[12] Probably Hamer, a place on the north of Mainland. - Forst.
[13] Engrgroneland, Groenland, or Greenland. - Forst.
[14] The poultry here mentioned in the text; must have been ptarmagans and
the flesh that of the reindeer. - Forst.
[15] The lime or mortar here described, appears to be the terra puzzuolana
or terras, a compound of lime and oxid of iron, which forms an
indestructible cement, even under water; and the remarkably light
stones ejected from the volcano, and used in the construction of their
vault, were probably of pumice. - E.
[16] The greater part of this concluding paragraph must necessarily be in
the language of the editor; perhaps of Ramusio. It contains, however,
some palpable contradictions, since Nicolo Zeno could hardly be
supposed to mention the rest of the Zenos, descendants of his
grand-nephew, while still living himself; neither does it appear how
the sons of Nicolo got back to Venice; and there is no account of
Antonio ever being allowed to return at all. - E
SECTION II.
Sequel of the Narrative by Antonio Zeno.
Twenty-six years ago, four fishing boats, which had been overtaken by a
violent storm, were driven out to sea for a great many days; and on the
cessation of the tempest, they discovered an island called Estoitland,
which lay above a thousand miles to the westward of Frisland. One of the
boats, containing six men, was cast away upon this island; and the men,
being made prisoners by the inhabitants, were conducted to a fine and
populous city where the king resided, who sent for various interpreters,
but none could be found except one who spoke Latin. This man, who, in like
manner, had been cast by accident on the same island, asked them, by order
of the king, from what country they had come; and being made acquainted
with their case, the king ordered that the should stay in the country.
These orders they obeyed, as indeed they could not do otherwise, and they
remained five years on the island, during which time they learned the
language of the people. One of them was in various parts of the island, and
affirms that it is a very rich country, abounding in every commodity and
convenience in life, being little less than Iceland, but much more fertile,
having a very high mountain in the centre, from whence four great rivers
take their source, and traverse the whole country.
The inhabitants are a very ingenious and sensible people, and have arts and
handicrafts of every kind as we have; and it is highly probable that they
formerly carried on some traffic with Europe, as this man says he saw Latin
books in the kings library, but which at present they do not understand;
for they have a language of their own, and peculiar letters or characters
in which it is written.
![A General History And Collection Of Voyages And Travels - Volume 1 - By Robert Kerr
- - Forst.
[11] Grisland seems to be the island which lies to the eastward of Iceland,
called Enkhuyzen; perhaps the island - Page 373](../images/travel.jpg)
