and presently at another casting of the Lead they had but six fathome and presently after that againe ten eleuen and twelue fathome the streame running hard against the Flats From the east-East-end of the Admirals Iland to Cape Negro that is the Blacke point they sayled about fiue or six miles East North-east and a mile without the Blacke point it iâ— seuenty fathome deepe the ground slimy as vpon Pamphius right East-ward of the Blacke point there are two sharpe pointed Hils in the Creeke that are easie to be knowne The sixt of Iuly the Sunne being North they come right before the Blacke point with faire weather this Blacke point lyeth vnder 75. degrees and 20. minutes From the Blacke point to Williams Iland they sayled seuen or eight miles East North-east and betweene them both about halfe a mile there lay a small Iland The seuenth of Iuly they sayled from Williams Iland and then William Barents tooke the height of the Sunne with his Crosse-staffe and found it to be eleuated aboue the Horizon in the South-west and by South 53. degrees and 6. minutes his declination being 22. degrees and 49. minutes which being added to 53. degrees and 6. minutes make 75. degrees and 55. minutes This is the right height of the Pole of the said Iland In this Iland they found great store of Driftwood and many Sea-horses being a kind of fish that keepeth in the Sea hauing very great teeth which at this day are vsed in stead of Iuory or Elephants Teeth there also is a good Road for ships at twelue and thirteene fathome deepe against all winds except it bee West South-west and West-winds and there they found a piece of a Russia ship and that day they had the wind East North-east mistie weather The ninth of Iuly they entred into Beeren-fort vpon the Road vnder Williams Iland and there they found a white Beare which they perceiuing presently entred into their Boat and shot her into the bodie with a Musket but the Beare shewed most wonderfull strength which almost is not to be found in any beast for no man euer heard the like to bee done by any Lion or cruell beast whatsoeuer for notwithstanding that she was shot into the bodie yet she leapt vp and swamme in the water the men that were in the Boat rowing after her cast a Rope about her necke and by that meanes drew her at the sterne of the Boat for that not hauing seene the like Beare before they thought to haue carryed her aliue in the ship and to haue shewed her for a strange wonder in Holland but she vsed such force that they were glad that they were rid of her and contented themselues with her skinne only for shee made such a noyse and stroue in such sort that it was admirable wherewith they let her rest and gaue her more scope with the Rope that they held her by and so drew her in that sort after them by that meanes to wearie her meane-time William Barents made neerer to her but the Beare swamme to the Boat and with her fore-feet got hold of the sterne thereof which William Barents perceiuing said she will there rest her selfe but she had another meaning for she vsed such force that at last she had gotten halfe her body into the Boat wherewith the men were so abashed that they ranne into the further end of the Boat and thought verily to haue beene spoyled by her but by a strange meanes they were deliuered from her for that the Rope that was about her necke caught hold vpon the hooke of the Ruther whereby the Beare could get no further but so was held backe and hanging in that manner one of the men boldly stept forth from the end of the Scute and thrust her into the bodie with a halfe-pike and therewith shee fell downe into the water and so they rowed forward with her to the shippe drawing her after them till shee was in a manner dead wherewith they killed her out-right and hauing slayed her brought the skin to Amsterdam The twentieth of Iuly they sayled out of Beeren-fort from Williams Iland and the same day in the morning got to the Iland of Crosses and there went on Land with their Pinnasse and found the Iland to be barren and full of Cliffes and Rocks in it there was a small Hauen whereinto they rowed with their Boat This Iland is about halfe a mile long and reacheth East and West on the West end it hath a banke about a third part of a mile long and at the East end also another banke vpon this Iland there standeth two great Crosses the Iland lyeth about two long miles from the firme Land and vnder the east-East-end thereof there is a good Road at sixe and twentie fathome soft ground and somewhat closer to the Iland on the Strand at nine fathome sandie ground From the Iland of Crosses to the point of Cape Nassaw they sayled East and East and by North about eight miles it is a long flat point which you must be carefull to shunne for thereabouts at seuen fathome there were flats or shoales very farre from the Land it lyeth almost vnder 76. degrees and a halfe From the West end of Williams Iland to the Iland with the Crosses is three miles the course North. From Nassaw point they sayled East and by South and East South-east fiue miles and then they thought that they saw Land in North-east and by East and sayled towards it fiue miles North-east to descrie it thinking it to bee another Land that lay Northward from Noua Zembla but it began to blow so hard out of the West that they were forced to take in their Marsaile and yet the wind rose in such manner that they were forced to take in all their Sayles and the Sea went so hollow that they were constrayned to driue sixteene houres together without sayle eight or nine miles East North-east The eleuenth of Iuly their Boat was by a great waue of the Sea sunke to the ground and by that meanes they lost it and after that they draue without sayles fiue miles East and by South at last the Sunne being almost South-east the wind came about to the North-west and then the weather began somewhat to cleere vp but yet it was very mistie Then they hoysed vp their sayles againe and sayled foure miles till night that the Sunne was North and by East and there they had sixtie fathome deepe muddie ground and then they saw certayne flakes of Ice at which time vpon the twelfth of Iuly they woond West and held North-west and sayled about a mile with mistie weather and a North-west wind and sayled vp and downe West South-west three or foure miles to see if they could find their Boat againe after that they woond againe with the wind and sayled foure miles South-east till the Sunne was South-west and then they were close by the Land of Noua Zembla that lay East and
7. degrees and a halfe variation from the North point to the West The fourteenth faire weather but cloudie and a stiffe gale of wind variable betweene North-east and South-west wee steered away West by South a point South all day vntill nine of the clocke at night then it began to Thunder and Lighten whereupon we tooke in all our sayles and layd it a hull and hulled away North till mid-night a league and a halfe The fifteenth very faire and hot weather the winde at North by East At foure of the clocke in the morning we set sayle and stood on our course to the Westward At noone wee found our height to bee 37. degrees 25. minutes The after-noone proued little wind At eight of the clocke at night the winde came to the North and wee steered West by North and West North-west and made our way West The Compasse varyed 7. degrees from the North to the West The sixteenth faire-shining weather and very hot the wind variable betweene the North and the West wee steered away West by North. At noone wee found our height to bee 37. degrees 6. minutes This morning we sounded and had ground in ninetie fathomes and in sixe Glasses running it shoalded to fiftie fathoms and so to eight and twentie fathoms at foure of the clocke in the after-noone Then wee came to an Anchor and rode till eight of the clocke at night the wind being at South and Moone-light we resolued to goe to the Northward to finde deeper water So we weighed and stood to the Northward and found the water to shoald and deepe from eight and twentie to twentie fathomes The seuenteenth faire and cleere Sun-shining weather the winde at South by West wee steered to the Northward till foure of the clocke in the morning then wee came to eighteene fathomes So we Anchored vntill the Sunne arose to looke abroad for Land for wee iudged there could not but be Land neere vs but we could see none Then we weighed and stood to the Westward till noone And at eleuen of the clocke wee had sight of a low Land with a white sandie shoare By twelue of the clocke we were come into fiue fathomes and Anchored and the Land was foure leagues from vs and wee had sight of it from the West to the North-west by North. Our height was 37. degrees 26. minutes Then the wind blew so stiffe a gale and such a Sea went that we could not weigh so we rode there all night an hard rode The eighteenth in the morning faire weather and little winde at North North-east and North-east At foure of the clocke in the morning we weighed and stood into the shoare to see the deeping or shoalding of it and finding it too deepe we stood in to get a rode for wee saw as it were three Ilands So wee turned to windward to get into a Bay as it shewed to vs to the Westward of an Iland For the three Ilands did beare North off vs. But toward noone the wind blew Northerly with gusts of wind and rayne So we stood off into the Sea againe all night and running off we found a Channell wherein we had no lesse then eight nine ten eleuen and twelue fathomes water For in comming ouer the Barre wee had fiue and foure fathomes and a halfe and it lyeth fiue leagues from the shoare and it is the Barre of Virginia At the North end of it it is ten leagues broad and South and North but deepe water from ninetie fathoms to fiue and foure and a halfe The Land lyeth South and North. This is the entrance into the Kings Riuer in Virginia where our English-men are The North side of it lyeth in 37. degrees 26. minutes you shall know when you come to shoald water or sounding for the water will looke Greene or thicke you shall haue ninetie and eightie fathomes and shoalding a pace till you come to ten eleuen nine eight seuen ten and nine fathomes and so to fiue and foure fathomes and a halfe The nineteenth faire weather but an hard gale of winde at the North-east wee stood off till noone and made our way South-east by East two and twentie leagues At noone wee cast about to the Westward and stood till sixe of the clocke in the after-noone and went fiue leagues and a halfe North-west by North. Then wee cast about againe to the Eastward and stood that way till foure the next morning The twentieth faire and cleere weather the winde variable betweene East North-east and North-east At foure of the clocke in the morning wee cast about to the Westward and stood till noone at which time I sounded and had two and thirtie fathomes Then we take to the Eastward againe wee found our height to bee 37. degrees 22. minutes We stood to the Eastward all night and had very much wind At eight of the clocke at night we tooke off our Bonnets and stood with small sayle The one and twentieth was a sore storme of winde and rayne all day and all night wherefore wee stood to the Eastward with a small sayle till one of the clocke in the after-noone Then a great Sea brake into our fore-corse and split it so we were forced to take it from the yard and mend it wee lay a trie with our mayne-corse all night This night our Cat ranne crying from one side of the ship to the other looking ouer-boord which made vs to wonder but we saw nothing The two and twentieth stormy weather with gusts of rayne and wind In the morning at eight of the clocke we set our fore-corse and stood to the Eastward vnder our fore-sayle mayne-sayle and misen and from noone to noone we made our way East South-east fourteene leagues The night reasonable drie but cloudie the winde variable all day and night Our Compasse was varyed 4. degrees Westward The three and twentieth very faire weather but some Thunder in the morning the winde variable betweene East by North. At noone wee tackt about to the Northward the winde at East by North. The after-noone very faire the wind variable and continued so all night Our way we made East South-east till noone the next day The foure and twentieth faire and hot weather with the wind variable betweene the North and the East The after-noone variable winde But at foure of the clocke the wind came to the East and South-east so wee steered away North by West and in three Watches wee went thirteene leagues At noone our height was 35. degrees 41. minutes being farre off at Sea from the Land The fiue and twentieth faire weather and very hot All the morning was very calme vntill eleuen of the clocke the wind came to South-east and South South-east so wee steered away North-west by North two Watches and a halfe and one Watch North-west by West and went eighteene leagues At noone I found our height to bee 36. degrees 20. minutes being without sight of Land The sixe and
brought to an end To the which end Cicero wisely saith God hath giuen vs some things and not all things that our Successors also might haue some-what to doe Therefore we must not leaue off nor stay our pretence in the middle of our proceedings as long as there is any commoditie to be hoped and in time to bee obtayned for that the greatest and richest Treasures are hardliest to be found I thought good to set downe in regard that I haue vndertaken to describe the three Voyages made into the North Seas in three yeeres one after the other behind Norwary and along and about Muscouia towards the Kingdome of Cathaia and China whereof the two last I my selfe holpe to effect and yet brought them not to the desired end that we well hoped First to shew our diligent and most toylesome labour and paines taken to find out the right course which we could not bring to passe as wee well hoped wished and desired and possible might haue found it by crossing the Seas if we had taken the right course if the Ice the shortnesse of time and bad crosses had not hindered vs. We haue assuredly found that the onely and most hinderance to our Voyage was the Ice that we found about Noua Zembla vnder 73.74.75 and 76. degrees and not so much vpon the Sea betweene both the Lands whereby it appeareth that not the neerenesse of the North-pole but the Ice that commeth in and out from the Tartarian Sea about Noua Zembla caused vs to feele the greatest cold Therefore in regard that the neerenesse of the Pole was not the cause of the great cold that wee felt if wee had had the meanes to haue held our appointed and intended course into the North-east we had peraduenture found some entrance which course wee could not hold from Noua Zembla because that there we entred amongst great store of Ice and how it was about Noua Zembla we could not tel before we had sought it and when we had sought it we could not then alter our course although also it is vncertayn what we should haue done if we had continued in our North-east course because it is not yet found out But it is true that in the Countrey lying vnder 80. degrees which we esteeme to be Greenland there is both Leaues and Grasse to be seene Wherein such Beasts as feed of Leaues and Grasse as Harts Hinds and such like beasts liue whereas to the contrary in Noua Zembla there groweth neyther Leaues nor Grasse and there are no beasts therein but such as eate flesh as Beares and Foxes c. Although Noua Zembla lyeth 4.5 and 6. degrees more Southerly from the Pole then the other Land aforesaid It is also manifest that vpon the South and North-side of the Line of the Sunne on both sides betweene both the Tropicks vnder 23. degrees and an halfe yet it is as hot as it is right vnder the Line What wonder then should it be that about the North-pole also and as many degrees on both sides it should not be colder then right vnder the Pole It was not the Sea nor the neerenesse vnto the Pole but the Ice about the Land that let and hindered vs as I said before for that assoone as we made from the Land and put more into the Sea although it was much further Northward presently we felt more warmth and in that opinion our Pilot William Barents dyed who notwithstanding the fearefull and intolerable cold that he indured yet he was not discouraged but offered to lay wagers with diuers of vs that by Gods helpe hee would bring that pretended Voyage to an end if he held his course North-east from the North Cape But I will leaue that and shew you of the three Voyages aforesaid begunne and set forth by the permission and furtherance of the Generall States of the vnited Prouinces and of Prince Maurice as Admirall of the Sea and the rich Towne of Amsterdam First you must vnderstand that in Anno 1594. there was foure ships set forth out of the vnited Prouinces whereof two were of Amsterdam one of Zelandt and one of Enckhuysen that were appointed to sayle into the North Seas to discouer the Kingdomes of Cathaia and China Northward from Norway Muscouia and about Tartaria whereof William Barents a notable skilfull and wise Pilot was Commander ouer the ships of Amsterdam and with them vpon Whit-sunday departed from Amsterdam and went to the Texell Vpon the fifth of Iune they sayled out of the Texel and hauing a good wind and faire weather vpon the three and twentieth of Iune they arriued at Rilduin in Muscouia which for that it is a place well knowne and a common Voyage I will make no further description thereof The nine and twentieth of Iune at foure of the clocke in the after-noone they set sayle out of Kilduin The fourth of Iuly they saw Noua Zembla lying South-east and by East six or seuen miles from them where they had blacke durtie ground at one hundred and fiue fathome William Barents tooke the height of the Sunne with his Crosse-staffe when it was at the lowest that is betweene North North-east and East and by North and found it to be eleuated aboue the Horizon six degrees and 1 â— part his declination being 12. degrees and 55. minutes from whence substracting the aforesaid height there resteth sixteenth degrees and 35. minutes which being substracted from 90. degrees there resteth 73. degrees and 25. minutes Then they woond East-ward and sayled fiue miles East and by South and East South-east and past by a long point of Land that lay out into the Sea which they named Langenes and hard by that point East-ward there was a great Bay where they went a Land with their Boat but found no people From Langenes to Cape Bapo East North-east it is foure miles From Cape Bapo to the West point of Lombsbay North-east and by North are fiue miles and betweene them both there are two Creeks Lombsbay is a great wide Bay on the West-side thereof hauing a faire Hauen six seuen or eight fathome deepe blacke sand there they went on shoare with their Boat and vpon the shoare placed a Beacon made of an old Mast which they found there calling the Bay Lombsbay because of a certayne kind of Beares so called which they found there in great abundance The East point of Lombsbay is a long narrow point and by it there lyeth an Iland and from that long point to Sea-ward in there is a great Creeke This Lombsbay lyeth vnder 74. degrees and 1 â— part From Lombsbay to the point of the Admirals Iland they sayled six or seuen miles North-east and by North. The Admirals Iland is not very faire on the East-side but a farre off very flat so that you must shunne it long before you come at it it is also very vneuen for at one casting of the Lead they had ten fathome deepe
the great mercie of God we came to an Anchor cleere of it and close by it our Master named them the Iles of Gods Mercie This is an Harbour for need but there must be care had how they come in Heere our Master sent me and others with me to discouer to the North and North-west and in going from one place to another we sprung a Couey of Partridges which were young at the which Thomas Woodhouse shot but killed only the old one This Iland is a most barren place hauing nothing on it but plashes of water and riuen Rockes as if it were subiect to Earthquakes To the North there is a great Bay or Sea for I know not what it will proue where I saw a great Iland of Ice aground betweene the two Lands which with the Spring-tide was set afloat and carried into this Bay or Sea to the North-westward but came not backe againe nor within sight Here wee tooke in some Drift wood that we found ashoare From hence we stood to the South-west to double the Land to the West of vs through much floting Ice In the end wee found a cleere Sea and continued therein till wee raysed Land to the North-west Then our Master made his course more to the South then before but it was not long ere we met with Ice which lay ahead of vs. Our Master would haue doubled this Ice to the North but could not and in the end put into it downe to the South-west through much Ice and then to the South where we were embayed againe Our Master stroue to get the shoare but could not for the great store of Ice that was on the coast From out of this Bay we stood to the North and were soone out of the Ice then downe to the South-west and so to the West where we were enclosed to our fight with Land and Ice For wee had Land from the South to the North-west on one side and from the East to the West on the other but the Land that was to the North of vs and lay by East and West was but an Iland On we went till we could goe no further for Ice so we made our ship fast to the Ice which the tide brought vpon vs but when the ebbe came the Ice did open and made way so as in seuen or eight houres we were cleere from the Ice till we came to weather but onely some of the great Ilands that were carried along with vs to the North-west Hauing a cleere Sea our Master stood to the West along by the South shoare and raysed three Capes or Head-lands lying one aboue another The middlemost is an Iland and maketh a Bay or Harbour which I take will proue a good one Our Master named them Prince Henries Cape or Fore-land When we had layd this we raised another which was the extreme point of the Land looking towards the North vpon it are two Hills but one aboue the rest like an Hay-cocke which our Master named King Iames his Cape To the North of this lie certaine Ilands which our Master named Queene Annes Cape or Fore-land Wee followed the North shoare still Beyond the Kings Cape there is a Sound or Bay that hath some Ilands in it and this is not to be forgotten if need be Beyond this lieth some broken Land close to the Mayne but what it is I know not because we passed by it in the night Wee stood to the North to double this Land and after to the West againe till wee fell with Land that stretched from the Mayne like a shewer from the South to the North and from the North to the West and then downe to the South againe Being short of this Land a storme tooke vs the wind at West we stood to the North and raised Land which when our Master saw he stood to the South againe for he was loath at any time that wee should see the North shoare The storme continuing and comming to the South shoare againe our Master found himselfe shot to the West a great way which made him muse considering his Leeward way To the South-west of this Land on the Mayne there is an high Hill which our Master named Mount Charles To the North and beyond this lieth an Iland that to the East hath a faire head and beyond it to the West other broken Land which maketh a Bay within and a good Road may be found there for ships Our Master named the first Cape Salsburie When we had left this to the North-east we fell into a Rippling or Ouer-fall of a Current which at the first we tooke to bee a Shoald but the Lead being cast wee had no ground On we passed still in sight of the South shoare till we raised Land lying from the Mayne some two leagues Our Master tooke this to bee a part of the Mayne of the North Land but it is an Iland the North side stretching out to the West more then the South This Iland hath a faire Head to the East and very high Land which our Master named Deepes Cape and the Land on the South side now falling away to the South makes another Cape or Head-land which our Master named Worsenhams Cape When wee were nigh the North or Iland Cape our Master sent the Boat ashoare with my selfe who had the charge and the Carpenter and diuers others to discouer to the West and North-west and to the South-west but we had further to it then we thought for the Land is very high and we were ouer-taken with a storme of Raine Thunder and Lightning But to it we came on the North-east side and vp we got from one Rocke to another till we came to the highest of that part Here we found some plaine ground and saw some Deere as first foure or fiue and after a dozen or sixteene in an Herd but could not come nigh them with a Musket shot Thus going from one place to another wee saw to the West of vs an high Hill aboue all the rest it being nigh vs but it proued further off then we made account for when wee came to it the Land was so steepe on the East and North-east parts that wee could not get vnto it To the South-west we saw that wee might and towards that part wee went along by the side of a great Pond of water which lieth vnder the East side of this Hill and there runneth out of it a streame of water as much as would driue an ouer-shot Mill which falleth downe from an high Cliffe into the Sea on the South side In this place great store of Fowle breed and there is the best Grasse that I had seene since we came from England Here wee found Sorell and that which wee call Scuruy-grasse in great abundance Passing along wee saw some round Hills of stone like to Grasse cockes which at the first I tooke to be the worke of some Christian. Wee
