They Sell Precious Stones By A Weight
Named Masse, 10-3/4 Of Which Make An Ounce.
[Footnote 42:
The Turks are called Rumos in India, because their chief
city, Constantinople, was called New Rome. Their tradition of Ophir is
more to be marked than this conceit of Rumos in the Red-Sea. - Purchas,
in a marginal note.
The Egyptians might follow this trade from the days of Solomon, but the
Rums, or Romans, could not, as they did not possess Egypt till long
after Solomon. - Astl. 1. 260. c.
It would be too long, in a note, to enter upon any critical discussion
respecting the Ophir of Solomon, which was more probably at Sofala,
on the eastern coast of Africa. - E.]
Once every year they have the following strange custom, which happened
while we were there. The king and all his nobles go in great pomp to the
church, or mosque, to see if the Messias be come. On that occasion, I
think, were at least forty elephants, all richly covered with silk,
velvet, and cloth of gold, several nobles riding on each elephant. One
elephant was exceedingly adorned beyond the rest, having a little golden
castle on his back, which was led for the expected Messias to ride
upon. On another elephant, the king sat alone in a little castle, so
that the whole made a very splendid procession; in which some bore
targets of pure massy gold, others large golden crescents, with
streamers, banners, ensigns, drums, trumpets, and various other
instruments of music. Going to the church with great solemnity, and
using many ceremonies, they looked into the church, and not finding the
Messias there, the king descended from his own elephant, and rode home
on that prepared for the Messias. After which, the day was concluded
with great feastings, and many pleasant sports.
The island of Sumatra is divided into four kingdoms, Acheen, Pedier,
Monancabo, and Aru, of which Acheen is the chief, Pedier and Monancabo
being tributary to it; but Aru refuses subjection, and adheres to the
king of Johor, in Malacca. I only heard of five principal cities in this
island, Acheen, Pedier, Pacem, [Pisang,] Daia, [perhaps Daga,] and
Monancabo.
I now return to our proceedings after the slaughter of Acheen. On the
10th September we anchored at the islands of Pulo Lotum, in lat. 6 deg.
50' N. near the coast of the kingdom of Queda, where we watered, and
procured refreshments. There were in our ship three sealed letters,
superscribed A.B.C. which were to be opened on the death of our baas,
or captain. On opening that marked A. one Thomas Quymans was appointed
our chief; but, as he was slain at Acheen, we opened B. by which Guyan
Lafort, who escaped death by bringing the message from the king to us at
Pedier, was nominated our chief, and was accordingly received by us in
that capacity. The letter marked C. was not opened.
Leaving Pulo Lotum on the 30th September, we sailed for Acheen, for the
purpose of endeavouring to recover our men who were there in captivity.
We came in sight of Acheen on the 6th October, and got into the bay on
the 12th, where twelve of their gallies set upon us.
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