we were so pestered with people and
goods, that there was scant place to lie in. From Bengala to Pegu is 90.
legues. We entred the barre of Negrais, which is a braue barre and hath 4.
fadomes water where it hath least. Three dayes after we came to Cosmin,
which is a very pretie towne, and standeth very pleasantly, very well
furnished with all things. [Sidenote: Ladders vsed to auoyd the danger of
wild beasts.] The people be very tall and well disposed; the women white,
round faced, with little eies: the houses are high built, set vpon great
high postes, and they go vp to them with long ladders for feare of the
Tygers which be very many. The countrey is very fruitful of all things.
Here are very great Figs, Orenges, Cocoes, and other fruits. [Sidenote:
Dwelling in boats.] The land is very high that we fall withall, but after
we be entred the barre, it is very lowe and full of riuers, for they goe
all too and fro in boates, which they call paroes, and keepe their houses
with wife and children in them.

From the barre of Nigrais to the citie of Pegu is ten dayes iourney by the
riuers. Wee went from Cosmin to Pegu in Paroes or boates, and passing vp
the riuers wee came to Medon, which is a prety towne, where there be a
wonderfull number of Paroes, for they keepe their houses and their markets
in them all vpon the water. They rowe too and fro, and haue all their
marchandizes in their boates with a great Sombrero or shadow ouer their
heads to keepe the sunne from them, which is as broad as a great cart
wheele made of the leaues of the Coco trees and fig trees, and is very
light.

From Medon we went to Dela, which is a very faire towne, and hath a faire
port into the sea, from whence go many ships to Malacca, Mecca, and many
other places. Here are 18. or 20. very great and long houses, where they
tame and keep many elephants of the kings: for thereabout in the
wildernesse they catch the wilde elephants. It is a very fruitfull
countrey. From Dela we went to Cirion, which is a good towne, and hath a
faire porte into the sea, whither come many ships from Mecca, Malacca,
Sumatra, and from diuers other places. And there the ships staie and
discharge, and send vp their goods in Paroes to Pegu. [Sidenote: Coches
caried on mens shoulders.] From Cirion we went to Macao, which is a prettie
towne, where we left our boates or Paroes, and in the morning taking
Delingeges, which are a kind of Coches made of cords and cloth quilted, and
car