or none remained with the Preacher all running out to observe the blessing of God upon the dangerous labours and endeavours of Captain Drake CHAP. IV. Captain Drake with five Ships undertakes a Voyage round about the Word in 1577. and in prosecution thereof arrives at Port St. Julian where he discovers a Conspiracy for which a Gentleman of his Company was beheaded CAptain Drake having in his former Voyage had a View and only a View of the South Atlantick Ocean from the high Tree aforementioned and from that very time being very ambitious of sailing thereon in an English Ship he retained this Noble resolution within himself for some years being partly prevented by secret envy at home and partly by applying himself to the publick service of his Prince and Countrey in Ireland under the Earl of Essex and otherwhere But in 1577. having a gracious Commission from his Soveraign and assisted with divers of his Friends who were Adventurers with him he fitted up five Ships 1. The Pellican Admiral of a hundred Tuns Francis Drake Captain General 2. The Elizabeth Vice-Admiral eighty Tuns John Winter Captain 3. The Marigold a Bark of eighty Tun John Thomas Captain 4. The Swan a Flyboat of fifty Tuns John Chester Captain 5. The Christopher a Pinnace of fifteen Tuns Thomas Moon Captain Having mann'd this little Fleet with a hundred and sixty four able men and furnisht them with all necessary Provisions for so long and dangerous a Voyage and stowing certain Pinnaces aboard in pieces to be set up on occasion as in his former Voyage yea carrying with him several Musicians for delight and rich furniture of Silver for his Table and Cook-room with all sorts of curious Workmanship for Ornament and to raise admiration of the Civility and Magnificence of his Native Countrey in other Nations where he came Thus appointed they sailed out of Plymouth Sound Novem. 15. 1577. about five in the afternoon and next morning came to the Lizzard where meeting contrary Winds they were all compell'd to put into Falmouth Next day a great storm arose so that though they were in a good Harbor yet the Admiral wherein Drake was and the Marigold were forc't to cut their Main Masts by the board and oblig'd to return to Plymouth to repair thirteen days after their departure thence where having quickly supplied all defects they Decem. 13. once more put to Sea with better hopes Being out of sight of Land Drake gave some intimation of his design which he had hitherto concealed both by the course he saild and appointing their Randezvouz if separated by any accident to be the Isle of Mogadore Sailing then with a favourable Wind Decem. 25. being Christmas day they had sight of Cape Cantin in Barbary and of the high in-land Countrey in thirty two degrees and thirteen minutes North latitude and coasting thence Southward about eighteen Leagues they arrived that day at the Isle of Mogadore which is under the King of Fesse and a good Harbor being about a Mile from the main Land uninhabited and a League in circuit overgrown with shrubs and full of Pigeons and therefore much frequented by Goshawks and other Brids of Prey with plenty of several sorts of Sea-Fowl At the South side are three hollow Rocks under which are great store of very ugly yet very wholesom Fish Sending a Boat to sound the Harbor all their Fleet came in Decemb. 27. and staid about four days setting up one of their four Pinnaces brought from home in pieces The Inhabitants of the Countrey soon perceived them and made signs on the Shoar to come aboard to whom the General sent a Boat wherein two Chief Moors were received and one of theirs left in exchange till their return Drake treated them very civilly aboard his Ship presenting them with what they seem'd most to value to shew they came in Peace and Friendship to Trade for such Traffick as their Countrey afforded according to their own content wherewith they seem'd much pleased promising to return again the next day to exchange their Goods for others By their Law they ought to drink no Wine being Turks in Religion yet they will drink it very plentifully by stealth as it now appeared Being carried ashoar they freely restored the Person left as a pledge returning with Camels next day at the hour appointed as if loaden with Goods for Exchange and calling hastily for a Boat had one sent by the Generals Order before he went from the Island The Boat coming to a place of Landing among the Rocks one John Fry suspecting no treachery readily stept out of the Boat to be a pledge as the day before when those on the Shoar instantly seizing him and others in ambush coming to their assistance they speedily carried him away the rest being glad to shift for themselves The cause of this violence was to inform the King of Fesse whither this Fleet was bound or come from the King of Portugal or what Intelligence they could give him Fry being brought into the Kings presence and declaring they were Englishmen bound for the Straights under General Drake he was sent back with a Present to his Captain and offers of all Kindness and Friendship in that Countrey Drake much disturbed at this injury landed his men in his Pinnace and marcht pretty far up into the Countrey without resistance the Moors declining any ingagement with him so that making provision of Wood and visiting an old Fort formerly built by the Portugals but ruined by the King of Fesse he departed Decemb. 31. toward Cape Blank so that when Fry came back he to his great grief found the Fleet gone yet by the Kings favour he was after sent home in an English Merchants Ship Meeting with foul weather they were detained sometime and the third day after fell with Cape de Guerre in 30 degrees where they took three Spanish Fisher-boats called Caunters whom they carried to Rio del Oro under the Tropick of Cancer and there took a Carvel From hence Jan. 15. they sailed to Cape Barbas where the Marygold took another Carvel it lyes in 20 degrees 30 minutes low and sandy where they first observed the South Stars called the Crosiers 19 degrees 30 minutes above the Horizon In the Cape they took another Spanish Ship riding at Anchor all her men but two being fled ashoar in the Boat whom with all the rest formerly taken they carried into the Harbor three Leagues within the Cape Here General Drake resolved to stay some time to refresh his men with the plenty of fresh Victuals in this place and to supply them at Sea there being great store of Fish easily taken even within the Harbor and as good as any in the World During their abode here the General being ashoar was visited by the People of the Countrey who brought down a Moorish Woman with her little Babe hanging at her dry Breast being scarce alive her self and therefore unlike to nourish that whom they would have sold as
