in a smalbark or Boat, were to pass by them in following their Trade to Setico, being a matter of some 16 leagues, above the place our men lived at: these people when they saw our men make ready their arms, & prepare their pieces, to standon their guard, being so sew of them, not daring to trust the Portugeses flattering promises, did not only put themselues in companies for their defence, but likewise animated our men, to set upon them, promising if they would give the ouset, they would prosecute it, to the confusion of all and every man of them, in the same manner, as they before had dealt with us, with great vehemency pressing them, as a thing they were especially bound to do, which our men refusing they inthemselues did carry towards them a kind of sullen, and insolent behaviour: so as their bloody act, wherewith they thought to daunt, and discourage us, in seeking or following of any trade here, and more securely to settle themselves, hath no doubt, (by God's providence) if it be carefully considered and diligently observed, by a timely 
The reward of treachery.  following of what doth offer itself, turned to the clean contrary, and through their own guilt, enforced them to avoid the place, leaving it of their own accords, whereby if we embrace the occasion, many good and profitable ends may be made, and this have I truly related: the Portugal, who as he sees we prepare with earnestness, to follow this Trade, with the like earnestness, will prepare to leave the River, which preparations as I hope and desire, may speedily and earnestly in our Country's behalf be under gone, and followed, so in his preparation I would be no hinderer, but think it a fair riddance, of a false friend, and so I leave him.   

The wandering Fulbie.  
THere is one people more, dwelling and abiding among these Maudingoes, and under their subjection, of whom it is necessary for me to speak, before I come to the principal. These are called Fulbies, being a Tawny people, and have a resemblance right unto those we call Egyptians: the women amongst them, are straight, upright, and excellently well bodied, having very good features, with a long black hair, much more loose than the black women have, wherewith they at ire themselves very neatly, but in their apparel they go clothed and wear the same habit, the black women do; the men are not in their kinds, so generally handsome, as the women are, which may be imputed to their course of lives; whereof I proceed to tell you; Their profession is keeping of Cattle, some Goats they have, but the Herds they tendare Beefs, whereof they are abundantly stored: In some places they have settled Towns, but for the most part they are still wandering, uniting themselves in kindred and families, and so drive their herds together; where they find the ground and soil most fit for their Cattle, there, with the King's allowance of the Country, they sit down, building themselves houses, as the season of the year serves, and in such places as lies most convenient, for preservation of their Herds they look unto: during the times of the reins, they retire to the mountains, and higher grounds, and again as they grow dry, and barren to the low plains and bottoms, even to the River side; that in the times of our chiefest Trade, their cattle are feeding by us, and the women with their commodities daily customers to us. These men's labour and toil is continual, for in the day time, they watch and keep them together, from straying, and especially from coming to near the River, where the Crocodile doth hawr, and in the night time, they bring them home about their houses, and parting them in several Herds, they make fires round about them, and likewise in the middle of them, about which they lie themselves, ready upon any occasion to defend them from their roaring enemies, which are Lions, Ounces, and such devouring beasts, whereof the Country is full, as when I speak of them willbe perceived.  
This is the poor Fulbies' life, whereunto he is so enured, that in a manner he is become bestial, for I have noted divers times, when we have come up in the morning, before his Cattle had been dispersed, or gone to seed, when we have called for the Mr, or chief of them, to make a bargain for a beef, or beefs, as we had occasion, he would come unto us, from forth the middle of the heard, and those parts of him which were bare, as his face and hands, but especially his face, would stand so thick of flies, as they use to sit in the hot Summer time upon our horses, and teems here in England, and they were the same manner of fly we have, which the Fulbie would let alone, not offering to put up his hand, to drive them away, therein seeming more senseless, than our Country beasts, who will whisk with their tails, and seek any other defence, to avoid or be rid of them, but for our own parts we were fain, during our parley with them, to hoed a green bow, to beat of the fly, finding his stay never so little, very offensive. These people live in great subjection to the Maudingo, under 
The misery of the Fulbic.  which they seem to groan, for he cannot at any time kill a beef but if they know it, the blackmen will have the greatest share, neither can he sell or barter with us for any commodity he hath, but if it be known the other will be his partner, in so much as when the men come unto us, they will watch the blacke-mans' absence, or hiding their commodities, draw us covertly to see it, that they may have their return private, and not stick many times, when he knows the other out of hearing, to speak many disdainful words against him: And of these people the Country is very full, being dispersed and spread in such manner of families, as I said before, over the whole Country; and higher up in the Country, as we here, and I shall show hereafter, they are in on part principal, and have excluded the Blacks, holding domination amongst themselves, and for the most part continually in war. The language the Fulbie speaks, is different from the blackmen, the women are our chiefest customers, for in most places, within the ebbing and flowing, where we did lie for Trade, we should be sure to have their custom every day, which was to bring us new milk, sour milk, and curds, and two sorts of butter, the one new and white, the other hard and of an excellent colour, which we called refined butter, and is without question, but for a little freshness, as good as any we have at home: all which they brought unto us, in great and small gourds like dishes, made up very handsomely, and one thing let me not forget to give them due praise in, that in what somever you received from them, you should have it so neat and clean that in your milk you should not perceive a mote, nor in her butter any uncleanliness nay the gourds, ordishes, they 
The cleanelines of the Fulby women.  brought it in, on the very outsides would shine with cleanliness, and one the inward parts, without any nastiness, and if at any time, by any mischance, there had been a mote, or hair, which you had showed unto her, she would have seemed to blush, in defence of her cleanly meaning.  
In noting of which, I have divers times said, there was great difference between them, and the Irish Calios, although their manner of lives had great resemblance in following of their Cattle, and as they were out of heart in one ground, to remove whole Towns together, which but few years since was the Irish Kerns true course of life; butwith cleanliness your Irish woman hath no acquaintance, and therefore I return back to my Tawny Fulbie: the commodities she asked for were small beads, and poor knives of 16 d a dozen, with other trifling things, but after they once saw and vasted of salt, which in their language they called Ramdam, there was no other thing could so well please them, although it were never so little; we found the variety of these things many times agreeable to our natures, and therefore gave fair recourse unto the people, for if we denied but one day to buy of them, we should want their company a week after, what earnest occasion somever we had to use them; and these things were to be had from none but them, because the Maudingo, or Blackeman applies himself, at no time, in keeping or preserving of Cattle, but leaves it to this painful Fulby, whom I likewise leave looking to his Herds, and come to the commanding Black.   

The Maudingo or Ethiopian, being the natural Inhabitants, distinguished by the name of the Maudingoes.  
THe people, who are Lords, and Commanders of this country, and profess themselves the natural Inhabitants, are perfectly black, both men and women. The men for their parts, do live a most idle kind of life, employing themselves (I mean the greater part) to no kind of trade nor exercise, except it be only some two months of the year, which is in tilling, and bringing home their country corn, and grain, wherein the preservation of their lives consists, and in that time their labour is sore, as when I come to show the manner, you may easily conceive; All other times of the year, they live wand'ring up and down, from one to an other, having little understanding, either to hunt in the woods, or fish in the waters; notwithstanding, both the one and the other, in their kinds, are infinitely replenished, that to their very doors wild beasts do resort, and about their houses in every corner, abundance of Ginny hens, and excellent partridges. In the heat of the day, the men will come forth, and sit themselves in companies, under the shady trees, to receive the fresh air, and there pass the time in communication, having only one kind of game to recreate themselves withal, and that is in a piece of wood, certain great holes cut, which they set upon the ground betwixt two of them, and with a number of some thirty pebble stones, after a manner of counting, they take one from the other, until one is possessed of all, whereat some of them are wondrous nimble: we do perceive amongst them, that the ordinary people eat but one meal a day, and especially the younger sort, of what kind soever; their hour of feeding 
The time and manner of the people's feeding.  being only aster the day light is in, and then with fires of Reeds, without the door, they sit them round, and fall to their viands, which for the most part, is either Rice, or some other grain, boiled, which being brought unto them by the women in goardes, hot, putting in their hands, they roll up into balls, and cast into their mouths, and this is their manner of feeding: they do seldom eat either flesh or fish, the rather because they cannot get it, than out of any will to refuse it: and although they are great breeders of such very poultry, as ate our Cocks and Hens, and have understanding to cut Capons, yet they are great sparers thereof, and preserve them to sell unto us, for small pieces of Iron, beads, and such like commodities, whereof if we be furnished, we can want none of that provision.  
They will say, their feeding so seldom, is a great preservation of their healths, & at that time, when the Sun is down, a fittest time for nourishment, avoiding especially, to eat in the heat of the day, as a thing wonderful unwholesome, wherein it may please you to give me leave to utter my opinion, which haply coming to be scanned by 
A digression, by the Writer, for the better preserving of men's lives and healths.  men of knowledge, may produce some rules of better order, then hath hither-unto been kept amongst our Nation, which hath caused the loss of so many lives, and the dangerous sickness of others, therewithal laying a general scandal upon the country itself, to be both infectious, and unwholesome for our bodies, whereas indeed it is our own disorders: For the custom that hath been hither-unto held, especially into this River, hath been without any diligence, to make choice of such Seamen for governors, as were men of temperance, and command, who being able to temper well themselves, might the better govern the rest, whose ill carriages may be thought to be great provokers for shortening other men's days: I will example it in this last voyage of ours. The Master was a man known, for an excellent Artsman, but in the government of himself, so far from knowledge, that after our passage from Dartmouth, which was in October, until the middle of March after, about which time he died, it will be justified, he was never twenty days sober, in which time he went not alone, but our Chirurgeon, with sundry other officers that were of his society, with their lives paid for their riotous order. And further, whereas we were divided into two shallops, to go up the River, the bigger whereof, the principal Factor was to follow his trade in, and carried therefore in the same a Butt of Sack, and a Hogshead of Aqua vitae, making choice of such men as were the most able, and likeliest bodies to hold out, and he in himself careful enough, as his experience might well advise him, having spent many years, and made many voyages upon that continent, to observe both his diet of eating and drinking; yet towards his people, he carried at sometimes, such an oversparing hand, that they fell to practising how they might deceive him, making use of all advantages, to steal those hot drinks from him, which being purchased, as it were from his niggardly nature, they would divide as a spoil with great greediness amongst themselves, and thereby wrought their own confusions, that of those people he carried with him, they either died before he came back to the ship, or shortly after, some two at the most excepted, who escaped with dangerous sickness, whereas to the contrary (with thankfulness to God be it spoken) myself going up in the other shallop, and wherein I must take such men as were given me, not such as I desired, observing amongst ourselves, a loving and orderly course of diet, wherein every man had his equal share, notwithstanding I went one hundred and forty leagues above the other shallop, returned without the loss of any one man; nay, in all my going to the highest, and in my return to the Pinnace, I never had any man sick, but upon a second return up some part of the River, some of my old men being changed, two or three fell sick, howbeit (with comfort be it spoken) there was not one man died that went with me, and for my own part, through the whole voyage, I was never one quarter of an hour sick (blessed be the name of God.)  
Now for my opinion concerning our diet, I hold well with the Blacks, that to feed at noon, is an unwholesome thing, for that the Sun, being then in his extremity of heat, and by his nearness having such power over us, the moisture that lies within the body, is exhaled to the exterior parts, to comfort, 
The Writers opinion concerning diet.  and refresh that, which the heat doth dry, and then are the interior parts most cold, and unapt for nutriment, wherein experience makes us see, that in the height and heat of the day we can with great facility, and without offence, drink off such a draught, or quantity of Aqua vitae, or hot waters, as if we should drink here in our native country at one time, would certainly burn out our hearts; nay more, we find our bodies naturally desiring, and longing for the same, (wherein I might here 
The Cauneat must be looked carefully to, in the setting forth.  show some reason, partly to blame a neglect in our own provisions, but that I assure myself, it hath been rather ignorance, to know what was good, then want of will to provide it) whereas in the cool of the morning, and again in the evening, we receive it with much more temperance, and a little giveth satisfaction, so that my conclusion is, that to us that have able, and working bodies, and in our occasions are stirring, and labouring in the morning early, and after the heat of the day, are the fittest & convenientst times to receive our sustenance, wherein I shall ever submit myself to those of more able judgement; and returning to the Blacks, let you know, that their usual and ordinary drink, is, either the River water, or from some Spring, howbeit they have grown from trees, several sorts of wine, or drinks, as also the making of a kind of liquor they call Bullo, made and compounded of their country corn; whereof more conveniently elsewhere I shall effectually satisfy you: and now go on to show you, the manner of their building, and fortifications.  
They place themselves in their habitations round together, and for the most part have a wall, though it be but of Reed, plaited and made up together, some six foot in height, circling and going round their Town, with doors of the same, in the night time to be orderly shut, some of the houses within their walls, likewise are made of the same Reeds; 
The manner of their building:  but the better sort do build the walls of their houses, of loam, which after it is tempered, and laid up together, carrieth a kind of red colour with it, and doth remain with an extraordinary hardness, that doubtless (as I have carefully diverse times observed) it would make the most excellent and durablest Brick in the world, the whole country, except upon the mountains, yielding the same earth, whereof I will not forget to report one thing, which (in my opinion) deserves admiration: we do find in most places, hills cast up by Ants or Emmets, which we here call Ant-hills, some of them twenty foot of height, of such compasses, as will hold or 
Strange Antehils.  contain a dozen men, which with the heat of the Sun is grown to that hardness, as we do use to hide and conceal ourselves in the ragged tops of them, when we take up stands, to shoot at the country dear, or any other manner of wild beast; the form of their houses, whether it be loam, or Reed, is always round, and the round roofs made low, ever covered with reeds, and tied fast to rafters, that they may be able to abide, and lie fast, in the outrageous winds and gusts, that come in the times of rain; for which purpose also they build their houses round, that the wind may have the lesser force against them; and the walls enclosing and keeping them in, is to avoid those ravening and devouring beasts, which in the night time range and bustle about, wherewith diverse times notwithstanding, they are much affrighted, and by making fires, and raising cries at midnight, to chase and drive them from their mansion dwellings. This for the meaner Towns or country Villages, but they have likewise Towns of force, according unto the manner of war, they use amongst them, fortified, and trenched in, after a strong and defensible nature; whereof (they say) the country within is full, especially where the Kings are seated, the manner whereof we have seen in some two or three places, whereof I will instance only one: which is the Town of Cassan, against which (as I said before) the ship which was betrayed did ride, and we in our last voyage, did make it our highest port for our bigger ship. This Town is the King's seat, and by the name of the Town he holds his title, King of Cassan; It is seated upon the River's side, and enclosed round near to the houses, with hurdles, such as our shepherd's use, but they are 
The town of Cassan with the manner of fortification.  above ten foot high, and fastened to strong and able poles, the tops whereof remain above the hurdle; on the inside in diverse places, they have rooms, and buildings, made up like Turrets, from whence they within may shoot their arrows, and throw their darts over the wall, against their approaching enemies; on the outside likewise, round the wall, they have cast a ditch or trench, of a great breadth, & beyond that again a pretty distance, the whole Town is circled with posts and pieces of trees, set close and fast into the ground, some five foot high, so thick, that except in styles, or places made of purpose, a single man cannot get through, and in the like manner, a small distance off again, the like defence, and this is as they do signify unto us, to keep off the force of horse, to which purpose, it seems to be very strong and available; considering what arms and Weapons they have in use, which in this place is necessary to be known.  
They do usually walk, with a Staff or javelin in their hands, which they call an Assegie, being a Reed of some six foot long, the head whereof is an Iron pike, much like our javelines, but most of them very artificially made, and full of danger; others they have also made, to throw like irish-men's darts, with heads all barbed, full of cruelty to the receiver: each man likewise, about his neck 
The arms or weapons the people have in use.  doth wear, in a Bandoleer of red or yellow cloth, a short Sword of some two foot long, with an open handle, which Swords they make of the Iron is brought unto them, as you shall hear when I speak of their Trades, and also the better sort of them, do carry their bow in their hands, and at their back a case, very artificially made, which may hold within it some twenty four of their arrows, it is the smallest arrow used by any Nation, made of a Reed, about the bigness of a Swans quill, and some two foot in length, there is fastened in the end, a small Iron with a barbed head, all which Iron is dangerously poisoned; the arrow hath neither nock nor feather, but is shot from the bow, which is also made of a Reed, by a flat string, or rather stick smoothed and made even, and fastened to the bow, so that the bow and the string, are one and the selfsame wood, whose force is small, and therefore the offence lies in the poison, which near hand upon their cotton garments, may make an entry, but to a Buff jerkin, or any other sleight garment of defence, except it be very near, can be little offensive: we have seen of them likewise on horse back, the horses being of a small stature, bridled and saddled after the Spanish fashion, each man having his Assegie in his hand, and upon the right side of his horse a broad Buckler hanging; and this is all the weapon in use amongst them.  
The King's house is in the middle of the Town, enclosed by itself, only his wife's several houses about him, to which you cannot come, but as it were through a Court of Guard, passing through an open house, where stands his chair empty, unlawful for any but himself to sit in, by which hangs his drums, the only instruments of war which we see amongst them, neither are these drums without daily employment, for this is their continual custom every night after it seems they have filled their bellies, they repair to this Court of Guard, making fires both in the middle of the house, and in the open yard, about which they do continue drumming, hooping, singing, and making a heathenish noise, most commonly until the day begins to break, when as we conceive deadsleepes take them, by which means sleeping one 
The inhabitans custom in the night.  part of the day, it makes the other part seem shorter, until the time of feeding come again, otherwise it is done to that purpose in the night, to fear and keep away the Lions, and ravening beasts from about their dwellings, who are at that season ranging and looking out; for this manner of course is held amongst them, not only in their fortified Towns, but also in every particular village, and habitation, whereof sew of them is without such poor drums they use, and if they be, yet they continue the custom, through hooping, singing, and using their voices, but when it happens muslcke is amongst them, than is the horrible din, as I shall signify when I overtake their fiddlers.  
But first I am to meddle with matter of state, and acquaint you concerning their Kings, and Governors, for so I have promised, the better to bring my work together: In following of which, I shall entreat your patience to observe with me, that the better to distinguish of their governments, I must divide the Country by the River, that how soever the River trends, which in his windings is surely all points of the compass, I shall always call that part, which lies to the southward in our intrance, the southside, and the other the northside, of both which sides, although we have seen diverse petty Kings, and other Commanders, to whom we paid a kind of poor custom, which in the mouth of the River, where the Portugal hath used, is not only greater, but perremptorily demanded, whereas above it is less, and rather taken as a courtesy presented, which moral kindness requires all strangers, coming in the way of amity, to begin withal to a principal person, than any manner of custom, that is (as we say) exacted, but how somever both below and especially above, it is of that poor quantity, it hardly deserves the pains of so long a rehearsal, whereby you may be drawn to conceit of a greater valuation: Those petty Kings I say, where of I both saw, had conference, and did eat and drink within six several places, who had the title of Mansa, which in their language, is the proper name for the King, have all reference to their greater Kings, who line farther from those places; on the southside, the whole Country 
The great King of Cantore  we passed, even to the highest we went, which you must needs conceive to be very spacious, had all reference to the great King of Cantore: on the northside likewise, from the seaside, about half the 
The great King of Bursall.  way we went up, they did acknowledge the King of Bursall, and after him, to the highest we went on that side, the great King of Wolley: These three 
The great King of Wolley.  Kings we hard of, but saw none of them; the report going that they were such as showed not themselves abroad, but in a manner of pomp, and that they were not seen to hunt, but with great number of horse, and especially on the northside, whereofdiverse English have been eye witness; concerning Bursall, whose continual abode is near the seaside, 
These great Kings are likewise tributaries to one great King fat ahove in the land, as is reported to us.  whereby some recourse hath been unto him, there is wars between the one side of the River, and the other, and especially from this King of Bursall, in so much as the people would tell us, if he could have any means to transport his horse on the farther side, he would in short time overrun great part of that Country: the state of the great Kings, we may conjecture at, by the observances those small ones we see, do assume unto themselves, and those people they govern perform unto them, for there is no man, but at his first approach before them, where they sit commonly in their houses, only upon a mat which is spread upon the ground, but presents himself with a great deal of reverence in kneeling on his knee, and coming nearer, lays first his hand upon the bare ground, and then on the top of his own uncovered head, many of them taking up the dust, and laying it upon his barehead, which 
The reverence of the people to the petty Kings.  action he useth twice or thrice, before he come at him, where with a great deal of submission, he lays his hand upon the King's thigh, and so retireth himself a good distance back, and if it chance in any company or resort unto him, that there be a mary-buck, which be their priests, as soon as they have made their manner of salutation, they all kneel 
The Religious ceremony of these people  down, and he falls to praying, the substance of his prayer, being for the preservation of the King, and in the same blessing him, to which himself crossing his arms, and laying his right hand over his left shoulder, and his left hand, over his right shoulder, useth the word Amena, Amena, many times over, which signifies the same as we say, Amen, or so be it: Nay more even among the common people, when they meet in the high way, and are of acquaintance, having been absent from one another, any distance of time, if there be a mary-buck amongst them, they put themselves into a round ring, and before any salutation fall on their knees to prayer: The King's respect unto them again, is only nodding of his head, which is acceptably received, how be it in manner of habit, there is between the King, and his people, little or no manner of difference; which may be imputed to the necessity of the Country, because it yieldeth but one only material, to make apparel of, which is a Cotten wool, whereof they plant great fields, and it grows up as it were our rose bushes, yielding a cod, that in his full maturity, breaks in some part, and shows a perfect white cotton, of which you shall find more written, when I come to rehearse what trees and plants we find amongst them.  
