‘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’ [‎371] (446/470)

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to land at, they went a Ihoar and divided the Ipoit, which they had taken from
Being now alone I confalted with the Chirurgeon how that we might cafily make
our cicape being unbound and the Boat only made faft toahalf-pike which I could
very eafily manage. The Chirurgeon intimated the matter to the Colonel , defiring
that he would joyn indeavours with us to getfree: but (whether out of fear, or in
hopes of better ulage at the hands of-the Rebells I cannot tell) he forthwith diko-
vers the defign, and gave the Rebells warning to|have a care: upon which they feta
watch and guarded us fo ftri^ly that we could not make our efcape. Seeing that our
Enterprife proved abortiv and ineffedual, I told the Chirurgeon that I would
run a little up the Ifland and fwim over the Water to the Tartars > which leffayM
to doi but was followed and taken; yet had that attempt not bin in vain if I had
not chanced to fall which was no fmaii difadvantage to me: however I betook me
to the "Water which I found there very (hallow, fo that, they with a little wading
fetched me out. But having got me, I cannot exprefs with what cruelty they ufed
me, beating me black and blew, which done, they bound me fail and threw me
into the Boat, fo rowing up to the Town. By the way the Chirurgeon made a pro-
pofal to them that if they would fave us alive, they (hould have 100 Rnhbels for
my Ranfom and 70 for his own. They promifed to do their Indeavour for us. In
the Evening we arrived at Jlftrach.m where we were brought up before the General
of the Cofacs, I had no Cloaths about me fave'only a pair of leathern Breeches,
which were full ofholes. The General fate at the Gates of the Bifhops Palace erofs-
legg'd after the Turkifn manner drinking Brandy, and was fo drunk that hisEies
roll'd in his Read. He afked the Chirurgeon who he was? and what hisFuncflion
was ? which when he knew, gave him his Life, and ordered him to take care of
the Cofacs that were wounded. Afterward he afked, who I was? the Chirurgeon
made anfwer that I was his Companion : hefurther alked me what I could do; but
the Chirurgcon leaving me, I could not return him any anfwer. The Ru(ftan Co
lonel being examined , was immediately carried up to the top of a Tower called
Roofcat y and hurled headlong down. From the fame Tower alio was the Vice-roy,
or Way-wod , w.hofe name was Ivan Simeimowitz. Projor&fshi , after many rortures
thrown alio pr^ecipitantly from Top to Bottom; as alfo the Vice-Charieelor with
all the Officers, of what degrej^foever they were, either thrown down , orcaftinto
the "Water.
MOST dreadfull was this maflacrc which continued for fome time together;
but GOD Almighty gave me an undaunted fpirit. The Co[ac General looking
earneftly upon me commanded his Men to give me Brandy , and made me drink
off 1 cups one after another, and then gave order to bring me into the Camp: But
what became of the 2 Rujfian Czpums I cannot tell. As I pafledby to the Camp being
put in a Boat that lay next to the Generals, I was efpied ofa Strelitzerwho
brought news of my being ftill alive to Madam Wonder ham , the Lieutenant Colo
nels "Widdow. I have already made mention how that among the Dutch Officers
that went out with the faid Lieutenant Colonel, was one Paul Rudolph his Son in
Law who was the only Perfon that remained alive: feigninghimfelfin fuchextre
mity to be a Cofac y for he was well acquainted wuh their fpeech and manners. 1 his
^ A aa 2 y° un S