'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.' [‎173] (202/594)

through the Black-Sea^ and Cmmtry of Colchis.
that a Patriarch of Mofcovy, travelling through had
been ftrip'd of all ; in which fa ft ic'was thought the Prince
of Georgia had a Hand, to make himfclf Mailer of the Wealth
which he carry'd along with him. Befides that, I w^s alfo to
confider, that though the Prince of fliould abfolutdy
obey the Kings Commands, and fuppofing he fhould be real
and fincere, yet he would ex peft large Prefents ; and that it
would be impoffible to fatisfie him and his Retinue, who were
wonderful hungry and fliarp for Perfons of their Condition.
I was overjoy'd to find that the Capuchins concurr'd fo ex-
aaiy with my Judgment, and thought the very fame Thoughts
which I did: fo that it was at laft concluded that I ihould de
part privately with my Companion Fryer That I
Ihould pretend to be a Theatin, who had been fent by thofe
of Colchis, who were by War redue'd to utmoft Miferv, to
beg relief from the Capuchm j who had order'd along with
me one of their Society to find em out, and bring em away.
Which being thus determin'd, I provided for my Journey;
and to that purpofe I took out all the Jewels, which I had hid
in my Saddle, and my Pillow, and having put 'em into a little
Trunk that I carry'd about me, I deliver'd em to the Cuftody
of the Superiour. And now we were at a great lofs for Hor-
fes, for that no body would venture their Goods into
lia •, but at length by the power of Money We obtain'd two
Guides and their Horfes; giving fecurity both for the Horfes
and the Furniture.
The 20th I fet forward with Fryer and a
who was a Servant of the Capuchin a Native of Cotatic, and
Who had a Thoufand times travell'd the parts there
about, and whom the Superiour lent along with nle, to lerve
tue upon all Occafions where I fhould have need of a Trufty
Perfon. And thus we were five Men, with four Horfe?.
Upon two of which rode Fryer and my (elf the other
two carry'd our Provifions: and all along we gave it out that
we were fent to the Theatins of for my Lacquey,
I had difmifs'd him, before I went to Tefflis. This Rafcal had
plaid me a Thoufand Roguifh Tricks, and had once endea-
vour'd to have ruin'd me ; and I have already related how he
lerv d me at Conia. The Capuchi advis'd me to have him
fent to Prilbn till my return, and then to prolecute him : But
the deep fenfe I had of GOD s Favour towards me, enclin'd
me to pardon him altogether. I fear'd to provoke the Wrath
of Heaven, fhould Tat a time that Heaven was fo merciful to
Y y