EVer ſince Almighty God commanded Adam to ſubdue the earth, there haue not wanted in all ages, ſome heroicall ſpirits, which in obedience to that high mandate, either from manifeſt reaſon alluring them, or by ſecret inſtinct inforcing them thereunto, haue expended their wealth, imployed their times, and aduentured their perſons, to finde out the true circuit thereof.

Of theſe, ſome haue endeauored to effect this their purpoſe, by concluſion and conſequence, drawne from the proportion of the higher circles; to this nethermoſt globe, being the center of the reſt. Others not contented with ſchoole points. and ſuch demonſtrations (for that a ſmall errour in the beginning, groweth in the progreſſe to a great inconuenience) haue added thereunto their owne hiſtory and experience. All of them in reaſon haue deſerued great commendation of their owne ages, and purchaſed a iuſt renowne with all poſterity. For if a ſurueyer of ſome few Lordſhips, whereof the bounds and limits were before knowne, worthily deſerue his reward, not onely for his trauell, but for his skill alſo, in meaſuring the whole and euerie part thereof: how much more, aboue compariſon, are their famous trauells by all meanes poſſible to be eternized, who haue beſtowed their ſtudies and indeauor, to ſuruey and meaſure this globe allmoſt vnmeaſurable? Neither is here that difference to be obiected, which in priuate poſſeſſions is of value: Whoſe Land ſuruey you? foraſmuch as the maine Ocean by right is the Lords alone, and by nature left free, for all men to deale withall, as very ſufficient for all mens vſe, and large enough for all mens induſtry.

And therefore that valiant enterpriſe, accompanied with happy ſucceſſe, which that right rare and thrice worthy Captaine Francis Drake atcheiued, in firſt turning vp a furrow about the whole world, doth not onely ouermatch the ancient Argonautes, but alſo outreacheth in many reſpects, that noble mariner Magellanus and by farre ſurpaſſeth his crowned victory. But hereof let poſterity iudge.

It ſhall, for the preſent, be deemed a ſufficient diſcharge of duty, to regiſter the true and whole hiſtory of that his voyage, with as great indifferency of affection as a hiſtory doth require, and with the plaine euidence of truth, as it was left recorded by ſome of the chiefe, and diuers other actors in that action.

The ſaid Captaine Francis Drake, hauing in a former voyage, in the yeares 72. and 73. (the deſcription whereof is already imparted to the veiw of the world) had a ſight, and onely a ſight of the ſouth Atlantik, and thereupon either conceiuing a new, or renewing a former deſire, of ſailing on the ſame, in an Engliſh bottom; he ſo cheriſhed thenceforward, this his noble deſire and reſolution in himſelfe, that notwithſtanding he was hindered for ſome yeares, partly be ſecret enuie at home, and partly by publique ſeruice for his Prince and countrie abroad, (wherof Ireland vnder Walter Earle of Eſſex giues honorable teſtimonie) yet, againſt the yeare 1577. by gratious commiſſion from his ſoueraigne, and with the helpe of diuers friends aduenturers, he had fitted himſelfe with fiue ſhips.

1. The Pellican. admirall. burthen 100. tonnes. Captaine generall. Francis Drake.

2. The Elizabeth. vice admirall. burthen 80. tonnes. Captaine Iohn Winter.

3. The Marigold. a bark of 30. tonnes. Captaine Iohn Thomas.

4. The Swanne. a fliboat of 50. tonnes. Captaine Iohn Cheſter.

5. The Chriſtopher. a pinnace of 15. tonnes. Captaine. Thomas Moone.

Theſe ſhips he mand with 164. able and ſufficient men, and furniſhed them alſo with ſuch plentifull prouiſion of all things neceſſary, as ſo long and dangerous a voyage did ſeeme to require: and amongſt the reſt, with certaine pinnaces ready framed, but caried aboard in peices, to be new ſet vp in ſmoother water, when occaſion ſerued. Neither had he omitted, to make prouiſion alſo for ornament and delight, carying to this purpoſe with him, expert muſitians, rich furniture (all the veſſels for his table, yea many belonging euen to the Cooke-roome being of pure ſiluer) and diuers ſhewes of all ſorts of curious workmanſhip, whereby the ciuilitie and magnificence of his natiue contrie, might, amongſt all nations whitherſoeuer he ſhould come, be the more admired.

Nou. 15 Being thus appointed we ſet ſaile out of the ſound of Plimmouth, about 5. of the clocke in the afternoone Nouember 15. of the ſame yeare, Nou. 16 and running all that night Southweſt, by the morning were come as farre as the Lyzard, where meeting the winde at Southweſt (quite contrarie to our intended courſe) we were forced, with our whole fleet to put in to Falmouth.

Nou. 17. 18. The next day, towards euening, there aroſe a ſtorme, continuing all that night, and the day following (eſpecially betweene 10. of the clocke in the forenoone, and 5. in the after noone) with ſuch violence, that though it were in a verygood harbor, yet 2. of our ſhips viz. the admirall (wherein our generall himſelfe went) and the Marigold, were faine to cut their maine maſts by board, and for the repairing of them, and many other dammages in the tempeſt ſuſtained (as ſoone as the weather would giue leaue) to beare backe to Plimmouth againe, where wee all arriued the 13. day after our firſt departure thence. Nou. 28

Whence (hauing in few daies ſupplied all defects) with happier ſayles we, once more put to ſea Decem. 13. 1577. December. 13

As ſoone as we were out of ſight of land, our generall gaue vs occaſion to coniecture in part, whither he intended, both by the directing of his courſe, and appointing the Randeuous (if any ſhould bee ſeuered from the fleet) to be the Iland Mogadore. And ſo ſailing with fauorable windes, the firſt land that wee had ſight of, was Cape Cantine in Barbarie December 25. Chriſtmas day in the morning. Dec. 25 The ſhoare is faire white ſand, and the inland contrie very high and mountainous, it lieth in 32. deg. 30. mi. north latitude, and ſo coaſting from hence ſouthward, about 18. leagues, we arriued the ſame day at Mogadore the Iland before named.

This Mogadore, lies vnder the dominion of the king of Feſſe in 31. deg. 40. mi. about a mile off from the ſhoare, by this meanes making a good harbor betweene the land and it. It is vninhabited, of about a league in circuit, not very high land, all ouergrowne with a kinde of ſhrub breſt high, not much vnlike our priuet, verie full of Doues and therefore much frequented of Goſhaukes, and ſuch like birds of prey, beſides diuers ſorts of ſea-foule very plentie. At the ſouth ſide of this Iland are three hollow rocks, vnder which are great ſtore of very wholeſome but very vglie fiſh to looke to. Lying here about a mile from the maine, a boate was ſent to ſound the harbor, and finding it ſafe, and in the very entrance on the north ſide about 5. or 6. fathome water (but at the ſouther ſide it is very dangerous) we brought in our whole fleet December 27. and continued there till the laſt day of the ſame moneth, imploying our leaſure, the meane while, Decemb. in ſetting vp a pinnace, one of the 4. brought from home in peices with vs. Our abode here was ſoone perceiued by the inhabitants of the contrie, who comming to the ſhoare, by ſignes and cries made ſhewe, that they deſired to be fetched aboard, to whom our generall ſent a boate, into which 2. of the chiefeſt of the Moores were preſently receiued, and one man of ours, in exchange, left a land, as a pledge for their returne.

They that came aboard were right courteouſly entertained, with a daintie banquet, and ſuch gifts as they ſeemed to be moſt glad of, that they might thereby vnderſtand, that this fleete came in peace and friendſhip, offering to traffique with them, for ſuch commodities as their contrie yeelded, to their owne content. This offer they ſeemed moſt gladly to accept, and promiſed, the next day, to reſort againe, with ſuch things as they had to exchange for ours. It is a law amongſt them to drinke no wine, notwithſtanding by ſtealth it pleaſeth them well to haue it abundantly, as here was experience. At their returne aſhoare, they quietly reſtored the pledge which they had ſtayed, and the next day, at the houre appointed, returning againe, brought with them Camells, in ſhewe loaden with wares to be exchanged for our commodities, and calling for a boate in haſte, had one ſent them, according to order, which our generall (being at this preſent abſent) had giuen before his departure to the Iland.

Our boate comming to the place of landing (which was among the rocks) one of our men called Iohn Fry, miſtruſting no danger, nor fearing any harme pretended by them, and therefore intending to become a pledge, according to the order vſed the day before, readilie ſtept out of the boate and ranne a land, which oportunitie (being that which the Moores did looke for) they tooke the aduantage of, and not onely they which were in ſight, layed hands on him to carrie him away with them, but a number more, which lay ſecretly hidden, did forth with breake forth from behinde the rocks, whither they had conueyed themſelues (as it ſeemeth the night before) forcing our men to leaue the reſcuing of him that was taken as captiue, and with ſpeed to ſhift for themſelues.

The cauſe of this violence, was a deſire which the king of Feſſe had, to vnderſtand what this fleet was, whether any forerunner of the kings of Portugall or no, and what newes of certaintie the fleet might giue him. And therefore after that he was brought to the kings preſence, and had reported that they were Engliſhmen, bound for the ſtraights, vnder the conduct of generall Drake, he was ſent back againe with a preſent to his Captaine and offer of great curteſie and freindſhip, if he would vſe his contry But in this meane time, the generall being grieued with this ſhew of iniurie, and intending, if he might, to recouer or redeeme his man, his pinnace being ready, landed his company, and marched ſomewhat into the countrie, without any reſiſtance made againſt him: neither would the Moores, by any meanes come nigh our men, to deale with them any way; wherefore hauing made prouiſion of wood, as alſo viſited an old fort, built ſometime by the king of Portugall, but now ruined by the king of Feſſe, we departed December 31. Dec. 31 towards Cape Blanck, in ſuch ſort, that when Fry returned, he found to his great griefe, that the fleet was gone: but yet, by the kings fauor, he was ſent home into England not long after, in an Engliſh Merchants ſhip.

Shortly after our putting forth of this harbour, we were met with contrary windes and foule weather, which continued till the fourth of Ianuary: yet we ſtill held on our courſe, and the third day after, Ian. 7 fell with cape De Guerre in 30. deg. min. where wee lighted on 3. Spaniſh fiſhermen called Caunters, whom we tooke with our new pinnace, and caried along with vs, till we came to Rio Del Oro, Ian. 13 iuſt vnder the Tropick of Cancer: where with our pinnace alſo we took a caruell. From hence, till the fifteenth day, Ian. 15 we failed on towards cape Barbas, where the Marigold tooke a caruell more, and ſo onward to cape Blanck till the next day at night. Ian. 16

This cape lieth in 20. deg. 30. min. ſhewing it ſelfe vpright like the corner of a wall, to them that come towards it from the North, hauing, betweene it and cape Barbas, lowe, ſandy, and very white land all the way. Here we obſerued the ſouth Guards, called the Croſiers 9. deg. 30. min. aboue the horizon. Within the cape, we tooke one ſpaniſh ſhip more riding at anchor (all her men being fled aſhoare in the boate ſaue two) which, withall the reſt we had formerly taken, we caried into the harbor, 3. leagues within the cape.

Here our generall determined, for certaine dayes to make his abode, both for that the place afforded plenty of freſh victualls, for the preſent refreſhing of our men, and for their future ſupply at ſea (by reaſon of the infinite ſtore of diuers ſorts of good fiſh, which are there eaſie to be taken, euen within the harbor, the like whereof, is hardly to be found againe, in any part of the world) as alſo, becauſe it ſerued very fitly, for the diſpatching of ſome other buſineſſes that we had. During the time of our abode in this place, our generall being aſhoare was viſited by certaine of the people of the country, who brought downe with them a woman a Moore (with her little babe hanging vpon her dry dugge, hauing ſcarce life in herſelfe, much leſſe milke to nouriſh her child) to be ſould as a horſe, or a cow and calfe by her ſide, in which ſort of merchandiſe our generall would not deale. But they had alſo Amber-greece, with certaine gummes of ſome eſtimation, which they brought to exchange with our men for water (whereof they haue great want) ſo that comming with their Allforges (they are leathern bags holding liquor) to buy water, they cared not at what price they bought it, ſo they might haue to quench their thirſt. A very heauie iudgement of God vpon that coaſt! The circumſtances whereof conſidered, our generall would receiue nothing of them for water, but freely gaue it them that came to him, yea and fed them alſo ordinarily with our victualls, in eating whereof, their manner was not onely vnciuill, and vnſightly to vs, but euen inhumane and loathſome in it ſelfe.

And hauing waſhed and trimd our ſhips, and diſcharged all our ſpaniſh priſes, excepting one Caunter (for which we gaue to the owner one of our owne ſhips viz. the Chriſtopher) and one caruell formerly bound to Saint Iago, which we cauſed to acompanie vs hither, where ſhee alſo was diſcharged: Ian. 22 after 6. dayes abode here, we departed, directing our courſe for the Ilands of cape Verde, where (if any where) we were of neceſſity to ſtore our fleet with freſh water, for a long time, for that our generall intended from thence to runne a long courſe (euen to the coaſt of Braſill) without touch of land. And now, hauing the winde conſtant at North Eaſt & East North Eaſt, which is vſuall about thoſe parts, becauſe it bloweth almoſt continually from the ſhoare. Ianuary the 27. we coaſted Bonaviſta, and the next day after, we came to anchor vnder the Weſter part (towards Saint Iago) of the Iland Maio, Ian. 28 it lyeth in 15. deg. oo. high land, ſauing that the North-weſt part ſtretcheth out into the ſea, the ſpace of a league very low, and is inhabited by ſubiects to the king of Portugall.

Ian. 29 Here landing, in hope of traffique with the inhabitants for water, we found a Towne, not farre from the waters ſide, of a great number of deſolate and ruinous houſes, with a poore naked Chappell or Oratory, ſuch as ſmall coſt and charge might ſerue and ſuffice, being to ſmall purpoſe, and as it ſeemeth onely to make a ſhew, and that a falſe ſhew, contrary to the nature of a ſcarcrow, which feareth birds from comming nigh; this entiſeth ſuch as paſſe by to hale in, and looke for commodity, which is not at all to be found there; though in the inner parts of the Iland it be in great abundance.

For when wee found the ſprings and wells which had beene there (as appeared) ſtopped vp againe, and no other water, to purpoſe, to bee had to ſerue our need, we marched vp to ſeeke ſome more conuenient place to ſupply our want, or at leaſt to ſee whether the people would be dealt withal, to helpe vs therein. In this trauelling, we found the ſoile to be very fruitfull, hauing euery where plenty of figgetrees, with fruite vpon moſt of them. But in the vallies and low ground, where little low cottages were built, were pleaſant vineyards planted, bearing then, ripe and moſt pleaſant grapes. There were alſo tall trees, without any branch till the top, which bare the Coco nuts. There were alſo great ſtore of certaine lower trees, with long and broad leaues, bearing the fruit which they call Plantanes, in cluſters together like puddings, a moſt dainty and wholeſome fruit. All of theſe trees were euen laden with fruit, ſome ready to be eaten, others comming forward, others ouer-ripe. Neither can this ſeeme ſtrange, though about the middeſt of Winter with vs, for that the Sunne doth neuer withdraw himſelfe farther off from them, but that with his liuely heate he quickeneth and ſtrengtheneth the power of the ſoyle and plant; neither euer haue they any ſuch froſt and cold, as thereby to looſe their greene hew and appearance.

We found very good water in diuerſe places, but ſo farre off from the roade, that wee could not with any reaſonable paines enioy it. The people would by no meanes be induced to haue any conference with vs, but keeping in the moſt ſweet and fruitfull vallies among the hils, where their townes and places of dwelling were, gaue vs leaue without interruption to take our pleaſure in ſuruewing the Iland, as they had ſome reaſon, not to endanger themſelues, where they ſaw they could reape nothing ſooner then damage and ſhame, if they ſhould haue offered violence to them which came in peace to do them no wrong at all.

This Iland yeeldeth other great commodities, as wonderfull heards of goats, infinite ſtore of wilde hens, and ſalt without labour (onely the gathering it together excepted) which continually in a maruellous quantitie is increaſed vpon the ſands by the flowing of the ſea, and the heate of the Sunne kerning the ſame. So that of the increaſe thereof they keepe a continuall traffique with their neighbours in the other adiacent Ilands. Ian. 30 Wee ſet ſayle thence the 30. day.

Being departed from Maio, Ian. 31 the next day wee paſſed by the Iland of Saint Iago, ten leagues Weſt of Maio in the ſame latitude, inhabited by the Portugals and Moores together. The cauſe whereof is ſaid to haue beene in the Portugals themſelues, who (continuing long time Lords within themſelues, in the ſaid Iland) vſed that extreame and vnreaſonable crueltie ouer their ſlaues, that (their bondage being intollerable) they were forced to ſeeke ſome meanes to helpe themſelues, and to lighten that ſo heauy a burden; and thereupon choſe to flie into the moſt mountany parts of the Iland: and at laſt, by continuall eſcapes, increaſing to a great number, and growing to a ſet ſtrength, do now liue, with that terror to their oppreſſors, that they now endure no leſſe bondage in mind then the Forcatos did before in body: beſides the dammage that they daily ſuffer at their hands in their goods and cattell, together with the abridging of their liberties in the vſe of diuerſe parts of the fruitfull ſoile of the ſaid Iland: which is very large, maruellous fruitfull (a refuge for all ſuch ſhips as are bound towards Braſill, Ginny, the Eaſt Indies, Binny, Calecut. &c.) and a place of rare force, if it were not for the cauſe afore-recited, which hath much abated the pride, and cooled the courage of that people, who (vnder pretence of traffique and friendſhip) at firſt making an entrance ceaſed not, practiſing vpon the poore Ilanders (the ancient remainder of the firſt planters thereof, as it may ſeeme from the coaſt of Guinea) vntil they had excluded them from all gouernment and liberty, yea almoſt life.

On the South-weſt of this Iland, we tooke a Portugall laden the beſt part with wine, and much good cloth, both linnen and woollen, beſides other neceſſaries, bound for Braſill, with many gentlemen and Marchants in her.

As we paſſed by with our fleet, in ſight of 3. of their townes, they ſeemed very ioyfull that wee touched not with their coaſt; and ſeeing vs depart peaceably, in honour of our fleet and Generall, or rather to ſignifie that they were prouided for an aſſault, ſhot off two great peeces into the ſea, which were anſwered by one giuen them againe from vs.

South weſt from Saint Iago in 14. deg. 30. min. about twelue leagues diſtant, yet, by reaſon of the height ſeeming not aboue three leagues lyeth another Iland, called of the Portugals Fogo, viz. the burning Iland, or fierie fornace, in which riſeth a ſteepe vpright hill, by coniecture at leaſt ſix leagues, or eighteene Engliſh miles from the vpper part of the water: within the bowels whereof, is a conſuming fire, maintained by ſulphury matter, ſeeming to be of a maruellous depth, and alſo very wide. The fire ſheweth it ſelfe but foure times in an houre, at which times it breaketh our with ſuch violence and force, and in ſuch maine abundance, that beſides that it giueth light like the Moone a great way off, it ſeemeth, that it would not ſtay till it touch the heauens themſelues. Herein are ingendred great ſtore of pumice ſtones, which being in the vehement heate of the fire caried vp without the mouth of that fiery body, fall downe, with other groſſe and ſlimy matter vpon the hill, to the continuall increaſing of the ſame. And many times theſe ſtones falling downe into the ſea are taken vp and vſed, as we our ſelues had experience by ſight of them ſwimming on the water. The reſt of the Iland is fruitfull notwithſtanding, and is inhabited by Portugals, who liue very commodiouſly therein, as in the other Ilands thereabout.

Vpon the South ſide, about two leagues off this Iland of burning, lyeth a moſt ſweet and pleaſant Iland, the trees thereof are alwaies greene and faire to looke on, the ſoile almoſt full ſet with trees, in reſpect wherof its named the Braue Iland, being a ſtorehouſe of many fruits and commodities, as figges alwayes ripe, cocos, plantons, orenges, limons, cotton, &c. from the bancks into the ſea do runne in many places the ſiluer ſtreames of ſweet and wholſome water, which with boats or pinnaces may eaſily be taken in. But there is no conuenient place or roade for ſhips, neither any anchoring at all. For after long triall, and often caſting of leades, there could no ground be had at any hand, neither was it euer knowne (as is reported) that any line would fetch ground in any place about that Iland. So that the top of Fogo burneth not ſo high in the aire, but the roote of Braua (ſo is the Iland called) is buried and quenched as low in the ſeas.

The onely inhabitant of this Iland is an Heremit, as we ſuppoſe, for we found no other houſes but one, built as it ſeemed for ſuch a purpoſe; and he was ſo delighted in his ſolitarie liuing, that he would by no meanes abide our comming, but fled, leauing behind him the relicks of his falſe worſhip; to wit, a croſſe, with a crucifix, an altar with his ſuperaltar, and certaine other idols of wood of rude workemanſhip.

Here we diſmiſſed the Portugals taken neere Saint Iago, and gaue to them in exchange of their old ſhip, our new pinnace built at Mogadore: Feb. 1 with wine, bread, and fiſh for their prouiſion, and ſo ſent them away, Febr. 1.

Hauing thus viſited, as is declared, the Ilands of cape Verde, and prouided freſh water as we could, Feb. 2 the ſecond of Febr. we departed thence, directing our courſe towards the ſtraights, ſo to paſſe into the South ſea; in which courſe wee ſayled 63. dayes without ſight of land (paſſing the line equinoctiall Feb. 17 the 17. day of the ſame moneth) till we fell with the coaſt of Braſill, the fift of April following. Apr. 5

During which long paſſage on the vaſt gulph, where nothing but ſea beneath vs and aire aboue vs was to be ſeene, as our eies did behold the wonderfull workes of God in his creatures, which he hath made innumerable both ſmall and great beaſts, in the great and wide ſeas: ſo did our mouthes taſte, and our natures feed on, the goodneſſe thereof in ſuch fulneſſe at all times, and in euery place, as if he had commanded and enioyned the moſt profitable and glorious works of his hands to waite vpon vs, not alone for the reliefe of our neceſſities, but alſo to giue vs delight in the contemplation of his excellence, in beholding the variety and order of his prouidence, with a particular taſt of his fatherly care ouer vs all the while.

The truth is, wee often met with aduerſe winds, vn welcome ſtormes, and to vs (at that time) leſſe welcome calmes, and being as it were in the boſome of the burning zone, we felt the effects of ſultring heat, not without the affrights of flaſhing lightnings, and terrifyings of often claps of thunder; yet ſtil with the admixture of many comforts. For this we could not but take notice of, that whereas we were but badly furniſhed (our caſe conſidered) of freſh water (hauing neuer at all watred (to any purpoſe, or that we could ſay wee were much the better for it) from our firſt ſetting forth out of England till this time, nor meeting with any place where we might conueniently water, till our comming to the riuer of Plate, long after) continually, after once we were come within foure degrees of the line on this ſide, viz. after Feb. 10. and till we were paſt the line as many degrees towards the South, viz. till Feb. 27. there was no one day went ouer vs but we receiued ſome raine, whereby our want of water was much ſupplyed.

This alſo was obſeruable, that of our whole fleet, being now 6. in number, notwithſtanding the vncouthnes of the way, and what euer other difficulties, by weather or otherwiſe wee met withall, not any one, in all this ſpace, loſt company of the reſt; except onely our Portugall priſe for one day, who March 28. was ſeuered from vs, but the day following March 29. ſhee found vs againe, to both here owne, and our no little comfort: ſhee had in her 28. of our men, and the beſt part of all our prouiſion for drinke; her ſhort abſence cauſed much doubting and ſorrow in the whole companie, neither could ſhee then haue been finally loſt, without the ouerthrow of the whole voyage.

Among the many ſtrange creatures which we ſawe, we tooke heedfull notice of one, as ſtrange as any; to wit, the flying fiſh, a fiſh of the bignes and proportion, of a reaſonable or middle ſort of Pilchards: hee hath finnes, of the length of his whole body, from the bulk to the top of the taile, bearing the forme, and ſupplying the like vſe to him, that wings doe to other creatures. By the helpe of theſe finnes, whē he is chaſed of the Bonito, or great mackrel (whom the Aurata or dolphin likewiſe purſueth) and hath not ſtrength to eſcape by ſwimming any longer, hee lifteth vp himſelfe aboue the water, and flieth a pretty height, ſometimes lighting into boates or barkes as they ſaile along: The quills of their wings are ſo proportionable, and finelie ſet together, with a moſt thinne and dainty filme, that they might ſeeme to ſerue, for a much longer and higher flight, but the drienes of them is ſuch, after ſome 10. or 12. ſtrokes, that hee muſt needs into the water againe to moiſten them, which elſe would grow ſtiffe and vnfit for motion. The inreaſe of this little and wonderfull creature is in manner infinite, the fry whereof lieth vpon the vpper part of the waters, in the heate of the Sun, as duſt vpon the face of the earth, which being in bigneſſe of a wheat ſtraw, and length an inch more or leſſe, do continually exerciſe themſelues in both their faculties of nature: wherein, if the Lord had not made them expert indeed, their generation could not haue continued, being ſo deſired a prey to ſo many, which greedily hunt after them, forcing them to eſcape in the ayre by flight, when they cannot in the waters liue in ſafety. Neither are they allwayes free, or without danger, in their flying; but as they eſcape one euill, by refuſing the waters ſo they ſometimes, fall into as great a miſchiefe, by mounting vp into the ayre, at that, by meanes of a great and rauening foule, named of ſome a Don or Spurkite, who feeding chiefely, on ſuch fiſh as he can come by at aduantage, in their ſwimming in the brim of the waters, or leaping aboue the ſame, preſently ceaſeth vpon them with great violence, making great havock, eſpecially amongſt theſe flying fiſhes, though with ſmall profit to himſelfe.

There is another ſort of fiſh, which likewiſe flieth in the ayre, named a Cuttill: its the ſame, whoſe bones the goldſmithes commonly vſe, or at leaſt not vnlike that ſort, a multitude of which, haue at one time, in their flight, fallen into our ſhip, amongſt our men.

