Advertisements and reports of the 6. voyage into the
parts of Persia and Media, for the companie of English
merchants for the discoverie of new trades, in the
yeeres 1579. 1580. and 1581. gathered out of sundrie
letters written by Christopher Burrough, servant to the
saide companies, and sent to his uncle Master William
Burrough.
FIRST it is to be understood, that the ships for the voiage
to S. Nicholas in Russia
, in which the factors and
merchandise for the Persian voiage were transported,
departed from Gravesend
the 19. of June, 1579. which
arrived at S. Nicholas in Russia
the 22. of July, where the
factors and merchants landed, and the merchandise were
discharged & laden into doshnikes, that is, barkes of the
countrey, to be caried from thence up by river unto
Vologda. And the 25. day of ye said Julie, the doshnikes
departed from
Rose Island by S. Nicholas up the river
Dwina, Peremene, that is to say, in poste, by continual sailing, rowing, setting with poles, or drawing of
men, which came to Colmogro the 27. day, and departed
thence the 29. of Julie up the said river Dwyna, and came
to. Ustyoug (which is at the head of the river Dwina, and
mouth of Sughano) the 9. of August, where they stayed
but a small time, providing some victuals, and shifting
certaine of their cassacks or barkmen, & so departed
thence the same day up the river Sughano, and came to
Totma (which is counted somewhat more then halfe the
way from Ustioug) the 15. day, where they shifted some
of their cassaks, and departed thence the same day, and
came to the citie Vologda the 19. of August, where they
landed their goods, and staied at that place till the 30. of
the same. Having provided at Vologda, Telegas, or
wagons, whereupon they laded their goods, they departed
thence with the same by land towards Yeraslave the said
30. of August at eight of the clocke in the morning, and
came to the East side of the river Volga
over against
Yeraslave, with 25. Telegas laden with the said goods
the seventh of September at five of the clocke afternoone.
Then the three stroogs or barks provided to transport the
saide goods to Astracan (where they should meete the
ship that should care the same from thence into Persia）
came over from Yeraslave unto the same side of the river
Volga
, and there tooke in the said goods. And having
prepared the said barks ready with all necessary furniture
they departed with them from Yeraslave downe the river
Volga
on the 14 day of September at nine of the clocke
in the morning, and they arrived at
Niznovogrod the 17
day at three of the clocke afternoone, where they shewed
the Emperors letters to passe free without paying any
custome, and taried there about three houres to provide
necessaries, and then departing, arrived at Cazan (or
neere the same towne) on the 22. of September at five of
the clock afternoone, where (through contrary windes,
and for providing new cassaks in the places of some that
there went from them) they remained till the 26. day, at
what time they departed thence about two of the clocke
after noone, and arrived at
Tetushagorod, which is on
the Crim side of Volga
, and in latitude 55. degrees 22.
minutes, the 28. day at ten in the forenoone, where they
ankered, and remained about 3. houres, and departing
thence came to Oveak, which is on the Crims side (on the
Western side of Volga
) the fift of October about five of
the clocke in the morning. This place is accounted halfe
the way betweene Cazan and Astracan: and here there
groweth great store of Licoris : the soile is very fruitfull:
they found there apple trees, and cherrie trees. The
latitude of Oveak is 51. degrees 30. minutes. At this
place had bene a very faire stone castle called by the name
Oveak, & adjoyning to the same was a towne called by ye
Russes, Sodom
: this towne & part of the castle (by report
of the Russes) was swalowed into the earth by the justice
of God, for the wickednesse of the people that inhabited
the same. There remaineth at this day to be seene a part
of the ruines of the castle, and certaine tombs, wherein
as it seemeth have bin laid noble personages : for upon a
tombe stone might be perceived the forme of a horse and
a man sitting on it with a bow in his hand, and arrowes
girt to his side: there was a piece of a scutchion also
upon one of the stones, which had characters graven on it,
whereof some part had bene consumed with the weather,
and the rest left unperfect: but by the forme of them that
remained, we judged them to be characters of Armenia
:
and other characters were graven also upon another
tombe stone. Nowe they departed from Oveak the said
fift of October at five of the clocke after noone, and came
to Peravolok the 10. day about eleven or twelve of the
clocke that night, making no abode at that place, but
passed alongst by it. This worde Peravolok in the Russe
tongue doeth signifie a narrow straight or necke of land
betweene two waters, and it is so called by them, because
from the river Volga
, at that place, to the river Don or
Tanais
, is counted thirty versts, or as much as a man may
well travell on foote in one day. And seven versts
beneath, upon an Island called Tsaritsna the Emperour
of Russia hath fiftie gunners all the summer time to keepe
watch, called by the Tartar name Carawool. Betweene
this place and Astracan are five other Carawools or
watches.
- The first is named Kameni Carawool, and is distant
from Peravolok 120, versts.
- The second named Stupino Carowool, distant from
the first 50. versts.
- The third called Polooy Carowool, is 120. versts
distant from the second.
- The fourth named Keezeyur Carawool, is 50. versts
distant from the third.
- The fift named Ichkebre, is 30. verst distant from the
fourth, and Ichkebre to Astracan is 30. versts.
The 16. of October they arrived at Astracan, with their
three stroogs in safetie about nine of the clock in the
morning, where they found the ship provided for the
Persia voyage in good order & readinesse. The 17. day
the foure principal factors of the company, Arthur
Edwards, William Turnbull, Matthew Talbois, and Peter
Garrard, were invited to dine with the chief diake or
secretary of Astracan (Vasili Pheodorovich Shelepin) who
declared then unto them the troubles that were in Media
and Persia: and how the Turke with helpe of the Crims
had conquered, and did possesse the greatest part of
Media: also he laid before them that Winter was at hand,
& if they should put out with their ship to the sea, they
should bee constrained to take what hazards might happen
them by wintring in the parts of Media, or els where, for
backe againe to that place there was no hope for them to
returne: whereupon the said factors determined to stay
there all Winter to learne further of the state of those
countreis.
The 19. of November the winde being Northerly, there
was a great frost, and much ice in the river: the next day
being the 20. of November the ice stood in the river, and
so continued untill Easter day.
The 22. of December departed this life John Moore the
gunner of the ship.
Thursday the 7. of January betweene 8. and 9. of the
clocke at night there appeared a crosse proceeding from
the moone, with two galles at the South and North end
thereof.
The 6. of January being Twelfe day (which they call
Chreshenia) the Russes of Astracan brake a hole in the
ice upon the river Volga
, & hallowed the water with great
solemnity according to the maner of their countrey, at
which time all the souldiers of the towne shot off their
smal pieces upon the ice, and likewise to gratifie the
captaine of the castel being a Duke, whose name is
Pheodor Michalovich Troiocouria, who stood hard by the
ship, beholding them as they were on the river, was shot
off all the ordinance of our ship being 15 pieces, viz.
2. faulcons, 2. faulconets, 4. fowlers, 4. fowlers chambers,
and 3. other small pieces made for the stroogs to shoote
hailestones, and afterwards the great ordinance of the
castle was shot off.
