Kersies, which were worth foure and twentie pardaos the piece, and payd for
them sixteene pardaos a piece: besides diuers other trifles, that the
officers and others had in the like order, and some for nothing at all. But
the cause of all this was Michael Stropene, which came to Ormus not woorth
a penie, and now hath thirtie or fortie thousand crownes, and he grieueth
that any other stranger should trade thither but himselfe. But that shall
not skill, for I trust in God to goe both thither and hither, and to buy
and sell as freely as he or any other. Here is very great good to be done
in diuers of our commodities, and in like manner there is great profite to
be made with commodities of this countrey, to be carried to Aleppo.

It were long for me to write, and tedious for you to read of all things
that haue passed since my parting from you. But of all the troubles that
haue chanced since mine arrinal in Ormus, this bringer is able to certifie
you. I mind to stay here: wherefore if you will write vnto me, you may send
your letters to some friend at Lisbone, and from thence by the ships they
may be conueyed hither. Let the direction of your letters be either in
Portuguise or Spanish, whereby they may come the better to my hands. From
Goa this 20 day of Januarie. 1584.

* * * * *

A Letter written from Goa by Master Ralph Fitch to Master Leonard Poore
abouesaid.

Louing friend Master Poore, &c. Since my departure from Aleppo, I haue not
written vnto you any letters, by reason that at Babylon I was sicke of the
fluxe, and being sicke, I went from thence for Balsara, which was twelue
dayes joumey downe the riuer Tygris, where we had extreame hot weather,
which was good for my disease, ill fare, and worse, lodging, by reason our