‘The perillous and most unhappy voyages of John Struys, through Italy, Greece, Lifeland, Moscovia, Tartary, Media, Persia, East-India, Japan, and other places in Europe, Africa and Asia. Containing, I. Most accurate remarks and observations of the distinct qualities, religion, politie, customs, laws and properties of the inhabitants: II. A due description of the several cities, towns, forts and places of trust, as to their site and strength, fortifications by nature, or art, &c. with other things worthy of note: and III. An exact memorial of the most disastrous calamities which befell the author in those parts (viz) by ship-wrack, robberies, slavery, hunger, tortures, with other incommodities and hardships’ [‎202] (257/470)

^ v o Y .nr.
juvb. towards the Evening we had a very rough Sea , every billow rifing
16704 Mountains high j infomuch that with continual pumping and laving
we had much ado to keep the Shallop above Water , working feme
times 4 or 5 together,and by taking turns relieved thofe that were wea
ry every hour with frelh men. The next morning we couldfeeno land,
but let all be left to the mercy of G O D.
On the 16 we had aftiff gale, and failed before the Wind , which
furthered us fo, that by noon we defcried Land : and foon after got
light of a Ddgefian-T artais Barque, which we made up to, but when
( we came near it, it was run upon a Bank , and deferred of the Men,
which upon our approaching them, jump'd over board. We percei
ving that it was only for us that they left their Velfel, called out to
them, and willed them freely to return and that we meant no harm ;
Upon which they came back, and we pray'd them to furnifh us with
fome bread for our Money, but they told us that they had not enough
for their own Voyage however they gave us 6 litle Loaves, for which
they would have no money, as alfo dried Pears and Plumbs which we
thank fully received. This faid Bark was laden with Bales of Silk and
bound for y^iflrachan , which when we underftood we gave them a
Caution, and told them that we verily beleeved that by that time
Afiruhm was in hand of the Cofiicks , and confequently we could not
judge it fafe for them to proceed on their Journey thither. They
thanked us for our Advice, and directed their Gourfe for Terky , that
being alio a good Market. Weagreed among our felves to follow the
likecourfe, with intent, atleaft, tofupply our want of Provifion,
not knowing whether the Town was taken in by the Cofacks , or that
it was ftill under the Emperour. About 9 in the Evening we anchored
before the Town, and immediately upon our anchorage faw 10 or
12 Soldiers come rowing towards us, but when they came nigh faw
that we were well armed, offered not to do any violent Act, but only
asked us, Who we were ? and, From whence we came ? Weanfwe-
red, That we were Hollanders belonging to his Majefties great Ship at
^(frachan^nA.were come thither to found the Bay and Haven. ! !
faid' they, are you thofe men ? Ton rnufl hereupon
we made anfwer, That it Tv as then toa la
-ive "Would tv ait upon his Excellency. With this anfwer they feem'd to be
fatisfied but we thought k not fafe for us to tarry there long , but
before