On the 31. of January there happened a great eclipse
of the moone, which began about 12. of the clocke at
night, and continued before she was cleare an houre and
a halfe by estimation, which ended the first of February
about halfe an houre past one in the morning: she was
wholly darkned by the space of halfe an houre.
The 26. of February the towne of Nagay Tartars, called
the Yourt, which is within 3. quarters of a mile of the
castle of Astracan, by casualty was set on fire about 10. of
the clock at night, & continued burning til midnight,
whereby one halfe of it was burnt, and much cattell
destroyed. The Nagayes that inhabite that towne, are
the Emperour of Russia his vassals: It is supposed there
are of them inhabiting that place of men, women, and
children, the number of seven thousand. That night the
Allarum was made in the castle and
towne of Astracan.
The captaine thereof had all his souldiers in very good
order and readinesse, being of them in number two
thousand gunners and cassaks, that is to say, a thousand
gunners, which are accounted meere souldiers, and are
not put to any other service then the use of their pieces,
watch, &c. as souldiers which alwaies keepe the castle,
and the cassaks also using their pieces, do keepe the
towne, and are commonly set to all kind of labours.
The 7. of March 1580. the Nagayes and Crims came
before Astracan to the number of one thousand foure
hundred horsemen, which incamped round about, but the
neerest of them were two Russe
versts and a halfe off
from the castle and town: some of them lay on the Crims
side of Volga
, and some on the Nagay side, but none of
them came upon the Island that Astracan standeth on.
It was said that two of the prince of the Crims his sonnes
were amongst them. They sent a messenger on the eight
day to the captain of Astracan, to signifie that they would
come and visit him: who answered, he was ready to
receive them: and taking a great .shot or bullet in his
hand, willed the messenger to tel them that they should
not want of that geare, so long as it would last. The
ninth day newes was brought that the Crims determined
to assault the towne or castle, and were making of fagots
of reede, to bring with them for that purpose. The tenth
day two Russes that were captives, and two of the
Tartars bondmen ranne away from the Nagayes, and
came into Astracan. The same day word was brought to
the Duke of two Nagayes which were seene at
Gostine
house, supposed to be spies, but were gone againe from
thence before they were suspected. This Gostine house
is a place a litle without the towne where the Tisiks (or
Persian merchants) do usually remaine with their merchandize. The 11. day the said Nagayes, and one more
with them, came againe to that house earely in the
morning, where they were taken by the Russes, and
brought to the captaine of the castle, and being examined,
confessed that their comming was onely to seeke two of
their bondmen that were runne from them: whereupon
their bondmen were delivered to them: which favour the
said captaine commonly sheweth if they be not Russies,
and they were set at libertie. The 13. day they brake up
their camps, and marched to the Northwards into the
countrey of Nagay.
The 17. of April the variation of the compasse observed
in Astracan was 13. deg. 40. min. from North to West.
This spring there came newes to Astracan that the
queene of Persia (the king being blind) had bene with a
great army against the Turks that were left to possesse
Media, and had given them a great overthrow: yet notwithstanding Derbent, & the greatest part of Media were
still possessed and kept by the Turks. The factors of the
company consulting upon their affayres, determined to
leave at Astracan the one halfe of their goods with Arthur
Edwards, and with the other halfe the other three factors
would proceed in the ship on their purposed voyage to the
coast of Media, to see what might be done there: where,
if they could not find safe traffike, they determined to
proceed to the coast of Gilan
, which is a province nere the
Caspian sea bordering upon Persia: and therupon
appointed the said goods to be laden aboord the ship,
and tooke into her also some merchandize of Tisiks or
Persian merchants.
The 29. of April Amos Riall, and Anthony Marsh, the
companies servants were sent from Astracan by the said
factors, up the river Volga
to Yeraslave, with letters of
advise to be sent for England, and had order for staying
the goods in Russia
that should come that yeere out of
England for mainteining the trade purposed for Persia,
untill further triall were made what might be done in
those parts.
The first day of May in the morning, having the shippe
in readinesse to depart, the factors invited the duke
Pheodor Micalovich Proiocoorow, and the principall
secretary Vasili Pheodorovich Shelepin, with other of
the chiefest about the duke to a banket aboord the ship,
where they were interteined to their good liking, and at
their departure was shot off all the ordinance of the ship,
and about nine of the clocke at night the same day they
weyed anker, and departed with their ship from Astracan,
and being but litle winde, towed her with the boat about
three versts, & then ankered, having with them a pavos
or lighter to helpe them at the flats. The second day at
foure of the clocke in ye morning they weyed & plyed
downe the river Volga
toward the
Caspian sea. The
seventh of May in the morning they passed by a tree that
standeth on the left hand of the river as they went downe,
which is called Mahomet Agatch, or Mahomets tree, &
about three versts further, that is to say, to the Southwards of the said tree is a place called Uchoog, that is to
say, the Russe
weare: (but Ochoog is the name of a
weare in the Tartar tongue) where are certain cotages,
and the Emperour hath lying at that place certaine
gunners to gard his fishermen that keepe the weare. This Uchoog is counted from Astracan 60. versts: they proceeded downe the said river without staying at the
Uchoog. The ninth and tenth dayes they met with shoald
water, and were forced to lighten their ship by the pavos :
the 11. day they sent backe to the Uchoog for an other
pavos : This day by mischance the shippe was bilged on
the grapnell of the pavos, whereby the company had
sustained great losses, if the chiefest part of their goods
had not beene layde into the pavos : for notwithstanding
their pumping with 3. pumps, heaving out water with
buckets, and all the best shifts they could make, the
shippe was halfe full of water ere the leake could be
found and stopt. The 12. day the pavos came to them
from the Uchoog, whereby they lighted the shippe of all
the goods. The 13. day in the morning there came to
them a small boat, sent by the captaine of Astracan,
to learne whether the shippe were at sea cleere of the
flats. The 15. day by great industry and travell they got
their ship cleare off the shoales and flats, wherewith they
had beene troubled from the ninth day untill then: they
were forced to passe their shippe in three foot water or
lesse. The 16. day they came to the Chetera Bougori, or
Island of Foure Hillocks, which are counted forty versts
from Uchoog, and are the furthest land towards the sea.
The 17. day they bare off into the sea, and being about
twelve versts from the Foure hillocks, riding in five foot
and a halfe water about eleven of the clocke in the forenoone, they tooke their goods out of the pavoses into the
shippe, and filled their shippe with all things necessary.
