Miguel de Castanhoso

“ Men can only climb up with naked feet to a projection; from this up is four fathoms, and the rock is scarped with only a few holes chiselled out and some chinks, and over this one must proceed, or clamber by help of spears. Above was another Captain with five hundred men, who defended the pass. [31] The top of the mountain is very flat, with a few hillocks. In the centre is a very high peak, visible for a long distance, and from its foot there gushes a fountain of very excellent water, so copious that it irrigates the whole hill ”

“ As the Preste was at that time some distance away he could not easily assist; still he would never have been defeated had his men been as loyal as the Portuguese, even although they were much weaker than they are. ”

“ The third pass is the strongest of all, as from all outward appearance it is impregnable; for there is no path save over slippery rocks entirely exposed to the summit, so that any stone would do great damage. ”