Paſſing thus, in beholding the moſt excellent works of the eternall God in the ſeas, as if we had beene in a garden of pleaſure. April 5 Aprill 5. we fell with the coaſt of Braſill, in 31. deg. 30. min. towards the pole Antartick, where the land is lowe neere the ſea, but much higher within the countrie; hauing in depth not aboue 12. fathome, 3. leagues off from the ſhoare: and being deſcried by the inhabitants, we ſawe great and huge fires, made by them in ſundry plaes. Which order of making fires, though it be vniuerſall, as well among Chriſtians as heathens, yet is it not likely that many doe vſe it to that end, which the Braſilians doe: to wit, for a ſacrifice to Deuills, whereat they▪ intermixe many and diuers ceremonies of coniurations, caſting vp great heapes of ſand, to this end, that if any ſhips, ſhall go about to ſtay vpon their coaſts, their miniſtring ſpirits may make wrack of them, whereof the Portugalls by the loſſe of diuers of their ſhips, haue had often experience.

In the reports of Magellanes voyage, it is ſaid, that this people pray to no maner of thing, but liue only according to the inſtinct of nature, which if it were true, there ſhould ſeeme to be a wonderfull alteration in them, ſince that time, being fallen from a ſimple and naturall creature, to make Gods of Deuills; But I am of the minde, that it was with them then, as now it is, onely they lacked then the like occaſion, to put it in practiſe which now they haue: for then, they liued as a free people among themſelues, but now, are in moſt miſerable bondage and ſlauery, both in body, goods, wife, and children, and life it ſelf to the Portugalls, whoſe hard and moſt cruell dealings againſt them, forceth them to flie, into the more vnfruitful parts of their owne land, rather there to ſtarue, or at leaſt liue miſerably with libertie, then to abide ſuch intollerable bondage, as they lay vpon them vſing the aforeſaid practiſes with deuills, both for a reuenge againſt their oppreſſors, and alſo for a defence, that they haue no further entrance into the country. And ſuppoſing indeed, that no other had vſed trauell by ſea in ſhips, but their enemies onely, they therefore vſed the ſame at our comming: notwitſtanding, our God made their deuiliſh intent of none effect; For albeit there lacked not (within the ſpace of our falling with this coaſt) forcible ſtormes and tempeſts, yet did we ſuſtaine no dammage, but onely the ſeperating of our ſhips, out of ſight for a few dayes. Here our generall would haue gone aſhore, but we could finde no harbor in many leagues. And therefore coaſting along the land, towards the ſouth, Aprill 7. Apr. 7 we had a violent ſtorme, for the ſpace of 3. houres, With thunder, lightning, and raine in great abundance, accompanied with a vehement ſouth winde, directly againſt vs, which cauſed a ſeperation of the Chriſtopher (viz. the Caunter which wee tooke at cape Blank, in exchange for the Chriſtopher, whoſe name ſhe henceforward bore) from the reſt of the fleet.

After this, we kept on our courſe, ſometime to the ſea ward, ſometimes toward the ſhoare, but alwayes ſouthward, as neere as we could: Apr. 14 till Aprill 14. in the morning, at which time wee paſſed by cape Saint Mary, which lies in 35. deg. neere the mouth of the riuer of Plate: and running within it about 6. or 7. leagues along by the maine, we came to anchor in a bay, vnder another cape which our Generall afterwards called cape Ioy Apr. 16 by reaſon that the ſecond day after our anchoring here, the Chriſtopher (whom we had loſt in the former ſtorme) came to vs againe.

Among other cares which our Generall tooke in this action, next the maine care of effecting the voyage it ſelfe, theſe were the principall and chiefly ſubordinate: to keepe our whole fleet (as neere as poſſible we could) together; to get freſh water which is of continuall vſe; and to refreſh our men wearied with long toyles at ſea, as oft as we ſhould find any opportunitie of effecting the ſame. And for theſe cauſes it was determined, and publique notice thereof giuen at our departure from the Ilands of cape Verde; that the next Randeuous both for the recollecting of our nauy (if it ſhould be deſperſed) as alſo for watering, and the like, ſhould be the riuer of Plate: whither we were all to repaire with all the conuenient ſpeed that could be made, and to ſtay one for another, if it ſhould happen that we could not arriue there all together; and the effect wee found anſwerable to our expectations, for here our ſeuered ſhip (as hath beene declared) found vs againe, and here we found thoſe other helps alſo ſo much deſired. The countrey hereabout is of a temperate and moſt ſweet aire, very faire and pleaſant to behold, and beſides the exceeding fruitfulneſſe of the ſoile, its ſtored with plentie of large and mightie deere.

Notwithſtanding that in this firſt bay wee found ſweet and wholſome water euen at pleaſure; yet the ſame day after the arriuall of the Caunter, Apr. 16 we remoued ſome twelue leagues farther vp into another; where we found a long rocke, or rather Iland of rocks, not farre from the maine; making a commodious harbor, eſpecially againſt a Southerly wind: vnder them we anchored, and rode till the 20. day at night; in which meane ſpace we killed diuers Seales, or ſea-wolues (as the Spaniard cals them) which reſorted to theſe rocks in great abundance. They are good meat, and were an acceptable food to vs for the preſent, and a good ſupply of our prouiſion for the future.

Apr. 20 Hence April 20. we waighed againe and ſayled yet further vp into the riuer, euen till we found but three fadome depth, and that we roade with our ſhips in freſh water; but wee ſtaid not there, nor in any other place of the riuer, becauſe that the winds being ſtrong, the ſhoales many, and no ſafe harbour found, we could not without our great danger ſo haue done. Haling therefore to ſeaward againe, Apr. 27 the 27. of the ſame moneth (after that we had ſpent a iuſt fortnight in that riuer, to the great comfort of the whole fleet) we paſſed by the South ſide thereof into the maine. The land here lieth South, South-Weſt, and North N. E. with ſhole water, ſome three or foure leagues off into the ſea; its about 36. deg. 20. min. and ſomewhat better South latitude.

Apr. 27 At our very firſt comming forth to ſea againe, to wit, the ſame night our flyboate the Swanne loſt company of vs: whereupon, though our Generall doubted nothing of her happy comming forward againe to the reſt of the fleete; yet becauſe it was grieuous to haue ſuch often loſſes, and that it was his duty as much as in him lay, to preuent all inconueniences beſides, that might grow; he determined to diminiſh the number of his ſhips, thereby to draw his men into leſſe roome; that both the fewer ſhips might the better keepe company, and that they might alſo bee the better appointed with new and freſh ſupplies of prouiſion and men, one to eaſe the burthen of another: eſpecially, for that he ſaw the coaſt (it drawing now toward Winter here) to bee ſubiect to many and grieuous ſtormes: And therefore he continued on his courſe, to find out a conuenient harbour for that vſe; ſearching all that coaſt from 36. to 47. degrees (as diligently as contrary winds and ſundry ſtormes would permit) and yet ſound none for the purpoſe. May 8 And in the mean time viz. May 8. by another ſtorme the Caunter alſo was once more ſeuered frō vs.

May 12 May 12. wee had ſight of land, in 47. deg. where wee were forced to come to anchor in ſuch roade as we could find for the time. Neuertheleſſe our Generall named the place cape Hope; by reaſon of a bay diſcouered within the hedland, which ſeemed to promiſe a good and commodious harbour. But by reaſon of many rockes lying off from the place, wee durſt not aduenture with our ſhips into it without good and perfect diſcouery before hand made.

Our Generall, eſpecially in matters of moment, was neuer wont to relye onely on other mens care, how truſty or skilfull ſoeuer they might ſeeme to be; but alwayes contemning danger and refuſing no toyle, he was wont himſelfe to be one whoſoeuer was a ſecond at euery turne, where courage, skill, or induſtry was to be imployed; neither would hee at this time intruſt the diſcouery of theſe dangers to anothers paines, but rather to his owne experience in ſearching out and ſounding of them. May 13 A boat being therefore hoiſed forth, himſelfe with ſome others the next morning, May 13. rowed into the bay; and being now very nigh the ſhore, one of the men of the countrey ſhewed himſelfe vnto him ſeeming very pleaſant, ſinging and dancing, after the noiſe of a rattle which he ſhooke in his hand, expecting earneſtly his landing.

But there was ſudainly ſo great an alteration in the weather, into a thick and miſty fogge; together with an extreame ſtorme and tempeſt, that our generall, being now 3. leagues from his ſhip, thought it better to returne, then either to land, or make any other ſtay: and yet the fogg thickened ſo mightily, that the ſight of the ſhips was bereft them, and if Captaine Thomas (vpon the abundance of his loue and ſeruice to his generall) had not aduentured, with his ſhip to enter that bay, in this perplexitie, where good aduiſe would not ſuffer our ſhips to beare in, while the windes were more tolerable, and the ayre cleerer; we had ſuſtained ſome great loſſe, or our generall had beene further endangered, who was now quickly receiued abord his ſhip; out of which, being within the bay, they let fall an anchor, and rode there (God be praiſed) in ſafety: but our other ſhips, riding without, were ſo oppreſſed with the extremitie of the ſtorme, that they were forced to run off to ſea for their owne ſafegard, being in good hope onely of the good ſucceſſe of that ſhip, which was gone in to releiue our generall; before this ſtorme aroſe, our Caunter, formerly loſt, was come in the ſame day vnto vs into the roade, but was put to ſea againe, the ſame euening, with the reſt of the fleete.

May 14 The next day May 14. the weather being faire, and the windes moderate, but the fleet out of ſight, our generall determined to goe aſhore, to this end, that he might, by making of fires, giue ſignes to the diſperſed ſhips, to come together againe into that roade: whereby at laſt, they were all aſſembled, excepting the Swanne, loſt long time before, and excepting our Portugall priſe, called the Mary; which waighing in this laſt ſtorme, the night before, had now loſt company, and was not found againe in a long time after.

In this place (the people being remoued vp into the country, belike for feare of our comming) we found neere vnto the rocks, in houſes made for that purpoſe, as alſo in diuers other places, great ſtore of Oſtriches at leaſt to the number of 50. with much other foule; ſome dried and ſome in drying for their prouiſion, as it ſeemed, to carrie with them to the place of their dwellings. The Oſtriches thighs were in bignes equall to reaſonable legs of murton, They cannot flie at all; but they runne ſo ſwiftly, and take ſo long ſtrides, that it is not poſſible for a man in running by any meanes to take them, neither yet to come ſo nigh them, as to haue any ſhot at them either with bow or peece: Whereof our men had often proofe on other parts of that coaſt for all the countrey is full of them; We found there the tooles or inſtruments which the people vſe in taking them.

Among other meanes they vſe in betraying theſe Oſtriches, they haue a great and large plume of feathers, orderly compact together vpon the end of a ſtaffe; in the forepart bearing the likeneſſe of the head, necke, and bulke of an Oſtrich; and in the hinder part, ſpreading it ſelfe out very large, ſufficient (being holden before him) to hide the moſt part of the body of a man: With this it ſeemeth they ſtaulke, driuing them into ſome ſtraite or necke of land cloſe to the ſea ſide; where ſpreading long and ſtrong nets, with their dogs which they haue in readineſſe at all times, they ouerthrow them, and make a common quarry. The countrey is very pleaſant, and ſeemeth to be a fruitfull ſoyle.

Being afterwards driuen to fall with this place againe, we had great acquaintance and familiarity with the people, who reioyced greatly in our comming, and in our friendſhip, in that wee had done them no harme. But becauſe this place was no fit or conuenient harbor for vs, to do our neceſſary buſines; neither yet to make prouiſion, of ſuch things as we wanted, as water, wood, and ſuch like, we departed thence the 15. of May. May 15

At our departure hence, we held our courſe South and by VVeſt, and made about 9. leagues in 24. houres; bearing very little ſayle, that our fleet might the eaſier gett vp with vs, Which by reaſon of the contrary windes, were caſt a ſterne of vs.

In 47. deg. 30. min. we found a bay, which was faire, ſafe, and beneficiall to vs, very neceſſary for our vſe; into which we haled, and anchored May 17 May 17. and the next day May 18 May 18. we came further into the ſame bay, where we caſt anchor, and made our abode full fifteene dayes.

The very firſt day of our arriuall here, our generall hauing ſet things in ſome order, for the diſpatch of our neceſſary buſines, being moſt carefull for his two ſhips which were wanting, ſent forth to the ſouthward, Captaine Winter in the Elizabeth viceadmiral; himſelf in the admiral, going forth northward, into the ſea, to ſee, if happily they might meete with either of them: at which time, by the good prouidence of God, hee himſelfe met with the Swanne, formerly loſt at our departure from the riuer of Plate, and brought her into the ſame harbor, the ſame day: where being afterward vnloaden, and diſcharged of her fraight, ſhee was caſt off, and her iron worke, and other neceſſaries being ſaued, for the better prouiſion of the reſt; of the remainder was made fire wood, and other implements which we wanted. But all this while, of the other ſhip which wee loſt ſo lately, in our extremitie, we could haue no newes.

While we were thus employed, after certaine dayes of our ſtay in this place, being on ſhoare, in an Iland, nigh vnto the maine, where at lowe water was free paſſage on foot, from the one to the other; the people of the country did ſhew themſelues vnto vs, with leaping, dancing, and holding vp their hands, and making ourcries after their manner: but being then high water, we could not go ouer to them on foot. Wherefore the Generall cauſed immediatly a boat to bee in readineſſe, and ſent vnto them ſuch things as he thought would delight them; as kniues, bells, bugles, &c. whereupon they beeing aſſembled together vpon a hill, halfe an Engliſh mile from the waters ſide; ſent downe two of their company, running one after the other with a great grace, trauerſing their ground as it ſeemed after the manner of their warres, by degrees deſcending towards the waters ſide very ſwiftly. Notwithſtanding drawing nigh vnto it, they made a ſtay, refuſing to come neere our men: which our men perceiuing, ſent ſuch things as they had tyed with a ſtring vpon a rod, and ſtucke the ſame vp a reaſonable diſtance from them, where they might ſee it. And aſſoone as our men were departed from the place, they came and tooke thoſe things, leauing inſtead of them, as in recompence, ſuch feathers as they vſe to weare about their heads, with a bone made in manner of a toothpick, carued round about the top, and in length about ſix inches, being very ſmoothly burniſhed. Whereupon our Generall, with diuers of his gentlemen and companie, at low water went ouer to them to the maine.

Againſt his comming they remained ſtill vpon the hill, and ſet themſelues in a ranke, one by one; appointing one of their company to runne before them from the one end of the ranke to the other, and ſo backe againe, continually Eaſt and Weſt, with holding vp his hands ouer his head, and yeelding forward his body in his running toward the riſing and ſetting of the Sunne: and at euery ſecond or third turne at the moſt, erected his body, aginſt the midſt of the ranke of the people, lifting himſelfe vaulting-wiſe from the ground towards the Moone, being then ouer our heads: ſignifying thereby, as we conceiued, that they called the Sunne and Moone (whom they ſerue for gods) to witneſſe, that they meant nothing towards vs but peace. But when they perceiued that we aſcended the hill apace, and drew nigh vnto them, they ſeemed very fearefull of our comming.

Wherefore our Generall not willing, to giue them any way any occaſion to miſlike, or be diſcomfited, • etyred his company; wherby they were ſo allured, and did ſo therein confirme themſelues of vs, that we were no enemies, neither meant them harm, that without al feare diuers came down with great ſpeed after vs, preſently entring into traffique with our men. Notwithſtanding they would receiue nothing at our hands but the ſame muſt be firſt caſt vpon the ground, vſing this word, Zuſſus, for exchange Tóytt to caſt vpon the ground. And if they miſliked any thing, they cryed Coróh. Coróh, ſpeaking the ſame with ratling in the throat. The wares we receiued from them were arrowes of reeds, feathers, and ſuch bones as are afore deſcribed.

This people go naked, except a skin of furre which they caſt about their ſhoulders, when they ſit or lye in the cold: but hauing any thing to do, as going or any other labour, they vſe it as a girdle about their loynes. They weare their haire very long, but leſt it might trouble them in their trauell, they knit it vp with a roll of Oſtrich feathers, vſing the ſame rolls and haire together for a quiuer for their arrowes, and for a ſtore houſe, in which they carry the moſt things which they carry about them. Some of them within theſe rolls ſticke on either ſide of their heads (for a ſigne of honour in their perſons) a large and plaine feather ſhewing like hornes afarre off: So that ſuch a head vpon a naked body (if diuels do appeare with hornes) might very nigh reſemble diuels.

Their whole brauery and ſetting out themſelues ſtandeth in painting their bodies with diuers colours, and ſuch workes as they can deuiſe. Some waſh their faces with ſulphure, or ſome ſuch like ſubſtance: ſome paint their whole bodies black, leauing onely their neckes behind and before White, much like our damoſels that weare their ſquares, their neckes and breaſts naked. Some paint one ſhoulder blacke, another white▪ and their ſides and legs interchangeably, with the ſame colours, one ſtill contrary to the other. The black part hath ſet vpon it white moones, and the white part blacke Suns, being the marks and characters of their gods, as is before noted.

They haue ſome commodity by painting of their bodies, for the which cauſe they vſe it ſo generally: and that I gather to be the defence it yeeldeth againſt the piercing and nipping cold. For the colours being cloſe layd on vpon their skinne, or rather in their fleſh, as by continuall renewing of theſe iuyces which are layed on, ſoakt into the inner part thereof, doth fill vp the pores ſo cloſe that no aire or cold can enter, or make them once to ſhrinke.

They haue cleane, comely, and ſtrong bodies: they are ſwift of foot, and ſeeme very actiue. Neither is any thing more lamentable (in my iudgement) then that ſo goodly a people, and ſo liuely creatures of God, ſhould bee ignorant of the true and liuing God. And ſo much the more is this to be lamented, by how much they are more tractable, and eaſie to be brought to the ſheepfold of Chriſt: hauing in truth a land ſufficient to recompence any Chriſtian Prince in the world, for the whole trauell and labour, coſt and charges beſtowed in that behalfe: with a wonderfull enlarging of a kingdome, beſides the glory of God by encreaſing of the Church of Chriſt.

Its wonderfull to heare, being neuer knowne to Chriſtians before this time, how familiar they became in ſhort ſpace with vs; thinking themſelues to be ioyned with ſuch a people, as they ought rather to ſerue, then offer any wrong or iniurie vnto. Preſuming that they might be bold with our Generall as with a Father, and with vs as with brethren and their neereſt friends; neither ſeemed their loue leſſe towards vs. One of the chiefeſt among them hauing on a time receiued a cap of our Generals head, which he did daily weare, remouing himſelfe but a little from vs, with an arrow pierced his legge deepely, cauſing the bloud to ſtreame out vpon the ground: ſignifying thereby, how vnfainedly he loued him, and giuing therin a couenant of peace: The number of men which here did frequent our companie, were about fiftie perſons. Within, in the Southermoſt part of this bay, there is a riuer of freſh water, with a great many profitable Ilands; of which, ſome haue alwaies ſuch ſtore of Seales or ſea-woſues as were able to maintaine a huge army of men. Other Ilands being many and great, are ſo repleniſhed with birds and foule, as if there were no other victuals, a wonderfull multitude of people might be nouriſhed by the increaſe of them for many poſterities. Of theſe we killed ſome with ſhot, and ſome with ſtatus, and tooke ſome with our hands, from mens heads and ſhoulders vpon which they lighted. We could not perceiue that the people of the countrey had any ſort of boate or canowe, to come to theſe Ilands. Their owne prouiſion which they eate, for ought we could perceiue, was commonly raw. For we ſhould ſometimes find the remnants of Seales all bloudy which they had gnawne with their teeth like dogs: They go all of them armed, with a ſhort bow of about an ell in length in their hands, with arrowes of reeds, and headed with a flint ſtone, very cunningly cut and faſtned.

This bay by reaſon of the plenty of Seales therein found (inſomuch that we killed two hundred in the ſpace of one houre) we called Seale, bay. And hauing now made ſufficient prouiſion of victuals and other neceſſaries, as alſo happily finiſhed all our buſineſſes, Iune 3 Iune 3. we ſet ſaile from thence; And coaſting along towards the pole Antartick Iune 12. Iune 12 we fell with a little bay, in which we anchored for the ſpace of two dayes ſpent in the diſcharging of our Caunter, the Chriſtopher, which wee here layed vp.

Iune 14 The 14. day we waighed againe, and kept on our courſe Southward till the 17. Iune 17 and then caſt anchor in another bay in 50. deg. 20. min. lacking but little more then one degree, of the mouth of the Straights, through which lay, our ſo much deſited paſſage into the South ſea.

Here our generall on good aduiſe determined to alter his courſe; and turne his ſterne to the Northward againe, if happily God would grant we might find our ſhip and friends whom we loſt in the great ſtorme, as is before ſaid. Foraſmuch as (if we ſhould enter the Straight without them in our company) it muſt needs go hard with them; and we alſo in the meane time as well by their abſence, as by the vncertaintie of their ſtate, muſt needs receiue no ſmall diſcomfort.

Iune 18 And therefore Iune 18. in the morning putting to ſea againe, with hartie and often prayers wee ioyned watchfull induſtry to ſerue Gods good prouidence: and held on our purpoſe to runne backe toward the line into the ſame height, in which they were firſt diſſeuered from vs.

Iune 19 The 19. day of Iune toward night, hauing ſayled within a few leagues of port Saint Iulian, we had our ſhip in ſight: for which we gaue God thankes with moſt ioyfull minds. And foraſmuch as the ſhip was farre out of order, and very leake, by reaſon of extremity of weather which ſhe had endured, aſwell before her looſing company as in her abſence: our Generall thought good to beare into Port Saint Iulian with his fleet, becauſe it was ſo nigh at hand, and ſo conuenient a place: intending there to refreſh his wearied men, and cheriſh them which had in their abſence taſted ſuch bitterneſſe of diſcomfort, beſides the want of many things which they ſuſtained.

Iune 20 Thus the next day the 20. of Iune we entred Port Saint Iulian: which ſtandeth in 49. deg. 30. min. and hath on the South ſide of the harbour picked rockes like towers, and within the harbour many Ilands, which you many ride hard aboard off, but in going in you muſt borrow of the North ſhoare.

Being now come to anchor, and all things fitted and made ſafe aboard, our Generall with certaine of his companie, (viz. Thomas Drake his brother, Iohn Thomas, Robert Winter, Oliuer the Maſter gunner, Iohn Brewer, and Thomas Hood) Iune 22 Iune 22. rowed further in with a boate to find out ſome conuenient place which might yeeld vs freſh water, during the time of our abode there, and furniſh vs with ſupply for prouiſion, to take to ſea with vs at our departure. Which worke as it was of great neceſſitie, and therefore carefully to be performed; ſo did not he thinke himſelfe diſcharged of his duty, if he himſelfe beſtowed not the firſt trauell therein, as his vſe was at all times in all other things, belonging to the relieuing of our wants, and the maintenance of our good eſtate, by the ſupply of what was needfull. Preſently vpon his landing he was viſited by two of the inhabitants of the place, whom Magellane named Patagous, or rather Pentagours from their huge ſtature, and ſtrength proportionable: Theſe as they ſeemed greatly to reioyce at his arriuall, ſo did they ſhew themſelues very familiar, receiuing at our Generals hands whatſoeuer he gaue them, and taking great pleaſure in ſeeing Maſter Oliuer maſter gunner of the Admirall, to ſhoot an Engliſh arrow: trying with him to ſhoot at length, but came nothing neere him.

Not long after, came one more of the ſame laſte, but of a ſowerer ſorte, for he, miſliking of the familiarity which his fellowes had vſed, ſeemed very angry with them, and ſtroue earneſtly to withdrawe them, and to turne them to become our enemies; Which our generall with his men not ſuſpecting in thē, vſed them as before: and one Mr. Robert Winter, thinking of pleaſure to ſhoote an arrow at length, as Mr. Oliuer had done before, that he which came laſt alſo might haue a ſight thereof, the ſtring of his bow brake; which, as before it was a terror vnto them, ſo now broken, it gaue them great incouragement, and boldnes, and as they thought, great aduantage in their treacherous intent and purpoſe; not imagining that our calliuers, ſwords, and targets, were any munition or weapon of warre.

In which perſwaſion (as the generall with his companie were, quietly without any ſuſpition of euill, going downe towards his boate) they ſodainely being prepared, and gotten by ſtealth behinde them, ſhot their arrowes; and cheifely at him which had the bowe, not ſuffering him to ſtring the ſame againe, which he was about to haue done, as well as hee could: but being wounded in the ſhoulder at the firſt ſhot, and turning about, was ſped with an arrow, which peirced his lunges, yet he fell not. But the Mr. gunner being ready to ſhoote of his calliuer, which tooke not fire in leuelling thereof, was preſently ſlaine out right. In this extremitie, if our generall had not beene both expert in ſuch affaires, able to judge, and giue preſent direction in the danger thereof, and had not valiantly thruſt himſelfe into the dance, againſt theſe monſters, there had no one of our men, that there were landed, eſcaped with life. He therefore, giuing order that no man ſhould keepe any certaine ground, but ſhift from place to place, encroaching ſtill vpon the enemie, vſing their targets, and other weapons for the defence of their bodies, and that they ſhould breake ſo many arrowes, as by any meanes they could come by, being ſhot at them; wherein he himſelfe was very diligent, and carefull alſo in calling on them, knowing that their arrowes being once ſpent, they ſhould haue theſe enemies at their deuotion and pleaſure, to kill or ſaue, and this order being accordingly taken, himſelfe I ſay with a good courage and truſt in the true and liuing God, taking and ſhooting off, the ſame peece, which the gunner could not make to take fire, diſpatched the firſt beginner of the quarrell, the ſame man which ſlewe our Mr. gunner. For the peece being charged with a bullet, and haile ſhot, and well aimed, tare out his bellie and gutts, with great torment, as it ſeemed by his cry, which was ſo hideous and horrible a roare, as if ten bulls had ioyned together in roaring, wherewith the courage of his partners was ſo abated, and their hearts appalled, that notwithſtanding, diuerſe of their fellowes and countriemen appeared out of the woods, on each ſide: yet they were glad, by flying away, to ſaue themſelues, quietly ſuffering our men either to depart or ſtay. Our generall choſe rather to depart, then to take further reuenge of them, which now he might, by reaſon of his wounded man, whom for many good parts he loued dearely; and therefore would rather haue ſaued him, then ſlaine an hundred enemies, but being paſt recouery, he died the 2. day, after his being brought aboard againe.