The 18. day in the morning about seven of the clock,
the pavoses being discharged departed away towards
Astracan, the winde then at Southeast, they road still
with the shippe, and observing the elevation of the pole at
that place, found it to be 45. degrees 20. minuts. The
19. day, the wind Southeast, they road still. The 20. day
the winde at Northwest they set saile about one of the
clocke in the morning, & stered thence South by West, &
Southsouthwest about 3. leagues, and then ankered in
6. foot and a halfe water, about nine of ye clocke before
noone, at which time it fell calme: the elevation of the
pole at that place 45. degrees 13. minuts. The 21. having
the winde at Northwest, they set saile, and stered thence
South by West, and South untill eleven of the clocke,
and had then nine foote water : and at noone they observed
the latitude, and found it to be 44. degrees 47 minuts:
then had they three fathoms and a halfe water, being
cleare of the flats. It is counted from the Foure hillockes
to the sea about fiftie versts. From the said noonetide
untill foure of the clocke they sayled South by East five
leagues and a halfe: then had they five fathoms and a
halfe and brackish water: from that till twelve at night
they sayled South by East halfe a league, East tenne
leagues: then had they eleven fathome, and the water
salter. From that till the 22. day three of the clocke in
the morning they sayled three & fifty leagues, then had
they sixtene fathome water: from thence they sayled until
noone South and by West seven leagues and a halfe, the
latitude then observed 43. degrees 15. minuts, the depth
then eight and twentie fathoms, and shallow ground:
from that untill eight of the clocke at night, they sayled
South by East five leagues and a halfe, then had they
three and fortie fathoms shallow ground. From thence
till the 23. foure a clocke in the morning, they sailed
Southsouthwest three leagues and a halfe: then could
they get no ground in two and fiftie fathoms deepe. From
thence untill noone they sayled South nine leagues, then
the latitude observed was 42. degrees 20. minuts. From
that till the 24. day at noone they sayled South by West
seventeene leagues and a halfe, then the latitude observed
was 41. degrees 32. minuts. From noone till seven of the
clocke at night, they sailed Southsouthwest foure leagues,
then had they perfect sight of high land or hilles, which
were almost covered with snow, and the mids of them
were West from the ship, being then about twelve leagues
from the nearest land: they sounded but could finde no
ground in two hundred fathoms. From thence they sailed
Southwest until midnight: about three leagues from
thence till the 25. day foure of the clock in the morning,
they sayled West three leagues, being then litle winde,
and neere the land, they tooke in their sayles, and lay
hulling: at noone the latitude observed, was 40. degrees
54. minuts: they sounded but could get no ground in two
hundred fathoms. At four of the clocke in the afternoone, the winde Northwest, they set their sailes, & from
thence till the 26. day at noone they sailed East southeast
foure leagues. From thence they sailed till eight of the
clocke at night Southwest three leagues, the winde then
at North. From thence they sailed untill the 27. day two
of the clocke in the morning, Westsouthwest eight
leagues, the winde blowing at North very much. From
the sayd two til foure of the clocke they sailed South by
West one league: then being day light, they saw the land
plaine, which was not past three leagues from them, being
very high ragged land. There were certaine rocks that
lay farre off into the sea, about five leagues from the
same land, (which are called Barmake Tash) they sayled
betweene those rocks and the land, and about five of the
clocke they passed by the port Bilbill, where they should
have put in but could not: and bearing longst the shoare
about two of the clocke afternoone, they came to Bildih
in the
countrey of Media or Shervan, against which place
they ankered in 9. foot water. Presently after they were
at anker, there came aboord of them a boat, wherein
were seven or eight persons, two Turks, the rest Persians,
the Turkes vassals, which bade them welcome, and seemed
to be glad of their arrivall, who told the factors that the
Turke had conquered all Media, or the countrey Shervan,
and how that the Turks Basha remained in Derbent with
a garrison of Turkes, and that Shamaky was wholly
spoyled, and had few or no inhabitants left in it. The
factours then being desirous to come to the speech of the
Basha, sent one of the Tisikes (or merchants that went
over with them from Astracan, passingers) and one
of the companies servants Robert Golding, with those
souldiours, to the captaine of Bachu, which place standeth
hard by the sea, to certifie him of their arrivall, and what
commodities they had brought, and to desire friendshippe
to have quiet and safe traffike for the same. Bachu is
from Bildih, the place where they road, about a dayes
journey, on foote easily to be travelled, which may be
sixe leagues the next way over land: it is a walled towne,
and strongly fortified. When the sayd messenger came
to the captaine of Bachu, the said captaine gave him very
friendly intertainment, and after he understood what they
were that were come in the shippe, and what they had
brought, he seemed to rejoyce much thereat: who gave
the said Golding licence to depart backe the next day,
being the eight and twentieth day: and promised that he
would himselfe come to the shippe the next day following:
with which answere the said Golding returned and came
to the shippe the sayd eight and twentieth day about nine
of the clocke at night. The nine and twentieth day in the
morning the factours caused a tent to be set up at shoare
neare the shippe, against the comming of the sayd
captaine : who came thither about three of the clocke after
noone, and brought about thirtie souldiers, that attended
on him, in shirts of male, and some of them had gauntlets
of silver, others of steele, and very faire. The factors met
him at their tent, and after very friendly salutations passed
betweene them, they gave him for a present a garment of
cloth of velvet, and another of scarlet, who accepted the
same gratefully. After they had talked together by their
interpreters, as well of the state of the voyage and cause
of their comming thither, as also learned of the sayde
captaine the state of that countrey, the factours made
request unto him, that he would helpe them to the speech
of the Basha, who answered that their demand was reason
able, and that he would willingly shew them therein what
pleasure he could, and sayd, because the way to Derbent,
where the Basha remayned, was dangerous, he would
send thither, and certifie him of their arrivall, and what
commodities they had brought, and such commodities as
they would desire to exchange or barter the same for
he would procure the said Basha to provide for them:
and therefore willed the factors to consult together, and
certifie him what they most desired, and what quantity
they would have provided: so whilest the factors were
consulting together thereupon, the captaine talked with a
Tisike merchant that came over in the ship with them
from Astracan, which Tisike, among other matters in
talke, certified the captaine, that the night before, the
factors & their company were determined to have returned
backe againe to Astracan, and that they were about to
wey their ankers, which in deed was true, but the maister
of the barke Thomas Hudson of Limehouse perswaded
them that the wind was not good for them to depart, &c.
When the factors came againe to talke with the captaine,
they desired to goe to the Basha, and that he would safely
conduct them thither: he granted their requests willingly,
desiring them to goe with him to a village hard by, and
there to abide with him that night, and the next day they
should go to Bachu, and from thence proceed on their
journey to Derbent. They were unwilling to go that
night with him, because their provision for the way was
not in readinesse, but requested that they might stay til
the morning. Thereupon the captaine sayd it was
reported unto him, that they ment the night before to
have gone away: and if it should so happen, he were
in great danger of loosing his head: for which cause
he requested to have some one for a pledge: wherefore
M. Garrard one of the factors offered himselfe to go, who,
because he could not speake the Russe
tongue, tooke with
him Christopher Burrough, and a Russe
interpretour:
that night they road from the seaside, to a village about
ten miles off, where at supper time the captaine had much
talke with M. Garrard of our countrey, demanding where
about it did lie, what countreys were neare unto it, and
with whom we had traffike, for by the Russe
name of our
countrey he could not conjecture who we should be: but
when by the situation he perceived we were Englishmen,
he demanded if our prince were a mayden Queene: which
when he was certified of, then (quoth he) your land is
called Enghilterra, is it not? answere was made, it
was so: whereof he was very glad when he knew the
certainety. He made very much of them, placing M.
Garrard next to himselfe, and Christopher Burrough, with
the Russie
interpretour for the Turkie tongue hard by.
