aforesaid M. Ralph Fitch.

In the yeere of our Lord 1583, I Ralph Fitch of London merchant being
desirous to see the countreys of the East India, in the company of M. Iohn
Newberie marchant (which had beene at Ormus once before) of William Leedes
Ieweller, and Iames Story Painter, being chiefly set fourth by the right
worshipful Sir Edward Osborne knight, and M. Richard Staper citizens and
marchants of London, did ship my selfe in a ship of London called the
Tyger, wherein we went for Tripolis in Syria: and from thence we tooke the
way for Aleppo, which we went in seuen dayes with the Carouan. Being in
Aleppo, and finding good company, we went from thence to Birra, which is
two dayes and an halfe trauaile with Camels.

Birra is a little towne, but very plentifull of victuals: and neere to the
wall of the towne runneth the riuer of Euphrates. Here we bought a boate
and agreed with a master and bargemen, for to go to Babylon. The boats be
but for one voiage: for the streame doth runne so fast downewardes that
they cannot returne. They carie you to a towne which they call Felugia, and
there you sell the boate for a litle money, for that which cost you fiftie
at Birra you sell there for seuen or eight. From Birra to Felugia is
sixteene dayes iourney, it is not good that one boate goe alone, for if it
should chance to breake, you should haue much a doe to saue your goods from
the Arabians, which be alwayes there abouts robbing: and in the night when
your boates be made fast, it is necessarie that you keepe good watch. For
the Arabians that bee theeues, will come swimming and steale your goods and
flee away, against which a gunne is very good, for they doe feare it very
much. In the riuer of Euphrates from Birra to Felugia there be certaine
places where you pay custome, so many Medines for a some or Camels lading,
and certaine raysons and sope, which is for the sonnes of Aborise, which is
Lord of the Arabians and all that great desert, and hath some villages vpon