VOYAGE

of

ANTHONY JENKINSON.

1558

... and the wind blowing against us, we anchored in one fathom of water and remained at anchor until the 15th, when a storm from the South-East compelled us to head out to sea. The wind turned to the North and we took our course South-East, and covered 8 miles that day. On the 17th we advanced 30 miles and lost sight of land. On the 18th we made 20 miles speed, our course was to the East, and we found ourselves opposite the land of Baughleata, 74 miles from the mouth of the Volga, at the latitude of 46 degrees 54 minutes. The coast ran East by South. On a promontory of this coast is a burial place of a Tartar Prophet, which is visited with great devotion by the people of this land.

Finds himself opposite Baughleata.

And further before the river Jaïc, flowing from the region of Siberia.

On the 19th, the wind being West and our course East-South-East, we advanced 10 miles and steered before the mouth of a large river, called Jaïc, which has its source in the region of Siberia. This river waters the lands of the Nogai Tartars. I was told that one day's journey up the river, a city called Serafchik was located, subject to Mursa-Smille, Prince of the Tartars, who is currently at peace with the Muscovites. They told me that no currency was in circulation in this land, and since these people are constantly at war or occupied with their cattle grazing, there is no trade there.

What he was told about this region.

Our vessel then lay at anchor before the mouth of the river Jaïc, while all our people were on land. As for me, I did not feel well, and for that reason remained in the bark alongside 5 Tartars. One of them, called Azi, was held by them as a holy man because he was returning from the pilgrimage to Mecca. In the meantime, a vessel with 30 armed men came alongside; our pilgrim from Mecca asked them what they wanted,

And further encounters.