Island nigh the Main Land and from whence at low water they might go over a foot the Inhabitants appeared leaping dancing holding up their hands and making out-cryes after their manner but it being then high water the General sent them by a Boat some Knives Bells Bugles and other things he thought would please them Upon which getting together on a Hill half a Mile from the Shoar two of their Company came down swiftly though with a great grace such as they use in time of Wars but drawing nigh they made a stand upon which the English tying the things to a Staff stuck it in the ground that they might see it and retired a reasonable distance Being departed they came and took the things leaving instead thereof such Feathers as they wore on their heads a bone carved like a tooth-pick six inches long and neatly burnished Whereupon the General with divers Gentlemen went over to them they still remaining on the Hill placed in a rank one of them running from one end to the other East and West with his hands over his head and his body inclining toward the rising and setting Sun and at every third turn he erected himself vaulting in the Air against the middle of the rank toward the Moon signifying as they thought That they called the Sun and Moon whom they worship as Gods to witness they meant nothing toward them but peace But perceiving the English came apace forward they seemed fearful to prevent which the General and his Company retired which so confirmed them they were no enemies that divers came down after them without fear and traded with them but would receive nothing from them till it was first cast on the ground the word they used for exchange was Zussus and Toyt to throw it on the ground if they disliked any thing they cryed Coroh Coroh with ratling in their throat their goods were Arrows made of Reeds Feathers and the Bones aforementioned They go naked except only a Furr about their Shoulders when they sit or lye in the Gold but at other times it is a girdle about their Loyns Their Hair is very long which to prevent trouble thy knit up with a Roll of Ostrich Feathers and serves them for a Quiver for their Arrows and a Store-house for what they carry about them Those of Quality wear a large plain Feather on each side their heads seeming afar off like Horns so that a head thus trim'd upon a naked body resembles a Devil with horns Their chief bravery consists in painting their Bodys with divers Colours with such works as they fancy Some wash their faces with Sulphur or the like others paint their whole Bodys Black leaving only their necks round about White and shew like Ladys with black Gowns and naked Necks Some paint one Shoulder black and another white and likewise their Legs setting white Moons on the black part and black on the white being the marks of the Gods they adore By this continual painting the pores of their Bodys are so closed they never feel any cold they are strong comely swift and active and are much to be lamented that being of tractable natures and in an excellent soyl they are ignorant of the worship of the true God for though they never knew any Christians before yet they soon became so familiar that they seem'd rather willing to serve and do them all good Offices than offer any injury The General bestowing a Cap off his head on one of their Chiefs he going at a distance suddenly pierced his Leg deeply with an Arrow so that the Bloud streaming out he thereby signifi'd his unfained love to him and was as a Covenant of peace between them they were about fifty persons who thus frequented their company In the South part of this Bay is a River of fresh Water and several Islands full of Seals Birds and Fowls sufficient to maintain a multitude of people of which they killed some with Shot and Staves and took many Birds with their hands they lighting upon their Heads and Shouldiers They saw no Boat or Canoo used by the Natives to come to these Isles their own provision seemed to be Raw Flesh and Fish they finding pieces of Seals all Bloudy which they had gnawn with their teeth like Dogs They are all armed with a Bow an Ell long and Arrows of Reeds headed with Flints very exactly This Bay they named Seal Bay for the plenty of them found here killing two hundred in an hours time Sufficiently provided with all necessaries they sailed hence June 12. South-ward and anchored two days in a little Bay where they discharged and laid up the Caunter or Christopher and June 14. arrived at another Bay in fifty degrees twenty minutes South-Latitude and within one degree of the mouth of the Streights through which lay their desired Passage to the South Sea Here the General turned his Course Northerly in hope of finding his Ship and Friends lost in the great storm since if they should pass the Streights without them both might be much discomforted So that June 18. putting again to Sea with hearty prayers to God for Success they ran back toward the Line and the next night near Port St. Julian had sight of their Ship and the day after the whole Fleet entred joyfully into that Port to refit and refresh this Ship and the wearied men St. Julian is in 49 degrees 30 minutes being a very convenient Harbor having many Islands within it Coming now to an Anchor and all things made safe the General with his Brother and five others according to his usual care and diligence on such occasions rowed further into the Bay in a Boat to find out some convenient place for fresh Water and Provisions during their stay and were no sooner landed when two of the Natives visited them called by Magellane Pentagoures for their huge Stature and Strength who seem'd much to rejoice at their Arrival familiarly receiving whatever the General gave them and much pleased to see Oliver the Master-Gunner shoot an English Arrow trying to out-shoot him but came nothing near him Soon after another arrived who seem'd angry at the Civility of his fellows and strove earnestly to make them become enemies which General Drake not suspecting used them as before when Mr. Winter thinking also to shoot an Arrow that he who came last might see it the string of his Bow broke which being before their terror did now incourage them to contrive treachery against them not imagining their Guns and Swords were Weapons of War and therefore as they were quietly returning to their Boat these Villains suddainly discharged their Arrows at their backs aiming chiefly at him who had the Bow and not suffering him to string it again by wounding him in the Shouldier who turning about was shot with an Arrow through the Lungs yet fell not but the Gummer being ready to shoot off his Musket which took not fire was slain outright In this extremity their expert
