Page:The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier.djvu/136

Chio, near to the Land; and that night we came to an Anchor near the Castle, being becalm'd.

The twenty-fourth the Wind rose at North-West, which blew us into the Port of Smyrna.

The twenty-fifth we went a-shoar, having had as quiet a passage as ever I had in my Life for twenty days together.

We staid at Smyrna from the twenty-fifth of April to the ninth of June; during which time there happ'nd so terrible an Earthquake, that I had like to have tumbl'd out of my Bed.

The Caravan being ready to set out for Tauris, I took with me three Armenian Servants, besides those that I carry'd out of France to serve me upon the Road.

We set out of Smyrna upon Monday the ninth of June at three a Clock in the afternoon. The Caravan rendevouz'd at Pont-garbashi, three Leagues from the City, consisting of six hundred Camels, and almost the same number of Horse. We set out the next night, two hours after midnight. As for the Road I shall say nothing, only relate some Passages that fell out by the way.

Being come to Erivan, the fourteenth of September we encamp'd in a pleasant green place between the Castle and the old Town; for we would not lye in the Inn, because we heard that several sick people lodg'd there. We staid there two days; during which time I resolv'd to wait upon the Kan, I found him in a Room made in one of the Arches of the Bridge which is built over the River, which I have describ'd already, with several Captains and Officers about him: when he had ask'd me whence I came, and whither I was travelling, he caus'd a Glass of Liquor to be fill'd me. After that I presented him with a Prospective-Glass, six pair of ordinary Spectacles, twelve other pair of Spectacles that cast several Reflexions, two little Pistols, and a Steel to strike Fire, made like a Pistol. All which pleas'd him extremely well, especially the Spectacles, for he was sixty years of age. Thereupon he commanded a Lamb, Wine, Fruit, and Melons to be carry'd to my Tent, and that I should want nothing. After that we sate down to Dinner, but I observ'd the Kan himself drank no Wine, though he press'd me to it. The reason was, because he was an Agu, that is, one that had made his Pilgrimage to Mecca; for then it is not lawful to drink Wine, or any other inebriating Drink. After Dinner, finding him in a pleasant humour, I resolv'd to complain to him of one of the Custom-Officers about an injury he had done me. For it is usual with the Customer in this place to op'n the Chests of all the Merchants, both Turks and Armenians, to the end that if they have any thing of Rarity the Kan of Erivan may see it: for many times, he buyes what pleases him best to send to the King. This Officer would not excuse me for his Custom, and therefore at my very first arrival he would have me to op'n my Chests; and because I did not do it according to his Orders, he ask'd me very rudely why I had not obey'd his Commands: I answer'd him as surlily, that I would op'n my Chest no where unless it were in the presence of the King, and that as for him, I knew him not: Upon that he threaten'd me, that if he did not find my Chests op'n the next day, he would op'n them by force; thereupon I said no more, but bid him have a care I did not make him repent of what he had done already. This was the ground of the Quarrel, and I was about to have complain'd to the Kan; but his Nephew intreated me for the love I bare him, not to say any thing of it, and promised to send the Customer to me to beg my Pardon, which he did, and the Customer was forc'd to crave it heartily. To avoid the same inconvenience for the future, I desir'd the Kan to give me his Pasport, to the end I might pass Custom-free