Now for the manner of their apparel, it is soon related, they being for the most part barehead, only bedecked or hanged over with gregories, as they 
The manner of their apparel.  are likewise over their bodies, legs, and arms, which word I will presently expound unto you, but first tell you their only garments are a shirt, and a pair of breeches, their shirts made down to their knees, wide in manner of a Sirplace, and with great sleaves, the which when he cometh to use his bow or arms, he rolleth up and it continueth fast at the shoulder, his breeches are made with so much stuff gathered just on his buttocks, that he seemeth to carry a cushion, and after a manner makes him straddle as he goes, barelegged, and without shoes, except it be some few of them, who have a piece of leather under their foot, cut like a shoe-sole, buttoned about the great toe, and again about the instoppe. The Gregory's be things of great esteem amongst them, for the most part they are made of leather of several fashions, wondrous neatly, they are hollow, and within them is placed, and sowed up close, certain writings, or spells which they receive from their Marybuckes, whereof they conceive such a religious respect, that they do confidently believe no hurt can betide them, whilst these Gregory's are about them, and it seems to increase their superstition; the Marybuckes do divide these blessings for every several and particular part, for upon their heads they wear them, in manner of 
The description of their Gregory's, which are th'arms they receive from their Marybuckes.  a cross, aswell from the forehead to the neck, as from one ear to another, likewise about their necks, and cross both shoulders about their bodies, round their middles, great store, as also upon their arms, both above and below the elbow, so that in a manner, they seem as it were laden, and carrying an outward burden of religious blessings, whereof there is none so throughly laden as the Kings, although of all sorts they are furnished with some, both men and women, and this more I have taken notice of, that if any of them be possessed of any malady, or have any swelling or sore upon them, the remedy they have, is only by placing one of these blessed Gregory's, where the grief lies, which they conceit will help them: and for aught I can perceive, this is all the Physic they have amongst them, and they do not only observe this for themselves, but their horses do usually wear of these about their necks, and most of their bows are hanged and furnished with them.  
To countenance his state, he hath many times two of his wives sitting by him, supporting his body, and laying their hands upon his naked skin, above the waist, stroking, and gently pulling the same, wherein he seems to receive content, and because I have named two of his wives, before I proceed to any thing else, I will acquaint you with the manner of their women, the multiplicity of 
The number of their wives.  their wives, and the wonderful great subjection they live under. The King hath an orderly allowance of seven women, which are called wives; that is which are esteemed, and acknowledged, and with a settled ceremony amongst them, distinguished from other women which he hath use of, being absolutely tied, to attend his only pleasure, and therefore in relating of them according to our proper phrase, can give them no other title but wife, of which it seems he cannot exceed the number of seven: for he hath the use of other women, who are not of that esteem, but rather as we may term them Concubines, who are of a lower birth than his wives, and these likewise are tied unto him, but 
Allowance of other women for necessity sake.  not with that manner of strictness the other are, so as it may appear, they are rather taken for necessity then that it is a settled course amongst them, which word necessity I must better explain, and therefore tell you, that it may and doth divers times fall out, that of his seven wives he hath none to accompany him in the nature of a wife; For undoubtedly these people originally sprung from the race of Canaan, the son of Ham, who discovered his father Noah's secrets, for which Noah awakeing cursed Canaan as our holy Scripture testifieth, the curse as by Schoolmen hath been disputed, extended to his ensuing race, in laying hold upon the same place, where the original cause began, whereof these people are witness, who are furnished with such members as are after a sort burdensome unto them, whereby their women being once conceived 
The reason of that necessity.  with child, so soon as it is perfectly discerned, accompanies the man no longer, because he shall not destroy what is conceived to the loss of that, and danger of the bearer neither until she hath brought up the child, to a full and fitting time to be weaned, which every woman doth to her own child is she allowed, in that nature, the man's society, so that many times it falls out, he hath not a wife to lie withal, and therefore as I said, bath allowance of other women, for necessity's sake, which may seem not over-strange unto us, in that our holy Writ doth make mention thereof, as you may read in the 23. chap. of the Prophet Ezechiel, where lerusalem and Samaria, being called by the names of the two Sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, being charged with fornication, are in the twenty verse of the same chapter, said to dote upon those people, whose members were as the members of Asles, and whose issue was like the issue of horses, therein right and amply explaining these people.  
And for the chastity of the wife, their laws and customs are in that kind very severe, for, being 
Strict punishment for unchastity.  taken or found an offendor, both she and the man she shall offend withal, are without redemption sold away, in this sort they punish all great offences, putting none at all to death, and such as these are the people the Portingalls buy, and ttansport for the west Indies, as before I showed you; and this is the course held amongst them all, howbeit 
The men buy then wives.  every man cannot have so many wives, but according as he hath means to keep them, and wherewithal to buy them: for first, every man must compound or have the Kings or chiefe Covernors' consent, for any wife or wives he shall take, to whom he must give some gratification; and next he doth buy, with some commodity, the woman of 
The widows buy their husbands.  herfriends, and what he giveth, doth remain as we say in bank, if he should die, which she hath for her better maintenance, or if she please to buy a husband; for as every man when he takes a maid, must buy her, so every widow, if she will have a husband, must buy him, through which occasion of buying the women, may be conjectured, they yield themselves to that subjection, but whence soever it grows, I am sure there is no woman can be under more servitude; for first they do in mortars, with such great staffs we call Coole-staves, 
The subjection of the women.  beat and cleanse both the Rice, and all manner of other grain they eat, which is only women's work, and very painful: next, they dress both that and all other manner of victual the men do eeate; and when it is so ordered, they do bring and set it down upon the Matte before them, presently withdrawing themselves, and are never admitted to sit and eat with them; nay I can confidently affirm, that notwithstanding I have eaten sundry times, both at the Kings, and other men's houses, where the men and we have put our hands in a gourd and fed together, yet never could I see any woman allowed to eat, albeit I have earnestly entreated the same, for amongst their many wives, there is none of them, but have one especially accounted of, which hath a greater privilege by being about him, and more conversant than the rest, which by us (though strangers) is easily discerned, and therefore amongst us we call her his hand wife, to whom we use always to be more free, in those 
No outward dalliance seen amongst them.  gifts we bestow, yet this wife is not allowed to eat in sight, but in another house, although she be privileged of many other labours: neither are the men ever scene to use any manner of familiar dalliance with them, insomuch as I think, there is hardly 
A strange report.  any Englishman can say, he ever saw the Blackeman kiss a woman. Again, which is to be noted, notwithstanding this partiality of affection, and so many of them of an equality living together, it is never heard, that they do brawl, or scold, or fall out among themselves, how beit it may be thought in matter that near concerns them, they cannot choose but have many aggreevances, contrary to our English proverb that says, Two women in one house, etc. but there indeed I will make answer, That although they have recourse all day together, in his great or more spacious haunt, yet for the night every woman hath a several house, whether she retires herself, to give attendance as his desires shall lead him: and as they appear before him, in the morning, their salutations are upon their knees, laying their hands upon his thigh. And lastly, for her apparel, it is loose clothes particoloured, blue and white, of the same cotton stuff the men wear, whereof the women commonly we are but one tucked about their middles, and from the waste upward, bare, in regard they are, for the most part, wrought, or rather printéd upon the back, especially in the higher parts we were at, insomuch as we have scene some of them, with works all over 
The women's clothing.  their backs, resembling right the printed lids and covers which we see laid and set upon our baked meats: whereof it appears they take extraordinary pride, because they will turn themselves, we should take notice of it, and be very well pleased, we should touch or handle it, as a matter to be esteemed or set by; otherwise they cast another like cloth as they wear below, upon their shoulders, which hangeth loose, and those be their garments, and without question, many, or the most part of them, very chary or nice in showing of their secrecy; and to conclude, concerning women which the country use they serve in marriages: the man doth commonly bespeak the woman while she is young, and not of ability, which is done and confirmed 
The manner of taking away their wines, which in some sort is used in Ireland at this day.  by the friend's consent, yet when the time of her full age is come, or afterwards, as they agree amongst them, the man getting his friends, which are all the youth; and younger sort of men he can procure come to the Town where the Maid is dwelling, in the beginning of the night, when the Moon shines, and as it were by violence lift her up amongst them, and carry her away, who makes a noise, skriking, and crying out, which is seconded by the other young maids of the place, and thereupon 
The modesty of a new married woman  the younger sort of men that are dwellers in the place gather themselves together, and (as it were) in rescue of her, while the other with great shouts and cries of rejoicing, carry her quite away, to his place of abode, where she remains unseen for a certain time, and when she doth come first forth, for certain Moons, she doth not show her open face, but with a cloth cast over her head, covers all but one eye, after the manner of the Spanish veil, observing herein a shamefast modesty, not to be looked for, among such a kind of black or 
These people stand much upon their dignity.  barbarous people.  
I proceed again in the state of their Kings, there is no people in the world, stand more upon their antiquity, and dignity of blood, than they do between themselves, insomuch, as once I had a quarrel grew in my house, between one of the King's sons, under whose government our habitation was, and another Black, who was a very lusty and able man, called Boo john, unto whom for some respects, we carried a more kind of extraordinary affection, wherein they braved one another, concerning their dignities of birth, the one was better, and the other was better, insomuch as Boo john with his 
A dangerous quarrel betwixt them.  hand struck the other in the face, and thereupon their weapons were drawn, and parties making on both sides, danger was like to ensue, but calling more of my company, with a small gun I stepped betwixt them, and made them sever; how beit the King's son promised to return the next morning, and take revenge if he durst abide him, which the other promised to do, and accordingly, notwithstanding all the entreaties I could use, would not depart, but withal sent out for more people, who in the morning betimes came into him, all of them fitted with their country arms. And the King's son also performed his word, for in the morning he came to the River's side, and called for a boat to pass over, bringing a live beef with him, as a token unto me from his father, as he was many times accustomed to send, and there came likewise with him divers people, and all with arms. I was very doubtful some hurt would arise, and laboured Boo john to go away: but all I could gain of him, was, he would only sit down in our yard, under the shadow of our houses, with his people about him, and if no wrong were offered him, he would not stir nor give no offence; and by means I wrought so with the King's son, carrying him and his company into my house, and using them courteously, that for that time I pacified them, and they parted quietly, howbeit not without threatening upon another occasion; They do distinctly know every government, who shall be King, and how the succession shall hold, for in their temporal governements, one brother doth ever succeed another, until 
The certain knowledge of their Kings & Governors and their sucressors.  that race be extinct, & then the eldest brothers son begins: and likewise they do distinguish of governments, as they are in age. For there were four brethren, the eldest whereof was the great King of Cantore, whom we never saw; the second was Summaway King of the next place, and he came down and was aboard our boat; the third brother was King of the place where our Land-dwelling was, being a blind man, at whose house I have sundry times been; and the fourth brother was called by the name of Ferran, and had the government of a country, where we had much and 
Their titles of honour.  often trade, and for the most part, kept a Factor lying, and this, notwithstanding he was of great age, was the youngest brother, and as any of his brethren died, they were all to remove still, giving him the latter place: And this may suffice to show their manner of government; and for their several Titles, they have only four, which is Mansa for 
Wherein their Riches consists. Great Beggars.  the King, Ferran a second name, Ferambra the third, and Boo john the last; every one of these four being in their places commanders aod governors: their greatest Riches consists, in having of most slaves, and from the King to the slave, they are all perpetual beggars from us, howbeit small matters will satisfy them, except it be in Aqua vitae, for which they sell all things they have, and the Kings 
The temporal people great drinkers of Aquavitae.  and all will drink, until they be stark drunk and fall fast asleep, so that to describe the life of the Kings truly, is, that they do eat, drink and sleep, and keep company with their women, and in this manner consume their time, until Time consumes 
The life of their Kings truly described.  them; with their great blood and dignity, whereof they so much eesteme: and with one example I will rehearse unto you, I shall conclude concerning their kingly privileges.  
The King of Cassan, who was dwelling in the Town, as we came up the River, with whom I spoke, drunk two or three bottles of Aqua vitae, and had much familiar conference, who had lived in that place many years, howbeit he was a lame man; after we returned down the River, and made stay at that Town we found him nothing so merrily inclined, as he was at our going up: whereupon demanding among some of the rest the reason, they told us, he was to be put out of his kingdom; enquiring 
The deposing of Kings.  wherefore, they replied, there was another to come who had more right than he, for said they, this was the King's son, but begotten of a base woman, such as I described their concubines to be: howbeit the King left behind him a son, who was right borne, but very young, which child being now come to years, craves his rightful inheritance, and the King of Bursall, under whom they hold, they could not deny, but had taken order to send him forward, so as he was looked for every day, and indeed, the second day after I was gone from the Town, he came thither, bringing abundance of people with him, to whom the people of the Town resorted, leaving the old King, to whom notwithstanding the young King sent, willing him to depart, and go away with his wives and family before he came, or if he● found him there, he should suffer death, which at the first he refused to do, saying he would enclose himself in his dwelling, and die there: but upon better advice, when he saw himself quite forsaken, he passed himself and wives cross the River, and left the Town to this young Commander, who after his entrance, our pinnace riding there, and being ready to come away, he sent for the Factor, to whom after some familiar conference, he said, this town and kingdom hath been lost, but hereafter you shall see it found again, promising at all occasions his friendly assistance.  
But before I leave them, it were necessary I should acquaint you, what manner of ceremony doth pass betwixt them and us as we meet together; the King is commonly sitting on his mat, laid on the ground, which in our entrance he observeth, not offering to rise; and in regard he hath nothing but his Gregory's on his head, which are fast and cannot stir, We do not use to move our hats, or uncover our heads when we come to him, but drawing near, 
The ceremony used betwixt the King and us, when first we meet.  somewhat bending our bodies, we lay our bands upon our breasts, which he also performs to us, and when we come near, he holding forth his hand, we first take hold on the upper part of one another's hand, next on the lower part, and the third time join palms, and with a full hand shaking one another, down we sit by him, and after some small parley concerning the cause of our coming, wherein the king's part is performed in state, whatsoever he speaks being related over by another: out goes our bottle of Aqua vitae which must not be wanting, and a bottle of Sack too, it is so much the better, & calling for a small gourd to drink in, which is their richest Plate; I first begin, and drinking off a cup, present both the cup and bottle unto the king, the bottle he delivers presently to some one of principal regard with him, who by his appointment, after the king hath first drunk, and he himself not failing of his next turn, distributes it to the whole attendance, who for the most part stand round by the wall of the house, one after another taking his cup, and then to the king again. In their drinking I observe one thing, that in regard of the goodness or the strangeness of the liquor, when he receiveth 
He gives his chief Gregory drink first.  the first cup, before he drink himself, with the same liquor, he wets one of his principal Gregory's: The king many times calling for a cup, breaks the square, otherwise they never leave until the bottle is out, and so all the bottles we bring, wherein we have one privilege, for after we have tasted the first cup, which must be of every bottle to secure them of danger; we need not unless we please, take any more, 
Their women not allowed to drink in public, although they love it well.  but shaking of our heads when they offer a cup, it stands for a fair refusal, and so passeth to another; neither do they suffer their women publicly to drink amongst them, except some especially respected, who may sometimes have a cup, but even divide it among themselves, so long as the bottle will run, and their brains hold out, which being the true and proper element, they delight in, I will here in in their hearts desires leave them, and proceed to a more civil; I am sure soberer sort of people.   

The discourse of their Maribuckes or religious men.  
ANd so by order, I am now come to speak of their Marybuckes or Bissareas', which we in our language, may call religious Persons, or Priests of the country. The Marybuckes are separated from the common people, both in their habitations & course of lives, concerning whom I have with diligence 
They observe the levitical Law.  observed, that in their whole proceeding they have a wondrous reference to the levitical law, as it is in our holy Bible related; the principals whereof they are not ignorant in, for they do report 
And have great knowledge of the old Testament.  concerning Adam and Eve, whom they call Adama and Evahaha, talking of Noah's flood, and of Moses, with many other things our sacred History makes mention of: their houses or dwellings are separated from the common people, having their Towns and lands set out in several within themselves, wherein no common people have dwelling, except such as are their slaves, that work and 
They marry in their own tribe and breed up their children in their own sects.  labour for them, which slaves they suffer to marry and cherish the race that comes of them, which race remains to them, and their heirs or posterity as perpetual bondmen; they marry likewise in their own tribe or kindred, taking no wines, but the daughters of Marybuckes, and all the children they have, are nourished and bred up, unto the ceremonies of their fathers.  
But for the number of their wives and women, they have the self course, that I described before 
The Marybucks have the same allowance of women the Kings or temporal people have.  among the Kings, and temporal people, in the like manner amongst them, every man in his dignity, and precedence having more or less: wherein there is no severed town but hath a principal, sor better relation whereof, I will declare unto you the town and place, where there especial, or, as I may say, high Priest doth dwell.  
The Town is called Setico, lying from the River side some three miles: to this Town I went, having occasion in following of our Trade, to lie with my boat so near as I could come, my Guide or 
This Fodee Karcere was my Alchade, and bought & sold for me.  Conductor, was one of my black people I hired, called Fodee Career, who in his profession was a mary-buck, and they are for our commodities to be hired, and will put their hand to any needful occasion, like as any of the temporal sort would do.  
This was the first of the Country, who ever I entertained and continued with me, both up into the highest part I went, as likewise all the time I followed any trade in the River, with whom we do agree by the moon, how much he is to have, which agreement he receives when the moon is ended, in some commodity of ours which he desireth, the valuation whereof, amounts unto a poor sum: our continuance together, had bred such an affectionate league, between us, that we were united as people of one place, and in those courses of trade we followed, I did not only ask and require his advice, but in most things allowed and followed the same: with that mary-buck, I had divers and sundry communications, concerning their Religion, wherein many times he would wish, that I might once come to converse with their chief man, whom he called Fodee Bram, who 
Fodee Bram was the chief mary-buck of all the Country.  would as he said give me full satisfaction, concerning their religious orders; and being now come to the Port of Setico, for so we called it, he was very importunate I should go up to see the town and visit this religious person, I received his direction, what Present it was fittest, I should carry him up, wherewith furnished, taking two of our men with me, one of them carrying a fowling piece on his neck, we came to the town, but me thing of some of the dwellers by the way, they had told us that this Fodee Bram was very i'll, and dangerously sick, whereat they seemed much to mourn.  