vast lofty Spires invironed with Clouds Snow which still increaseth their height the Sun having little power to diminish them so that they may be reckoned among the Wonders of the World Yet there are many low fruitful Valleys full of Grass and Heards of very strange creatures feeding therein The Trees are almost always Green the Air temperate the Water pleasant and the Soil agreeable to any Grain of our Countrey and indeed wanting nothing to make it an happy Region but the Peoples knowing and worshiping the true God They made Fires as they passed in divers places Drawing nigh the entrance of the South Sea they had such shuttings up North-ward and such open passages to the South that lying at anchor under an Island the General went in a Boat to make further discovery and having found a convenient way toward the North in their return they met a Canoo with divers Persons in her she was made of the Barks of Trees with a Prow and Stern standing up and bending inward like an half Moon of excellent Shape and Workmanship and built with so much judgment and Art that she seemed fit for the pleasure of a Prince rather than the use of such a rude and barbarous People the seams were not closed nor caulked but only sticht with thongs of Seal Skin so very close that they received little or no water The People are of a well set mean Stature delighting much in painting their faces like the other and had a House within the Island built with Poles and covered with Skins of Beasts wherein there was fire water and such Victuals as they can get as Seals Mussels and the like the Vessels wherein they keep their Water and Drink are of Wood like their Canoos and very neat which they cut with Knives made of huge Mussel Shells the Fish being good savoury meat which after they have broken off the thin edge they grind and temper so hard upon Stones that it will easily cut the hardest Wood and whereof they make Fisgigs to kill Fish with admirable dexterity Sept. 6. They left these troublesom Islands and entred the South Sea or Maredel Zur the General designing to have gone ashoar at the Cape and after a Sermon to have left a perpetual Monument of the Queen which he had prepared thereon but they could find no anchoring neither would the wind permit them to stay They found the Streight was in about 53 degrees a hundred and fifty Leagues long and 10 broad at the entrance after not above a League and then larger again and at the end no Streight at all but only Islands The General perceiving that the cold Winter had impaired some of his men resolved to have hastned toward the Line and the warm Sun but it pleased God to disappoint him For Sept. 7. the second day after their entrance into this Peacable but to them now Furious Sea a terrible Tempest arose with such violence that they had little hope of escaping and though Sept 15. the Moon was eclipsed in Aries and 3 parts darkened which might seem to promise some change of Weather yet it brought them no relief but they continued in a miserable condition full 52 days together and these furious and extraordinary flaws continuing or rather increasing caused the sorrowful Separation of Captain John Thomas in the Marygold from the Fleet Sept. 30. at night whom they never met again though they still hoped to have found them on the Coasts of Peru toward the Equinoctial the randezvouz appointed by the General she being well provided with necessaries and an able Captain with skilful and sufficient Marriners From Sept. 7. when the storm began to Octob. 7. they could not possibly recover Land being driven to 37 degrees of South Latitude when entring with a sorry Sail into an Harbor somewhat Northward of that Cape of America aforenamed in hope to enjoy some quiet till the storm was ended they were again assaulted with so cruel a flaw that the Admiral with the fury thereof left her Anchor behind and in departing lost sight of the Elizabeth their Vice-Admiral either through negligence or the earnestness of some within her to be eased of these troubles and at home again as they after understood For the very next day Octob. 8. recovering the mouth of the Streights again they returned the same way and coasting Brasile arrived in England June 2. the year following So that now the Admirals Ship might well have retained her former name being like a Pellican alone in this Wilderness of Waters And though the General diligently sought the rest of his Fleet yet he could not gain the least Intelligence of them From this Bay of parting Friends they were forcibly driven back to 55 degrees and ran in among the Islands aforementioned on the South of America where the passage was very large and continued here quietly two days finding divers wholsom Herbs and fresh Water whereby the men before weak and impaired began to recover especially by drinking of an Herb like Penny-leaf which gently purging much refresht their wearied sickly Bodys But the Winds then again returned to their former fury it seeming as if the Bowels of the Earth had been set at liberty and all the Clouds under Heaven summoned together into one place the Seas by nature heavy being now rouled up from the depths of the Rocks like a Parchment and carried aloft into the Air like Snow by the violence of the Winds to the tops of those lofty Mountains their Anchors like false Friends forsaking their hold-fast and seeming to hide themselves and shrink to the Bottom to avoid the horror of this woful Tempest leaving the distressed Ship and Men to the uncertain rouling Seas which tossed them even like a Tennis-Ball In this extremity it signified nothing to let fall more Anchors since the depth was so immensurable that five hundred fathom would reach no ground so that the inveterate and continual rage of the Sea the impossibility of anchoring or of spreading a Sail the dangerous Rocks and Shelves the difficulty of continuing there the inevitable peril of getting out in short the woful calamitys wherewith they were incompassed on every side afforded them very little hope of escaping utter destruction had not Divine providence supported their sinking Spirits it seeming as likely that the Mountains should have been rent in sunder from the Top to the Bottom and thrown head-long into the Sea by these prodigious Winds as that the help of all the men in the World could have saved any of their lives Yet that God of mercy who delivered Jonah out of the Whales Belly whom not only Winds and Seas but even Devils themselves and the powers of Hell obey who hearkens to the Prayers and Tears of all that sincerely call upon him in distress even he lookt down and delivered them so that except the fear and astonishment at their danger they received no damage in any thing that belonged to them in such a dreadful
