'The travels of Sir John Chardin into Persia and the East Indies, through the Black Sea, and the country of Colchis. Containing the author's voyage from Paris to Ispahan. To which is added, the coronation of the present King of Persia, Solyman the III.' [‎109] (138/594)

through the Black-Sea, and o/'Colchis.
iing the Country both of Cartel and Inhabitants. I muft con-
fefs t depended very much upon the in
Mingrelia, when I firft reiblv'd to itiake choice of that way.
I was %fiVd they had a Houfe where I might be fecure, and
that they could much facilitate my paflage into Ferfra. But
their Houfe was Forty Miles from Land, and Fifty
Five by Sea. However I ient an Fxprefi to the Superior of
the Mifftonaries, with a Letter wherein I gave him an account.
That I was come into Mingrelia, and that I was going into
Terjta about bufinefs ot great Importance. That I had Let
ters of Recommendation to him from the AmbalTador oi"
the Refident of Genoa^ the Warden of the of
and the Sollicitor for the Theatinf at and there
fore I earneftly defir'd him to fend me (bme Perfon that might
give me neceflary Informations how to proceed in my Voy
age. I would have made riiy Bargain with the for
Ready Money, but he rather chole to have Cloth. There
upon my Guide agreed With him for two pieces of blew Lin-
nen, upon Condition that he returned in two days and a
half. Which two pieces coft Six Shillings at Caffa. This
done, I return'd to the Veffel, very penfive, and forely troubl'd
to find my felf in a Country where there was no Provifion to
be bought, where Money would not go, nor any Lodging Was
to be had. And befides the fight of fo many Slaves of all Ages
and both Sexes, fome in Chains, fome ty'd two and tvVo, and
of the Officers of the Cuftotiiers that look'd like meer Rob
bers and Ruffians, had fill'd my Head with a Thbufand Fears.
However I kept a good Heart ftill, and did my utmoft endea
vour to diffipate thofe Difturbances of my Mind.
All this while I faid nothing to iriy Comrade or to my Ser
vants, only that I had been promis'd Provifions; neverthe-
lefs 'twas but prudence to be as good Husbands as we could of
that little we had. Nor did the Rumours of the War hin
der the Merchants in our Veffel from going a Shoar; where
they took every one a Hutt, and carry'd their Commodities
along with 'em.
The 18th at Noon, my Guide came aboard, and brought
ine an Anfwer from the Superiour of the Theatins. It was
very fhort: For he only fcnt me word, That within two or
three Days he Would come to the Veflel with a Bark, and
Would ferve rlie to the utitloft of his Power.
f f Tlie