Being entered the Town, and come unto his house, I found without many people, demanding 
Both Priest & people wear one manner of apparel.  of him what they were, he told me they were all as he was, Marybuckes: for by their habit they are not to be discerned, being all clothed in one and the same manner, as the common people are: I was entreated to sit down under their open shades, which are made by the better sort of people, on the outside of their houses, to take the air in; and in the mean time my Alchade, for by that name my hired mary-buck was called, went into his house, and in my name presented my present, acquainting of him that I was the Captain, and Commander of our people, whereupon he caused himself to be lifted up from his bed, or mat whereon he lay, sitting on the side whereof, supported and held up by three of his wives, he sent out to have me brought unto him, and after our salutations past, he held me fast by the hand, giving me many thanks, for that great present he had received, bemoneing much his sickness hindered him, he could not accompany me, thereby to show his respect unto me, during our conference he caused 
The chief mary-buck, dangerously sick.  a dinner to be made ready: I did conceit him to be dangerously sick, for his hand wherewith he held me, did burn with that extremity, as the heat gave such offence, that I wished very willingly I might be loosed; I took notice of those women who held him, and to every of them gave a pewter ring, which both from them, and him was thankfully received: dinner provided, he entreated me with my Company: to pass into another house adjoining, which after their Country manner was prepared, and we had Hens, and other provision brought in, amongst which one sort of suftenance I never saw before, nor after in the Country, which was compounded of their Country grain, 
His manner of entertaining me.  made up in round cakes, resembling very much our English jelly, and as our Alchard told me, was one of the principal dainties, esteemed amongst them; while I was at dinner, a messenger came from him, bringing word he was very sorry to hear I fed not, and likewise by him sent unto me a large hide, and an Elephant's tooth of a good bigness, as a gratuity for the present I had brought him, (wherein may be judged what loss I received, when the valuation 
The valuation of the present gave him, which was so highly esteemed.  of what I delivered, and by him so much esteemed, did not cost here at home, according to our Merchant's account, above the great sum of xviij d: After I had eat my desire was to go see the Town, and view their dwelling, he sent certain people with me, who brought me through their streets or housing into the plain fields, where I 
The description of the town called Setico.  might throughly discern the whole Situation, I did heedfully regard it, for it did appear the greatest Town, or place, that I had seen, and the manner thereof in my opinion, was worthy the observation: The town was built round, after the manner of a Circle, whereof the front of the houses, did not contain any great thickness, but as we may say, the breadth of a reasonable fair street, joining their houses or walls of their yards and barns close together, the diameter whereof, that is from the North, to the South, or likewise from any one point to his opposite, we did conceive to be near an English mile, within which Circute was much Cartle, especially store of Asses, whereby it may be conjectured, that they contrived their town in that sort, to keep out the ravening beasts, and securing those Cattle they had about them, whereof at this place they had the greatest use, I mean of their Asses, as I will relate unto you, but first I must take leave of the high Priest: after I had satisfied myself in looking abroad, I returned vnto him into his house, where I found him laid along, in extremity of pain, he seemed to labour much in his desire to have had conference with me, saying he had earnestly wished to see me, that we might have spoken together, concerning our laws, and something he spoke, but what came from him, was very unperfect, which I imputed to the pain he endured, only I noted when he would have spoken of Adam and Eve, and Moses, & so I took notice of the names, in that manner he might well perceive, we had knowledge of them, he seemed to take pleasure therein, but the conclusion 
The chief mary-buck wonderful desuous to confer with me about our Religion.  with him, was to no purpose, nor worth rehearsal: So that after he had made me to eat by him, a dish of excellent cream dressed with corn after their best fashion, & a solemn farewell passed betwixt us, I left him. Not withstanding before I proceed fur there, I will relate what I have gathered of their profession, and what they conceit of us. They do worship the same as we do, the true and only God, to whom they pray, and on his name they call, in their 
They worship the true God above, whom they call Alle.  language, expressed by the word Alle, insomuch as if he see any thing which begets in him admiration, casting his eyes to the Heavens, he cries Awl Awl; neither have they amongst them, any manner of image, or picture, or resemblance of any divine things 
They have no manner of Image.  but as far as we can perceive, such things are distasteful unto them: They do acknowledge Mahomet, and are all circumcised, the manner of their circumcision, I refer to speak of in another place: their Sabbath or the seventh day is upon the friday, and have distinctions, and proper names for seven days in their week, they reckon their age or times, by the reins, in saying he hath lived so many reins, as we say so many years, howbeit, we do never hear them call upon the name of Mahomet, neither have they amongst them any Churches, nor places they dedicate to holy uses, so far as we can 
They have no Chuches.  perceive, neither do we find that they celebrate or solemnize them Sabbath day, for even on that day will they follow any Trade, they will have with us, and their own occasions: without any intermission, 
They observe not their Sabbath.  they have certain round houses built open, and are spacious, according to their fashions, wherein they teach their youth, the manner whereof is this: All the male children that proceeds 
The manner of teaching their male children to write, and read.  from these Marybuckes, are taught to write and read, and in regard they have no paper amongst them, but what we or others bring them in the way of Trade; and therefore is of esteem, they have for their books a small smooth board, fit to hold in their hands, on with the children's lessons are written with a kind of black ink they make, and the pen is in a manner of a pencil. The 
The manner of their character.  Character they use, being much like the Hebrew, which in regard I understood not, I caused my mary-buck to write in paper, some part of their law, which I brought home with me, that some of our learned Scholars might peruse, if we might by that means come to any better knowledge, than the small practice we have hitherto had, and by 
Their law is not written in the public  men of our capacities cannot so easily be attained, only this much we discern, that the religion and law they teach, is not writ in the same tongue, they publicly speak, and moreover, that none of the temporal people, of what dignity soever, are traded up to write, or read, or have any use of books or letters amongst them. And whether these open houses, they teach their children in, be places for their religious ceremonies, and for their public meetings, in their holy exercises, because they are ever placed, near the principal man's dwelling, and as it were joining unto him, we cannot well resolve, but rather conceit the contrary, in regard they lie open, and are not swept, and kept with any manner of decency, and therefore do rather think they make use of the open fields, where under some spacious 
We suppose they perform their religions ceremonies, under the shady trees.  shady tree, they observe their meetings, some part of the manner whereof, as an eye witness, I will readily recite.  
The place where we had houses built, and walled with straw for our own uses, was seated by the River side, upon the top of the bank; and by the people of the Country, called Tobabo Condo, the whitemen town: some hundred paces within us, from the River, was a small town of these religious people, 
They called our dwelling the white men's towns.  wherein lived an ancient mary-buck, called Mahome, who could not be less in appearance then an hundred years of age, from whom we received much relation concerning the country above, and of the abundance of gold there, which himself had traveled and seen, as it is their profession to do, and I shall have occasion forthwith to show you: This ancient Mahome, was ever a faithful and loving neighbour unto us, howbeit in regard of his 
In any oecasion of falling out between the people and us, this old man would come with his Assegy presently to aid us.  age, he did not teach the children, nor was not the eminentest man of the Town, but one Hammet, who was not so trusty a neighbour. The old Mahome did divers times lodge and entertain strangers, that came, especially of his own profession, amongst which, there had lain one night at his house, a mary-buck, who in the morning, coming down to the River side, close without our wall; having his slaves to follow him, who brought in his hand a great gourd, in the River he filled it full of saire water, and brought unto him, whereinto presently pulling forth all his privy members, he put them, without any niceness of being seen what he did, and after he had well washed them, he made him to throw away the water; which done, and the gourd well washed orrinced, he brought him another, filled also with water, wherein he washed and rubbed his hands, and in the like manner it was thrown away, and a third brought, wherewith he washed and cleansed his face, all which performed, he making a kind of low reverence with his body, and laying his hand on his breast, his face directed toward the East, kneeled down, and there mumbled or uttered forth, after a decent manner, it should seem, certain prayers, wherein, after he had continued for a space, kissing the ground, he 
Their manner of devotion.  rose up, and turning himself about, with his face directed to the West, he performed the like ceremony, which ended, after he had stayed, and looked a while upon us, he returned to his place of lodging.  
One ceremony more of their Religion, I will relate, if you please to remember, where and how I left the chief mary-buck sick and full of danger, it did manifest no less, for in the evening, the day after I came from him, he died, the report whereof, was immediately spread over the whole country, 
The death of the chief mary-buck.  who from all parts came in, after that abundant manner, to solemnize his funeral, so many thousands of men and women gathered together, as in such a desert and scattered country might breed admiration, which I think was rather increased, in regard at that time he died, the moon was high, and gave her light, and they in whole troops traveled, either the whole night, or most part of the 
The great resort to his burial.  same together; the place or port whereat my boat did ride, was a Passage or Ferry to the town, from the whole country, on the further side, whereunto belonged a great Canoe, which I had hired, having likewise another of my own, both which never stood still, but were used, night and day in passing the people, none of them came empty, some brought beefs, others goats, and cocks and henues, with rice, and all sort of grain the country yielded, so as there came in a wonderful deal of provision, my mary-buck entreated me, to send 
They do bury the body, withal sweet savours and perfumes they can get.  something of sweet savour, to be cast upon his body, which the people much esteem of; I sent some Spica Romana, and some Orras, which by his son was thankfully received: the manner of his burial, was after this sort, he was laid in a house, where a grave was digged, and a great pot of water 
The manner of burial.  set in the room, and just after the same manner, as the Irish do use, with a wonderful noise of cries and lamentations, he was laid into the ground; the people, especially the women, running about the house, and from place to place, with their arms spread, after a lunatic fashion, seemed with great sorrow to bewail his departure. They also assembled themselves, in the most convenient place, to receive the multitude, and nearest unto the grave, and sitting down in a round ring, in the middle came forth a mary-buck, who betwixt saying and singing, did rehearse as it were certain verses, in the praise and remembrance of him departed, which it should seem was done extempore; 
Verses and Orations in commendations of the deceased.  or provided for that assembly, because upon diverse words or sentences he spoke, the people would make such sudden exultations, by clapping of their hands, and every one running in, to give and present unto him, some one or other manner of thing, might be thought acceptable, that one aster another, every several mary-buck would have his speech, wherein they only went away with the gratifications, who had the pleasing stile, or as we term it, the most eloquent phrase, in setting forth the praises of him departed, in which the people were so much delighted; another ceremony was, that every principal mary-buck and men of note amongst them, would take of the earth, which came forth of the place his grave was digged, and with the same water, which was in the pot, standing in the same room, would moisten the said earth, and so form thereof a round ball, which they would 
A Relic of great esteem.  carry away with them, and esteem of as a great Relic: whereof my Alchade or mary-buck, because of those perfumes I sent, was admitted to have one, which he so highly esteemed, I could not at any rate purchase it from him, although I made him offers, of more than I meant to give.  
This Assembly held, for the space of ten days, with a continual recourse, of coming and going, but not altogether for the burial of the dead; for after certain days were spent in the celebrating of his Obsequies, than began a great solemnity, for the establishing and investing of his eldest son in his place and dignity: whereunto came again 
The investing of the eldest son in the father's place.  many gifts, and presents: amongst those that passed by me, I took notice of a great Ram, which was carried between two, bound fast and laid upon a hurdle. In the whole time I was in the Country, I never saw any Ram, or Sheep, but that which 
A Ram for sacrifice.  was brought very far, his wool might more properly be called hair, it was of that hardness: I did understand by my mary-buck, he was to be used, after some manner of sacrifice, and I understood likewise, that in their high Priesthood, the son succeeded the father, & this course is held amongst their Religious orders, wherein they differ from the temporal governments.  
It follows, I should now deliver their poor opinion they should concerning us and our profession: wherein, with humble reverence, I crave pardon, that my hand hold in the least sort, be made an instrument, to show or set down, any thing opposite unto my Lord and Saviour, but by showing the weakness of natural man, and the wisdom that remains in rotten flesh, the glory of God more perfectly appears, to the confirming and comforting of every true and perfect established Christian; when we show unto them we honour and serve God above, and likewise his Son, who was sent upon the earth, and suffered death for us, who was called jesus, by that name they do not know him, but by the name of Nale, they speak 
They call Christ by the name of Nale.  of a great Prophet, who did many and great miracles, whereof they have amongst them divers repetitions, and that his mother's name was Maria, and him they do acknowledge, to be a wondrous good man, but to be God's son, they say it is impossible, for say they God was never seen, and who can see God and live, much more, for God to have the knowledge of woman, in that kind that we should believe it, they do wonder at us; the rather they say, because they see God loves us, better than them, in giving us such good things, they see we have and are able to bring unto them; and likewise 
The opinion they hold concerning him.  they do admire our knowledge, being able to make such vessels, as can carry us through such great waters, and how we should find our way, more especially higher up in the River; when we talk of the Sea, whereof they are altogether ignorant, only by the name, or word Fancassa, which signifieth great waters; thus like humane creatures in darkness they argue, being barred from that glorious light, which shines in the east, whereof though they have heard, they have not yet made use but no doubt when the fullness of time is come they shall; for amongst themselves a prophecy remains, that they shall be subdued, and remain subject to a white people: And what know we, but that determinate time of God is at hand, and that it shall be his Almighty pleasure, to make our nation his instruments, whereof in my part I am strongly comforted in regard of the familiar conversation we find amongst them, and the fair acceptance I received: in the upper parts I attained, where I had a people came down unto me, who had never seen white men before, with whom we traded with a fair commerce, and some savour of a golden sequel: the relation whereof, will follow very speedily: only it is necessary, I part not obruptly from my religious company, and to acquaint you that they have great books, all manuscripts of their Religion, and that we have seen, when companies of Marybuckes have traveled by us, some of their people laden therewith, many of them 
They have books of great volumes all manuscripts.  being very great, and of a large volume, which travel of theirs, it is most necessary I acquaint you withal, in regard from thence proceeds, a great deal of intelligence we have, and I may not let pass one virtue of theirs, the narration whereof, may make their intelligence somewhat more respected, and in my poor opinion carry alongst a better esteem.  
It may please you to call to mind, when I left the Kings in the midst of their cups, I promised to show you a soberer people, which are these Marybucks, betwixt whom and the temporal people, is a wonderful difference, the rather in regard they live upon one and the same ground, the temperature of the day being the same, wherein the desires of those common people, is for Aquavitae, and hot drinks that they will many times pawn their arms, both their bows and arrows, and swords from their necks sor that hot liquor, yea many times their clothes from their backs, to satiat and glut their earnest desires, which seem to us never to be satisfied: Now to the contrary the mary-buck, will by no means take or touch on drop thereof, of what kind somever it be, tying himself 
The wonderful soberness of these Marybuckes.  strictly to no manner of drink but water, and not only himself, that is the men, or malekind, but likewise their wives and women, neither will or can at any time be drawn to taste or receive any jot of this our comfortable liquor, nay more, they will not suffer none of their children, not so much as the little infant, who in the place we lived at, through daily recourse one with another, were grown to such familiarity with us, that they would many times steal from their homes, and come and hang about us, these small ones we might not give any wine, no nor any manner of fruit as reasons, or sugar, or any sweet things, without great offence unto the parents, and if he happened they found it with them, they would take it away with 
They abstain from all sweet things.  great displeasure, and although themselves were never so sick, and in those times we would persuade them, how comfortable it would be unto them, we could by no means prevail, to gain any manner of inclination towards it, for example, as I was travelling up the River in my boat, upon some occasions our people being in the water, and in the shallow, leading up our boat, a sudden deepness, occasioned by a steep bank, brought them beyond their reaches, and enforced them to shift for themselves by swimming: my Alchade or mary-buck, being one of them, who could reasonably use his arms, was notwithstanding taken in a whirlpool, and in great danger of drowning, having been twice at the bottom, 
A strange ex ample of abstinence.  but at the second rise, one of our men took hold upon him, and with help, we presently got him aboard, being almost spent, and his senses gone, we earnest to recover him, fearing the agony we saw him in, got rosa-solis to put in his mouth, the sent whereof, as it appeared, made him hold close his lips, that we gave him none, but within a while he came perfectly to himself, and as it seemed retained the savour, so as he asked whether he had taken any or no: He was answered no: I had rather (saith he) have died, than any should have come within me, although I am verily persuaded, the very favour refreshed, and did him good, wherein they have a great resemblance to the Rechabites, spoken of in the thirty five Chapter of the Prophet jeremy, who kept zealously the Command of jonadab their father, from whence these may be lineally descended, in regard it is said they proceeded from Hobab, the father in Law of Moses, and Moses wife is noted to be an Ethiopian: And this is the principal mark, we know these Marybuckes by, that howsomever they cannot by their habit be discerned from the common people yet in offering them to taste, or drink 
The true way to know a mary-buck●.  our foresaid liquors, they are presently to be distinguished, which soberness of their, being an evident sign, that they are always themselves: To which I add, that as they do not love, we should promise them any thing, but be sure of performance, so in any thing we can discern, we receive no false reports, or untruths from them, 
They will tell no lies.  with which confidence, I go forward with the relation of their trade, and travail.  
These Marybuckes are a people, who dispose themselves in general, when they are in their able age to travail, going in whole families together, and carrying along their books, and manuscripts, and their boys or younger race with them, whom 
The marybucks manner of travail.  they teach and instruct in any place they rest, or repose themselves, for which the whole Country is open before them, to harbour and sit down as night or necessity overtaketh them, always disposing themselves to some Town whereunto they are not overchargeable, but only to rest their bodies, in regard we see them always carry provision for the belly with them, which we conceit is renewed, as they meet with some principal persons, or make their Rendevow in some eminent place, this we are sure that there is not any of them pass us, but they will use the custom of the whole Country, which is to beg without 
They will beg of us without denial.  any denial, and although to us it is but a poor matter, in respect of the Trade we have, much more what we hope and look for, to give unto them, or amongst a whole company, a quire of paper, which cost three pence, yet to them it is a rich reward, out of which they questionless do raise the greater part of sustenance to travel withal, and what else may be available unto them, making thereof, by writing in the paper their blessed Gregory's, which they give and bestow as they finde occasion, and to confirm us herein, this we note, that if we have occasion to send any of the Country people, of any message or employment for us, after he hath agreed for his reward, he will oak to have a sheet or two of paper given him, which is to buy him sustenance, as he passeth from town to town: so as you shall never meet with any of this profession, but in discourse they can speak of more Countries than their own native places: one chief reason to encourage their travel, we have learned, which is, that they have 
The mary-buck free to travail in all places.  free recourse through all places, so that howsoever the Kings and Countries are at wars, and up in arms, the one against the other, yet still the mary-buck is a privileged person, and many follow his trade, or course of travelling, without any let or interruption of either side. Notwithstanding there is none of these Marybuckes but go armed, and are as completely furnished, as any of the other people, and have the manner of use and exercise of their weapons, in as ample manner as they have, where unto I think they are rather invited, in regard of those wild and ravening beasts, the country is stored withal, that upon any occasion, they may be able to defend themselves, and offend their offensive enemies. To particularise herein I may tell you of those two ancients Marybuckes, who were our neighbours, in the town where our housing 
Their report of gold.  stood, who both of them would relate unto us, of infinite store of gold, which they had seen the Country above to abound withal, wherein the more ancient man, whom we found so loving a friend, would speak marvelous confidently, howbeit he would tell us, there were a dangerous people to pass, before we came unto them, and that the River was so full of trees, we should not be able to get our boat along; and in token of fear, when I was to begin my journey upward, and came in the evening to take my leave of him; taking my right hand betwixt both his, he uttered over it, divers unknown words, and ever and anon, would sparingly spatter, with his spittle upon it, after which laying his mouth close to my 
Old Mahome he ceremony at my going up  neck, over my right shoulder, he would after the like manner perform there: which his superstitious zeal being assuredly done in love, I did not contemptuously refuse, because I was ignorant of any offence therein, but with a friendly courtesy parted with him, and my return back was to him as joyful; the other who was a more, or as I may say, most subtle fellow, promised to be my guide along, and to pass in the boat with me, and thereby wrought upon my willingness, to embrace his company, to the serving his own turn, and getting from me many such gifts and courtesies, as otherwise 
The subtlety of his neighbour Hammet.  he could never have attained, holding me in hand, he would meet me at a Port above, but there deceived me, to my further trouble, and at our return prevented, his cause was fear of the people above, which (God be praised) fell out to the contrary, whereof forthwith it will fall right to tell you; only I must first say something, concerning the great Town of Setico, and of the trade they follow, with those same number of Asses, whereof before I told you.  