Archdeacon of the rest and his friends sent for a certayne Saracen which was a Sooth-sayer Who said vnto them A certayne leane man who neyther eateth nor drinketh nor sleepes in a Bed is angry with him if hee can obtayne his blessing hee may recouer Then they vnderstood it was the Monke And about mid-night the Priests Wife his Sister and his Sonne came intreating that hee would come and blesse him They also raised vs vp to intreate the Monke Then he said vnto vs intreating him Let him alone because hee with three others who likewise tooke euill courses consulted to goe vnto the Court to procure Mangu Chan that I and you should bee expelled from these parts For there arose a contention among them because Mangu and his Wiues sent foure Iascots and certayne Silkes vpon Easter Eeuen to the Monke and Priests to distribute among them And the Monke had kept vnto himselfe one Iascot for his part and of the other three one was counterfeit for it was Copper Whereupon it seemed to the Priests that the Monke had kept too great a portion to himselfe Whence it might bee that they had some words among themselues which were reported to the Monke When day came I went vnto the Priest hauing an extreme griefe in his side and spitting bloud whereupon I thought it was an Impostume Then I counselled him if he had any thing that was an others to restore it He said hee had nothing I spoke vnto him also of the Sacrament of Extreme Vnction Who answered we haue no such custome neither doe our Priests know how to doe it I intreat you that you would doe it for mee as you know best to bee done I aduised him also concerning Confession which they frequent not hee spake shortly in the Eare of a certayne Priest one of his fellowes After this hee beganne to bee better and hee intreated mee to goe for the Monke So I went but the Monke would not come at the first yet when hee heard hee was some-what better hee went with his Crosse. And I also went and carryed in a Boxe of Master Williams the bodie of Christ which I had reserued vpon Easter Day at the intreatie of Master William Then the Monke beganne to kicke him with his feet and hee most humbly imbraced his feet Then I said vnto him It is the custome of the Church of Rome that the sicke should receiue the Bodie of Christ as it were prouision for their iourney and a defence against all the Deceits of the Enemie Behold the Bodie of Christ which I consecrated on Easter Day You must bee confessed and desire it Then said hee with a great Faith I desire it with all my heart Which when I had discouered hee with great affection said I beleeue that this is my Creatour and my Sauiour who gaue mee life and will restore it againe vnto mee after death in the generall Resurrection and so tooke the Bodie of Christ from my hand made after the manner of the Church of Rome Then the Monke abode with him and gaue him in my absence I know not what Potions On the morrow hee beganne to haue the pangs of death vpon him Then taking their Oyle which they said was holy I anointed him according to the manner of the Church of Rome as they intreated mee I had none of our Oyle because the Priests of Sartach kept all And when wee should sing a Dirge and I would haue beene present at his end the Monke sent vnto mee willing me to depart because if I should bee present I could not come into the house of Mangu Chan for one whole yeare Which when I had told his friends they said it was true and requested me to depart lest I might be hindered in that good which I might promote Assoone as hee was dead the Monke said vnto mee care not I haue killed him with my Prayers This fellow only was Learned and opposed himselfe against vs the rest know nothing Henceforth Mangu Chan himselfe and they all will crouch at our feete Then hee declared vnto me the foresaid Answere of the Sooth-sayer Which not beleeuing it I inquired of the Priests who were friends of the dead whether it were true or no. Who said it was But whether he were pre-instructed or not that they knew not Afterwards I found that the Monke called the foresaid Sooth-sayer and his Wife into his Chappell and caused dust to bee sifted and to diuine vnto him For hee had a certayne Rutenian Deacon who diuined to him Which when I vnderstood I was astonied at his foolishnesse and said vnto him Brother a man full of the Holy Ghost which teacheth all things should not demand Answeres or Counsell from Sooth-sayers seeing all such things are forbidden and they excommunicated who follow such things Then hee beganne to excuse himselfe that it was not true that hee sought after such things But I could not depart from him because I was placed there by the commandement of Chan himselfe nor could I remooue my selfe without his speciall command COncerning the Citie of Caracarum know this that excluding the Palace of Chan himselfe it is not so good as the Castle of Saint Denis and the Monasterie of Saint Denis is tenne times more worth then that Palace and more too There are two streets there one of the Saracens where the Faires are kept and many Merchants haue recourse thither by reason of the Court which is alwayes neere and for the multitude of Messengers There is another street of the Cataians who are all Artificers Without those streets there are great Palaces which are the Courts of the Secretaries There are there twelue kindes of Idolatries of diuers Nations Two Churches of Mahomet where the Law of Mahomet is proclaimed one Church of the Christians at the end of the Towne The Towne is inclosed with a mudde Wall and hath foure Gates On the East part Millet and other Graine is sold which yet is seldome brought thither On the West Sheepe and Goates On the South Oxen and Waggons are sold. At the North Horses are sold. Following the Court before the Ascension wee came thither the Sunday before the Ascension The next day after we were called before Bulgai who is a Iustice and chiefe Secretarie both the Monke and all his Family and wee and all the Messengers and Strangers which frequented the house of the Monke And wee were called before Bulgai seuerally first the Monke and after wee and they beganne diligently to inquire whence wee were and for what purpose wee came and what our errand was And this inquirie was made because it was told Mangu Chan that foure hundred Hassasines or secret Murtherers were gone forth in diuers Habits to kill him About that time the foresaid Ladie was restored to health and shee sent for the Monke and hee not willing to goe answered shee hath sent for Idolaters about her let them cure her if they can I will goe no more Vpon Ascension
Chesmacoran are thirteene Kingdomes India minor is from Ziambi to Murfili in which are eight Kingdomes besides Ilands many The second or middle India is called Abascia The chiefe King is a Christian there are six other Kings three Christians and three Saracens subiect to him there are also Iewes Saint Thomas hauing preached in Nubia came to Abascia and there did the like and after to Malabar They are great Warriors alway in Armes against the Soldan of Adem and the people of Nubia I heard that An. 1288. the great Abissine would haue visited Ierusalem but being disswaded by reason of Saracen Kingdomes in the way he sent a Bishop of holy life to doe his deuotions who in his returne was taken by the Soldan of Adem and circumcised by force whereupon the Abissine raysed a power discomfited the Soldan with two other Mahumetan Kings tooke and spoyled Adem Abascia is rich in gold Escier is subiect to Adem fortie miles distant South-east where is store of white Frankincense very good which drops from small Trees by incision of the barke a rich merchandise c. Some in that Countrey for want of Corne make Bisket of Fish whereof they haue great plentie They also feede their beasts with fishes They take them in March April and May c. Hauing spoken of the Prouinces on the Coast I will now returne to some Prouinces more to the North where many Tartars dwell which haue a King called Caidu of the Race of Cingis Can but subiect to none These obserue the customes of their old Progenitors dwell not in Cities Castles or Fortresses but abide with their King in the Fields Playnes Valleyes and Forests and are esteemed true Tartars They haue no sort of Corne but liue of Flesh and Milke in great peace They haue store of Horses Kine Sheepe and other beasts There are found great white Beares twentie palmes long black Foxes very great wilde Asses and little beasts called Roudes which beare the Sable Furres and Vari arcolini and those which are called Pharaos rats which the Tartars are cunning to take The great Lakes which are frozen except in a few moneths of the yeere cause that the Summer is scarse to bee trauelled for myre And therefore the Merchants to buy their Furres for fourteene dayes iourney thorow the Desart haue set vp for each day a house of Wood where they abide and barter and in Winter they vse Sleds without wheeles and plaine in the bottome rising with a semi-circle at the top or end drawne easily on the Ice by beasts like great Dogs six yoked by couples the Sledman only with his Merchant and Furres sitting therein In the end of the Region of these Tartars is a Countrey reaching to the furthest North called Darknesse because the most part of the Winter moneths the Sunne appeares not and the Ayre is thicke and darkish as betimes in the morning with vs. The men there are pale and great haue no Prince and liue like beasts The Tartars oft rob them of their Cattell in those darke moneths and left they should lose their way they ride on Mares which haue Colts sucking which they leaue with a Guard at the entrance of that Countrey where the Light beginneth to faile and when they haue taken their prey giue reynes to the Mares which hasten to their Colts In their long continued day of Summer they take many the finest Furres one occasion of the Tartars going to rob them of which I haue heard some are brought into Russia Russia is a great Countrey in that Northerne Darknesse the people are Greeke Christians the Men and Women faire and pay Tribute to the King of the Tartars of the West on whom they border on the East There is store of Furres Waxe and Minerals of siluer It reacheth as I was told to the Ocean Sea in which are store of Gerfalcons and Falcons To the Reader IN this admirable Voyage of Polo I confesse Inopem me copia fecit the Translation which I had of Master Hakluyts from the corrupted Latine being lesse then nothing nimirum damno auctus fui did me no steed but losse whiles I would compare it with the Latine and thought to amend it by the Italian and was forced at last to reiect both Latine and English and after much vexation to present thee this as it is out of Ramusio I haue not giuen thee word for word as an exact Translator but the sense in all things substantiall with longer Relations then I haue admitted in others because many which haue read M. Paulus neuer saw M. Polo nor know the worth of the worthiest Voyage that perhaps any one man hath written a man credible in that which hee saw himselfe in some things receiued by Relation rather telling what he heard then that which I dare beleeue and specially toward the end of his third Booke which I haue therefore more abridged Pitie it is that time hath so gnawne and eaten some-where and some-where deuoured vtterly many his names and Tracts which new Lords and new Lawes the Saracenicall Conquests especially euer since his time in those parts haue caused And farre easier by the Cans greatnesse then and his employments vnder him might hee know the World in those times then in the combustions long since begunne and still continued in diuersified and quarrelling States is possible the Saracens quarrelling with Ethnikes Christians and other Saracens the Tartars diuided and sub-diuided into so many quarrelsome Serpentine heads whereby that hugenesse is broken in pieces the Chinois and others prohibiting ingresse of strangers egresse of their owne that I mention not Ethnike and Moorish Diuisions amongst themselues In the same time with Polo liued this following Armenian of whom Ramusio relateth and this Discourse intimateth that the Holy Land being quite lost Pope Clement the Fift minding to recouer it was giuen to vnderstand of helpes which might be gotten from the Tartars and withall of this Haiton or Antonie a Kinsman of the King of Armenia then liuing a Monke or Frier of the Order Premonstratensis in Episcopia in Cyprus who in his young time had beene exercised in the Warres betwixt the Tartars and Egyptian Soldans by whom he might receiue the best Intelligence of Tartarian Affaires He therefore as hee first remoued the Court from Rome to France where it abode seuentie yeares caused the said Hayton to be brought from Cyprus to France with all his Memorials and Writings of that subiect and being comne to Poitiers caused one Nicolo di Falcon a Frenchman to write in French which the other dictated in Armenian which was done Anno 1307. A Copie of this Storie written aboue two hundred yeares since came to Ramâ—sioes hand whereto I here that I say not you are beholden whence hee tooke that which concerned the Tartars omitting the rest or remitting rather his Reader to M. Polo Betwixt which two some difference may seeme but so little that Wisemen need no aduertisement thereof One
their true intent and the ships prouided of necessaries set forth on the tenth of May 1553. for the discouerie of Cathay and diuers other Regions Dominions Ilands and places vnknowne The fourteenth of Iuly they discouered Land Eastward and went on shoare with their Pinnace and found thirty little houses the Inhabitants fled The Land was full of little Ilands called as they after learned Aegeland and Halgeland in 66. degrees The distance betweene Orfordnesse and Aegeland two hundred and fifty leagues Then we sayled from thence twelue leagues North-west and found many other Ilands and there came to anchor the nineteenth day and manned our Pinnace and went on shoare to the Ilands and found people mowing and making of Hay which came to the shoare and welcommed vs. In which place were an innumerable sort of Ilands which were called the Iles of Rost being vnder the Dominion of the King of Denmarke which place was in latitude 66. degrees and 30. minutes The winde being contrarie we remayned there three dayes and there was an innumerable sort of Fowles of diuers kindes of which we tooke very many The two and twentieth day the winde comming faire wee departed from Rost sayling North North-east keeping the Sea vntill the seuen and twentieth day and then we drew neere vnto the Land which was still East off vs then went forth our Pinnace to seeke harbour and found many good harbours of the which we entred into one with our ships which was called Stanfew and the Land being Ilands were called Lewfoot or Lofoot which were plentifully inhabited and very gentle people being also vnder the King of Denmarke but wee could not learne how farre it was from the mayne Land and we remayned there vntill the thirtieth day being in latitude 68. degrees and from the foresaid Rost about thirtie leagues North North-east The thirtieth day of Iuly about noone wee weighed our anchors and went into the Seas and sayled along these Ilands North North-east keeping the Land still in sight vntill the second of August then hailing in close aboord the Land to the intent to know what Land it was there came a Skiffe of the Iland aboord of vs of whom wee asked many questions who shewed vnto vs that the Iland was called Seynam which is the latitude of seuenty degrees and from Stanfew thirty leagues being also vnder the King of Denmark that there was no merchandise there but only dried fish and Trane-oile Then we being purposed to goe vnto Finmarke enquired of him if we might haue a Pilot to bring vs to Finmarke and he said that if we could beare in we should haue a good Harbour and on the next day a Pilot to bring vs to Finmarke vnto the Wardhouse which is the strongest Hold in Finmark most resorted to by report But when he would haue entred into an Harbour the Land being very high on euery side there came such flawes of wind and terrible whirle-winds that we were not able to beare in but by violence were constrained to take the sea againe our Pinnace being vnshipt we sailed North and by East the wind encreasing so sore that we were not able to beare any sayle but tooke them in and lay adrift to the end to let the storme ouer-passe And that night by violence of winde and thicknesse of mists we were not able to keepe together within sight and then about midnight wee lost our Pinnace which was a discomfort vnto vs. As soone as it was day and the fogge ouer-past we looked about and at the last wee descried one of our ships to lee-ward off vs then wee spred an hullocke of our fore-sayle and bare roome with her which was the Confidence but the Edward we could not see Then the flaw something abating wee and the Confidence hoysed vp our sayles the fourth day sayling North-east and by North to the end to fall with the Ward-house as we did consult to doe before in case we should part companie Thus running North-east and by North and North-east fifty leagues then wee founded and had one hundred and sixty fathoms whereby we thought to be farre from Land and perceiued that the Land lay not as the Globe made mention Wherefore we changed our course the sixth day and sayled South-east and by South eight and forty leagues thinking thereby to finde the Ward-house The eighth day much winde rising at the West North-west we not knowing how the coast lay strooke our sayles and lay adrift where sounded and found one hundred and sixty fathoms as before The ninth day the winde bearing to the South South-east we sayled North-east fiue and twenty leagues The tenth day we sounded and could get no ground neither yet could see any Land whereat we wondered then the winde comming at the North-east we ran South-east about eight and forty leagues The eleuenth day the winde being at South wee sounded and found forty fathoms and faire sand The twelfth day the winde being at South and by East we lay with our sayle East and East and by North thirty leagues The fourteenth day early in the morning wee descried Land which Land wee bare withall hoysing out our Boat to discouer what land it might be but the Boat could not come to Land the water was so shallow where was very much Ice also but there was no similitude of habitation and this Land lieth from Seynam East and by North one hundred and sixty leagues being in latitude 72. degrees Then we plyed to the Northward the fifteenth sixteenth and seuenteenth dayes The eighteenth day the winde comming at the North-east and the Confidence being troubled with bilge water and stocked wee thought it good to seeke harbour for her redresse then wee bare roome the eighteenth day South South-east about seventy leagues The one and twentieth day wee sounded and found ten fathoms after that wee sounded againe and found but seuen fathoms so shallower and shallower water and yet could see no Land whereat we maruelled greatly to auoide this danger we bare roomer into the Sea all that night North-west and by West The next day we sounded and had twenty fathoms then shaped our course and ranne West South-west vntill the three and twentieth day then we descried lowe Land vnto which wee bare as nigh as we could and it appeared vnto vs vnhabitable Then we plyed Westward along by that Land which lieth West South-west and East North-east and much winde blowing at the West we haled into the Sea North and by East thirtie leagues Then the winde comming about at the North-east wee sayled West North-west after that the winde bearing to the North-west wee lay with our sayles West South-west about fourteene leagues and then descried Land and bare in with it being the eight and twentieth day finding shallow water and bare in till we came to three fathom then perceiuing it to be shallow water and also seeing drie sands we haled out againe North-east along that Land vntill
festiuall apparell with many Gold Chaines and gilded Swords till he came into the Port in which rode in a rew twentie six Ships and eightie Iunks besides a greater number of smaller vessels fastned one before another in two wings making a street betwixt them adorned with Laurell and other greene boughes and sweet herbs the Ordnance thundring on both sides a congratulation The Chinois wondred and asked if he were Brother or neere Kinsman to their King they receiued him in such honour Nay said a conceited Portugall but his father shooed the Kings Horses and therefore is he worthie of this honour Hereat they were more then amazed and said There were great Kings in the World of which their Authours had made no mention and the King of Portugall seemes one of them and much to exceed the Cauchim or the Tartar and it were no sinne to say he may hold compare with the Sonne of the Sâ—nne the Lion crowned in the Throne of the World Others confirmed the same alledging the great riches which the bearded men generally possessed A glorious Lantea was purposely adorned for his person in which hee went with many Musicall Instruments of the Chinas Malayos Champaas Siamites Borneos Lequios and other Nations which there secured themselues vnder the Portugals for feare of Rouers which filled those Seas I should wearie you to let you see the rest of this pompous spectacle and more to heare their Orations preferring him before Alexander Scipio Annibal Pompey Caesar Neither will Religion let mee goe with him to their Masse nor doe I euer dine worse then at solemne Feasts and others will grudge me a roome at Comedies all which pompes I will leaue to our Author enlarged by the Spanish translator Canon of the Church of Arbas as dedicated to Manuel Seuerin de Faria There hee stayed fiue moneths spending the time in Hawking Hunting Fishing Feasting Quiay Panian in this time dyed After hee made ready to goe to the Mines of Quoangiparu Others disswaded him by reason of warres in those parts and a famous Pyrat called Similau told him of an Iland called Calempluy in which seuenteene Kings of China were buried with much treasures in Vests and Idols of Gold and other incredible riches which hee on no other testimonie embraced without consulting with his friends who not a little blamed him therefore and went with Similau in search of this Iland setting out May the fourteenth 1542. He set foorth with two Panouras which are as it were Frigots but somewhat higher Iunkes he vsed not both for secrecie and because of the Currents which set out of the Bay of Nanquin which great ships cannot stemme by reason of the ouer-flowings from Tartaria and Nixibum Flaon in those moneths of May Iune and Iuly He had with him sixe and fiftie Portugals with a Priest and fortie eight Mariners of Patane and fortie two Slaues more our Pilot Similau would not admit fearing suspition in trauersing the Bay of Nanquin and entry of many Riuers much iâ—habited That day and night wee cleared the Iles of Angitur and followed our voyage thorow a Sea before neuer sayled by Portugals The first fiue dayes we sayled with good winde in sight of land to the entrie of the Bay of Nanquins fishings and passed a gulfe of fortie leagues and had sight of a high Hill called Nangafu alongst which we ranne to the North fiue dayes at the end whereof Similau put into a small Riuer the people whereof were white of good stature with small eyes like the Chinois but differing in speech and behauiour After three dayes the tempest ceasing we set sayle East North east seuen dayes together in sight of land and crossing another gulfe there was a straight open to the East called Sileupaquim ten leagues in the mouth within which we sayled fiue dayes in sight of many Townes and Cities very faire and this Riuer or straight was frequented with innumerable shipping insomuch that Faria was afraid to bee discouered and would needs against Similaus minde turne some other way Thus out of the Bay of Nanquin Similau telling them of a moneths worke of sayling by the Riuer Sumhepadan one hundred and seuentie leagues distant thence to the North wee sayled fiue dayes at the end whereof wee saw a very high Hâ—ll called Fanius and comming neere it entred a goodly rode where one thousand ships might ride at anchor Wee sayled thence thirteene dayes along the coast and came to the Bay of Buxipalem in 49. degrees where wee found it somwhat cold and saw Fishes of strange shapes some like Thornbacks aboue foure braces or fathoms compasse flat nosed like an Oxe some like great Lizards speckled blacke and greene with three rewes of prickles on the backe like â—ristles three spannes long very sharpe the rest of the body full but of shorter these Fishes will contract themselues like Hedge-hogs and looke fearefully they haue a sharpe blacke snout with tuskes after the manner of a Bore two spannes long Other deformities and diuersities of Fishes we saw Fifteene leagues further we came to an another fairer Bay called Calnidan sixe leagues in compasse set round with Hills diuersified with Woods and Riuers foure very great Similau sayd that the filth of dead Carcasses of creatures proceeding from the ouerflowings specially in Nouember December and Ianuarie at the full of the Moone caused the generation of such diuersitie of Fishes and Serpents in that Bay and the former which were not seene in other parts of that Coast. Faria asked him whence those Riuers came and hee said that he knew not but if it were true which was written two of them came from a great lake called Moscumbia and the other two from a Prouince of great Mountaines which all the yeere were couered with snow called Alimania and in Summer when great part of the snow was melted they became so impetuous as wee now saw and for that Riuer in the mouth whereof we were entred called Paatebenam wee were now in the name of the Lord of heauen to turne the Prow to the East and East South-east to search againe the Bay of Nanquim which we had left behind two hundred and sixtie leagues all which way we had made higher then Calempluy The second day we came to a high Mountaine called Botinafau stored with diuers kindes of wilde beasts which continued neere fiftie leagues and sixe-dayes sayling and after came to another Hill as wilde as the former called Gangitanou and all the way forward was mountainous and so thicke of trees that the Sunne could not pierce Similau sayd that in ninetie leagues space there was no habitation and in the skirts thereof liued a deformed sauage people onely by their Hunting and some Rice which they got in China by exchange of wilde beasts skinnes which hee sayd came to aboue a million yeerely Of these Giganhos wee saw a beardlesse youth with