There was a Gillan merchant with him at that present, of
whom he seemed to make great account: him he placed
next to himselfe on the other side, and his gentlemen sate
round about him talking together. Their sitting is upon
the heeles, or crosse legged.
Supper being brought in, he requested them to eate.
After their potage (which was made of rice) was done,
and likewise their boyled meat, there came in platters of
rice sodden thicke, and hony mingled withall: after all
which, came a sheepe rosted whole, which was brought in
a tray, and set before the captaine: he called one of his
servitours, who cut it in pieces, and laying therof upon
divers platters, set the same before the captaine: then the
captaine gave to M. Garrard and his company one platter,
and to his gentlemen another, and to them which could
not well reach he cast meat from the platters which were
before him. Divers questions he had with M. Garrard
and Christopher Burrough at supper time, about their
diet, inquiring whether they eat fish or flesh voluntarily,
or by order. Their drinke in those partes is nothing but
water. After supper (walking in the garden) the captaine
demanded of M. Garrard, whether the use was in England
to lie in the house or in the garden, and which he had
best liking of: he answered, where it pleased him, but
their use was to lie in houses : whereupon the captaine
caused beds to be sent into the house for them, and caused
his kinsman to attend on them in the night, if they
chanced to want any thing: he himselfe with his gentlemen and souldiers lying in the garden.
In the morning very early he sent horse for the rest
of the company which should go to Derbent, sending by
them that went tenne sheepe for the shippe. In that
village there was a Stove, into which the captaine went
in the morning, requesting M. Garrard to go also to the
same to wash himselfe, which he did. Shortly after their
comming out of the Stove, whilest they were at breakfast,
M. Turnbull, M. Tailboyes, and Thomas Hudson the M.
of the shippe, came thither, and when they had all broken
their fasts, they went to Bachu : but Christopher Burrough
returned to the ship, for that he had hurt his leg, and
could not well endure that travell. And from Bachu they
proceeded towards Derbent, as it was by the captaine
promised, being accompanied on their way for their safe
conduct, with a gentleman, and certaine souldiers, which
had the captaine of Bachu his letters to the Basha of
Derbent, very friendly written in their behalfe. In their
journey to Derbent they forsooke the ordinarie wayes,
being very dangerous, and travelled thorow woods till
they came almost to the towne of Derbent: and then the
gentleman road before with the captaines letters to the
Basha, to certifie him of the English merchants comming,
who receiving the letters, and understanding the matter,
was very glad of the newes, and sent forth to receive
them certaine souldiers gunners, who met them about two
miles out of the towne, saluting them with great reverence, and afterwardes road before them: then againe met
them other souldiours, somewhat neerer the castle, which
likewise having done their salutations road before them,
and then came foorth noble men, captaines, and gentlemen, to receive them into the castle and towne. As they
entred the castle, there was a shot of twentie pieces of
great ordinance, & the Basha sent M. Turnbull a very
faire horse with furniture to mount on, esteemed to be
worth an hundred markes, and so they were conveyed to
his presence: who after he had talked with them, sent for
a coate of cloth of golde, and caused it to be put on M.
Turnbulles backe, and then willed them all to depart, and
take their ease, for that they were wearie of their journey,
and on the morrow he would talke further with them.
The next day when ye factors came againe to the presence
of the Basha, according to his appointment, they requested
him that he would grant them his privilege, whereby they
might traffike safely in any part and place of his countrey,
offering him, that if it pleased his Majestie to have any of
the commodities that they had brought, and to write his
mind thereof to the captaine of Bachu, it should be
delivered him accordingly. The Bashaes answere was,
that he would willingly give them his privilege: yet for
that he regarded their safetie, having come so farre, &
knowing the state of his countrey to be troublesome, he
would have them to bring their commodity thither, &
there to make sale of it, promising he would provide such
commodities as they needed, and that he would be a
defence unto them, so that they should not be injured by
any: wherupon the factors sent Thomas Hudson backe
for ye ship to bring her to Derbent, and the Basha sent a
gentleman with him to the captaine of Bachu, to certifie
him what was determined, which message being done, the
captaine of Bachu, and the Bashaes messenger, accompanied with a doozen souldiours, went from Bachu with
Thomas Hudson, & came to the ship at Bildih the 11 day
of June. After the captaine and his men had beene
aboord and. scene the ship, they all departed presently,
but the gentleman, messenger from ye Basha, with three
other Turks, remained aboord, and continued in the ship
till she came to Derbent: the latitude of Bildih by divers
observations is 40. degrees 25. minuts: the variation of
the compasse 10. degrees 40. minuts from North to West.
After the returne of Thomas Hudson backe to Bildih, they
were constrayned to remaine there with the shippe
through contrary windes untill the 16. day of June foure
of the clocke in the morning, at which time they weyed
anker, set saile and departed thence towards Derbent,
and arrived at anker against Derbent East and by South
from the sayd castle in foure fathome and a halfe water,
the 22. day of June at ten of the clocke in the morning:
then they tooke up their ordinance, which before they
had stowed in hold for easing the shippe in her rowling.
In the afternoone the Basha came downe to the waterside
against the shippe, and having the said ordinance placed,
and charged, it was all shotte off to gratifie him: and
presently after his departure backe, he permitted the
factors to come aboord the shippe. The 29. day their
goods were unladen and carried to the Bashaes garden,
where he made choyce of such things as he liked, taking
for custome of every five & twenty karsies, or whatsoever,
one, or after the rate of foure for the hundred. The
factors after his choyce made, determined to send a part
of the rest of the goods to Bachu, for the speedier making
sale thereof, for which cause they obtained the Bashaes
letter to the captaine of Bachu, written very favourably
in their behoofe: and thereupon was laden and sent in a
small boat of that countrey in merchandize, to the value
(very neere) of one thousand pound sterling: videlicet,
one hundreth pieces of karsies, seven broad clothes, two
barrels of cochenelio, two barrels of tinne, foure barrels of
shaffe. There went with the same of the companies
servants William Winckle, Robert Golding, and Richard
Relfe, with two Russies, whereof one was an interpreter,
besides foure barkemen. They departed from Derbent
with the said barke the 19. of July, and arrived at Bildih
the 25. day: their passage and carriage of their goods to
Bachu was chargeable, although their sales when they
came thither were small: they had great friendship
shewed them of the captaine of Bachu, as well for the
Bashaes letter, as also for the factors sakes, who had
dealt friendly with him, as before is declared. Robert
Golding desirous to understand what might be done at
Shamaky, which is a dales journey from Bachu, went
thither, from whence returning, he was set on by theeves,
and was shot into the knee with an arrow, who had very
hardly escaped with his life & goods, but that by good hap
he killed one of the theeves horses with his caliver, and
shot a Turke thorow both cheeks with a dag. On the
sixt day of August the factors being advertised at Derbent
that their ship was so rotten & weake, that it was doubtfull she would not carry them backe to Astracan, did
therupon agree and bargen at that place with an
Armenian, whose name was Jacob, for a barke called
a Busse, being of burden about 35. tunnes, which came
that yere from Astracan, and was at that instant riding
at an Island called Zere, about three or foure leagues
beyond or to the Eastwardes of Bildih, which barke for
their more safety, they ment to have with them in their
returne to Astracan, and therupon wrote unto Wincoll
and the rest at Bachu, that they should receive the same
Busse, and lade in her their goods at Bildih to be returned
to Derbent, and to discharge their first boate, which was
observed by them accordingly. When all their goods
were laden aboord the sayd Busse at Bildih, and being
ready to have departed thence for Derbent, there arose a
great storme with the winde out of the sea, by force
whereof the cables and halsers were broken, and their
vessell put a shoare, and broken to pieces against the
rockes : every of them that were in her saved their lives,
and part of the goods. But there was a Carobia or cheste,
wherein were dollers, and golde, which they had received
for the commodities of the company, which they sold at
Bachu, which at the taking out of the Busse, fell by the
barkes side into the water amongst the rockes, and so
was lost. The packes of cloth which they could not well
take out of the Busse were also lost, other things that
were more profitable they saved.