The inhabitants here, who are all Marybuckes, are the only people, who follow a continual trade from their own houses down to the King of Bursall, whose dwellings (as you may remember) 
The trade and travail of the marybucks of Setico.  is said to be by the Sea side; at which place, the Sea shore doth naturally yield great store of Salt, but it is a course and dirty kind, insomuch as the greatest part, which we have seen, and taken notice of, doth rather look like dirt, or Sea-coal ashes, then resemble the Salt we have in use, or make our trade withal; to buy which they carry down, as their chiefest commodity, the slaves or people of the Country, whereof the King of Bursall doth 
Wherewith he maintains his greatness.  make such profit, as it is supposed to be a principal of the revenue, wherewith he maintains his greatness. This commodity the people do carry likewise far up into the Country, for amongst themselves, we can perceive they make little use thereof, so as their travel is long and tedious: the return they make, is not discerned to be any thing but gold, and a kind of Nuts they call Cola, which is in great esteem amongst them, thevertue whereof I shall hereafter tell you: and for that it may be here demanded, what becomes of the gold by them brought down, I will show you what by report is told us; These Marybuckes do hold an opinion, that after their death they shall appear in another world, wherein this gold will be of great esteem, and therefore strive to furnish themselves all they can therewith, 
An ill opinion of the Marybuckes, to bury their gold.  which either in their life time, they secretly in the ground do hide, or by their dearest friends cause to be buried with them, esteeming themselves happiest, that can with greatest quantity be furnished: another use they make, is, to buy from the Portugeses, a sort of fair, long & square blue stones, which stones their women wear about their middle, to keep them from bloody issues, unto which they are generally subject, the occasion rising from the men, as may be well supposed, if you but remember or call to your mind, after what sort they are described, and this is seen, by that esteem 
A good commodity.  the Portingalls make of that commodity which brings (as I observed) so great a store and quantity of gold amongst them; other use within themselves they have none, but that the women wear it hanging in their ears, in rings, and pendants, made up with little Art, and as unhandsome workmanship. These people of Setico were the most unwilling we should proceed in the search of the River, of any other, not only telling us themseluesof many dangers, but at all towns where we came, and amongst our familiars, had left their persuasions, if it could have prevailed to discourage us; or whether they did verily think, our boat could never have found passage, in regard it was never 
The reason of looking after Buckor Sano.  attempted by any such vessel before, or as I incline unto, fearing we might be hinderers to the Trade, they had so long followed, and whereunto they were settled, being well provided with such numbers of Asses, as beasts of burden, to proceed and follow the same, so as from them, we could get no comfortable intelligence, wherein reason leads the way, that every man's profit is nearest to himself; but as it shall please God, to encourage you the noble Governor and Company, to prepare and settle yourselves, with a serious resolution, to 
Note.  follow the farther search of this rich expectation: These people of Setico, of all other are the likeliest, and devil the most convenientest, to be brought to a more settled, and commodious trade, which will fall upon them with a great deal less trouble, and infinite less travel, and withal be made especial instruments of our good, whereunto as yet their gross understandings cannot ascend, and ancient customs are harsh to be altered, how beit these were the considerations that made me endeavour to settle a league with the high Priest, and establish a perfect course of amity betwixt us: which course of mine, I shall more boldly commend to your fair acceptance, when you shall see it grounded upon the experience of my whole travail and trade in the River, and after my discourse and conference with that great black Merchant Bucker Sano, concerning whom and all my proceedings above, I now am come to make a full relation.   

Our travel up the River.  
WHen I was come to Baraconda, which is the highest Town the River flows unto, and notwithstanding all the discouragement I received, was absolutely bend to proceed up the River, by means of Bacay Tombo, a principal man of that Country, who brought me two beefs. I was furnished with two Blacke-men more to go up with me, the one a mary-buck, the other Bacan 
The Marybuckes name was Selyman, the other Tombo.  Tombo his kinsman, who he said had lived at Tinda, which was the place we aimed at, not to the Town itself, but to the mouth of a little River, which was said to run near unto the place, and from thence fell into the main River where we were: Two Blacke-men I had before, that was my Alchade, of whom I talked, and a pretty youth called Samgulley, who from the first coming of George 
Samgulley a black boy.  Tompson into the River, had always lived with the English, and followed their affairs, so as he was come to speak our tongue, very handsomely, and him I used many times as an Interpreter: so as in all we had four Blacke-men, whose help we could not miss, in regard we carried with us a small Canon, that was ready at all times to put a shore: and when we came to an anchor, to fetch wood, or any other provisions, as likewise to carry us ashore, and bring others to us, reserving our boat in the midst of the River, as a castle and refuge for us.  
Thus we being ten Englishmen, and these four Blacks, went the fifteenth of january in the evening from Baraconda, and were going against the stream, until friday the twenty sixth in the morning, which was eleven days travail, wherein I desire to be rightly understood, that our labour was 
Eleven days travel against the stream, wherein we wrought eighty eight hours.  about four hours in the morning, and four in the evening, so as our whole time spent therein, amounted but to four score and eight hours, in which time, our Sabbath day was observed, only two hours in the evening, whenas my men earnestly entreated to be going: in which time we recovered within half a league of the place or River's mouth, we intended to go unto, and further we would not have passed, nor endangered ourselves, and what we carried into the little River, until we had made trial of the people's dispositions, and how they should stand affected to us; we met here with a shoal, as I have said in the description of the River, which stayed us we could pass no higher; we concluded therefore in the afternoon, to send away three of our Blacke-men, who were willing to go, directing them to Buckor Sano of Tinda, to whom we sent a Present, and likewise I sent to the King of the place, as the manner is; and gave our Blacke-men wherewithal to buy them victuals, demanding of them when they thought we should expect their return, they said Sunday night, wherein I speak after our own phrase: and while they are travelling, it will be necessary I acquaint you, what were the grounds or reasons we sought after this Buckor Sano, and laboured to get near to this Tinda, making more especial choice of him, then of any other man.  
George Tompson, in his diligence, while he lived, hearing of divers caravans, that past in the country, and went down to the King of Bursals dominions for salt, had learned, that the only and principallest man that maintained the greatest Trade, was that Buckor Sano, whose dwelling was at Tinda, who maintained and kept too. Asses following that tedious travel. Tompsons' desire led him forthwith, to go find this Merchant, and in a pair of Oars, as I spoke in the beginning, went up the River, and travelling some way by land recovered Tinda, but found not his black Merchant, in regard he was traveled higher into the Country, in the sale and uttering of his salt Commodity: Thompson returned, but found his expectation so satisfied, in that he had hard of the Moors of Barbary, and was come so near where they frequented, that he talked of nothing, but how to settle habitations, and fortify the River to defend themselves, and keep out other nations; but these his desires died in his unhappy end, and this was all our acquaintance; which now I came to second, by sending unto this Buckor Sano to come down unto the River to us, as the only man we were willing to sell, and commend our commodities unto.  
And by this time Sunday night is come, and none of my blackmen returned, monday likewise all spent in expectation, on twesday our men began to grumble, and my especial consort to speak out, there was no reason we should hazard our 
Some of our men grew fearful.  selves by staying any longer, in regard it was fallen out, as we were told below, that they were a bloody, and dangerous people, and therefore those people we sent up were murdered; and if we stayed our turns would be next, and likewise that we had no flesh left, and our other provisions were very scanty. I gave them content with fair words, that the place might be farther of than they conceited, in regard we had been on the top of the mountains, and could discern no likelihood, of Towns or habitations, of which we had had no acquaintance, since we came from Baraconde, and in regard the Country about us was abundantly replenished with all manner of wild beasts, we would try our endeavours, and on the wednesday morning I 
As big in body as a great Stag, and had wreathed bornes.  went out with two more, and killed a great and goodly beast, which was no sooner brought down & cut out, & hanged to cool under the shady trees on shore, but there appeared in sight three blackmen, the one was one of those we sent, who had brought with him Buckor Sanus brother, and the King of Tindas' servant, and they came before to 
The return of one of our messengers.  see us, and what commodities we had, bringing word that the next day Buckor Sano would be there himself; I had them aboard my boat, and made them courteous entertainment, giving them some small commodities, and when the evening came, we feasted with our Venison.  
The next day about noon, came Buckor Sano with his music playing before him, with 
The coming of Buckor Sano.  great solemnity, and his best clothes on, and about some 40. more, armed with their bows and arrows with him, he showed no more at first, bowbeit within two hours after, there were two hundred men and women come thither: he sat down upon the bank under a shady tree: after a little stay, I went a shore to him, and our salutations being past, I desired him to go aboard, whereof he kindly accepted; and withal showed me a beef he had brought to give me for the present I had sent him, divers goats the people had 
Provision the people brought  likewise brought, and corn, and cocks, and hens, so as there was no need to doubt any more want of victual: He carried no more aboard with him, but two after he was in the boat, I shot off three such guns as I had to welcome him, at the noise whereof he seemed much to rejoice, calling the report of the powder; by the name of the white men's thunder, and taking notice of the head, and the hide of the Dear which we had killed, which we showed him was slain by one of our guns, they 
His going aboard the boat and report of our powder.  sent, with admiration, from one place to another, and certified, that there was a people come, who with thunder killed the wild beasts in the wood, and the fowls in the air: Which for it was our daily use to kill one sort of fowl called a Stalker, which is as high as a man, and hath as much meat 
A Stalker.  of his body, as is in a Lamb, which divers times we used to kill, and eat, more especial we desired to have his feathers, which grew on his tail, which are of use, and such as are worn, and esteemed of here at home amongst us: I had of my own provision good Rosa-solis, taking forth a glass, I drank unto him, after he had drank he took off 
The saying of Buckor Sano aboard the boat.  his sword and gave it me to lay up, saying defend me here in your boat, and I will secure you on shore, he liked our drink so well, he sucked it in, and as it seems not knowing the strength of it, took more than he would have done, insomuch as he fell asleep, the people that came with him, in the mean time cutting of reeds, made them houses, others fetching in wood, made fires every where about them, so as it seemed a little town; Buckor Sano slept fondly upon my bed by me in the boat, and in the morning complained of his head, and this much I must justify in his behalf, that during 
He was but once overtaken with our strong drinks.  the time we were together, he was never overtaken by drinking after, but observed the course he saw we used, to take a small cup before meat, and another after, and this ever gave him satisfaction: He desired to see all the Commodities we had, which he liked very well of, and whereas we thought our Iron would have been greedily desired, we found it not so, for they told us, there was a people neighbours unto them who had knowledge to make it, howbeit they were divers times in wars together, but some of our Iron we put away, at better rates than below, by one third, and might have done away all we had, if we would have accepted of hides, which for the reason I shall presently show was refused; howsomever this was the main business, that after they saw our salt, no other thing was esteemed amongst them, which at first seemed strange unto them, forasmuch as they had never seen any of that fashion before: the salt we had, was only bay salt, which after they put in their mouths, and tasted, they would look up and cry, Awl, in token of the good esteem they had of it; After two hours of the morning spent, my Merchant 
The great esteem of salt.  went on shore, keeping my gown about him, which when the evening shut in, the night before I had put upon him, and in a manner of state, he went one shore withal, wearing of it in that manner, it might well appear, they were not used to such kind of ornaments.  
The first thing he did, after he came on shore, he caused on to make a lowed outcry, in manner of a proclamation prohibing any of the people, 
He makes a proclamation.  to buy or barter with us, but as he bargained.  
All that day he found himself so sick, after his drinking, that he told me he could tend no business, only he showed unto me, certain young black women, who were standing by themselves, and had white strings cross their bodies, which he 
He offers women to sell unto us.  told me were slaves, brought for me to buy, I made answer, We were a people, who did not deal in any such commodities, neither did we buy or sell one another, or any that had our own shapes; he seemed to marvel much at it, and told us, it was the only merchandise, they carried down into the country, where they fetched all their salt, and that they were sold there to white men, who earnestly desired them, especially such young women, as he had brought for us: we answered, They were another kind of people different from us, but for our part, if they had no other commodities, we would return again: he made reply, that they had hides and Elephants teeth, cotton yarn, and the clothes of the country, which in our trade we call Negroes 
Their commodities.  clothes: he was answered, for their hides, we would not buy, in regard our boat was little, and we could not conveniently carry them, but if they would bring them lower down the River, where our bigger vessels could come, we would buy them all, but for their teeth, cotton, and clothes, we would deal for them: so against the next morning, being Saturday, we had a house built by the water side, open round about, and covered with reeds on the top, to shadow us from the Sun: and 
A markethouse made a shorc.  this was our market house; when we came to trade, we asked which should be the Staple commodity, to pitch the price upon, to value other things by, they showed us one of their clothes, and for that they only desired our salt, we fell to loving and bidding upon the proportion, wherein we had such difference, and held so long, that many of them seemed to dislike, and made show, that they would go away, but after we concluded, there was no more difference, every man bringing his commodities, our salt went away, and as they dispatched, they likewise returned in companies together, and still others came, that we had the place continually furnished: We never talked unto them of gold, the 
Warning not to take notice of their gold.  principal we came for, but waited opportunity, and notwithstanding we saw it worn in their women's ears, warning was given, none of our people, should take any great notice of it, as a thing we should greatly desire, until occasion was given, by Buckor Sano himself, who taking note of our guilt swords, and some other things we had, although but poorly set out, with some show of gold trimming, did ask if that were gold: he was answered, Yes: it should seem saith he, you have much of this in your Country: We affirmed the same, and that it was a thing our men did all use to wear, and therefore if they had any, we would buy it of them, because we had more use than they for it, you shall have said he, what is amongst our women here; but if I did know you would esteem of that, I would be provided, to bring you such quantity, as should buy all things you brought: and if you would be sure to come still unto us, I would not fail to meet you. And proceeding further he said: This Country above doth abound therewith, insomuch as these eyes of mine (pointing two of his fingers to his eyes, as the Country manner in speaking is,) hath been four several times, at a great Town above, the houses whereof are covered only with gold: we demanded of him, how long he was going, and coming thither: he answered four Moons; we asked him, if he would carry some of us thither, he answered: Yes, but they had enemies by the 
Buckor Sanos report of gold and of the houses above covered therewith.  way, sometimes to fight with them, we showed him presently our guns, and told him we would carry them with us, and kill them all, at which he seemed to take a great deal of content.  
Before I go further, I will take occasion here to set down their manner of travel. They go in companies together, and drive before them their 
He seemed wondrous willing of our companies.  Asses, whose ordinary pace they follow, beginning their day's journey, when the day appears, which is even at the Sun rising, (for so near the Equinoctial, there is a short dawning, either before the Sun riseth, or after she sets) and continue travelling some three hours, then are they enforced to rest all the heat of the day, some two hours before: he Sun setteth, going forward again, and so continue until night comes, whenas they are sure to harbour themselves, for fear of wild beasts, except in some Moon light nights, and then they will travel the better, likewise when they come to some special Towns, they will rest themselves and their Asses, 2. or 3. days together, laying all their burdens under some shady trees, close to the town, set forth such things as they have to sale, maintaining in the time they are there a kind of market, & their asses being spanseld, which is their 2. forelegs tied together, feed by them, the people themselves, lodging among their burdens, upon such mats as they ever carry with them; of which kind of Inns or lodging places, they can seldom miss, the Country being well replenished: So as if you please to observe, although the time seem much which is spent in this iourning, yet the way cannot be much, if you consider the manner of iourning, wherein leaving to speak farther, until I come to a more ample application, I return again to Buckor Sano my black Merchant.  
In our time of trading together, if it were his own goods he bartered for, he would tell us, this is for myself, and you must deal better with me, then either with the Kings of the Country or any others, because I am as you are, a julietto, which signifies a Merchant, that goes from place to place, neither do I, as the Kings of our Country do which is to eat, and drink, and lie still at home amongst their women, but I seek abroad as you do; and therefore am nearer unto you, neither was I unwilling 
Buckor Sano his subtle speech.  to answer someways his expectation, in hope I should better forward our own ends. In our course of familiarity, after time I took some special note of the blade of his sword, and a pair of brass bracelts one of his wives had upon her arms, both which things did appear to me, to be such as might very well be brought in their beginnings, either from London, or some other part of this our native Country, I demanded of him where he had them, he made answer there was a people used to come amongst them, whom they 
His declaration of the Moors of Barbary.  called Arabecks, who brought them these, and divers other commodities; we asked what manner of people, he described the Tawny Moor unto us, and said they came in great companies together, and with many Camels: How acceptable this report was unto me, may be conjectured by any such, who are seriously inclined, to give a fair and just account of any such employments they are interest in, 
Pleasing intelligence being the main business we aim at.  and whose desires, with affection, labours the full satisfaction of the trust imposed upon them;  
This his relation made it certain, that these were the Moors of Barbary, the discovery of whose trade and traffic, was the ground of this our being so high in the river: we grew to question him, how near those people came to the place we were now at, he answered, within 6 days journey there is a town called. Mumbarre, unto which town, the next Moon, these Arabeckes will come: we asked again, what commodities they brought with them, he answered much salt and diverse other things, we desired then to know what they exchange for, and carried back: he answered nothing but gold, and that they only desire to have, and returned nothing else; we questioned him farther, whether he would undertake to carry any of 
Their course of trading.  us safe to see those Arabeckes, and that we might return without danger; he stopped his nose between his finger and his thumb: and cried Hore, Hore, which is the greatest oath they use amongst them that he would 
An oath they observe carefully.  perform it: some other conference passed betwixt us at this time, howbeit by reason of a disaster that fell in the way betwixt me and my chief interpreter, I was hindered from understanding diverse particulars, wherein Buckor Sano, seemed very desirous to give me full satisfaction, so as from him these were the principals I gathered, howbeit, another occasion fell, whereby I had some farther relation, as in his due place shall 
An unhappy accident.  follow; for the conveniency whereof, I must once again with your favour return to a great company on shore, who expect their trade, for this our conference with Buckor Sano, was aboard our boat at dinner.  
The people who came unto us for the first four days were stayed here, came only upon that side our Merchant came; but one of our hired black men, spoke unto me, to give him some paper, and beads to buy him, and two other provision as they went, and they would go seek other inhabitants likewise who dwell 
A people that neversaw white men before.  on the other part of the River, wherewith furnished they went away, and two days after returned, and brought with them diverse people, who in the like manner, made them houses of Reeds, to harbour themselves under: These people had never seen white men before; and the women that came with them were very shy, and fearful of us, insomuch as they would run behind the men, and into the houses to hide from us; when we offered to come near them: I sent therefore into the boat for some beads and such things, and went unto some of the boldest, giving them thereof into their hands, which they were willing to receive, and with these courtesies imboldued them, that they soon became familiar, and in requital gave me again, Tobacco, and fine neat Canes they had to take Tobacco with: these women were the deepest, and largest printed upon the back that ever we saw. The men likewise showed a more savage kind of people 
Strange breeches the common people did wear.  than we had seen; many having breeches made of raw hides, either of Dear, or other cattle, the grace whereof was the tail of the beast which remaineth on the skin, did stick right forth upon the hinder part of the man's buttocks, resembling the manner as the beast wore it, whereat those black men, who were our hirelings, would in scorn jest and deride.  
The principal man of these parts, called Baiage Dinggo I had into my boat, and curtcously used, demanding if he did not know of our being there, in regard we thought he might hear our guns, he answered they had hard the noise, and were much amazed, supposing it to be thunder, being the more fearful unto them, because the sound came that ways, it was not accustomed to do: they were very desirous also to buy of our salt, and some of that little store we brought they had; which the people on the other side did unwillingly spare; we bought of them such commodities as the rest had, and wonderful desirous they were we should come again unto them; the best of these women likewise did wear in their ears gold, and many commodities the women asked for, which we had not, but the men especially for salt: there was 
An encouragement to search further up the River.  not so little, as 500 men and women, who came down on this side the river, and it did plainly appear, both the one and the other side were of familiar acquaintance, in regard they did pass in our Canoe, the one to the other, and had neighbourly salutations together: and further we noted, that the natural tongue there spoken, was another different language: yet all the better sort did talk together in the same speech we brought with us, & is from the mouth of the River; their familiarity did assure us that they had commerce together, which was an encourager to the confidence I have of the river's continuance, and that they have the use of canoes above, to ferry over, in regard in 
These people had another language.  this place where we were, although it was so shallow they might wade over, they were afeard to attempt it, dreading their neighbout Bombo would be in the way and hinder their passage: leaving them therefore safe on their one side, with a faithful expectation of our 
These people expect our return.  second return, which we promised, and they earnestly desired, I crossed the river to our first acquaintance; to whom was come down the King of the country, called by the name of the King of jelicot; who was the immediate King of that land whereon we kept our trade: I went on shore, entreating him to come into our boat, and there we drank: I gave him a present which he accepted, and brought him likewise a shore, 
The King comes unto us.  where he had houses built for himself and his wives, on whom also some thing must be bestowed; they brought with them commodities to barter, in doing of which, and looking upon us, they continued four days.  
