CAlling to minde my former Travels , and the fit Occasion offered me thereby , a little to communicate my selfe vnto the world , by a briefe relation of such short passages and observations therein taken , as may minister matter of some Recreation to the vniuersall Reader , from his more serious studies and affaires of importance , be they whatsoever ; variety or change ( though in the meanest of thinges not vnlawfull ) with some Novelties especially , being that ( saith experience ) which in all , or in most men begets delight , aliuiates the mindes of the wisest , and prepares them ( vpon a returne ) with aduantage , to a better sufficiency in theyr weightiest negotiations ; not vnlike a Bow that stands alwayes bent , becomes weake in it selfe , and vnserviceable to others : so fares it alike with the most ingenious minds to bee still engaged , without some intermissions , some steppings aside , though but after a slye , or a feather in the ayre , to breath , to reviue our oversad , our too intensiue spirits ; As once the riding of a hobby-horse with his little princely sonne , not ill beseem'd a King ; any sport for a spurt , ( if honest or harmelesse , though childish ) contradi●…ts not the Reputation of a Man ; It being a point of wisdome sometimes ( among the vnwise ) to seeme to play the foole , as to doe it vnderstandingly , requires ( they say ) the best wits ; of purpose to forget , improues the very Art of memorie ; the way ( in some cases ) to aduance forward , is by a learned skill to retire backe ; and by a discreet retreat , no small advantage is gotten ; the day , the Field is ofttimes wonne ; so the reading of a Pamphlet , a shallow , a dispised worke of puft conceits , proues not onely not hurtfull , but beneficiall to the Wise ( who suckes advantage from every thing ) a helpe in his progresse to his most serious intendments , bee it but for change , for recreation , for variety sake onely , as I have sayd .

And what is there so meane ( if of any moment , in the iudgements of the best ) but in one respect or other , a man of a gracious wit will make some gracious or morall vse thereof to his owne behoofe and others , extracting Iuyce out of a dry Iuncke ; sweet out of sowre ; honey out of gall ; preservatiue out of poyson ; and Documents of Wisedome from Examples of Folly ; but this is a prerogatiue of Vertue , and peculiar to the wise onely ; a Taske too hard for all , and positions abhorred by men of honestie , such as are not to be expected in the little garden plot of my ensuing discourse , which shall beare no noysome weedes , but ( at least ) harmlesse , ( if not wholesome ) hearbes and flowers , though ( in comparison ) of all other the meanes●… ▪ for any that will , to make a Nose-gay to smell to on a Holiday ; a vacant houre , a Festivall , a time of leasure .

I have therefore made choise ( before the rest ) to write of my Travels onely to the East Indies , as well for brevity as for raritie ( for to speake of all I haue seene abroad would ( I know ) seeme no lesse tedious then common and ridiculous , things farre fot , and deare bought haue bin counted best and in most request ) wherein I shall not bee over-curious , or too remisse to satisfie the indifferent Reader , nor yet to leaue the most iudicious ( I hope ) voyd of all content ; none that will not , would I willingly should ( as not to surfet ; so neither ) to goe fasting away , if short syppets in a forreyne Feast , o●…an Indian Collation homely drest , and by an vnskilfull hand hastily set forth , may ( for a moment or so ) eyther entertaine their curious sight , or relish their iudicious taste .

Thus by a choyce pittance , a modicum , a Spanish Bocado , a bit and away , carefully purveying to recreate the best , and to prevent disorder in the rest ; however , be it gustfull or not , this benefit ( to the wise ) will surely follow , as to provoke the sooner to relinquish or leaue off , quicken an appetite vnto better things , and leaue the minde content to haue made a gainefull exchange by a refresht returne .

VPon a time discoursing with my selfe about the fickle Condition of worldly Estates , presented daily , and almost every where to my observation ; some to rise and others to fall , the same men againe to fall , and in like sort to rise ( mans Industry the subordinate , and Gods over-ruling Providence the prime Cause , and superintendent Agent in all ; wee vainely purposing , hee alone wisely ' disposing even of all things , making them worke together ( contrary to theyr owne natures , and the intentions both of Men and Devils ) for the best to them that loue him ( O thrice happy and blest Estate of a resolute Soule loving and beloved of GOD ) none so firmely standing but subiect to a declension , accidental or finall ; by a decay of wealth , or at longest an expiration of our breath .