That night our Mr. gunners body being left aſhoare, for the ſpeedier bringing of the other aboard, our generall himſelfe the next day, with his boate well appointed, turned to the ſhoare, to fetch it likewiſe: which they found lying where it was left, but ſtript of his vppermoſt garment, and hauing an engliſh arrow ſtucke in his right eye.

Both of theſe dead bodies were layd together in one graue, with ſuch reuerence, as was fit for the earthen tabernacles of immortall ſoules; and with ſuch commendable ceremonies, as belong vnto ſouldiers of worth, in time of warre, which they moſt truly and rightfully deſerued.

Magellane was not altogether deceiued, in naming them Giants; for they generally differ from the common ſort of men, both in ſtature, bignes, and ſtrength of body, as alſo in the hideouſneſſe of their voice: but yet they are nothing ſo monſtrous, or giantlike as they were reported; there being ſome Engliſh men, as tall, as the higheſt of any that we could ſee, but peraduenture, the Spaniards did not thinke, that euer, any Engliſh man would come thither, to reproue them; and therevpon might preſume the more boldly to lie: the name Pentagones, Fiue cubits viz. 7. foote and halfe, deſcribing the full height (if not ſome what more) of the higheſt of them.

But this is certaine, that the Spaniſh cruelties there vſed, haue made them more monſtrous, in minde and manners, then they are in body; and more inhoſpitable, to deale with any ſtrangers, that ſhall come hereafter. For the loſſe of their friends (the remēbrance wherof is aſſigned and conueighed ouer from one generation to another, among their poſteritie) breedeth an old grudge, which will not eaſily be forgotten, with ſo quarrellſome and revengefull a people. Notwithſtanding the terrour which they had conceiued of vs, did henceforward ſo quench their heate, and take downe their edge, that they both forgate reuenge, and ſeeming by their countenance, to repent them of the wrong they had offered vs, that meant them no harme, ſuffered vs to doe what we would, the whole ſpace of two monethes after this, without any interruption or moleſtation by them, and it may perhaps be a meanes, to breede a peace in that people, towards all that may hereafter this, come that way.

To this euill, thus receiued at the hands of infidells, there was adioyned, and grew another miſchiefe, wrought and contriued cloſely amongſt our ſelues, as great, yea farre greater, and of farre more greiuous conſequence then the former: but that it was, by Gods prouidence, detected and preuented in time, which elſe had extended it ſelfe, not onely to the violent ſhedding of innocent blood, by murthering our generall and ſuch others as were moſt firme and faithfull to him: but alſo to the finall ouerthrow of the whole action intended, and to diuers other moſt dangerous effects.

Theſe plotts had beene layd before the voyage beganne in England: the very modell of them was ſhewed, and declared to our generall in his garden at Plimmouth, before his ſetting ſayle, which yet he either would not credit, as true or likely, of a perſon whom he loued ſo deerely, and was perſwaded of to loue him likewiſe vnfainedly, or thought by loue and benefits, to remoue and remedy it, if there were any euill purpoſes conceiued againſt him.

And therfore, he did not onely continue (to this ſuſpected & accuſed perſon) al countenance, credit, and courteſies, which he was wont to ſhew & giue him, but encreaſed them, vſing him in a manner as another himſelfe, and as his moſt inmoſt friend: lodging him with himſelfe; giuing him the ſecond place, in all companies, in his preſence; leauing in his hand, the ſtate as it were of his owne perſon; in his abſence; imparting vnto him all his counſells; allowing him free liberty in all things, that were reaſonable; and bearing often, at his hands great infirmities; yea deſpiſing, that any priuate iniury, ſhould breake ſo firme a friendſhip, as he meant towards him. And therefore, was he often times not a little offended, euen with thoſe, who (vpon conſcience of their duty, and knowledge that otherwiſe they ſhould indeed offend) diſcloſed from time to time vnto him, how the fire increaſed, that theatned his owne, together with the deſtruction of the whole action.

But at length, perceiuing that his lenity and fauours did little good; in that the heat of ambition was not yet allayed, nor could be quenched, as it ſeemed, but by blood; and that the manifold practiſes grew dayly more and more, euen to extremities; he thought it high time, to call theſe practiſes into queſtion, before it were too late, to call any queſtion of them into hearing. And therefore ſetting good watch ouer him, and aſſembling all his Captaines, and gentlemen of his comapany together; he propounded to them, the good parts which were in the gentleman, the great good will, and inward affection, more then brotherly, which he had euer, ſince his firſt acquaintance borne him, not omitting the reſpect, which was had of him, among no meane perſonages in England; and afterwards deliuered the letters, which were written to him, with the particulars from time to time, which had beene obſerued, not ſo much by himſelfe, as by his good friends; not onely at ſea, but euen at Plimmouth; not bare words but writings; not writings alone, but actions, tending to the ouerthrowe of the ſeruice in hand, and making away of his perſon.

Proofes were required and alleaged, ſo many, and ſo euident, that the gentleman himſelfe, ſtricken with remorſe of his inconſiderate and vnkinde dealing, acknowledged himſelfe to haue deſerued death, yea many deathes; for that he conſpired, not onely the ouerthrow of the action, but of the principall actor alſo, who was not a ſtranger or il-willer, but a deare and true friend vnto him: and therefore in a great aſſembly openly beſought them, in whoſe hands iuſtice reſted, to take ſome order for him; that he might not be compelled, to enforce his owne hands, againſt his owns bowells, or otherwiſe to become his owne executioner.

The admiration and aſtoniſhment hereat, in all the hearers euen thoſe which were his neereſt friends, and moſt affected him was great, yea in thoſe, which for many benefits receiued from him, had good cauſe to loue him: but yet the generall was moſt of all diſtracted; and therefore withdrewe himſelfe, as not able to conceale his tender affection, requiring them, that had heard the whole matter, to giue their iudgements, as they would another day anſwer it vnto their prince, and vnto almightie God, judge of all the earth. Therefore they all, aboue 40. in number, the chiefeſt of place and judgement in the whole fleet, after they had diſcuſſed diuerſly of the caſe, and alleaged whatſoeuer came in their mindes, or could be there produced by any of his other friends, with their owne hands, vnder ſeale, adiudged that: He had deſerued death: And that it ſtoode, by no meanes with their ſafety, to let him liue: And therefore, they remitted the manner thereof, with the reſt of the circumſtances to the generall.

This judgement, and as it were aſſiſe, was held a land, in one of the Ilands of that port; which afterwards, in memory hereof was called, the Iland of True iuſtice and iudgement.

Now after this verdict was thus returned vnto our generall (vnto whom, for his company, her maieſtie before his departure, had committed her ſword, to vſe for his ſafety, with this word: We doe account that he which ſtriketh at thee Drake ſtriketh at vs) he called for the guilty party, and cauſed to be read vnto him, the ſeuerall verdicts which were written, and pronounced of him, which being acknowledged for the moſt part (for none had giuen heauier ſentence againſt him, then he had giuen againſt himſelfe) our generall propoſed vnto him this choice: whether he would take, to be executed in this Iland? or to be ſett aland on the maine? or returne into England, there to anſwer his deed before the Lords of her maieſties Councell?

He moſt humbly thanked the generall for his clemencie, extended towards him in ſuch ample ſort: and crauing ſome reſpit, to conſult thereon, and ſo make his choice aduiſedly: the next day he returned this anſwer, that: Albeit he had yeelded in his heart, to entertaine ſo great a ſinne; as whereof now he was iuſtly condemned: yet he bad a care, and that excelling all other cares, to die a chriſtian man, that whatſoeuer did become of his clay body, he might yet remaine aſſured of an eternall inheritance, in a farre better life. This he feared, if he ſhould be ſet a land among Infidels, how he ſhould be able to maintaine this aſſurance, feeling in his owne frailtie, how mighty the contagion is of lewde cuſtome. And therefore he beſought the generall moſt earneſtly, that he would yet haue a care, and regard of his ſoule; and neuer jeopard it amongſt heathen and ſauage Infidells. If he ſhould returne into England, he muſt firſt haue a ſhip, and men to conduct it, with ſufficient victuals: two of which though they were had, yet for the third, he thought no man would accompanie him, in ſo bad a meſſage to ſo vile an iſſue, from ſo honorable a ſeruice. But if that there were, which could induce their mindes, to returne with him; yet the very ſhame of the returne, would be as death, or grieuouſer if it were poſſible: hecauſe be ſhould be ſo long a dying, and die ſo often. Therefore he profeſſed, that with all his heart, he did embrace the firſt branch of the generals proffer; deſiring onely this fauour, that they might receiue the holy communion, once againe together before his death; and that he might not die, other then a gentlemans death.

Though ſundry reaſons were vſed by many, to perſwade him to take either of the other wayes: yet when he remained reſolute in his former determination, both parts of his laſt requeſt were granted: and the next conuenient day, a communion was celebrated, by Mr. Francis Fletcher, preacher and paſtor of the fleet at that time. The generall himſelfe communicated in this Sacred ordinance, with this condemned penitent gentleman; who ſhewed great tokens of a contrite and repentant heart, as who was more deepely diſpleaſed with his owne act, then any man elſe. And after this holy repaſt, they dined alſo at the ſame table together, as cheerefully in ſobriety, as euer in their liues they had done aforetime: each cheering vp the other, and taking their leaue, by drinking each to other, as if ſome journey onely had beene in hand.

After dinner, all things being brought in a readines, by him that ſupplied the roome of the prouoſt Marshall; without any dallying, or dolaying the time, he came forth, and kneeled downe, preparing at once, his necke for the axe, and his ſpirit for heauen: which hauing done, without long ceremony, as who had before digeſted this whole tragedy, he deſired all the reſt to pray for him, and willed the executioner to doe his office, not to feare nor ſpare.

Thus hauing by the worthie manner of his, death (being much more honorable by it, then blameable for any other of his actions) fully blotted out, what euer ſtaine, his fault might ſeeme to bring vpon him; he left vnto our fleete, a lamentable example of a goodly gentleman, who in ſeeking aduancement vnfit for him, caſt away himſelfe: and vnto poſteritie a monument, of I know not what, fatall calamitie, incident to that Port, and ſuch like actions, which might happilie afford a new paire of paralells, to be added to Plutarchs: in that the ſame place, neere about the ſame time of the yeare, witneſſed the execution of 2. gentlemen, ſuffring both for the like cauſe, employed both in like ſeruice, entertained both in great place, endued both with excellent qualities, the one 58. yeare after the other.

For on the maine, our men found a gibbet, fallen downe, made of a ſpruce maſt, with mens bones vnderneath it, which they coniectured to be the ſame gibbet, which Magellane commanded to be erected, in the yeare 1520. for the execution, of Iohn Carthagene the Biſhop of Burgos coſen, who by the kings order, was ioyned with Magellane in commiſſion, and made his vice-admirall.

In the Iland, as we digged to burie this gentleman, we found a great grinding ſtone, broken in two parts, which wee tooke and ſet faſt in the ground, the one part at the head, the other at the feet, building vp the middle ſpace, with other ſtones and turfes of earth, and engraued in the ſtones, the names of the parties buried there, with the time of their departure, and a memoriall of our generalls name in Latine, that it might the better be vnderſtood, of all that ſhould come after vs.

Theſe things thus ended, and ſet in order, our generall diſcharging the Mary viz. our Portugall priſe, becauſe ſhee was leake and troubleſome, defaced her; and then left her ribs and keele vpon the Iland: where for two moneths together we had pitched our tents. And ſo hauing wooded, watered, trimmed our ſhips, diſpatched all our other buſineſſes, and brought our fleet into the ſmalleſt number, euen 3. onely, beſides our pinnaces, that we might the eaſier keepe our ſelues together, be the better furniſhed with neceſſaries, and be the ſtronger mand, againſt what ſoeuer need ſhould be, Auguſt 17. we departed out of this port, and being now in great hope, of a happie iſſue to our enterpriſe, which almighty god hitherto had ſo bleſt and proſpered, we ſet our courſe for the Straights. Southweſt.

Auguſt 20. we fel with the cape; neere which lies the entrance into the ſtraight, called by the Spaniards Capo virgin Maria, appearing 4. leagues before you come to it with high and ſteepe gray cliffes, full of blacke ſtarres, againſt which the ſea beating, ſheweth as it were the ſpoutings of Whales, hauing the higheſt of the cape, like cape vincent in Portugall: At this cape, our generall cauſed his fleet, in homage to our ſoueraigne lady the Queenes maieſty, to ſtrike their top-ſailes vpon the bunt, as a token of his willing and glad minde, to ſhewe his dutifull obedience to her highnes, whom he acknowledged to haue full intereſt and right, in that new diſcouery; and withall, in remembrance of his honorable friend and fauorer, Sir Chriſtopher Hatton, he changed the name of the ſhippe, which himſelfe went in, from the Pellican to be called the golden Hinde. Which ceremonies being ended, together with a ſermon, teaching true obedience, with prayers and giuing of thankes for her maieſty, and moſt honorable counſell, with the whole body of the common weale, and church of God, we continued our courſe on into the ſaid frete, where paſſing with land in fight on both ſides, we ſhortly fell with ſo narrow a ſtraite, as carrying with it much winde, often turnings, and many dangers, requireth an expert judgement, in him that ſhall paſſe the ſame, it lieth Weſt North Weſt & Eaſt South Eaſt: but hauing left this ſtraite a ſterne, we ſeemed to be come out of a riuer of two leagues broade, into a large and maine ſea, hauing the night following, an Iland in ſight, which (being in height nothing inferior to the Iland Fogo, before ſpoken of) burneth (like it aloft) alſo in the aire, in a wonderfull ſort, without intermiſſion.

It hath formerly beene receiued as an vndoubted truth, that the ſeas, following the courſe of the firſt mouer, from Eaſt to Weſt, haue a continuall current through this ſtraite, but our experience found the contrary: the ebbings and flowings here, being as orderly (in which the water riſes and falls more then 5. fathomes, vpright) as on other coaſts.

The 24 of Auguſt being Bartholomew day, we fell with 3. Ilands, bearing triangle-wiſe one from another, one of them was very faire and large, and of a fruitfull ſoile, vpon which being next vnto vs, and the weather very calme, our generall with his gentlemen, and certaine of his mariners, then landed; taking poſſeſſion thereof in her Maieſties name, and to her vſe, and called the ſame Elizabeth Iland.

The other two, though they were not ſo large, nor ſo faire to the eye, yet were they to vs exceeding vſefull, for in them wee found great ſtore of ſtrange birds, which could not flie at all, nor yet runne ſo faſt, as that they could eſcape vs with their liues: in body they are leſſe then a gooſe, and bigger then a mallard, ſhort and thicke ſet together, hauing no feathers, but inſteed thereof, a certaine hard and matted downe; their beakes are not much vnlike the bills of crowes, they lodge and breed vpon the land, where making earthes, as the conies doe, in the ground, they lay their egges, and bring vp their young; their feeding and prouiſion to liue on, is in the ſea, where they ſwimm in ſuch ſort, as nature may ſeeme to haue granted them no ſmall prerogatiue in ſwiftneſſe, both to prey vpon others, and themſelues to eſcape from any others that ſeeke to ceaſe vpon them, and ſuch was the infinite reſort of theſe birds to theſe Ilands, that in the ſpace of 1. day, we killed no leſſe then 3000. & if the increaſe be according to the number, it is not to be thought, that the world hath brought forth, a greater bleſſing in one kinde of creature in ſo ſmall a circuit, ſo neceſſarily and plentifully ſeruing the vſe of man, they are a very good and wholeſome victuall: our generall named theſe Ilands, the one Bartholomew, according to the day; the other Saint Georges, in honour of England, according to the ancient cuſtome there obſerued.

In the Iland of Saint George, we found the body of a man, ſo long dead before, that his bones would not hold together, being moued out of the place whereon they lay.

From theſe Ilands, to the entrance into the South ſea, the frete is very crooked; hauing many turnings, and as it were ſhuttings vp, as if there were no paſſage at all, by meanes whereof, we were often troubled with contrary windes, ſo that ſome of our ſhips, recouering a cape of land, entring another reach, the reſt were forced to alter their courſe, and come to anchor where they might. It is true which Magellane reporteth of this paſſage: namely that there be many faire harbours, and ſtore of freſh water; but ſome ſhips, had need to be fraughted with nothing elſe, beſides anchors and cables, to finde ground, in moſt of them, to come to anchor; which when any extreame guſts, or contrary windes doe come (whereunto the place is altogether ſubiect) is a great hindrance to the paſſage and carrieth with it no ſmall danger.

The land on both ſides is very high and mountainous, hauing on the North and Weſt ſide the continent of America, and on the South and Eaſt part, nothing but Ilands: among which, lye innumerable fretes or paſſages into the South ſea. The mountaines ariſe with ſuch tops, and ſpires into the aire, & of ſo rare a height, as they may well be accounted amongſt the wonders of the world; enuironed as it were, with many regions of congealed clouds, and frozen meteors, wherby they are continually fed and increaſed, both in height and bignes, from time to time, retaining that which they haue once receiued, being little againe diminiſhed by the heate of the ſun, as being ſo farre from reflexion, and ſo nigh the cold and frozen region.

But notwithſtanding all this, yet are the lowe and plaine groundes verie fruitful, the graſſe greene and naturall; the hearbs that are of very ſtrange ſorts, good and many; the trees for the moſt part of them alwaies greene; the ayre of the temperature of our countrey, the water moſt pleaſant; and the ſoile agreeing to any graine which we haue growing in our countrie: a place no doubt, that lacketh nothing, but a people to vſe the ſame to the Creators glory, and the encreaſing of the Church: the people inhabiting theſe parts, made fires as we paſſed by in diuers places.

Drawing nigh the entrance of the South ſea, wee had ſuch a ſhutting vp to the Northwards, and ſuch large and open fretes toward the South, that it was doubtfull which way wee ſhould paſſe, without further diſcouerie: for which cauſe, our generall hauing brought his fleete to anchor vnder an Iland; himſelfe, with certaine of his gentlemen, rowed in a boate to deſcrie the paſſage; who hauing diſcouered a ſufficient way towards the North, in their returne to their ſhips, met a cannowe vnder the ſame Iland, where wee rode then at anchor, hauing in her diuers perſons.

This cannowe or boate was made of the barke of diuers trees, hauing a prowe and a ſterne ſtanding vp, and ſemicirclewiſe yeelding inward, of one forme and faſhion; the body whereof was a moſt dainty mould, bearing in it moſt comely proportion, and excellent workmanſhip; in ſo much as to our generall and vs, it ſeemed neuer to haue beene done, without the cunning and expert iudgement of art; and that not for the vſe of ſo rude and barborous a people, but for the pleaſure of ſome great and noble perſonage, yea of ſome Prince: It had no other cloſing vp or caulking in the ſeames, but the ſtitchin with thongs, made of Seale-skins, or other ſuch beaſt, and yet ſo cloſe that it receiued very little or no water at all.

The people are of a meane ſtature, but well ſet and compact, in all their parts and limmes; they haue great pleaſure in painting their faces, as the others haue, of whom we haue ſpoken before. Within the ſaid Iland they had a houſe of meane building, of certaine poles, and couered with skinnes of beaſt; hauing therein fire, water, and ſuch meate, as commonly they can come by: as ſeales, muſſels, and ſuch like.

The veſſels wherein they keepe their water, and their cups in which they drinke, are made of barkes of trees, as was their canow: and that with no leſſe skill (for the bigneſſe of the thing) being of a very formall ſhape and good faſhion. Their working tooles, which they vſe in cutting theſe things and ſuch other, are kniues made of moſt huge and monſtrous muſſell ſhels (the like whereof haue not beene ſeene or heard of lightly by any trauellers; the meate thereof beeing very ſauourie and good in eating) which, after they haue broken off the thinne and brittle ſubſtance of the edge, they rub and grinde them vpon ſtones had for the purpoſe, till they haue tempered and ſet ſuch an edge vpon them, that no wood is ſo hard but they will cut it at pleaſure with the ſame: whereof we our ſelues had experience. Yea they cut therewith bones of a maruellous hardneſſe; making of them fiſgies to kill fiſh, wherein they haue a moſt pleaſant exerciſe with great dexteritie.

Sept. 6 The ſixth of September we had left aſterne vs all theſe troubleſome Ilands, and were entred into the South ſea, or Mare del zur: at the cape whereof, our Generall had determined with his whole company to haue gone aſhore, and there after a Sermon to haue left a monument of her Maieſtie ingrauen in mettall, for a perpetuall remembrance; which he had in a readineſſe for that end prepared: but neither was there any anchoring, neither did the wind ſuffer vs by any meanes to make a ſtay.

Onely this by all our mens obſeruations was concluded; that the entrance, by which we came into this ſtraite, was in 52. deg. the middeſt in 53. deg. 15. m and the going out in 52. deg. 30. m. being 150. leagues in length: At the very entry, ſuppoſed alſo to be about 10. leagues in bredth. After we were entred ten leagues within it, it was found not paſt a league in breadth: farther within, in ſome places very large, in ſome very narrow, and in the end found to be no ſtraite at all, but all Ilands.

Now when our Generall perceiued that the nipping cold, vnder ſo cruell and frowning a Winter, had empaired the health of ſome of his men; hee meant to haue made the more haſt againe toward the line, and not to ſaile any farther towards the pole Antartick, leſt being father from the Sunne, and neerer the cold, we might happily be ouertaken with ſome greater danger of ſickneſſ. But God giuing men leaue to purpoſe, reſerueth to himſelfe the diſpoſition of all things: making their intents of none effect, or changing their meanings oft times cleane into the contrary, as may beſt ſerue for his owne glory and their profit.

Sept. 7 For September 7. the ſecond day after our entrance into the South ſea (called by ſome Mare pacificum, but prouing to vs rather to be Mare furioſum.) God by a contrary wind and intollerable tempeſt, ſeemed to ſet himſelfe againſt vs: forcing vs not onely to alter our courſe and determination, but with great trouble, long time, many dangers, hard eſcapes, and finall ſeparating of our fleet, to yeeld ourſelues vnto his will. Yea ſuch was the extremitie of the tempeſt, that it appeared to vs as if he had pronounced a ſentence, not to ſtay his hand, nor to withdraw his iudgement till he had▪ buried our bodies and ſhips alſo, in the bottomleſſe depth of the raging ſea.

Sept. 15 In the time of this incredible ſtorme the 15. of September, the Moone was ecclipſed in Aries, and darkened about three points, for the ſpace of two glaſſes: which being ended, might ſeeme to giue vs ſome hope of alteration and change of weather to the better. Notwithſtanding, as the ecclipticall conflict, could adde nothing to our miſerable eſtate, no more did the ending thereof eaſe vs any thing at all; nor take away any part of our troubles from vs: but our ecclipſe continued ſtill in its full force, ſo preuailing againſt vs, that for the ſpace of full 52. dayes together, we were darkened more then the Moone by 20. parts, or more then we by any meanes could euer haue preſerued, or recouered light of our ſelues againe, if the Sonne of God which layed this burthen vpon our backs, had not mercifully borne it vp with his owne ſhoulders, and vpheld vs in it by his owne power, beyond any poſſible ſtrength or skill of man. Neither indeed did we at all eſcape, but with the feeling of great diſcomforts through the ſame.

For theſe violent and extraordinarie flawes (ſuch as ſeldome haue been ſeene) ſtill continuing, or rather increaſing, Sept. 30 September 30. in the night, cauſed the ſorrowfull ſeparation of the Marigold from vs, in which was Captaine Iohn Thomas, with many others of our deare friends: who by no means that we could conceiue could helpe themſelues, but by ſpooming along before the ſea. With whom albeit wee could neuer meet againe, yet (our Generall hauing aforehand giuen order, that if any of our fleet did looſe company, the place of reſort to meet againe ſhould be in 30. deg. or thereabouts, vpon the coaſt of Peru, toward the Equinoctiall) wee long time hoped (till experience ſhewed our hope was vaine) that there we ſhould ioyfully meet with them: eſpecially for that they were well prouided of victuals, and lackt no skilfull and ſufficient men (beſides their Captaine) to bring forwards the ſhip to the place appointed.

From the ſeuenth of September (in which the ſtorme began) till the ſeuenth of october we could not by any meanes recouer any land (hauing in the meane time beene driuen ſo farre South, Octob. 7 as to the 57. deg. and ſomewhat better) on this day towards night, ſomewhat to the Northward of that cape of America (whereof mention is made before in the deſcription of our departure from the ſtraite into this ſea) with a ſorrie ſaile wee entred a harbour: where hoping to enioy ſome freedome and eaſe, till the ſtorme was ended, we receiued within few houres after our comming to anchor, ſo deadly a ſtroake and hard entertainement, that our Admirall left not onely an anchor behind her, through the violence and furie of the flawe; but in departing thence, alſo loſt the company and ſight of our Vice-admirall, the Elizabeth: partly through the negligence of thoſe that had the charge of her, partly through a kind of deſire that ſome in her had to be out of theſe troubles, and to be at home againe: which (as ſince is knowne) they thence forward by all meanes aſſayed and performed. Octob. 8 For the very next day October 8. recouering the mouth of the ſtraits againe (which wee were now ſo neere vnto) they returned backe the ſame way by which they came forward, and ſo coaſting Braſill, they arriued in England Iune 2. the yeare following.