Each night after we had supped aboard our boat, where Buckor Sano did ever eat with me, nor during 
Buckor Sano did always eat with us in the boat.  the will time of my stay there, did he fail me one meal: notwithstanding I did diverse times send both fish and fowl unto his wives, so did I likewise unto the King while he remained by us, which we took with our hooks, and killed with our gun. Our manner was to go on shore, and either at the King's house, or Buckor Sanos, before the door fires being made, and mats spread to sit down upon; the Fiddlers played on their Music, and in dawncing and singing, and sometimes the men marching with their bows and arrows to show their warlike exercises we spent great 
These exercises did commonly hold three hours in the night.  part of the evening, wherein with the small show we could make, we were not behind hand to let them hear our powder, and see our manner of marching; wherein they took much pleasure, and commonly these evening sports, cost us a quart bottle of Aquavita: which made their tongues freer, and their bodies fuller of agility; wherein always they did strive to show a desire they had to give content unto us: I may not omit one principal manifestation: some three nights before we had finished all our occasions in this place, Buckor Sano being aboard at supper, by way of desire, spoke that he might be called by the name of the white men's Alchade, in regard he did perform the same manner of office for us; that is, to make bargains, to deliver and receive, according to the trust reposed upon him: I took it very kindly he would accept the name, and to invest him therein I took a string of Coral, and another of Crystal, and put about his neck: he had likewise a small chain of silver put upon him; then causing three guns to be shot off, with a cup of Rosa-solis drunk unto him, with a 
Buckor Sano made the white men's Alchade.  great shot we cried out, Alchade Buckor Sano, Alchade Buckor Sano, that all the shore did ring of us: he presently calling to the shore, commanded the Fiddlers to meet him at the water side, and that his wives should bring him thither, all the nuts he had, (which be of great esteem amongst them,) I brought him on shore with as much grace as we could, as soon as he landed, the people being all come forth to meet him, he gave his nuts frankly, Distributing them about, in teste of his new honour, his music playing before him, he went up to the king's house, whom we found 
The acknowledgement of his new title.  sitting upon a mat without doors, with a fire of reeds before him, which is still maintained, by the light whereof they perform their ceremonies, and have use of no other candles: he placed me upon the mat by the King, and going himself a certain distance off, made a speech unto him, the effect whereof was, that that in regard we were stayed, through want of water, from passing higher, and had settled our trade upon 
His mediation to the King in our behaltes.  his land, the King would deal lovingly with us, which he would not only acknowledge with much courtesy himself, but speak unto his King, whether we would have gone to give thanks unto him, all which speech he performed standing: The King as he sat made answre unto him, that he did very well like of us, and did desire much we should come again, and that we should have free liberty to kill any beasts, as also to 
The King's answer.  trade or travail in any part of his country: upon his courteous answer, Buckor Sano kneeled down upon both his knees, giving him thanks, and taking from about his neck, the string of Coral, and the string of Crystal, which I had given unto him, sent them unto the King as a courteous gratification in our behalf, which he received and put about his neck: Buckor Sano still remaining on his knees, to whom the King spoke, that for his sake, and to show his love 
Buckor Sanos gratification.  to us, he would freely give us all that country we were in, and would deliver it unto him for us, as the great King had given it unto him: upon these words, Buckor Sano pulled his shirt over his head, which he gave toone 
The King's acceptance and fair reply.  of his women that stood by, kneeling naked from the waist upward until the Marybucks I had with me, and another that was with the King, had scraped together a great quantity of dust, sand, and small gravel, such as the ground in that very place afforded; whereupon 
He gives us the Country.  Buckor Sano lying with his face down flat along, they lightly covered him, from the head to the heel, when presently he taking his hands full of the earth, throws it this way, and that way, after a careless manner, every where round about him.  
Which done, and kneeling up again, with his face towards us as we sat in the mid way between us, 
A strange recemony in takeing of possession.  the Marybucks gathered together a round heap of the same dust, and with their hands made likewise of dust, a Circle, a small distance of, round about the heap, in which Circle, one of them did write with his finger, in the Character they use, so much as the Circle would contain: this performed, Buckor Sano came upon his knees, and hands to the heap, and stooping with his mouth, took a full mouthful, which presently he spit, and spattered forth again, 
The possession given unto me.  then taking both his hands full of the loose earth, he came forward on his knees, and both our Marybuckes, with their handsfull in the like manner, and threw the earth into my lap: which done, they presently rose, and two women came with loose clothes, therewith fanning, cooling, and wiping the body of Buckor Sano, who retiring himself into his house, put on his best clothes, arming himself with his bow and arrows, and someforty more in the same manner following him, came again before us, every man an arrow or two, ready in his bow, marched round about us, twice or thrice: which done, Bukor Sano came to me, and turning his face from me, kneeled down upon his right knee, putting his 
A great protestation of defence.  leg between mine as I sat, which his body seemed to shadow mine, presenting his bow, and drawing his arroweup, signifying, that so he would fight, and oppose his body, in defence of mine: then rising up, he gave away his bow, and arrows to another, and sat down by me, so all the rest as their turns came, kneeling either before me, or him, performed the like action, and this was the manner of giving us the Country, and delivering a full possession; which bounteous gift, and great solemnity, could not require less, than two or three bottles of our best liquor, which was accordingly performed, & set them into their ceremonious discourses, wherein because the night was far spent, we were willing to leave them, and betook ourselves to our own Castle, being little the richer, for all that great gift, and spacious scope of land, we were in that ample manner endowed withal.  
The next day amongst many that came unto the place, we did observe some, who were marked under both their eyes, with three blue strokes, resembling 
A people marked in the face.  stripes, all after one manner, demanding therefore what they were, it was answered a people who belonged to a King further up in the Country, and by those marks they were distinguished and known 
Observe this Marybucke.  from other people: This day likewise came unto us, an ancient Marybucke, taking acquaintance of our people, to whom he was very well known, I enquired what he was, and they told me, it was a mary-buck, who did use to Ferambra, and was acquainted 
Ferambra was Lord of his Country, and when the P ortingals had got the King of Nany to send horsemen to kill Thompson and his small company, he did preserve them, and put himself & Country in arms for their defence.  with George Thompson, and that he had a wife in Ferambras town: which was within three miles of Tobabo Conda, the place where our habitation upon the land was: and George Thompson did use to lie at this Ferambras house, who had showed himself a faithful friend, in time of need unto him, and his company, and likewise confirmed the same unto me, by diverse Courtesies, which passed betwixt us, during my time of trade in the river: I asked the mary-buck from whence he came, and he answered from jay, a town nine days travel higher in the country, whether he was sent by George Thompson, and seemed to lament much for his death, he told us there was great store of gold, at that place, and that 
The marybucke first tale.  the Arabecks, which are the Moors of Barbary, came thither: we asked him, if he would undertake to carry foam of us thither, he answered, yes, if we were but past these bad people, pointing to our consorts ashore, we told him they were a good people, and very loving to us, shaking his head, he said immane, immane, which signifies naught, or the thing they like not: he had two or three other consorts with him, and made haste to be gone, keeping themselves severed, from the other people: during their time, of stay, he told us, he was going down to Ferambras, and by him I sent letters to our Merchants below, which were very orderly delivered, by reason he was in some fear, and came in the night aboard of us, making such haste away, we had little conference; but meeting of him afterwards in my trade at Setico, I had a full and large discourse, and received the intelligence which I will now recite: He told me that not far from jay, there were a people who would 
His second discourse.  not be seen, and that the salt was carried unto them, and how, the Arabecks, had all their gold from them, although they did never see them: demanding the cause, he made a sign unto his lip, and could receive no farther answer, he said likewise, if we could have gone further up the River with our boar, many people would have come unto us, and brought great store of gold; and to the place where we did stay, he said, many people were coming down, both from jay, and many other towns, but that they were sent back again, by such as had gone from us, and told our salt was endded, we asked him, as we had done Buckor Sano and others, if they had a town called Tombutto, that 
Our opinion cercerning, Trombutto and Gago.  name thcy knew not, but a town called Tomboconda, they said was nearer where we were then Faith: the pronunciation of which two places, as Tomboconda for Tombutto, and Fay for Gago, may if therebe such two places, carry some resemblance, wherein I stand to put forth this question, who should he be that directs these names, being it is apparent never white men either by land or water were up this 
More encouragement to go further up the River.  country so far but we: this man likewise told us of the houses covered with gold, and many strong encouragements to invite us on, especially to go further up the River.  
To this let me now set down, although not able to name particular authors, what is the general report for the Moor of Barbary his trade. That it is certain when they come up into the country where 
The manner of merchandizing without speech or sight one of the other.  they have their chiefest trade; they do observe one set time and day, to be at a certain place, whereas houses are appointed for them, wherein they find no body, nor have sight of any persons. At this place they do unlade their commodities; and laying their salt in several heaps, and likewise setting their beads, bracelets, and any other commodities in parcels together, they depart, and remain away a whole day, in which day comes the people they trade withal, and to each several lays down a proportion of gold, as he values it, and leaving both the commodity and the gold goes his ways: the Merchant returning again, as he accepts of the bargain, takes away the gold and lets the commodity remain, or if he find there is to little left, divides his commodity into another part; for which he will have more, at the unknown people's return, they take to themselves, where they see the gold is gone, and either lay more gold or take away what was laid before, and remains in suspense: so that at the Merchant's third time, his bargain is finished, for either he finds more gold, or the first taken away, and his commodity lest, and this it is said, they have a just manner of trading and never see one another: 
The report of the people with the great lip.  to which is added, that the reason why these people will not be seen, is for that they are naturally borne, with their lower lip of that greatness, it turns again, and covers the greater part of their bosom, and remains with that rawness on the side that hangs down, that through occasion of the Sun's extreme heat, it is still subject to putrefaction, so as they have no means to preserve themselves, but by continual casting salt upon it, and this is the reason, salt is so precious amongst them: their country being so far up in the land, naturally yields none. And this carries some appearance by what we are able to say; for first out of our own experience we 
The people who bought our salt had no use of it, but for sale.  find that these people, who trade with us for our salt, have for their own occasions little or no use thereof, and being demanded what they do with it, they do not deny to tell us they carry it up further into the country, unto another people, to whom they do sell and vent the same: which still are good inducements to follow a further search, and therein to neglect no time, but diligently to follow the occasions already obtained, which is the love of these people, who were held so dangerous, who were so earnest for our coming again, and to hold a certain course of trade with them, which by us was faithfully promised, wherein the Adventurers have this strong encouragement, that if we should attain no further then amongst these people the gain is known to be great upon our exchanges, and fitted accordingly to carry a good proportion will yield a valuable return to the full satisfaction a reasonable desire 
This ought speedily to be considered of.  may aim at: but if it please God to prosper the discovery, and that we meet with any place of habitation again by the river side, which may be a convenient seat of residence to maintain a settled trade in, there can be no opposition to gainsay it must be the greatest and gainfullest trade, considering the short return that ever fell into our little Island: which commending to your worthy consideration I will conclude my discourse of trading, with the courteous farewell that past betwixt our black Merchant Buckor Sano and us. They were earnest we would give a name unto the place we traded in, that might remain as a memorial of of our being there, I called it by the name of Saint john's Mart, which they repeated 
The place called St. john Marte.  divers times over to be perfect in: and when our salt was gone, seeing us hast away, which we were careful to do, fearing less water in the river, he in his affection would needs desire to go some little way along in our great boat, passing about a mile 
Our courteous parting with Buckor Sano.  with us, with courteous embracings we parted, shooting off three guns for his farewell, not forgetting the drinking of three or four cups, and so put him on the shore: from whence by holding up his arms, he again saluted us, and with his hopeful expectation to see us there again, I will let him rest, and according to my course propounded fall upon a merrier company, which is their juddies, or as we may term them, Fiddlers of the Country, neither the music they make or instruments they play upon, deserving to have a better title: and may sort also reasonable well to the company, because at all especial meetings their devil Ho-re makes on the relation whereof I proceed unto.  
There is, without doubt, no people on the earth more naturally affected to the sound of music than these people; which the principal persons do hold as an ornament of their state, so as when we come to see them, their music will seldom be wanting, wherein they have a perfect resemblance to the Irish Rhymer sitting in the same manner as they 
The fashion of the Irish Rhymer.  do upon the ground, some what remote from the company; and as they use singing of Songs unto their music, the ground and effect whereof is the rehearsal of the ancient stock of the King, exalting his antientry, and recounting over all the worthy and famous acts by him or them hath been achieved: singing likewise extempore upon any occasion is offered, whereby the principal may be pleased; wherein divers times they will not forget in our presence to sing in the praise of us white men, for which he will expect from us some manner of gratification. Also, if at any time the Kings or principal persons come unto us trading in the River, they will have their music playing before them, and will follow in order after their manner, presenting a show of State. They have little variety of instruments, that which is most common in use, is made of a great gourd, and a neck thereunto fastened, resembling, in some sort, our Bandora; but they have no manner offret, and the strings they are either such as the place yields or their 
Upon this instrument only they play with their fingers.  invention can attain to make, being very unapt to yield a sweet and musical sound, notwithstanding with pins they wind and bring to agree in tuneable notes, having not above six strings upon their greatest instrument: In consortship with this they have many times another who plays upon a little drum which he holds under his lest arm, and with a crooked stick in his right hand, and his naked fingers on the left he strikes the drum, & 
A strange con sort-ship.  with his mouth gaping open, makes a rude noise, resembling much the manner and countenance of those kind of distressed people which amongst us are called Changelings; I do the rather recite this that it may please you to mark, what opinion the people have of the men of this profession, and how they dispose of them after they are dead: but first I would acquaint you of their most principal instrument, 
Their chiefest instrument.  which is called Ballard's made to stand a foot above the ground, hollow under, and hath upon the top some seventeen wooden keys standing like the Organ, upon which he that plays sitting upon the ground, just against the middle of the instrument, strikes with a stick in either hand, about a foot long, at the end whereof is made fast a round ball, covered with some soft stuff, to avoid the clattering noise the bare sticks would make: and upon either arm he hath great rings of Iron: out of which are wrought pretty handsomely smaller Irons to stand out, who hold upon them smaller rings and juggling toys, which as he stirreth his arms, makes a kind of musical sound agreeing to their barbarous content: the sound that proceeds from this instrument is worth the observing, for we can hear it a good English mile, the making of this instrument being one of the most ingenious things amongst them: for to every one of these keys there belongs a small Iron the bigness of a quill, and is a foot long, the breadth of the instrument, 
The manner of this instrument  upon which hangs two gourds under the hollow, like bottles, who receives the sound, and returns it again with that extraordinary loudness; there are not many of these, as we can perceive, because they are not common, but when they do come to any place, the resort unto them is to be admired; for both day and night, more especially all the night the people continue dancing, until 
Their manner of dancing.  he that plays be quite tired out; the most desirous of dancing are the women, who dance without men, and but one alone, with crooked knees and bended bodies they foot it nimbly, while the standers by seem to grace the dancer, by clapping their hands together after the manner of keeping time; and when the men dance they do it with their swords naked in their hands, with which they use some action, and both men a●● women when they have ended their first dance 〈…〉 give somewhat unto the player: whereby they are held and esteemed amongst them to be rich; and their wives have 
Their Fiddlers rich.  more Crystal blue stones and beads about them, than the King's wives: but if there be any licentious liberty, it is unto these women, whose outward carriage is such we may well conceit it: and this one especial note, howsoever the people affect music, yet so basely do they esteem of the player, that when any of them die, they do not vouchsafe them burial, as other people have; but set his dead corpse upright in a hollow tree, where he is left to consume: when they have been demanded a reason for so doing, they will answer, they are a people, 
They are basely esteemed of, and being dead are not buried.  who have always a familiar conversation with their devil Ho-re: and therefore they do so dispose of them: which opinion of theirs caused us to neglect and especially in their hearing to play upon any Lute or Instrument which some of us for our private exercise did carry with us, in regard if they had happened to see us, they would in a manner of scorn say, he that played was a juddy: The greatest resort of people, with the most abundance of these juddies, is at their times of Cricumcision, wherein they observe one due season, and for that I desire herein to give a full relation, I will follow my discourse with what I saw, and as an eye-witness am able to deliver.  
I have set down before, where I report the manner of our going up the river, that I carried with me four blacks; whereof the one was a boy, or young youth, whom I call by the name of Samgully; who in regard of his continuance with George Tompson, and after him with the rest of our company, had learnt to speak pretty Englis; and withal had taken such an affection towards us; that he did seem even heartily to neglect father and mother, and his own home, in his desires to follow us: he was about the age of 17. years, a strait youthand of a handsome growth; yet was he not circumcised: how beit he should have been the year before, but his absence with the white people, which was some of our company, when the time of circumcision came, was the only cause he missed cutting them: and this year he was to be circumcised, or else there was some great penalty to light upon his friends, or danger to himself; which appeared in their earnestness to keep him from going up with us; notwithstanding, he was stolen beyond the town his friends dwelled in with us, as far as our boat would go in two tides; and there overtook us his mother: who on the shore made grievous 
The affection of Saingulley our black boy unto us.  moan to have him sent back, the boy had spied her, and hid himself in the boat, bidding us say that he was gone back, and albeit her moan was great, because she said, he would be absent again in the time of circumcision, which would be the next Moon; and if we would not put him on shore, she would throw herself from the bank into the river; the boy lying along in the boat, said, she will not drown, she will not drown, let us be gone; and alongst he went with us: It was the eight day of january when his mother made this moan, and the ninth day of February after we came by that place again, and that evening, as the Sun set, came to an anchor at the port that belonged to the town where the boy's friends dwelled, which was called Boo john's town, a man whom we did well affect: 
This Bornwell john was brother to Ferambra.  the town stood some mile from the water side to carry the boy home, and refresh ourselves, we were willing to walk on shore.  
