nd well guarded by a
Saniaccho with 150 Turks wel prouided with ordinance and all other
necessaries and munition, and all these fortifyings are for none other
cause then for feare and suspition of the Portugals. And if the port were
good this were in vaine: but the port cannot be worse nor more dangerous;
being all full of rocks and sands, in such wise, that the ships cannot come
neere, but perforce ride at the least two miles off. [Sidenote: Forty or
fifty rich ships arriue yeerely at Grida.] At this port arriue euery yeere
forty or fifty great shippes laden with spices and other rich marchandize
which yeeld in custome 150000 ducats, the halfe whereof goeth vnto the
Grand Signior, and the other halfe to the Serifo. And because there is none
other thing worthy mention in Grida we wil returne to our Carouan which
hath almost rested enough.

Of their going to Medina.

The Carouan departeth for Medina returning the same way they came vnto
Bedrihonem abouesayd, where they leaue their ordinance and other cariages,
whereof they haue no need, with the pilgrims which haue seene Medina
aforetime, and desire not to see it againe, but stay in that place,
expecting the carouan, and resting vntill the carouan go from Bedrihonem to
Medina, where they alwayes finde goodly habitations, with abundance of
sweet waters, and dates enough, and being within foureteene miles of Medina
they come vnto a great plaine called by them Iabel el salema, that is to
say, the mountaine of health, from which they begin to descry the citie and
tombe of Mahomet, at which sight they light from their horses in token of
reuerence. And being ascended vp the sayd mountaine with shouting which
pierceth the skies they say, Sala tuua salema Alaccha Iarah sul Allah. Sala
tuua Salema Alaccha Ianabi Allah, Sala tuua Salema Allaccha Iahabit Allah:
which words in the Arabian tongue signifie: Prayer and health be vnto thee,
oh prophet of God: prayer and health be vpon thee, oh beloued of God. And
hauing pronounced this salutacion, they proceed on their iourney, so that
they lodge that night within three miles of Medina: and the next morning
the captaine of the pilgrimage ariseth, and proceeding towards the city,
and drawing neere, there commeth the gouernour vnder the Serifo,
accompanied with his people to receiue the Carouan, hauing pitched their
tents in the midst of a goodly field where they lodge.

Of Medina.

Medina is a little city of great antiquity, conta