in our Beards when we drank.  This did not agree with our Bodies, being used to drink pure Spring water only.  By which means when we first used those parts we used often to be Sick of violent Favors and Agues, when we came home.  Which Diseases happened not only to us, but to all other People that dwelt upon the Mountains, as we did, whensoever they went down into those places; and commonly the major part of those that fall sick, dyes.  At which the Chingulays are so feared, that it is very seldom they do adventure their Bodies down thither:  neither truly would I have done it, were it not for those future hopes, which God of his mercy did at length accomplish.  For both of us smarted sufficiently by those severe Favors we got, when we should both lay Sick together and one not able to help the other.  Insomuch that our Countrymen and Neighbours used to ask us, if we went thither purposing to destroy our selves, they little thinking, and we not daring to tell them our intent and design.

[In those parts is bad Water, but they had an Antidote against it.] At length we learned an Antidote and Counter-Poyson against the filthy venomous water, which so operated by the blessing of God, that after the use thereof we had no more Sickness.  It is only a dry leaf; they call it in Portugueze Banga, beaten to Powder with some of the Countrey Jaggory:  and this we eat Morning and Evening upon an empty Stomach.  It intoxicates the Brain, and makes one giddy, without any other operation either by Stool or Vomit.

[They still improve in the knowledge of their Way.] Thus every Voyage we gathered more experience, and got lower down, for this is a large and spacious Countrey.  We travailed to and fro where the ways led us, according to their own Proverb, The Beggar and the Merchant is never out of his way; because the one begs and the other trades wherever they go.  Thus we used to ramble until we had sold all our ware, and then went home for more.  And by these means we grew acquainted both with the People and the Paths.

[Meets with his black Boy in these parts, who was to guide him to the Dutch.] In these parts I met with my black Boy, whom I had divers years before turned away, who had now Wife and Children.  He proved a great help to me in directing me in the ways; for he had lived many years in these parts.  Perceiving him to be able, and also in a very poor and sad condition, not able to maintain his Family, I adventured once to ask him if a good reward would not be welcome to him, for guiding us two down to the Dutch.  Which having done he might return again and no Body the wiser.  At which Proposition he seemed to be very joyful, and promised to undertake the same:  only at this time for reasons he alledged, which to me seemed probable, as that it was Harvest time and many People about it, it could not so safely and conveniently be done now, as it might be some two Months after.

The Business was concluded upon, and the time appointed between us.  But it so fell out, that at the very precise time, all things being ready to depart on the morrow, it pleased God, whose time was not yet come, to strike me with a most grievous pain in the hollow on my right side, that for five days together I was not able to stir from the fire side, but by warming it, and fomenting and chafing it I got a a little ease.