So taking our Chirurgeon, and one more of my consorts, with our black Alchade, who we hired from this town, wherein his mother likewise dwelled, and our black boy, ashore we went, the bakne was high from the river; which the boy first got up, where presently ascended, he began to leap and sing, making great shows of joy, holding up his hand, and pointing towards the town, which as I said was a 
The feast of their Circumcision.  mile from us: but when we likewise ascended, we heard a great noise of music and shooting, where at the boy so much rejoiced, and said it was the cutting of Pricks; for so he called it, and that he was come time enough: we walked towards the town, and as the evening went in came thither, I had an intent to have gone to the Master of the town his house; but my mary-buck told me, he had a world of strangers, and was earnest with me to go to his mother's house; we were also to pass by the house where our black boy's father and mother dwelled: the father in regard he was blind, and kept house, we saw not; but his mother being within, and hearing one call her son's name, came forth and met him, and presently turning her head to the side of the house, fell into a bitter weeping, calling only upon his name, Samgulley, Samgulley; I would have had the boy alongst where I lay, but he was 
Samgulley taken from us to be circumcised.  taken from us, and not suffered to go; howbeit I charged him he should not be cut, which as they told us, was to be done in the morning; until I came to see him, which he promised, and so we departed to our lodging: at which place likewise was many people, and much music; but after a while that we had been there, they all quitted the place, showing a kind of modesttie, not to disturb us. There was no housing, nor dwellings, but was full of people; nay likewise, under every shady and convenient tree, there was great sires, whereas there was, their pots a seething, and their victuals adressing, and also their mats laid, to take up their lodging, sorting themselves together in great companies, and in most places, having music, drumming, and dancing; making such a noise and din, as might well proceed from such kind of Actors: and amongst them likewise they had commerce, one 
The great resort to this solemnity.  thing for another, so as it had a manner of resemblance to our fairs here in England; neither was there want of any manner of provision, for as much as all kind of people that came thither, brought some manner of sustenance with them, and the people of the place, did provide and reserve themselves against this time, so as I may well say it had a right resemblance to our country martes:  
Amongst the rest of these dispersed companies; I took special notice of one, who stood more remote, and was closed and severed in, under the shady trees, which reeds, and bows set up together like a hedge, from whence proceeded, a greater noise of voices; as also drumming, and thumping, mor clamorosly: demanding what it meant, I was answered, in that place remained those youths that 
They that were cut, kept all together.  were cut, and they were to continue until such time as they were recovered of their soreness, and that the greatness of the noise did come from those people who kept them company, which were the younger sort of people, above their age; who had already past, and received their circumcision: I went likewise that night, after we had supped, to the master of the town's house; who had sent unto me to mend my supper, a brace of Partidges, and finding there the Ballard's, or best music, and the younger sort of women gathered together beheld their dancing, and for that they might see we had such pleasures amongst us; I took one of them by the hand, and danced with her, whereof they gave testimony 
The courtesy and muth that past betwixt us.  of great gladness, inviting the rest of my company to do the like: Boo john the master of the place, excusing himself that we lay not at his house, in regard of much company and noise: but more especially, because one of his wives was lately delivered of a child, unto whom he carried me within a house by herself, where she lay after their fashion upon a mat handsomely; I gave unto the mother for the child, a few poor beads, which were very thankfully taken, and he said, if it had been a man child, it should have had one of our co upanies name, with whom he had been longest acquainted; but saith he, my wife Dowry is with child, and if she bring a man child, it shall carry your name; for so she earnestly desires: these familiarities passed betwixt us, after which we betook ourselves to our several lodgings, and were nothing frighted with the roaring cry of their devil; who at these ceremonious meetings so soon as evening comes is conversant by his roaring voice amongst them, and so continues all, or the most part of the night, whereof I shall presently give you relation: But first, I must conclude of their circumcision; for the sight whereof, as even now I told you, we did reserve ourselves to receive advertisement of our Samgulleyes cutting, which was to be done in the morning. And accordingly, the Sun some two hours high, we had a messenger came to entreat we would send him a white cloth, and that he would pray us to come & see him. As soon as we came, he was brought forth into the open field between the houses, and the place where they remained, who were cut the day before they had taken away his clothes, they brought him ashore in; which was shirt, breeches, and a cap of stripped stuff, after the bravest fashion of the country, and only brought him with a white cloth close about him: whereas we did expect some great ceremony after a religious manner to be performed: He was first set down upon a little molehill, diverse people coming forth to see him, amongst the which were most women, who stood directly a little 
women look upon the circumcision.  distance off, looking on: the master of the town was likewise there, and three of us; amongst which our Chirurgeon was one to comfort him not to fear: he was very confident, entreating me to lay my hand upon his shoulder; from amongst the blacks came forth an ordinary man, with a short knife in his hand, which he whetted as he came, like one of our butchers unto a beast; and causing the boy to stand up, he took of his cloth, giving it to a slander by to hold, so as he was stark naked, and set his hands upon his sides, being neither bound nor held: how beit there were some by, who offered to hold his arms, but because he promised not to move, they let him alone, the executioner taking hold of his members, drawing the skin over very far, as we conceived, cut him largely, and had three several cuts afore he had done, whereat the boy 
Our boy circumcisised, and the manner thereof.  shrunk very little; insomuch as the master of the town who stood by told us, he had very seldom seen any abide it with so great a courage: to our thinking it was exceeding fearful and full of terror, insomuch as I told the doer in a very angry manner he had utterly spoilt him; when he asked wherein, I replied, in cutting him so deep: His answer was, it is so much the better for him, and without any curiosity taking up his cloth showed his own members, that it might appear he was cut as far; howbeit my distaste was such upon him, that I could not yield to give him any thing in the way of gratuity to wash his hands withal, and as the manner of the country is to do by such as are friends, to the party circumcised: the thing performed, the boys white cloth was cast over him, and by two men, who held his arms, he was hurried apace to the same quarter, where the other that were cut remained: We made first a request that they would let us go along to the place with him, and were going with some of the people; but presently in haste overtook us four ancient men, who did not only stay our going, but made show of much 
We were not suffered to go amongst the new circumcised.  displeasure to such as were going with us, and would by no means suffer we should come amongst them: then we desired we might have the boy away with us, telling them we had better means to cure him, and to make him sooner well, than they had, showing our Chirurgeon unto them, who they knew had healed 
No use of medicines to cure them.  wounds and sores amongst them; but we could not prevail, by the interposing of these ancient men some of the rest seeming to consent unto us: so as we were there driven to leave our boy, who amongst the restof his comforts, had without doubt no other chirurgery to cure their tender maladies, but only to attend the expectation of time, who by the help of their youth & nature might wear it out, which appears the rather to us, in regard at these times, there is unto these youths allowed a certain licentious liberty, whereby they may steal and take away people's hens, or poultry; nay from the Fulbies, a beef or cattle to eat and banquet withal amongst themselves without any offence to the laws, or government of the country; which at other times is strict in that behalf, thereby animating, and encouraging their spirits to more alacrity, and according to the condition of their wanton age by these stolen delights to draw them more willingly from the thing, and make the time of their recovery less tedious to themselves, and discourageable to others. And if I might be worthy to deliver my opinion, considering this their circumcision, as I have carefully observed I should conclude, it were done of mere necessity, as a moral law for the preservation of their lives and healths, and so found out by their precedent ancestors, and by strict observations laid peremptorily upon them, wherein I should submit myself in the account I could give to more able judgement: only this you may please to note, it is done without any religious ceremony, and the word in their language is expressed unto us by no other signification, then cutting of pricks; and this is done in certain bigger towns of the country, whether the smaller towns and habitations make their resorts, bringing their youth to be all cut together.  
And to make up the number at all these meetings, there is one sure card that never fails, which is their 
The discourse of their devil Ho-re.  roaring devil, that before I spoke of, whose attendance may seem to keep the youth in awe, and he is called by the name of Ho-re, whose strange report I proceed unto: There is at all these meetings, some distance of from the place, heard the noise of a roaring voice, resembling the greatest base of a man's voice; when we demand of them what it is, they will answer, with a kind of fear, it is Ho-re, and then describe him to be a fearful spirit, that none may come near, without danger of being destroyed, carried away, or torn in pieces: there is at all their meetings, upon the first notice of his voice, a preparation for him of all manner of victuals, they have amongst them, every one imparting somewhat, all which is carried towards the voice, and there under 
He is a monstrous cater.  a tree set down, and within small time, be it of what quantity soever; it will be found devoured, and not so much as a bone to be seen, uneaten, or left behind, and if they be not ready forthwith to carry him such provisions, as shall content him, some of their uncircumcised sons are instantly taken away; females he meddles not with, and said to remain in Ho-reyes belly, some of them nine or ten days, from whence 
Sumetimes 8 or 9 atonec, are carried away, and said to be in his belly.  they must be redeemed with some belly provision: and it is strange to hear, how confidently they will report unto you, that they have been carried away, and been abiding there: wherein this is observed, that look how many days he hath been kept away, or remaining, as they say in Ho-reyes belly, so many days after they return, it must be, before they will, or dare open their mouths, to speak a word. For confirmation of which, this I have seen: as I walked one day into the country from our dwelling to Ferambras house, distant some four mile, in the way we were to pass through a town of the Fulbies, among the people that looked upon us, I was shown a youth of some eighteen years of age, who they said, came but the night before out of Ho-reyes belly: I went towards him, and urged him to speak 
Coming forth they speak not for certain days.  unto me, but still he went back from me, and kept his finger before his mouth, and notwithstanding I made what means I could, by pulling and pinching of him, and more to terrify him, making proffers with a false fire to shoot at him, being naturally exceeding fearful of our guns, I could not prevail, neither make him open his mouth: notwithstanding afterwards, the same fellow did often come, and have commerce amongst us: nay our people, who were lying, and dwelling in the country, had been at several times frighted with the voice of this Ho-rey, for having stayed in their fowling, or being abroad, until night hath overtaken them, in their coming home, as they have said, they have heard the voice of Ho-re, as they might conceive, some mile from them, and before they could pass ten steps, he hath seemed to be in their very backs, with fright whereof, maintained by their imagination, of their report went of him, they have not, without a ghastly dread, recovered home: unto which place of dwelling, he never was so bold to make any attempt: and verily my opinion is, that it is only some illusion, either by the Marybuckes, or among the elder sort, to form and keep in obedience those younger sort: for better approbation of what I suppose, I will crave the patience, to set down what I observed at the circumcision of our black boy: The nights were 
Our opinion concerning Ho-re.  very light, the Moon being then about the full towards midnight, coming from Bornwell john's house to the place at Say, Ho-reyes voice was wondrous busy, as it seemed to me, not far of. I spoke unto my consorts, we would secretly take our arms, and steal down, to see what it was, one of our three was backward and unwilling, whereby it came to pass, our Marybucke understood what we intended, who came earnestly unto me, entreating, I would give over that dangerous attempt, saying, I could not find him, for one cry would be hard by me, and another instantly beyond the river, which was a mile of, and there was great danger, he would carry me into the River with him: when he perceived, he could not alter my resolution, he held me by the arm, and pointing to a black, not far from me, held down his head. I went to that man, being a very lusty fellow, to speak unto him, whose voice was grown so horse, by crying like Ho-re, he had no utterance, whereupon I returned to my Marybucke, 
How he was partly discovered.  and said, there is one of your Devils; who with a smile went his way from me.  
But that the devil hath great recourse amongst them, is without question, especially, as I noted before, with the Rhymers or juddyes; I will specify one intelligence we had, and so leave him there amongst them: When we came first up the River, we were uncertain of our own times, much less than any other, could six hours of going, staying, or coming to a place: howbeit we were to come to a town called Pompetane, at which place 
An example of the devils converse with the Fiddlers.  dwelled a Portugal, called jasper Consaluos, who had a young kinsman with him, called Marko, but no women but blacks; this dwelling of his was the highest by many leagues of any Portugal in the River; and very fair quart er, ever past betwixt us, we came to this place, the 14. of December, between eight and nine in the morning, and notwithstanding, the dwelling houses were somewhat remote from the river, we found standing upon the bank at the landing place this Consaluos, who in friendly sort saluted us, and carried us up to his housing, where presently we found ready a very good breakfast of hens, and other good refreshing, which he said, was provided for us: we seemed to marvel he should know of our coming thither, but aster he told us, that the evening before, he was at another town within the land, and had no meaning to come home, when as there came unto him a juddy ot Fidler, which dwelled in the town with him, and did likewise show us the man, who told him that Ho-re had acquainted him, that the next morning, and at such an hour, there would be so many white men at Pompetane, naming the number that were in our boats, and that there they would land: but to what purpose, either to do good or hurt, the Devil was ignorant; and upon 
The Devil could not tell the Portugal where we were friends or foes.  this intelligence, I retired myself, and came away hither to meet you, whereat we seemed much to wonder, being altogether ourselves uncertain of any hour, in regard, we diverse times went a shore, and shooting at fowl and such like occasions diverse times lighted upon us; notwithstanding the devil's intelligence, we were no ways discomforted; for he did confess, he was altogether ignorant of our intended actions, and the conclusion was, how by his intelligence, the worst hurt we had, was a better, and more readier breakfast.  
It follows, concerning what trades, or occupations is in use amongst them, whereof we note only three: the first and chiefest is the Ferraro or Smith, who holds a good repute: notwithstanding, they have no Iron of their own making, but what is 
The trades or occupations they have in use, their painful season of thunder and lightning, also what fruits & plants the Country yields, and are growing there amongst them.  brought unto them, whereof they have most needesull use, and neither may, or can live without it: for first of the Iron we bring unto them, they do fashion and make all those short swords they were, next the heads of their Assigies, or javelins, as also the heads of their throwing darts, and the barbed heads of their shooting arrows, which are covered over with their deadly poison: in many of these the Smith doth show a pretty kind of art and making: but the most needful use amongst them, is the tool or instrument, wherewith they till their ground: without use of which, they could hardly have their 
The Smith.  being, and therefore Iron, a principal commodity, that they do call upon; at the lower part of the River, where the Portugal frequents, they have more for exchange then above, whereas we are upon a certain trade: for we cut our Iron of twelve ynches, and that is the proportion looked after, and so high as it flows, the Kings and Governors will call for that length: but passing above eight yuches will go as friendly; which in either of them, is gain enough, the return even in the worst, yielding ten for one, carrying our iron in bars, we are enforced to make use of their Smiths, to cut it to the proportion, we must use, and therefore sending sor him, he comes to the water side, bringing his shop with him, that is his bellowes, and a small Anvil, which he strikes into the ground under a shady tree, and only of one kind 
An excellent charcoal to work their Iron,  of red wood, amongst them, they can make artificial Charcoal, which will give our Iron his true heat, as any seacoal, his boy blowing the bellowes, that lie on the ground, the nose of them, through a hard earth, made of purpose with a hole in it, and in this manner with a hammer and a tool, they cut it for us, receiving satisfaction, to us easy enough, but what it is consists of Iron; and chary we must be to look to our measuring, or he will use his best understanding to purloin; and this for the Smith and his esteem amongst them: The next is he whom we call a Sepatero; one that doth make all their Gregory's, wherein 
The Sepatero they of this trade are most ingenious.  truly is a great deal of art shown, they being made and fashioned of leather into all shapes, both round and square, and triangle, after that neat manner as might be allowed for workmanship, even amongst our curious handicrafts: these men are likewise they that make their saddles and bridles; of which bridles I have seen so neatly made up, as with leather, even here in our own country, could hardly be mended: whereby appears, they have knowledge to dress their leather. Howbeit I conceive, only their goats and dear skins, which they can colour and dye: but to greater beasts hides, their apprehension cannot attain, and some of these are held for curious persons, and deep capacities: for they will be feeling of some stuff garments we wear, and do think, and will boldly say, that we do make them of the hides, we buy from them, and will not do it in their sight, because they shall not learn; and for our paper, we bring, they absolutely conclude, it is made of the hyde, and likewise many other things they see us use, they will say, comes and is framed of those Elephant's teeth we carry from them, allowing much of a more deeper knowledge in us, than themselves in many things applying it amiss, and to impossibilities.  
Another profession we find, and those are they who temper the earth, and makes the walls of their houses, and likewise earthen pots they set to the fire, to boil and dress their food in for all other occasions, they use no other mettle, but serve themselves with the gourd, which performs it very neatly; 
The Potter & tobacco pipemaker.  only one principal thing, they canoot miss, and that is their Tobacco pipes, whereof there is few or none of them, be they men or women doth walk or go without, they do make only the bowl of earth, with a neck of the same about two inches long, very nea●ly and artificially colouring or glazing the e●●●h very handsomely, all the bowls being very great, and fo● the most part will hold half an ounce of Tobacco; they put into the neck a long kane, many times a yard of length, and in that manner draw their smoke, whereof they are great takers, and cannot of all other things live without it. These are the 3 professed trads, other things they 
They have in the highest of the River, excellent mats.  need, and that are in use amongst them, are common to every man, to do or make, as his occasion requires, whereof the most especial in use is mats, such as they eat their meat upon, sit upon, and also make their beds, having no other thing indeed to lie upon, and therefore, as we rightly term it, is the Staple commodity, they have amongst them: while we were in the River, at a place called Mangegar, against which we had occasion to ride with our ship, both up and down, in the open fields, about a mile distance from any housing, is every monday a market kept; which is in the middle of the week, unto which would come great resort of people, from round about, as here in our country, 
A market kept every monday.  who would disperse and settle themselves, with their commodities under the shady trees, and take up a good space of ground, & any thing what the Country did yield, was there brought in, and bought and sold amongst them. Now through the whole Country there is no use of any coin, or money, neither have they any, but every man to 
No money or coin amongst them.  chop and barter one thing for another, and the only nominated thing is mats, as in ask the price of this, or that I desire, the word is, how many mats shall I give you? so as they are still in use; and these are the several Trades, and manner of course the common people follow, or have among them.  
And so I pass to their laborious travel, and general trade amongst them, from which none are exempted, but the Kings and principal persons themselves, or such as by age are past their labour, otherwise all, the mary-buck, both Priest, and people, and of all sizes, as they are able, put to their hands to till the earth, and sow their corn. And for that the goodness of God unto us may the more appear, and the Reader stirred up the rather, to 
All labour to till the earth and sow their grain.  acknowledge his mercies, let us call to mind, the words which God said unto Adam, after his fall in Paradise; In the sweat of thy brows shalt thou eat thy bread: and with care and sorrow shalt thou eat it, and acknowledge these people, to abide the curse indeed; and ourselves mitigated, through his merciful favour: For the earth likewise receiving s●●●●se, doth naturally bring forth unprofitable things, whereby man is forced for his necessary sustenance, to till and plant the same: now God hath lent and given unto us, the beasts of the field, (which likewise they enjoy) but he hath endued us with an understanding and knowledge, to make the beasts, and cattle, to serve and obey our wills in ploughing and opening the earth, thereby easing, and as it were taking away the sweat of our brows, 
They understand not to make their cattle work.  which knowledge he hath denied unto them, and not withstanding they have so many herds of fitting cattle, they understand not to make use of them, but even with their own hands, in the true sweat of their brows, do they follow their painful labour, as I here relate it: They reserve great fields to sow their corn in, which they raise up in furrows, as decently as we do here, but all their labour, is with their hands, having therein a short stick, of some yard in length, upon the end whereof is put a broad Iron, like unto our paddle staffs, which Iron set into the ground, one leading the way, carries up the earth before him, so many others following after him, with their several Irons, doing as he leadeth, as will raise up a sufficient furrow, which followed to the end of the ground, they 
The manner of their painful labours.  begin again in this painful and laborious manner, fitting the earth for the grain, wherein our old proverb is to be allowed of, Many hands make light work; otherwise it would appear a most tedious kind of labour. They have six several sorts of grain, they do feed upon, amongst which none is known to us by name (I mean here in 
Their co●, or grain.  England) but only Rice; the other may rather be called a kind of seed then corn, being of as small a grain as mustard seed, neither do they make any bread, but boiling their grain, roll it up in balls (as I have said before) and so eat it warm: in like sort they boil their Rice, and eat it warm; and even to us it is a very good and able sustenance: all other grains being sowed, the ground is with their Irons spadled over, and so left to his growth: but in Rice they do set it first in small patches of low 
The manner of their Rice.  marish grounds, and after it doth come up, disperse the plants, and set them in more spacious places, which they prepare for it, and it doth yield a great increase; they do likewise observe their seasons, to set other plants, as Tobacco, which is ever growing about their houses; and likewise, with great carefulness, they prepare the ground, to set the 
The planting of cotton  seeds of the Cotten wool, whereof they plant whole fields, and coming up, as Roses grow, it beareth cod's, and as they ripen, the cod breaketh, and the wool appeareth, which shows the time of gathering.  
And before I pass to speak of other natural plants, that proceed and come forth without labour, I must not omit to relate here, the farther misery of this labouring people, that thereby we may discern, the greater mercy we do enjoy, for whereas it bathe pleased God, to afford unto us seasonable times, to plant and sow, and again to reap, and enjoy our labour, sending likewise 
The misery of the people.  gentle showers and reins, whereby we receive them in a due season; he hath not dealt so with all Nations, whereof these are witnesses; for although their seasons are certain, yet they are violent and fearful: For from September, unto the latter end of May following, almost nine months, they never taste any showers of rain, so as their ground is so hard, through the extreme heat of the Sun, that they can make no use thereof, but are compelled to stay until rain doth fall, to moisten the earth, that their instruments may enter, to prepare the same: which raines, at the first come gently, now and then a shower, but not without thunder, and lightning; Towards the end of june, it than groweth more forcible, pouring itself violently forth with such horrible storms, and gusts of wind, and with such fearful flashes of lightning, and claps of thunder, as if (according to our phrase) heaven and earth would meet together: in all which notwithstanding, 
The times of their reins & the fearfulness thereof.  the miserable people are driven to work and labour, in the open field, for joosing the season of the grounds softness; and as it doth begin, after a more gentle manner, in the same nature and distance of time it passeth away, the most extreme force being from the middle of july, until the middle of August, and the abundance of rain that then doth fall, may be supposed, in that it doth raise the River from his usual height, directly upright thirty foot, and where it hath not bank to defend it overflows the shores, and therefore they prepare their habitations, in their own discretions, accordingly, and in some years not without danger: Now in regard many people of our Country, have been lost, and that our Seamen directly charge the unholsomnesse of the air, to be the sole cause, I would presume a little to argue it, delivering my opinion, hoping it may invite some abler understanding, to search into it, and produce some better assistance, to avoid the inconvenience, than I am able to deliver. 
A fair entreaty to men of judgement.   