So that now our Admirall if ſhe had retained her old name of Pellican, which ſhe bare at our departure from our countrey, ſhe might haue beene now indeed ſaid to be as a Pellican alone in the wilderneſſe. For albeit our Generall ſought the reſt of his fleet with great care, yet could we not haue any ſight or certaine ne wes of them by any meanes.

From this bay of parting of friends, we were forcibly driuen backe againe into 55. deg. towards the pole Antarticke. In which height we ranne in among the Ilands before mentioned, lying to the Southward of America, through which we paſſed from one ſea to the other, as hath beene declared. Where comming to anchor, wee found the waters there to haue their indraught and free paſſage, and that through no ſmall guts, or narrow channels, but indeed through as large frets or ſtraights, as it hath at the ſuppoſed ſtreights of Magellane through which we came.

Among theſe Ilands, making our abode with ſome quietneſſe for a very little while,(viz. two dayes) and finding diuers good and wholeſome herbs together with freſh water; our men which before were weake, and much empaired in their health, began to receiue good comfort: eſpecially by the drinking of one herbe (not much vnlike that herbe which wee commonly call Pennyleaſe) which purging with great facilitie affoorded great helpe and refreſhing to our wearied and ſickly bodies. But the winds returning to their old wont, and the ſeas raging after their former manner, yea euery thing as it were ſetting it ſelfe againſt our peace and deſired reſt, here was no ſtay permitted vs, neither any ſafety to be looked for.

For ſuch was the preſent danger by forcing and continuall ſlawes, that we were rather to looke for preſent death then hope for any deliuery, if God almightie ſhould not make the way for vs. The winds were ſuch as if the bowels of the earth had ſet all at libertie; or as if all the clouds vnder heauen had beene called together, to lay their force vpon that one place: The ſeas, which by nature and of themſelues are heauie, and of a weightie ſubſtance, were rowled vp from the depths, euen from the roots of the rockes, as if it had beene a ſcroll of parchment, which by the extremity of heate runneth together: and being aloft were carried in moſt ſtrange manner and abundance, as feathers or drifts of ſnow, by the violence of the winds, to water the exceeding tops of high and loftie mountaines. Our anchors, as falſe friends in ſuch a danger, gaue ouer their holdfaſt, and as if it had beene with horror of the thing, did ſhrinke downe to hide themſelues in this miſerable ſtorme; committing the diſtreſſed ſhip and helpeleſſe men to the vncertaine and rowling ſeas, which toſſed them, like a ball in a racket. In this caſe, to let fall more anchors, would auaile vs nothing; For being driuen from our firſt place of anchoring, ſo vnmeaſurable was the depth, that 500. fathome would fetch no ground: So that the violent ſtorme without intermiſſion; the impoſſibility to come to anchor; the want of opportunitie to ſpread any ſayle, the moſt mad ſeas; the lee ſhores; the dangerous rocks; the contrary and moſt intollerable winds; the impoſſible paſſage out; the deſperate tarrying there; and ineuitable perils on euery ſide, did lay before vs ſo ſmall likelihood to eſcape preſent deſtruction, that if the ſpeciall prouidence of God himſelfe had not ſupported vs, we could neuer haue endured that wofull ſtate: as being inuironed with moſt terrible and moſt fearefull iudgements round about. For truly, it was more likely that the mountaines ſhould haue beene rent in ſunder, from the top to the bottome, and caſt headlong into the ſea, by theſe vnnaturall winds; then that, we, by any helpe or cunning of man, ſhould free the life of any one amongſt vs.

Notwithſtanding the ſame God of mercy which deliuered Ionas out of the Whales belly, and heareth all thoſe that call vpon him faithfully, in their diſtreſſe; looked downe from heauen, beheld our teares, and heard our humble petitions, ioyned with holy vowes. Euen God (whom not the winds and ſeas al one, but euen the diuels themſelues and powers of hell obey) did ſo wonderfully free vs, and make our way open before vs, as it were by his holy Angels ſtill guiding and conduting vs, that more then the affright and amaze of this eſtate, we receiued no part of damage in all the things that belonged vnto vs.

But eſcaping from theſe ſtraites and miſeries, as it were through the needles ey (that God might haue the greater glory in our deliuery) by the great and effectuall care and trauell of our Generall, the Lords inſtrument therein; we could now no longer forbeare, but muſt needes finde ſome place of refuge, aſwell to prouide water, wood, and other neceſſaries, as to comfort our men, thus worne and tired out, by ſo many and ſo long intollerable toyles: the like whereof, its to be ſuppoſed, no traueller hath felt, neither hath there euer beene, ſuch a tempeſt (that any records make mention of) ſo violent, and of ſuch continuance, ſince Noahs flood, for as hath beene ſayd it laſted from September 7. to October 28, full 52. dayes.

Not many leagues therefore to the Southwards of our former anchoring, we ranne in againe among theſe Ilands; where we had once more better likelihood to reſt in peace: and ſo much the rather, for that wee found the people of the countrie, trauelling for their liuing, from one Iland to another, in their canowes, both men, women, and young infants wrapt in skins, and hanging at their mothers backs; with whom we had traffique, for ſuch things as they had, as chaines of certaine ſhells and ſuch other trifles; here the Lord gaue vs three dayes to breath our ſelues, and to prouide ſuch things as we wanted, albeit the ſame was with continuall care, and troubles to auoid imminent dangers, which the troubled ſeas and bluſtering windes, did euery houre threaten vnto vs.

But when we ſeemed to haue ſtayed there too long, we were more rigorouſly aſſaulted by the not formerly ended, but now more violently renewed ſtorme; and driuen thence alſo with no ſmall danger; leauing behind vs the greater part of our cable with the anchor; being chaſed along by the winds, and buffeted inceſſantly in each quarter by the ſeas (which our Generall interpreted, as though God had ſent them of purpoſe to the end which enſued) till at length wee fell with the vttermoſt part of land towards the South pole, and had certainely diſcouered how farre the ſame doth reach Southward, from the coaſt of America aforenamed.

The vttermoſt cape or hedland of all theſe Ilands, ſtands neere in 56. deg. without which there is no maine, nor Iland to be ſeene to the Southwards: but that the Atlanticke Ocean, and the South ſea, meete in a moſt large and free ſcope.

It hath beene a dreame through many ages, that theſe Ilands haue beene a maine, and that it hath beene terra incognita; wherein many ſtrange monſters liued. Indeed it might truly, before this time, be called incognota, for howſouer the mappes and generall deſcriptions of Coſmographers, either vpon the deceiueable reports of other men, or the deceitfull imaginations of themſelues (ſuppoſing neuer herein to be corrected) haue ſet it downe, yet it is true, that before this time, it was neuer diſcouered, or certainely knowne by any traueller, that wee haue heard of.

And here as in a fit place, it ſhall not be amiſſe, to remoue that error in opinion, which hath beene held by many, of the impoſſible returne, out of Mar Del Zur, into the Weſt Ocean; by reaſon of the ſuppoſed Eaſterne current, and leuant windes: which (ſay they) ſpeedily carrie any thither, but ſuffer no returne. They are herein likewiſe altogether deceiued: for neither did we meete with any ſuch current, neither had we any ſuch certaine windes, with any ſuch ſpeed to carry vs through; but at all times, in our paſſage there, we found more opportunity to returne backe againe, into the Weſt Ocean, then to goe forward into Mar Del zur, by meanes either of current, or windes to hinder vs, whereof we had experience more then we wiſhed: being glad oftentimes, to alter our courſe, and to fall aſterne againe, with francke winde (without any impediment of any ſuch ſurmiſed current) farther in one afternoone, then we could fetch vp, or recouer againe in a whole day, with a reaſonable gale. And in that they alleage the narrownes of the frete, and want of ſea-roome, to be the cauſe of this violent current; they are herein no leſſe deceiued, then they were in the other without reaſon: for beſides, that it cannot be ſayd, that there is one onely paſſage, but rather innumerable it is moſt certaine, that a ſea-board all theſe Ilands, there is one large and maine ſea, wherein if any will not be ſatisfied, nor belieue the report of our experience and ey-ſight, hee ſhould be aduiſed to ſuſpend his iudgement, till he haue either tried it himſelfe, by his owne trauell, or ſhall vnderſtand, by other trauellers, more particulars to confirme his minde herein.

Now as wee were fallen to the vttermoſt part of theſe Ilands Octob. 28 Octob. 28. our troubles did make an end, the ſtorme ceaſed, and all our calamities (onely the abſence of our friends excepted) were remoued, as if God, all this while, by his ſecret prouidence, had lead vs to make this diſcouery; which being made, according to his will he ſtayed his hand, as pleaſed his maieſtie therein, and refreſhed vs as his ſeruants.

At theſe Southerly parts we found the night, in the latter end of October, to be but 2. houres long: the ſunne being yet aboue 7. degrees diſtant from the Tropick: ſo that it ſeemeth, being in the Tropick, to leaue very little, or no night at all in that place.

There be few of all theſe Ilands, but haue ſome inhabitants, whoſe manners, apparell, houſes, canowes and meanes of liuing, is like vnto thoſe formerly ſpoken of, a little before our departure out of the Straight. To all theſe Ilands, did our generall giue one name, to wit Elizabethides.

Octob. 30 After two daies ſtay, which wee made in and about theſe Ilands, the 30. of October we ſet ſaile; ſhaping our courſe right North weſt, to coaſt alongſt the parts of Peru (for ſo the generall mappes ſet out the land to lie) both for that we might, with conuenient ſpeed, full with the height of 30. deg. being the place appointed, for the reſt of our fleete to re-aſſemble; as alſo, that no opportunity might be loſt, in the meane time to finde them out, if it ſeemed good to God to direct them to vs.

In this courſe, we chanced (the next day) with two Ilands, being as it were ſtore houſes, of moſt liberall prouiſion of victualls for vs, of birds; yeelding not onely ſufficient and plentifull ſtore, for vs who were preſent, but enough, to haue ſerued all the reſt alſo, which were abſent.

Thence (hauing furniſhed our ſelues to our content) we continued our courſe Nouember 1. ſtill Northweſt, as wee had formerly done, but in going on, we ſoone eſpied, that we might eaſily haue beene deceiued: and therefore caſting about, and ſteering vpon another point, wee found, that the generall mappes did erre from the truth, in ſetting downe the coaſt of Peru, for 12. deg. at leaſt to the Northward, of the ſuppoſed ſtraite; no leſſe then is the Northweſt point of the compaſſe, different from the Northeaſt, perceiuing hereby, that no man, had euer by trauell, diſcouered any part of theſe 12. deg. and therefore the ſetters forth of ſuch deſcriptions, are not to be truſted; much leſſe honored, in their falſe and fraudulent coniectures; which they vſe, not in this alone, but in diuers other points of no ſmall importance.

We found this part of Peru, all alongſt to the height of Lima, which is 12. deg. South of the line, to be mountainous and very barren, without water or wood, for the moſt part, except in certaine places, inhabited by the Spaniards, and few others, which are very fruitfull and commodious.

After we were once againe thus fallen with the land, we continually coaſted along, til we came to the height of 37. d. or thereabout: and finding no conuenient place of abode, nor likelihood to heare any newes of our ſhips, we ranne off againe with an Iland, which lay in ſight, named of the Spaniards Mucho, by reaſon of the greatneſſe and large circuit thereof.

Nou. 25 At this Iland comming to anchor, Nouemb. 25. we found it to be a fruitfull place, and well ſtored with ſundrie ſorts of good things: as ſheepe and other cattell, maize, which is a kinde of graine whereof they make bread, potatoes, with ſuch other rootes: beſides that, it is thought to be wonderfull rich in gold and to want no good thing for the vſe of mans life. The inhabitants are ſuch Indians, as by the cruell and moſt extreame dealing of the Spaniards, haue beene driuen to flie from the maine, here to releeue and fortifie themſelues. With this people, our Generall thought it meet to haue traffique, for freſh victuals and water: and for that cauſe, the very ſame night of our arriuall there, himſelfe with diuers of his company went aſhoare, to whom the people with great courteſie came downe, bringing with them ſuch fruits and other victuals as they had, and two very fat ſheepe, which they gaue our Generall for a preſent. In recompence whereof, hee beſtowed vpon them againe many good and neceſſarie things; ſignifying vnto them, that the end of his comming was for no other cauſe but by way of exchange, to traffique with them for ſuch things as wee needed, and they could ſpare: and in particular, for ſuch as they had alreadie brought downe vnto vs, beſides freſh water, which wee deſired of them. Herein they held themſelues well contented, and ſeemed to be not a little ioyful of our comming: appointing where we ſhould the next morning haue freſh water at pleaſure, and withall ſignifying that then alſo they would bring vs downe ſuch other things as we deſired to ſerue our turnes.

Nou. 26 The next day therefore very early in the morning (all things being made readie for traffique, as alſo veſſels prepared to bring the water) our Generall taking great care for ſo neceſſarie prouiſion, repaired to the ſhoare againe; and ſetting aland two of his men, ſent them with their Barricoes to the watering place, aſſigned the night before. Who hauing peaceably paſt on one halfe of the way, were then with no ſmall violence ſet vpon by thoſe traiterous people, and ſuddenly ſlaine: And to the end that our Generall with the reſt of his company ſhould not onely be ſtayed from reſcuing them, but alſo might fall (if it were poſſible) into their hands in like manner, they had layed cloſely behind the rockes an ambuſhment of (as we gueſſed) about 500. men, armed and well appointed for ſuch a miſchiefe. Who ſuddenly attempting their purpoſe (the rocks being very dangerous for the boate, and the ſea-gate exceeding great) by ſhooting their arrowes hurt and wounded euery one of our men, before they could free themſelues, or come to die vſe of there weapons to do any good. The General himſelf was ſhot in the face, vnder his right eye, and cloſe by his noſe, the arrow piercing a maruellous way in, vnder baſis cerebri, with no ſmall danger of his life; beſides that, he was grieuouſly wounded in the head. The reſt, being nine perſons in the boate, were deadly wounded in diuers parts of their bodies, if God almoſt miraculouſly had not giuen cure to the ſame. For our chiefe Surgeon being dead, and the other abſent by the loſſe of our vice-admirall, and hauing none left vs but a boy, whoſe good will was more then any skill hee had, we were little better then altogether deſtitute of ſuch cunning and helpes as ſo grieuous a ſtate of ſo many wounded bodies did require. Notwithſtanding God, by the good aduice of our Generall, and the diligent putting too of euery mans helpe, did giue ſuch ſpeedy and wonderfull cure, that we had all great comfort thereby, and yeelded God the glory thereof.

The cauſe of this force and iniurie by theſe Ilanders, was no other but the deadly hatred which they beare againſt their cruell enemies the Spaniards, for the bloudy and moſt tirannous oppreſſion which they had vſed towards them. And therefore with purpoſe againſt them (ſuſpecting vs to bee Spaniards indeed, and that the rather, by occaſion that though command was giuen to the contrary, ſome of our men in demanding water, vſed the Spaniſh word Aqua)ſought ſome part of reuenge againſt vs.

Our Generall notwithſtanding he might haue reuenged this wrong; with little hazard or danger; yet being more deſirous to preſerue one of his owne men aliue, then to deſtroy 100. of his enemies, committed the ſame to God: wiſhing this onely puniſhment to them, that they did but know whom they had wronged, and that they had done this iniurie not to an enemie, but to a friend, not to a Spaniard, but to an Engliſhman; who would rather haue beene a patron to defend them, then any way an inſtrument of the leaſt wrong that ſhould haue beene done vnto them. The weapons which this people vſe in their warres, are arrowes of reeds, with heads of ſtone, very brittle and indented▪ but darts of a great length, headed with iron or bone.

The ſame day that we receiued this dangerous affront, in the afternoone we ſet ſayle from thence; and becauſe we were now nigh the appointed height, wherein our ſhips were to be looked for, as alſo the extremity and craſie ſtate of our hurt men aduiſing vs to vſe expedition, to finde ſone conuenient place of repoſe, which might afford them ſome reſt, and yeeld vs neceſſary ſupply of freſh victuals for their diet; we bent our courſe, as the wind would ſuffer vs, directly to run in with the maine. Nou. 30 Where falling with a bay, called Philips Bay, in, 32. deg. or thereabout, Nouemb. 30. we came to anchor: and foorthwith manned and ſent our boate to diſcouer what likelihood the place would offer to affoord vs ſuch things as we ſtood in need of.

Our boate doing her vttermoſt endeuour in a diligent ſearch, yet after long trauell could find no appearance of hope for reliefe, either of freſh victuals or of freſh water: huge heards of wild buffes they might diſecrne, but not ſo much as any ſigne of any inhabitant thereabout. Yet in their returne to vs, they deſcried within the bay, an Indian with his Canow as he was a fiſhing: him they brought aboard our generall, canow and all as he was in it. A comely perſonage, and of a goodly ſtature; his apparell was a white garment, reaching ſcarcely to his knees, his armes and legges were naked; his haire vpon his head verie long; without a beard, as all the Indians for the moſt part are. He ſeemed verie gentle, of mild and humble nature, being verie tractable to learne the vſe of euery thing, and moſt gratefull for ſuch things as our Generall beſtowed vpon him. In him we might ſee a moſt liuely patterne of the harmeleſſe diſpoſition of that people; and how grieuous a thing it is that they ſhould by any meanes be ſo abuſed as all thoſe are, whom the Spaniards haue any command or power ouer.

This man being courteouſly entertained, and his paines of comming double required; after we had ſhewed him, partly by ſignes, and partly by ſuch things as we had, what things we needed, and would gladly receiue by his meanes, vpon exchange of ſuch things as he would deſire; wee ſent him away with our boate and his owne canow (which was made of reed ſtraw) to land him where he would. Who being landed, and willing our men to ſtay his returne, was immediatly met with by two or three of his friends; to whom imparting his newes, and ſhewing what gifts he had receiued, he gaue ſo great content, that they willingly furthered his purpoſe; ſo that, after certaine houres of our mens abode there, hee with diuers others (among whom was their head or Captaine) made their returne; bringing with them their loadings of ſuch things as they thought would do vs good: as ſome hennes, egges, a fat hogge, and ſuch like. All which (that our men might be without all ſuſpition of all euill to be meant or intended by them) they ſent in one of their canowes, a reaſonable diſtance from off the ſhoare, to our boate, the ſea-gate being at that preſent very great, and their Captaine hauing ſent backe his horſe, would needs commit himſelfe to the credit of our men, though ſtrangers, and come with them to our Generall, without any of his owne acquaintance or countriemen with him.

By his comming as we vnderſtood, that there was no meane or way, to haue our neceſſities relieued in this place; ſo he offered himſelfe to be our pilote, to a place and that a good harborough, not farre backe to the Southward againe: where, by way of traffique, we might haue at pleaſure, both water, and thoſe other things which we ſtood in need of. This offer our generall very gladly receiued, and ſo much the rather, for that the place intended, was neere about the place appointed, for the randenoues of our fleete. Omitting therefore our purpoſe, of purſuing the buffes formerly ſpoken of, of which we had otherwiſe determined, if poſſible to haue killed ſome; this good newes of better prouiſion, and more eaſie to come by, drew vs away: and ſo the 5. day after our arriuall, viz. Decem. 4 December 4. we departed hence, and the next day Decemb. 5 December 5. by the willing conduct of our new Indian Pilote, we came to anchor in the deſired harbor.

This harbor the Spaniards call valperizo, and the towne adioyning Saint Iames of Chinli it ſtands in 35. deg. 40. min. where albeit we neither met with our ſhips, not heard of them, yet there was no good thing which the place afforded, or which our neceſſities indeed for the preſent required, but we had the ſame in great abundance: amongſt other things we found in the towne diuerſe ſtorehouſes of the wines of Chilie; and in the harbour, a ſhip called the Captaine of Moriall, or the grand Captaine of the South, Admirall to the Ilands of Salomon; loaden for the moſt part, with the ſame kinde of liquors: onely there was beſides, a certaine quantity of fine gold of Baldiuia and a great croſſe of gold beſet with Emeranlds, on which was nailed a God of the ſame mettall, wee ſpent ſome time in refreſhing our ſelues, and eaſing this ſhip of ſo heauy a burthen: and on the 8. day of the ſame moneth (hauing in the meane time, ſufficiently ſtored our ſelues with neceſſaries, as wine, bread, bacon &c. for along ſeaſon) we ſet ſaile, returning backe towards the line; carrying againe our Indian pilote with vs, whom our generall bountifully rewarded, and enriched with many good things, which pleaſed him exceedingly, and cauſed him, by the way, to be landed in the place where he deſired.

Our neceſſities being thus to our content releeued, our next care was the regaining (if poſſible) of the company of our ſhips, ſo long ſeuered from vs: neither would any thing haue ſatisfied bur generall, or vs ſo well, as the happy meeting, or good newes of them, this way therefore (all other thoughts for the preſent ſet apart) were all our ſtudies and endeauours bent, how to fit it ſo, as that no opportunity of meeting them might be paſſed ouer.

To this end, conſidering that we could not conueniently runne in with our ſhip (in ſearch of them) to euery place, where was likelihood of being a harbour; and that our boate was too little, and vnable to carry men enough, to encounter the malice or treachery of the Spaniards (if we ſhould by any chance meete with any of them) who are vſed to ſhew no mercy, where they may ouermaſter; and therefore meaning not to hazard our ſelues to their cruell courteſie; we determined, as we coaſted now towards the line, to ſearch diligently for ſome conuenient place, where we might, in peace and ſafety, ſtay the trimming of our ſhip, and the erecting of a pinnace, in which wee might with better ſecurity, then in our boate, and without endangering of our ſhip, by running into each creeke, leaue no place vntried, if happily we might ſo finde againe our friends and countrimen.

For this cauſe December 19. Dec. 19 we entred a bay, not farre to the Southward of the towne of Cyppo now inhabited by the Spaniards, in 29. deg 30. min. where hauing landed certaine of our men, to the number of 14. to ſearch what conueniency the place was likely to afford, for our abiding there; we were immediatly deſcried by the Spaniards, of the towne of Cyppo, aforeſayd, who ſpeedily made out 300. men at leaſt wherof 100. were Spaniards, euery one well mounted vpon his horſe; the reſt were Indians, running as dogs, at their heeles, all naked, and in moſt miſerable bondage.

They could not come any way ſo cloſely, but God did open our eyes to ſee them, before there was any extremity of danger, whereby our men being warned, had reaſonable time to ſhift themſelues as they could; firſt from the maine, to a rocke within the ſea; and from thence into their boate: which being ready to receiue them, conueighed them with expedition, out of the reach of the Spaniards fury, without the hurt of any man.

Onely one Richard Miniuy, being ouer bold and careleſſe of his owne ſafety, would not be intreated by his friends, nor feared by the multitude of his enemies, to take the preſent benefit of his owne deliuery: but choſe either to make 300. mē by outbrauing of them to become afraide, or elſe himſelfe to die in the place; the latter of which indeed he did, whoſe dead body being drawne by the Indians from the rocke to the ſhoare, was there manfully by the Spaniards beheaded, the right hand cut off, the heart pluct out, all which they carried away in our ſight, and for the reſt of his carcaſe, they cauſed the Indians to ſhoote it full of arrowes, made but the ſame day, of greene wood, and ſo left it to be deuoured of the beaſtes and foules but that we went aſhoare againe and buried it: wherein as there appeareth a moſt extreame and barbarous cruelty, ſo doth it declare to the world, in what miſerable feare the Spaniard holdeth the gouernment of thoſe parts; liuing in continuall dread of forreigne inuaſion by ſtrangers, or ſecret cutting of their throats, by thoſe whom they kept vnder them in ſo ſhamefull ſlauery, I meane the innocent and harmeleſſe Indians. And therefore they make ſure to murther what ſtrangers ſoeuer they can come by, and ſuffer the Indians by no meanes to haue any weapon longer then they be in preſent ſeruice: as appeared by their arrowes cut from the tree the ſame day, as alſo by the credible report of others who knew the matter to be true. Yea they ſuppoſe they ſhew the wretches great fauour, when they do not for their pleaſures whip them with cords, and day by day drop their naked bodies with burning bacon: which is one of the leaſt cruelties, amongſt many, which they vniuerſally vſe againſt that Nation and people.

This being not the place we looked for, nor the entertainement ſuch as we deſired; Dec. 20 we ſpeedily got hence againe, and Decemb. 20. the next day, fell with a more conuenient harbour, in a bay ſomewhat to the Northward of the forenamed Cyppo, lying in 27. deg. 55. win. South the line.

In this place we ſpent ſome time in trimming of our ſhip, and building of our pinnace, as we deſired: but ſtill the griefe for the abſence of our friends remained with vs, for the finding of whom, our generall hauing now fitted all things to his mind, intended (leauing his ſhip the meane while at anchor in the bay) with his pinnace and ſome choſen men, himſelfe to returne backe to the Southwards againe; to ſee if happily he might either himſelfe meete with them, or find them in ſome harbour, or creeke; or heare of them by any others, whom he might meete with, with this reſolution he ſet on, but after one daies ſayling, the winde being contrary to his purpoſe, he was forced, whether he would or no to returne againe.

within this bay, during our abode there, we had ſuch abundance of fiſh, not much vnlike our Gurnard in England, as no place had euer afforded vs the like (Cape Blanck onely vpon the coaſt of Barbary excepted) ſince our firſt ſetting forth of Plymmouth, vntill this time, the plenty whereof in this place was ſuch, that our gentlemen ſporting themſelues day by day, with 4. or 5. hookes and lines, in 2. or 3. houres, would take ſometimes 400. ſometimes more at one time.

Ian. 19 All our buſineſſe being thus diſpatched, Ianuary 19. we ſet ſayle from hence; and the next place that we fell withall, Ian. 22 Ian. 22. was an Iland ſtanding in the ſame height, with the North cape of the prouince of Mormorena, at this Iland we found 4. Indians with their canowes, which tooke vpon them to bring our men to a place of freſh water, on the foreſayd cape; in hope whereof, our generall made them great cheere (as his manner was towards all ſtrangers) and ſet his courſe by their direction, but when we came vnto the place, and had trauelled vp a long way into the land, wee found freſh water indeed, but ſcarce ſo much as they had drunke wine in their paſſage thither.