The 18. of August, the Factors received from the Basha
500. Batmans of raw silke, parcell of the bargaine made
with him, who bade them come the next day for the rest
of the bargaine.
The 19. day the Factors went to the Basha according
to his appointment, but that day they could not speake
with him, but it was delivered them as from him, that they
should looke and consider whether any thing were due
unto him or not, which grieved the Factors: and thereupon M. Turnebull answered, that their heads & all that
they had were at the Bashaes pleasure: But then it was
answered there was no such matter in it: but that they
should cast up their reckonings, to see how it stood
betweene them. The 20. day they cast up their reckonings. The 21. they went to have spoken with the Basha,
but were denied audience.
The 22. day they heard newes by a Busse that came
from Astracan, that Arthur Edwards (whom the Factors
left at Astracan with the moietie of the goods) was dead,
who departed this life the of
The 23. day the Factors received more from the Basha
500. Batmans of silke. The 4. of September newes was
brought to Derbent, that Golding comming from Shamaky
was set on by theeves (Turkes) and had hurt one of them.
The 5. Tobias Atkins the gunners boy died of the fluxe,
who was buried the 6. day 2. miles to the Southward of
the Castle of Derbent, where the Armenian Christians do
usually bury their dead. About the 20. of September
newes came to Derbent, that the Busse which they had
bought of Jacob the Armenian as before, was cast away
at Bildih, but they received no certaine newes in writing
from any of our people.
The 26. of September was laden aboord the ship 40.
bales of silke. From the 26. till the 2. of October, they
tooke into the ship, bread, water, and other necessary
provision for their sea store: the said 2. day of October,
the Factors were commanded upon the suddaine to avoide
their house, and get them with their provision out of the
towne: Whereupon they were constrained to remove and
carry their things to the sea side against the ship, and
remained there all the night. The cause of this sudden
avoyding them out of the towne (as afterwards they perceived) was for that the Basha had received newes of a
supplie with treasure that the Turke had sent, which was
then neare at hand comming toward him.
The 3. day of October all things were brought from the
shoare aboord the ship: and that day the Factors went to
the Basha to take their leave of him, unto whom they
recommended those the Companies servants, &c. which
they had sent to Bachu, making accompt to leave them
behinde in the Countrey: who caused their names to be
written, and promised they should want nothing, nor be
injuried of any. After this leave taken, the Factors went
aboord purposing presently to have set saile and departed
towards Astracan, the winde serving well for that purpose
at
South Southeast: And as they were readie to set saile,
there came against the ship a man, who weved: whereupon the boate was sent a shoare to him, who was an
Armenian sent from William Wincoll, with his writing
tables, wherein the said Wincoll had written briefly, the
mishap of the losse of the Busse, and that they were
comming from Bildih towardes Derbent, they, and such
things as they saved with a small boate, forced to put a
shoare in a place by the sea side called the Armenian
village: Whereupon the Factors caused the shippe to
stay, hoping that with the Southerly winde that then
blew, they would come from the place they were at to the
ship, but if they could not come with that winde, they
ment to saile with the shippe, with the next wind that
would serve them, against the place where they were, &
take them in, if they could: which stay and losse of those
Southerly windes, was a cause of great troubles, that they
afterwardes sustained through yce, &c. entring the Volga
as shalbe declared.
The 4. day the winde South Southeast, the shippe rode
still: This day Christopher Burrow was sent to shore to
Derbent to provide some necessaries for the voyage, &
with him a Tisike or two, which should goe in the shippe
passengers to Astracan. And being on shoare he saw
there the comming in of the Turkes treasure, being
accompanied with 200. souldiers, and one hundreth
pioners, besides Captaines and Gentlemen: the Basha
with his Captaines and souldiers very gallantly apparelled
and furnished went out from Derbent about three or foure
miles, to meete the said treasure, and received the same
with great joy and triumph. Treasure was the chiefe
thing they needed, for not long before the souldiers were
readie to breake into the Court against the Basha for their
pay: there was a great mutinie amongst them, because
hee had long differred and not payed them their due. The
treasure came in seven wagons, and with it were brought
tenne pieces of brasse.
In the parts of Media where they were, there was no
commoditie to be bought of any value, but raw silke,
neither was that to be had but at the Bashaes hands: who
shortly after their comming thither taxed the Countrey
for that commoditie. His dealing with our Marchants
as it was not with equitie in all points according to his
bargaine, so it was not extreme ill. Of the commodities
they carried hee tooke the chiefest part, for which he
gave but a small price in respect of the value it was there
worth, and because he had provided such quantitie of
commoditie for them, which otherwise they could not have
had, the Countrey being so troublesome, and travaile by
land so dangerous, he used them at his pleasure.
The newes that was reported unto them at Astracan
touching the warres betweene the Turkes & Persians
differed litle from the truth: for the Turkes armie with
aide of the Crims, (being in number by ye information of
two Spaniards that served in those wars, about 200000)
invaded and conquered the
Countrey of Media in
Anno
1577. When the great Turke understood of the conquest,
he appointed Osman Basha (the said Basha, and now
Captaine of Derbent) governour of the whole Countrey,
who settled himselfe in Shamaky the chiefe Citie of Media,
and principall place of traffike, unto whom was sent from
the great Turke, in signification of the gratefull acceptation of his service and the great conquest, a sword of
great value.
After the said Basha had brought the Countrey in order
to his liking, and placed garrisons where he thought
convenient, the armie was dissolved and sent backe:
When the Persians understood that the Turkes armie was
dissolved and returned, they gathered a power together,
and with the Queene of their Countrey as chiefe, they
entred the
Countrey of Media, and overranne the same
with fire and sword, destroying whatsoever they found,
as well people, cattell, as whatsoever els, that might be
commodious to the Turkes. And after they had so over
runne the Countrey, they came to Shamaky, where the
said Basha Lieutenant generall of the great Turke was
settled, and besieged it: whereupon the Basha seeing hee
could not long indure to withstande them, fled thence to
Derbent where he now remaineth.
