Page:The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier.djvu/150
From Galas to Megin, days 1
The Bales are not open'd here, but the Merchant pays three and a half, or four per Cent.
From Megin to Mangalia, days 8
This is one of the four Ports to the West upon the Black Sea, and the best of all.
The three others toward the South upon the Coast are Kavarna, Balgik, and Varna. At Mangalia they demand but half a Piaster for every Bale. Crossing from thence to Trebisond you have five days Journey to Erzerom.
Now to the Road of Muscovy; which having been exactly describ'd by Olearius, going into Persia, I will describe it returning out of Persia.
Having led the Reader to Shamaqui, I will return home from thence.
From Shamaqui to Derbent, days 7
Derbent, which the Turks call Demir-Capi, is the last City within the Jurisdiction of the Persians; by which there runs a River which is call'd Shamourka.
From Derbent to Tetarck, days 8
By this Town runs a River which is call'd Bocan.
From Tetark to Astracan they hire small Barks with a dozen Oars. All along the shoar the Osiers grow so very thick, that they afford shelter for the Barks in fowl weather. If the Wind serve they will put up a little Sail and be at Astracan in four or five hours; but if they only Row, they cannot be there in nine.
When you Embark upon the Caspian Sea, where you only creep along by the shore, you must provide your self with Water for the three first days, in regard the Water is bitter and ill tasted all along the Coast all that while, but for the rest of the Voyage it is very good. If you carry heavy Goods, you may hire large Boats to save charges.
When you come to Astracan you unlade your Goods; at what time the Officer comes, and sealing up every Bale, causes them to be sent to the Merchants lodging. Three days after the Customer comes to op'n the Bales, and takes five per Cent. If the Merchant hap'n to want money, and takes it up at Astracan to pay again at Moscow, he pays sometimes thirty per Cent, according to the rate of Gold Ducats.
If a Merchant have any Diamonds or any other Jewels, and let it be known, he pays five per Cent. But if a Merchant have any Jewels or any other rarities, and tells the Governour that he intends to carry them to the Grand Duke; the Governour sends a Convoy with him either by Land or Water, that costs him nothing; and moreover sends a Courrier before to the Court to give notice of his coming. There is very good Wine at Astracan, but better at Shamaqui, where I advise the Traveller to provide himself.
From Astracan to Moscow you take Shipping in great Barques that make use both of Oars and Sails rowing against the Tide, and weigh what ever you put aboard, to a very Coverlet. Generally you pay for every pound fourteen Caya, or three Abassi's and a half, and an Abassi makes eighteen Sous and three Deniers.
In Muscovy they reck'n the way neither by leagues nor miles, but by Shagerons, five of which make an Italian mile.
From Astracan to Courmija, Shagerons 300
From Courmija to Sariza, sha. 200
From Sariza to Sarataf, sha. 350
From Sarataf to Samarat, sha. 200
From Samarat to Semiriskat, sha. 300
From Semiriskat to Coulombe, sha. 150
From Coulombe to Casan, sha. 200
This is a great City with a stout Fortress.
From Casan to Sabouk-sha, sha. 200
From Sabouk-sha to Godamijan, sha. 120
From Godamijan to Niguina, sha. 280
Niguina is a large and well Fortifi'd Castle.
From Niguina to Mouron, sha. 300
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