As we ſayled along, continually ſearching for freſh water; we came to a place called Tarapaca, and landing there we lighted on a Spaniard who lay aſleepe, and had lying by him 13. barres of ſiluer, waighing in all, about 4000. Spaniſh duccatts: we would not (could wee haue choſen) haue awaked him of his nappe: but ſeeing we, againſt our wills, did him that iniury, we freed him of his charge, which otherwiſe perhaps would haue kept him waking, and ſo left him to take out (if it pleaſed him) the other part of his ſleepe, in more ſecurity.

Our ſearch for water ſtill continuing, as we landed againe not farre from thence, we met a Spaniard with an Indian boy, driuing 8. Lambes or Peruvian ſheepe: each ſheepe bare two leathren bagges, and in each bagge was 50. pound waight of refined ſiluer, in the whole 800. waight: we could not indure to ſee a gentleman Spaniard turnd carrier ſo; and therefore without intreaty, we offered our ſeruice, and became drouers: onely his directions were not ſo perfect, that we could keepe the way which hee intended; for almoſt as ſoone as hee was parted from vs, we with our new kinde of carriges, were come vnto our boates.

Farther beyond this cape fore-mentioned lie certaine Indian towns, frō whence as we paſſed by, came many of the people in certaine bawſes made of Seales skins; of which two being ioyned together of a iuſt length, and ſide by ſide, reſemble in faſhion or forme a boate: they haue in either of them a ſmall gutt, or ſome ſuch thing blowne full of winde; by reaſon whereof it floateth, and is rowed very ſwiftly, carrying in it no ſmall burthen. In theſe vpon ſight of our ſhip, they brought ſtore of fiſh of diuerſe ſortes, to traffique with vs, for any trifles wee would giue them: as kniues, margarites, glaſſes, and ſuch like, whereof, men of 60. & 70. yeares old, were as glad as if they had receiued ſome exceeding rich commodity; being a moſt ſimple and plaine dealing people. Their reſort vnto vs was ſuch, as conſidering the ſhortneſſe of the time, was wonderfull to vs to behold.

Not farre from this, viz. in 22. deg. 30. min. lay Mormorena, another great towne of the ſame people, ouer whom 2. Spaniards held the gouerment, with theſe our generall thought meet to deale; or at leaſt to try their courteſy, whether they would, in way of traffique, giue vs ſuch things as we needed or no, and therefore Ian. 26 Ian. the 26. we caſt anchor here, we found them (more for feare then for loue) ſomewhat tractable, and receiued from them by exchange many good things, very neceſſarie for our vſes.

Amongſt other things which we had of them, the ſheepe of the countrey (viz. ſuch as we mentioned before bearing the leatherne bags) were moſt memorable. Their height and length was equall to a pretty cow, and their ſtrength fully anſwerable, if not by much exceeding their ſize or ſtature. Vpon one of their backes did ſit at one time three well growne and tall men, and one boy, no mans foot touching the ground by a large foot in length, the beaſt nothing at all complaining of his burthen in the meane time. Theſe ſheepe haue neckes like camels; their heads bearing a reaſonable reſemblance of another ſheepe. The Spaniards vſe them to great profit. Their wooll is exceeding fine, their fleſh good meate, their increaſe ordinarie, and beſides they ſupply the roome of horſes for burthen or trauell: yea they ſerue to carry, ouer the mountaines, maruellous loades, for 300. leagues together, where no other carriage can be made but by them onely. Hereabout, as alſo all along, and vp into the countrey throughout the Prouince of Cusko, the common ground whereſoeuer it bee taken vp, in euery hundred pound weight of earth, yeeldeth 25. s. of pure ſiluer, after the rate of a crowne an ounce.

The next place likely to affoord vs any newes of our ſhips (for in all this way from the height where wee builded our pinnace, there was no bay or harbour at all for ſhipping) was the port of the towne of Arica, ſtanding in 20. deg. whither we arriued the 7. of February Feb. 7: This towne ſeemed to vs to ſtand in the moſt fruitfull ſoile that we ſaw all alongſt theſe coaſts: both for that it is ſituate in the mouth of a moſt pleaſant and fertile vally, abounding with all good things; as alſo in that it hath continuall trade of ſhipping, as well from Lyma as from all other parts of Peru. It is inhabited by the Spaniards. In two barks here, we found ſome forty and odde barres of ſiluer (of the bigneſſe and faſhion of a brickbatte, and in waight each of them about 20. pounds) of which wee tooke the burthen on our ſelues to eaſe them, and ſo departed towards Chowley; with which wee fell the ſecond day following, Feb. 9 viz. Febr. 9. and in our way to Lima, we met with another barke at Ariquipa, which had begun to loade ſome ſiluer and gold, but hauing had (as it ſeemed from Arica by land) ſome notice of our coming, had vnloaden the ſame againe before our arriuall. Yet in this our paſſage we met another barke loaden with linnen: ſome of which we thought might ſtand vs in ſome ſtead, and therefore tooke it with vs.

Feb. 15 At Lima we arriued Febr. 15. and notwithſtanding the Spaniards forces, though they had thirtie ſhips at that preſent in harbour there, whereof 17. (moſt of them the eſpeciall ſhips in all the South ſea) were fully ready, we entred and anchored all night in the middeſt of them, in the Calao: and might haue made more ſpoile amongſt them in few houres if we had beene affected to reuenge, then the Spaniard could haue recouered againe in many yeares. But wee had more care to get vp that company which we had ſo long miſt, then to recompence their cruell and hard dealing by an euen requitall, which now wee might haue tooke. This Lima ſtands in 12. deg. 30. min. South latitude.

Here albeit no good newes of our ſhips could bee had, yet got we the newes of ſome things that ſeemed to comfort, if not to counteruaile our trauells thither, as namely, that in the ſhip of one Mighell Angell there, there were 1500. barres of plate, beſides ſome other things (as ſilkes, linnen, and in one a cheſt full of royals of plate) which might ſtand vs in ſome ſtead in the other ſhips; aboard whom we made ſomewhat bold to bid our ſelues welcome. Here alſo we heard the report of ſome things that had befallen in & neere Europe, ſince our departure thence; In particular of the death of ſome great perſonages: as, the king of Portugall, and both the kings of Morocco and Feſſe, dead all three in one day at one battell: The death of the king of France, and the Pope of Rome: Whoſe abhominations as they are in part cut off from ſome Chriſtian kingdomes, where his ſhame is manifeſt, ſo do his vaſſals and accurſed inſtruments labour by all meanes poſſible to repaire that loſſe, by ſpreading the ſame the further in theſe parts, where his diuelliſh illuſions and damnable deceiuings are not knowne. And as his doctrine takes place any where, ſo do the manners that neceſſarily accompanie the ſame infinuate themſelues together with the doctrine. For as its true that in all the parts of America, where the Spaniards haue any gouernment, the poiſonous infection of Popery hath ſpread it ſelfe; ſo on the other ſide it is as true, that there is no Citie, as Lima, Panama, Mexico, &c. no towne or village, yea no houſe almoſt in all theſe Prouinces, wherein (amongſt other the like Spaniſh vertues) not onely whoredome, but the filthineſſe of Sodome, not to bee named among Chriſtians, is not common without reproofe: the Popes pardons being more rife in theſe parts then they be in any part of Europe, for theſe filthineſſes whereout he ſucketh no ſmall aduantage. Notwithſtanding the Indians, who are nothing neerer the true knowledge of God then they were afore, abhorre this moſt filthie and loathſome manner of liuing; Shewing themſelues in reſpect of the Spaniards, as the Scythians did in reſpect of the Grecians: who in their barbarous ignorance, yet in life and behauiour, did ſo farre excell the wiſe and learned Greekes, as they were ſhort of them in the gifts of learning and knowledge.

But as the Pope and Antichriſtian Biſhops labour by their wicked factors with tooth and naile to deface the glory of God, and to ſhut vp in darkneſſe the light of the Goſpell; ſo God doth not ſuffer his name and Religion to be altogether without witneſſe, to the reprouing both of his falſe and damnable doctrine, as alſo crying out againſt his vnmeaſurable and abhominable licentiouneſſe of the fleſh, euen in theſe parts. For in this City of Lima, not two monethes before our comming thither, there were certaine perſons, to the number of twelue apprehended, examined, and condemned for the profeſſion of the Goſpell, and reproouing the doctrines of men, with the filthie manners vſed in that City: Of which twelue, ſixe were bound to one ſtake and burnt, the reſt remained yet in priſon, to drinke of the ſame cup within few dayes. Laſtly, here we had intelligence of a certaine rich ſhip, which was loaden with gold and ſiluer for Panama, that had ſet forth of this hauen the ſecond of February.

The very next day therefore in the morning (viz. the 16. of the ſaid moneth Feb. 16) wee ſet ſayle, as long as the wind would ſerue our turne, and towed our ſhip as ſoone as the wind failed; continuing our courſe toward Panama, making ſtay no where, but haſtening all wee might, to get ſight if it were poſſible, of that gallant ſhip the Cacafuego, the great glory of the South ſea; which was gone from Lima 14. dayes before vs.

We fell with the port of Paita in 4. deg. 4o. min. Febr. 20 Feb. 20. with port Saint Hellen and the riuer and port of Guiaquill, Febr. 24 Febr. 24. we paſt the line Febr. 28 the 28. and the firſt of March March 1 wee fell with cape Franciſco: where, about midday, we deſcried a ſayle a head of vs, with whom after once we had ſpoken with her, we lay ſtill in the ſame place about ſixe dayes; to recouer our breath againe which we had almoſt ſpent with haſty following, and to recall to mind what aduentures had paſt vs ſince our late comming from Lima; but eſpecially to do Iohn de Anton a kindneſſe, in freeing him of the care of thoſe things with which his ſhip was loaden.

This ſhip we found to bee the ſame of which we had heard, not onely in the Calao of Lima, but alſo by diuers occaſions afterward (which now we are at leaſure to relate, viz. by a ſhip which we tooke betweene Lima and Paita: by another which we took loaden with wine in the port of Paita: by a third loaden with tackling and implements for ſhips (beſides eightie pound waight in gold) from Guiaquill. And laſtly, by Gabriel Aluarez, with whom we talked ſomewhat neearer the line) we found her to be indeed the Cacafuego: though before we left her, ſhe were new named by a boy of her owne the Cacaplata. We found in her ſome fruite, conſerues, ſugars, meale and other victuals, and (that which was the eſpecialleſt cauſe of her heauy and ſlow ſayling) a certaine quantitie of iewels and precious ſtones, 13. cheſts of ryals of plate; 80. pound waight in gold; 26. tunne of vncoyned ſiluer; two very faire gilt ſiluer drinking boules, and the like trifles, valued in all at about 360000. pezoes. We gaue the maſter a little linnen and the like, for theſe commodities; and at the end of ſixe dayes we bad farewell and parted. Hee haſtening ſomewhat lighter then before to Panama, we plying off to ſea, that we might with more leaſure conſider what courſe hence forward were fitteſt to be taken.

And conſidering that now we were come to the Northward of the line (Cape Franciſco ſtanding in the entrance of the bay of Panama, in 1. deg. of North latitude) and that there was no likelihood or hope that our ſhips ſhould be before vs that way by any meanes: ſeeing that in running ſo many degrees from the Southermoſt Ilāds hitherto, we could not haue any ſigne or notice of their paſſage that way, notwithſtanding that we had made ſo diligent ſearch, and carefull enquirie after them, in euery harbour or creeke almoſt as we had done; and conſidering alſo that the time of the yeare now drew on, wherein we muſt attempt, or of neceſſitie wholly giue ouer that action which chiefly our Generall had determined: namely, the diſcouery of what paſſage there was to be found, about the Northerne parts of America, from the South ſea, into our owne Ocean (which being once diſcouered, and made knowne to be nauigable, we ſhould not onely do our countrie a good and notable ſeruice, but we alſo our ſelues, ſhould haue a neerer cut and paſſage home: where otherwiſe, we were to make a very long and tedious voyage of it, which would hardly agree with our good liking, we hauing beene ſo long from home already, and ſo much of our ſtrength ſeperated from vs) which could not at all be done, if the opportunity of time were now neglected: we therefore all of vs willingly harkened, and conſented to our generalls aduice: which was, firſt to ſeeke out ſome conuenient place, wherein to trimme our ſhip, and ſtore our ſelues with wood and water and other prouiſions, as we could get: and thenceforward to haſten on our intended journey, for the diſcouery of the ſaid paſſage, through which we might with joy returne to our longed homes.

From this cape before we ſet onward March the 7. March 7 ſhaping our courſe towards the Iland of Caines, with which we fell March 16. March 16 ſetling our ſelues for certaine dayes, in a freſh riuer, betweene the maine and it; for the finiſhing of our needfull buſineſſes as it is aforeſaid. While we abode in this place, we felt a very terrible earthquake, the force whereof was ſuch, that our ſhip and pinnace, riding very neere an Engliſh mile from the ſhoare, were ſhaken and did quiuer as if it had beene layd on drie land: we fond here many good commodities which wee wanted, as fiſh, freſh water, wood &c. beſides Alagartoes, Munckeyes and the like, and in our iourny hither, we met with one ſhip more (the laſt wee met with in all thoſe coaſtes) loaden with linnen, China ſilke and China-diſhes, amongſt which wee found alſo a Faulcon of gold, handſomly wrought, with a great emerald ſet in the breſt of it.

March 24 From hence we parted the 24. day of the moneth forenamed, with full purpoſe to runne the neereſt courſe, as the winde would ſuffer vs, without touch of land a long time; and therefore paſſed by port Papagaia; the port of the Vale, of the moſt rich and excellent balmes of lericho; Quantapico; and diuerſe others: as alſo certaine gulphes hereabouts, which without intermiſſion, ſend forth ſuch continuall and violent windes, that the Spaniards, though their ſhips be good, dare not venture themſelues too neere the danger of them.

Notwithſtanding, hauing notice that we ſhould be troubled with often calmes, and contrary windes, if we cotinued neere the coaſt, and did not runne of to ſea to fetch the winde; and that if we did ſo, we could not then fall with land againe when we would: our generall thought it needfull, that we ſhould runne in with ſome place or other, before our departure from the coaſt; to ſee if happily wee could, by traffique, augment our prouiſion of victuals, and other neceſſaries: that being at ſea, we might not be driuen to any great want or neceſſitie albeit wee had reaſonable ſtore of good things aboard vs already.

The next harbor therefore which we chanced with, Apr. 15 on April 15. in 15. deg. 40. min. was Guatulco ſo named of the Spaniards who inhabited it, with whom we had ſome entercourſe, to the ſupply of many things which we deſired, and chiefely bread &c. And now hauing reaſonably, as wee thought prouided our ſelues, we departed from the coaſt of America for the preſent: but not forgetting, before we gate a-ſhipboard, to take with vs alſo a certaine pot (of about a buſhell in bigneſſe) full of ryalls of plate, which we found in the towne: together with a chaine of gold, and ſome other iewells, which we intreated a gentleman Spaniard to leaue behinde him, as he was flying out of towne.

Apr. 16 From Guatulco we departed the day following, viz. Aprill 16. ſetting our courſe directly into the ſea: whereon we ſayled 500. leagues in longitude, to gee a winde: and betweene that and lune 3. 1400. leagues in all, till we came into 42. deg. of North latitude, where in the night following, we found ſuch alteration of heate, into extreame and nipping cold, that our men in generall, did grieuouſly complaine thereof; ſome of them feeling their healths much impaired thereby, neither was it, that this chanced in the night alone, but the day following carried with it, not onely the markes, but the ſtings and force of the night going before; to the great admiration of vs all, for beſides that the pinching and biting aire, was nothing altered; the very roapes of our ſhip were ſtiffe, and the raine which fell, was an vnnatural congealed and frozen ſubſtance, ſo that we ſeemed rather to be in the frozen Zone, then any way ſo neere vnto the ſun, or theſe hotter climates.

Neither did this happen for the time onely, or by ſome ſudden accident, but rather ſeemes indeed, to proceed from ſome ordinary cauſe, againſt the which the heate of the ſun preuailes not, for it came to that extremity, in ſayling but 2. deg. farther to the Northward in our courſe: that though ſea-men lack not good ſtomaches, yet it ſeemed a queſtion to many amongſt vs, whether their hands ſhould feed their mouthes, or rather keepe themſelues within their couerts, from the pinching cold that did benumme them. Neither could we impute it to the tenderneſſe of our bodies, though we came lately from the extremitie of heate, by reaſon whereof we might be more ſenſible of the preſent cold: inſomuch as the dead and ſenceleſſe creatures, were as well affected with it as our ſelues, our meate as ſoone as it was remooued from the fire, would preſently in a manner be frozen vp; and our ropes and tackling, in few dayes were growne to that ſtiffeneſſe, that what 3. men afore were able with them to performe, now 6. men with their beſt ſtrength, and vttermoſt endeauour, were hardly able to accompliſh: whereby a ſudden and great diſcouragement ſeaſed vpon the mindes of our men, and they were poſſeſſed with a great miſlike, and doubting of any good to be done that way, yet would not our general be diſcouraged, but as wel by comfortable ſpeeches, of the diuine prouidence, and of Gods louing care ouer his children, out of the ſcriptures; as alſo by other good and profitable perſwaſions, adding thereto his own cheerfull example, he ſo ſtirred them vp, to put on a good courage, and to quite themſelues like men, to indure ſome ſhort extremity, to haue the ſpeedier comfort, and a little trouble, to obtaine the greater glory; that euery man was throughly armed with willingneſſe, and reſolued to ſee the vttermoſt, if it were poſſible, of what good was to be done that way.

The land in that part of America, bearing farther out into the Weſt, then we before imagined, we were neerer on it then wee were aware; and yet the neerer ſtill wee came vnto it, the more extremitie of cold did ſeaſe vpon vs. Iune 5 The 5. day of Iune, wee were forced by contrary windes, to run in with the ſhoare, which we then firſt deſcried; and to caſt anchor in a bad bay, the beſt roade we could for the preſent meete with: where wee were not without ſome danger, by reaſon of the many extreme guſts, and flawes that beate vpon vs; which if they ceaſed and were ſtill at any time, immediatly vpon their intermiſſion, there followed moſt vile, thicke, and ſtinking fogges; againſt which the ſea preuailed nothing, till the guſts of wind againe remoued them, which brought with them, ſuch extremity and violence when they came, that there was no dealing or reſiſting againſt them.

In this place was no abiding for vs; and to go further North, the extremity of the cold (which had now vtterly diſcouraged our men) would not permit vs: and the winds directly bent againſt vs, hauing once gotten vs vnder ſayle againe, commanded vs to the Southward whether we would or no.

From the height of 48. deg. in which now we were, to 38. we found the land by coaſting alongſt it to bee but low and reaſonable plaine: euery hill (whereof we ſaw many, but none verie high) though it were in Iune, and the Sunne in his neereſt approch vnto them being couered with ſnow.

Iune 17 In 38 deg. 30. min. we fell with a conuenient and fit harborough, and Iune 17. came to anchor therein: where we continued till the 23. day of Iuly following. During all which time, notwithſtanding it was in the height of Summer, and ſo neere the Sunne; yet were wee continually viſited with like nipping colds, as we had felt before: inſomuch that if violent exerciſes of our bodies, and buſie imployment about our neceſſarie labours, had not ſometimes compeld vs to the contrary, we could very well haue beene contented to haue kept about vs ſtill our Winter clothes; yea (had our neceſſities ſuffered vs) to haue kept our beds; neither could we at any time in whole fourteene dayes together, find the aire ſo cleare as to be able to take the height of Sunne or ſtarre.

And here hauing ſo fit occaſion,(notwithſtanding it may ſeeme to be beſides the purpoſe of writing the hiſtory of this our voyage) we will a little more diligently inquire into the cauſes of the continuance of the extreame cold in theſe parts: as alſo into the probabilities or vnlikelihoods of a paſſage to be found that way. Neither was it (as hath formerly beene touched) the tenderneſſe of our bodies, comming ſo lately out of the heate, whereby the poores were opened, that made vs ſo ſenſible of the colds we here felt: in this reſpect, as in many others, we found our God a prouident father, and carefull Phyſitian for vs. We lacked no outward helpes nor inward comforts, to reſtore and fortifie nature, had it beene decayed or weakened in vs; neither was there wanting to vs the great experience of our Generall, who had often himſelfe proued the force of the burning Zone; whoſe aduice alwayes preuailed much to the preſeruing of a moderate temper in our conſtitutions: ſo that euen after our departure from the heate wee alwayes found our bodies not as ſponges, but ſtrong and hardned, more able to beare out cold, though we came out of exceſſe of heate, then a number of chamber champions could haue beene, who lye on their feather-beds till they go to ſea, or rather whoſe teeth in a temperate aire do beate in their heads, at a cup of cold Sack and ſugar by the fire.

And that it was not our tendernes, but the very extremitie of the cold it ſelfe, that cauſed this ſenſiblenes in vs, may the rather appeare in that the naturall inhabitants of the place (with whom we had for a long ſeaſon familiar intercourſe, as is to be related) who had neuer beene acquainted with ſuch heate; to whom the countrey, ayre, and climate was proper; and in whom cuſtome of cold was as it were a ſecond nature: yet vſed to come ſhiuering to vs in their warme furres; crowding cloſe together body to body, to receiue heate one of another, and ſheltring themſelues vnder a lee bancke, if it were poſſible, and as often as they could, labouring to ſhroude themſelues vnder our garments alſo, to keepe them warme. Beſides how vnhandſome and deformed appeared the face of the earth it ſelfe ſhewing trees without leaues, and the ground without greennes in thoſe moneths of Iune and Iuly. The poore birds and foules not daring (as we had great experience to obſerue it) not daring ſo much as once to ariſe from their neſts, after the firſt egge layed, till it with all the reſt be hatched, and brought to ſome ſtrength of nature, able to helpe it ſelfe. Onely this recompence hath nature affoorded them, that the heate of their owne bodies being exceeding great, it perfecteth the creature with greater expedition, and in ſhorter time then is to be found in many other places.

As for the cauſes of this extremity they ſeeme not to be ſo deeply hidden, but that they may at leaſt in part be gueſſed at: The chiefeſt of which we conceiue to be the large ſpreading of the Aſian and American continent, which (ſomewhat Northward of theſe parts) if they be not fully ioyned, yet ſeeme they to come very neere one to the other. From whoſe high and ſnow-couered mountaines, the North and North-weſt winds (the conſtant viſitants of thoſe coaſts) ſend abroad their frozen nimphes, to the infecting of the whole aire with this inſufferable ſharpneſſe: not permitting the Sunne, no not in the pride of his heate, to diſſolue that congealed matter and ſnow, which they haue breathed out ſo nigh the Sunne, and ſo many degrees diſtant from themſelues. And that the North and North-weſt winds are here conſtant in Iune and Iuly, as the North wind alone is in Auguſt and September; we not onely found it by our owne experience, but were fully confirmed in the opinion thereof, by the continued obſeruations of the Spaniards. Hence comes the generall ſqualidneſſe and barrenneſſe of the countrie; hence comes it, that in the middeſt of their Summer, the ſnow hardly departeth euen from their very doores, but is neuer taken away from their hils at all; hence come thoſe thicke miſts and moſt ſtinking fogges, which increaſe ſo much the more, by how much higher the pole is raiſed: wherein a blind pilot is as good as the beſt director of a courſe. For the Sunne ſtriuing to performe his naturall office, in eleuating the vapours out of theſe inferior bodies; draweth neceſſarily abundance of moiſture out of the ſea: bat the nipping cold (from the former cauſes) meeting and oppoſing the Sunnes indeuour, forces him to giue ouer his worke imperfect: and inſtead of higher eleuation, to leaue in the loweſt region, wandring vpon the face of the earth and waters, as it were a ſecond ſea: through which its owne beames cannot poſſibly pierce, vnleſſe ſometimes when the ſudden violence of the winds doth helpe to ſcatter and breake through it; which thing happeneth very ſeldome, and when it happeneth is of no continuance. Some of our marriners in this voyage had formerly beene at Wardhouſe, in 72. deg. of North latitude; who yet affirmed, that they felt no ſuch nipping cold there in the end of Summer, when they departed thence, as they did here in thoſe hotteſt moneths of Iune and Iuly.

And alſo from theſe reaſons we coniecture; that either there is no paſſage at all through theſe Northerne coaſts (which is moſt likely) or if there be, that yet it is vnnauigable. Adde hereunto, that though we ſearched the coaſt diligently, euen vnto the 48. deg. yet found we not the land, to trend ſo much as one point in any place towards the Eaſt, but rather running on continually Northweſt, as if it went directly to meet with Aſia; and euen in that height when we had a franke wind, to haue carried vs through, had there beene a paſſage, yet we had a ſmooth and calme ſea, with ordinary flowing and reflowing, which could not haue beene, had there beene a frete: of which we rather infallibly concluded then coniectured, that there was none. But to returne.