very great each hauing a woman sitting thereon with a Sword in her hand of the same metall and a siluer Crowne on the head so many had sacrificed themselues at her death to doe her seruice in the next World Another compasse environed that of the Giants all of triumphant Arches gilded with a great quantitie of siluer Bels hanging on siluer chaines which by the motion of the Aire continually yeelded a strange sound Without those Arches in the same proportion stand two rankes of Latten grates encircling the whole worke set in spaces with Pillars of the same and thereon Lions set on balls which are the Armes of the Kings of China At the foure corners were placed foure Monsters of Brasse one which the Chinois call the Deuouring Serpent of the deepe Caue of the House of smoke in the figure of a dreadfull Serpent with seuen Serpents comming out of his brest sported with greene and blacke with many prickles more then a span long quite thorow the bodie like Hedge-hogges each hauing in his mouth a woman ouerthwart with disheuelled haires looking deadly The old or great Serpent holds in his mouth a Lizard halfe out of aboue thirty spans in length as bigge as a Pipe with nose and lips full of bloud and in his hands he holds a great Elephant so forcibly that his entrailes seeme to come out of his mouth all so naturally represented that it is most dreadful to behold The folds of his tayle were aboue twentie fathome long enfolding therein another Monster the second of the foure called Tarcamparoo which they say was the Sonne of that Serpent which stands with both his hands in his mouth which is as bigge as a gate the teeth set in order and the blacke tongue hanging out aboue two fathomes Of the two other one was the Figure of a woman named Nadelgau seuenteene fathomes long and sixe about from whose waste issued a beake or face aboue two fathomes which cast smoake out of the nosthrils and flames of fire out of the mouth which they make therein continually saying shee is the Queene of the Fierie Spheare and shall burne the Earth at the end of the World The fourth is like a man set cowring with cheekes puffed like ships sayles so monstrous that a man could not endure the sight The Chinois call him Vzanguenaboo and say that it is hee which makes Tempests in the Sea and throwes downe Houses by Land to which the people giue much Almes not to hurt their Iunkes The second day we went from Pocasser and came to another Citie called Xinligau very great well built walled with Tyles ditched about with two Castles at the end hauing their Towres Bul-warkes and Draw-bridges in the midst of each Castle was a Towre of fiue Lofts with many workes painted in which the Chinois said were fifteene thousand Picos of siluer of the Rents gathered in that Archipelago which this Kings Grand-father there layd vp in memory of his Sonne Leuquinau which signifieth the ioy of all holden for a Saint because he dyed a Religious man and lyes there buried in the Temple of Quiay Varatel the God of all the Fishes in the Sea of whom they haue large Legends In that Citie and another fiue leagues from it is made the greatest part of the Silke of that Kingdome the waters there giuing quicker colours they say then in other parts The Weauers Loomes of these Silkes which they affirme thirteene thousand pay yearely to the King three hundred thousand Taeis Going further vp the Riuer wee came the next day Euening to a great Champaigne continuing ten or twelue leagues in which were many Kine Horses and Mares pastured for the shambles as well as other flesh and kept by many men on Horse-backe These Champaignes past wee came to a Towne called Iunquileu walled with Tyles but without Towres or Bul-warkes Here wee saw a stone Monument with an Inscription Heere lyeth Trannocem Mudeliar Vncle to the King of Malaca who dyed before hee was reuenged of Captayne Alboquerque the Lion of Sea Robberies We enquiring hereof an old Chinese said that about fortie yeares agoe the man there interred had come Embassadour from a King of Malaca to sue to the Sonne of the Sunne for succour against a Nation of a Land without name which had comne from the end of the World and taken Malaca with other incredible particularities printed in a Booke which hee made thereof Hauing spent three yeares in this Suite and brought it to some maturitie hee sickned of the Aire one night at Supper dyed in nine dayes and left this Memoriall Wee proceeded on our way the Riuer growing lesse but the Countrey more peopled scarsly a stones cast free of some House eyther of a Pagode or Labourer And two leagues higher on a Hill compassed with Iron grates were two Brasse Statues standing on their feete one of a man the other of a woman both seuentie foure spans long with their hands in their mouthes and puffed cheekes fastned to Cast-Iron Pillars seuen fathomes high The Male was named Quiay Xingatalor the woman Apancapatur The Chinois told vs that the man was Fire-blower in Hell to torment such as in this life gaue them no Almes the woman was the Hell-Porter which suffered the Almes-giuers to flye by a Riuer of cold water called Ochileuday and hid them their from the Deuils hurting them One of our company laughed at this Tale whereat a Bonzo was so offended that hee set Chifu in rage with vs who bound vs hand and foot and gaue vs one hundred stripes a-piece Twelue Priests were incensing these Monsters when wee were there with Siluer-censours full of sweet Odours Saying as wee serue thee helpe thou vs another company of Priests answering So I promise thee as a good Lord. And thus went they on Procession about the Hill an houres space sounding certayne Bels causing a dreadfull noyse Hence wee passed vp the Riuer eleuen dayes all peopled with Cities Townes Villages Castles in many places scarsly a Calieuer shot distant one from another and all the Land in compasse of our sight had store of great Houses and Temples with gilded Steeples which amazed vs with the sight Thus wee came to the Citie Sampitay where wee stayed fiue dayes by reason of the sicknesse of Chifus Wife There by his leaue wee went thorow the streets a begging the people wondering at vs and giuing vs largely One woman amongst others which busily questioned with vs shewed vs a Crosse branded on her left arme asking if we knew that signe and wee deuoutly answering yes shee lifted vp her hands to Heauen and sayd Our Father which art in Heauen hallowed be thy Name in Portugues and could speake no more but proceeded in China speech and procured leaue to lodge vs at her House those fiue dayes telling vs she was named Inez de Leiria and was the Daughter of Thomas Perez which came Embassadour to China
a Beare that lay there and slept awaked and came towards vs to the ship so that wee were forced to leaue our Worke about turning of the ship and to defend our selues against the Beare and shot her into the bodie wherewith she ranne away to the other side of the Iland and swamme into the water and got vp vpon a piece of Ice where she lay still but we comming after her to the piece of Ice where she lay when she saw vs she leapt into the water and swamme to the Land but we got betweene her and the Land and strooke her on the head with a Hatchet but as often as wee strooke at her with the Hatchet she duckt vnder the water whereby wee had much to doe before we could kill her after she was dead we flayed her on the Land and tooke the skinne aboord with vs and after that turned our shippe to a great piece of Ice and made it fast thereunto The sixteenth ten of our men entring into one Boat rowed to the firme Land of Noua Zembla and drew the Boat vp vpon the Ice which done we went vp a high Hill to see the situation of the Land and found that it reached South-east and South South-east and then againe South which wee disliked for that it lay so much Southward but when wee saw open water South-east and East South-east we were much comforted againe thinking that we had wonne our Voyage and knew not how we should get soone enough aboord to certifie William Barents thereof The eighteenth we made preparation to set sayle but it was all in vaine for wee had almost lost our Sheat Anchor and two new Ropes and with much lost labour got to the place againe from whence wee came for the streame ranne with a mightie current and the Ice draue very strongly vpon the Cables along by the ship so that we were in feare that wee should lose all the Cable that was without the ship which was two hundred fathome at the least but God prouided well for vs so that in the end we got to the place againe from whence we put out The nineteenth it was indifferent good weather the Wind blowing South-west the Ice still driuing and wee set sayle with an indifferent gale of Wind and past by the point of Desire whereby we were once againe in good hope and when we had gotten aboue the point we sailed South-east into the Sea-ward foure miles but then againe wee entred into more Ice whereby wee were constrayned to turne backe againe and sayled North-west vntill we came to the Land againe which reacheth from the point of Desire to the head point South and by West six miles from the head point to Flushingers head it reacheth South-west which are three miles one from the other from the Flushingers head it reacheth into the Sea East South-east and from Flushingers head to the point of the Iland it reacheth South-west and by South and South-west three miles and from the Iland point to the point of the Ice Hauen the Land reacheth West South-west foure miles from the Ice Hauens point to the fal of Water or the streame Bay and the low Land it reacheth West and by South and East and by North seuen miles from thence the Land reacheth East and West The one and twentieth we sayled a great way into the Ice Hauen and that night anchored therein next day the streame going exreame hard Eastward wee haled out againe from thence and sayled againe to the Iland point but for that it was misty Weather comming to a piece of Ice wee made the ship fast thereunto because the Wind beganne to blow hard South-west and South South-west There we went vp vpon the Ice and wondred much thereat it was such manner of Ice For on the top it was full of Earth and there wee found aboue fortie Egges and it was not like other Ice for it was of a perfect Azure colour like to the Skies whereby there grew great contention in words amongst our men some saying that it was Ice others that it was frozen Land for it lay vnreasonable high aboue the Water it was at least eighteene fathom vnder the water close to the ground and ten fathome aboue the water there wee stayed all that storme the Wind being South-west and by West The three and twentieth wee sayled againe from the Ice South-eastward into the Sea but entred presently into it againe and woond about to the Ice Hauen The next day it blew hard North North-west and the Ice came mightily driuing in whereby we were in a manner compassed about therewith and withall the Wind beganne more and more to rise and the Ice still draue harder and harder so that the pinne of the Rother and the Rother were shorne in pieces and our Boat was shorne in pieces betweene the ship and the Ice we expecting nothing else but that the ship also would be prest and crusht in pieces with the Ice The fiue and twentieth the Weather began to be better and we tooke great paines and bestowed much labour to get the Ice wherewith we were so inclosed to goe from vs but what meanes soeuer we vsed it was all in vaine but when the Sunne was South-west the Ice began to driue out againe with the streame and we thought to saile Southward about Noua Zembla to the Streights of Mergates seeing we could there find no passage Wee hauing past Noua Zembla were of opinion that our labour was all in vaine and that we could not get through and so agreed to goe that way home againe but comming to the Streame Bay wee were forced to goe backe againe because of the Ice which lay so fast thereabouts and the same night also it froze that wee could hardly get through there with the little wind that we had the Wind then being North. The six and twentieth there blew a reasonable gale of Wind at which time wee determined to sayle backe to the point of Desire and so home againe seeing that wee could not get through the Wergats although we vsed all the meanes and industry wee could to get forward but when we had past by the Ice Hauen the Ice began to driue with such force that wee were inclosed round about therewith and yet we sought all the meanes we could to get out but it was all in vaine and at that time we had like to haue lost three men that were vpon the Ice to make way for the ship if the Ice had held the course it went but as we draue backe againe and that the Ice also whereon our men stood in like sort draue they being nimble as the ship draue by them one of them caught hold of the beak head another vpon the shrouds and the third vpon the great brase that hung out behind and so by great aduenture by the hold that they tooke they got safe into the ship againe for which they thanked God with all their
but were forced to lie still but not long after the Ice opened againe like to a sluce and we past through it and set sayle againe and so sayled along by the Land but were presently enclosed with Ice but being in hope of opening againe meane time wee eate somewhat for the Ice went not away as it did before after that wee vsed all the meanes wee could to breake it but all in vayne and yet a good while after the Ice opened againe and we got out and sayled along by the Land West and by South with a South vvind The three and twentieth wee sayled still forward West and by South till the Sunne was South-east and got to the Trust-point which is distant from the Ice-point fiue and twentie miles and then could goe no furtheer because the Ice lay so hard and so close together and yet it was faire weather the same day we tooke the height of the Sunne with the Astrolabium and also with our Astronomicall Ring and found his height to be 37. degrees and his Declination 23. degrees and 30. minutes which taken from the height aforesayd there rested 13. degrees and 30. minutes which substracted out of 90. degrees the height of the Pole was 76. degrees and 30. minutes and it was faire Sun-shine weather and yet it was not so strong as to melt the Snow that we might haue water to drinke so that wee set all our Tinne platters and other things full of Snow to melt and so molt it and put snow in our mouthes to melt it downe into our throates but all was not enough so that we were compelled to endure great thirst FRom the Low-land to the Streame Bay the course East and West foure miles From the Streame Bay to the Ice-hauen point the course East and by North foure miles From the Ice-hauen point to the Ilands point the course East North-east fiue miles From the Ilands point to the Flushingers point the course North-east and by East three miles From the Flushingers point to the Head point the course North east foure miles From the Head point to the point of Desire the course South and North sixe miles From the point of Desire to the Iland of Orange North-west eight miles From the Ilands of Orange to the Ice point the course West and West and by South fiue miles From the Ice point to the point of Trust the course West and by South fiue and twentie miles From the point of Trust to Nassawes point the course West and West and by North ten miles From the Nassaw point to the East end of the Crosse Iland the course West and by North eight miles From the East end of the Crosse Iland to Williams Iland the course West and by South three miles From Williams Iland to the Blacke point the course West South-west sixe miles From the Blacke point to the East end of the Admirable Iland the course West South-west seuen miles From the East to the West point of the Admirable Iland the course West South-west fiue miles From the West point of the Admirable Iland to Cape Planto the course South-west and by West ten miles From Cape de Planto to Lombs-bay the course West South-west eight miles From Lombs-bay to the Staues point the course West South-west ten miles From the Staues point to Langenesse the course South-west and by South fourteene miles From Langenesse to Cape de Cant the course South-west and by South sixe miles From Cape de Cant to the point with the Blacke clifts the course South and by West foure miles From the point with the Blacke clifts to the Blacke Hand the course South South-east three miles From the Blacke Iland to Constint-sarke the course East and West two miles From Constint-sarke to the Crosse point the course South South-east fiue miles From Crosse point to Saint Laurence Bay the course South South-east sixe miles From Saint Laurence Bay to Mel-hauen the course South-east sixe miles From Mel-hauen to the two Ilands the course South South-east sixe miles From the two Ilands where we crost ouer to the Russia Coast to the Ilands of Matfloe and Delgoy the course South-west thirtie miles From Matfloe and Delgoy to the Creeke where we sayled the compasse round about and came to the same place againe two and twentie miles From that Creeke to Colgoy the course West North-west eighteene miles From Colgoy to the East point of Camdenas the course West North-west twentie miles From the East point of Camdenas to the West side of the White Sea the course West North-west fortie miles From the West point of the White Sea to the seuen Ilands the course North-west foureteene miles From the seuen Ilands to the VVest end of Kilduin the course North-west twentie miles From the VVest end of Kilduin to the place where Iohn Cornelis came vnto vs the course North-west and by VVest seuen miles From thence to Cola the course VVest Southerly eighteene miles So that wee sayled in the two open Scutes sometimes in the Ice then ouer the Ice and through the Sea three hundred and eightie one miles Flemish which is one thousand one hundred fortie and three miles English The foure and twentieth of Iune the Sunne being Easterly we rowed heere and there in the Ice to see where we might best goe out but wee saw no opening but when the Sunne was South we got into the Sea for the which we thanked God most heartily that hee had sent vs an vnexpected opening and then we sayled with an East winde and went lustily forward so that we made our account to get aboue the point of Nassawes close by the land and wee could easily see the point of Nassawes and made our account to bee about three miles from it The sixe and twentieth it still blew hard out of the South and broke the Ice whereunto we were fast in pieces and we thereby draue into the Sea and could get no more to the fast Ice whereby we were in a thousand dangers to bee all cast away and driuing in that sort in the Sea wee rowed as much as we could but we could not get neere vnto the Land therefore we hoysed vp our Focke and so made vp with our sayle but our Fock-mast brake twice in peeces and then it was worse for vs then before and notwithstanding that there blew a great gale of Wind yet we were forced to hoyse vp our great Sayle but the winde blew so hard into it that if wee had not presently taken it in againe we had sunke in the Sea or else our Boate would haue been filled with water for the water began to leape ouer-boord and wee were a good way in the Sea at which time the waues went so hollow that it was most fearefull and wee thereby saw nothing but death before our eyes and euery twinckling of an eye looked when wee should sinke But God that had deliuered vs out of so many dangers of Death
friends will kill three Deere to draw him in the new World and they will strangle a Slaue to tend on him The Deere they kill in this manner to serue the dead man they make a Stake sharpe which they thrust into the Beasts fundament with many howlings and cryings till they be dead The Master with the Slaue they burie the Deere they eate as well raw as boyled or roast although they vse all three If a young Child dye vnder foureteene of their yeeres which is seuen of ours they doe hang it by the necke on some Tree saying it must flie to Heauen If any Controuersie bee which cannot bee decided or the truth knowne then one of the two betwixt whom the Controuersie is must bee sworne which is in this manner they will make an Image of a Man of Snow bringing a Wolues nose deliuering a Sword to him that must sweare he rehearsing by name all his Friends desiring that they might all bee cut in peeces in that manner as hee doth cut that Image of Snow Then he himselfe doth cut the Image of Snow all to peeces with the Sword then after the Wolues nose being layd before him he desires that the Wolfe may destroy all his tame Deere and that hee may neuer more take or kill any wilde Deere after that if hee speake not the Truth so cutting the Wolues nose in peeces there is no more to bee sayd of that Controuersie The Samoit is stout and bold of Spirit not very tall but broad Brested broad Faces with hollow Eyes Their ordinary instruments for Warre are Bowes and Arrowes very dangerous they haue long Speares the heads bee made in Monganzey by another sort of Samoits and short Swords not much vnlike some that I haue seene brought from East India When they would know any thing to come they send for their Priest or Witch to conuerse with the Deuill sitting in one side of the Tent hauing before his face a peece of an old shirt of Mayle hung with Bels and peeces of Brasse in his right hand a great Tabor made with a Wolues skinne beating vpon the same with a Hares foot making a very dolefull sound with singing and calling for the Deuill to answer his demand which being ended they strangle a Deere for a Sacrifice making merrie with the Flesh. The Women be very hard of Nature for at their Child-bearing the Husband must play the Midwife and being deliuered the Child is washed with cold water or Snow and the next day the Woman able to conduct her Argish The Russes haue a yeerely Trade with the Merchants of Beghar at a place called Tumen in Tartarie whither they of Boghar come with Camels euery yeere From Tumen in Tobal in Siberia they come in foureteene dayes From Tobal they come to Beresoua in nine dayes all downe the Riuer Ob. From Beresoua partly by the Riuer Ob then ouer a necke of Land of halfe a mile ouer into the Riuer Ouse and downe the Riuer Ouse into the Riuer Pechora and so to Pustozera in three weekes At Pustozera the English haue Wintered three yeeres CHAP. XIII Diuers Voyages to Cherie Iland in the yeeres 1604. 1605. 1606. 1608. 1609. Written by IONAS POOLE WEe set sayle from London the fifteenth of Aprill 1604. in a Ship called the God Speed of sixtie Tunnes with thirteene Men and a Boy our Merchant was one Master Thomas Welden our Master was one Steuen Bonnit of Saint Catherins We arriued at Cola in Lapland the first of May where wee tarried till the last of the same Moneth at which time wee set sayle from Cola and went to an Harbour called Pechingo which lyeth betweene Cola and Ward-house In which Harbour of Pechingo we continued vntill the thirtieth of Iune At which time wee set sayle from thence and through contrarie windes and foule weather were put into Ward-house where we tooke in fresh water and stayed vntill the sixth of Iuly The same day the wind came Southerly and we steered away Northwest and by North about 56. leagues wee obserued the Sunne at twelue of the clocke at Noone and found our selues to be in 73. degrees 5. minutes of Northerly Latitude The seuenth of Iuly it was all day calme and wee sounded but had no ground in two hundred and fiftie fathoms The eight day we had little winde which was at South-east and foggie weather and at eight of the clocke at Night wee saw great flockes of Sea-fowles which we call Willockes some of these Fowles had each of them a small Fish in their bills and flew toward the North-west and by North. The other without Fish some of them flew contrarie to the former and some sate in the Sea very neere our Ship About twelue of the clocke at night we sounded and had ground at one hundred and twentie fathomes We steered away North-west and by North till foure of the clocke the eight day in the morning then it fell calme and as the ship lay still our Master spied a Morsse which came to our ship and swamme round about it While we were all gazing at this Monster I spied the Iland ten leagues off bearing North North-west halfe a point Westerly which shewed very high Land and much Snow vpon it The wind came to the North-east The ninth day wee came to an Anchor on the South South-east side in fiue and twentie fathomes streamie ground We â—oysed out our Boate and Master Welden went toward the Land but thinking to haue landed he could not because there went a great Sea and great store of Ice all along the shoares side Within one houre the Boate came aboard and they â—aid there were so many Fowles that they couered the Rockes and flew in such great flockes that they shewed like a Cloud While thus they were talking close by the Boate rose vpâ—n huge Morsse putting his head aboue the water looking earnestly at the Boate and made such an horrible noyse and roaring that they in the Boate thought he would haue sunke it The same day at eight of the clocke at night we weighed and stood away South-west and by South about foure miles where wee doubled the Southermost point of the Iland and found the Land to trend North North-west and all along the shoare some scattering Ice We sayled along the shoare finding seuenteene eighteene and sometimes twentie fathomes streamie ground with white shels We held this course till wee saw all the Northermost part of the Iland and being within three miles of it and about thirteene miles from the Point wee came round about it And some two miles from the Land we anchored in sixteene fathomes streamie ground We had not ridden one houre to an end but a great piece of Ice came directly with the tyde vpon vs and before wee could weigh it strooke the ship with such force that it hilded on the one side Assoone as it was past we went on shoare where wee found