Derbent is a strong Castle which was built by Alexander the great, the situation whereof is such, that the
Persians being without Ordinance, are not able to winne
it but by famine. When the Turkes were fled from
Shamaky, the Persians entred the same and spoyled it,
leaving therein neither living creature nor any commoditie,
and so returned backe into Persia, and setled themselves
about Teveris, where there grewe some question among
them for the kingdome. Afterwards the Persians having
intelligence of an armie from the Turke comming into
Media, gathered themselves together in a great armie and
encountring the said Turkes, set upon them on the sudden,
and vanquished them, putting them all to the sword.
This overthrow of the Turkes grieved the Basha of Derbent, and made him to have the more care for his owne
safetie. Moreover, newes was brought unto him that the
Kisal Bashaes, (that is to say the nobles and Gentlemen
of Persia) were minded to set upon him, and that neere
unto Bachu there lay an army readie to besiege it.
Whereupon the Basha oftentimes would ride about the
Castle of Derbent viewing the same, and the springs that
did come to it, and where he saw any cause of reformation, it was amended.
The latitude of Derbent (by divers observations exactly
there made) is 41. deg 52. min. The variation of the
Compasse at that place about 11. degrees from North
to West. From Derbent to Bildih by land 46. leagues.
From Derbent to Shamaky by land 45. leagues. From
Shamaky to Bachu about 10. leagues, which may be 30.
miles. From Bachu to Bildih five or sixe leagues by
land, but by water about 12. leagues. From the Castle
Derbent Eastwards, there reach two stone wals to the
border of the
Caspian sea, which is distant one English
mile. Those wals are 9. foote thicke, and 28. or 30. foote
high, and the space betweene them is 160. Geometricall
paces, that is 800. foot. There are yet to be perceived of
the ruine of those wals, which do now extend into the sea
about halfe a mile: also from the castle Westward into
the land, they did perceive the ruines of a stone wall to
extend, which wal, as it is reported, did passe from thence
to Pontus Euxinus, and was built by Alexander the great
when the castle Derbent was made.
The 5 of October about noone the winde Northnortheast they wayed ancre, and set saile from Derbent,
being alongst the coast to the Southwards to seeke their
men: but as they had sailed about foure leagues the
winde scanted Easterly, so that they were forced to ancre
in three fathom water.
The 6 day they wayed ancre, and bare further off into
the sea, where they ancred in seven fathom water, the
ship being very leake, and so rotten abaft the maine
mast, that a man with his nailes might scrape thorow
her side.
The 7 day about 7 of the clocke in the morning, they
set saile, the winde Southwest. They considered the
time of the yere was far spent, the ship weake, leake and
rotten, and therefore determining not to tary any longer
for Wincoll and his fellowes, but to leave them behinde,
bent themselves directly towards Astracan: and sailing
Northnortheast untill midnight about 16 leagues, the
winde then came to the Northnorthwest, and blew much,
a very storme, which caused them to take in all their
sailes, saving the fore corse, with which they were forced
to steere before the sea, South by West, and Southsouthwest. And on the 8 day about two of the clocke in the
morning their great boat sunke at the ships sterne, which
they were forced to cut from the ship to their great griefe
and discomfort: for in her they hoped to save their lives
if the ship should have miscaried. About 10 of the clocke
before noone they had sight of the land about 5 leagues to
the South of Derbent, and bare longst the coast to the
Southeastwards unto Nezavoo, where they came at an
ancre in three fathoms, and blacke oze, good ancre holde,
whereof they were glad, as also that the winde was shifted
to the Northwest, and but a meane gale. Wincoll and
the rest of his fellowes being in the Armenian village,
which is about 18 versts to the Westwards of Nezavoo,
the place whereagainst they rode at ancre, saw the ship
as she passed by that place, and sent a man in the night
following alongst the coast after her, who came against
the ship where she rode, and with a firebrand in the top
of a tree made signes, which was perceived by them in the
shippe, whereupon they hoised out their skiffe, and sent
her ashore to learne what was meant by the fire: which
returned a letter from Wincoll, wherein he wrote that
they were with such goods as they had at the Armenian
village, and prayed that there they might with the same
goods be taken into the ships. The 9 day it was litle
winde, they wayed and bare a little further off into the
sea towards the said village, and ancred. The 10 day
they sent their skiffe to the Armenian village to fetch
those men and the goods they had, with order that if the
winde served, that they could not returne to fetch the
ship, they of the ship promised to come for them, against
the said village. This day it was calme.
The 11 day the winde Northwest they rode still. The
12 day the winde Southeast they wayed ancre, & bare
against & nere to the Armenian village where they ancred,
and then the skiffe came aboord and tolde them that our
people at shore were like to be spoiled of the Tartars,
were it not that the gunners defended them: then was
the skiffe sent backe againe to charge them at any hand
they should hasten aboord the ship whatsoever it cost
them. Whereupon, all the company came aboord the
same day saving Richard Relfe and two Russes, but
assoone as the skiffe was returned aboord the ship, the
winde blew at Southeast, and the sea was growen, so as
they were forced to take in their skiffe into the ship, and
rode stil till the 13 day, and then being faire weather,
early in the morning the skiffe was hoised out of the ship,
and sent to shore to fetch the said Relfe and the two
Russes, which were ready at the shore side, and with them
two Spaniards that were taken captives at the Goletta
in
Barbary, which served the Turke as souldiers. Those Spaniards (of Christian charity) they brought also aboord
the ship to redeeme them from their captivity, which were
brought over into England, and set free and at liberty
here in London, in September 1581. The winde this day
at
Northnortheast, faire weather. The 14 day they sent
the skiffe to shore, and filled fresh water. The 15 day
they rode still, being litle winde and fog. The 16 day the
winde Eastsoutheast, they wayed ancre and set saile,
bearing Northwards towards Astracan, and the same night
they ancred in ten fathoms water, about five miles from
the shore of the Shalkaules countrey, which place is eight
leagues Nortnorthwest from Derbent. The 17 day the
winde at North very stormy, they rode still all that day
and night. The 18 the winde all Southeast about one of
the clocke afternoone, they wayed ancre, and sailed thence
till foure of the clocke Northnortheast sixe leagues, then
they might see the land Northwest about tenne leagues
from the winde Southeast: from thence they sailed til
midnight Northnortheast twelve leagues. From thence
till the 19 day seven a clocke in the morning they sailed
Northnortheast eight leagues: the winde then Eastsoutheast, a faire gale, they sounded and had 17 fathoms, and
sand, being (as the Master judged) about the head of
Shetly: from thence till 12 of the clocke at noone they
sailed North 5 leagues, the winde then at East a faire
gale, they sounded and had 5 fathoms. From thence till
8 of the clocke at night, they sailed North 7 leagues, the
winde then at Northeast with small raine, they tooke in
their sailes, and ancred in 3 fathoms water and soft oze,
where they rode still all night, and the 20 day and night
the winde Northeast, as before with small raine
The 21 day the winde Northwest, they likewise rode
still. The 22 day about 3 of the clocke in the afternoone,
they wayed ancre, the winde Westnorthwest, and sailed
from thence till sixe of the clocke at night North 4
leagues, then they ancred in 2 fathoms and a halfe soft
oze, the winde at West a small breath.