Iune 18 The next day after our comming to anchor in the aforeſaid harbour, the people of the countrey ſhewed themſelues; ſending off a man with great expedition to vs in a canow. Who being yet but a little from the ſhoare, and a great way from our ſhip, ſpake to vs continually as he came rowing on. And at laſt at a reaſonable diſtance ſtaying himſelfe, he began more ſolemnely a long and tedious oration, after his manner: vſing in the deliuerie thereof, many geſtures and ſignes; mouing his hands, turning his head and body many wayes; and after his oration ended, with great ſhew of reuerence and ſubmiſſion, returned back to ſhoare againe. He ſhortly came againe the ſecond time in like manner, and ſo the third time: When he brought with him (as a preſent from the reſt) a bunch of feathers, much like the feathers of a blacke crow, very neatly and artificially gathered vpon a ſtring, and drawne together into a round bundle, being verie cleane and finely cut, and bearing in length an equall proportion one with another; a ſpeciall cognizance (as wee afterwards obſerued) which they that guard their kings perſon, weare on their heads. With this alſo he brought a little basket made of ruſhes, and filled with an herbe which they called Tabáh. Both which being tyed to a ſhort rodde, he caſt into our boate. Our Generall intended to haue recompenced him immediatly with many good things, he would haue beſtowed vpon him: but entring into the boate to deliuer the ſame, he could not be drawne to receiue them by any meanes: ſaue one hat, which being caſt into the water out of the ſhip, he tooke vp (refuſing vtterly to meddle with any other thing, though it were vpon a board put off vnto him) and ſo preſently made his returne. After which time, our boate could row no way, but wondring at vs as at gods, they would follow, the ſame with admiration.

The 3. day following, viz. Ian. 21 the 21. our ſhip hauing receiued a leake at ſea, waſ brought to-anchor neerer the ſhoare, that her goods being landed, ſhe might be repaired: but for that we were to preuent any danger, that might chance againſt our ſafety, our generall firſt of all landed his men, with all neceſſary prouiſion, to build tents and make a fort for the defence of our ſelues and goods: and that wee might vnder the ſhelter of it, with more ſafety (what euer ſhould befall) end our buſinſſe; which when the people of the country perceiued vs doing, as men ſet on fire to war, in defence of their countrie, in great haſt and companies, with ſuch weapons as they had, they came downe vnto vs; and yet with no hoſtile meaning, or intent to hurt vs: ſtanding when they drew neere, as men rauiſhed in their mindes, with the ſight of ſuch things as they neuer had ſeene, or heard of before that time: their errand being rather with ſubmiſſion and feare to worſhip vs as Gods, then to haue any warre with vs as with mortall men. Which thing as it did partly ſhew it ſelfe at that inſtant, ſo did it more and more manifeſt it ſelfe afterwards, during the whole time of our abode amongſt them. At this time, being willed by ſignes to lay from them their bowes and arrowes, they did as they were directed, and ſo did all the reſt, as they came more and more by companies vnto them, growing in a little while, to a great number both of men and women.

To the intent therefore, that this peace which they themſelues ſo willingly ſought, might without any cauſe of the breach thereof, on our part giuen, be continued; and that wee might with more ſafety and expedition, end our buſineſſes in quiet; our Generall with all his company, vſed all meanes poſſible, gently to intreate them, beſtowing vpon each of them liberally, good and neceſſary things to couer their nakedneſſe, withall ſignifying vnto them, we were no Gods but men, and had neede of ſuch things to couer our owne ſhame; teaching them to vſe them to the ſame ends: for which cauſe alſo wee did eate and drinke in their preſence, giuing them to vnderſtand, that without that wee could not liue, and therefore were but men as well as they.

Notwithſtanding nothing could perſwade them, nor remoue that opinion, which they had conceiued of vs, that wee ſhould be Gods.

In recompence of thoſe things which they had receiued of vs, as ſhirts linnen cloth, &c. they beſtowed vpon our generall, and diuerſe of our company, diuerſe things, as feathers, cawles of networke, the quiuers of their arrowes, made of fawne-skins, and the very skins of beaſts that their women wore vpon their bodies. Hauing thus had their fill of this times viſiting and beholding of vs, they departed with ioy to their houſes, which houſes are digged round within the earth, and haue from the vppermoſt brimmes of the circle, clefts of wood ſet vp, and ioyned cloſe together at the top, like our ſpires on the ſteeple of a Church: which being couered with earth, ſuffer no water to enter, and are very warme, the doore in the moſt part of them, performes the office alſo of a chimney, to let out the ſmoake: its made in bigneſſe and faſhion, like to an ordinary ſcuttle in a ſhip, and ſtanding ſlopewiſe: their beds are the hard ground, onely with ruſhes ſtrewed vpon it, and lying round about the houſe, haue their fire in the middeſt, which by reaſon that the houſe is but low vaulted, round and cloſe, giueth a maruelous reflexion to their bodies to heate the ſame.

Their men for the moſt part goe naked, the women take akinde of bulruſhes, and kembing it after the manner of hempe, make themſelues thereof a looſe garment, which being knitte about their middles, hanges downe about their hippes, and ſo affordes to them a couering of that, which nature teaches ſhould be hidden: about their ſhoulders, they weare alſo the skin of a deere, with the haire vpon it. They are very obedient to their-husbands, and exceeding ready in all ſeruices: yet of themſelues offring to do nothing, without the conſents, or being called of the men.

As ſoone as they were returned to their houſes, they began amongſt themſelues a kind of moſt lamentable weeping & crying out; which they continued alſo a great while together, in ſuch ſort, that in the place where they left vs (being neere about 3. quarters of an Engliſh mile diſtant from them) we very plainely, with wonder and admiration did heare the ſame: the women eſpecially, extending their voices, in a moſt miſerable and dolefull manner of ſhreeking.

Notwithſtanding this humble manner of preſenting themſelues, and awfull demeanour vſed towards vs, we thought it no wiſedowe too farre to truſt them (our experience of former Infidels dealing with vs before, made vs carefull to prouide againſt an alteration of their affections, or breach of peace if it ſhould happen) and therefore with all expedition we ſet vp our tents, and entrenched our ſelues with walls of ſtone: that ſo being fortified within our ſelues, we might be able to keepe off the enemie (if they ſhould ſo proue) from comming amongſt vs without our good wills: this being quickly finiſhed we went the more cheerefully and ſecurely afterward, about our other buſineſſe.

Againſt the end of two daies (during which time they had not againe beene with vs) there was gathered together a great aſſembly of men, women, and children (inuited by the report of them which firſt ſaw vs, who as it ſeemes, had in that time, of purpoſe diſperſed themſelues into the country, to make knowne the newes) who came now the ſecond time vnto vs, bringing with them as before had beene done, feathers and bagges of Tobàh for preſents, or rather indeed for ſacrifices, vpon this perſwaſion that we were Gods.

When they came to the top of the hill, at the bottome whereof wee had built our fort, they made a ſtand; where one (appointed as their chiefe ſpeaker) wearied both vs his hearers, and himſelfe too, with a long and tedious oration: deliuered with ſtrange and violent geſtures, his voice being extended to the vttermoſt ſtrength of nature, and his words falling ſo thicke one in the neck of another, that he could hardly fetch his breath againe: as ſoone as he had concluded, all the reſt, with a reuerend bowing of their bodies (in a dreaming manner, and long producing of the ſame) cryed Oh: thereby giuing their conſents, that all was very true which he had ſpoken, and that they had vttered their minde by his mouth vnto vs; which done, the men laying downe their bowes vpon the hill, and leauing their women and children behinde them, came downe with their preſents; in ſuch ſort, as if they had appeared before a God indeed: thinking themſelues happy, that they might haue acceſſe vnto our generall, but much more happy, when they ſawe that he would receiue at their hands, thoſe things which they ſo willingly had preſented: and no doubt, they thought themſelues neereſt vnto God, when they ſate or ſtood next to him: In the meane time the women, as if they had beene deſperate, vſed vnnaturall violence againſt themſelues, crying and ſhreeking piteouſly, tearing their fleſh with their nailes from their cheekes, in a monſtrous manner, the blood ſtreaming downe along their breſts; beſides deſpoiling the vpper parts of their bodies, of thoſe ſingle couerings they formerly had, and holding their hands aboue their heads, that they might not reſcue their breſts from harme, they would with furie caſt themſelues vpon the ground, neuer reſpecting whether it were cleane or ſoft, but daſhed themſelues in this manner on hard ſtones, knobby, hillocks, ſtocks of wood, and pricking buſhes, or what euer elſe lay in their way, itterating the ſame courſe againe and againe: yea women great with child, ſome nine or ten times each, and others holding out till 15. or 16. times (till their ſtrengths failed them) exerciſed this cruelty againſt themſelues: A thing more grieuous for vs to ſee, or ſuffer could we haue holpe it, then trouble to them (as it ſeemed) to do it.

This bloudie ſacrifie (againſt our wils) being thus performed, our Generall with his companie in the prefence of thoſe ſtrangers fell to prayers: and by ſignes in lifting vp our eyes and hands to heauen, ſignified vnto them, that that God whom we did ſerue, and whom they ought to worſhip, was aboue: Beſeeching God if it were his good pleaſure to-open by ſome meanes their blinded eyes; that they might in due time be called to the knowledge of him the true and euerliuing God, and of Ieſus Chriſt whom he hath ſent, the ſaluation of the Gentiles. In the time of which prayers, ſinging of Pſalmes, and reading of certaine Chapters in the Bible, they ſate very attentiuely: and obſeruing the end at euery pauſe, with one voice ſtill cryed, Oh, greatly rejoycing in our exerciſes. Yea they tooke ſuch pleaſure in our ſinging of Pſalmes, that whenſoeuer they reſorted to vs, their firſt requeſt was commonly this, Gnaáh, by which they intreated that we would ſing.

Our General hauing now beſtowed vpon them diuers things, at their departure they reſtored them all againe; none carrying with him any thing of whatſoeuer hee had receiued, thinking themſelues ſufficiently enriched and happie, that they had found ſo free acceſſe to ſee vs.

Againſt the end of three daies more (the newes hauing the while ſpread it ſelf farther, and as it ſeemed a great way vp into the countrie) were aſſembled the greateſt number of people, which wee could reaſonably imagine, to dwell within any conuenient diſtance round about. Amongſt the reſt, the king himſelfe, a man of a goodly ſtature and comely perſonage attended with his guard, of about 100. tall and warlike men, this day, viz. Iune 26 Iune 26. came downe to ſee vs.

Before his comming, were ſent two Embaſſadors or meſſengers to our Generall, to ſignifie that their Hióh, that is, their king was coming and at hand. They in the deliuery of their meſſage, the one ſpake with a ſoft and low voice, prompting his fellow; the other pronounced the ſame word by word after him, with a voice more audible: continuing their proclamation (for ſuch it was) about halfe an houre. Which being ended, they by ſignes made requeſt to our Generall, to ſend ſomething by their hands to their Hióh or king, as a token that his comming might be in peace. Our Generall willingly ſatisfied their deſire; and they, glad men, made ſpeedy returne to their Hióh: Neither was it long before their king (making as princely a ſhew as poſſibly he could) with all his traine came forward.

In their coming forwards they cryed continually after a ſinging manner with a luſtie courage. And as they drew neerer and neerer towards vs, ſo did they more and more ſtriue to behaue themſelues with a certaine comelineſſe and grauity in all their actions.

In the forefront came a man of a large body and goodly aſpect bearing the Septer or royall mace (made of a certaine kind of blacke wood, and in length about a yard and a halfe) before the king. Whereupon hanged two crownes, a bigger and a leſſe, with three chaines of a maruellous length, and often doubled; beſides a bagge of the herbe Tabáh. The crownes were made of knitworke, wrought vpon moſt curiouſly with feathers of diuers colours, very artificially placed, and of a formall faſhion: The chaines ſeemed of a bony ſubſtance: euery linke or part thereof being very little, thinne, moſt finely burniſhed, with a hole pierced through the middeſt. The number of linkes going to make one chaine, is in a manner infinite: but of ſuch eſtimation it s amongſt them, that few be the perſons that are admitted to weare the ſame: and euen they to whom its lawfull to vſe them, yet are ſtinted what number they ſhall vſe; as ſome ten, ſome twelue, ſome twentie, and as they exceed in number of chaines, ſo are they thereby knowne to be the more honorable perſonages.

Next vnto him that bare his Scepter, was the king himſelfe with his guard about him: His attire vpon his head was a cawle of knitworke, wrought vpon ſomewhat like the crownes, but differing much both in faſhion and perfectneſſe of worke; vpon his ſhoulders he had on a coate of the skins of conies, reaching to his waſt: His guard alſo had each coats of the ſame ſhape, but of other skins:ſome hauing cawles likewiſe ſtucke with feathers, or couered ouer with a certaine downe, which groweth vp in the countrey vpon an herbe much like our lectuce; which exceeds any other downe in the world for fineneſſe, and beeing layed vpon their cawles by no winds can be remoued: Of ſuch eſtimation is this herbe amongſt them, that the downe thereof is not lawfull to be worne, but of ſuch perſons as are about the king (to whom alſo it is permitted to weare plume of feathers on their heads, in ſigne of honour) and the ſeeds are not vſed but onely in ſacrifice to their gods. After theſe in their order, did follow the naked ſort of common people; whoſe haire being long, was gathered into a bunch behind, in which ſtucke plumes of feathers, but in the forepart onely ſingle feathers like hornes, euery one pleaſing himſelfe in his owne deuice.

This one thing was obſerued to bee generall amongſt them all; that euery one had his face painted, ſome which white, ſome blacke, and ſome with other colours, euery man alſo bringing in his hand one thing or other for a gift or preſent: Their traine or laſt part of their company conſiſted of women and children, each woman bearing againſt her breaſt a round basket or two, hauing within them diuers things, as bagges of Tobâh, a roote which they call Petáh, whereof they make a kind of meale, and either bake it into bread, or eate it raw; broyled fiſhes like a pilchard; the ſeed and downe aforenamed, with ſuch like:

Their baskets were made in faſhion like a deepe boale, and though the matter were ruſhes, or ſuch other kind of ſtuffe, yet was it ſo cunningly handled, that the moſt part of them would hold water; about the brimmes they were hanged with peeces of the ſhels of pearles, and in ſome places with two or three linkes at a place, of the chaines forenamed: thereby ſignifying, that they were veſſels wholly dedicated to the onely vſe of the gods they worſhipped: and beſides this, they were wrought vppon with the matted downe of red feathers, diſtinguiſhed into diuers workes and formes.

In the meane time our Generall hauing aſſembled his men together (as forecaſting the danger, and worſt that might fall our) prepared himſelfe to ſtand vpon ſure ground, that wee might at all times be ready in our owne defence, if any thing ſhould chance otherwiſe then was looked for or expected.

Wherefore euery man being in a warlike readineſſe, he marched within his fenced place, making againſt their approach a moſt warlike ſhew (as he did alſo at all other times of their reſort) whereby if they had beene deſperate enemies, they could not haue choſen but haue conceiued terrour and feare, with diſcouragement to attempt any thing againſt vs, in beholding of the ſame.

When they were come ſomewhat neere vnto vs, trooping togetehr, they gaue vs a common or a generall ſalutation: obſeruing in the meane time a generall ſilence. Whereupon he who bare the Scepter before the king, being prompted by another whom the king aſſigned to that office, pronounced with an audible and manly voice, what the other ſpake to him in ſecret: continuing, whether it were his oration or proclamation, at the leaſt halfe an houre. At the cloſe whereof, there was a common Amen, in ſigne of approbation giuen by euery perſon: And the king himſelfe with the whole number of men and women (the little children onely remaining behind) came further downe the hill, and as they came ſet themſelues againe in their former order.

And being now come to the foot of the hill and neere out fort, the Scepter bearer with a compoſed countenance and ſtately carriage began a ſong, and anſwerable thereunto, obſerued a kind of meaſures in a dance: whom the king with his guard and euery other ſort of perſon following, did in like manner ſing and daunce, ſauing onely the women who danced but kept ſilence. As they danced they ſtill came on: and our Generall perceiuing their plaine and ſimple meaning, gaue order that they might freely enter without interruption within our bulwarke: Where after they had entred they yet continued their ſong and dance a reaſonable time: their women alſo following them with their waſſaile boales in their hands, their bodies bruiſed, their faces torne, their dugges, breaſts, and other parts beſpotted with bloud, trickling downe from the wounds, which with their nailes they had made before their comming.

After that they had ſatisfied or rather tired themſelues in this manner, they made ſignes to our Generall to haue him ſit down; Vnto whom both the king and diuers others made ſeuerall orations, or rather indeed if wee, had vnderſtood them, ſupplications, that hee would take the Prouince and kingdome into his hand, and become their king and patron: making ſignes that they would reſigne vnto him their right and title in the whole land, and become his vaſſals in themſelues and their poſterities: Which that they might make vs indéed beleeue that it was their true meaning and intent; the king himſelfe with all the reſt with one conſent, and with great reuerence, ioyfully ſinging a ſong, ſet the crowne vpon his head; inriched his necke with all their chaines; and offering vnto him many other things, honoured him by the name of Hyóh. Adding thereunto (as it might ſeeme) a ſong and dance of triumph: becauſe they were not onely viſited of the gods (for ſo they ſtill iudged vs to be) but the great and chiefe god was now become their god, their king and patron, and themſelues were become the onely happie and bleſſed people in all the World.

Theſe things being ſo freely offered, our Generall thought not meet to reiect or refuſe the ſame: both for that he would not giue them any cauſe of miſtruſt, or diſliking of him (that being the onely place, wherein at this preſent, we were of neceſſitie inforced to ſeeke reliefe of many things) and chiefely, for that he knew not to what good end God had brought this to paſſe, or what honour and profit it might bring to our countrie in time to come.

Wherefore in the name and to the vſe of her moſt excellent maieſty, he tooke the ſcepter crowne and dignity, of the ſayd countrie into his hand; wiſhing nothing more, then that it had layen ſo fitly for her maieſty to enioy, as it was now her proper owne, and that the riches and treaſures thereof (wherewith in the vpland countries it abounds) might with as great conueniency be tranſported, to the enriching of her kingdome here at home, as it is in plenty to be attained there: and eſpecially, that ſo tractable and louing a people, as they ſhewed themſelues to be, might haue meanes to haue manifeſted their moſt willing obedience the more vnto her, and by her meanes, as a mother and nurſe of the Church of Chriſt, might by the preaching of the Goſpell, be brought to the right knowledge, and obedience of the true and euerliuing God.

The ceremonies of this reſigning, and receiuing of the kingdome being thus performed, the common ſort both of men and women, leauing the king and his guard about him, with our generall, diſperſed themſelues among our people, taking a diligent view or ſuruey of euery man; and finding ſuch as pleaſed their fancies (which commonly were the youngeſt of vs) they preſently encloſing them about, offred their ſacrifices vnto them, crying out with lamentable ſhreekes and moanes, weeping, and ſcratching, and tearing their very fleſh off their faces with their nailes, neither were it the women alone which did this, but euen old men, roaring and crying out, were as violent as the women were.

We groaned in ſpirit to ſee the power of Sathan ſo farre preuaile, in ſeducing theſe ſo harmeleſſe ſoules, and laboured by all means, both by ſhewing our great diſlike, and when that ſerued not, by violent withholding of their hands from that madneſſe, directing them (by our eyes and hands lift vp towards heauen) to the liuing God whom they ought to ſerue: but ſo mad were they vpon their Idolatry, that forcible withholding them wou'd not preuaile (for as ſoone as they could get liberty to their hands againe, they would be as violent as they were before) till ſuch time, as they when they worſhipped, were conueyed from them into the tents, whom yet as men deſides themſelues, they would with fury and outrage ſeeke to haue againe.

After that time had a little qualified their madnes, they then began to ſhew & make knowne vnto vs their griefes and diſeaſes which they carried about them, ſome of them hauing old aches, ſome ſhruncke ſinewes, ſome old ſoares and canckred vlcers, ſome wounds more lately receiued, and the like, in moſt lamentable manner crauing helpe and cure thereof from vs: making ſignes, that if we did but blowe vpon their griefes, or but touched the diſeaſed places, they would be whole.

Their griefes we could not but take pitty on them, and to our power deſire to helpe them: but that (if it pleaſed God to open their eyes) they might vnderſtand we were but men and no gods, we vſed ordinary meanes, as lotions, emplaiſters, and vnguents moſt fitly (as farre as our skills could gueſſe) agreeing to the natures of their griefes, beſeeching God, if it made for his glory, to giue cure to their diſeaſes by theſe meanes. The like we did from time to time as they reſorted to vs.

Few were the dayes, wherein they were abſent from vs, during the whole time of our abode in that place: and ordinarily euery third day, they brought their ſacrifices, till ſuch time, as they certainely vnderſtood our meaning, that we tooke no pleaſure, but were diſpleaſed with them: whereupon their zeale abated, and their ſacrificing, for a ſeaſon, to our good liking ceaſed; not-withſtanding they continued ſtill to make their reſort vnto vs in great abundance, and in ſuch ſort, that they oft-times forgate, to prouide meate for their owne ſuſtenance; ſo that our generall (of whom they made account as of a father) was faine to performe the office of a father to them, relieuing them with ſuch victualls, as we had prouided for our ſelues, as, Muſcles, Scales, and ſuch like, wherein they tooke exceeding much content; and ſeeing that their ſacrifices were diſpleaſing to vs, yet (hating ingratitude) they ſought to recompence vs, with ſuch things as they had, which they willingly inforced vpon vs, though it were neuer ſo neceſſarie or needfull for themſelues to keepe.

They are a people of a tractable, free, and louing nature, without guile or treachery; they bowes and arrowes (their only weapons, and almoſt all their wealth) they vſe very skillfully, but yet not to do any great harme with them, being by reaſon of their weakeneſſe, more fit for children then for men, ſending the arrow neither farre off, nor with any great force: and yet are the men commonly ſo ſtrong of body, that that, which 2. or 3. of our men could hardly beare, one of them would take vpon his backe, and without grudging carrie it eaſily away, vp hill and downe hill an Engliſh mile together: they are alſo exceeding ſwift in running, and of long continuance; the vſe whereof is ſo familiar with them, that they ſeldome goe, but for the moſt part runne. One thing we obſerued in them with admiration: that if at any time, they chanced to ſee a fiſh, ſo neere the ſhoare, that they might reach the place without ſwimming, they would neuer, or very ſeldome miſſe to take it.

After that our neceſſary buſineſſes were well diſpatched, our generall with his gentlemen, and many of his company, made a journy vp into the land, to ſee the manner of their dwelling, and to be the better acquainted, with the nature and commodities of the country. Their houſes were all ſuch as wee haue formerly deſcribed, and being many of them in one place, made ſeuerall villages here and there. The inland we found to be farre different from the ſhoare, a goodly country, and fruitfull ſoyle, ſtored with many bleſſings fit for the vſe of man: infinite was the company of very large and fat Deere, which there we ſawe by thouſands, as we ſuppoſed, in a heard: beſides a multitude of a ſtrange kinde of Conies, by farre exceeding them in number: their heads and bodies, in which they reſemble other Conies, are but ſmall; his tayle like the tayle of a Rat, exceeding long;and his feet like the pawes of a Want or Moale; vnder his chinne, on either ſide, he hath a bagge, into which he gathereth his meate, when he hath filled his belly abroade, that he may with it, either feed his young, or feed himſelfe, when he liſts not to trauaile from his burrough: the people eate their bodies, and make great account of their skinnes, for their kings holidaies coate was made of them.

This country our generall named Albion, and that for two cauſes; the one in reſpect of the white bancks and cliffes, which lie toward the ſea: the other, that it might haue ſome affinity, euen in name alſo, with our owne country, which was ſometime ſo called.

Before we went from thence, our generall cauſed to be ſet vp, a monument of our being there; as alſo of her maieſties, and ſucceſſors right and title to that kingdome, namely, a plate of braſſe, faſt nailed to a great and firme poſt; whereon is engrauen her graces name, and the day and yeare of our arriuall there, and of the free giuing vp, of the prouince and kingdome, both by the king and people, into her maieſties hands: together with her highneſſe picture, and armes in a piece of ſixpence currant Engliſh monie, ſhewing it ſelfe by a hole made of purpoſe through the plate: vnderneath was likewiſe engrauen the name of our generall &c.

The Spaniards neuer had any dealing, or ſo much as ſet a foote in this country; the vtmoſt of their diſcoueries, reaching onely to many degrees Southward of this place.

And now, as the time of our departure was perceiued by them to draw nigh, ſo did the ſorrowes and miſeries of this people, ſeeme to themſelues to increaſe vpon them; and the more certaine they were of our going away, the more doubtfull they ſhewed themſelues, what they might doe; ſo that we might eaſily iudge that that ioy (being exceeding great) wherewith they receiued vs at our firſt arriuall, was cleane drowned in their exceſſiue ſorrow for our departing: For they did not onely looſe on a ſudden all mirth, ioy, glad countenance, pleaſant ſpeeches, agility of body, familiar reioycing one with another, and all pleaſure what euer fleſh and bloud might bee delighted in, but with ſighes and ſorrowings, with heauy hearts and grieued minds, they powred out wofull complaints and moanes, with bitter teares and wringing of their hands, tormenting themſelues. And as men refuſing all comfort, they onely accounted themſelues as caſt-awayes, and thoſe whom the gods were about to forſake: So that nothing we could ſay or do, was able to eaſe them of their ſo heauy a burthen, or to deliuer them from ſo deſperate a ſtraite, as our leauing of them did ſeeme to them that it would caſt them into.

Howbeit ſeeing they could not ſtill enioy our preſence, they (ſuppoſing vs to be gods indeed) thought it their duties to intreate vs that being abſent, we would yet be mindfull of them, and making ſignes of their deſires, that in time to come wee would ſee them againe, they ſtole vpon vs a ſacrifice, and ſet it on fire erre we were aware; burning therein a chaine and a bunch of feathers. We laboured by all meanes poſſible to withhold or withdraw them but could not preuaile, till at laſt we fell to prayers and ſinging of Pſalmes, whereby they were allured immediatly to forget their folly, and leaue their ſacrifice vnconſumed, ſuffering the fire to go out, and imitating vs in all our actions; they fell a lifting vp their eyes and hands to heauen as they ſaw vs do.

Iuly 23 The 23. of Iuly they tooke a ſorrowfull farewell of vs, but being loath to leaue vs, they preſently ranne to the tops of the hils to keepe vs in their ſight as long as they could, making fires before and behind, and on each ſide of them, burning therein (as is to be ſuppoſed) ſacrifices at our departure.