Tempest as the like is not recorded in any History since Noahs Floud The Storm being somewhat allayed they ran in again among those Islands from whence they were lately driven not far from their former anchoring hoping now at length for some peace and security there especially since they saw the Natives going from one Island to another in their Canoo's both Men Women and Young Infants hanging at their Mothers backs to get a livelyhood by trading with chains of certain Shells and other trifles Having had a breathing-time here for three days only which they imployed in providing what they wanted though with much trouble and danger from the tempest not quite stilled when behold it again recovered its former rage with much more violence driving them from their Anchors and assaulting them in all Quarters at once and at length chasing them to the utmost Land toward the South Pole even to 56 degrees beyond which no Continent nor Island is to be seen but the Atlantick Ocean and South Sea meet freely and openly Some have imagined these Islands were Main Land and called them Terra Incognita or The Unknown World wherein were many strange Monsters which they now saw to be altogether false as likewise the common opinion of the impossibility of returning out of the South into the West Ocean because of the strong Currents and Winds since they met with neither but were oft in danger of being driven back as well as in going forward and many times were forced to alter their course losing more sometimes in one afternoon than they could recover again in an whole day with a reasonable gale and since the narrowness of the Passage is reckoned the cause of this swift current they now observed that the Passages through were innumerable and Southward of these Islands there is a large and main Sea Coming to the utmost part of these Islands Oct. 28. the Storm ceased and all their calamities except the absence of their Friends were forgotten As if God had secretly intended they should make this discovery and did then stay his hand and refresh his Servants In these Southerly parts the night in the latter end of October was but two hours long There are few of these Islands but are inhabited and live after the same manner as those aforenamed The General gave one name to them all calling them Elizabethides After two days Oct. 30. they Sailed North-West along the Coasts of Peru hasting to the height of 30 degrees being the place appointed for the Fleet to reassemble and to seek for them in the mean time In this course they next day met with two Islands stored with Birds of which they made plentiful provision from whence Nov. 1. they steered North-West as formerly but soon found the mistake of the Maps in describing the Latitude of those Coasts This part of Peru to Lima 12 Degrees South is Mountainous and barren without either Water or Wood except in some few places inhabited by the Spaniards and not hearing of their Ships they Anchored Nov. 15. at a great Island called Mucho by the Spaniards for its largeness very fruitful of Sheep and other Cattle stored with Maiz Potatoes and other Roots and thought to be wonderful rich in Gold wanting nothing fit for the use of man The Inhabitants are those Indians who by the horrid severities of the Spaniards have been driven from the Continent to secure and fortifie themselves here With this People General Drake thought fit to Traffick for fresh Victuals and Water and therefore that very night some of the Company going ashore they very courteously came and brought the best Victuals and Provisions they had presenting the General with two very fat Sheep who returned them many necessary things assuring them that he came only to exchange such Goods with them as he wanted and they could well spare and chiefly such as they had already brought them except fresh water which they desired them to bring whereat they seemed very well pleased and extream joyful at their coming promising to direct them where to have fresh water next morning and that they would bring any thing else they wanted Next morning early the General having prepared all things ready for Traffick and Vessels to bring the water set two of his men ashore to go to the watering place assigned the night before who passed quietly half the way but were then violently assaulted and slain by these treacherous people and in hope to surprize the General with the rest about five hundred of them prepared for mischief lay in ambush behind the Rocks who suddenly falling on them the Rocks being very dangerous for Boats and the passage very open to the Sea they wounded every man of the Company with their Arrows Drake himself being shot in the Face under his right Eye very deep and in his Head to the great indangering of his Life The rest there being nine Persons in the Boat were grievously wounded and the Chief Surgeon being dead and his Mate absent in the Vice-Admiral none but a Boy being left their case was very desperate yet by the help of God and the assistance of the rest they all escaped The cause of this injury from these Islanders proceeded from their hatred to the Spaniards for their cruelties toward them and some of the English using the Spanish word aqua in requiring water they supposed them of that Nation and therefore used this outrage toward them The General left the revenge of this wrong to Heaven wishing only they might be sensible whom they had abused not an Enemy but those who would rather have defended them from the injuries of the Spaniards and sailed thence that Afternoon approaching now the place appointed for meeting the rest of their Ships and to find a conveniency for reposing their wounded men and supplying them with necessaries and at length Novem. 30. they fell in with a place called Philips Bay in about 32 degrees and instantly sent out a Boat for discovery who after diligent search could find no appearance of relief discovering only the heads of wild Beasts but no sign of any Inhabitant thereabout Yet in their return they perceived an Indian Fishing in a Canoe within the Bay whom they brought aboard the General he was a proper comely Person clothed in a white Garment reaching almost to his Knees his Arms and Head were bare his Hair very long but without a Beard as most Indians are seeming to be of a mild temper apprehensive to learn every thing and very thankful for what the General bestowed on him and discovering in his carriage the harmless disposition of the Natives and how unjustly they have been abused by the Spaniards After he had been kindly treated and furnisht with what they had giving what he thought convenient in exchange he was freely dismist in their Boat with his own Canoo made of Reeds and when landed desired the English to stay till his return who being met by two or three of his