Caske and other prouision and told mee that they had slaine fiue or sixe hundred Morses on the North side Hee tarried with mee till the seuen and twentieth of Iuly now seeing no beastes did come on Land because the Ice did hang about the Coue he went to the North side againe but the same day after he was gone they began to come on Land The next day following being the eight and twentieth wee slue about eightie and tooke their Blubber and Teeth Then they began to come on shoare againe the thirtieth day at what time Master Bonner was come into the Coue to seeke his Anchors Then his men came on shoare and we slue about one hundred and fiftie beast more But there rose a storme at South-east that brought in such a surge that it washed aboue sixtie beasts into the Sea so that most of them were lost The next day being the last of Iuly Master Welden and Master Iones came to the Coue with about twelue men being all very wearie For they had left the Shallop in a Coue on the North-west side of the Iland and came ouer Land Then to worke wee went on all hands and placed our Coppers And by the fift day of August we had ended our businesse and the ship came from the North side into the Coue. The sixt of August I tooke the Skiffe and seuen men to fetch the Shallop to the Coue that Master Welden had left in a Coue on the North-west side of the Iland the last of Iuly When I came to the place considering I was neere the North side where we commonly make our Voyage and also desired by Master Welden if I could goe to doe so I went thither and found about fiue and fortie as good headed beasts for Teeth as euer I saw Wee had no more Launces to kill thâ—m with all but two I tooke one and a lustie fellow that was our Cooper had the other we had not killed past ten but his Lance brake Then I slue all the rest in lesse then two houres and wee tooke their Teeth and the next day by a West Sunne wee came aboord the Paul with them The eight day wee got the Southermost Point of the Iland where wee rid all that day Their Skiffe from their long Boats sterne and we manned our Boat to fetch her againe but then rose such a fogge that we had like to haue lost both our Boats and men but they got to the ship againe with much adoe The ninth day it was calme but wee had such a fogge that wee could not see two Cables length from the ship And about eight of the Clocke at night wee lost our Skiffe altogether The tenth day we had a little Wind at North-west and by West Then seeing no amendment of the weather wee left the ship of Hull behind vs in the Iland and about sixe of the Clocke set sayle for England and arriued safely at London the last of August 1609. Blessed bee God A Voyage performed to the Northwards Anno 1603. in a ship of the burthen of fiftie tunnes called the Grace and set forth at the cost and charges of the Worshipfull FRANCIS CHERIE Written by WILLIAM GORDEN being the first Voyage to Cherie Iland which came to my hands since the former or rather later Voyages were in the Presse THe ship being readie the tenth of Aprill whereof was Master Stephen Bennet and for Factor and Ouer-seer William Gorden our Directions from the said Merchant were first to proceed to Cola and there to make sale of such goods as we had and to take in such other as the Countrey of Lappia did affoord and then to proceed vpon some Discouerie Wherefore omitting our Iourney to Cola as a matter of small importance being so well knowne before after our Affaires ended we were readie to proceed forward But our men not being hired thereunto would haue refused if there had not beene made an agreement by meanes of Iosias Logan who was to lye there as Factor for Master Cherie the Master and my selfe partly with promises partly with gifts And thus setting forward the sixt of August from the Riuer of Cola being determined to haue sayled into 80. degrees of latitude if nothing did hinder vs or if we did not light vpon some land our determination was hindered by meanes of meeting with an Iland and likewise the yeere being farre spent keeping our course from the West end of Kilden to the Ilands of Ward-house which wee passed the tenth of August with little wind then directing our course North North-west the wind at South-west easie wind so that the eleuenth day we did reckon our selues to haue sayled twentie leagues North-west The twelfth day it was most part calme and foggie The thirteenth day it was cleere and the wind at South and we had sayled twentie two leagues North North-west The fourteenth day the wind at East we kept our course and sayled ten leagues and the same day being thicke and foggie we had thought wee had seene Land about foure of the clocke in the after-noone bearing from vs West North-west and North-west by West but sayling towards it three houres keeping still his forme and not altering till the wind increasing caused it to fade away for it was no other then a banke of fogges after we had sayled three leagues changing our course we sayled then fifteene dayes twentie leagues North-west and by North still hauing close weather that we could not make any obseruation The sixteenth day in the morning at two of the clock we did see two great high Hils which did seeme to vs aboue the Clouds and did seeme very neere but we found it otherwise for sayling towards it we found it further then we did expect for it was sixe of the clocke at night before wee could come neere vnto the Land where wee anchored in thirtie fathomes In which time we could not sayle lesse then eighteene leagues North and by West That night our Master knowing better what did belong vnto those Affaires would not suffer the Boat to goe aland till the morning which was the seuenteenth day of August and before our going aland the Master caused a shanke of Lines to bee shot for to toy for fish and then he and my selfe with foure of our Company went aland First vpon a little Iland meere adjoyning where we had much adoe to get to our Boat againe by reason of the steepnes of the Rockes then we went on shoare vpon the Mayne where at our comming on Land wee did see two Foxes one White the other Blacke Thus spending most part of the day wee returned aboord our ship without any profit only one of our men tooke vp a piece of Lead and I found a piece of a Morses Tooth by which we perceiued that the Sea Morses did vse thither but the time for that yeere was past for we did see none After our comming aboord hauing haled the Line we found nothing but one
shape our course from thence North-west Heere is to bee noted that although we ranne along neere the shoare we found no great cold which made vs thinke that if we had beene on shoare the place is temperate Holding this North-west course about ten of the clocke at night we saw great store of Ice on head off vs bearing Wester off vs which we could not goe cleere off with the foresayd course Then we tact about and stood away betweene the South and the South-east as much desirous to leaue this Land as we were to see it The eight and twentieth was a hard gale of wind all the fore-noone betweene the South and the South-west We shaped our course we did it to bee farther from the Ice and Land It pleased God that about twelue of the clocke this night it cleered vp and we found that we were betweene the Land and the Ice Vogel Hooke then bearing nearest hand East off vs. Then we tacked about and stood in for the shoare hauing Sea-roome between the Ice and the Land The nine and twentieth at foure in the morning the wind at North-east a pretie gale we thought best to shorten our way so we tacked about and stood North North-west the wind a little increasing About twelue at noone we saw Ice a head off vs we cast about again and stood away East South-east with very much wind so that we shortned our sayles for the space of two Watches Then about eight this Eeuening we strucke a Hull and it proued the hardest storme that we had in this Voyage The thirtieth in the morning was stormie about noone it ceased at seuen in the Eeuening it proued almost calme The first of Iuly all the fore-noone the wind was at South-east we stood North-east for the shoare hoping to finde an open Sea betweene the shoare and the Ice About noone wee were embayed with Ice lying betweene the Land and vs. By our obseruation we were in 78. degrees 42. minutes whereby we accounted we were thwart of The great Indraught And to free our selues of the Ice we steered betweene the South-east and South and to the Westward as we could haue sea And about six this Eeuening it pleased God to giue vs cleere weather and we found we were shot farre into the Inlet being almost a Bay and enuironed with very high Mountaynes with low Land lying betweene them wee had no ground in this Bay at an hundred fathoms Then being sure where we were we steered away West the wind at South-east and calme and found all our Ice on the Norther shoare and a cleare Sea to the Southward The second it pleased God to giue vs the wind at North-east a faire gale with cleere weather the Ice being to the Northward off vs and the weather shoare and an open Sea to the South-wards vnder our Lee. We held on our course North-west till twelue of the clocke hauing sayled in that course 10. leagues and finding the Ice to fall from vs to the we gaue thankes to God who maruellously preserued vs from so many dangers amongst so huge a quantitie of Ice and Fogge. We steered away North-west hoping to be free from Ice we had obseruation 78. degrees 56. minutes we fell with Ice againe and trended it as it lay betweene the West and South South-east The third we had obseruation 78. degrees 33. minutes This day wee had our shrouds frozen it was searching cold we also trended the Ice not knowing whether we were cleare or not the wind being at North. The fourth was very cold and our shroudes and sayles frozen we found we were farre in the Inlet The wind being at North we beare vp and stood South South-east and South and South-west by West till ten this night The fift was very much wind at North Easterly at twelue we strooke a Hull hauing brought our selues neare the mouth of the Inlet The sixth in the morning the wind was as before and the Sea growne This morning we came into a very Greene Sea we had our obseruation 77. degrees 30. minutes This after-noone the wind and Sea asswaged About foure of the clocke we set sayle and steered North-west and by West the wind being at North North-east This day proued the clearest day we had long before The seuenth at foure in the morning was very cleare weather and the fairest Morning that we saw in three weekes before we steered as afore being by our account in 78. degrees nearest hand and out of the Sacke We found we were compassed in with Land and Ice and were againe entred into a Blacke Sea which by proofe we found to be an open passage Now hauing the wind at North North-east we steered away South by East with purpose to fall with the Southermost part of this Land which we saw hoping by this meane either to defray the charge of the Voyage or else if it pleased God in time to giue vs a faire wind to the North-east to satisfie expectation All this day and night afterward proued calme The eight all the fore-noone proued calme and very thicke fogge This morning we saw many peeces of Drift-wood driue by vs we heaued out our Boate to stop a leake and mended our riggings This day wee saw many Seales and two Fishes which we iudged to bee Sea-horses or Morses At twelue this night we had the winde at East and by South wee stood away North-east The ninth all the fore-noone was little wind at South-east with thicke fogge This day we were in amongst Ilands of Ice where we saw many Seales The tenth in the morning was foggie afterward it proued cleere we found we were compassed with Ice euery way about vs wee tacked about and stood South and by West and South South-west one Watch fiue leagues hoping to get more Sea-roome and to stand for the North-east we had the wind at North-west The eleuenth very cleere weather with the winde at South South-east we were come out of the Blue Sea into our Greene Sea againe where we saw Whales Now hauing a fresh gale of wind at South South-east it behooued mee to change my course and to sayle to the North-east by the Souther end of Newland But being come into a Greene Sea praying God to direct mee I steered away North ten leagues After that we saw Ice on our Larboord we steered away East and by North three leagues and left the Ice behind vs. Then we steered away North till noone This day wee had the Sunne on the Meridian South and by West Westerly his greatest height was 37. degrees 20. minutes By this obseruation we were in 79. degrees 17. minutes we had a fresh gale of wind and a smooth sea by meanes whereof our ship had out-runne vs. At ten this Eeuening cleere weather and then we had the company of our troublesome neighbours Ice with fogge The wind was at South South-west Heere we saw plentie of Seales
and we supposed Beares had beene heere by their footing and dung vpon the Ice This day many of my Companie were sicke with eating of Beares flesh the day before vnsalted The twelfth for the most part was thicke fogge we steered betweene South and by East and South South-east 2. 1 ◠leagues to cleere vs of the Ice Then we had the wind at South we steered till noone North-east fiue leagues This morning we had our shrouds frozen At noone by our accompt we were in 80. degrees being little wind at West South-west almost calme with thicke fogge This after-noone we steered away North and sometimes North-east Then we saw Ice a head off vs we cast about and stood South-east with little wind and fogge Before we cast about by meanes of the thicke fogge we were very neere Ice being calme and the Sea setting on to the Ice which was very dangerous It pleased God at the very instant to giue vs a small gale which was the meanes of our deliuerance to him be praise therefore At twelue this night it cleered vp and out of the top William Collins our Boat-swaine saw the Land called Newland by the Hollanders bearing South South-west twelue leagues from vs. The thirteenth in the Morning the wind at South and by East a good gale we cast about and stood North-east and by East and by obseruation we were in 80. degrees 23. minutes This day we saw many Whales This fore-noone proued cleere weather and we could not see any signe of Ice out of the top Betweene noone and three of the clocke we steered away North-east and by East fiue leagues then we saw Ice on head off vs we steered East two Glasses one league and could not be cleare of the Ice with that course Then we steered away South-east two leagues ½ after we sayled East and by North and East foure leagues till eight the next morning The foureteenth in the morning was calme with fogge At nine the wind at East a small gale with thicke fogge we steered South-east and by East and running this course we found our Greene Sea againe which by proofe we found to be freest from Ice and our Azure Blue Sea to be our Icie Sea At this time we had more Birds then we vsually found At noone being a thicke fogge we found our selues neere Land bearing East off vs and running farther we found a Bay open to the West and by North Northerly the bottome and sides thereof being to our sight very high and ragged Land The Norther side of this Bayes mouth being high land is a small Iland the which we called Collins Cape by the name of our Boat-swaine who first saw it In this Bay we saw many Whales and one of our company hauing a Hooke and Line ouer-boord to trie for Fish a Whale came vnder the Keele of our ship and made her held yet by Gods mercie we had no harme but the losse of the hooke and three parts of the line At a South-west Sunne from the North-west and by North a flood set into the Bay At the mouth of this Bay we had sounding thirtie fathoms and after sixe and twentie fathoms but being farther in we had no ground at an hundred fathoms and therefore judged it rather a Sound then a Bay Betweene this high ragged in the swampes and vallies lay much snow Heere wee found it hot On the Souther side of this Bay lye three or foure small Ilands or Rockes In the bottome of this Bay Iohn Colman my Mate and William Collins my Boat-swaine with two others of our company went on shoare and there they found and brought aboord a payre of Morses teeth in the jaw they likewise found Whales bones and some dosen or more of Deeres Hornes they saw the footings of Beasts of other sorts they also saw Rote-geese they saw much drift Wood on the shoare and found a streame or two of Fresh water Here they found it hot on the shoare and dranke water to coole their thirst which they also commended Here we found the want of a better Ship-boate As they certified me they were not on the shoare past halfe an houre and among other things brought aboord a Stone of the Countrey When they went from vs it was calme but presently after we had a gale of wind at North-east which came with the Flood with fogge We plyed too and againe in the Bay waiting their comming but after they came aboord we had the wind at East and by South a fine gale we minding our Voyage and the time to performe it steered away North-east and North North-east This night proued cleere and we had the Sunne on the Meridian on the North and by East part of the Compasse from the vpper edge of the Horizon with the Crosse-staffe we found his height 10. degrees 40. minutes without allowing any thing for the Semidiameter of the Sunne or the distance of the end of the staffe from the Center in the Eye From a North Sunne to an East Sunne we sayled betweene North and North North-east eight leagues The fifteenth in the morning was very cleere vveather the Sunne shining vvarme but little vvind at East Southerly By a South-east Sunne vve had brought Collins Cape to beare off vs South-east and we saw the high Land of Newland that part by vs Discouered on our starboord eight or ten leagues from vs trending North-east and by East and South-west and by West eighteene or twentie leagues from vs to the North-east being a very high Mountaynous land like ragged Rockes vvith snow betweene them By mine account the Norther part of this Land which now vve saw stretched into 81. degrees All this day proued cleere vveather little Wind and reasonable vvarme The sixteenth in the morning warme and cleere weather the vvind at North. This morning we saw that vve vvere compassed in with Ice in abundance lying to the North to the North-vvest the East and South-east and being runne toward the farthest part of the Land by vs discouered which for the most part trendeth nearest hand North-east and South-west vvee saw more Land ioyning to the same trending North in our sight by meanes of the cleernesse of the vveather stretching farre into 82. degrees and by the bowing or shewing of the skie much farther Which when I first saw I hoped to haue had a free Sea betweene the Land and the Ice and meant to haue compassed this Land by the North. But now finding by proofe it vvas vnpossible by means of the abundance of Ice compassing vs about by the North and ioyning to the land and seeing God did blesse vs with a faire wind to sayle by the South of this Land to the North-east vve returned bearing vp the Helme minding to hold that part of the Land vvhich the Hollanders had discouered in our fight and if contrary vvindes should take vs to Harbour there and to trie what vve could finde to the charge of