And having before bin well Disciplin'd and confirm'd in these and other like Points of Faith. That who so lives vnto the Lord shall dye in the Lord ; and all such ( whether ( so ) living or dying ) are sure to bee the Lords , securely sleeping and waking vnder his Omnipotent , his mercifull , and ever-watchfull protection ; As also , that the way to Heaven lay paralell by Sea as by Land , as neere from the East as from the West , from the North as from the South ; from whence I had read should be gathered all the Elect of God in CHRIST , which ( in effect ) I remember was my answer to Sir Thomas Smith then Governour , obiecting vnto mee the danger of the enterprise , with his cheerefull approbation following .

Hereupon it came into my thoughts , and thence ( by degrees ) grew into a resolution to attempt a Voyage into those Orientall or Easterne parts of the world , aswell ( to speake after the manner of men ) in hope to raise my Fortunes , as to better my Experience , which doubtlesse I had obtayned to the full of my desires , had not God seene contrary things more expedient for mee ; for a fayre way ( as ever vnto any of a meane ranke that went that way ) was layd open to me , which some of good note observing , pronounced mee openly ( by their Prognostication ) to be certainly some great rich man before I dyed ; which ( for theyr rash Oathes sake , and the better expression of my bountifull mind , the onely portion ( to any purpose ) I ever yet possest , a large heart and an open hand to my Friend , or Foe in misery ) I could wish may yet come to passe , and why not ? ( without offence ) as well as others ? so it may stand with Gods glory , and not to the wrong of any ; else welcome still ( bee it whatsoever ) the good pleasure of the Almightie .

For Friends of neither kiffe nor kinne were raised vp vnto mee , ready to engage themselves by speaking and doing for me whatsoever might , and did procure me Credit with the Governour and Committees , even vnto bonds ; whose loue and merit I shall bee ever prest ( to my power ) vpon all occasions , ( change they or change they not ) to requite and honour ; by whose meanes my Parentage was honoured ; my parts commended ; and ( vpon tryall ) both in private conference , and in full Courts openly approued ; my sallary was assigned me ; my place appoynted ; and in them both made equall ( at least ) with many of my betters .

In fine , there was nothing wanting on the honourable Companies part or my Friends behalfe , that might aboad vnto me all wisht prosperity , but that ( in some others ) which ( for loue●… sake ) I am willing in silence to passe over , as also to shunne all impertinent , and supersluous matter , though the onely stumbling-blocke in the way of my so faire proceedings to my future Preferments then ; and ( in effect , as originally ) ever since ; for loue , ( I am taught ) covers a multitude of Infirmities , but vncovers none .

Briefly then , to shut vp my Introduction , and to the matter it selfe ; All things being in readines●…e , and prepared for our intended Voyage , the Companies Orders with our Commission sealed vp and sent aboord ; yards a crosse , and a fayre winde , that now t is time to prosecute my purpose , and to lanch forth into the deepes .

OVr Fleet ( therefore ) consisted of Foure good Ships , viz. The Newyeares guift , and the Hector ; the Marchants Hope , and the Salomon ; which together set sayle from the ●…ownes , about the Ninth of March , 1613. of burthen from three hundred to 8. hundred Tonnes , compleatly furnisht ( besides priuate Prouisions ) with varieties for health and preseruation of life ; warlike appoynted though peaceably intended , in a faire and generous way of Trading , howeuer report may wrong our Reputation .

Our Generall , or cheife Commander , an vnderstanding Gentleman , Captaine Nicolas Downton , whose religious Orders , ( besides the honorable Companies ) both for diuine duties ▪ and ciuill societie , publisht and hung vp in euery shippe , with his owne good Example ( no doubt ) preuented many grosse offences , which vsually happen in promiscuous multitudes .