The 23 day about 7 of the clocke in the morning, they
wayed ancre, and set saile, being litle winde Easterly, and
sailed till 2 of the clocke after noone Northwest in with
the shore about sixe leagues, and then ancred in 6 foot
water, having perfect sight of the low land (sand hilles)
being about 3 miles from the nerest land. This place of
the land that they were against, they perceived to be to
the Westwards of the 4 Islands (called in the Russe
tongue Chetera Bougori) and they found it afterwards by
due proofe, to be about 50 versts, or 30 English miles
to the Southwest, or Southwest by South, from the sayd
Chetera Bougori.
The 24 day the winde at East, and by South, a Sea
winde called Gillavar, caused them to ride still. The
25 day they thought good to send in their skiffe Robert
Golding, and certaine Russes, to row him alongst Northwards by the shore, to seeke the foure Islands, and so
to passe unto the Uchooge, and there to land the sayd
Robert Golding to proceed to Astracan, to deliver Amos
Riall a letter, wherein he was required to provide Pavoses
to meet the shippe at the sayd Islands, and the skiffe with
the Russes were appointed to returne from the Uchooge
with victuals to the shippe, which skiffe departed from the
shippe about nine of the clocke in the forenoone. The
26, 27, 28, and 29 dayes, the windes Easterly and Northeast, they rode still with their ship. The 30 day the winde
Southeast, they wayed, and set saile to the Northeastwards: but the ship fell so on the side to the shorewards,
that they were forced eftsoones to take in their saile, and
ancre againe, from whence they never removed her. That
day they shared their bread: but in their want God sent
them two covies of partridges, that came from the shore,
and lighted in and about their ships, whereby they were
comforted, and one that lay sicke, of whose life was small
hope, recovered his health.
The 4 of November the skiffe returned to the ship with
some victuals, and certified that the foure Islands were
about 600 versts from them to the Northeastwards. When
Robert Golding came to Astracan, and delivered there the
Factors letters to Amos Rial, the duke, captaine of that
place, was done to understand of the ships arrivall, &
of the state they were in, and their request for Pavoses,
who was very glad to heare of their safe returne, and
appointed to be sent with all speed two Pavoses and a
Stroog, with gunners to gard and to defend them. With
the which Stroog and Pavoses, Amos Riall went downe
to the Chetera Bougori, or 4. Islands aforesayd, where he
stayed with those barks, according to the Factors appointment. The 5 day they purposed to send from the ship
their skiffe with the carpenter, and 4 Russes to row him
to the 4 Bougories, to request Amos Riall to come from
thence with the Pavoses to the shippe with all possible
speed. The skiffe with those men departed from the ship
in the morning, and within one houre they met with a
small boat with Russes, rowing towards the ship, which
came from the Ouchooge with a wilde swine and other
victuals to sell : with the same boat the skiffe returned
backe to the ship after the Russes had received and were
satisfied for the victuals they brought: the same day they
returned with their boat backe toward the Ouchooge, and
with them in the same boat was sent the Carpenter of the
shippe to the Chetera Bougori, which were in their way,
to declare unto Amos Riall the message before appointed
him. From the 5 untill the 9 day the ship rode still
with contrary winds Easterly. The same 9 day came to
the shippe certaine Russes in a small boat, which brought
with them some victuals sent by Amos Riall, and declared
that he with the Pavoses and Stroog had remained at
the Chetera Bougori five dayes, expecting the comming
thither of the ship. The 10 day being doubtfull of the
Pavoses comming, they sent Thomas Hudson Master
of the ship in the skiffe (and with her went the foresayd
skiffe boat) towards the Chetera Bougori to the Pavoses
to bring word whether they would come to the ship or not,
the wind then at Northeast with fogge. The 11 day the
winde Northerly with fogge, the ship rode still. The 12
day Amos Riall, Christopher Fawcet, and a new gunner
came to the ship, and with them the M. Thomas Hudson
returned; but the Stroog with the gunners remained at
the Chetera Bougori; and from thence (when it began to
freese) returned to Astracan. Amos Riall declared that
he sent the carpenter backe from the Chetera Boogori in a
small boat on the 10 day, and marvelled that he was not
come to the shippe (but in the fogge the day before as
afterwards they learned) missed the shippe, and overshot
her, and afterwards returning backe, he found the ship at
ancre, and nothing in her but the Russes that were left
to keepe her, and then he departed thence, and went to
the Uchooge, and there stayed. Presently upon the comming of the Pavoses to the ship they used as much speed
as might be, to get the goods out of the shippe into
them, and after the goods were laden in, they tooke in
also of the shippes ordinance, furniture and provision, as
much as they could.
The 13 day in the morning Amos Riall was sent away
in a small boat towards Astracan, to provide victuals and
cariages to relieve and helpe them, who could passe no
further then the foure Islands, but was there overtaken
with yce, and forced to leave his boat, and from thence
passed poste to Astracan, finding at the Uchooge the
Carpenter returned from his ill journey, very ill handled
with the extremity of the colde. The same day they
departed also in those lighters with the goods towards the
Chetera Bougori, leaving the ship at ancre, and in her two
Russes, which with three more that went in the Pavoses,
to provide victuals for themselves and the rest, & therewith promised to returne backe to the ship with all speed,
had offered to undertake for twenty rubbles in money to
cary the ship into some harborow, where she might safely
winter, or els to keepe her where she rode all winter,
which was promised to be given them if they did it: and
the same day when with those lighters they had gotten
sight of the foure Islands being about eight versts Southwest from them, the winde then at Northeast, did freese
the sea so as they could not row, guide, stirre or remove
the said lighters, but as the winde and yce did force them.
And so they continued driving with the yce, Southeast
into the sea by the space of forty houres, and then being
the sixteenth day the yce stood. Whiles they drove with
the yce, the dangers which they incurred were great: for
oftentimes when the yce with the force of winde and sea
did breake, pieces of it were tossed and driven one upon
another with great force, terrible to beholde, and the same
happened at sometimes so neere unto the lighters, that
they expected it would have overwhelmed them to their
utter destruction: but God who had preserved them from
many perils before, did also save and deliver them then.
Within three or foure dayes after the first standing of
the yce, when it was firme and strong, they tooke out all
their goods, being fourty and eight bales or packes of raw
silke, &c. layde it on the yce, and covered the same with
such provisions as they had. Then for want of victuals,
&c. they agreed to leave all the goods there upon the
yce, and to go to the shore: and thereupon brake up their
Chests and Corobias, wherewith, and with such other
things as they could get, they made sleddes for every of
them to draw upon the yce, whereon they layed their
clothes to keepe them warme, and such victuals as they
had, and such other things as they might conveniently
cary, and so they departed from the sayd goods and
Pavoses very earely about one of the clocke in the morning, and travailing on the yce, directed their way North,
as neere as they could judge, and the same day about two
of the clocke in the afternoone, they had sight of the
Chetera Babbas (foure hillocks of Islands so called) unto
the same they directed themselves, and there remained
that night.
The goods and Pavoses which they left on the yce
they judged to be from those Chetera Babbas about
20 versts.