all night At noone I found the height 43. degrees 6. minutes The variation one point VVest The thirtieth faire sun-shining weather the winde at South-west and by VVest we steered North-west and by VVest And made our way so by reason of the variation of the Compasse At noone I found the height to bee 43. degrees 18. minutes wee continued our course all night and made our way North-west and by VVest halfe a point VVesterly fiue and twentie leagues The first of Iuly close mystie and thicke weather but a faire gale of wind at South-west and South-west by South We steered away North-west and by West Westerly and made our way so by reason of the variation of the Compasse At eight of the clocke at night wee sounded for the Banke of New-found Land but could get no ground The second thicke mystie weather but little wind and that at West and West and by South At eight of the clocke in the morning we cast about to the Southward and when our ship was on stayes we sounded for the Banke and had ground in thirtie fathoms white sand and shells and presently it cleered and we had sight of a sayle but spake not with her In the night we had much Rayne Thunder and Lightning and wind shifting The third faire Sun-shining weather with a faire gale of wind at East North-east and wee steered away West South-west by our Compasse which varyed 17. degrees Westward This morning we were among a great Fleet of French-men which lay Fishing on the Banke but we spake with none of them At noone wee found our heighth to bee 43. degrees 41. minutes And we sounded at ten of the clocke and had thirtie fathoms gray sand At two of the clocke wee sounded and had fiue and thirtie fathoms gray sand At eight of the clocke at night we sounded againe and had eight and thirtie fathoms gray sand as before The fourth at the fore-part of the day cleere with a faire gale of wind but variable betweene the East North-east and South and by East wee held on our course as before The after-noone was mystie the wind shifting betweene the South and the West till foure of the clocke Then we tooke in our top-sayle and sprit-sayle and sounded and had no ground in seuentie fathoms The winde shifted still vntill eight of the clocke then it came to the North North-east and North-east and by North and we steered away West North-west by our varyed Compasse which made a West way halfe point North. The Compasse varyed 15. degrees from the North to the West The fift faire sun-shining weather the wind at North-east and by North we steered away West North-west which was West halfe a point North. At noone we found our heighth to be 44. degrees 10. minutes and sounded and had no ground in one hundred fathoms The after-noone proued calme sometimes and somtimes little wind vntill nine of the clocke in the night Then the wind came to the East and we held on our course At mid-night I obserued and found the height to bee 44. degrees 10. minutes by the North Starre and the Scorpions heart The Compasse varyed 13. degrees The sixth the fore-part of the day faire weather and a stiffe gale of wind betweene South South-east and South-west wee steered West and by North and West North-west The after-part of the day from two of the clocke was all foggie and thicke weather the wind a hard gale varying betweene South-west and by South and West and by North we made our way North-west halfe a point Northerly nineteene leagues vpon many points foure Watches At night at eight of the clocke we sounded and had no ground at one hundred fathoms The seuenth faire sun-shining weather the wind varying betweene West and by North and West and by South At foure of the clocke in the morning we cast about to the Southward and stood so till one in the after-noone At noone we found our height to be 44. degrees 26. minutes At seuen of the clocke we tackt to the Northward At eight at night we tackt to the Southward and sounded and had nine and fiftie fathoms white sand The eight in the fore-noone faire weather but the morning foggie till seuen of the clocke At foure of the clocke in the morning we sounded and had fiue fortie fathoms fine white sand and we had runne fiue leagues South and by West Then wee stood along one Glasse and went one league as before Then we stood one Glasse and sounded and had sixtie fathoms Then wee ta kt and stood backe to the Banke and had fiue and twentie fathoms and tryed for Fish and it fell calme and we caught one hundred and eighteene great Coddes from eight a clocke till one and after Dinner wee tooke twelue and saw many great Scoales of Herrings Then wee had a gale of wind at South and it shifted to the West North-west and we stood three Glasses and sounded and had sixtie fathomes and stood two Glasses and had two and fortie fathoms red stones and shells So wee sounded euery Glasse and had seuerall soundings 35.33.30.31.32.33 and 34. fathoms The ninth faire calme weather we lay becalmed all day and caught some Fish but not much because we had small store of salt At three of the clocke in the after-noone wee had a gale at South-east and South South-east and we steered away Westerly our Compasse was West and by South halfe a point South At foure of the clocke we sounded and had but fifteene seuenteene and nineteene fathoms on a fishing Banke and we founded euery Glasse Then we could get no ground in fiue and twentie fathoms and had sight of a sayle on head off vs. At noone our height was 44. degrees 27. minutes We stood to the Westward all night and spake with a French-man which lay Fishing on the Banke of Sablen in thirtie fathoms and we saw two or three more The tenth very mystie and thicke weather the wind at South-west a faire gale We stood to the South-ward and made our way South-east and by East At twelue of the clocke we sounded and had eight and fortie fathoms againe at two we sounded and had fiftie fathoms And at sixe of the clocke we sounded and had eight and fortie fathoms on the end of the Banke Againe at eight of the clocke at night wee sounded and had no ground in eightie fathomes and were ouer the Banke So wee stood along till mid-night The Compasse varyed 17. degrees to the Westward The eleuenth very thicke and mystie weather At twelue of the clocke at night we cast about to the Westward and stood so all day and made our way West North-west We sounded at twelue of the clocke but had no ground so we stood to the Westward all the fore-part of the night and sounded but could get no ground in fiftie or sixtie fathoms till mid-night Then I sounded and had ground at fifteene fathoms white
noone I found the height to bee 43. degrees 56. minutes This Eeuening being very faire weather wee obserued the variation of our Compasse at the Sunnes going downe and found it to bee 10. degrees from the North to the VVestward The seuen and twentieth faire sun-shining weather the winde shifting betweene the South-west and West and by North a stiffe gale we stood to the Southward all day and made our way South and by West seuen and twentie leagues At noone our height was 42. degrees 50. minuts At foure of the clocke in the after-noone wee cast about to the Northward At eight of the clocke we tooke in our top-sayles and our fore-bonnet and went with a short sayle all night The eight and twentieth very thicke and mystie and a stiffe gale of wind varying betweene South South-west and South-west and by VVest we made our way North-west and by VVest seuen and twentie leagues wee sounded many times and could get no ground At fiue of the clocke we cast about to the Southward the wind at South-west and by VVest At which time we sounded and had ground at seuentie fiue fathoms At eight wee had sixtie fiue fathoms At ten sixtie At twelue of the clocke at mid-night fiftie sixe fathoms gray sand The Compasse varyed 6. degrees the North point to the VVest The nine and twentieth faire weather we stood to the Southward and made our way South and by VVest a point South eighteene leagues At noone we found our height to bee 42. degrees 56. minutes wee sounded oft and had these 60.64.65.67.65.65.70 and 75. fathoms At night wee tryed the variation of our Compasse by the setting of the Sunne and found that it went downe 37. degrees to the North-ward of the VVest and should haue gone downe but 31. degrees The Compasse varyed 5. 1 â— degrees The thirtieth very hot all the fore-part of the day calme the wind at South South-east wee steered away VVest South-west and sounded many times and could find no ground at one hundred and seuentie fathomes VVe found a great current and many ouer-falls Our current had deceiued vs. For at noone we found our height to be 41. degrees 34. minutes And the current had heaued vs to the Southward fourteene leagues At eight of the clocke at night I sounded and had ground in fiftie two fathomes In the end of the mid-night watch wee had fiftie three fathomes This last obseruation is not to be trusted The one and thirtieth very thicke and mystie all day vntill tenne of the clocke At night the wind came to the South and South-west and South We made our way West North-west nineteene leagues Wee sounded many times and had difference of soundings sometimes little stones and sometimes grosse gray sand fiftie six fiftie foure fortie eight fortie seuen fortie foure fortie six fiftie fathomes and at eight of the clocke at night it fell calme and we had fiftie fathomes And at ten of the clocke we heard a great Rut like the Rut of the shoare Then I sounded and found the former Depths and mistrusting a current seeing it so still that the ship made no way I let the lead lie on the ground and found a tide set to the South-west and South-west by West so fast that I could hardly vere the Line so fast and presently came an hurling current or tyde with ouer-fals which cast our ship round and the Lead was so fast in the ground that I feared the Lines breaking and we had no more but that At mid-night I sounded againe and we had seuentie fiue fathomes and the strong streame had left vs. The first of August all the fore-part of the day was mystie and at noone it cleered vp We found that our height was 41. degrees 45. minutes and we had gone nineteene leagues The after-noon was reasonable cleere We found a rustling tide or current with many ouer-fals to continue still and our water to change colour and our sea to bee very deepe for wee found no ground in one hundred fathomes The night was cleere and the winde came to the North and North North-east we steered West The second very faire weather and hot from the morning till noone we had a gale of wind but in the after-noone little wind At noone I sounded and had one hundred and ten fathomes and our height was 41. degrees 56. minutes And wee had runne foure and twentie leagues and an halfe At the Sun-setting we obserued the variation of the Compasse and found that it was come to his true place At eight of the clocke the gale increased so wee ranne sixe leagues that watch and had a very faire and cleere night The third very hot weather In the morning we had sight of the Land and steered in with it thinking to goe to the North-ward of it So we sent our shallop with fiue men to found in by the shore and they found it deepe fiue fathomes within a Bow-shot of the shoare and they went on Land and found goodly Grapes and Rose trees and brought them aboord with them at fiue of the clocke in the Eeuening We had seuen and twentie fathomes within two miles of the shoare and we found a floud come from the South-east and an ebbe from the North-west with a very strong streame and a great hurling and noyses At eight of the clocke at night the wind began to blow a fresh gale and continued all night but variable Our sounding that wee had to the Land was one hundred eightie seuentie foure fiftie two fortie sixe twentie nine twentie seuen twentie foure nineteene seuenteene sometimes Oze and sometimes gray sand The fourth was very hot we stood to the North-west two watches and one South in for the Land and came to an Anchor at the Norther end of the Headland and heard the voyce of men call Then we sent our Boat on shoare thinking they had beene some Christians left on the Land but wee found them to bee Sauages which seemed very glad of our comming So wee brought one aboord with vs and gaue him meate and he did eate and drinke with vs. Our Master gaue him three or foure glasse Buttons and sent him on Land with our shallop againe And at our Boats comming from the shoare he leapt and danced and held vp his hands and pointed vs to a riuer on the other side for we had made signes that we came to fish there The bodie of this Headland lyeth in 41. degrees 45. minutes We set sayle againe after dinner thinking to haue got to the Westward of this Headland but could not so we beare vp to the Southward of it made a South-east way and the Souther point did beare West at eight of the clocke at night Our soundings about the Easter and Norther part of this Headland a league from the shoare are these at the Easterside thirtie twentie seuen twentie seuen twentie foure twentie fiue twentie The North-east point 17. degrees
18. minutes and so deeper The north-North-end of this Headland hard by the shoare thirtie fathomes and three leagues off North North-west one hundred fathomes At the South-east part a league off fifteene sixteene and seuenteene fathomes The people haue greene Tabacco and pipes the boles whereof are made of Earth and the pipes of red Copper The Land is very sweet The fift all mystie At eight of the clocke in the morning wee tact about to the Westward and stood in till foure of the clocke in the after-noone at which time it cleered and wee had sight of the Head-land againe fiue leagues from vs. The Souther point of it did beare West off vs and we sounded many times and had no ground And at foure of the clocke we cast about and at our staying wee had seuentie fathomes Wee steered away South and South by East all night and could get no ground at seuentie and eightie fathomes For wee feared a great Riffe that lyeth off the Land and steered away South and by East The sixth faire weather but many times mysting Wee steered away South South-east till eight of the clocke in the morning Then it cleered a little and wee cast about to the Westward Then we sounded and had thirtie fathomes grosse sand and were come to the Riffe Then wee kept our Lead and had quicke shoalding from thirtie twentie nine twentie seuen twentie foure twentie two twentie and an halfe twentie twentie nineteene nineteene nineteene eighteene eighteene seuenteene and so deeping againe as proportionally as it shoalded For we steered South and South-east till we came to twentie sixe fathomes Then we steered South-west for so the tyde doth set By and by it being calme we tryed by our Lead for you shall haue sixteene or seuenteene fathomes and the next cast but seuen or six fathomes And farther to the Westward you shall haue foure and fiue foot water and see Rockes vnder you and you shall see the Land in the top Vpon this Riffe we had an obseruation and found that it lyeth in 40. degrees 10. minutes And this is that Headland which Captaine Bartholomew Gosnold discouered in the yeere 1602. and called Cape Cod because of the store of Cod-fish that hee found thereabout So we steered South-west three leagues and had twentie and twentie foure fathomes Then we steered West two Glasses halfe a league and came to fifteene fathomes Then we steered off South-east foure Glasses but could not get deepe water for there the tyde of ebbe laid vs on and the streame did hurle so that it laid vs so neere the breach of a shoald that wee were forced to Anchor So at seuen of the clocke at night wee were at an Anchor in tenne fathomes And I giue God most heartie thankes the least water wee had was seuen fathomes and an halfe We rode still all night and at a still water I sounded so farre round about our ship as we could see a light and had no lesse then eight nine ten and eleuen fathomes The myst continued being very thicke The seuenth faire weather and hot but mystie Wee rode still hoping it would cleere but on the floud it fell calme and thicke So we rode still all day and all night The floud commeth from the South-west and riseth not aboue one fathome and an halfe in nepe streames Toward night it cleered and I went with our shallop and sounded and found no lesse water then eight fathomes to the South-east off vs but we saw to the North-west off vs great Breaches The eight faire and cleere weather In the morning by sixe of the clocke at flake water wee weighed the wind at North-east and set our fore-sayle and mayne top-sayle and got a mile ouer the Flats Then the tyde of ebbe came so we anchored againe till the floud came Then wee set sayle againe and by the great mercie of God wee got cleere off them by one of the clocke this after-noone And wee had sight of the Land from the West North-west to the North North-west So we steered away South South-east all night and had ground vntill the middle of the third watch Then we had fortie fiue fathomes white sand and little stones So all our soundings are twentie twentie twentie two twentie seuen thirtie two fortie three fortie three fortie fiue Then no ground in seuentie fathomes The ninth very faire and hot weather the wind a very stiffe gale In the morning at foure of the clocke our shallop came running vp against our sterne and split in all her stemme So we were faine to cut her away Then wee tooke in our mayne sayle and lay atrie vnder our fore-sayle vntill twelue of the clocke at mid-day Then the wind ceased to a faire gale so wee stood away South-west Then we lay close by on many courses a South by West way fifteene leagues and three watches South-east by East ten leagues At eight of the clocke at night wee tooke in our top-sayles and went with a low sayle because we were in an vnknowne sea At noone we obserued and found our heigth to be 38. degrees 39. minutes The tenth in the morning some raine and cloudie weather the winde at South-west wee made our way South-east by East ten leagues At noone wee obserued and found our heigth to bee 38. degrees 39. minutes Then wee tackt about to the Westward the wind being at South and by East little wind At foure of the clocke it fell calme and we had two Dolphines about our ship and many small fishes At eight of the clocke at night wee had a small lingring gale All night we had a great Sea out of the South-west and another great Sea out of the North-east The eleuenth all the fore-part of the day faire weather and very hot VVee stood to the VVest South-west till noone Then the wind shorted and we could lye but South-west and by South At noone wee found our heigth to bee 39. degrees 11. minutes And that the current had laid vs to the Northward thirtie two minutes contrary to our expectation At foure of the clocke in the after-noone there came a myst which endured two houres But wee had it faire and cleere all night after The Compasse varied the North point to the VVest one whole point The twelfth faire weather the wind variable betweene the South-west and by South and the North little wind In the morning we killed an extraordinary fish and stood to the Westward all day and all night At noone we found our heigth to be 38. degrees 13. minutes And the obseruation the day before was not good This noone we found the Compasse to vary from the North to the West ten degrees The thirteenth faire weather and hot the wind at North-east Wee steered away West and by our Compasse two and twentie leagues At noone wee found our height to bee 37. degrees 45. minutes and that our way from noone to noone was West South-west halfe a point Southerly The Compasse was
North. In the morning we weighed at seuen of the clocke with the ebbe and got downe below the Mountaynes which was seuen leagues Then it fell calme and the floud was come and wee anchored at twelue of the clocke The people of the Mountaynes came aboord vs wondring at our ship and weapons We bought some small skinnes of them for Trifles This after-noone one Canoe kept hanging vnder our sterne with one man in it which we could not keepe from thence who got vp by our Rudder to the Cabin window and stole out my Pillow and two Shirts and two Bandeleeres Our Masters Mate shot at him and strooke him on the brest and killed him Whereupon all the rest fled away some in their Canoes and so leapt out of them into the water We manned our Boat and got our things againe Then one of them that swamme got hold of our Boat thinking to ouerthrow it But our Cooke tooke a Sword and cut off one of his hands and he was drowned By this time the ebbe was come and we weighed and got downe two leagues by that time it was darke So we anchored in foure fathomes water and rode well The second faire weather At breake of day wee weighed the wind being at North-west and got downe seuen leagues then the floud was come strong so we anchored Then came one of the Sauages that swamme away from vs at our going vp the Riuer with many other thinking to betray vs. But wee perceiued their intent and suffered none of them to enter our ship Whereupon two Canoes full of men with their Bowes and Arrowes shot at vs after our sterne in recompence whereof we discharged sixe Muskets and killed two or three of them Then aboue an hundred of them came to a point of Land to shoot at vs. There I shot a Falcon at them and killed two of them whereupon the rest fled into the Woods Yet they manned off another Canoe with nine or ten men which came to meet vs. So I shot at it also a Falcon and shot it through and killed one of them Then our men with their Muskets killed three or foure more of them So they went their way within a while after wee got downe two leagues beyond that place and anchored in a Bay cleere from all danger of them on the other side of the Riuer where we saw a very good piece of ground and hard by it there was a Cliffe that looked of the colour of a white greene as though it were either Copper or Siluer Myne and I thinke it to be one of them by the Trees that grow vpon it For they be all burned and the other places are greene as grasse it is on that side of the Riuer that is called Manna-hata There we saw no people to trouble vs and rode quietly all night but had much wind and raine The third was very stormie the wind at East North-east In the morning in a gust of wind and raine our Anchor came home and we droue on ground but it was Ozie Then as we were about to haue out an Anchor the wind came to the North North-west and droue vs off againe Then we shot an Anchor and let it fall in foure fathomes water and weighed the other Wee had much wind and raine with thicke weather so we roade still all night The fourth was faire weather and the wind at North North-west wee weighed and came out of the Riuer into which we had runne so farre Within a while after wee came out also of The great mouth of the great Riuer that runneth vp to the North-west borrowing vpon the Norther side of the same thinking to haue deepe water for wee had sounded a great way with our Boat at our first going in and found seuen six and fiue fathomes So we came out that way but we were deceiued for we had but eight foot an halfe water and so to three fiue three and two fathomes and an halfe And then three foure fiue sixe seuen eight nine and ten fathomes And by twelue of the clocke we were cleere of all the Inlet Then we tooke in our Boat and set our mayne-sayle and sprit-sayle and our top-sayles and steered away East South-east and South-east by East off into the mayne sea and the Land on the Souther-side of the Bay or Inlet did beare at noone West and by South foure leagues from vs. The fift was faire weather and the wind variable betweene the North and the East Wee held on our course South-east by East At noone I obserued and found our height to bee 39. degrees 30. minutes Our Compasse varied sixe degrees to the West We continued our course toward England without seeing any Land by the way all the rest of this moneth of October And on the seuenth day of Nouember stilo nono being Saturday by the Grace of God we safely arriued in the Range of Dartmouth in Deuonshire in the yeere 1609. CHAP. XVII An Abstract of the Iournall of Master HENRY HVDSON for the Discouerie of the North-west Passage begunne the seuenteenth of Aprill 1610. ended with his end being treacherously exposed by some of the Companie THe seuenteenth of Aprill 1610. we brake ground and went downe from Saint Katharines Poole and fell downe to Blacke-wall and so plyed downe with the ships to Lee which was the two and twentieth day The two and twentieth I caused Master Coleburne to bee put into a Pinke bound for London with my Letter to the Aduenturers importing the reason wherefore I so put him out of the ship and so plyed forth The second of May the wind Southerly at Eeuen we were thwart of Flamborough Head The fift we were at the Iles of Orkney and here I set the North end of the Needle and the North of the Flie all one The sixt wee were in the latitude of 59. degrees 22. minutes and there perceiued that the North end of Scotland Orney and Shotland are not so Northerly as is commonly set downe The eight day wee saw Farre Ilands in the latitude of 62. degrees 24. minutes The eleuenth day we fell with the Easter part of Island and then plying along the Souther part of the Land we came to Westmony being the fifteenth day and still plyed about the mayne Iland vntill the last of May with contrary winds and we got some Fowles of diuers sorts The first day of Iune we put to Sea out of an Harbour in the Westermost part of Island and so plyed to the Westward in the latitude of 66. degrees 34. minutes and the second day plyed and found our selues in 65. degrees 57. minutes with little wind Easterly The third day wee found our selues in 65. degrees 30. minutes with winde at North-east a little before this we sayled neere some Ice The fourth day we saw Groneland ouer the Ice perfectly and this night the Sunne went downe due North and rose North North-east So plying the