It is certain, in regard of the grounds hardness in those nine months when the reins are past, that the superficies, or upper part of the earth, doth receive all that venom, or poisonous humours which distil either from trees or plants, whereof there is store, as we see by the abundance they use in poisoning their Arrows, and some of their Lances; and likewise, what doth issue from their venomous Serpents, and Snakes, of which kinds there are very many, both great, and exceeding long; also Toads and Scorpions: the poison doth remain and continue in the 
The great abundance of poison.  dryness of the ground, and raked up in the dust and sand, which upon the first reins, being moistened, and the earth wet, by the exhalation of the hot Sun is drawn up, and in short time in the next showers falls down again; in my poor judgement, some reason appears that those first times must be very pestilent, and full of danger; which in some sort testifis is itself, in regard those first reins, lighting upon the naked body, do make blains and spots, which remain aster them, much more than after the reins have continued, and more perfectly washed, and cleared the supersicies; and not only upon the bodies, but in the garments, 
The nature of the first reins.  or clothes worn; who being laid by, after they are wet with the first reins, do sooner, and in greater number breed and bring forth untoward worms; whereas other ways, after the reins are more common, it doth not produce any such effect, or if it do, very little. To this I say, that it is a thing to be especially observed, as much as men may, to avoid the being in those first reins, and more especially to be provided of water, either to drink, or dress meat withal, before these seasons fall; except it be 
An observation to be kept.  those who dwell and abide upon the land, and may have means to cover and keep close their springs; but for men to water, in those pestilent times, and in the open Rivers, as the Saint john's men in their first voyage did, I say it was a desperate attempt, and might have been the confusion of them all, as indeed there were but few of them escaped; and that the country is not so contagious, as they would have their reports to make it, those people of ours may be witness, who being willing to stay behind, and remaining there almost three years, there was not one of them died, but returned all into their own country, being eight of them in number, except only 
A note of experience.  Captain Tompson, who as I repeat before, was slain by unhappy accident.  
I would willingly also venture here, and speak my opinion, what naturally may be said, concerning these contagious times; but with this proviso, it is done to animate others, who if they knew the certain course and season, with the true manner of each particular circumstance, would be able to demonstrate better, and so rectify me in that where I shall do amiss. These seasons I say, begin gently in the end of May, when the Sun draws to the end of his Northern progress, in the Tropic of Cancer, whose power, as it may appear, draweth up after him those 
An observation of the tempestuous times.  great and cloudy vapours, which directly, come perpetually out of the Southeast, and from no other place or point, which following after the force of the Sun, as they rise higher, and nearer the heat, begin to dissolve; but as the Sun turns back again, and comes in his reverse to meet with these massy vapours, sending in his forceable raynes amongst those cloudy substances, compels them to give way, and break in sunder, the violence whereof produceth that terrible thunder, and fearful lightning which followeth, and great abundance of rain which falleth: which as it doth appear, is most terrible, when the Sun, and those vapours are as it were incorporate; for from the middle of july, until the middle of August, the extremity is, and by that time in September, the Sun is again in his equinoctial the air doth clear, and all the storms do end; and so it appears, that as the Sun, after his coming from the Equinoctial, in his whole Northern progress is raising, and drawing these vapours after, so in his reverse again from the Tropic, until he comes to the Equinoctial he is dissolving, and clearing the same again, all which observing as a natural man, I commend to the ingenious practitioner, either to amend, or make use of; And in 
They hear & speak of Christ but will not believe.  myself, with humble thankfulness give glory to God, who shows his almighty power to theseunbeleeving people, that in regard, they will not accept of that pleasing, and peaceful intelligence of our loving and meek Saviour his blessed Son; they shall feel and fear his omnipotent power, in trembling under those incomprehensible terrors, which as he saith in job, are prepared for his enemies: Again, if it hath pleased him to appoint certain places upon the earth, where more especially those great and fearful works of his shall appear, thereby to daunt and keep down the haughty aspire of sinful man; how much are 
God's mercy to us.  we bound to praise, and acknowledge his everlasting goodness, in not seating us and our habitions under those contagious climates, and how much more is his great power manifested, that hath appointed bounds, and limits, as he saith himself of the swelling Seas, so likewise of these fearful seasons; hitherto shall you come, and shall exceed no further.  
And now to add comfort unto us that are, or shallbe called to travel these parts: first, the times and seasons are certain, that men may either avoid them by leaving the country, when they are to come, or by preparing themselves with things necessary, be the better able to endure them, when they are come; of which now we have had such experience, as we can expound things outwardly, by God's permission requisite and availcable, and inwardly frame our bodies and dispositions to the country and seasons agreeable: and this is encouraged with a comfortable resolution, that the continuance is not long, and that we know the ends, and termination of the season, which before experience, 
A comfort to the traveller.  was a fearful discourager: So I return back, to speak of the natural plants, which following the laborious courses, I was driven to omit.  
They have naturally growing, which is but only near the mouth of the river, Bononos avery excellent fruit, and they are as delicious, good, and great, as any 
Plantans.  that are in the West Indies; likewise within that limit, store of small Lemons, or Lymes, and for Oranges, 
Limbs.  we have seen, and had brought unto us, far up in the river, at some times good store, that shows 
Oranges.  there are trees in the country, and that they might be stored, if the people were ingenious, and either would or could know how to plant them: but to speak of things that the whole country yieldeth plentifully, and what is esteemed and set by amongst them, whereof especially, we note Palmeta trees, and in some places there are whole grounds or groves of them, the use whereof is to draw from them a most sweet and pleasant drink, which we call Palmeta Wine, and as we approve and like of it to be toothsome, so likewise in 
Good wine forth of a tree.  operation, we find it wholesome; the manner whereof is this, they do cut into the body of the tree holes, in some more, in some less, as the tree is in substance, to whichholes, they place a hollow cane cut sloping to go the neatlier in, into which the juice of the tree distilleth, and is conveyed, as in pipes, unto gourds set handsomely into the ground ready to receive it, which is in less than twenty four hours taken away, and as they please disposed of: now this is of that esteem, that the vulgar sort may not meddle with, but the principal persons, and therefore they will send of this unto us, four or five miles' distance, as a courteous present; the taste whereof, doth truly resemble white Wine when it comes first over into England, having the same sweetness of taste, and in colour, if they were together, not to be distinguished; only this is the misery, it will not keep above one day, for if you reserve of it until the morning it will grow sour, notwithstanding any diligence that can be used; and of this kind there are several sorts and tastes, as there are in white Wines, which the people themselves distinguish by several names; calling some Sabbagee, Bangee, Tangee, 
Several sorts thereof. Palmeta apples  and other names, as the trees are from whence it comes. Some Palmeta trees, do likewise carry great store of Apples, which the country people will feed upon, especially the younger sort.  
And being entered into their good liquor, I must not forget, to speak of the knowledge they have in making a compounded drink, which we can afford to taste, and accept of; and it is made of some corn, 
Amade drink, called Dullo.  boiled and ordered as we do our Ale; they call it Dullo, it is not common amongst them, but when the King or principal person will make a feast, he calls all the inhabitants about him, and having a great gourd or two, sometimes three, of this liquor in his presence they drink round, and it is divided amongst them, making an end of all before they part, and it is of that operation, it will warm their brains, and set their tongues a working: the poor Fulbye finding that we affect it, will many times watch for a private conveyance, but if the Blacks meet with him, they will surely drink it, and send him home again, having lost his market; Now because I speak of gourds, which are growing things, it is fit I tell you, they do grow, and resemble just that we call our Pompion, and in that manner are placed, and carried upon their walls and houses, being of all manner of different sorts; from 
Gowrdes.  no bigger than an egg, to those that will hold a bushel, and the necessary use they have of them, to eat, and drink, and wash their clothes in, with diverse other very fit occasions, gives than just cause to preserve them although the meat, or substance that grows within them is to be thrown away, in regard of the extreme bitterness, whereof the shell itself so savours, as no use can be made, until it be perfectly seasoned; and they have likewise growing Pumpions in the self same manner we have, and in like case they do convert to sustenance: But to rise higher from 
Locuste.  the ground; they have likewise great store of Locust trees, which growing in clusters of long cod together in the beginning of May, grows to his ripeness, which the people will seed upon, especially the younger sort, if they can make shift to get them down, the trees being big, and of a good height, with this I must join honey, which doth appear likewise to grow; and the country is very full, wherein the people use one of the ingenious parts I see amongst them, for upon those great trees, which are growing about their houses, in many places you shall have them make baskets of reeds and sedge, which they will make fast, on the out bows of the tree, and in those the Bees 
Wild honey.  will come and breed, whereof in time they receive the profit, having so many baskets on some convenient trees, that in our ignorance, before we knew it, being distant of, we might conceit it was some fruit the tree had yielded; also in holes of hollow trees, amongst the woods still bees are plenty, so that another john Baptist, if any were, might in this place and that with plenty, receive his full of Locust and wild honey.  
And for trees of great and large bodies, they be here, especially one sort, which doth carry upon a long stalk, a great and round fruit, yielding a kind of pleasing pith within: Whereupon the Baboons 
Monkeys meat.  and Munkyes use to feed; whereof there had need be store, in regard of their number, as I shall declare hereafter: and some of these trees retain that bigness, that six men by fathoming can hardly compass: there are other huge trees, one whereof doth carry a stony apple, which being through ripe, to eat is tolerable, and serves if he fall to feed the wild 
A stony apple.  swine, but that is in place, where the Baboon is a stranger: And I will conclude their fruits, with that which is in most esteem amongst them; which is a fruit in proportion, much like our bigger sort of chestnuts, flat on both sides, but hath no hard shell on the outside, they call them Gola, and we Nuts: the taste of him, when he is bitten, is extreme bitter, but the 
This fruit is of great esteem.  operation of him, is with them so set by, that ten is a present for a King: this operation we find, that after we have eaten of him down, notwithstanding his bitter taste, the water we drink presently after, although it he out of the River, shall have a relish like white wine, carrying that sweetness, as if it were mixed with sugar; and likewise the Tobacco we take presently after, shall have that sweetness one would much admire: other operation we find none, yet so do they esteem them that the ancient persons having lost their teeth, and not able to bite it, have mortars wherewithal carried to bruise it, that they may not be bard of the juice, and comfort of it; neither are they for the common people: Fifty, of these nuts in the habitation where we dwelled, presented to the King, would buy a wife, and many times as a wonderful great present, I have had six of them sent me, howbeit, we never saw any of them grow, neither are they, as they say amongst them, but brought from 
They are not growing within the limit we saw.  another people, and they are of most value, still the lower, and nearer the mouth, yet there they be, and the Portugeses will make, as if they bring them into the River, by a trade they have in a great bay, beyond Cacho, where they meet with a people, that 
Great store brought us, when we were above.  brings them gold, and many of these nuts; and this we can say, that when we were at the highest part of the river, the people brought them abundantly unto us, and did wonder much, we made no more esteem or care to buy them: but where they grow, or whence they had them, we are yet ignorant, although the Portugal affirms, they come from the golden country, neither will they last, or continue by any knowledge we have to keep them, being subject to wither, or be eat with worms, as by trial I proved, keeping of them, to have showed in England, as I much desired. They have neither Onions, nor Garlic: howbeit, Garlic is a thing they much desire, wherewith we see them rather rub their heads and bodies, then affect to feed on: neither have they any herbs, or flowers, which either for taste or smell they esteem, but only one called Binning, which carrying a sharp, or sour taste like Sampire, we used for 
This is like our water Lilly.  sauce, and that they seeing, would ordinarily bring unto us: howbeit when we came upon diverse mountains, and sundry woods, we should retain such sweet sinells, as would be very pleasing; from whence we concluded the Bees did gather, and make up their honey. And I will make my conclusion of the Plants amongst them, with that which unto me brought admiration; which was a tree, or bush, commonly growing upon the top of the River bank, resembling much our great Barbery bushes, only having a little ragged leaf, whereunto coming, with all the diligence might be devised, not to touch or move it, but only with all gentleness, between your fingers and thumb, touching a leaf, the whole bow should presently close up every lease together, as if they feared and found themselves offended: but if you touched or stirred a little sprig, the whole tree should close his leaves after a most sensible manner. 
The sensible tree.  Whereof taking especial notice, we did allow it to be the sensible tree, of which ancient authors have written; which we did observe to carry a kind of yellow flowers like our hedge roses: with the strangeness whereof concerning plants, I here conclude my story.   

The discourse of the wild beasts.  
AND now I am to speak of the wild beasts the country is stored withal, whereof I am to begin with those that are ravenous and offensive, keeping the people in dread, and as his pleasure requires the Lion is first, whereof there are very many, which we can speak by perfect knowledge; although we cannot say, eye-witnesses, for our gracious God hath so ordained, that those beasts which are most tyrannous 
All revenous beasts in the day time keep their dens.  to others, and boldest against man, as ashamed of their bloody actions, notwithstanding their ableness and strength, do shut themselves up in the bowels of the earth all the day time, as it were confined from the glorious light of the Sun, being one of God's comfortablest creatures; So that in the night, is their times of walking, and our knowledge of them, is by their roar and noise they make, whereby one beast is distinguished from an other, but the Lion is more especially to be taken 
The Lyon.  notice of, besides his own voice, in regard of a servant he hath sometimes two or three that do attend him, which we do call the little jack All: it is a little black shagge-heard beast, about the bigness 
His small servant.  of a small spaniel, which so soon as the Evening comes, hunts and busles about for the prey, and coming on the foot, follows the sent with open cry, to which the Lion being master huntsman gives diligent ear, and applies himself to follow, for his own ease and advantage; if it so happen the jack All, beweary, or set up his chase besot the Lion come in, he howls mainly out, to show the estate he stands in, and then comes the haughty Lion, and seizeth one the weary prey: for as it is written of the Lion in his pride, if he sail 
His manner of hunting.  of his prey at three jumps, he scorns to pursue, or toil himself after it: and being seized, he remains feeding, making a kind of grumbling noise: whilst his small servant stands barking, and yalping by, attending until his Master hath feasted, and then he falls upon the remainder. And this, as we hear, and receive from the country people; so likewise it is affirmed unto us by our own ttavailes: for as we had occasion when the tides fell out to travail up the River in the night; and likewise many times to 
The causes of our knowledge.  ride all night at an Anchor in the River against desert places, we did observe the noise, and hunting of this jack All, and likewise note the reply, and answer of the Lion, insomuch, as it was a commonn word amongst us, who will go on shore, and accompany the Master huntsman.  
There are Ounces and Leopards great store, whereof by reason of the many dens we see upon the land, we may discern the print of the foot, remaining upon the holes mouth, being able to assure us what is within, as also the country people do bring many of their skins unto us to sell, how ever 
Ounces, and Leopards.  they light upon them; for by their own valour, sure they dare not, and by their ingenious capacities, I believe they cannot devose any course to lessen their company. The Ounce doth seem to be more ravenous, or dangerous unto them, than either Lion 
The Ounce dangerous.  or any others, and makes more spoil upon them, as they do complain, I was showed a child there, which the mother gave suck unto, who early in a morning going near to her house to a spring to fetch water, had laid her child wrapped in a Cloth without her door upon a mat, as they use to do, and there came a hungry Ounce, who it seemed had missed his night's prey, and took up the cloth and child, and run his ways, the mother met him, and with woeful outcry pursued him, and as it chanced 
A true tale of a Child.  he took the way to come right upon the place, where the Father of the child with other people were labouring in the field, who with roaring voices run after him, the Ounce still ran away, keeping his hold, but as it chanced, the child dropped forth of the cloth, and the father running after, recovered it, and took it up, the Ounce carried clean away the cloth, and the man brought back the child to the mother; the which we ourselves have both seen and handled: and so bold and fierce is the Ounce, that many times in the night, he hath driven a small dog we had, where we dwelled on shore to our bedsides by a hole he had through our straw walls, barking and running under our beds, not daring to look out, howsoever we encouraged him, until we were fain with firebrands in our hands to go abroad, and so fear him away: and many more are there of night enemies, which watch and look after their careful huswisery, amongst which especially is the great Ciuit Cat, 
Civit Cat. Porcupine.  and the Porcupin, who are careful purueighers for any outlying poultry, whose view early in the morning is their discovery, the Cats by the print of their feet left in the sand, and the Porcupine by his quills, which are shed, and many times taken up in plenty; and so I end with their night enemies, and as I stand conceited, cruel acquaintance, because what after I deliver, is upon such beasts, as walk, and show themselves by day: and howsoever, they stand in fear of them, it is rather out of a timorousness, in the people, than any willingness in the beast.  
The first where of is the Elephant, whose presence indeed, as he is a wild beast, may even to a strong person give a just amazement; and such is the fear, the country people in general, have of them, that by all possible means, they seek to shun and fly from them, yet such is the great abundance the 
The Elephant.  Country doth yield of them, that they are over all places, and wheresoever you come, you shall find the footing and apparent show they have been there, though not presently to be seen: and notwithstanding those great abundance of wild ones, they have not any of them tame, or under command. as in other places of the world they have, which certainly proceeds from the fear they conceive of them: much, and great is the spoils they do them, both among their corn, and especially in their Cotton grounds, going in small companies together, whereof I have seen sixteen very great ones, besides young ones that sucked, and others that were of middle statures; the proportion 
The stature of the great ones.  of the greatest I leave you thus to conjecture of: the reeds or sedge, that grows naturally in every place, is higher above our heads, than the arm of a tall man can well reach; and half the body of those Elephants, is above the reeds, their natural feeding is amongst this sedge, but more especially, they do browse upon trees whereof in the woods, you shall find store by them pulled down, and that of big bodies, and round substance; the manner 
He browses like a dear.  whereof I must relate, to correct the mistaking, which is most common in picturing the Elephant, whose two great teeth are commonly set in his lower law, carrying them upward, as a Boar doth his tusks which is contrary, for he carries them downward, and with them breaks down the trees, for after with his trunk he hath bended the top, he haspes over his two teeth, so as one or other must needs give way, and that is the reason, that among those multitude of teeth, that are brought over, so many broken teeth, and cracked and shaken are amongst them, for it the tree be too strong, the tooth gives way, and so the people find many junks and pieces, which they sell unto us, & the abundance of those teeth, that are yearly brought from thence, may satisfy what store of these beasts are in the country; for as I have spoken with many, who considering the great store are brought away, have 
A false opinion  conceived, they had shed their teeth, as Stags do mew their horns, which directly is nothing so, but by the death of the beast, the teeth are gotten; what casual deaths they are subject unto we are ignorant: and for any practice of the peoples, too much fear possesseth them, so far as we have seen, one place alone excepted, which I will manifest unto you: within four miles where our habitation was, there stood a good spacious plantation, the Commander whereof we called Ferambra, who was always a friend of ours; as we were in our dwelling, upon our Christmas day, at dinner; 
This was that Ferambra I noted before.  where (God be praised) we had varieties of meat: to mend our fare, just in the dinner time, there came four black people unto us, whereof two were laden, and had great gourds upon their heads, as much as they could stand under, the one full of Palmeta wine, the other of raw flesh, which were Presents sent me from this Ferambra, who sent 
Elephant's flesh good to feed upon.  me word, he had killed an Elephant, and had sent me some part thereof; our dainty stomaches looked asquash at such gross flesh, yet I received it kindly, and gave it away to our black neighbours, who eat it very merrily. The next day I went to Ferambras house, & the fashion of the Country is to entertain us, with their best provision of diet, amongst which we had Elephants flesh, whereupon both myself, and consorts that were with me, fed very heartily, and found it good and savoury meat: I desired to know how he killed them; And he showed me one of his black people, and said, There was none but he alone durst do it; and taking down a lauclin, 
The manner how he killed them.  which hung in the house, the staff some ten foot long; the Iron or head whereof was bound up in a cloth, which he opened and showed me, and it was laid with poison all over; he said, his manner was, when he saw the Elephants feeding in the high sedge, he would steal in amongst them, & by creeping, still keeping himself behind them, he would recover so near, as to strike his javelin into the body of the beast, and leaving it there, take to his heels, and through the long reeds scape away: and the warm blood dissolving the poison upon the javelin, it presently spreads itself, to the cruel torture of the beast, the extremity whereof kills him; the people in the mean time, upon trees, and places of advantage, being set round about to watch him, and so soon as he is down, come to him, presently cutting away so much of the flesh as is inflamed with the poison, which they throw away, reserving the rest for their own sustenance: and in this manner he hath killed me so many, as you see I have tails here hanging up; And except 
I brought two of these tails away with me.  in this place, I never heard but the people were wondrous fearful of them: the experience whereof, was in those black people, I had in my boat when I went up the River: It was my manner, as I could with conveniency, to adventure and set upon such as we met withal, but my Blacks would always tremble, and run away; and many several attempts I had upon them, wherein I must say, as I found, that they were as fearful as a forest Stag, and according to their greatness, went as 
The Elephant a fearful beast.  swift from us as they could, which pace was faster, than a good able man could run, whereof I had trial in one great beast, who notwithstanding we had shot three times, the blood running down his sides, escaped away from us, that we lost him, whom afterwards the people found dead, and brought his teeth to sell unto us; and had we been provided accordingly, we might have made diverse preys upon 
The people's admiration, we durst set upon them.  them: but what we did, was held in admiration amongst the people, for many would come down on purpose to look upon us, and dernaund of our Blacks, which was he that durst set upon an Elephant.  