Our Marchants or Factors were many , well nigh thirty , and most of them men of Experience as euer the Company imployed any ; Linguists , and Residents in forraigne Countryes ; as Turki●… , Barbarie , Spaine , and Italy , with other places of best cōmerce , whereof foure were Principals , and had each his seuerall charge and respect next vn●…o the Generall , saue in Marine affaires , wherein the Masters onely commanded ; theyr names , Master William Edwards , Master Nicolas Ensworth , Master Thomas Elkington , and Master Edward Dodsworth ; he alone more bred a Gentleman then a Marchant , and our Gover●…ours Kinsman .

Our ordinarie meanes to stirre vp mens affections to goodnesse , as Prayer and diuine Seruice twice a day , on the Sabbaths especially , and choyce of good Bookes ( in common ) of the Companies prouiding to that end ( to the comfort of all ) were not wanting ; besides a Preacher in his monthly visites , for Instruction , and Ministration of the Sacrament .

Our places of refreshing were three , the first Cape boon Speranc●… , which affoorded vs plenty of Booes and Baas , or Beeues and Sheepe for small pieces of Copper , whereof the Saluages make themselues Rings and Bracelets ; they goe all naked , saue onely before , a little flappe ; and feed ( as they looke and smell ) most nastily ; subtill they are , theevish , and very treacherous ; their Houses are like Bee-hives , and many together make a Towne , wherewith ( vpon occasion of changing theyr heards to fresh pastures , or the sight of two or three Muskets , wherat they tremble ) away they skuddle ( euery one his Castle on his back ) posting to a new Plantation .

From hence , hauing repayred our Flee●…e , refresht our selues , and strecht our limbes ( he that listed ) to the verie tops of the highest Mountaines and craggie Rocks , which ( for our paines ) discouered vnto vs a goodly Country , extending farre in length and breadth , in lower Hils and greene Vallies running on together , pleasant to behold ; yet alwayes in company more or fewer , and with our Armes , ( least the Baboones out of some Thicket or bush should sodenly surprise vs ) at the end of three weekes or thereabouts wee set sayle agayne , and not long after came to an Anker at Saint Lawrence Iland , in the Bay of Saint Augustine .

Here wee landed and traded three dayes with the people , and had large and fat Oxen for fiue shillings an Oxe , most curious Darts and of diuers fashions as Art could make , and bright as siluer , for halfe a Ryall or Three-pence , but without siluer wee could haue nothing , which they knew from counterfeit as well as any ; wee saw no Towne nor house they had , though ( doubtlesse ) better then the Soldanians prouided , by good coniectures , for theyr carriage had a glosse of humanity , a tincture of vnderstanding ; theyr persons full of proportion and comely feiture ; tall , straight , strong , and sturdy ; fierce of Countenan●… ; admirable ma●…kesmen at the Dart , and actiue ; verie faire and blacke as Iett ( for the blackest they count the fairest ) and all naked as the former , ( perhaps but seruants to theyr Lords and Masters ; ) many were desirous to haue made some discouery into the Country , but we durst not contradict our Orders , nor hazard the danger of a thicke Wood , whereof wee knew no end ; which of necessitie must haue bin past .

Our last touch was at Socato●… , where wee found a King ; not a Natiue , but of the royall blood of the antient Kings of Barbarie ; who got this small Iland by Conquest , and held the Natiues in great seruitude , whome our Generall presented , and would haue entertained aboord the Shippes , but he refused it ; yet for three or foure dayes space , came downe daily to the water side from his Castle , with his guard of soldiers borne in a Palanquine , and after the Moorish fashion ( crosse-legged ) sitting in state vnder a rich Cannopie vppon Turky Carpets spread on the ground , and as richly clad in cloth of Gold , conuerst in the Arabeck and Portugall tongues , with the Generall , Marchants , and Masters both of Marchandizing and Nauigating affaires ( himselfe being a Marchant , as likewise all the Kings of those Easterne parts , who trade by theyr Agents and Factors ) of whom wee bought a good quantity of Aloes Socatrina , euen his whole store ; and in the Art of Nauigation , Astronomie , with other branches of the Mathematickes ( by report of those that vnderstood ) verie iudicious ; hauing celestiall and terrestriall Globes , his Instruments and Astralabe about him to shew vs , which he had gotten ( bought or presented ) of former Fleets , and euery yeare increasing his stocke by English , Dutch , Portugals , and Spanish that came that way ; A man of a liuely countenance and well fauored ; about fourtie yeeres of age ; as full of Courtesie and affability as might stand with his Maiestie , and as full of Maiestie ( respecting his Commodity ) as might be , for he was a Kingly Marchant , and a Marchant-like King ; at parting he gaue amongst v●… ( to some in particuler ) abundance of Dates in heapes & lumpes , which made our Guisados , our brothes and Dumplins so much the sweeter , whom agayne we gratified from the ships with our Seamusicke , great Gunnes and Trumpets .