at the next Harbor called Guatulco inhabited by Spaniards they by trading supplyed themselves with Bread and other necessaries and then departed from the Coast of America yet not forgetting to take along with them a pot of about a Bushel full of Ryals of Plate that they found in the Town with a Chain of Gold and other Jewels which they intreated a Spaniard who was flying away with them to leave behind Next day April 16. they went directly to Sea sailing five hundred Leagues in Longitude to get a Wind and by June 3. got fourteen hundred Leagues coming into 42 degrees North Latitude where they felt an extream alteration from heat to cold which much impaired their healths made the Ropes of their Ships stiff and the Rain was turned into Hail so that they seemed rather in the Frozen Zone than so near the Sun and sailing 2 degrees further the cold increased so severely that their hands were benum'd and they durst hardly bring them from under their Garments to feed themselves Neither could they impute this to the tenderness of their Bodies coming out of those very hot Countreys since their meat almost as soon as from the Fire was frozen and their tackle so stiff that six men were hardly able to perform what was usually done by three which very much discouraged them but General Drake comforting and perswading them to trust in Gods Providence who never fails his Children and that they should now quit themselves like men and endure this short trouble and extremity with patience since they were sure thereby to obtain speedy comfort and glory By such motives as these he put new life into them so that every man was armed with a resolution to see the utmost Discovery could be made that way The Land in that part of America bearing further West than they imagined they were nearer to it than they were aware and yet the cold still increased June 5. they were driven by the winds toward the Shore which they then first descried and Anchored in a Bay much exposed to the winds and flaws and when they ceased there instantly followed thick stinking Fogs which nothing but the wind could remove and that was always violent So that not able to stay here nor go further Northward for the cold and wind which was full against them getting to Sea they were forcibly carried Southward from 48 to 38 degrees where they found the Land low and plain with some few Hills covered with Snow June 17. they came to a convenient Harbor and continued there till July 23. During which though in the height of Summer yet they had constant nipping cold neither for 14 days could they see the Sun for the fogginess of the Air which had such influence not only upon their Bodies who came out of the heat but on the Inhabitants themselves though accustomed thereto who yet came shivering to them in their warm Furs crouding close together to receive heat of each other the Trees being without Leaves and the ground without Grass even in June and July the poor Birds and Fowls not dareing to rise from their Nests as they oft found after they had laid their first Egg till they were hatcht and had got some strength but had this advantage that their Bodies being exceeding hot perfects their young sooner than in other places Though the real cause of this extremity is uncertain yet it is judged to proceed from the large Continent of America and Asia near together Northward of this place from whose high Mountains always covered with Snow the Northwest Winds which usually blow on these Coasts bring this almost insufferable sharpness which the Sun in his greatest heat is not able to dissolve from whence the Earth is so barren and the Snow lyes at their doors almost in the midst of Summer but is never off their Hills from whence proceeds those stinking Fogs through which the Sun cannot pierce nor draw the vapors higher into the Air except the fierce winds do sometimes scatter them and when gone the Fogs return as before Some Seamen aboard who had been in Greenland affirmed they never felt such cold in the end of Summer as now in these two hot months from whence it may be supposed there is no passage through these Northern Seas or if there be it is unnavigable for the Ice and Cold met with therein Neither in all their sailing on these Coasts to 48 degrees could they find the Land bend in the least toward the East but running always Northwest as if it directly met with Asia and even then when they had a Wind to carry them through if any such passage had been yet they had a smooth Sea and ordinary Tides which could not have happened had there been a Streight as they concluded there was none CHAP. VI. General Drake having gained immense Treasures in Gold Silver and Jewels lands at a place named by him Nova Albion where the Indians Crown him King of their Countrey From hence he sails homeward by the Molucco Islands and the Cape of Good Hope and having thus surroundred the World returns joyfully to England about two years and ten months from their first setting forth Queen Elizabeth comes aboard his Ship at Deptford and Knights him NExt day after their coming to Anchor in the Harbor aforementioned the Natives of the Countrey discovering them sent a Man to them in a Canoo with all expedition who began to speak to them at a great distance but approaching nearer made a long Solemn Oration with many signs and gestures after their manner moving his hands and turning his head and after he had ended with great shew of respect and submission return'd again to shoar He repeated the Ceremony a second and third time bringing with him a bunch of Feathers like those of a black Crow neatly placed on a string and gathered into a round bundle exactly cut and equal in length which as they understood afterward was a special Badg worn upon the head of the Guard of the Kings Person He brought also a little Basket made of Rushes full of an Herb called Tabah which tyed to a short Rod he cast into their Boat The General intended instantly to have recompenced him but could not perswade him to receive any thing except a Hat thrown out of the Ship into the water refusing any thing else though it were upon a board thrust off to him and so presently return'd After this their Boat could row no way but they would follow it seeming to adore them as Gods June 21. Their Ship being leaky came nearer the shoar to Land their Goods but to prevent any surprize the General sent his men ashore first with all necessaries for making Tents and a Fort for securing their purchase Which the Natives observing came down hastily in great numbers with such weapons as they had as if angry but without the least thought of Hostility for approaching them they stood as men ravished with admiration at the
