‘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’ [‎372] (447/470)

[37*1
young Gentleman hearing that Iwasftill alive came to find me out in the Boat; and
during this while were whole Boat loads ofMen brought into the ftream, and thrown
into the Water, being tied together fo that they could not help themfclvs with fwim-
ming. In this pofture I lay my felf till Friday fune 27, expeding every moment
my laft Cataftroph, That day they brought me in to a Tower, and tied me fo hard,
that my blood for want of a natural reflux began tocorrupt within my Body. My
Arms were pinioned, and my hands made faft behind my Back: my feet alfo were
fo hard bound that I never expeded to have the ufe of them again. Lying in this
Pofturc and moft lamentable ftate I (pent my Time in fighing and groaning. The
Chirurgeon of whom we have already fpoke came to vifit me : I defired them to
follicit for my Death, but they ever diflwaded me from it. Yetftilllinfiftedvery
hard that they would make interceffion for me to the General that I might be difpat-
ched, giving them a private reafon for that my earneftnefs. Now there was a Rule
among the Cofackj > that if any came to interceed for a Captiv that he {hould dy
himfelf for him, which the Chirurgeon told me alfo, yet promifed he would ad
venture himfelf to the General, and for that time took his leave.
THIS night I was moft barbarouflyufed by the Cofack*) and Gogdats , a People
of Vkrain io called. And in the mean time was moft fearfully vexed with Toads
and other vermin that continually ran over my Body and about my head in whole
fwarms. However I fpent my time in prayer as one condemned to dy and aflured
of a fpeedy Death , of which (I may truly declare) I was not in the left aftraid,
only feared that they would hang me up by the Heels, or put me to fome fuch lingr-
ing death, with which they continually threatned me.
"ON Saturday the 28 of fane came the aforefaid Chirurgeon, and told me that
the General had fent for me: and being untied I could hardly ftandupright, yet
made a Ihift to hupplc after him. Being come in to the prefen ce of the General after
a few idle impertinent Queftionshe afkedme bad megohome with the Chirurgeon.
From Sunday to Thurfday I continued there in houfe with him, in which time I
faw muchi cruelty commitcd, fome hanging up by the Feet, others with their Feet
and hands chopt off left in the open ftreet to fhift for themfelves , none daring fo
much as put forth a fin ger to help them.
ON Thurfday 3d I was again taken and carried to the Brink of the River
where I expeded to part with my Life. But the told mc, if I would pay the
ico Rubbles, which the Chirurgeon had promifed them on my behalf, I might
go free: which the Chirurgeon,who againft his will feigned himfelftobeaCi?/^^,
was content to diiburfe for me, which afterwards I was obliged to repay upon de
mand, when able.
ON Sunday I was fent for by the General, who was then a Drinking at the Em
perors Cellar, but nothing of moment paffed at that time he being drunk, and
forced me to drink ofl feveral Bowls of Brandy and "W^ine after one another, fothat
I was affraid to difpleafe him, being (as I have elfewhereremembredj veryoutra-
gious when drunk ; wherefore I took occafion to fteal out of his prefence.
ABOUT this time happened many memorable pafi'ages and: cruel Examples
of Tyranny, which would prove too tedious to relate. I f hould want words to exprefs