THE RICH TRADE FROM AFRICA a.d. 



1591. 



of cities and townes ; and in every city and towne a 

 Captaine with certaine souldiers ; which Captaines are 

 lords and owners of the sayd townes. One city there is Concerning 

 called Couton, another Xanigeton, as also the cities of f^ffj™ 

 Tubguer, Azegue, Amader, Quaherque, and the towne Africanm a 

 of Faroo. The which townes and cities are very great little after the 

 and fairely built, being inhabited by rich Moores, and be&nningof 

 abounding with all kinde of cattell, Barley and Dates. hts 6 booke ' 

 And here is such plenty of golde found upon the sands 

 by the rivers side, that the sayd Moores usually carry the 

 same Northward to Marocco, and Southward to the city 

 of Tombuto in the land of Negros, which city standeth 

 about 300 leagues from the kingdome of Darha ; and this 

 kingdome is but 60 leagues from this Hand and Castle 

 of Arguin. Wherefore 1 beseech your worship to put 

 his majesty in remembrance hereof; for the sayd cities 

 and townes are but ten dayes journey from hence. 1 

 heartily wish that his majesty would send two or three 

 marchants to see the state of the Countrey, who might 

 travell to the aforesayd cities, to understand of their rich 

 trade. For any man may go safe and come safe from 

 those places. And thus without troubling of your 

 worship any further, I humbly take my leave. From 

 the Hand and Castle of Arguin the 20 of January 1 591 . 



Your worships servant 



Melchior Petoney. 



[The voyage 

 89 



