‘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’ [‎199] (220/508)

Into the EAST-INDIES.
fie, and taking leave of him at Sun-fet return cl to the place
where we had left our Ships 5 and though we had a Guide to con-
dud us by the beftand neareftway^et we got not thither to im-
barque till after two hours within night.
January the eleventh, at our departing from the Port of Mor~
ntogon this day, in which we were to arrive at Goa^ the Gene
ral, who was wont to go in the Rear-guard, being now mind
ed to go in the middle of the Armada, commanded our Ship
(hitherto Captain of the Vant-guard) to remain behind all the
reft for guarding the Rear-guard : where great diligence was to
tobeus'd, both that no ftragling Ship might be in danger of be
ing furpriz'd by Rovers, or any of the Merchants VefTels flip
afideto av®id paying Cuftom at Goa^ and go to unlade in other
places of Counterband. Wherefore having fail'd the little re
mainder of the way, and caus'd all the other Ships to enter,
which were in number more then two hundred and fifty 5 we at
length enter'd the Bar or Mouth of the Rio of Goa^ where we
anchor'd under a Port hard by, without going further to the
City 5 it being the cuftom for no Fleets to arrive in the City
without the advice and Licence of the Viceroy. Here we found
the Ship, which alone was to go this year to Portugal ulrezAy la
den and ready to fail 5 as alfo fome Galeons in readinefs likewife^
whether to be fent to Ormuz or elfewhere I know not. Sig, Jyres
de Siqueida Captain of our Ship, having got leave of the Gene
ral, went to Goa with a Manciva or Boat which came to him
for that purpofe 5 and I with Sig. Francefco Pefiiotto Captain of
another Ship,Sig. ManoelLeyera and fome few Soldiers accompa-
ni'd him. We arriv'd at Goa when it was dark night, becaufe'tis
three leagues from the mouth of the Bar to the City, almoft di-
rediy from South to North 5 fo that there is a confiderable diffe
rence between the altitude of the Pole at Goa, and the mouth
of the Bar. Having landed, every one went to his own home 5
and I, who had no houfe ready for me, nor yet any fervant,went
alone, as I was 3 to lodg in the Houfe of Sig. Antonio Baracio my
friend^ccording as himlelf & SigrK/ry Gomes his Brother had pro
mised I (hould when I departed from G^.AsT was going thither I
was unexpectedly met by the faid two Brothers, who receiv'd
me with their wonted courteiie. My Bed and Goods which I had
in the Ship were foon after brought to the fame place by the pro
curement of Sig. Ayres, I underftood here that my quondam
fervant the honeft Cacciatur coming hither from Ikfcerl to Goa
after his falfe dealing with me, had attempted to put a trick up
on Signora Maria alfo, but it did not fucceed. He feign'd that
I had fent him beforehand to take order for a houfe againft my
return, and was importunate for mony to prepare and provide
things neceffary. My letter he ventur'd not to prelent but pre
tended a misfortune at Sea, whereby it was loft, with other luch
inventions. Hereupon Signora Maria fufpeded him, and, with
out my Letters, gave no credit to him, as neither did Signora
Maria
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