hot that it would scald a Fowle From hence the first of Iune we put to Sea for Groneland but to the West wee saw Land as we thought for which we beare the best part of a day but it proued but a foggie banke So wee gaue it ouer and made for Gronland which we raysed the fourth of Iune Vpon the Coast thereof hung good store of Ice so that our Master could not attayne to the shoare by any meanes The Land in this part is very Mountaynous and full of round Hils like to Sugar-loaues couered with snow We turned the Land on the South side as neere as the Ice would suffer vs. Our course for the most part was betweene the West and North-west till we raysed the Desolations which is a great Iland in the West part of Groneland On this Coast we saw store of Whales and at one time three of them came close by vs so as wee could hardly shunne them then two passing very neere and the third going vnder our ship wee receiued no harme by them praysed bee God From the Desolations our Master made his way North-west the wind being against him who else would haue gone more to the North but in this course we saw the first great Iland or Mountayne of Ice whereof after we saw store About the latter end of Iune we raysed Land to the North of vs which our Master tooke to bee that Iland which Master Dauis setteth downe in his Chart. On the West side of his Streight our Master would haue gone to the North of it but the wind would not suffer him so we fell to the South of it into a great Rippling or ouer-fall of current the which seâ—teth to the West Into the current we went and made our way to the North of the West till we met with Ice which hung on this Iland Wherefore our Master casting about cleered himselfe of this Ice and stood to the South and then to the West through store of floting Ice and vpon the Ice store of Seales We gained a cleere Sea and continued our course till wee meete Ice first with great Ilands and then with store of the smaller sort Betweene them we made our course North-west till we met with Ice againe But in this our going betweene the Ice we saw one of the great Ilands of Ice ouerturne which was a good warning to vs not to come nigh them nor within their reach Into the Ice wee put ahead as betweene two Lands The next day we had a storme and the wind brought the Ice so fast vpon vs that in the end we were driuen to put her into the chiefest of the Ice and there to let her lie Some of our men this day fell sicke I will not say it was for feare although I saw small signe of other griefe The storme ceasing we stood out of the Ice where wee saw any cleere Sea to goe to which was sometime more and sometime lesse Our course was as the Ice did lye sometime to the North then to the North-west and then to the West and to the South-west but still inclosed with Ice Which when our Master saw he made his course to the South thinking to cleere himselfe of the Ice that way but the more he stroue the worse he was and the more inclosed till we could goe no further Here our Master was in despaire and as he told me after he thought he should neuer haue got out of this Ice but there haue perished Therefore hee brought forth his Card and shewed all the company that hee was entred aboue an hundred leagues further then euer any English was and left it to their choice whether they would proceed any further yea or nay Whereupon some were of one minde and some of another some wishing themselues at home and some not caring where so they were out of the Ice but there were some who then spake words which were remembred a great while after There was one who told the Master that if he had an hundred pounds hee would giue fourescore and ten to be at home but the Carpenter made answere that if hee had an hundred hee would not giue ten vpon any such condition but would thinke it to be as good money as euer he had any and to bring it as well home by the leaue of God After many words to no purpose to worke we must on all hands to get our selues out and to cleere our ship After much labour and time spent we gained roome to turne our ship in and so by little and little to get cleere in the Sea a league or two off our course being North and North-west In the end we raysed Land to the South-west high Land and couered with Snow Our Master named this Land Desire prouokes Lying here wee heard the noyse of a great ouer-fall of a tyde that came out of the Land for now we might see well that wee had beene embayed before and time had made vs know being so well acquainted with the Ice that when night or foggie or foule weather tooke vs we would seeke out the broadest Iland of Ice and there come to anchor and runne and sport and fill water that stood on the Ice in Ponds both sweete and good But after we had brought this Land to beare South of vs we had the tyde and the current to open the Ice as being carried first one way and then another but in Bayes they lye as in a pond without mouing In this Bay where wee were thus troubled with Ice wee saw many of those Mountaynes of Ice aground in sixe or seuenscore fathome water In this our course we saw a Beare vpon a piece of Ice by it selfe to the which our men gaue chase with their Boat but before they came nigh her the tyde had carried the Ice and the Beare on it and ioyned it with the other Ice so they lost their labour and came aboord againe We continued our course to the North-west and raysed Land to the North of our course toward which we made and comming nigh it there hung on the Eastermost point many Ilands of floting Ice and a Beare on one of them which from one to another came towards vs till she was readie to come aboord But when she saw vs looke at her she cast her head betweene her hinder legges and then diued vnder the Ice and so from one piece to another till she was out of our reach We stood along by the Land on the Southside ahead of vs wee met with Ice that hung on a point of Land that lay to the South more then this that we came vp by which when our Master saw he stood in for the shoare At the West end of this Iland for so it is we found an Harbour and came in at a full Sea ouer a Rocke which had two fathome and an halfe on it and was so much bare at a low water But by
passed by them till we came to the South side of the Hill we went vnto them and there found more and being nigh them I turned off the vppermost stone and found them hollow within and full of Fowles hanged by their neckes Then Greene and I went to fetch the Boat to the South side while Robert Billet and hee got downe a Valley to the Sea side where wee tooke them in Our Master in this time came in betweene the two Lands and shot off some Peeces to call vs aboord for it was a fogge Wee came aboord and told him what we had seene and perswaded him to stay a day or two in this place telling him what refreshing might there bee had but by no meanes would he stay who was not pleased with the motion So we left the Fowle and lost our way downe to the South-west before they went in sight of the Land which now beares to the East from vs being the same mayne Land that wee had all this while followed Now we had lost the sight of it because it falleth away to the East after some fiue and twenty or thirty leagues Now we came to the shallow water wherewith wee were not acquainted since we came from Island now we came into broken ground and Rockes through which we passed downe to the South In this our course we had a storme and the water did shoald apace Our Master came to an anchor in fifteene fathoms water Wee weighed and stood to the South-east because the Land in this place did lie so When we came to the point of the West Land for we now had Land on both sides of vs we came to an anchor Our Master sent the Boat ashoare to see what that Land was and whether there were any way through They soone returned and shewed that beyond the point of Land to the South there was a large Sea This Land on the West side was a very narrow Point Wee weighed from hence and stood in for this Sea betweene the two Lands which in this place is not two leagues broad downe to the South for a great way in sight of the East shoare In the end we lost sight thereof and saw it not till we came to the bottome of the Bay into sixe or seuen fathomes water Hence we stood vp to the North by the West shoare till wee came to an Iland in 53. where we tooke in water and ballast From hence wee passed towards the North but some two or three dayes after reasoning concerning our comming into this Bay and going out our Master tooke occasion to reuiue old matters and to displace Robert Iuet from being his Mate and the Boat-swaine from his place for words spoken in the first great Bay of Ice Then hee made Robert Billet his Mate and William Wilson our Boat-swaine Vp to the North wee stood till we raised Land then downe to the South and vp to the North then downe againe to the South and on Michaelmasse day came in and went out of certaine Lands which our Master sets downe by the name of Michaelmasse Bay because we came in and went out on that day From hence wee stood to the North and came into shoald water and the weather being thicke and foule wee came to an anchor in seuen or eight fathome water and there lay eight dayes in all which time wee could not get one houre to weigh our anchor But the eight day the wind beginning to cease our Master would haue the anchor vp against the mind of all who knew what belonged thereunto Well to it we went and when we had brought it to a peake a Sea tooke her and cast vs all off from the Capstone and hurt diuers of vs. Here wee lost our Anchor and if the Carpenter had not beene we had lost our Cable too but he fearing such a matter was ready with his Axe and so cut it From hence we stood to the South and to the South-west through a cleere Sea of diuers sounding and came to a Sea of two colours one blacke and the other white sixteene or seuenteene fathome water betweene which we went foure or fiue leagues But the â—â—ght comming we tooke in our Top-sayles and stood afore the wind with our Maine-sayle and Fore-sayle and came into fiue or sixe fathomes and saw no Land for it was darke Then we stood to the East and had deepe water againe then to the South and Southwest and so came to our Westermost Bay of all and came to an anchor neerest to the North shorae Out went our Boat to the Land that was next vs when they came neere it our Boat could not flote to the shoare it was so shallow yet ashoare they got Here our men saw the footing of a man and a Ducke in the snowy Rockes and Wood good store whereof they tooke some and returned aboord Being at anchor in this place we saw a ledge of Rockes to the South of vs some league of length It lay North and South couered at a full Sea for a strong tide setteth in here At mid-night wee weighed and stood to goe out as we came in and had not gone long but the Carpenâ—er came and told the Master that if he kept that course he would be vpon the Rockes the Master conceiued that he was past them when presently wee ranne on them and there stucke fast twelue houres but by the mercy of God we got off vnhurt though not vnscarred Wee stood vp to the East and raysed three Hills lying North and South wee went to the furthermost and left it to the North of vs and so into a Bay where wee came to an anchor Here our Master sent out our Boat with my selfe and the Carpenter to seeke a place to winter in and it was time for the nights were long and cold and the earth couered with Snow Hauing spent three moneths in a Labyrinth without end being now the last of October we went downe to the East to the bottome of the Bay but returned without speeding of that we went for The next day we went to the South and the South-west and found a place whereunto we brought our ship and haled her aground and this was the first of Nouember By the tenth thereof we were frozen in but now we were in it behooued vs to haue care of what we had for that we were sure of but what we had not was vncertaine Wee were victualled for sixe moneths in good proportion and of that which was good if our Master would haue had more he might haue had it at home and in other places Here we were now and therefore it behoued vs so to spend that wee might haue when time came to bring vs to the Capes where the Fowle bred for that was all the hope wee had to bring vs home Wherefore our Master tooke order first for the spending of that wee had and then to increase it by propounding
as was the Geographicall partition of the Iland it selfe mentioned before at the end of the first Chapter diuided into North East South and West quarter And againe they diuided the Fourths into Thirds except the North quarter For this as it was larger then the rest was parted into Fourths But these Thirds they subdiuided againe into their parts some Tenths and others somewhat otherwise For the which not finding a fit name I haue retayned the proper name of the Countrey that which with them is Hreppar wee may counterfeitly call Reppae vnto the which also we may imagine no vnapt Etymon from the word Repo For here was the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of them that executed any publike Office for equitie either of opinion and judgement and the equall ballancing of mindes to be preserued in the rest of the Magistrates worthily ought to begin there vnlesse any would rather thinke they had respect heere vnto Reeb that is to say Coards with the which the diuision was made after the most ancient manner of the Hebrewes themselues Euery Reppa regularly contayned twentie Inhabitants at the least for oftentimes it contayned more limited by a certayne increase of the wealth of their Family vnder which they might not be reckoned to the poorer Reppes to the richer they might Moreouer in euery Third as also in the Fourths of the North Tetrade which Iurisdictions in times past they called Pyng at this day also Syslu herad they appointed three more famous places consecrated to the Seat of Iustice and Iudgements besides also dedicated to Ethnicke Sacrifices which they call Hoff we call them Holy Places and Temples Euery Chappell after the manner of this Countrey was sumptuously built whereof wee reade of two of one hundred and twentie foot long One in the Iurisdiction of Washdall of North Island the other in Rialarnes of South Island and this surely sixtie foot broad Moreouer euery such holy place had a kind of Chappell adjoyning This place was most holy Heere stood the Idols and Gods made with hands vpon a low stoole or a certayne Altar about which the cattle which were to be sacrificed vnto them were orderly placed But the chiefe and middlemost of the Gods was Iupiter by them called Por from whom these Northerne Kingdomes yet call Thors day Thorsdagh The rest of the Gods were collateral vnto it whose certayne number and names I haue not heard Yet in the ancient forme of oath whereof mention shall be made hereafter three besides Thorus are specially noted by name Freyr Niordur and As whereof the third to wit As I thinke to be that famous Odinus not accounted the last among those Ethnicke Gods of whom I made mention before Synecdochically called As because hee was the chiefe of the people of Asia who came hither into the North for in the singular number they called him As which in the plurall they called Aesar or Aeser This Odinus as aforesaid for his notable knowledge in Deuillish Magicke whereby like another Mahomet hee affected a Diuinitie after his death was reckoned among the number of the Gods from whom at this day Wednesday is called Odens Dagur the day of Odinus whereupon peraduenture I shall not vnaptly call Odin Mercurie as Thor Iupiter Yet the ancients honoured Odin in the place of Mars and such as were slaine in the warres they say were sacrificed to Odin And the companions or Sonnes of Odin were Freyr and Nâ—ordur who through the same artes which their Father or Prince Odinus practised obtayned an opinion of Diuinitie I haue before aduertised you that chiefly in the North Countrey Kings after their death are honoured for Gods But the worshipping of them hath not yet come vnto the Islanders wherefore we will speake nothing of them in this place Before that seate of the Gods placed in the foresaid Temples stood an Altar erected couered aboue with Iron that it might not be hurt with fire which must bee continually there A Caldron also or brasen vessell was set vpon the Altar to receiue the bloud of the sacrifices with an holy water sticke or sprinkle to bedew the standers by with the bloud of the sacrifices Besides on the Altar a siluer Ring was kept or of copper of twentie ounces which being anointed with the bloud of the sacrifices they who executed any office pertayning to Iustice being now readie to take their oath religiously handled while they were sworne Foure-footed beasts for the most part were appointed for sacrifices to bee conuerted to the food of the Sacrificers Although in the meane space I finde a lamentable matter that the blinde Ethnicks in the foresaid place of Rialarnes vsed also humane sacrifices where at the doore of the Temple was â— very deepe Pit wherein the humane sacrifices were drowned which Pit was called Blotkellda from the Sacrifice Also in West Island in the Prouince of Thornsthing in the middle of the Market place there was a round circle into the which men appointed to be sacrificed to the Gods were gathered who being violently smitten against an exceeding great stone set there were cruelly slaine The indignitie whereof that stone is reported to haue declared many ages after by the bloudy colour which no shower of raine or water could euer wash away An abominable crueltie surely yet not wanting examples deriued euen from the most ancient times I omit those of later time and found in the neare bordering Countries as the humane sacrifices of the French whereof Cicero pro Fonteio speaketh and also the custome of nearer bordering Countries I doe not mention the Roman sacrifices among which Luperca Valeria appointed to be sacrificed was deliuered from present death by an Eagle Let the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sacrificing of noble Virgins of the Greekes not be remembâ—ed with whom Helena was likewise freed from imminent perill of sacrificing by the benefit of an Eagle But who is it that can be ignorant of Benhennon or Gehennon of the Hebrewes and their crueltie farre greater then this exercised not vpon slaues or guiltie persons but euen vpon their dearest children Concerning which matter I thought good to set downe the wordes of Christoph. Adricomus Delphus Gehennon saith he was a place in the suburbs of Ierusalem ouer against the East vnder the Mountayne of Offence neare the Fish poole of the Fuller most pleasant like Tempe In this Valley stood a Pauilion and the brasen Idol of Moloch cunningly wrought in the shape of a King bâ—llow within whose head resembling a Calfe the other parts a man had armes stretched forth to sacrifice children who through the vehement heat of the Idol were burned amidst those cursed embracements For when by the fire put vnder in the concauity of the Idoll it became all fiery then the most wicked parents with incredible crueltie deliuered their dearest children to wit their Sonnes and Daughters to be burned within these detestable
minutes the distance of the Pole from my Zeneth was 11. degrees 17. minutes the complement thereof being 78. degrees and 43. minutes the Poles altitude All this day it was calme aâ—l the forenoone warme sunshine weather and whereas I named this place Cape-cold if I had fâ—lne with it this day or the like I should haue giuen it another name Here I tried to take fish but could perceiue none Item there is a point that beareth from Cape-cold North by West which I called Faire-forland this Forland and Cape-cold and Black-point are all one Iland At sixe of the clocke at night the winde came to the North North-west then I determined to view the Ice-sound better but comming neere it I perceiued it packt ful of Ice so that I could see no end thereof at the Top-mast-head neither could I see any open water in it At a North Sun the wind came to the North-east and by North then I stood to the Northwards as before The foure and twentieth day at a North-east Sunne the wind came to the South-west faire weather and warme At a North north-east Sun I tooke the Meridian Altitude which was eleuen degrees aboue the Horizon and by working accordingly I found the eleuation of the Pole aboue the Horizon to be 78. degrees 37. minutes The fiue and twentieth day at an East-south-east Sun I set the boat to the land neere Fayer-forland and it being calme I sounded fortie fiue fathoms where I proued for fish but could find none and within one league of the shoare I had fiue and thirtie and thirtie fathome streamy ground At a South-east Sunne the Boat came aboord laden with Wood and some Whales fins The men told mee there was great store of Morses in the Sea about the shoare side and about thirtie on Land Immediately I sent my Mate Nicholas Woodcock with the Boat on Land againe to see if they could kill any of the said Mohorses and also to search what other thing they should hap to find that might proue beneficiall Moreouer I was certified that all the Ponds and Lakes were vnfrozen they being Fresh-water which putteth mee in hope of a milde Summer here after so sharpe a beginning as I haue had and my opinion is such and I assure my selfe it is so that a passage may bee assoone attayned this way by the Pole as any vnknowne way whatsoeuer by reason the Sun doth giue a great heat in this climate and the Ice I meane that that freezeth here is nothing so huge as I haue seene in 73. degrees The sixe and twentieth day at a North-east Sunne the Boat came aboord againe hauing slaine but two Morses at twelue at midnight the wind came to the North and blew so hard that I was enforced to try with a Mayne-course cold frosty weather with snow The sayd wind and weather continued till a South Sun the seuen and twentieth day at eight of the clocke at night the wind came to the North-west and by West faire weather then I stood towards the Land again And at a South-east sun the eight twentieth day I was within three leagues of Fayer-forland and standing in I sounded diuers times and had these depths 15.17.19 and 18. fathoms within fiue sixe and seuen myles of the shoare and when Fayer-forland did beare South and by East by the Compasse It being two miles from me I saw the Land beare North-east and by North about nine leagues off the which because it was full of knottie Mountaines I called Knottie-point and betweene Knottie-point and Fayer-forland I saw a great Bay which because it was foggy on the sudden I could not discouer In the Sea about the Forland I saw great store of Mohorses and Sea-fowle I sounded in the Bay and had nintie fiue fathomes rockie ground I stood to Sea and had very foule weather with snow and fogs and frost which weather continued till the thirtieth day at foure of the clocke in the morning at which time I was within one mile of Fayer-forland in nine fathomes and then I sayled East North-east about two miles and had these dephs 18.17.16.14 and 12. fathomes all rockes Then I steered South with the like depths and grounds but when I had runne South South-east three miles further I had sandie ground then did Fayer-forland beare West and by North about three leagues of the next cast I had tenne fathomes foule ground and from thence I steered two leagues South and by East hauing these depths 10.9.8 and 7. fathomes then I saw the Bay couered ouer with Ice I turned out the wind at North. This Sound I named Fowle-sound for in this Bay are three Sounds this I spake last of which lyeth in South and goeth out at Black-point another lyeth in East South-east which I named Deere-sound another goeth in North which is called Closse-coue and being neere the point betweene Fowle-sound and Deere-sound it fell calme and I sent the Skiffe on Land and standing after with a little wind at West I found the sayd Point very shoale with a ridge of Rockes where I had these depths 4.5.6.7.9.10.18 and then 30. fathomes At a South Sun the Boat came aboord and brought Wood and some Whale-fins The last of May at an East North-east Sun I was within three leagues of Knotty-point at which time I saw Ice all the Sea ouer betwixt the West and the Land then I saw another Point foure leagues distant from Knotty-point the one bearing of the other North and by East and South and by West and it is smooth Land the which I named the Gurnerds-nose indifferent warme weather and finding the Ice to bee so thicke that I could not passe it and the wind comming to the West I stood to the Southwards againe determining to search the Sounds better for a Road and for commodities because I saw no good to bee gotten in keeping the Sea amongst the Ice and at a North Sun I was in the entrance of Close-coue where I had no ground at one hundred twenty fathomes and yet I was within two Cables length of a sunken ledge of Rockes that lyeth on the Larboord side of the Bay a mile from the shoare The first of Iune I found a good Road in Close-coue on the South-west side where I rid in seuen fathomes sand mingled with oze at an East Sun I sent a Skiffe to a low Point that lyeth on the North side of the Bay where they found some Whales fins and three pieces of Mohorse teeth and vpon a little rockie Iland they saw neere one hundred Mohorses which were there sleeping In this time I went towards the bottome of the Sound and slue a white Beare At a South-west Sun I went towards the rocke to see if I could kill any of the Morses that lay there and as wee went by the shoare side I espied Deere three of them I slue and one of my