There are also in the Country Buffelos, which are wild Bulls, and cattle of that sort; also wild Boors, very huge and great, their colour being 
Buffelos.  a dark blue, and without doubt he is a very dangerous 
Blue boors.  beast, for he shows more boldness than any other, being armed with great and large tusks, and carrying up his tufted tail, of a great length, boult upright, in a scornful manner, will walk from us.  
There are likewise large Antelops, and Dear of 
Antelops. Dear of all sorts.  all manner of sorts spread over the whole country, with beasts of that kind, whose names we are ignorant of; and many strange hides they do bring unto us, amongst which there is one beast, whose hide is fourteen foot of length, of a done colour, and stroked with white. Another sort I must needs remember, whose great abundance may well put me in mind, besides their society and neighbourhood, which in our travel up the River we were often acquainted withal, which are, the Babownes and Monkeys, whereof the country hath innumerable 
Monkeys.  store, and where they are, they do go in herds, and companies, but are of two societies: the Monkeys always keep by themselves, and great and little as they are; only of that kind consort together, and even in Lands that lie within the River, they are as frequent as on the main, which condemns the report is of them, that they cannot swim, but being in the water will drown presently, and in my own knowledge I can affirm, that having bought a Monkey from the country people, who use to bring them unto us, and sell them for poor things; being got loose in my boat that rid in the middle of the River, he leapt into the water to swim on shore, and being pursued by one of our men, who swam after him, he did dive under water, diverse and sundry times, before he could recover him. 
Babownes a strange story.   
But to speak of the Babowne, I must say, it is a wonderful thing, to observe a kind of commonwealth that is amongst them; they have none but their own kind together, and are in herds, of three or four thousand in a company; as they travel, they go in rank, whereof the leaders are certain of the greater sort, and there is as great, and large of them, as a Lion, the smaller following, and ever now and then as a Commander a great one walks; the females carry their young under their bellies, except she have two, and then one under, the other above. In the rear comes up a great company of the biggest sort, as a guard, against any pursuing enemy, and in this manner do they march along: they are very bold, and as we pass in the river, when we come near their troops, they will get up into the trees, and stand in gaze upon us, and in a kind of choleric humour the great ones will shake the trees, and with his hands clatter the boughs in that fashion, as it doth exceed the strength of a man, to do the like, barking, and making a noise at us, as if they were much offended, and in this manner, many times they will follow us along, and in the night time, where we ride at an anchor take up their stands, or lodgings on the mountain tops, or on the trees that are above us, whereas we hear their government: 
A government amongsts them  for many times in the night you shall hear such a noise of many of their voices together, when instantly one great voice exalts itself, and presently all are hush, and the noise is dashed, so as we were wont to say, Master Constable speaks; likewise when we are a shore and meet with these troops, on a sudden the great ones will come forward, and seem to grin in our faces; but offer up a gun, and away they pack. One of our people one day as we came near the shore in our boat, and a troop of these shavers, being gazing on us, made a shot and killed one of them, which before the boat could get on shore, the others had taken up betwixt them and carried quite away, but we have killed of them, which the country people do much desire, and will eat very heartily; wherein I hope never to take their part: And lastly let me tell 
The people of the Country eat them.  you that we have seen in the desert places they use, trees and plants, wound and made up together in that artificial manner, and wrought together with that thickness over head, to keep away the sun, and shade the ground, which hath been beaten, & smoothed under neath, and all things in the manner and shape of an excellent arbour, which place they have only used, and kept for their dancing and recreation; that no man living that should have come by chance, and seen the same, without knowledge of these unlucky things, but would have confidently supposed, it had, and must have been the handy work of man; which some ways confirms the opinion the Spaniard 
The Spaniards opinion of them.  holds of them, and doth not stick to write it, that they are absolutely a race and kind of people, who in regard they will not be brought to work, and live under subjection, refuse to speak, and so he reports of them.  
And to conclude, amongst their multitude of wild beasts, we have enquired amongst them: especially, when I was at the highest in the country, whether they could tell or report of a Vnycorne, setting forth unto them a beast, with one only horn in his forehead, and certainly they have told me, that higher within the land there is a beast, which hath one only horn in the same manner, but describe the beast, to be both about the colour and bigness of a vallow Dear, and the horn to 
The pleoples' report of a Unicorn.  be about the length of their arm, and no otherwise, which is nothing like to the description of a Unicorn, as he is with us set out, if there be any such beast; whereof indeed I am very doubtful, and so I am come to the last, which is to deliver, what land fowl, and of that nature, there do remain wild as we have seen amongst them.   

The discourse of land fowl.  
AMongst such fowl and birds that remain and live upon the land, in our travels up the River, and our daily walks and travels upon the shore; our indraught being so many hundred miles, we never saw any Ostriches, neither did any of the country people, ever bring any of their feathers to barter, or sell unto us, so as it appears plainly there is none of them in these parts; notwithstanding in the River of Senega, which is to the Northward, and likewise again more Southerly, upon the Sea coast of Africa great store: Therefore the greatest bird or fowl we see, is called a Stalker; who by reason of his long legs and neck, when he stands upright, 
The Stalker.  is in height taller than a man, his body in substance is more than an indifferent lamb which we do feed upon, and find it somewhat a dry meat, but well allowed for nourishment, and by the country people much esteemed of: The especial desire we have to kill them, is in regard of some feathers he hath, which being taken in due time, and so preserved, are here at home esteemed and worn.  
The next in greatness, is called a Wake, in regard of the great noise he makes when he flieth, 
The wake.  which resembleth what he is called by, and of these there is great abundance, who for the most part live upon their Rice grounds, and in those times do them great spoils: they are very good to eat, and is a bird of a great stature, having the upper part of his head carrying a beautiful show, with a pleasing tuft on his Crown, which I have seen worn by great personages here at home.  
There is infinite store of another sort of excellent birds which we call Guinea Hens, in bigness 
Guinea hens.  much about our Pheasants, and in beauty answerable; his feathers being all laid over him like unto eyes, in a pleasing fashion, they are all the country over, and in flocks of many hundreds together; their food is upon their corn grounds, keeping close together, insomuch as we have killed eight of them at one shoot, they are an excellent meat, and many of these are brought into England, and given as presents to those of note, and worthy persons who preserve and keep them for their rareness, as birds of pleasure: And in the very like abundance they have Patridges, whose colour is not beautiful, so much as our Patridges here; but only of a dark feather, and these are likewise all the country over, where it is planted, for the most remaining near their houses, and in the middle of their dwellings, the great 
Patridges.  plenty of both which kinds, of Gynney Hens and Patridges, are some manifest tokens there are no Foxes at all in the country, who are in these our parts great enemies to both the kinds of Pheasant and Partridge: and the cause the keep so near the houses, is to preserve them from as subtle enemies, which are the Babownes, and Monkeys, who are no night walkers, and in the day time the recourse of people makes them keep further off, whereas otherways they would not fail to be sharers. There are also great store of Quails, who are in bigness 
Quails.  as great as a Woodcock, and from whence it is derived I cannot avouch, only it is said, they are of those kind of Quails as fallen among the children of Israel's tents: thus much I can affirm, they are a pleasing and delightful meat, and in many places, where we have made abode, they have accustomed to shall about us: so as provided wherewithal to shoot them, men's diets are mended, even in a short warning: In all their towns and dwellings likewise store of Pigeons, which feed upon the 
Pigeons.  offal of their Corn, in the very doors, yet all are wild, and of tame Pigeons they have no knowledge: I have with my stone-bow or pelletbow in two hours killed twenty pigeons, even among their houses, which manner of shooting they have had in wonderful admiration: And these birds or fowl nominated, are such that are at all times, and in most places ever near at hand, and always ready for sustenance if men be provided, and will take small pain to look them.  
There are likewise in the country Parats, but none good for aught, except the dun Parat with the red tail, of which fort you have some few that come to 
Parrots.  speak well: but of Parakeets there are very many, 
Parakeets.  and beautiful birds, which are often brought home, and some few attain to perfection. Also of smaller birds great variety & sundry strange shapes, amongst 
Variety of small birds.  which many are in colours, delightful to the eye, and many in notes very pleasing to the ear: there is amongst the variety one small bird, which for his strangeness we observe, he hath no legs, but two strings like the bird of Arabia, with which he hangs with his head downward, and hath such resemblance to a dead leaf, as it hangs on the tree, being direct of that 
A small bird withoutlegges.  colour, whereby unless he be seen too light, you can hardly discover him, and he doth seem to take pleasure to deceive men's eyesight, hanging wondrous steady, without motion, whilst he is looked after, and very near the touching: Likewise another 
A bird with four wings, about the bigness of a turtle Dove.  strange bird there is, which flieth with four wings we see him not all the day, but an hour before night, his two foremost wings are largest, the other are a pretty distance backward, and bears his body between four palpably.  
As I speak of these birds, it is very necessary I should set down how nature teacheth these little creatures to provide for the safety of themselves, and the young they bring forth, I have showed before, what troops and multitudes of Babownes and Monkeys the country is stored withal, which are professed enemies to feathered fowl, and therefore in these little poor creatures, who can make no resistance, Nature hath directed them by Art to prevent cruelty: amongst the great variety of strange trees, and woods, which the country affordeth, whereof there is not any, that I can know, or call by an English 
How the birds preserve their young, from the Baboons, and Munkyes.  name, by saying, this tree doth grow in England: there is especially one, who doth exceed in prickles, both upon the body, branches, and arms: even to the outermost small springges, many of these grow distant from the water, and many of them grow upon the bank side, hanging their tops over the water: we observe, that of this only tree, the little Bird makes choice, and not content with his defence of prickles, makes use likewise of his growing over the water, and on that side which bends to the river on the very outside do they wind their nests with an owse, or neck, which is hollow, made of reeds and sedge, the whole nest hanging like a bottle, made fast by the neck, in some places so thick together, that the same side of the tree, seems as it were all covered with thatch; unto which, if notwithstanding the prickles, the Babown or Monkey durst approach, the fear he shall have, that the boughs will not bear him, and the fall he is in danger of, together with the fright of the water underneath him, is able to daunt him, by which natural care he preserves his increase, and speeds better than many times the Parrot doth, for he likewise is provident to make his nest on the outermost smallest twig of a tree; but on the land winding it about the twig, so near, as it will not bear any of his unhappy enemies, who notwithstanding are vigilant for their own ends, and by getting upon upper boughs, will overlook his desired prey, and when he sees they are grown to fill up the nest, will hazard charily as the bough may bear him, and sitting fast with his two hinder feet with his two hands take up the bough, and shake it in that manner, that either some 
The su●●●●ry of the Babowne.  or all forth of the nest shall tumble, and being down he gains them for his labour. Another kind of art, nature hath taught these birds in the high bank which is steepest over the River, whose steepness hinders the access of these devourers, they will make holes so artificially round like augor holes, and of that equal distance the one by the other, so thick 
Another means of preservation.  as the bank will bear, carrying them at least a yard within the ground, by which places they preserve themselves and their young.  
But there are birds of defence such as are hawks, whereof there is one sort, as large as our jerfauchon, and these as the people tell us, will of their own accords, kill the wild dear by seizing upon his head, and hanging fast, doth continue beating with his 
Hawks that will kill a Vallow dear.  wings, until the dear faints, and then he preys upon him. And likewise of other sorts that live upon prey, whose manner of breeding, is in the open trees, and by the continual watching and attending the nest, they are ready to defend and save their young. There are no great Eagles but of a kind of small bastard Eagles infinite store, and likewise several sorts 
Bastard Eagles.  of ravening Kites and Buzzards, whereof the skin of one sort smells wondrous sweet and strong, after the savour of the Crocodile: These sorts are easily to be discerned: for if at any time, we happened to kill a beast in the woods, whereby any blood were discovered, although there were scarce any one of these ravening birds to be seen, almost instantly, you should have such troops of all sorts come in, as were able to devour the whole carcase, if we were not present to affront them: And the only means the people have to find out either Elephant, or any other beast, as they die, or come to an untimely end, amongst 
How the people find the dead beasts.  the thick woods, or high reeds, is by observing and keeping watch to look out where these ravening birds gather together, which is easily discerned. the nature of them being to sore, and fly in the air aloft over the place where their prey remaineth, to which place the people repair, and many times are sharers in the booty: And to shut up this discourse, that it may appear how likely it is, these birds and fowls may well increase, we do not see that the people have any ingenious conceits, either by gins, 
The Inhabitants want knowledge to take them.  or otherwise to kill or take of them: but upon any especial time, when the King is determined to make a feast, they observe a course to take them, with the rehearsal whereof I will make an end. The great command is sent, that all people come abroad, and being in the fields, are set, and placed severally, of an in different distance, the one unto the other, when the Partridge, and gynny hens being sprung or put up, as their natures are to fly but an indifferent flight, so soon as he lights again they ate ready to run in, and put them up, and in this manner still pursuing 
The King's man ne'er of Hawking.  them, that they are wearied out, and the people with their hands take them up, and bring them to the King, even to that number as may content him, with which their Princely pastime I here conclude my story.   

The Conclusion.  
And for a final end do earnestly desire, that what is written may be taken into consideration, thereby to stir up a more willing affection to prosecute and go on in a timely proceeding upon this hopeful trade, which will crave expedition in regard of these reasons following: First there is, as it were, a certain combination made betwixt the people above and us, never to fail them of a yearly trade, which they in their parts, (without all doubt) will caresully expect, and as they have faithfully promised, will accordingly provide for, and if in our parts, it should be neglected, may justly cause them to take a great distrust of our fidelities, which in regard, we are now the first white people they have seen, and have from them received such fair approbation, may settle a distaste for the present very prejudicial, and among such a barbarous people, we know not whether it may be easily removed. Again the course we run, is allowable by our Laws, fitting and agreeing with the peaceful time we live in, opposite to no neighbourly love or amity, neither confronting any foreign Prince, by entering, or intermeddling within any forbidden territories, neither is it done in any warlike, or hostile manner, but by the ancient and free Commerce, that uniteth nations, the course of marchandizing, a commodious exchange answering to either side, wherein an especial animation is, the certain knowledge we have gained in discovering the golden trade of the Moors in Barbary, which was the first incourager and beginning of this business, and for which the Adventures hitherto have been laid, through the uncertainty whereof, those losses and mischances that have happened, fell out, and therefore now should with a more settled resolution be followed to regain, by knowledge, what ignorance miscarried in. And I may join with this, the familiar conversation, fair acceptance, and mutual amity, we find the natives to embrace us withal, not only celaring our own doubts, which before knowledge must of necessity be, but likewise disproving, and altogether confounding the report and speeches of all those, who, to serve their own ends, gave out, the people above to be a bloody and dangerous nation.  
Again to advance the Adventurer, let the already known and certain trade be remembered, which in my own perfect knowledge I will make good, (against all Maligners, and secret opposers) that in our staple and principal commodities, it is not vented, but at ten for one profit; and admit the discovery should not prove; yet there will be found places of trade sufficient, and that within the limit of fair recourse, to vent and put of such a reasonable proportion as shall bring a return of that advantage, as shall be able to bear the charge of a further search, and likewise answer the expectation here at home of any reasonable minded adventurer, provided they do arm themselves by knowledge, of what those things are which are vendible, and likewise how to attain unto those places, and order their occasions, where those returns are to be made; whereunto is added that the expectation is not long, in respect of other voyages, when as the return is such, that within the compass of ten months, the whole voyage is to be performed, both out and home, allowing the ship to be set forth from London, and to to make their her return again.  
Moreover by the last discovery, so many hundred miles up the River, all which way is perfectly known, and from part to part observed, and every reach in order by me set down, and carefully kept, which may not only clear any doubts and difficulties in that already known way, but likewise enable the judgement for passing further, and especially order and give directions, what boats or vessels are most apt and proper to follow the discovery withal, as well for speedier passage, as also for the most advantage, to a more profitable return.  
And further we may take into consideration, how the times and seasons of the year, are unto us discovered, that the turbulent and infectious seasons may be provided for, and men advised the better to bear them, and provide for themselves, whereby (as it shall please God to give a blessing) those inconveniences may be avoided, which formerly have been fallen into, and things more necessary carried along, which through ignorance heretofore have been neglected, together with divers other abuses, that by experience, no doubt, may be amended.  
And lastly, in taking leave of you the noble gentlemen Adventurers in this hopeful Discovery, let me (under correction) say unto you, Be not discouraged, let not the jangling dispositions of any, whom your own wisdoms leads you to see aim only to make up their own ends, dis hearten you. And if it please you examine the condition of what is past, which, if I mistake not, may be this set down. The first adventure was lost, and miscarried through want of Care and judgement of those Seamen and Merchants who had the managing, by overmuch trust of supposed friends, who should at the very best have been no otherwise thought and conceited of, then suspicious enemies, 
The vagrant Portugal.  who have now discovered themselves, which will ever stand for a warning to avoid the like, and trusting them any further: And that is all you have for that money.  
The second may somewayes be laid upon the Seamen, whose understanding should have avoided unseasonable times, and especially Discretion should have led them to have shunned watering in the very height of unseasonableness; but it may be excused for want of experience, insomuch as there had never been any trial made, so high in the River before to any effect, to discover the unholsomnesse, with the operation thereof, whereby so many of them lost their lives, and brought again another loss upon you, wherein the power of God was manifested, by whose only hand they fell, and those few that returned, were sent to testify, what they had felt and fallen into, whereby you have gained a perpetual knowledge, for obscruing seasonable times, for your better proceeding hereafter, the valuation whereof being truly understood, may advance the employment, which only remaineth in that loss, to make you satisfaction.  
And for this third and last, wherein mine eyes have been a witness, how accounts are brought in, and perfected with you, I am ignorant, but I presume, as bad as it was, what with the return that was made, and the remains brought home, of the Cargazon that was sent, you cannot (being justly dealt withal) receive any loss; but for gain, it was never intended towards you, the whole business being carried by those you gave credit, and countenance unto, with an absolute hand, to abate and discourage your desires, for wading further upon these Adventures, as by the manner thereof appeareth, which I have already particularly acquainted you withal, and unnecessary to be remembered here; Only this remains, to make good, what I in careful duty desired to lay open unto you, from whence that first intent, of giving that blow of discouragement unto you, did arise: you have been since subject to diverse other encounters, and all occasions are still earnestly pursued, to embrace that opportunity, that will give leave or way to strike you; And whereas they seek to discourage you, yet by all public and secret means can be devised, they both have and do still address themselves, to proceed and go on in the same adventure, as you both know, and have had just cause to except against. And apparent it is, that notwithstanding you in your generous dispositions have sat down by the loss, yet there is that have gained. But allow (if it please you) all had been lost, if you shall again consider, what charges and expenses have been laid forth, and disbursed in Discoveries of this nature, nay in those of far less expectation; with the recoveries and satisfaction, that afterwards they have made, even to this our native Country, whereof I forbear examples, in regard they are not hidden from your true and ingenious knowledge: Only in regard of some great resemblance, that may be to this intended business, I may commend to your considerations, the voyage into Muscouie, wherein the Merchants have that long passage of so many hundred leagues up a River; and by a customary trade, is brought to be held as an ordinary passage, the Country, being fitted accordingly, by which use, it is now no other ways unto them, than (as we may term it here) our Western passages up the River of Thames; wherein were more probability for the attaining of this we aim at, in regard our River is at all times open, and not subject to cold, nor those extreme frosts, which to the Muscovy trade, are so great hinderers: So that if you would conclude amongst yourselves, of a sufficient stock, and be armed with a bank, the ground of merchandizing, to follow resolutely your undertaken enterprise, For so much as to me belongeth, I dare affirm, you are upon the most promisingst occasion, that ever in our little Island was undertaken, most especial considering by how small a charge it may be perfected wherein as experience hath made me the Writer, to acquaint you with each particular, So likewise I ●●fe● myself up, both with my life and fortunes, ●a●● with my utermost endeavours, in your behalves, (by God's especial blessing) to bring to perfection, what I have here related, which is left with myself, to your worthy considerations.   
FINIS.