then goe to Cochin, where they lade their Pepper for Portugall. Oftentimes
they lade one in Goa, the rest goe to Cochin which is from Goa an hundred
leagues southward. Goa standeth in the countrey of Hidalcan, who lieth in
the countrey sixe or seuen dayes iourney. His chiefe citie is called
Bisapor. [Sidenote: This wa the 20 of Nouember.] At our comming we were
cast into prison, and examined before the Iustice and demanded for letters,
and were charged to be spies, but they could prooue nothing by vs. We
continued in prison vntill the two and twentie of December, and then we
were set at libertie, putting in sureties for two thousand duckets not to
depart the towne; which sureties father Steuens an English Iesuite which we
found there, and another religious man a friend of his procured for vs. Our
sureties name was Andreas Taborer, to whom we paid 2150. duckats, and still
he demaunded more: whereupon we made sute to the Viceroy and Iustice to
haue our money againe, considering that they had had it in their hands
neere fiue moneths and could prooue nothing against vs. The Viceroy made vs
a very sharpe answere, and sayd we should be better sifted before it were
long, and that they had further matter against vs. Whereupon we presently
determined rather to seeke our liberties, then to bee in danger for euer to
be slaues in the countrey, for it was told vs we should haue the strapado.
Wherupon presently, the fift day of April 1585. in the morning we ranne
from thence. And being set ouer the riuer, we went two dayes on foote not
without feare, not knowing the way nor hauing any guide, for we durst trust
none. [Sidenote: Bellergan a towne.] One of the first townes which we came
vnto, is called Bellergan, where there is a great market kept of Diamants,
Rubies, Saphires, and many other soft stones. [Sidenote: Bisapor.] From
Bellergan we went to Bisapor which is a very great towne where the king
doeth keepe his court. Hee hath many Gentiles in his court and they be
great idolaters. And they haue their idols standing in the Woods, which
they call Pagodes. Some bee like a Cowe, some like a Monkie, some like
Buffles, some like peacockes, and some like the deuill. Here be very many