Not farre without this harborough did lye certaine Ilands (we called them the Ilands of Saint Iames) hauing on than plentifull and great ſtore of Seales and birds, with one of which wee fell Iuly 24 Iuly 24. whereon we found ſuch prouiſion as might competently ſerue our turne for a While. We departed againe the day next following, viz. Iuly 35. Iuly 25. And our Generall now conſidering, that the extremity of the cold not only continued but increaſed, the Sunne being gone farther from vs, and that the wind blowing ſtill (as it did at firſt) from the Northweſt, cut off all hope of finding a paſſage through theſe Northerne parts, thought it neceſſarie to looſe no time; and therefore with generall conſent of all, bent his courſe directly to tunne with the Ilands of the Moluccas. And ſo hauing nothing in our view but aire and ſea, without ſight of any land for the ſpace of full 68. dayes together, wee continued our courſe through the maine Ocean, till September 30. Sept. 30. following, on which day we fell in kenne of certaine Ilands, lying about eight degrees to the Northward of the line.

From theſe Ilands preſent'y vpon the diſcouery of vs, came a great number of canowes, hauing each of them in ſome foure, in ſome ſixe, in ſome fourteene or fifteene men, bringing with them Coques, fiſh, Potatos, and certaine fruites to ſmall purpoſe.

Their canowes were made after the faſhion, that the canowes of all the reſt of the Ilands of Moluccas for the moſt part are: That is of one tree, hollowed within with great art and cunning, being made ſo ſmooth both within and without, that they bore a gloſſe, as if it were a harneſſe moſt finely burniſhed: A prowe and ſterne they had of one faſhion, yeelding inward in manner of a ſemicircle, of a great height, and hanged full of certaine white and gliſtering ſ ••• ls for brauery: One each ſide of their canows, lay out two peeces of timber about a yard and halfe long, more or leſſe according to the capacitie of their boate. At the ends whereof was faſtned croſſewiſe a great cane, the vſe whereof was to keepe their canowes from ouerthrowing, and that they might be equally borne vp on each ſide.

The people themſelues haue the neather parts of their eares cut round or circlewiſe, hanging downe very low vpon their cheeks, wherein they hang things of a reaſonable weight: the nailes on the fingers of ſome of them, were at leaſt an inch long, and their teeth as blacke as pitch; the colour whereof they vſe to renew by often eating of an herbe, with a kind of powder, which in a cane they carrie about them to the ſame purpoſe. The firſt ſort and company of thoſe canowes beeing come to our ſhip (which then by reaſon of a ſcant wind made little way) very ſubtilly and againſt their natures, began in peace to traffique with vs, giuing vs one thing for another very orderly, intending (as we perceiued) hereby to worke a greater miſchiefe to vs: Intreating vs by ſignes moſt earneſtly to draw neerer towards the ſhore, that they might (if poſſible) make the eaſier prey both of the ſhip and vs. But theſe paſſing away, and others continually reſorting, wee were quickly able to gueſſe at them what they were: For if they receiued any thing once into their hands, they would neither giue recompence nor reſtitution of it, but thought what euer they could finger to bee their owne: Expecting always with browes of braſſe to receiue more, but would part with nothing: Yea being reiected for their bad dealing, as thoſe with whom we would haue no more to do, vſing vs ſo euilly, they could not be ſatisfied till they had giuen the attempt to reuenge themſelues, becauſe we would not giue them whatſoeuer they would haue for nothing: And hauing ſtones good ſtore in their canowes, let flie a maine of them againſt vs. It was farre from our Generals meaning to requite their malice by like iniurie. Yet that they might know that be had power to doe them harme (if he had liſted) he cauſed a great peece to be ſhot off not to hurt them but to affright them. Which wrought the deſired effect amongſt them, for at the noiſe thereof, they euery one leaped out of his canow into the water, and diuing vnder the keele of their boates, ſtaied them from going any way till our ſhip was gone a good way from them. Then they all lightly recouered into their canowes, and got them with ſpeed toward the ſhoare.

Notwithſtanding other new companies (but all of the ſame mind) continually made reſort vnto vs. And ſeeing that there was no good to be got by violence, they put on a ſhew of ſeeming honeſtie, and offering in ſhew to deale with vs by way of exchange; vnder that pretence they cunningly fell a filching of what they could, and one of them puld a dagger and kniues from one of our mens girdles, and being required to reſtore it againe, he rather vſed what meanes he could to catch at more. Neither could we at all be to ridde of this vngracious company, till we made ſome of them feele ſome ſmart as well as terror: and ſo we left that place by all paſſengers to be knowne hereafter by the name of the Iſland of Theeues.

Octob. 3 Till the third of October wee could not get cleare of theſe conſorts, but from thence we continued our courſe without ſight of land till the Octob. 16 16. of the ſame moneth, when we fell with foure Ilands ſtanding in 7. deg. 5. min. to the Northward of the line. Octob. 21 We coaſted them till the 21. day, and then anchored and watered vpon the biggeſt of them called Mindanao. Octob. 22 The 22. of October as we paſt betweene two Ilands, about ſixe or eight leagues South of Mindanao, there came from them two canows to haue talked with vs, and we would willingly haue talked with them, but there aroſe ſo much wind that put vs from them to the Southwards. Octob. 25 October 25. we paſſed by the Iland named Talao in 3. deg. 40. min. we ſaw to the Northward of it three or foure other Ilands, Octob. 30 Teda, Saeln Saran, (three Ilands ſo named to vs by an Indian) the middle whereof ſtands in 3. deg. we paſt the laſt ſaue one of theſ▪ & Nouemb. 1 the firſt day of the following moneth in like manner, we paſt the Ile Suaro in 1. deg. 50. min, and Nou. 3 the third of Nouember we came in ſight of the Ilands of the Moluccaes as we deſired.

Theſe are foure high piked Ilands, their names, Tirenáte, Tidóre, Matchan, Baetchan, all of them very fruitfull, and yeelding abundance of cloues, whereof wee furniſhed our ſelues of as much as we deſired at a very cheape rate. At the Eaſt of them lyes a very great Iland called Gillola.

We directed our courſe to haue gone to Tidore but in coaſting along a little Iland belonging to the king of Terenate, Nou. 4 Nouemb. 4. his deputy or Viceroy with all expedition came off to our ſhip in a canow, and without any feare or doubting of our good meaning came preſently aboard. Who after ſome conference with our Generall, intreated him by any meanes to runne with Terenate, not with Tidore, aſſuring him that his king would be wondrous glad of his comming, and be ready to do for him what he could, and what our Generall in reaſon ſhould require: For which purpoſe he himſelfe would that night bee with his king to carry him the newes: with whom if he once dealt, he ſhould find, that as he was a king ſo his word ſhould ſtand; wheras if he dealt with the Portingals (who had the command of Tidore) he ſhould find in them nothing but deceit and treachery. And beſides that if he went to Tidore before he came to Terenate, than would his king haue nothing to doe with vs, for he held the Portingall as an enemy. On theſe perſwaſions our Generall reſolued to runne with Terenate, where the next day very early in the morning we came to anchor: And preſently, our General ſent a meſſenger to the king with a veluet cloake, for a preſent and token that his comming ſhould be in peace: and that he required no other thing at his hands, but that (his victuals being ſpent in ſo long a voiage) he might haue ſupply from him by way of traffique and exchange of marchandiſe (whereof he had ſtore of diuers ſorts) of ſuch things as he wanted. Which he thought he might be the bolder to require at his hands, both for that the thing was lawfull, and that he offered him no preiudice or wrong therein, as alſo becauſe he was intreated to repaire to that place by his Viceroy at Mutir, who aſſured him of neceſſarie prouiſion in ſuch manner as now he required the ſame.

Before this, the Viceroy according to his promiſe had beene with the king, ſignifying vnto him what a mighty Prince and kingdome we belonged vnto, what good things the king might receiue from vs, not onely now, but for hereafter by way of traffique: yea what honour and benefit it might be to him, to be in league and friendſhip with ſo noble and famous a Prince as we ſerued: And farther what a diſcouragement it would be to the Portugals his enemies to heare and ſee it: In hearing whereof the king was ſo preſently moued to the well liking of the matter, that before our meſſenger could come halfe the way, he had ſent the Viceroy with diuers others of his Nobles and Councellors to our Generall, with ſpeciall meſſage that he ſhould not onely haue what things he needed, or would require with peace and friendſhip, but that be would willingly entertaine amitie with ſo famous and renowned a Princes as was ours, and that if it ſeemed good in her eyes to accept of it, he would ſequeſter the commodities and traffique of his whole Iland from others, eſpecially from his enemies the Portugals (from whom he had nothing but by the ſword) and reſerue it to the intercourſe of our Nation, if we would embrace it: In token whereof he had now ſent to our Generall his ſignet, and would within ſhort time after, come in his owne perſon with his brethren and Nobles with boats or canowes into our ſhip, and be a meanes of bringing her into a ſafer harbour.

While they were deliuering their meſſage to vs, our meſſenger was come vnto the Court, who being met by the way by certaine noble perſonages, was with great ſolemnitie conueied into the kings preſence: at whoſe hands he was moſt friendly and graciouſly entertained, and hauing deliuered his errand together with his preſent vnto the king, the king ſeemed to him to iudge himſelfe blame-worthy, that he had not ſooner haſted in perſon to preſent himſelfe to our Generall, who came ſo farre and from ſo great a Prince; And preſently with all expedition, he made ready himſelfe with the chiefeſt of all his States and Councellors to make repaire vnto vs.

The manner of his comming as it was princely, ſo truly it ſeemed to vs very ſtrange & maruellous: ſeruing at the preſent not ſo much to ſet out his owne royall and kingly ſtate (which was great) as to do honour to her highneſſe to whom we belonged; wherein how willingly he imployed himſelfe, the ſequell will make manifeſt.

Firſt therefore, before his comming, did he ſend off 3. great and large Canowes; in each whereof, were certaine of the greateſt perſonages that were about him, attired all of them in white Lawne, or cloth of Calecut, hauing ouer their heads, from one end of the Canow to the other, a couering of thinne and fine mats, borne vp by a frame made of reedes, vnder which euery man ſate in order according to his dignity; the hoary heads, of many of them, ſet forth the greater reuerence due to their perſons, and manifeſtly ſhewed, that the king vſed the aduice of a graue and prudent Counſell, in his affaires. Beſides theſe, were diuerſe others, young and comely men, a great number attired in white as were the other, but with manifeſt differences: hauing their places alſo vnder the ſame couering, but in inferior order, as their calling required.

The reſt of the men were ſouldiers, who ſtood in comely order round about on both ſides; on the outſide of whom, againe did ſit the rowers in certaine galleries, which being 3. on each ſide all alongſt the Canow, did lie off from the ſide thereof, ſome 3. or 4. yards, one being orderly builded lower then the other: in euery of which galleries was an equall number of banckes, whereon did ſit the rowers, about the number of foureſcoure in one Canow: In the forepart of each Canow, ſate two men, the one holding a Tabret, the other a piece of braſſe, whereon they both at once ſtroke; and obſeruing a due time and reaſonable ſpace betweene each ſtroake by the ſound thereof, directed the rowers to keepe their ſtroake with their oares; as on the contrary, the rowers ending their ſtroake with a ſong, gaue warning to the others to ſtrike againe; and ſo continued they their way with maruelous ſwiftneſſe: neither were their Canowes naked or vnfurniſhed of warlike munition, they had each of thē, at leaſt one ſmall caſt piece of about a yard in length mounted vpon a ſtocke, which was ſet vpright; beſides euery man except the rowers, had his ſword, dagger, and target, and ſome of them ſome other weapons, as, lances, calliuers, bowes, arrowes, and many darts.

Theſe Canowes comming neere our ſhip in order, rowed round about vs one after another; and the men as they paſſe by vs, did vs a kinde of homage with great ſolemnity, the greateſt perſonages beginning firſt, with reuerend countenance and behauiour, to bow their bodies euen to the ground: which done, they put our owne meſſenger aboard vs againe, and ſignified to vs, that their king (who himſelfe was comming) had ſent them before him, to conduct our ſhip into a better roade, deſiring a halſer to be giuen them forth, that they might employ their ſeruice as their king commanded, in towing our ſhip therewith to the place aſſigned.

The king himſelfe was not farre behinde, but he alſo with 6. graue and ancient fathers in his Canow approaching, did at once together with them, yeeld vs a reuerend kinde of obeyſance in farre more humble manner, then was to be expected; he was of a tall ſtature, very corpulent and well ſet together, of a very princely and gratious countenance; his reſpect amongſt his owne was ſuch, that neither his Viceroy of Mutir aforenamed, nor any other of his counſellers, durſt ſpeake vnto him but vpon their knees, not riſing againe till they were licenced.

Whoſe comming as it was to our generall, no ſmall cauſe of goodliking, ſo was he receiued in the beſt manner we could, anſwerable vnto his ſtate: our ordinance thundred, which wee mixed with great ſtore of ſmall ſhot, among which ſounding our trumpets, and other inſtruments of muſick, both of ſtill and loud noiſe, where with he was ſo much delighted, that requeſting our muſick to come into the boate, hee ioyned his Canow to the ſame, and was towed at leaſt a whole houre together, with the boate at the ſterne of our ſhip: Beſides this, our generall ſent him ſuch preſents, as he thought, might both requite his curteſy already receiued, and worke a farther confirmation, of that goodliking and friendſhip already begunne.

The king being thus in muſicall paradiſe, and enioying that wherewith he was ſo highly pleaſed; his brother named Moro with no leſſe brauery, then any of the reſt, accompanied alſo with a great number of gallant followers, made the like repaire, and gaue vs like reſpect; and his homage done he fell aſterne of vs, till we came to anchor: neither did our generall leaue his curteſie vnrewarded, but bountifully pleaſed him alſo before we parted.

The king as ſoone as we were come to anchor, craued pardon to be gone, and ſo tooke leaue, promiſing vs, that the next day he would come aboard, and in the meane time would prepare and ſend ſuch victualls, as were requiſite and neceſſary for our prouiſion.

Accordingly the ſame night, and the morrow following, we receiued what was there to be had, by way of traffique, to wir, rice in pretty quantity, hennes, ſugar canes, imperfect and liquid ſugar, a fruit which they call Figo (Magellane calls it a figge of a ſpan long, but is no other then that which the Spaniards and Portingalls haue named Plantanes) Cocoes and a kind of meale which they call Sago, made of the toppes of certaine trees, taſting in the mouth like ſoure curdes, but meltes away like ſugar; whereof they make a kinde of cake which will keepe good at leaſt 10. yeares; of this laſt we made the greateſt quantity of our prouiſion: for a few cloues wee did alſo traffique, whereof for, a ſmall matter, wee might haue had greater ſtore, then we could well tell where to beſtow: but our generalls care was, that the ſhip ſhould not be too much peſtered or annoyed therewith.

At the time appointed, our generall (hauing ſet all things in order to receiue him) looked for the kings returne, who failing both in time and promiſe, ſent his brother to make his excuſe, and to intreat our generall to come on ſhoare; his brother being the while to remaine aboard, as a pawne for his ſafe reſtoring: our generall could willingly haue conſented, if the king himſelf had not firſt broke his word: the conſideration whereof, bred an vtter diſliking in the whole company, who by no meanes would giue conſent, he ſhould hazard himſelfe, eſpecially, for that the kings brother had vttered certaine words, in ſecret conference with our generall aboard his cabbin, which bred no ſmall ſuſpition of ill intent; our generall being thus reſolued not to goe aſhoare at that time, reſerued the Viceroy for a pledge, and ſo ſent certaine of his gentlemen to the court, both to accompany the kings brother, and alſo with ſpeciall meſſage to the king himſelfe.

They being come ſomewhat neere vnto the caſtle, were receiued by another brother of the kings, and certaine others of the greateſt ſtates, and conducted with great honour towards the caſtle, where being brought into a large and faire houſe, they ſaw gathered together a great multitude of people, by ſuppoſition at leaſt 1000. the chiefe whereof, were placed round about the houſe, according as it ſeemed to their degrees and calling, the reſt remained without.

The houſe was in forme foure ſquare, couered all ouer with cloth of diuerſe colours, not much vnlike our vſuall pentadoes borne vpon a frame of reedes, the ſides being open from the groundſell to the couering, and furniſhed with ſeates round about: it ſeemes it was there councell-houſe and not commonly employed to any other vſe.

At the ſide of this houſe, next vnto the caſtle was ſeated the chaire of ſtate, hauing directly ouer it, and extending very largely euery way, a very faire and rich canopy, as the ground alſo for ſome 10. or 12. paſes compaſſe, was couered with cloth of Arras.

Whileſt our gentlemen attended in this place the comming of the king, which was about the ſpace of halfe an houre, they had the better opportunity to obſerue theſe things; as alſo that before the kings comming, there were already ſet threeſcore noble graue and ancient perſonages, all of them reported to be of the kings priuy Councell: at the neather end of the houſe were placed a great company of yong men, comely perſonage and attire. With out the houſe on the right ſide, ſtood foure ancient comely hoare-headed men, cloathed all in red downe to the ground, but attired on their heads not much vnlike the Turkes; theſe they called Romans, or ſtrangers, who lay as lidgiers there to keepe continuall traffique with this people: there were alſo two Turkes one Italian as lidgiers: and laſt of all one Spaniard, who being freed by the kings out of the hands of the Portugals, in the recouering of the Iland, ſerued him now in ſtead of a ſouldier.

The king at laſt comming from the caſtle, with 8. or 10. more graue Senators following him, had a very rich canopy (adorned in the middeſt with emboſſings of gold) borne ouer him, and was garded with 12. lances the points turned downeward: our men (accompanied with Moro the kings brother) aroſe to meet him, and he very gratiouſly did welcome and entertaine them.

He was for perſon, ſuch as we haue before deſcribed him, of lowe voice, temperate in ſpeech, of kingly demeanour, and a Moore by nation. His attire was after the faſhion of the reſt of his countrey, but farre more ſumptuous, as his condition and ſtate required: from the waſt to the ground, was all cloth of gold, and that very rich; his legges bare, but on his feet a paire of ſhooes of cordiuant died red: in the attire of his head, were finely wreathed in diuerſe rings of plated gold, of an inch, or an inch and halfe in breadth, which made a faire and princely ſhew, ſomewhat reſembling a crowne in forme; about his necke hee had a chaine of perfect gold, the linkes very great and onefold double; on his left hand was a Diamond, an Emerald, a Ruby, and a Turky, 4, very faire and perfect jewells, on his right hand in one ring, a big and perfect Turky, and in another ring many Diamonds of a ſmaller ſize, very artificially ſet and couched together.

As thus he ſate in his chaire of State, at his right ſide there ſtood a page with a very coſtly fanne (richly embrodered and beſet with Saphires) breathing & gathering the aire to refreſh the king, the place very hot, both by reaſon of the ſunne, and the aſſembly of ſo great a multitude. After a while our gentlemen men hauing deliuered their meſſage, and receiued anſwer, were licenced to depart, and were ſafely conducted backe againe, by one of the chiefe of the kings Councell, who had charge from the king himſelfe to performe the ſame.

Our gentlemen obſeruing the caſtle as well as they could, could not couceiue it to be a place of any great force: two onely canons they there ſaw, and thoſe at that preſent vntrauerſable becauſe vnmounted. Theſe with all other furniture of like ſort which they haue, they haue gotten them from the Portingals, by whom the caſtle it ſelfe was alſo builded, whiles they inhabited that place and Iland. Who ſeeking to ſettle a tyrannous gouernment (as in other places ſo) ouer this people, and not contenting themſelues with a better eſtate then they deſerued (except they might (as they thought) make ſure worke by leauing none of the royall bloud aliue, who ſhould make challenge to the kingdome) cruelly murthered the king himſelfe (father to him who now raignes) and intended the like to all his ſonnes. Which cauelty inſtead of eſtabliſhing, brought ſuch a ſhaking on their vſurped eſtate, that they were faine, without couenanting to carrie away goods, munition, or any thing elſe to quitte the place and the whole Iland to ſaue their liues.

For the preſent king with his brethren in reuenge of their fathers murther, ſo beſtirred themſelues, that the Portingall was wholly driuen from that Iland, and glad that he yet keepes footing in Tidore. Theſe foure yeares this king hath beene increaſing, and was (as was affirmed) at that preſent, Lord of an hundred Ilands thereabout; and was euen now preparing his forces to hazard a chance with the Portingals for Tidore it ſelfe.

The people are Moores, whoſe Religion conſiſts much in certaine ſuperſtitious obſeruations of new Moones, and certaine ſeaſons, with a rigid and ſtrickt kind of faſting. We had experience hereof in the Viceroy and his retinue, who lay aboard vs all the time for the moſt part during our abode in this place: who during their perſcribed time, would neither eate not drinke, not ſo much as a cup of cold water in the day (ſo zealous are they in their ſelfe deuiſed worſhip) but yet in the night would eate threetimes, and that very largely. This Terenate ſtands in 27. min. North latitude.

While we rode at anchor in the harbour at Terenate, beſides the natiues there came aboard vs another, a goodly gentleman, very well accompanied with his interpreter, to view our ſhip, and to conferre with our Generall: he was apparelled much after our manner, moſt neate and Courtlike: his carriage the moſt reſpectiue, and full of diſcreet behauiour that euer we had ſeene; Hee told vs that he was himſelfe but a ſtranger in thoſe Ilands, being a naturall of the Prouince of Paghia in China; his name, Pauſaos of the familie of Hombu: of which familie there had 11. raigned in continuall ſucceſſion theſe two hundred yeares, and king Bonog by the death of his elder brother (who dyed by a fall from his horſe) the rightfull heire of all China, is the twelfth of this race: he is of 22. yeares of age: his mother yet liuing: he hath a wife, and by her ſonne: he is well beloued, and highly honoured of all his ſubjects, and liues in great peace from any feare of forreine inuaſion: but it was not this mans fortune to enioy his part of this happineſſe both of his king and countrey, as hee moſt deſired.

For being accuſed of a capitall crime whereof (through free) yet he could not euidently make his innocency appeare, and knowing the peremptory iuſtice of China, to be irreuocable, if he ſhould expect the ſentence of the Iudges; he before hand made ſuite to his king, that it would pleaſe him to commit his trial to Gods prouidence and iudgement, and to that end to permit him to trauell on this condition, that if the brought not home ſome worthy intelligence, ſuch as his Maieſtie had neuer had before, and were moſt fit to be knowne, and moſt honorable for China, he ſhould for euer liue an exile, or elſe dye for daring to ſet foot againe in his owne countrey: for he was aſſured that the God of heauen had care of innocency.

The king granted his ſuite, and now he had beene three yeares abroad, and at this preſent came from Tidore (where he had remained two moneths) to ſee the Engliſh Generall, of whom he heard ſuch ſtrange things, and from him (if it pleaſed God to afford it) to learne ſome ſuch intelligence as might make way for his returne into his countrey: and therefore he earneſtly intreated our Generall, to make relation to him of the occaſion, way, and manner of his coming ſo far from England thither, with the manifold occurrences that had happened to him by the way.

Our Generall gaue ample ſatisfaction to each part of his requeſt: the ſtranger hearkened with great attention and delight to his diſcourſe, and as he naturally excelled in memory (beſides his helpe of art to better the ſame) ſo he firmely printed it in his mind, and with great reuerence thanked God, who had ſo vnexpectedly brought him, to the notice of ſuch admirable things. Then fell he to intreate our Generall with many moſt earneſt and vehement perſuaſions, that be would be content to ſee his countrey before his departure any farther Weſtward, that it ſhould be a moſt pleaſant, moſt honourable, and moſt profitable thing for him that he ſhould gaine hereby the notice, and carrie home the deſcription of one of the moſt ancient, mightieſt and richeſt kingdomes in the world. Hereupon he tooke occaſion to relate the number and greatneſſe of the Prouinces, with the rare commodities and good things they yeelded: the number, ſtatelineſſe, and riches of their Cities, with what abundance of men, victuals, munition, and all manner of neceſſaries and delightfull things they were ſtored with: In particular, touching ordnance and great gunnes (the late inuention of a ſcab-ſhind F •• er amongſt vs in Europe) he related that in Suntien (by ſome called Quinzai) which is the chiefeſt Citie of all China, they had braſſe ordnance of all ſorts (much eaſier to be trauerſed then ours were, and ſo perfectly made that they would hit a ſhillng) aboue 2000. yeares agoe. With many other worthy things which our Generals owne experience (if it would pleaſe him to make triall) would (better then his relation) aſſure him of. The brize would ſhortly ſerue very fitly to carrie him thither, and he himſelfe would accompanie him all the way. He accounted himſelfe a happie man, that he had but ſeene and ſpoken with vs; the relation of it might perhaps ſerue him to recouer fauour in his countrey: but if he could preuaile with our Generall himſelfe to go thither, he doubted not but it would be a meanes of his great aduancement, and increaſe of honour with his king: Notwithſtanding our Generall could not on ſuch perſwaſions be induced, and to the ſtranger parted ſorrie, that he could not preuaile in his requeſt, yet exceeding glad of the intelligence he had learned.

Nou. 9 By the ninth of Nouember hauing gotten what prouiſion the place could affoord vs, wee then ſet ſayle: and conſidering that our ſhip for want of trimming was now growne foule, that our caske and veſſels for water were much decayed; and that diuers other things ſtood in need of reparation: our next care was, how wee might fall with ſuch a place where with ſafetie we might a while ſtay for the redreſſing of theſe inconueniences. The calmeneſſe of the winds, which are almoſt continuall before the comming of the brize (which was not yet expected) perſwaded vs it was the fitteſt time that we could take.

Nou. 14 With this reſolution wee ſayled along till Nouember 14. at what time we arriued at a little Iland (to the Southward of Celébes ſtanding in 1. deg. 40, min. towards the pole antarticke: which being without inhabitants, gaue vs the better hope of quiet abode. We anchored and finding the place conuenient for our purpoſes (there wanting nothing here which we ſtood in need of, but onely water which wee were faine to fetch from another Iland ſomewhat farther to the South) made our abode herefor 26. whole dayes together.