their gorges and few feathers on their backes he leaueth them to get more not for themselues but for him We found on the shoares many huge Morses There is great store of fresh water in euery Valley which proceedeth most of the melted snow On euery Beech is great plentie of drift wood but neuer a bush nor tree groweth in those quarters as farre as we haue hitherto discouered CHAP. IIII. A Relation written by IONAS POOLE of a Voyage to Greenland in the yeere 1612. with two ships the one called the Whale the other the Sea-horse set out by the Right Worshipfull the Muscouie Merchants THe seuenth of Aprill 1612. wee set sayle at Blacke-wall and went to Grâ—â—esend The third of May we came to Cherie Iland where we found a ship of Holland in which one Alan Saloâ—es an Englishman was Pilot. The same day about a North sunne we anchored on the West side of the Iland The fourth we trimmed a shallop which I left there the last yeere and Alan Salowes went aboard our Admirall and Master Russell sent for Master Thomas Edge Master Arthington Iohn Mason and my selfe where wee had some speech about detayning him and to haue brought him into England but in the end hee was let goe At a North sunne we sent our shallop to the South-east side of the Iland to fetch a shallop which was left there the last yeere but they could not get thither for Ice and came aboard againe at an East North-east Sunne the fift day at which time we weighed and stood to the Westward but immediatly we altered our course and stood toward the Iland againe among the Ice and about a West North-west Sunne wee sent our Skiffe and Shallop to fetch the Shallop aforesaid The winde was at North and by West frostie weather with snowe The eight wee stood toward Cherie Iland againe and were faire by it at a South sunne at which time the winde came to the South-east and wee saw the Hollander standing with vs. Then we altered our course and sayled West North-west determining if hee followed vs to stay for him At ten of the clock at night hee came to vs and the Admirall sent his shallop aboord of him to command him to be gone out of our companie and at a North sunne hee stood away from vs and sayled North and by East and we lay by the lee The twentieth at a South Sunne we saw our Consort and spake with them and they told vs that they had almost split their ship with a piece of Ice which brake nine of their Timbers so that they had fiue foot water in hold The one and two and twentie dayes wee plyed to windward the winde being at North faire weather And at Blacke Point wee saw great store of Ice driuing to the South At eight of the clocke at night Blacke Point did beare from mee East and by North nine leagues And the three dayes past we saw great store of Whales within ten or twelue leagues off the Land The three and twentieth we were faire off Cape Cold where Master Edge and Master Arthington went with the Basks in their Shallops for Crosse-rode in hope to kill some Whales And we saw store of Whales in the Sea The fiue and twentieth we got into Foule Sound all the Sounds being full of Ice and the Shallops came aboord and brought some Venison which was very leane And at six of the clock the Basks went with the Shallops to Faire Foreland to see if they could kill a Whale and at a North-west Sunne Master Edge went with a Shallop to see if Crosse-rode were open The six and twentieth the two ships abouesaid came into Foule Sound one of them was that Hollander before mentioned the other was a ship of London called The Diana whereof one Thomas Bustion dwelling at Wapping wall was Master The seuen and twentieth Alâ—â—ie Saloâ—es came aboord of our ship and told vs that his Merchant had broke his necke downe a Cliffe The same day the Hollâ—nder and the Diana stood to the Southward The winde was at North North-west and Northwest which kept the Ice in the Sounds The twentie eight we sent the long Boat and our Shallop to Brokennesse with a Shallop of ten Tunnes there to be set vp The winde was at West with snowe and frost The same day the Basks came aboord but could kill neuer a Whale The winde came to the South Southwest with frost and snowe The nine and twentieth the winde was at South with much snowe The same day one of our men dyed named Iohn Butcher hauing layen sicke about three weeks The thirtieth one Michael Perkins dyed aboord The Whale The last of May the winde was at South and wee stood toward the Foreland in 79. degrees The sâ—me day aâ— midnight the Chyrurgeon of The Whale dyed The first of Iune we stood into Foule Sound where wee saw abundance of Ice driue out with the winde at East The second day the winde was at North and by East cold frostie weather All which day wee lay vnder saile in the mouth of the Sound The third day wee spake with Thomas Marmaduke of Hull in a ship called The 〈◊〉 wâ—ll Wee sent for him to come aboord but he answered that he was not well and sent his Mate Christopher Nayler The same day we stood to the mouth of the Sound but it was couered with Ice And Marmaduke stood to the Northward and as we were afterward informed discouered as farre as 82. degrees two degrees beyond Hakluyts Headland The fourth we sent our shallop on shoare in Foule Sound to see if any harbour were open to ride in and to put our Admirall on ground to stop her leake The same day our long Boate came to vs from Brokennesse And we turned into the Sound because we saw the Ice driue out with the winde at South and blew hard The fift we anchored in Foule Sound in seuenteene fathoms water and sandie ground where we saw the place where both the ships lay which wee lost the last yeere couered with Ice The same time wee sent our shallop with our Carpenters to finish the aforesaid shallop at Brokennesse The winde continued at South and the Whale turned into the Sound by vs and achnored there at a South-west by South Sunne The ninth the Admirals Boate and ours went with prouision and men to worke vpon a Whale which the Basks had killed and we stood toward the Foreland with the ships whâ—re the Whale was killed the winde at South thicke foggie weather And by an East North-east Sunne wee anchored in the mouth of Foule Sound in fifteene fathoms gray sand with some shells At a West sunne the Boate came aboord for caske and other prouision and told vs that the Basks had killed two other Whales The seuenteenth one Baske named Chapel tooke fiue of our English men to him and they trimmed the shallop to
kill the Whale About a West North-west sunne they went away the winde at South The twentieth the Biscaine shallop came aboord of vs from the Foreland and told vs that they had strooken three Whales which brake away The two and twentieth wee rid still the winde being at North-west with snowe and frost The fiue and twentieth we got the Whale on flote hauing stopped her leake We were no sooner off but it blew most fiercely so that the Whales long Boate and our shallop brake from the Whales sterne and were split in pieces on the Ice that lay on shoare The same day about a South sunne two men came from Faire Foreland and told vs that Master Edge was come from the South in the Pinnasse and had spoken with one Nicolas Woodcock an English man which was my Mate to this Countrey of Greenland in the yeere 1610. The said VVoodcocke was now Pilot of a ship of Saint Sebastian in Biscay and rid in Ice Sound Moreouer they spake with the men of the Boate of the Diana and saw the Hollanders Boate but spake not with their men The two men abouesaid told vs likewise that Iohn Chapel our Baske with fiue English men had killed a Whale and betwixt them and another shallop they had slaine another and had them both on shoare The seuen and twentieth we rid still and our Carpenter went to worke to mend the knee of our beake-head And I went to see what Morses were on Land where I found neere one hundred and fiftie The eight and twentieth the shallop that had all English men in her saue one Baske came aboord for prouision and told me that they and Iohannes Chapel had slaine a great Whale close by our ship which towed them off into the Sound and our long Boate followed them At the same time we saw sixe Whales close by the ships side as we rode in harbour and we saw great store in the Sound and within one houre there were so many about our ships and in the Sound that we could not count them About a North-west sunne our long Boate brought the men that strooke the Whale abouesaid and towed their shallop on land for the said Whale had sunke her with his taile The same time our Carpenter went to worke on the broken shallop and I went to the place where the Morses lay where I found about three hundred on land Then I went aboord the Whale to get some harping Irons for they had all but I could get but one because the rest of the Basks had laid them vp enuying that one Baske that went with all English men had done so much because by their good wills they would not haue vs to haue any insight into this businesse Moreouer hee that had the chiefest command in this voyage did greatly condemne the going of so many English men with that one Baske either for feare they should kill none and lose all their prouision for the said vse or for feare that our men should kill the Whale aswell and as soone as they yet was there none of the other Boates but had lost more then they had lost And as for killing there was not one Whale killed with one Boate alone saue ours with all English saue the Baske aforesaid which slue three without the helpe of any other Boate. This day the Basks slue another Whale at the Foreland The nine and twentieth the broken shallop was mended and I went to the Foreland to see whether the other shallops would come where the ships rode in harbour where abundance of Whales were still The same time the Basks killed another Whale Then I romaged my ship and put caske on land All this day it was calme The last of Iune one came from the Foreland and told vs that the Basks had slaine two great Whales All this day likewise it was calme and there lay abundance of huge Whales in the harbour about our ships One of the whales abouesaid Iohannes with the fiue English men slue without any of the others helpe For they stood on the land flouting and saying that it was vnpossible for them to kill him and would not once lanch their Boates to helpe them yet hee was one of the greatest that were killed this yeere All this day the whales lay so thicke about the ship that some ran against our Cables some against the Ship and one against the Rudder One lay vnder our beake-head and slept there a long while At which time our Carpenter had hung a stage close by the water whereon his tooles lay And wee durst not molest the said whale for feare he should haue ouerthrowne the stage and drowned all his tooles In the end he went away and carried the ships head round his taile being foule of the Cable The first of Iuly at a North North-east Sunne the shallops came to kill whales in the harbour where we rid and strooke three which all brake away The same day Iohannes strooke a whale that smit in the side of his shallop and split it Now wee perceiued the whales to begin to goe out of the Bayes The second day the Basks slue three great whales faire by our ships in lesse then foure houres vvhich vvee vvith our long Boate and men towed into harbour and made fast to our ship And the Basks vvent with their shallops to Faire Foreland The seuenth day wee had abundance of Ice about our ships which vvith the winde and the tyde draue out off another Sound The eight vve rid still and vvere troubled vvith much Ice by reason of a storme that blue at South-vvest and by vvest c. The rest is omitted as hauing nothing of note but ordinarie accidents CHAP. V. A Iournall of the Voyage made to Greenland with sixe English ships and a Pinnasse in the yeere 1613. Written by Master WILLIAM BAFFIN BY the prouidence of Almightie God wee departed from Queenborough the thirteenth day of May with sixe good Ships viz. The Tigre Admirall the Matthew Vice-admirall the Sea-horse called the Gamaliel the Reare-admirall the Desire the Annula and the Richard and Bernard with the Iohn and Francis shortly to follow The one and twentieth day faire weather the winde Southward wee still making to the Northwards This morning wee had sight of Land on the Coast of Norway it lying East and by North off about twelue or fourteene leagues This day at noone we were in the latitude of 61. degrees and 30. minutes the variation of the Compasse at Scoutes-nes is eight degrees East it being about ten or twelue leagues off wee hauing made a North way halfe East about thirtie leagues The three and twentieth at noone in the latitude of 65. degrees and 45. minutes in which place the Needle of Declination doth dippe vnder the Horizon 63. degrees and 30. minutes by that Instrument which declineth 54. at London The thirtieth day about three of the clocke wee espied the land of Greenland
and I haue sent to you Ichkmen Kichenga to do obeysance vnto your Maiesty and see your Princely eyes whâ—n your Maiestie vouchsafed to doe their obeysance and see your Princely eyes And to me you sent of your Grace three Cups of Siluer a Bow a Sword two Gunâ—es and two Garment Clothes all which your Princely fauours I haue receiued and what shall bee behouâ—â—full for your Majesty from hence I will furnish you withall As also I am to request your 〈◊〉 in respect the Ambassadours doe passe betweene vs very miserably and poore by reasonâ— hâ—re are now some small warres betwixt vs and the blacke Kâ—lâ—â—acks and there are but small 〈◊〉 Tobolsko Castle and in the Castles of Tomin Darkâ— and from the Barban people Now if so be your Majestie will fauour me and defend me with these people from Karakula and will bee pleaâ—ed to 〈◊〉 on warre on your owne side and I on mine that matter will bee done betweene vs and all good matters continue betwixt vs. And so by your Princely fauour Ambassadors may continually passe betweene vs. Iuan Tarchan Varchies and Andrei Tarchan Varchies did conduct two of your Maiesties Messengers into the Dominions of Catay according to your Majesties commandement and they are returned to me againe out of Catay Also Lord there is come vnto me the Tarchan of Labaia and I haue sent vnto you with my Presents the said Tarchan Labar and Riâ—ibacshy Anâ—haij and with them ten men and two men of Sirgos in their Letter is written that there is sent vnto your Maiestie three Leopards with their clawes an Irbish with his clawes three Lizernes with their clawes a red and a yellow Damaske vpon a gold ground a piece of Veluet and an ambling Horse And I am humbly to request your Majestie if it bee your Majesties fauour to grace mee for your owne honour with a garment of cloth of Gold and of diuers colours fiue Garments of fine Cloth a Head-piece a shirt of Male a Sword a Bow twentie Gunnes a Flaggon of Gold a Kettle of Siluer and fiue sorts of Precious Stones of each one a Tennet a Dwarfe and Workmen to make Guns and Powder and two thousand pence Your Maiesties name is growne renowmed and famous euery where therefore I doe reuerence vnto your Majestie because many Kings of many Countreyes haue spread abroad the fame of your Majesties name euery where And I request that Ambassadours may speedily passe betwixt vs and now if it be your Maiesties fauour I desire you to dispatch these my Ambassadours with speed to me backe againe Anno 7128. the three and twentieth of September in the Emperours Dominions at Soldota a Cazacke of Siberia called Euashko Pettlin did report beeing examined of his Trauels The last yeere past 7127. hee said that the Boiaren and Voyauod Knez Euan Simonowich Koorockin sent him from the Castle of Tomo and his fâ—llowâ— Andrashko to conduct the Kings Altines Ambassadours as also to inquire or search the Kingdomes of Catay They went from the Castle of Tomo about the ninth of May and trauelled from Tomo to Kirgis with much expedition tenne dayes and in Kirgis is a Duke subiect to the Emperours Maiestie his name is Nemi who gaue them victuals and post Through this Land of Kirgis they werre halfe a day and came to the Dominion of Mutalla to the Altine King who gaue them prouisions and post and dispatched them thence so they passed through his Land fiue weekes to the Country of Sheremugaly where raigneth a Queene called Manchika who caused to haue prouision and post giuen them In this Countrey of Sheromogula they trauelled foure dayes and came into the Dominions of Catay called Crim where is a wall made of stone fifteene fathomes high alongst the side of which wall they went ten dayes where they saw pettie Townes and Villages belonging to 〈◊〉 Queene Manchika but in those ten dayes they saw no people vpon the wall at all At the end of these ten dayes they came to the gate wherein lye very great Peeces of Ordnance shooting shot as bigge as a mans head and in the said gate standeth in watch three thousand men and they come with their Merchandizes to traffique at the gate The Altine men also come to the gate with their Horses to sell to the Catay men but are not permitted to come within the walls except very few at once Thus their whole trauell from Tomo Castle to this gate was twelue weekes besides some dayes that they stood still and from the gate to the great Empire of Catay tenne dayes and came to the Citie or Castle of Catay about the beginning of September and were lodged in the great Embassadors house and hauing beene there in Catay foure dayes there vsed to come vnto them a Secretary with two hundred men vpon Asses very well apparelled and did entertayne and feast them with Sacke and other Drinkes made of Grapes and told them that the Emperour or King Tambur had sent him to aske them wherefore they were come into the Dominions of Catay Whereupon they answered that our great Lord and Emperour had sent them to discouer the Dominions of Catay and see the King thereof but hee answered them againe that without presents they could not see the King and withall gaue them a Letter which Letter they brought with them to Tolbosko and from thence is sent to the Emperours Maiestie by them Out of Catay they went about the twelfth of October and came to the Castle of Tobolsko about Whitsontyde the same yeere 1619. A Description of the Empires of Catay and Labin and other Dominions aswell inhabited as places of Pasture called Vlusses and Hords and of the great Riuer Ob And other Riuers and Land passages FRom Kirgis to the Riuer Bakanna is sixe dayes trauell and from Bakanna to Kinchike is nine dayes trauell from Kinchike to the great Lake in which Lake Rubies or Saphires grow is three dayes trauell and the compasse of that Lake is twelue dayes trauell on horsebacke There falleth also into the said Lake foure Riuers to wit from the East South West and North yet the water doth not increase in the Lake nor decrease There falleth yet another Riuer into the said Lake which commeth from betweene the East and the North and is called Kitta vpon which we went fifteen dayes to the head of it where we found the King Altine in progresse the way is very stony And from the King Altine to an Vlusses fiue dayes trauell the Vlusses is called Algunat and the Duke in it is called Tâ—rmâ—shine from him to another Vlusses fiue dayes the Vlusses is called Chikursha and the Duke in it is called Carakula from thence to an Vlusses fiue dayes called Suldussa wherein is a King called Chaksaâ—a from him to an Vlusses called Bâ—suâ— fiue dayes the Dukes name is Chichim from him to an Vlusses called Iglethin fiue dayes the Duke is Taschils Cherekta from him
the moneth of May. This day we saw great store of Gulles which followed our Ship sundry dayes The eight and twentieth the winde being at North and by West wee directed our course to the Westward and about twelue of the clocke the same night we descried the land of America in the latitude of 62. degrees and 30. minutes which we made to be Warwicks foreland This Headland rose like an Iland And when we came neere the Foreland we saw foure small Ilands to the Northwards and three small Ilands to the Southward of the same Foreland The Foreland was high land all the topâ— of the hils were couered with Snow The three small Ilands to the Southward were also white that we could not discerne them from Ilands of Ice also there was great store of drift Ice vpon the Eastside of this Foreland but the Sea was altogether voide of Ice the Land did lye North and by East and South and by West being six leagues of length The nine and twentieth at sixe of the clocke in the morning wee were within three leagues of this Foreland then the winde came vp at North-east and by East a good stiffe gale with fogge and wee were forced to stand to the Southward because wee could not wether the Land to the Northward and as wee stood to the Southward along by Warwicks Foreland we could discerne none otherwise but that it was an Iland Which if it fall out to be so then Lâ—â—leys Inlet and the next Southerly Inlet where the great Current setteth to the West must of necessitie be one Sea which will be the greatest hope of the passage that way The thirtieth the winde was at North-east with fogge and Snow This day wee came into a great whirling of a Current being in the latitude of 61. degrees and about twelue leagues from the coast of America The first day of Iuly the winde was at West with fogge and Snow the ayre being very cold This day wee came into many Ouerfals which seemed to runne a great current but which way it did set wee could not well discerne The greatest likelihood was that it should set to the West But hauing contrary windes some sixteene or seuenteene dayes we alwayes lay in trauerse among these ouerfals but could neuer finde any great current by our courses wee sounded sometimes but could get no ground in one hundred and twentie fathomes The second day wee descried a maine Banke of Ice in the latitude of 60. degrees the winde was at North North-west and very faire weather Wee wanting fresh water did sayle close to this Land of Ice and hoysed out our Boate and loaded her twice with Ice which made vs very good fresh water Within twenty leagues of the coast of America wee should oftentimes come into many great ouerfals Which doth manifestly shew that all the coast of America is broken Land The third the winde was at South-west very foggie and as wee stood toward the coast of America wee met with another maine Banke of Ice The fogge was so thicke that we were hard by the Ice before wee could see it But it pleased God that the winde was faire to put vs cleare from this Ice againe and presently it began to cleare vp so that wee could see two or three leagues off but we could see no end of the Ice Wee iudged this Ice to be some tenne leagues from the coast of America We found the water to be very blackish and thicke like puddle water The eight the winde was at North North-west very faire weather wee standing to the Westwards met with a mighty maine Banke of Ice which was a great length and breadth and it did rest close to the shoare And at eleuen of the clocke in the forenoone wee descried againe the Land of America in the latitude of 63. degrees and 53. minutes being very high Land and it did rise as Ilands the toppes being couered with Snow This Land was South-west and by West some fiue leagues off vs we could come no neerer it for the great quantitie of Ice which rested by the shoare side The ninth the winde being at North-east and by Last blew so extreamely that we were forced to stand to the Southward both to cleare our selues of the Land and of the Ice for the day before we passed a great banke of Ice which was some foureteene leagues to the Eastward of vs when the storme began but thankes be to God we cleared our selues both of the Land and of the Ice This day in the afternoone the storme grew so extreame that we were forced to stand along with our forecourse to the Southward The seuenteenth was very foggie the winde being at East and about two of the clocke in the afternoone wee saw foure great Ilands of Ice of a huge bignesse and about foure of the clocke we came among some small scattered Ice and supposed our selues to be neere some great Banke The fogge was very thicke but the winde large to stand backe the same way wee came in or else it would haue indangered our liues very much And at nine of the clocke at night we heard a great noyse as though it had bin the breach of some shoare Being desirous to see what it was we stood with it and found it to be the noyse of a great quantity of Ice which was very loathsome to be heard Then wee stood North North-west and the fogge continued so thicke that wee could not see two Shippes length from vs whereupon we thought good to take in some of our sayles and when our men came to hand them they found our sayles ropes and tacklings so hard frozen that it did seeme very strange vnto vs being in the chiefest time of Summer The eighteenth day the winde was at North-east and by North the ayre being very cleere and extreame cold with an exceeding great frost and our course was North-west This day in the forenoone when we did set our sayles we found our ropes and tacklings harder frozen then they were the day before which frost did annoy vs so much in the vsing of our ropes and sayles that wee were enforced to breake off the Ice from our ropes that they might runne through the blockes And at two of the clocke in the afternoone the winde began to blow very hard with thicke fogge which freezed so fast as it did fall vpon our sayles ropes and tackling that we could not almost hoyse or strike our sayles to haue any vse of them This extreame frost and long continuance thereof was a maine barre to our proceeding to the Northward and the discouraging of all our men The nineteenth day the winde was at North and by East and our course to the Eastwards The same night following all our men conspired secretly together to beare vp the helme for England while I was asleepe in my Cabin and there to haue kept mee by force vntill I had sworn
