A.D. 



Cape Verde. 



Besegueache. 



Besegueache. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



The kings name is Melick Zamba, who dwelleth two 

 dayes journey within the land from Refisca. 



The 12 of November 1591, I Richard Rainolds & 

 Thomas Dassel factors in a ship called the Nightingale 

 of London of 125 tunnes, and a pinnesse called the 

 Messenger of 40 tunnes arrived neere unto Capo Verde 

 at a litle Hand called The Hand of liberty. At this Hand 

 we set up a small pinnesse, with which we cary our 

 marchandise on land when wee traffique. And in the 

 meane time Thomas Dassel went with the great pinnesse 

 to traffike with Spaniards or Portugals in Porto d'Ally 

 or Joala. Over against the sayd Hand on the maine 

 is an habitation of the Negros called Besegueache. The 

 alcaide or governor thereof with a great traine came 

 aboord in their canoas to receive the kings dueties for 

 ankerage and permitting the quiet setting up of our 

 pinnesse : who liked passing well that no Portugall came 

 in the shippe, saying, we should be better thought of 

 by the king and people, if we never did bring Portugall, 

 but come of our selves as the Frenchmen ever did and 

 doe. And to purchase the more love, I Richard Rainolds 

 gave him and all his company courteous entertainment. 

 Also upon his intreaty, having sufficient pledge aboord, 

 I and others went on land with him. At this instant 

 there was great warre betweene this alcaide and another 

 governor of the next province. Neverthelesse upon our 

 arrivall truce was taken for a space ; and I with our 

 company conducted among both enemies to the governors 

 house in Besegueache, and were gently and friendly 

 feasted after their maner, and with some presents returned 

 safe aboord againe. The next day the alcaide came 

 aboord againe, to wil me to send some yron and other 

 commodities in the boat to traffike with the Negros, and 

 also requested me that I would go to Refisca with the 

 ship ; which I did. And one thing I noted, that a 

 number of Negros attended the alcaides landing in war- 

 like maner with bowes and poisoned arrowes, darts 

 poisoned, and swords, (because that the enemies by 



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