And thus weying and setting sayle agayne ( with starbord and larboord ; port and helme al●…e ) we steered on our Course , till with the helpe of God , and our constant Monsoone , or westerly trade winde , we verie happily ( but hardly ) recouered the Rendeuous to S●…rat , and came to an Anker in the Roade of Swall●…e , about the tenth , of Nouember , and of our great Company ( thankes bee to God ) lost onely one man , who came sicke of an Ague out of England , but here quickly they began to dye faster of Fluxes and Feauers .

Vpon aduise of our arriuall , by a dispatch to Surat , some eight miles vp into the Countrey , Mr. Thomas Aldworth the Companies chiefe Agent there , an vnderstanding Gentleman and once Sheriffe of the Citie of Bristoll , came downe to vs a ioyfull man , and for many enterchangeable causes was as ioyfully receiued , and with him Coach and horse for conuoy of the Marchants to the City , for now the Terme ( or vintage rather ) after our long Vacation , approaching , wee must leaue the ships a a while , and apply our selues to Land-seruice .

In our short Iourney vpon the way , euery thing almost seemed new vnto me , the people with theyr customes especially , not the Moores ( for I had seene of them before in Spaine and Barbarie ) but the antient natiues of the Country , called Banians , who ( notwithstanding theyr different Religions ) liue ciuillie , neighbour-like one among another , in Cities , Townes , and Villages ( but not in Houses ) together , whom ( in Concourse ) wee first saw at Swallie , the first myle from the water side , where the Mocodam or Constable receiued vs , profered vs his owne , with the Townes seruice , and performed it in such necessaries and complements of prouision as wee required , or would accept off ; Bread , Wine , Plantines , Taddie , and such like Regalos y ● scanty place affoorded ; wherewith more delighted thē refresht ( as with nouelty and variety ) we set onward through an euen and a solitary way till we came in sight of Surat , and of a Nauigable riuer which ran close under the Towne walls , vpon which within , stood a Castle ( a good ornament to the place ) and fortified with men and munition .

This Riuer wee past , and landed right before the Alfondica , or Custome house , and so along through many streets ( humming like Bees in swarmes ) with multitudes of people in white Coates , men and women ; ( close bodied , and full of gathering to the mid-leg ) with breeches and stockings in one , ruffling like bootes and all of one single Callico ; this being their Generall and most neate , or Angelicall habite , which sparkles ( of their kinde of starching ) like siluer spangles ; vntill ( almost smothered with clouds of heat and dust ) wee c●…me to the English house a day or two after Master Aldworthes returne from the Shippe●… with the prime Marchants , where wee found our selues as at home , in all respects well accommodated saue lodging , which with breuity was very commodiously supplyed , by taking another house with an Orchard and pleasant walkes vpon the roofe ( after the Spanish and the Moorish building ) to our rich content , hauing Chambers , Dyet , Seruants , Coach and Horse with attendance of Indians called Peones , for the way , and all at our honourable Masters charge except our Apparell , wherein alone , and by our sallaries we differd from common Prentises , onely ( yet ingeniously ) acknowledging a precedencie in our little Common weale , for a kinde of representation to prevent confusion .

