I went from Bengala into the countrey of Couche, [Marginal note: Couche:
this seemeth to be Quicheu, accounted by some among the prouinces of
China.] which lieth 25. daies iourny Northwards from Tanda. The king is a
Gentile, his name is Suckel Counse: his countrey is great, and lieth not
far from Cochin China: for they say they haue pepper from thence. The port
is called Cacchegate. All the countrie is set with Bambos or Canes made
sharpe at both the endes and driuen into the earth, and they can let in the
water and drowne the ground aboue knee deepe, so that men nor horses can
passe. They poison all the waters if any wars be. Here they haue much silke
and muske, and cloth made of cotton. The people haue eares which be
marueilous great of a span long, which they draw out in length by deuises
when they be yong. Here they be all Gentiles, and they will kil nothing.
They haue hospitals for sheepe, goates, dogs, cats, birds, and for all
other liuing creatures. When they be old and lame, they keepe them vntil
they die. If a man catch or buy any quicke thing in other places and bring
it thither, they wil giue him mony for it or other victuals, and keepe it
in their hospitals or let it go, They wil giue meat to the Ants. Their smal
mony is almonds, [Marginal note: In Mexico they vse likewise for small
money the fruit Cacao which are like almonds.] which oftentimes they vse to
eat. From thence I returned to Hugeli, which is the place where the
Portugals keep in the country of Bengala which standeth in 23. degrees of
Northerly latitude, and standeth a league from Satagan: they cal it Porto
Piqueno. We went through the wildernes, because the right way was full of
thieues, where we passed the countrey of Gouren, where we found but few
villages, but almost all wildernes, and saw many buffes, swine and deere,
grasse longer then a man, and uery [sic--KTH] many Tigers. [Sidenote: Porto
Angeli.] Not far from Porto Piqueno south westward, standeth an hauen which
is called Angeli, in the countrey of Orixa. It was a kingdom of it selfe,
and the king was a great friend to strangers. Afterwards it was taken by