which they thought safest because uninhabited and anchoring found all necessarys but fresh Water which they fetcht from another Island farther South Here they staid twenty six days pitching their Tents and intrenching themselves the best they could to prevent any disturbance from the Natives of a great Island West of this Having secured themselves and goods they set up their Forge to make Iron work and their Sea-cole being spent were forced to use Char-coal The whole Isle is overgrown with very great high Trees and Woods the leaves like Broom in England among which appeared in the night a vast Swarm of Flyes like Glow-Worms which seemed as if a Candle had been lighted on every Twig and the whole had been the Starry Heavens There were also an innumerable company of Bats or Rere-Mice as big as a Hen who fly very swift but short and hang on the Trees with their Heads downwards Likewise they met with a great quantity of Crayfish so large that one would dine four hungry men being very healthful and restorative and a seasonable relief to them They seem to live always on Land breeding in the Earth like Rabbits and under the Roots of huge Trees in great Companies together and upon pursuit clime up the Trees to secure themselves whither those that would catch them must climb after They called this Crab Island Having trimmed their Ship and recovered their health and strength by the excellent plenty of all kind of refreshments in this place they only expected the Brize or Trade wind which blows only one way for some Months together and getting in fresh Water and Wood the day before Decem. 12. they set sail Westward and in two days had sight of the Islands of Celebes but were in so much danger from the Shoals and Sands that they beat about till Jan. 9. When supposing they had attained a free passage the Land turning visibly Westward and the Wind reasonable fair failing with a full gale without suspition in the first Watch of the night their Ship suddenly fell upon a desperate Shoal and was in all probability on the point of perishing in a moment without saving the Lives of any or the Goods they had ventured such Perils to attain All now judging it more necessary to prepare for another World than imploy their thoughts about any thing in this Yet after hearty prayers to God for Deliverance the General earnestly exhorting them to take serious care of their Souls and to contemplate on the joys of another Life and not to be wanting to themselves he incouraged them by his own example to ply the Pump and free the Ship from Water and finding their leaks did not increase it gave them some hope that the Bulk was sound which they attributed alone to the mercy of God since no strength of Iron or Wood could possibly have endured such a violent shock as their Ship suffered if the extraordinary Providence of Heaven had not intervened Their hope was next to get good ground and anchor-hold and the General himself undertook to Sound but could find no bottom a Boats length from the Ship so that their growing hopes were hereby quite dasht again though this disappointment was concealed from the generality of the men in the Ship the General still cheering them up with the best incouragements he could think of The Ship being so fastened that she could not stir it seemed very probable that they must either remain on the place with her or else commit themselves to some miserable place of refuge which was a very hard choice and threatened them with a lingring death The Ship seemed to declare to them that she expected every minute to be destroyed by the Winds and Seas so that if they should escape out of her they were like to lead a miserable life among wild Beasts or People it may be more barbarous than they in intollerable Bondage both of Body and Mind And if the Ship should still continue undestroyed yet her Provisions could not last many days and there was no possibility of recruiting so that Famine might cause them to eat the very Flesh from their own Arms which was terrible to consider The hope of escaping by leaving her seemed yet more improbable the Boat not being capable of carrying above twenty Persons at once and they were in all fifty eight The nearest Land was six Leagues thence and the Wind directly against them and the first who had Landed while they were fetching the rest would certainly have fallen into the hand of the Enemy and gradually all the rest But if they should escape death yet the woful Captivity into which they must fall and be thereby deprived of the true Worship of God and continually grieved with the horrible Impieties and devilish Idolatries of the Natives would make death more elegible than life The night being spent in these melancholy thoughts they rejoyced to see the morning and it being then almost full Sea after humble thanks to the Almighty for preserving them thus long and hearty prayers and tears for a blessing upon their endeavours they again tryed to find anchor-hold but found this second attempt as fruitless as the former so that it seemed impossible their Ship should be ever delivered by any policy or power of man unless God himself should miraculously appear for their safety to whose omnipotent power and all-sufficiency they all concluded to refer themselves having a Sermon preached to them and receiving the Holy Communion together After this blessed repast not to be wanting in any lawful means for preserving themselves they concluded to unload the Ship which they had hitherto forborn wherein they were so willingly ingaged that they seemed to despise what was necessary for their defence yea for sustaining their lives throwing not only their Ammunition but their meal for bread into the Sea being assured that if it pleased the Lord of Heaven to save them he would fight for them against their Enemies and not suffer them to perish for want of bread And at length it was God alone that delivered them for having continued in this miserable condition firmly fixt in the cleft of a Rock they found that at low Water it was not above six foot deep on the star-board side though at a little distance there was no bottom to be found The Wind during the whole time blew somewhat stiff directly against their broad side and thereby forcibly kept their Ship upright In the beginning of the Tyde while the water was lowest it pleased God to calm the Wind whereby their Vessel which required 13 foot water to make her swim and had not then above seven on one side and wanting the Wind which had been her prop hitherto on the other she fell a heeling toward the deep water and thereby freed her keel and filled their hearts with joy This Shoal is three or four Leagues in length in two degrees South Latitude the day of their deliverance was Jan. 10. and was the greatest