But now , before I proceed ( being called upon by order ) I am willing ( for more variety ) to entertaine a while my Courteous Reader with a short discourse of my selfe and another , being not a whit impertinent , but r●…ther a good Compliment , if not a comely ornament to the History it selfe , how that in few dayes I here suddenly fell sicke of a burning Fever , and ( thankes be to God ) as sodainly recovered ; for fearing the extremi●…y of that raving and uncomfortable Sick●…esse , ( against his will ) I prevayl●…d wi●…h our Ch●…rurgion , to let me bleed till I fainted againe , as fore-seeing it to be my remedy ; appl●…ed all comfortable things to my h●…ad ; tooke my bed ; and ( full of perplexity to dve sencelesse ) I comme●…ded my selfe to God ; after some idle talke to my friends about me , I fell into a slumber , but quickely wakened by a desire to ease my stomacke , and had ( at least ) a dozen vomits , naturally , which gave mee a most comfortable night ; turned my great sorrowes into the greater reioycings , at the lively apprehension of Gods infinite mercies ; made me forthwith an instrument of comfort to another that shortly after of a bloudy Fluxe sickened and dyed ; by such words and warrants from the word of t●…uth and my own experience of inward Coelestiall Ioyes beyond expression , to honest hearts and heavenly mindes , that wonne me his earnest attention ( to his and my owne advantage , for I applyed him the closer ) which took so deepe an impression in him , that it left him not to his last breath .

To mention all circumstances and passages of his sixe dayes sicknesse , would seeme a needlesse curiositie , which ( in comparison of some then languishing and repining under the same Crosse ) he suffered with singular patience , and spent it most in abstinence , silence , and meditation ; the night before his death , in private conference , watching with him , he told me ( after his accustomed mildnesse ) he had thought of my former talke , and should finde my Words true ; the next morning ( vpon my perswasion ) he r●…ceived the Sacrament , after he had made his Will in the presence of another Marchant and my selfe ; one Master Edward Hamden ; wherein ( in effect , having his memory perfect to the last ) he would ( more then once or twice ) have given me his whole E●…tate , being of some value I remember , but excusing my selfe ( with thankes for his love ) I refused it , as not expedient for my selfe ( me thought ) in regard of the worke in hand , though lawfull ( I knew ) for another , least Religion should suffer , and my labor of love bee thought merc●…narie , whereof ( God knowes ) I was exceeding iealous , to prevent occasion , or the least preiudice in any , the sicke man especially .

After all this , having tasted some comfortable broth I caused to bee made for him by our English Cook , he presently fell into aswound , thinking all he had beene dead , but after a while reviving , raysed himselfe up , and looked earnestly round about the Chamber , being full of good Company , Marchants and others , whereof our Preacher was one , at least a dozen , with some Strangers , as our Indian Doctor , &c. and fixing his eyes vpon me , beckened me to him with his hand ; I went and sate close by him on his Bed ; hee presently caught me in his Armes and hugg'd me ( not like a dying man ) with such strength and vnutterable expressions of Ioy ( between ●…peech and speechlesse ) that moved passion in all , but my selfe especially to drowne him in teares ; as , Ah my Friend , my Friend ; my true , my happy , my faithfull friend : and ah the ioyes ! the ioyes , the ioyes ; Aah , Aah , Aah , and the like : flung away his things about him , wherein ( he sayd ) he had taken too much delight , in token how slightly hee now valued them or the whole world ; reached forth his hand to all the company , lifting his eyes on high with an overjoyed countenance , where his minde in silence had beene long before .

And thus ( in a blessed peace ) about 9. of the Clocke on a Wednesday morning , being the 23. of November , 1614. he tooke his last farewell of this wretched life , and changed it ( no doubt ) for a better : his name Master Timothy Wood , a yong man , and once a Mercer ( I thinke ) in Cheap-side , but then a Factor for the Honourable East India Company : What I haue written I feare not to be censured , because God knowes this my Relation ( in substance ) to bee true , and not for mine , but for his owne glory , ( the only blessed Author of all goodnesse ) have I now at length penned it , and for the good of any that can make vse thereof .

