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TO THE NORTHERN PARTS OF RUSSIA AND SIBERTAs 67
along thofe coafts for the fpace of three or four leagues, leaving the ifland called
Vaigats almoft in the middle way between Ugoria and Nova Zembla, then alfo to pafs |
by a certain bay between Vaigats and Ob, trending foutherly into the land of Ugoria,
whereinto fall two fmall rivers called Marmefia and Carah, upon the which rivers do
inhabit another barbarous and favage nation of the Samoeds. He found many flats in
that tract of land, and many cataracts or overfalls of water, yet fuch as he was able
to fail by. When he fhall come to the river of Ob, which river (as the Samoeds re-
port) hath feventy mouths, which by reafon of the huge breadth thereof, containing
many and great iflands, which are inhabited with fundry forts of people, no man fcarcely
can well difcover, becaufe he will not fpend too much time, he purpofeth to fearch
three or four at the moft of the mouths thereof, thofe chiefly which fhall be thought
moft commodious by the advice of the inhabitants, of whom he meaneth to have cer-
tain with him in his voyage, and meaneth to employ three or four boats of that coun-
try in fearch of thefe mouths, as near as poffibly he can to the fhore, which within
three days journey of the fea is inhabited, that he may learn where the river is bett
navigable. If it fo fall out that he may fail up the river Ob again{t the ftream, and
mount up to that place which heretofore accompanied with certain of his friends, he
paffed unto: by land through the country of Siberia, which is about twelve days jour-
ney from the fea, where the river Ob falleth into the fea, which place is in the conti-
nent near the river Ob, and is called Yaks Olgufh, borrowing his name from that
mighty river which falleth into the river Ob, then doubtlefs he would conceive full hope
that he had paffed the greateft difficulties: for the people dwelling thereabout report,
which were three days failing only from. that place beyond the river Ob, whereby the
breadth thereof may be gathered (which isa rare matter there, becaufe that many
rowing with their boats of leather one day’s journey only from the fhore, have been
caft away in tempeft, having no fkill to guide themfelves neither by fun nor ftar) that
they have feen great veflels laden with rich and precious merchandife brought down
that great river by black or fwart people. They call that river Ardoh, which falleth
into the lake of Kittay, which they call Paraha, whereupon bordereth that mighty and
large nation which they call €arrah Colmak, which is none other than the nation of
Cathay. There, if need require, he may fitly winter and refrefh himfelf and his, and
feek all things which he fhall ftand in need of : which if it fo fall out, he doubteth not
but in the mean while he fhall be much furthered in fearching and learning out many
things in that place. Howbeit, he hopeth that he fhall reach to Cathay that very fum-
mer, unlefs he be hindered by great abundance of ice at the mouth of the river of Ob,
which is fometimes more and fometimes lefs. If it fo fall out, he then purpofeth to
return to Pechora, and there to winter: or if he cannot do fo neither, then he mean-
eth to return to the river of Dwina, whither he will reach in good time enough, and fo
the next fpring folowing to proceed on his voyage. One thing in due place I forgat
before.
The people which dwell at that place called Yaks Olgufh, affirm that they have
heard their forefathers fay, that they have heard moft fweet harmony of bells in the
Jake of Kitthay, and that they have feen therein f{tately and large buildings : and when
they make mention of the people named Carrah Colmak (this country is Cathay) they
fetch deep fighs, and holding up their hands, they look up to heaven, fignifying as it
were, and declaring the notable glory and magnificence of that nation. I would this
Oliver were better feen in cofmography, it would greatly further his experience, which
doubtlefs is very great. Moft dear friend, I omit many things, and{ with you fhould
hear the man himfelf which promifed me faithfully that he would vifit you in his
K 2 way
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