danger they met with in their whole Voyage though not the last as by the sequel appears For a month after they were in continual fear of these Shoals and Islands among which they were tost and which lye in vast numbers round the South of the Celebes Jan. 12. not being able to bear their Sails for fear of Tempests and Sands they anchored upon a Shoal and two days after on an Island where they staid a day Wooding and Watering After which they met with foul weather Westerly Winds and dangerous Shoals for many days so that being weary of this Coast they sailed for Timor But could not so easily clear themselves of the Celebes which lye in five degrees South Latitude for Jan. 20. being forced toward a small Island not far thence and sending their Boat a good distance before to search out a place where to Anchor there suddenly rose a most violent Storm out of the Southwest driving them among the perilous and hidden Shoals so that they again counted themselves lost or that they must spend their days among Infidels if they should escape with their lives but that God who had hitherto preserved them was pleased once again to deliver them by unexpectedly stilling the tempest whereby both their Men and Boat were likewise restored to them Getting off hence as well as they could they continued their course till Jan. 26. when they were again assaulted with a very strong West Wind so that they could use no Sail till the end of that month Feb. 1. they saw a very high Land which seemed well inhabited and would fain have got to it to procure some relief but the weather being so bad that they could discover no Harbor they were fearful of venturing too near the shoar Two days after they saw another little Island but could not reach it Feb. 6. they had sight of 6 Islands one East and the other 5 Westward of â—â—em at the largest of which they Anchored Watered and Wooded next day Going thence Feb. 8. two Canoo's came up and talked with them alluring and conducting them to their Town not far off named Barativa in 7 degrees 13 Minutes South Latitude The People are Gentiles or Heathens very comely of body and civil just and courteous to strangers seeming very glad of their coming and readily releiving their wants with whatever their Countrey afforded The men go naked except their Heads and Secrets every one having some thing hanging at their Ears the Women are clothed from the Wast to the Feet wearing abundance of Bracelets some nine and more upon their naked arms made of horn of brass the lightest weighing near two Ounces They much value Linnen cloth to make Rolls for their Heads and Girdles about their middles and delight in Stones and the like trifles Their Island is rich in Gold Silver Copper Tin and Sulphur which they work very artificially into divers forms and shapes They have plenty of Nutmegs Ginger long Pepper Lemmons Cucumbers Coco's Figo's Sagu and several other Fruits whereof they provided themselves of one like a Bay berry but pleasant in tast and being boyld is very soft and nourishing meat They continued here two days not having found more comfort and refreshment in all their Voyage except at Terenate as in this place Feb. 12. Coming to the height of eight degrees four minutes they spied a green Island to the South and soon after two more that way with a large one toward the North appearing well inhabited but they had no occasion to visit them and therefore past them by together with several others Feb. 18. they Anchored under a little Island but found nothing but Wood and two Turtles After which they Sailed on Westward without stay or any thing observable till March 9. when they spied Land and Anchored that night Next Morning they bore farther North and came to an Anchor the second time near the shoar March 11. they took in Water and sending their Boat again ashoar they traded with the People and coming nearer the Town the General sent his man ashoar next day to present the King with some Silks and Cloth both Woollen and Linnen which he thankfully received returning Rice Cocoes Hens and other Provisions in recompence They found it to be Java Island in 7 degrees 30 minutes South Latitude March 13. the General with many of his Gentlemen went ashoar and presented the King with their Musick by whom they were very generously entertained They shewed him the English Military Discipline training their Pikes and Muskets before him They were treated according to their desire and at length dismist with a promise to have more Victuals sent them In this Island there is one Principal but many petty Kings whom they call Raja's that live in much friendship with each other March 14. they received Victuals from two of them and next day three of these Kings came aboard in Person to visit the General and to view their Ship and Amunition being much pleased with their entertainment and what they saw After they had been with them and related what they found Raja Donan the Chief Monarch of the whole Isle came aboard them next day bringing Victuals for their relief And few days past but one or other of them came whom the General treated with the best cheer he could make and shewed them all the rarities of their Ship with their great Guns Arms and all the furniture thereto belonging and how they were used Never failing to give them Musick wherewith they were equally filled with delight and admiration March 1. Raja Donan coming again aboard in requital of theirs presented the General with his Countrey Musick which though strange yet seemed very pleasant The same day he sent an Ox to the Water side which he was willing to exchange for divers sorts of costly Silks which he much esteemed Their Kings as well as the People are kind true and exact in their dealings they traffickt with them for Hens Goats Cocoes Plantanes and other Provisions whereof they offered them such plenty that if there had been occasion they might have laden their Ship with them Though these Visits and Entertainments were some hindrance to them yet having at length washt and trim'd their Ship and freed her from a kind of Shell Fish sticking fast wherewith she was overgrown in this large Voyage and much hindred her Sailing they took their leaves and departed from Java March 26. sailing West South West directly for the Cape of Good Hope or Bon Esperance and continued without seeing any thing but Air and Water till May 21. when they had sight of the Main Land of Africa very high in some places under 31 degrees and an half Latitude They coasted along till June 15. when having very fair Weather and the Wind at South East they past the said Cape so near that they could easily have shot to Land July 15. they saw Rio de Cesto and many Negroes fishing in their Boats two of which came