My sad Storie ( of a Ioy Tryumphant ) being ended , and the Funerals performed , I am called vpon to a further relation of our Iourney up within the Country , to make provision of goods for best and speediest returnes home unto our honorable Masters , to which end , it was ordayned in Consultation , that by a distributiō of our Company into foure Squadrons , the prime Cities or Marts for Commoditie , Trade , and Commerce of that rich Kingdome should be invested by us , as Baroch and Brodera ; Amadavaz and Cambaya , each in distance at least a dayes iourney one from another ; our Commodities were divers , as sundry sorts of Stones ; Aggate Cupps of curious Art●… ; ▪ Quilts , Conserves , Drugges , Cotton Wools , and ( for bulke or grosse lading ) Indicoes and Callicoes .

Our first Iourney or place of rest from Surat , was Baroch , being three dayes on the way , much toyled with heate and dust , in regard of our slow proceedings with our heauy carriages , and the toylesome passage of two Riuers with ladings and reladings of our goods ; ( interruptions and stayes being worse then a continuall progresse ) but here wee were well refresht at the English house , for Master John Oxwicke a Spanish Marchant being appointed chiefe for that place , and of a weekes antiquity before , had made good prouision for our comming , as well for our persons as the dispatch and clearing our charge of the Custome-house .

From hence within a day or two we●… set forth , and by slow Iournies ( as before ) came to Brodera , a dry●…r place ( by a great Riuer ) but the greater Citie , and all a plaine and pleasant Country ( Baro●…h esp●…cially ) for Orchards , Tankes or Ponds , verie spacious , and artificially made , ( in forme , for worke and workemanshippe not vnlike our Bathes ) for generall vse and vses ; Tombes , and Piramides many in open Fields ( and priuate Gardens ) about which are to be seene certaine Penitentiaries , or votari●…s ( they say ) but Lunatickes and men ( I thinke ) really possest with Deuils , as in the Gospell is mentioned ; theyr bodies naked , cut , and lanced with kniues or stones , staring and stalking , to and fro , no lesse wofull then dreadfull to behold ; as was also the sight of a Pagot , or a Cell of deuotion descending into a Vault vnder ground , where ( being desirous of discoueries ) wee saw an vgly Idoll against a wall , representing ( it seemes ) theyr God , or theyr feare , but a plaine Deuill as wee call it , in like forme paynted or graven , whom a certaine Sect of Banians doe worship , whereof there are many Sects , but of this no more , Purchase Pilgrimage from relation of exact Travellers hath them lively set forth .

In this City , as all others throughout both Asia's and Afrique wee were lodged in the Ceragl●… , a spatious place made of purpose for all Travellers , Natives as else ( for they have not the vse of Innes as in Christendome ) with commodious Ware-houses round about , of one Story , foure Square , in the manner of Galleries ; and under them dry walkes and places to feed their Coach-oxen , Camels , Elephants , and Horses , but in the middle all open , like our Exchange ; It being supposed that euery Marchant , Gentleman , or Nobleman hath his Tent or Coach to sleepe in , if neyther , they make the best shi●…t they can , and for their provision they bring it with them , or buy it in the Towne .

Here it was determined by a Consultation , for causes or supposals moving them ( being before appointed for Cambaya ) that my selfe should goe backe to Bar●…ch to assist Master Oxwicke there , in that mayne investment of C●…licoes , having a Commission given mee beyond my expectation or desire , that ( in case of the least cause by unequall carriage in our Masters businesse , or in particular toward my selfe , being perswaded , ( as they told mee ) that if he would take the matter well , or live peaceably with any , I was the man ) a word from my hand should displace him ; such an opinion they all seemed to have of my Integritie , and he no lesse on the other side , assured of me ; for ( concealing whatsoever might move passion , or incite him to Iealousie , I applyed my selfe to him by Complements of love and friendly 〈◊〉 , till he became so well possest of me both for Iudgment and Honesty , upon some experiences of them both , that ( in effect ) he made me his Secretary , and would not write a Letter of Consequence in his owne affaires ( as occasions there were betweene him and some others of principall note ) without my advice and allowance for a passe ; wherein ( I thanke God ) I never fayl'd but pleasured him , by his owne often ingenious acknowledgements , with good reasons for his satisfaction .

