PURCHAS HIS PILGRIMES
A.D. 1542.
Sileyiacau.
Suzanganee. Strange oath.
Xiangulee hard usage.
PURCHAS HIS PILGRIMES
Nanquim, to get passage to Cantan, or Comhay, where our Countrey-men have trade by licence of the Aitao of Paquim, under the shadow of The Sonne of the Sunne, the Lion crowned in the Throne of the World ; for whose sake we desired them to let us stay there till we had recovered strength to travell, and to give us some clothing to cover us. They carried us about the Village, and begged some old clothes and victuals, and two Taeis in money for our reliefe, and gave us two Taeis of the House ; and with words of much comfort to trust in God, they gave us a Letter of commendation to the Hospitall of Sileyiacau, which was in a great Towne three leagues thence, and had better maintenance. Thither we went, and shewed our Letter from the Overseers of Buatendoo, in the said Village of Catihorau to the Officers of this house, which sate then at Table in consultation, and the Scribe reading the Letter, they accommodated us in a neat roome with fourteene Beds, a Table, and many Stooles, and Meate ; and next morning examined us, wee answer- ing as before. They gave charge to a Physician to cure us, and wrote our names in a Booke, to which we sub- scribed. In eighteene dayes wee all recovered, and went thence to a place called Susoanganee, five leagues off, and sate downe wearie at a Well, where one came to us with a handful of Wheat eares, which he wetted in the water, and adjured us holding the same in our hands, by these sub- stances of bread and water, which the high Creator had made for the sustenance of man to tell the truth what we were, &c. which we did, answering as before ; and he gave leave to his neighbours to relieve us. They layde us in a Church Porch, and gave us victuals, and the next day we begged from doore to doore foure Taeis, which well helped our wants.
Thence we went two leagues to Xiangulee, with intent to goe to Nanquim, one hundred and fortie leagues dis- tant. Comming thither late, three boyes which were feeding Cattell, ranne into the Towne with an out-crie of Theeves ; the people running out, and so welcomming us,
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