to continue Commerce with this People there were also two Turkish and one Italian Residents and likewise one Spaniard who having assisted the King in recovering the Island from the Portugals served him now as a Souldier After half an hours waiting the King came from the Castle attended with eight or ten grave Senators a rich Canopy adorn'd in the midst with Embossings of Gold being held over him and guarded with twelve Lances the points turned downward Their men accompanied with Moro the Kings Brother arose to meet him who welcomed and entertained them very graciously His Voice was low and his Speech sober of a Princely deportment and a Moor by Nation His attire was after the fashion of the Countrey but much costlier From the wast to the ground he had a garment all of rich Cloth of Gold his Legs were bare and his Shoes of red Cordivant His head had a wreath about an Inch and half broad of plated Gold somewhat like a Crown and very sumptuous He had about his Neck a Chain of Pure Gold double and wore on his left hand a Diamond a Ruby an Emerauld and a Turkois Stone being four fair and perfect Jewels on his right he had one Ring with a large Turkois and another with several Diamonds of smaller size very artificially composed Sitting thus in his Chair of State with a Page on his right hand refreshing him with a Fan richly imbroidered and beset with Saphires the place being very hot both with the Sun and the multitude there present After a while the Englishmen having delivered their Message and received an answer they were by the Kings special command conducted safe back again by one of his chief Councellors The Castle did not appear very strong there being only two great Guns to defend it and those at present unserviceable having got these all other furniture of War from the Portugals who formerly inhabited the Island and built this Castle but tyrannizing over the people and not content with what they enjoyed except they could have secured themselves by destroying all the Bloud Royal they cruelly murthered the Father of this present King intending to do the like by all his Sons which so inraged the People that they were forc't to escape for their lives leaving their goods and all their Ammunition behind them and absolutely to forsake the Island The present King with his brethren pursued the Portugals so close that being quite driven thence they were glad to keep footing in Tidore and for four years last past he had been so successful in his military affairs that he was Lord of an hundred Islands thereabout and resolved now to attempt the recovery of Tidore it self from the Portugals The People are Moors whose Religion chiefly consists in certain Superstitious observations of the New Moons and fasting strictly at some seasons of which they had experience in the Vice-Roy and his attendants who lay aboard almost all the time they were there and would neither eat nor drink so much as water while the fasting day lasted but would eat three times very largely in the night The Isle of Terenate is in 27 degrees North Latitude While they staid in the Harbor here besides the Natives therâ— came aboard their Ship a very compleat Gentleman well attended with an Interpreter tâ— view their Ship and discourse with their Genâ—ral clothed much after the English fashion anâ— in his carriage very well accomplished Hâ— told them that himself was but a stranger 〈◊〉 these Islands being born in the Province 〈◊〉 Pagia in China that his name was Pausaos 〈◊〉 the Family of Homber out of which there 〈◊〉 eleven Emperors reigned successively for tâ—â— hundred years past and that King Boxog wâ—â— by the death of his Elder Brother with a 〈◊〉 from a Horse was right Heir to all Chin◠〈◊〉 the twelfth of this race being 22 years of 〈◊〉 and his Mother living having a Wife and one Son by her beloved and highly honoured of all his Subjects reigning in great peace and without apprehension of invasion from his Neighbours But it was not this Gentlemans fortune to partake of the happiness of his King and Countrey as he desired For as he told them being accused of a Capital Crime whereof though free yet not able to make his innocency evidently appear and knowing the severe Justice of China if he should be found guilty by his Judges he humbly desired the King would please to remit his Trial to the Judgment and Providence of God by permitting him to travel on condition that if he did not return with such remarkable Intelligence as his Majesty had never heard and was worth observation and for the advantage of China he would forever live in Banishment or else suffer Death for presuming to come into his own Countrey being assured that the God of Heaven would clear his innocency The King granted his suit and he had been now three years abroad and came then from Tydore where he had resided two Months to see the English General of whom he had heard very strange things and from whom he hoped for such Intelligence as might further his return into his own Countrey beseeching him to relate the occasion and manner of his coming so far as England thither and what accidents happen'd to him by the way The General fully satisfied his request and this stranger heard his discourse with much attention and delight and having a retentive memory he so firmly imprinted these Relations in his mind that with great reverence he gave God thanks who had brought him to the notice of such admirable occurrences and then earnestly intreated the General to visit his Country before he went farther West since it would be the most pleasant honourable and profitable Voyage he could make whereby he should carry home an account of one of the ancientest and richest Kingdoms in the World And hereupon he magnified the greatness and number of their Provinces the stateliness and riches of their Citys with the multitude of men and abundance of all manner of provisions and Amunition of War especially of the number of great Guns in Quinzai their cheif City much easier managed than ours and so exact as to hit a Shilling which he said they invented above two thousand years ago With many other things which the General might better observe with his Eyes than he could relate and that the Wind would serve very shortly to carry them thither and did not doubt but it would much advance his Honour with the King to bring such a stranger along with him But all his Arguments having no prevalence on the General he with grief departed though very glad of the Intelligence he had learned Provided with all necessarys the place afforded they Sailed thence Novem. 9. in search of a convenient Harbor to trim and repair their Ship especially while the calms continued in pursuance whereof Novem. 14. they arrived at a small Island in 1 degree 40 Minutes South of the Celebes