_April_, seven days from our weighing anchor in _Swalley-Road_, we came to an anchor at _Delyn_, a Town of the _Malabars_: We durst not land, the people being so treacherous and bloody; yet we suffered them to come aboard us in their small Canoos, selling us for any trifles, Coco-nuts, Jacks, Green-pepper, Indian-pease, Hens, Eggs, and the like. They brought us likewise Oranges of so pleasant a taste, the rind vying with the juice, which shall become most grateful to the palate: We had likewise from them Plantanes, a fruit supposed by some, to be that which _Eve_ was tempted withal; if a man gathers them green, yet will they ripen afterwards, coloured with a dainty yellow: the rind or skin will peel off with much facility; they melt in the mouth, giving a most delicious taste and relish. These _Malabars_ are coal-black, well limb’d, their hair long and curled; about their heads they only tye a small piece of linnen, but about their bodies nothing but a little cloth which covers their secrets. Notwithstanding their cruelty & inhumanity, we man’d out our long-boat, and 15, whereof I was one, went ashore, carrying some Muskets and Swords with us, suspecting the worst: Landing, they fled from us, but not without sending good store of poysoned arrows & darts amongst us. It is no wonder that these people are so black, for they live under the scorching fire of the torrid Zone. We returned to our Ship, finding it no way safe to stay here longer; next morning hoisting sail, we came to _Canavar_, where we met with people more civil; whereupon we landed; and receiving things from the inhabitants of considerable value, for toys and trifles we gave them in lieu, we resolved to stay here a while. The better sort of these people are called _Nairo’s_, whose heads are cover’d with a low tulipant, & their middles with a party-coloured Plad, resembling a Scotch Plad: The poorer sort have nothing but a small vail over their privities, wholly naked elsewhere; which veil or flap the women in courtesie will turn aside, and shew a man their _Pudenda_, by way of gratitude for any courtesie received, as if they would render satisfaction with that, which could never receive plenary satisfaction it self. They have a strange custom in their Marriages, observed among them by the highest to the lowest: who so marrieth, is not to have the first nights imbraces with his Bride, but is very well contented to bestow her Maiden-head on the _Bramini_, or Priests, who do not always enjoy it, being glutted with such frequent offerings, and therefore will many times sell them to strangers. Such a proffer I had once made me, and with shame I must confess, I did accept it, forgetting those sacred vows I made in _Newgate_, to live a more pious, strict and sober life. The Bride that night, was plac’d in one of their Fanes, as is customary, the Priest or _Bramin_ coming to her; but instead thereof, according to agreement