But yet all this while I am still in Brodera , in the house of a rich Banian well lodged and entertayned for three dayes , till he had procured me from the Gouernour Mosaph Cha●… , or Lord Mosaph , a Guard of Souldiers vnder a Captaine of tenne , both horse and foote , with shot and lance for my safe Convoy to Baroch , our English Friends being all gone forward , and my selfe alone with a kinsman of his owne for my linguist and Coachmate , and not without cause , for my Coach on the way was sodenly stayed by a Company of sl●…ues that thwarted vs , but speedily rescued by my guard , with knockes on both sides , yet no hurt on ours , and all with such celerity that I had scarce time to draw my sword and shew my selfe a party before they were quite vanisht ; then on againe we went merrily , ( my Banian especially ) laughing and talking , giving and eating of our Iunkets till we came neare to the Citie ; there I dismist my valliant Soldiers , gratified their desert with a small reward , yet to their rich content , and at parting had a generall Salam of them , or Congee to the ground , with a short Vollie , and adieu .

And now being come to Baroch , to the English house , my friend bids me lovingly welcome , to whom I gave my Letters from our Cape Marchants , and ( after colation ) shewed him my generall commission , who presently declared himselfe , that seeing the matter must be so , he was right glad of my company , as of one whom of all others , he would have made choyce of for his friend and associate ; and thus , well possest of each other , on we went together in our Masters businesse , buying Callicoes as fast as we could procure our Brokers to bring vs in good Bargaines , or direct us to them , spending our interims of Vacation for about two Moneths space as best liked vs ; sometimes in visites to the Governour ; sometimes taking our Coach to breath the Country ayr●… ; sometimes walking vpon the Citie walles , which from that stately scituation gave us a goodly prospect pregnant for delight and Meditation ; and lastly , our owne House , having high and pleasant Tarasses or Walkes on the Roofe , for domesticke Recreation ; that in this pleasant place ( in number foure English ) we lived like Lords , to the honour and profit of our Honourable Masters , and to our owne hearts content , save a little Iarre that fell out at last , about a parcell of Calicoes , but lovingly and honestly reconciled againe .

By this time , our generall investments drawing to a period , and most of our goods from all parts sent aboord , Marchantlike made up and marked as in the Margent ; and understanding our dispersed Companies and friends to be againe vnited , and on the way towards us ( save such as were appointed for the great Mogores Court ; namely , Master Edwards , our Preacher , and some others ) we could no lesse ( having now leysure enough ) but set forth to meet them ; it beeing a pleasant observation ( at a distance ) to note the order of their Coaches and Carriages , drawne by two faire fat Oxen a peece , with Bells about theyr neckes , Iinge , Iinge , and softly iogging on ; extending all in length like a Teeme , ( for the way admits no familiarity ) inveloped with a Cloud of dust ( for a Quita Sol ) to shield them from the Sunne ; and guarded on eyther side , with swords , halfe Pikes and Targets ; small shot , Bowes and Arrowes , &c. As if ( presented to a Novelist ) it had bin the spoyles of a Tryumph leading Captive , or a preparation to some sad Execution .

Being all met together , we generally salute one another , and each his friend in particular , with mutuall congratulations , for our good successe and safe returnes thus farre ; having lost but one ( as I remember ) a yong Gentleman , Master Henry Smith , Nephew to Sir Thomas Smith our Governour , who dyed of a bloudy Fluxe at Amadavas , being a prime youth and much lamented ; and here unawares ( as many light on ill Bargaines ) I over-hastily changed my horse for a Coach , and tooke his place that left it , to conferre with my friend and familiar acquaintance , Master Ralph Preston , a Religious Gentleman ; and quite forgetfull of his mishap out ward bound , I fell into the very same , by letting one Legge hang out of the Coach , and ( in talke ) moving it to and fro , the Wheele caught it , which my friend perceiuing , he presently cryed out to stay the Coach , Racke Racke , as Master Henry Smith had done before for him , which saved both our Legs from breaking , but did rend my heele , which for a Weeke so tormented mee , that I could scarce take rest , yet ( thankes to God for a good flesh ) soone well againe , but could not travayle in a Fortnight after , nor scarce then , save in a Palanquine to Surat .