And the next morning departed thence Eastwards, and
came to the Chetera Bougories (or foure Islands before
spoken of) before noone (the distance betweene those
places is about 15 versts) where they remained all that
night, departing thence towards Astracan: the next
morning very early they lost their way through the
perswasion of the Russes which were with them, taking
too much towards the left hand (contrary to the opinion
of M. Hudson) whereby wandering upon the yce foure or
five dayes, not knowing whether they were entred into
the Crimme Tartars land or not, at length it fortuned
they met with a way that had bene travailed, which crost
backwards towards the sea: that way they tooke, and
following the same, within two days travaile it brought
them to a place called the Crasnoyare (that is to say in the
English tongue) Red cliffe, which divers of the company
knew.
There they remained that night, having nothing to eat
but one loafe of bread, which they happened to finde with
the two Russes that were left in the ship to keepe her
all the Winter (as is aforesaid) whom they chanced to
meet going towards Astracan, about five miles before they
came to the sayd Crasnoyare, who certified them that the
ship was cut in pieces with the yce, and that they had
hard scaping with their lives.
In the morning they departed early from Crasnoyare
towards the Ouchooge, and about 9 of the clocke before
noone, being within 10 versts of the Uchooge, they met
Amos Riall, with the carpenter, which he found at
Ouchooge, and a gunner newly come out of England,
and also 65 horses with so many Cassacks to guide them,
and 50 gunners for gard, which brought provision of
victuals, &c. and were sent by the Duke to fetch the goods
to Astracan. The meeting of that company was much joy
unto them.
The factors sent backe with Amos Riall and the sayd
company to fetch the goods, Thomas Hudson the Master,
Tobias Paris his Mate, and so they the sayd Factors and
their company marched on to the Uchooge, where they
refreshed themselves that day, and the night following.
And from thence proceeded on towards Astracan, where
they arrived the last day of November. These that went
for the goods after their departure from the Factors
travailed the same day untill they came within 10 versts
of the Chetera Babbas, where they rested that night. The
next morning by the breake of the day they departed
thence, and before noone were at the Chetera Babas,
wher they stayed all night; but presently departed thence
Thomas Hudson with the Carpenter and gunner to seeke
where the goods lay: who found the same, and the next
day they returned backe to their company at the Chetera
Babbas, and declared unto them in what sort they had
found the sayd goods.
The 3 day early in the morning they departed all from
the 4 Babbas towards the said goods, and the same day
did lade all the goods they could find upon the said sleds,
and with all convenient speed returned backe towards
Astracan. And when they came to the Chetera Bougori,
where they rested the night, in the morning very early
before the breake of day, they were assaulted by a great
company of the Nagays Tartars horsemen, which came
showting and hallowing with a great noise, but our
people were so invironed with the sleds, that they durst
not enter upon them, but ranne by, and shot their arrowes
amongst them, and hurt but one man in the head, who
was a Russe
, and so departed presently. Yet when it
was day, they shewed themselves a good distance off from
our men, being a very great troope of them, but did not
assault them any more. The same day our men with
those cariages, departed from thence towards Astracan,
where they arrived in safety the 4 of December, about 3 of
the clocke in the afternoone, where our people greatly
rejoyced of their great good happe to have escaped so
many hard events, troubles and miseries, as they did in
that voyage, and had great cause therefore to praise the
Almighty, who had so mercifully preserved and delivered
them. They remained the Winter at Astracan, where
they found great favour and friendship of the duke,
captaine, and other chiefe officers of that place: but that
Winter there happened no great matter worth the noting.
In the spring of the yeere 1581, about the mids of
March, the yce was broken up, and cleare gone before
Astracan, and the ninth of Aprill, having all the goods
that were returned from the parts of Media, laden into a
Stroog, the Factors, William Turnebull, Matthew Taileboyes, Giles Crow, Christopher Burrough,
Michael Lane,
Laurence Prouse gunner, Randolfe Foxe, Tho. Hudson,
Tobias Parris, Morgan Hubblethorne the dier, Rich.
the Surgean, Rob. Golding, Joh. Smith, Edw. Reding
carpenter, and William Perrin gunner, having also 40
Russes, whereof 36 were Cassacks to row, the rest
merchants passengers, departed from Astracan with the
sayd Stroog and goods up the Volga
towards Yeraslave.
They left behinde them at Astracan, with the English
goods & merchandise there remaining, Amos Riall, W.
Wincoll, and Richard Relfe, and appointed them to sell
& barter the same, or so much thereof as they could to
the Tisiks, if there came any thither that spring, and to
others as they might, & the rest with such as they should
take in exchange to returne up to Yeraslave that Summer,
when the Emperors carriage should passe up the Volga
.
The 21 day they came with their Stroog to the Peravolok,
but made no stay at that place: for they had beene much
troubled with yce in their comming from Astracan. The
3 of May about noone they came to Oveak, and from
thence proceeding up the river, on the 17 day William
Turnebull departed from the Stroog in a small boat, and
went before towards Tetusha to provide victuals, and
send downe to the Stroog, from which place they were
then about 230 versts. The 23 day they met a boat with
victuals, which William Turnebull sent from Tetusha, and
the same day they arrived with their Stroog at
Tetusha,
where they stayed all night, and the next morning
betimes departed thence, but W. Turnebull was gone in
the small boat before to Cazan, to provide necessaries
from thence, and to make way for their dispatch. The
26 day they arrived with their Stroog at Cazan, where
they remained till the fourth of June: the Factors sent
Giles Crow from Cazan to the Mosco, with their letters
the 30 of May. The 4 day of June they departed from
Cazan with their Stroog, and arrived at Yeraslave the
22 day about 5 of the clocke in the morning.
The 23 day they provided Telegos, to carry the goods
to Vologda. The 24 day having the goods laden upon
Telegos, they departed with the same towards Vologda,
and remained there five versts from Yeraslave.
The 29 day they came to Vologda, with all their
goods in safety, and good order. The same 29, William
Turnbull and Peter Garrard departed from Vologda post
by water towards Colmogro, the third of July, having
their goods laden in a small doshnik, they departed
with the same from Vologda towards
Rose Island by
S. Nicholas, where they arrived in safety the 16 of July,
and found there the Agents of Russia, and in the rode
the ships sent out of England, almost laden ready to
depart.
The 25 day departed for England (out of the rode of S.
Nicholas) the ship Elizabeth.
The 26 day departed thence the Thomas Allen and
Mary Susan, and in the Thomas Allen went William
Turnbul, Matthew Tailboys, Thomas Hudson, and others.
The goods returned of the Persia voyage were laden into
the ship, William and John, whereof was Master, William
Bigat, and in her with the same goods came Peter Garrard
and Tobias Parris.
The 11 of August, the same ship being laden and
dispatched departed from the rode of S. Nicholas, and
with her in company another of the companies fraighted
ships, called the Tomasin, whereof was M. Christopher
Hall. In their returne homewards they had some foule
weather, and were separated at the sea, the William and
John put into Newcastle
the 24 of September: from
whence the sayd Peter Garrard and Tobias Parris came
to London by land, and brought newes of the arrivall of
the ship.
The 25 of September both the sayd ships arrived at the
port of London in safety, and ankered before Limehouse
and Wapping, where they were discharged, 1581.
