‘The travels of Sig. Pietro della Valle, a noble Roman, into East-India and Arabia Deserta. In which, the several countries, together with the customs, manners, traffique, and rites both religious and civil, of those Oriental princes and nations, are faithfully described: In familiar letters to his friend Signior Mario Schipano. Whereunto is added a relation of Sir Thomas Roe’s voyage into the East-Indies’ [‎148] (169/508)

48
I'he Travels of Peter Delia Valle,
ill
little below thefaid Town, it is divided into many branches, and
forms divers little fruitful Iflands. About an hour and half before
night, I arriv'd at the Lower Barfeler of the Fortngdls, which alfo
(lands on the Southern bank of the River ? diftant two good Can-
non -(hot from the mouth of theSea 5 having travell'd this day in
, all, one Can and a half*. The Fort of the Tortngals is veryYmall,
/sr, t* y ^ built almoft in form of a Star, having no bad wall?, but wanting
^ y / ditches, in a Plain, and much expos'd to all fort of aflaults^
/ Zc V-/- Swch VortugdU as are married, have Houfes without the Fort in
the Town, which is prety large, and hath good buildings. I went
direftly to the Houfeof Sig: Antonio Borges, a former acquaint
ance, who came from Geo, to Onor 0 together tvith us , and to
whom the Ambaflador at lkhr\ had recommended me. I found
fitting before his Houfe in the ftreets the Captain of Barfelor^
czWd S\g: Lnis Mendes yas Conti, We difcours'd together for
a good while, and he feem'd a gallant man, though but young.
Here was an Armado, and a Cafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. of Ships, which came from
Coa, and went to Mangabr and Cocin, or further 5 they were to
depart the next day, and therefore I prepar'd my felf to go with
them to Mangahr. This night I fupp'd at the Houfe of Sig: An*
tonio Btrges, with fome other Pcrtngals who came in the Fleet,
and went to lodg by his direction in another good Houfe, toge
ther with fome Souldiers of the fame.
November thefeven and twentieth. That I might not go alone,
without any body to ferve me in the Ship, I took into my fervicc
a Chriftian of recommended to me by Sig: Antonio,
and nam'd Manoel de Matos, with whom alone I went aboard
about noon, having firfl: din'd with many of the Fleet
in the Houfe of Sig: Cawe/, the chief Tortugal'm Barfelor,
who entertain'd us at his Gatein the ftreet very well. Among
others that din'd with us, there was one Sig: Neittor Fernandez,
by me elfewhere mentiond, who came from Coa to Onor with
us; the Captain Major of the whole Armado, Sig: Francefeo de
Lobo Faria, who commanded a Galley and fix other Ships, be-
es the Cafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. of Merchants. I imbarqu'd in the Ship of "Sig:
Neittor Fernandez, who in the ftreet exprefs'd much courtefieto
me. Being gone a good way upon the Sea, and it being now
night, the Captain Major of the Galleys lent our Ship back to
etc certain of his Men, and the other Ships which were not
yet got out of the Port of Barfelor 5 whereinto we defigning to
enttr in the ttark, and not hitting the narrow channel which
was to be kept, ftruck upon land, and, the wind growing prety
, w ere i" great danger of being over-fet and loft 5 and the
more, tor that when we perceivd it, and went to ftrike fail, we
could not for a good while, becaufe the ropes, either through
momnels, or fome other fault, would not flip - fo that the Ship
being driven forceably againft the ground, not onely became
very leaky, but gave two or three fuch violent knocks, that had
not teen neWjWithout doubt (he had been fplit. TheSea-meo
were