290 PYRARD DE LAVAL'S DESCRIPTION OF BENGAL
viceroy, and it was said that lie had come to ask some
assistance.
One of the greatest trades in Bengal is in slaves;
for there is a certain land subject to this king where
fathers sell their children, and give them to the king
FKOM A STATUETTE OF AN INDIAN ELEPHANT.
as tribute; so most of the slaves in India are got
from hence. Nowhere in India are slaves of so little
value, for they are all old and knavish villains, both
men and women. The people are well formed in body,
the women are pretty, but more shameless than else-
where in India. The men are much given to traffick-
ing in merchandise, and not to war or arms, a soft,
courteous, clever people, but having the repute of great
cheats, thieves, and liars. They trade in many places,
making long voyages; so do many strangers frequent
their country, for example, Persians, Arabs, and the
