‘The perillous and most unhappy voyages of John Struys, through Italy, Greece, Lifeland, Moscovia, Tartary, Media, Persia, East-India, Japan, and other places in Europe, Africa and Asia. Containing, I. Most accurate remarks and observations of the distinct qualities, religion, politie, customs, laws and properties of the inhabitants: II. A due description of the several cities, towns, forts and places of trust, as to their site and strength, fortifications by nature, or art, &c. with other things worthy of note: and III. An exact memorial of the most disastrous calamities which befell the author in those parts (viz) by ship-wrack, robberies, slavery, hunger, tortures, with other incommodities and hardships’ [‎306] (371/470)

3o6
The V oyages of
V oy. III.
If'
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from whom they fay Mahomet is defcended. by a diredt line: alledging
that it was not ifaac, as the Chriftiansand beleev > and further
that it was not a Ram that was offered in his ftead j but a She-camel.
Wherefore they alwaies lead a Camel thro the ftreets for 3 daies
together before this Feaft, adorning it with Garlands of Leavs and
Flowers, if there be any to be had, and on the Feftival Hay it, with
many Ceremonies. Firft comes the who is one Ikill'd in the
Law , and reads certain Faifages out of the when he is
filent they play upon Trumpets, Flutes and Drums. In the mean
while the Common-People run and crowd in to the Camel, to get
fom of the Hair , every one pulling as much as he can , which is
kept for Relifts , and reputed good for Women in Childbed who
cannot eafily be delivered j infomuch that the Beaft is almoft bare
before he com to be Offered. When they have led him 3 days about
Town he is brought out of the City to a place thereto appointed ,
where all the greateftPerfonages are prefent and immediately make a
Ring, The Beaft being brought in, oneofthemoft eminent Ferfons
runs him thro with a Spear , upon which all the People run with
Hatchets, Bills, and Knives ftriving every one to get a piece, which
they carry home, fom boyling it, and others preferving it till the
year after, reckoning it a certain and fure token of Happinefs to that
Houfe, where there is but a fmal Morfel of this Camel. Thofe who are
flow or impotent muft be content with the Entrails, Skin, and Blood r
which they gather up fo clean, that nothing of it appears upon the
Place where the Sacrifice is done. The whole night continues this Feaft
with Mufic, Drinking and Banquetting.
C H A P. X XX.
Departure from Cafwin. ^Arrival at Saba,
Town. The Earth red and barren by »/Mahomet.
Kom, with a Defcription of that Pla
fmell. A firange kind of Cucumbers. K
jtddiBed to T hie very. The uiuthor's co Greek
cut of Khom. .Arrival at Kal'chan,
of Living and Negotiation^ Noble Carawanferas >
mm. Many Gold- and Silk;Cloth fVeevers. andvenemous