The firſt thing we did, we pitched our tents and intrenched ourſelues as ſtrongly as we could vpon the ſhoare, leſt at any time perhaps we might haue beene diſturbed by the inhabitants of the greater Iland which lay not farre to the Weſtward of vs; after we had prouided thus for our ſecurity, wee landed our goods, and had a Smiths forge ſet vp, both for the making of ſome neceſſarie ſhipworke, and for the repairing of ſome ironhooped caskes, without which they could not long haue ſerued our vſe: and for that our Smiths coales were all ſpent long before this time; there was order giuen and followed for the burning of charcoale, by which that want might be ſupplyed.

We trimd our ſhip, and performed our other buſineſſes to our content. The place affording vs not onely all neceſſaries (which we had not of our owne before) thereunto, but alſo wonderfull refreſhing to our wearied bodies, by the comfortable reliefe and excellent prouiſion that here we found, whereby of ſickely, weake, and decayed (as many of vs ſeemed to be before our comming hither) we in ſhort ſpace grew all of vs to be ſtrong, luſty, and healthfull perſons. Beſides this, we had rare experience of Gods wonderfull wiſedome in many rare and admirable creatures which here we ſaw.

The whole Iland is a through growne wood, the trees for the moſt part are of large and high ſtature, very ſtraight and cleane without bowes, ſaue onely in the very top. The leaues whereof are nor much vnlike our broomes in England: Among theſe trees, night by night did ſhew themſelues an infinite ſmarme of fierie-ſeeming-wormes flying in the aire, whoſe bodies (no bigger then an ordinary flie) did make a ſhew, and giue ſuch light as if euery twigge on euery tree had beene a lighted candle: or as if that place had beene the ſtarry ſpheare. To theſe wee may adde the relation of another almoſt as ſtrange a creature, which here we ſaw, and that was an innumerable multitude of huge Bats or reare-mice, equalling or rather exceeding a good Henne in bigneſſe. They flie with maruellous ſwiftneſſe, but their flight is very ſhort; and when they light, they hang onely by the bowes with their backes downeward.

Neither may wee without ingratitude (by reaſon of the ſpecial vſe we made of them) omit to ſpeake of the huge multitude, of a certaine kinde of Crayfiſh, of ſuch a ſize, that one was ſufficient to ſatisfie foure hungry men at a dinner, being a very good and reſtoratiue meate; the eſpeciall meane (as we conceiued it) of our increaſe of health.

They are as farre as we could perceiue, vtter ſtrangers to the ſea, liuing always on the land, where they worke themſelues earths, as do the conies, or rather they dig great and huge caues, vnder the rootes of the moſt huge and monſtrous trees, where they lodge themſelues by companies together. Of the ſame ſort and kind, we found in other places, about the Iland Celébes ſome that for want of other refuge, when we came to take them, did clime vp into trees to hide themſelues, whether we were enforced to clime after them, if we would haue them, which wee would not ſticke to do rather then to be without them: this Iland we called Crab-iland.

All neceſſary cauſes of our ſtaying longer in this place being at laſt finiſhed, our generall prepared to be in a readineſſe, to take the firſt aduantage of the comming of the brize or winde which we expected; and hauing the day before, furniſhed our ſelues with freſh water from the other Iland, and taken in prouiſion of wood and the like: Dec. 12 December 12. we put to ſea, directing our courſe toward the Weſt: Dec. 16 the 16. day wee had ſight of the Iland Celebes or Silébis, but hauing a bad winde, and being intangled among many Ilands, incumbred alſo with many other difficulties, and ſome dangers, & at laſt meeting with a deep bay, out of which we could not in three daies turne out agnine, wee could not by any meanes recouer the North of Silébis, or continue on our courſe farther Weſt, but were inforced to alter the ſame toward the South; finding that courſe alſo to be both difficult and very dangerous, by reaſon of many ſhoales, which lay farre off, here and there among the Ilands, inſomuch, that in all our paſſages from England hitherto, we had neuer more care to keepe our ſelues afloate, Ian. 9 and from ſticking on them: thus were we forced to beate vp and downe with extraordinary care and circumſpection till Ianuary 9. at which time, we ſuppoſed that we had at laſt attained a free paſſage, the land turning euidently in our ſight about to Weſtward, and the wind being enlarged, followed vs as we deſired with a reaſonable gale.

When loe on a ſudden, when we leaſt ſuſpected no ſhew or ſuſpition of danger appearing to vs, and we were now ſailing onward with full ſailes, in the beginning of the firſt watch of the ſaid day at night, euen in a moment our ſhip was laid vp faſt vpon a deſperate ſhoale, with no other likelihood in appearance, but that wee with her muſt there preſently periſh: there being no probability how any thing could be ſaued, or any perſon ſcape aliue.

The vnexpectedneſſe of ſo extreame a danger, preſently rouſed vs vp to looke about vs, but the more we looked, the leſſe hope we had of getting cleere of it againe, ſo that nothing now preſenting it ſelfe to our mindes, but the ghaſtly appearance of inſtant death, affording no reſpit or time of pauſing, called vpon vs to turne our thoughts another way, to renounce the world to deny our ſelues, and to commend our ſelues into the mercifull hands of our moſt gratious God: to this purpoſe wee preſently fell proſtrate, and with ioyned prayers ſent vp vnto the throne of grace, humbly beſought almighty God, to extend his mercy vnto vs in his ſonne Chriſt Ieſus; and ſo preparing as it were our necks vnto the blocke, we euery minute expected the ſmall ſtroake to be giuen vnto vs.

Notwithſtanding that we expected nothing but imminent death, yet (that we might not ſeeme to tempt God, by leauing any ſecond meanes vnattempted which he afforded) preſently as ſoone as prayers were ended our generall (exhorting vs to haue the eſpecialleſt care of the better part, to wit, the ſoule, and adding many comfortable ſpeeches, of the ioyes of that other life, which wee now alone looked for) incouraged vs all to beſtirre our ſelues, ſhewing vs the way thereto by his owne example; and firſt of all the pump being well plyed, and the ſhip freed of water, we found our leaks to be nothing increaſed, which thought it gaue vs no hope of deliuerance, yet it gaue vs ſome hope of reſpit, inſomuch, as it aſſured vs that the bulke was ſound, which truly we acknowledged to be an immediate prouidence of God alone, inſomuch, as no ſtrength of wood and iron could haue poſſibly borne ſo hard and violent a ſhocke, as our ſhip did, daſhing herſelfe vnder full ſaile againſt the rockes, except the extraordinary hand of God, had ſupported the ſame.

Our next aſſay was for good ground and anchor-hold, to ſea, ward of vs (whereon to hale) by which meanes if by any, our generall put vs in comfort, that there was yet left ſome hope ro cleere our ſelues: in his owne perſon, he therefore vndertooke the charge of ſounding, and but euen a boates length from the ſhip, he found that the bottom could not by any length of line be reached vnto: ſo that the beginnings of hope, which wee were willing to haue conceiued before, were by this meanes quite daſht againe; yea our miſery ſeemed to be increaſed, for whereas at firſt wee could looke for nothing but a preſent end, that expectation was now turned, into the awaiting for a lingring death, of the two, the farre more fearefull to be choſen: one thing fell out happily for vs, that the moſt of our men did not conceiue this thing, which had they done, they would in all likelihood haue beene ſo much diſcouraged, that their ſorrow would the more diſable them, to haue ſought the remedy: our generall with thoſe few others, that could iudge of the euent wiſely, diſſembling the ſame, and giuing in the meane time cheerfull ſpeeches, and good incouragements vnto the reſt.

For whiles it ſeemed to be a cleere caſe, that our ſhip was ſo faſt moared, that ſhee could not ſtirr; it neceſſary followed, that either we were there to remaine on the place with her; or elſe leauing her to commit our ſelues in moſt poore end helpleſſe ſtate, to ſeeke ſome other place of ſtay and refuge, the better of which two choices, did carry with it the appearance of worſe then 1000. deathes.

As touching our ſhip, this was the comfort that ſhee could giue vs, that ſhee her ſelfe lying there confined already vpon the hard and pinching rocks, did tell vs plaine, that ſhee continually expected her ſpeedy diſpatch, as ſoone as the ſea and windes ſhould come, to be the ſeuere executioners of that heauy iudgement, by the appointment of the eternall iudge already giuen vpon her, who had committed her there to Adamantine bonds in a moſt narrow priſon, againſt their comming for that purpoſe: ſo that if we would ſtay with her, we muſt periſh with her; or if any by any yet vnperceiueable meanes, ſhould chance to be deliuered, his eſcape muſt needs be a perpetuall miſery, it being farre better to haue periſhed together, then with the loſſe and abſence of his friends, to liue in a ſtrange land: whether a ſolitary life (the better choice) among wild beaſtes, as a bird on the mountaines without all comfort, or among the barbarous people of the heathen, in intollerable bondage both of body and minde.

And put the caſe that her day of deſtruction ſhould be deferred, longer then either reaſon could perſwade vs, or in any likelihood could ſeeme poſſible (it being not in the power of earthly things, to indure what ſhee had ſuffred already) yet could our abode there profit vs nothing, but increaſe our wretchedneſſe, and enlarge our ſorrows, for as her ſtore and victualls were not much (ſufficient to ſuſtaine vs onely ſome few daies, without hope of hauing any increaſe, no not ſo much as of a cup of cold water) ſo muſt it ineuitably come to paſſe, that we (as children in the mothers wombe) ſhould be driuen euen to eate the fleſh from of our owne armes, ſhee being no longer able to ſuſtaine vs; and how horrible a thing this would haue proued, is eaſy by any one to be perceiued.

And whither (had we departed from her) ſhould we haue receiued any comfort; nay the very impoſſibility of going, appeared to be no leſſe, then thoſe other before mentioned: our boate was by no meanes able at once, to carry aboue 20. perſons with any ſafety, and we were 58. in all, the neereſt land was ſix leagues from vs, and the winde from the ſhoare directly bent againſt vs: or ſhould we haue thought of ſetting ſome aſhoare, and after that to haue fetched the reſt, there being no place thereabout without inhabitants, the firſt that had landed muſt firſt haue fallen into the hand of the enemie, and ſo the reſt in order, and though perhaps we might eſcape the ſword, yet would our life haue beene worſe then death, not alone in reſpect of our wofull captiuity, and bodily mifſeries, but moſt of all in reſpectt of our Chriſtian liberty, being to be depriued of all publique meanes of ſeruing the true God, and continually grieued with the horrible impieties and diuelliſh idolatries of the heathen.

Our miſerie beeing thus manifeſt, the very conſideration wherof muſt needs haue ſhaken fleſh and bloud, if faith in Gods promiſes had not mightily ſuſtained vs, we paſt the night with earneſt longings that the day would once appeare, the meane time we ſpent in often prayers, and other godly exerciſes, thereby comforting our ſelues; and refreſhing our hearts, ſtriuing to bring our ſelues to an humble ſubmiſſion vnder the hand of God, and to a referring our ſelues wholly to his good will and pleaſure.

The day therefore at length appearing, and it being almoſt full ſea about that time, after we had giuen thankes to God for his forbearing of vs hitherto, and had with teares called vpon him to bleſſe our labours; we againe renewed our trauell, to ſee if we could now poſſibly find any anchor-hold, which we had formerly ſought in vaine. But this ſecond attempt proued as fruitleſſe as the former, and left vs nothing to truſt to, but prayers and teares, ſeeing it appeared impoſſible that euer the forecaſt counſell, pollicie, or power of man could euer effect the deliuery of our ſhip, except the Lord onely miraculouſly ſhould do the ſame.

It was therefore preſently motioned, and by generall voice determined to commend our caſe to God alone, leauing our ſelues wholly in his hand; to ſpill or ſaue vs as ſeeme beſt to his gracious wiſedome. And that our faith might bee the better ſtrengthened, and the comfortable apprehenſion of Gods mercie in Chriſt, be more clearely felt; we had a Sermon and the Sacrament of the bodie and bloud of our Sauiour celebrated.

After this ſweet repaſt was thus receiued, and other holy exerciſes adioyned were ended, leſt we ſhould ſeeme guilty in any reſpect for not vſing all lawfull meanes we could inuent; we fell to one other practiſe yet vnaſſayed, to wit, to vnloading of our ſhip by caſting ſome of her goods into the ſea: which thing as it was attempted moſt willingly, ſo was it diſpatched in very ſhort time. So that euen thoſe things which we before this time, nor any other in our caſe could be without, did now ſeeme as things onely worthy to be deſpiſed, yea we were herein ſo forward, that neither our munition for defence, nor the very meale for ſuſtentation of our liues could find fauour with vs, but euerie thing as it firſt came to hand went ouerboard aſſuring our ſelues of this, that if it pleaſed God once to deliuer vs out of that moſt deſperate ſtrait wherein we were, he would fight for vs againſt our enemies, neither would he ſuffer vs to periſh for want of bread. But when all was done, it was not any of our endeuours, but Gods onely hand that wrought our deliuerie; twas he alone that brought vs euen vnder the very ſtroake of death; twas he alone that ſaid vnto vs, Returne againe ye ſonnes of men; twas he alone that ſet vs at liberty againe, that made vs ſafe and free, after that we had remained in the former miſerable condition, the full ſpace of twentie houres, to his glorious name be the euerlaſting praiſe.

The manner of our deliuery (for the relation of it will eſpecially be expected) was onely this. The place whereon we ſate ſo faſt, was a firme rocke in a cleft, whereof it was we ſtucke on the larbord ſide' at low water there was not aboue ſixe foote depth in all on the ſtarbord, within little diſtance as you haue heard no bottome to be found, the brize during the whole time that we thus were ſtayed, blew ſomewhat ſtiffe directly againſt out broad ſide, and ſo perforce kept the ſhip vpright: It pleaſed God in the beginning of the tyde, while the water was yet almoſt at loweſt, to ſlacke the ſtiffeneſſe of the wind; and now out ſhip who required thirteene foot water to make her fleet, and had not at that time on the one ſide aboue ſeuen at moſt, wanting her prop on the other ſide, which had too long alreadie kept her vp, fell a heeling towards the deepe water, and by that meanes freed her keele and made vs glad men.

This ſhoale is at leaſt three or foure leagues in length, it lies in 2. deg. lacking three or foure minutes South latitude. The day of this deliuerance was the tenth of Ianuary. Ian. 10

Of all the dangers that in our whole voyage we met with, this was the greateſt, but it was not the laſt as may appeare by what enſueth. Neither could we indeed for a long ſeaſon free our ſelues from the continuall care and feare of them; nor could we euer come to any conuenient anchoring, but were continually for the moſt pare toſt amongſt the many Ilands and ſhoales (which lye in infinite number round about on the South parts of Celébes) till the eight day of the following moneth.

Ian. 12 Ian. 12. being not able to beare our ſayles by reaſon of the tempeſt and fearing of the dangers, we let fall our anchors vpon a ſhoale in 3. deg. 30. min. Ian. 14 Ian. 14. we were gotten a little farther South, where at an Iland in 4. deg. 6. min. we againe caſt anchor and ſpent a day in watering and wooding. After this wee met with foule weather, Weſterly winds, and dangerous ſhoales for many dayes together: inſomuch that we were vtterly weary of this coaſt of Sillebis, thought beſt to beare with Timor. The Southermoſt cape of Sillebis ſtands in 5. deg. that ſide the line.

But of this coaſt of Sillebis we could not ſo eaſily cleare our ſelues. Ian. 20 The 20. of Ianua. wee were forced to runne with a ſmall Iland not farte from thence; where hauing ſent our boate a good diſtance from vs to ſearch out a place where we might anchor: wee were ſuddenly enuironed with no ſmall extremities, for there aroſe a moſt violent, yea an intollerable flaw and ſtorme out of the Southweſt againſt vs, making vs (who were on a lee ſhoare amongſt moſt dangerous and hidden ſhoales) to feare extreamely not onely the loſſe of our boate and men, but the preſent loſſe of our ſelues, our ſhip and goods, or the caſting of thoſe men whom God ſhould ſpare into the hands of Infidels. Which miſery could not by any power or induſtry of ours haue beene auoided, if the mercifull goodneſſe of God had not (by ſtaying the outragious extremities wherewich we were ſet vpon) wrought our preſent deliuery, by whoſe vnſpeakeable mercy our men and boate alſo were vnexpectedly, yet ſafely, reſtored vnto vs.

Wee gate off from this place as well as we could, and continued on our courſe till the 26. day, Ian. 26 when the winde tooke vs, very ſtrong againſt vs, Weſt and Weſt Southweſt, ſo as that wee could beare no more ſaile, till the end of that moneth was full expired.

Febr. 1 February 1. we ſaw very high land, and as it ſeemed well inhabited, we would faine haue borne with it to haue got ſome ſuccour, but the weather was ſo ill, that we could finde no harbour, and we were very fearefull of aduenturing our ſelues too farre, amongſt the many dangers which were neere the ſhoare. Febr. 3 The third day alſo we ſaw a little Iland, but being vnable to beare any faile, but onely to ly at hull, we were by the ſtorme carried away, and could not fetch it. Febr. 6 February 6. we ſaw fiue Ilands, one of them towards the Eaſt, and foure towards the Weſt of vs, one bigger then another, at the biggeſt of which we caſt anchor, and the next day watred and wooded.

Febr. 8 After we had gone hence on February 8. we deſcried two canowes, who hauing deſcried vs as it ſeemes before, came willingly vnto vs, and talked with vs, alluring and conducting vs to their towne not farre off, named Baratiua it ſtands in 7. deg. 13. min. South the line.

The people are Gentiles of handſome body, and comely ſtatute, of ciuill demeanour, very iuſt in dealing, and courteous to ſtrangers, of all which we had euident proofe, they ſhewing themſelues moſt glad of our coming and cheerfully ready to relieue our wants, with whatſoeuer their country could afford. The men goe all naked ſaue their heads and ſecret parts, euery one hauing one thing or other hanging at his eares. Their women are couered from the middle to the foote, weating vpon their naked armes bracelets, and that in no ſmall number, ſome hauing nine at leaſt vpon each arme, made for the moſt part of horne or braſſe, whereof the lighteſt (by our eſtimation) would weigh 2. ounces.

With this people linnen cloth (whereof they make roles for their heads, and girdles to weare about their loynes) is the beſt marchandiſe and of greateſt eſtimation: They are alſo much delighted with Margaretas (which in their language they call Saleta) and ſuch other like trifles.

Their Iland is both rich and fruitfull, rich in gold, ſiluer, copper, tinne, ſulpher, &c. neither are they onely expert to try thoſe mettalls, but very skillfull alſo in working of them artificially, into diuerſe formes and ſhapes, as pleaſeth them beſt. Their fruites are diuerſe likewiſe and plentifull, as, nutmegges, ginger, long pepper, limons, cucumbers, cocoes, figoes, ſagu, with diuerſe other ſorts, whereof we had one in reaſonable quantity, in bigneſſe forme and huske, much like a bay-berry, hard in ſubſtance, but pleaſant in taſt, which being ſod becometh ſoft, and is a moſt profitable and nouriſhing meate: of each of theſe wee receiued of them, whatſoeuer wee deſired for our need; inſomuch that (ſuch was Gods gratious goodneſſe to vs) the old prouerbe was verified with vs, After a ſtorme commeth a calme, after warre peace, after ſcarcity followeth plenty;) ſo that in all our voyage (Terenate onely excepted) from our departure out of our owne countrey hitherto, wee found not any where greater comfort and refreſhing, then we did at this time in this place; in refreſhing and furniſhing our ſelues, here we ſpent 2. dayes, and departed hence February 10. Febr. 10

When we were come into the height of 8. deg. 4. min, Febr. 12 Feb. 12. in the morning we eſpied a greene Iland to the Southward; not long after, two other Ilands on the ſame ſide, and a great one more towards the North: they ſeemed all to be well inhabited, bur wee had neither need nor deſire to goe to viſit them, and ſo we paſt by them. Feb. 14 The 14. day wee ſaw ſome other reaſonable bigge Ilands, and Febr. 16 February 16, we paſt betweene foure or fiue bigge Ilands more which lay in the height 9. deg. 40. min.

Feb. 18. 19. The 18. we caſt anchor vnder a little Iland, whence we departed againe the day following; we wooded here, but other reliefe except two turtles we receiued none.

Febr. 22. The 22. day we loſt ſight of three Ilands on our ſtarboard ſide, which lay in to▪ deg. and ſome odde minutes.

After this, we paſt on to the Weſtward without ſtay or any thing to be taken notice of, March 9 till the 9. of March when in the morning wee eſpied land, ſome part thereof very high in 8. de. 20. m. South latitude: here we anchored that night, and the next day weighed againe, March 10 and bearing farther North, and neerer the ſhoare, we came to anchor the ſecond time.

March 11 The eleuenth of March we firſt tooke in water, and after ſent our boate againe to ſhoare, March 12 where we had traffique with the people of the country; whereupon the ſame day, we brought our ſhip more neere the towne: and hauing ſetled our ſelues there that night, the next day our generall ſent his man aſhoare, to preſent the king with certaine cloth, both linnen and woollen, beſides ſome ſilkes, which hee gladly and thankfully receiued, and returned rice, cocoes, hennes, and other victualls in way of recompence. This Iland we found to be the Iland Iaua, the middle whereof ſtands in 7. deg. and 30. min. beyond the equator.

March 13 The 13. of March our general himſelf with many of his gentlemen, and others went to ſhoare, and preſented the king (of whom he was ioyfully and louingly receiued) with his muſicke, and ſhewed him the manner of our vſe of armes, by training his men with their pikes & other weapons, which they had before him: for the preſent we were entertained as we deſired, and at laſt diſmiſſed with a promiſe of more victuals to bee ſhortly ſent vs.

In this Iland there is one chiefe, but many vnder-gouernors, or petty kings, whom they call Raias, who liue in great familiaritie and friendſhip one with another. March 14 The 14. day we receiued victuals from two of them, and the day after that, to wit, the March 15 15. three of theſe kings in their owne perſons came aboard to ſee our Generall, and to view our ſhip and warlike munition. They were well pleaſed with what they ſaw, and with the entertainement which we gaue them. And after theſe had beene with vs, and on their returne had as it ſeemes related what they found, Raia Donan the chiefe king of the whole land bringing victuals with him for our reliefe: he alſo the next day after came aboard vs. Few were the dayes that one or more of theſe kings did miſſe to viſit vs, inſomuch that we grew acquainted with the names of many of them, as of Raia Pataiára, Raia Cabocapálla, Raia Mangbángo, Ria Bocabarra, Raia Timbánton: whom our Generall alwayes entertained with the beſt cheere that wee could make, and ſhewed them all the commodities of our ſhip, with our ordnance and other armes and weapons, and the ſeuerall furnitures belonging to each, and the vſes for which they ſerued. His muſicke alſo and all things elſe whereby he might do them pleaſure, wherein they tooke exceeding great delight with admiration.

March 21 One day amongſt the reſt, viz, March. 21. Raia Donan comming aboard vs, in requitall of our muſick which was made to him, preſented our generall with his country muſick, which though it were of a very ſtrange kind, yet the ſound was pleaſant and delightfull: the ſame day, he cauſed an oxe alſo to be brought to the waters ſide, and deliuered to vs, for which he was to his content rewarded by our Generall, with diuerſe ſorts of very coſtly ſilks which he held in great eſteeme.

Though our often giuing entertainement in this manner, did hinder vs much in the ſpeedy diſpatching of our buſineſſes, and made vs ſpend the more dayes about them, yet here we found all ſuch conuenient helpes, that to our contents we at laſt ended them: the matter of greateſt importance which we did (beſides victualing) was the new trimming and waſhing of our ſhip, which by reaſon of our long voyage was ſo ouergrowne with a kind of ſhell-fiſh ſticking faſt vnto her, that it hindred her exceedingly, and was a great trouble to her ſayling.

The people (as are their kings) are a louing, a very true, and a iuſt dealing people. We traffiqued with them for hens, goats, cocoes, plantons, and other kinds of victuals, which they offered vs in ſuch plenty that we might haue laden our ſhip if we had needed.

March 26 We tooke our leaues and departed from them the 26. of March, and ſet our courſe Weſt South Weſt, directly towards the cape of good hope, or Bon Eſperance, and continued without touch of ought, but aire and water, May 21 till die 21. of May, when we eſpied land (to with a part of the maine of Africa) in ſome places very high, under the latitude of 31. deg. and halfe.

Iune. 15 Wee coaſted along till Iune 15. on which day, hauing very faire weather, and the winde at Southeaſt, wee paſt the cape itſelfe ſo neere in ſight, that we had beene able with our pieces to haue ſhot to land.

Iuly 15 Iuly 15. we fell with the land againe about Rio de Seſto, where we ſaw many negroes in their boates a fiſhing, whereof 2. came very neere vs but we cared not to ſtay, nor had any talke or dealing with them.

Iuly 22 The 22. of the ſame moneth, we came to Sierra Leona, and ſpent two dayes for watering in the mouth of Tagoine, and then put to ſea againe Iuly 24; here alſo we had oiſters, and plenty of lemmons, which gaue vs good refreſhing.

August 15 We found our ſelues vnder the Tropick of Cancer Auguſt 15. hauing the winde at Northeaſt, and we 50. leagues off from the neereſt land. Aug. 16

The 22. day we were in the height of the Canaries. Sept. 26 And the 26. (which was Monday in the iuſt and ordinary reckoning of thoſe that had ſtayed at home in one place or countrie, but in our cōputation was the Lords day or Sonday) we ſafely with joyfull minds and thankfvll hearts to God, arriued at Plimoth, the place of our firſt ſetting forth after we had ſpent 2. years 10. moneths and ſome few odde daies beſide, in ſeeing the wonders of the Lord in the deep, in diſcouering ſo many admirable things, in going through with ſo many ſtrange aduentures, in eſcaping out of ſo many dangers, and ouercomming ſo many difficulties in this our encompaſſing of this neather globe, and paſſing round about the world, which we haue related.