hands The sixt we came to Flâ—câ—rie into which harbour by Gods helpe we came at two a clocke in the afternoone The seauenth day we supplied our wants of wood and water The eight day about two a clocke in the afternoone we set sayle forth of the harbour of Flecoriâ— about six a clock it fell calme till about eight about which time the Nasâ— of Norway by the Danish men called Lyndis-â—ose bare next hand North-west of vs sixe leagues off at which time I directed my course West North-west finding the compasse varied 7. degrees 10. minutes to the Eastwards of the true North. The thirteenth we had sight of the Hand of Faire I le and also of the South-head of Shâ—tland called Swimborne hâ—ad which are high Lands at noone the Iland of Faire Ile bearing West halfe a point Northerly foure leagues off I made obseruation and found vs in the latitude of 59. degrees 20. minutes This night about seuen a clocke wee came about an English league to the Northwards of the North-west and of Faire I le wee met with a great race of a tyde as though it had beene the race of Portland it setting North North-west Being out of the said race I directed my course West and by North hauing the winde North-east and by North this euening Faire Ile bearing East South-east foure leagues Swimborne head North-east and by North eight leagues the Iland of Foolâ— North-east and by East seuen leagues I found by exact obseruation the compasse to be varied to the East-ward of the true North 60. degrees 10. minutes The fourteâ—â—th in the morning the winde came to the East South-east wee steering West and by North away this morning the Iland of Faire Ile did shew in my sight to bee about ten leagues off at which time we did descrie two of the Westermost Ilands of Orkney which did beare South-west and by South The eighteenth the winde at North-west and by West wee laid it away South-west and by West and sometimes South-west This day 〈◊〉 noone wee were in the Latitude of 58. degrees 40. minutes The nineteenth day the winde at South-west and South-west and by West wee lying as the night before being at noone in the Latitude of 59. degrees and a halfe The foure and twentieth day the winde at North-east and by East we steering still with a fresh gale West South-west this euening we looked to haue seene Busse Iland but I doe verily suppose the same to be placed in a wrong Latitude in the Marine Charts The sixe and twentieth at noone wee were in the latitude of 57. degrees 45. minutes The thirtieth day in the morning betweene seuen and eight the weather began to cleere and the Sea and winde to waxe lesse wee looking for the Lion and the Pinnasse could haue no sight of them we supposing them to bee a sterne off vs we standing still vnder our courses This day the winde came to the North-east and by East being very cold weather we lying North North-west away Making my obseruation at noone I found vs in the latitude of 59. degrees 15. minutes our way North North-west fortie leagues This afternoon between one and two a clock we descried Land it bearing North North-east off vs about ten leagues off North-east by North off vs about ten leagues it being a very high ragged land lying in the latitude of 59. degrees 50. minutes lying alongst South-east and by South and North-west and by North. This Head-land wee named after the Kings Maiesties of Denmarke because it was the first part of Groenland which we did see This afternoone about one a clock bearing in for the shoare we saw an Iland of Ice which bore West South-west of vs three leagues off so hauing the wind at East South-east we bore in for the shoare where wee found so much Ice that it was impossible either for vs or any other ship to come into the shoare without great danger yet wee put our selues into the Ice as wee thought conuenient being incumbred and compassed about with the same in such sort as the Captaine my selfe the Boatswaine with another of our companie were forced to goe ouerboord vpon an Iland of Ice to defend it from the ship at which time I thought it conuenient to stand off into the Sea againe and so being cleere of the Ice to double Cape Desolation to the North-westwards of which I doubted not but to find a cleer coast so standing away all this night West South-west to cleere vs of the Ice which lay farre from the shoare being very thicke towards the Land with great Ilands of Ice that it is wonderfull This euening the Cape Christian bearing North-east and by East fiue leagues I found the Compasse varied 12. degrees 15. minutes to the North-westwards Moreouer standing to Seaward from the foresaid Cape we came in blacke water as thicke as though it had beene puddle water we sayling in the same for the space of three houres The one and thirtieth in the morning faire weather with the winde somewhat variable wee steering away North-west and by West betweene foure and fiue in the morning we had sight of the Lion againe but not of the Pinnasse They being a Sea-boord off and hauing espied vs they stood with vs at which time the Captaine Lieutenant and Steereman came aboord vs earnestly intreating mee to bestow a Sea Chart of the Steerman and to giue him directions if by tempestuous weather they should lose vs they protesting and swearing that they would neuer leaue vs as long as winde and weather would permit them to keepe companie with vs. By whose speechees I being perswaded did giue them a Sea Chart for those Coasts telling them that if they would follow me that by Gods assistance I would bring them to a part of the Land void without pester of Ice and also harbour the ships in good Harbour by Gods helpe they swearing and protesting that they would follow mee so long as possibly they could with which oathes and faire speeches I rested satisfied thinking they had thought as they had sworne but it fell out otherwise So hauing made an end with vs about noone they went aboord againe wee being this day in the latitude of 59. degrees 45. minutes hauing stood all the night before and this forenoone also so nigh the shoare as wee could for Ice the Cape Christian South South-east and North North-west and from the Cape to Cape Desolation the Land lyeth East and by South and West and by North about fiftie leagues This day betweene one and two a clocke the Vice-admirals Boat being newly gone aboord it fell very hasie and thicke so that wee could not see one another by reason of the fog therefore our Captaine caused to shoote off certaine Muskets with a great peece of Ordnance to the intent the Lion might heare vs which heard of them they presently stood with vs at which time
to the South from 60. degrees of Septentrional altitude vnto fiftie three Austral which are 1977. leagues of ground which hath in breadth at the broadest 1300. and thence downewards vnto eighteene which is the narowest by Nombre de Dios or Portobelo vnto Panama whereby Nature diuided this Land leauing almost the halfe of it to the North and the rest to the South which are the two parts of these bounds The third is the Ilands and firme land that lye to the East of Mallaca where through passeth the Line of the partition betweene the two Crownes of Castile and Portugall the which although they are part of the East India they are named of the West in respect of Castile as shall bee seene in the generall Map that followeth And because the Discouerie of all these Regions from whence so great Riches haue beene brought to these Kingdomes is due vnto the Load-stone I will set downe heere a wonderfull effect of his discouered by Don Antonie Ossorio a Gentleman of Valladolid and it is that it doth communicate to the Iron more attractiue vertue then naturally it hath of it selfe seeing that applying an Iron to the part of the stone that hath most force much more weight will bee raysed with the Iron then with the stone it selfe so it bee ioyned with it in sort that to a Loadstone that weigheth no more then two pound one quarter and hath no naturall vertue for to lift more then sixe ounces weight it made the Iron in my presence to lift fourteene pound of Iron and this vertue hath not the Load-stone of Spaine a thing that causeth the Philosophers to muse much vpon The Author had here inserted a Table or Generall Map of America the defect of which wee haue supplyed with this farre more complete of Hondius HONDIVS his Map of AMERICA AMERICAE DESCRIP THe Ocean that is toward the East is called the North Sea and that which falleth to the West Mar del Sur or the South Sea this washeth Noua Hispania and Peru that washeth those Regions which are situated on the South coast of Brasile toward the Magellan Streight and especially the North coast from Brasile toward Castile and other Septentrional parts These two vast Seas are diuided into other lesser Seas and Gulfes and are sayled by foure principall Nauigations The first and most ancient from Castile to Terra firme and to Noua Hispania The second from Castile to the Riuer of Plate and the Streight of Magellan The third from the coast of Noua Hispania to Guatimala and Panama to Peru Chile and the Streight And the last and newest from Noua Hispania to the Ilands of the West and trafficke of China as it is seene in the Table preceding The first Nauigation because it is most vsed called Carrera de las Indias The course of the Indies is diuided in two one to the port of Saint Iohn of Vlua in Noua Hispania whitherto from Siuil is sayled about one thousand and seuen hundred leagues in two moneths and an halfe and another to Nombre de Dios and now to Porte bello which is in the Kingdome which they call Terra firme of one thousand and foure hundred leagues in two moneths large and both goe by one course till they come to the Ilands of the North Sea from Saint Lucar of Barrameda whence yee cannot take Sea without a Pilot skilfull in the Channell a fit winde and spring Tydes and light of the day or lights for to see the markes of the Barre The Times for to begin these Nauigations are diuers For Noua Hispania the winter being past from the beginning of April vnto the end of May and not after that they may not come to the Ilands of the North Sea after August when the North windes begin to reigne and the Vracanes doe begin which are stormes and great gusts arising of contrarie windes And to Terra firme the Nauigation is before the entring of the Winter in all August and September that they may come to Porte bello from Nouember forward when by the beginning of the North windes that Coast is alreadie least diseased and more healthfull From Saint Lucar they goe to the Canaries whither there is about two hundred and fiftie leagues of Nauigation of eight or ten dayes through the Gulfe de las Yeguas which in winter is very dangerous for stormes and in the Port of Canarie they cast anker when they thinke it good or else in the Port of Gomera which is the best of those Ilands From the Canaries they saile to Desseada which stands in 15. degrees and little more and to Dominica whither they make seuen hundred leagues through the great Ocean and they stay fiue and twentie dayes whereby they cannot returne because the Brises are ordinarie and contrarie at their returne The Brises are windes which comprehend all the Easterne windes with all their quarters and are so ordinarie and firme because the swift motion of the First Moouer doth carry after him the Element of the Aire as the other superior Orbes and so the Aire followeth alwaies the motion of the Day going from East to West neuer varying and the effectuall motion of the Aire carrieth after him also the vapours and exhalations that doe arise from the Sea and therefore the Brise winde which runneth from the East is so continuall in those parts This voyage from the Canaries to Dominica Peter Arios of Auila which was called Gentill and the Iuster made the first the yeere of 1514. when hee went with an Armie for Gouernour and Captaine generall of the Kingdome of Golden Castile now called Terra firme since which the Nauigation hath beene ordered that vntill then went out of order Because it is now ordered that fresh water and wood be not taken in the Iland of Desseada and in Dominica the Fleet of Noua Espanna goe hence to Occoa a Port of the Iland Hispan-yola to take refreshing and they stay long because the stormes from Cuba doe ouertake it And they that goe for Noua Espanna doe water in the Iland of Guadalupe and there they diuide the courses The fleet of Noua Espanna goeth in demand of the Cape of Saint Antonie which is in the furthest part and most Occidentall of the Iland of Cuba to which place they saile about fiue hundred leagues in twentie dayes ordinarily in sight of Saint Iohn of Porto Rico and of Espannola two leagues off the Port of Saint Domingo running along the coast by the Point of Nizao and betweene the Ilands of Cuba and Iamayca they goe with great heede of the shoales which are called the Iardines neere to the middest of the coast of Cuba where many ships haue beene lost passing afterward in sight of the Iland of Pinos and Cape Correntes twelue leagues short of the Cape of Saint Antonie From whence there are two courses to the Port of Venacruz both of ten or twelue dayes one which
great shelfe of fifteene leagues the middest of it in twentie degrees and among these Ilands are many little ones without name The Ilands that are from the Iland of Saint Iohn of Porte-Rico to the East of it toward the coast of Terra firmâ— were called the Canibals by the many Caribes eaters of humaine flesh that were in them and in their language Canibal is to say Valiant man for they were held for such of the other Indians All these Ilands are dangerous for shelues and the nearest to Saint Iohn are Sancta Cruz to the South-west from it in 16. degrees and a halfe of sixteene leagues and Saba las Virgines two little illets compassed with shelues and other eight or ten Ilands the greatest of ten leagues Virgen gorda and the Blancos or White Ilands Westward from Virgen gorda Lâ— Ane gada of seuen leagues in length in 18. degrees and a halfe compassed with shelues as Sambrero is a little Iland neere vnto it and these Ilands which are called the Weather Ilands or Barlouento the first Admirall discouered and in particular the men of Sancta Cruz and others had a custome to goe and hunt for men to the Iland of Saint Iohn for to eate and at this day they of Dominica doe it They did eate no women but kept them for slaues Now they say that within this little while they of Dominica did eate a Fryer and that all they which did eate his flesh had such a fluxe that some dyed and that therefore they haue left eating humane flesh and it may be because instead of men with lesse danger they steale Kine and Mares for the great quantitie there is of them and with this they satisfie their raging appetite Anguilla hath ten leagues of length it standeth in 18. degrees Saint Martin in 17. degrees and a halfe it is of sixteene leagues compassed with little Illets and neere vnto it Saint Eustace Saint Bartholomew and Saint Christopher euery one of tenne leagues The Barbada in 17. degrees and a halfe compassed with shelues neere to the Redoâ—da and the Snowes or Nieues and of Monserrate of fiue leagues euery one in 15. degrees and a halfe The Antigua Guadalupe and Todos Santos from 14. to 15. degrees The Desseada to the East of Guadalupe about sixe leagues the first which the Admirall Don Christopher discouered in the second Voyage that he made to the Indies in 14. degrees and a halfe for which the fleete goe alwayes from the Canaries Marigalante the name of the Shippe the Admirall had fiue leagues to the South-west from the Desired and from the Dominica in 13. degrees twelue leagues in length where the Fleetes take in water and wood for it hath good roades although with danger of the Canibals Neere vnto Dominica to the South stands Matinino Sancta Lucie and the Barbudos the which because they fall on the left hand of the Fleetes when they goe they call them already of the Ilands of the Leeward de Sotauento which appertaine to the coast of Terra firme and of them the greatest the first and the most Orientall is the Trinidad neere two hundred leagues from Hispaniola North and South with the Dominica about sixtie leagues from it It hath fiftie leagues in leangth East and West and almost thirty in breadth The Admirall discouered it the yeare 1498. the third Voyage that he made to the Indies and called it the Trinitie because hauing great trouble in the Voyage he had promised to God to giue such a name to the first Land that he should finde and presently the Mariner that was in the top saw three points of Land whereby the name fitted euery way to his vowe then hee discouered also the mouthes of the Dragon and of the Serpent the gulfe of Paria and all the firme Land vnto Cumana which iniustly Americus Vesputio claimes to himselfe whose name vnworthily is giuen to the port which they call Peninsula Australis or Indies of the South This Iland of Trinidad is knowne that it is no good Countrie though it hath many Indians it hath thirtie fiue leagues of longitude and others say more and twentie fiue of latitude it stands in 8. degrees the most orientall part of it is a point on the North side which is called de la Galera and to the North of it a small Iland compassed with little Iles which they call Tabago and in the South coast a Cape which they call the Round Point at the East the point of Anguilla at the West in the gulfe of Paria which is that that is from the Iland to Terra firme which may be eight leagues of distance because the firme Land maketh an oblique semicircle as a Diadem and in the entrance of the East is the distance recited in the entrance of the West the straightnes is much and with great depth and two little Ilands at the end of the North coast by the West which is called the Dragons mouth and to the North S. Vincent and Granada other two little Ilands The Iland of Margarita so named by Christopher Colon the first Admirall as also all the rest a most sufficient proofe of the Finder to the confusion of those which depriued him of the glory of the discouerie of the firme Land attributing it to themselues although changing the times it is twentie leagues from Trinidad Westward and one hundred and seuenty from Hispaniola it hath sixteen leagues in length East and West and yet some say twenty and the halfe in breadth it hath no store of water although it is very plentifull of Pastures for Cattle There is in it two Townes one neare the Sea which reacheth to a fortresse where the Gouernour is resident and another two leagues within the Land which is called the Valley of Sancta Lucie there is in his coast a good port and a nooke and many beds of Pearles whither the fishing of them is remoued which before was in Cubagua and they say it went away from thence for the rumour of the ordnance of the many Shippes that resorted to this Iland to the trafficke of the Pearles which was very great Cubagua stands one league from Margarita to the East there is no water in it and yet the new Cadiz was built there and they carried their water seuen leagues from the Riuer of Cumana To the East of Cubagua are foure little Illets close by the shoare which the first Admirall called Los Frayles and to the East betweene them and Granada other foure or fiue which he called Los Testigos the Witnesses and to the West after Cubagua another little Iland which he named Tortuga the Tortoyse neere to the point of Araya and from hence the discouery being made from below Paria he went to Hispaniola with a purpose to finish the discouery of Terra firme and as here after shall be seene hee went after to discouer and found the Ilands of the Guanaios and from before Veragua
FLORIDA In all the rest of the Coast that is betweene the point of Sancta Helena by New found Land and the Bacallaos vnto the Land of Labrador which reacheth and passeth the height of England there is no Towne nor Gouernment of Spaniards although by diuers times and Nations it hath beene discouered and Nauigated and it is knowne there is aboue one thousand leagues iourney of Land without gold and the more in height the worse and lesse habitable There be many Riuers and Ports that because they are not well knowne nor frequented there is no mention made but of the Riuer of the Stagges by another name of Sancta Marie which is a very great and maine Riuer almost in the midst of the Coast betweene the Baccallaos from whence the great Riuer Ochelago entreth within the Land toward the West which diuers times the strangers haue nauigated beleeuing to haue found that way passage to new Spaine And in the Coast of Florida which looketh to the West are the Tortoyses seuen or eight Ilands together and to the North of the point of los Martyâ—eâ— the Muspa in terra firme And thirteene leagues to the North the Bay of Charles by another name of Iohn Ponce of Lyon and as much more forward the Bay of Tampa thirtie three leagues from the Bay of Tocobaga by another name of the Holy Ghost or de Meruelo in twentie nine degrees and an halfe of height where beginneth that which properly is called Florida Many haue thought that by this side of Florida toward the land of Labrador there might a streit be found to communicate the North the South Seas together saying that as it had beene found to the South there should be one to the North but experience doth shew that the South passage is no streight at the least it is alreadie in doubt and by the North vntill now though it hath beene much sought for it hath not beene found and hee that went neerest to it was the President Peter Melendez by some conjectures All the Coast on the West side vnto the Gouernment of Panuco which is aboue 300. leagues is called The Gulfe of New Spaine wherein is no Towne of Spaniards though it was giuen for a gouernment to Pamphilo of Naruaez and to Hernando of Soto and first to Francisco de Garay and of his people in particular The Country is very poore of victuals and the people miserable and although in it are many Riuers and Ports no mention is made of them because they are not well knowne This Gulfe hath two entrances by the one the currents doe enter furiously betweene Yucatan and Cuba and goe out with a greater force betweene the same Iland of Cuba and the point of Florida and running doe make the channell of Bahama which taketh his name of the Iland rehearsed THe second Audience which was setled in the Indies is that of New Spaine and Nunyo de Guzonau Cauallero de Guadalaiara was the first President till a Gouernour were prouided and because he gaue no satisfaction there was another new Councell quickly sent and for President of it Don Sebastian Ramirez of Fuenleal which of a Iudge of the Chancerie of Granada went for President of the Councell of Saint Dominicke and Bishop of the Citie of the Conception of the Valley a person of great Learning Vertue and Valour Hee had the charge of the Gouernment Iustice and disposition of the goods Royall the Warre remayning at the charge of the Marquesse of the Valley with order to communicate with the President that which appertayned thereto and betweene them was alwayes great conformitie The bounds of this Councell on the one side doth not comprehend that which commonly is called New Spaine and on the other it comprehendeth more because the new Gallicia which is a Councell by it selfe is part of New Spaine The Prouince of Yucatan falleth within the bounds of it which as now it is may haue in length about foure hundred leagues from the furthest East of Yucatan vnto where it parteth bounds with the Councell of new Gallozia and North and South about two hundred from the end of the Gouernment of Panuco vnto the South Sea his bounds remayning open on the North side whose principall Prouinces are the Archbishopricke of Mexico the Bishoprickes of Mechoacan and that of los Angelos or Tlascala and of Guaxaca and of Chiapa and the Gouernments of Panuco and Yucatan with that of Tobosco and for circuit or commerce the Ilands Phillipinas and the dispatch of the Nauigation of China New Spaine is one of the best Prouinces of the new World and the most habitable in a good temper hauing abundance and plentie of Corne Millet and Cattle and all other necessaries for humane life except Oyle and Wine and although in many places of it there is Gold Siluer is most generall whereof there are many good Mynes HONDIVS his Map of New Spaine HISPANIA NOVA There are in Mexico Monasteries of Dominican Franciscan and Austine Friers the company of Iesus El Carmen la Merced the Bare-foot and Trinitarie Friers ten Monasteries of Nunnes one Colledge of Indian children and another of Arrepentidas the Repentantes and Recogidas or Retyred and the Vniuersitie where curious and learnedly the Sciences are read with other Colledges and Hospitals And the Spaniards which inhabit the bordering Townes of the Indians and Granges are about three thousand and there are reckoned about two hundred and fiftie Townes of Indians in which the chiefe places of Doctrine are one hundred and fiue and in them and thereabouts are six thousand Granges more then fiue hundred thousand tributarie Indians and more then one hundred and fiftie Monasteries of Franciscan Dominican and Austine Friers And the Doctrines or Schooles of Priests and Friers to teach the Faith Catholike to the Indians are without number besides the Fathers of the Company and Mercenarie Friers there is also Resident in Mexico the holy Office of the Inquisition whereof we will intreat hereafter In the Coast bounding on this Archbishopricke towards the South Sea and the Prouince of Acapulco is the good Port of Acapulco in seuenteene degrees height sixe leagues from the Riuer Yopes whereby the Archbishopricke is joyned with the Bishopricke of Tlascala And other eight more to the West the Riuer of Citaâ—a and other foure the Riuer of Mitla In the Coast of the North it hath that which falleth in the Gouernment of Tanuco In the limits of this Councell are the Mynes of Puchuca fourteene leagues from Mexico and the Mynes of Tasco twentie two those of Ysmiquilpo which are of Lead twentie two the Mynes of 〈◊〉 twentie foure the Mynes oâ— Tâ—â—azcaltepeque eighteene those of Cultepâ—quâ— 22. those of Zacualpa twentie 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 40. those of Guanaxato sixtie those of Commaia seuen From Guanaxuator those of Acâ—â—chica eighteene from the Citie of los Angelos and those of Gaâ—la or Zumatlan and Saint Lewes of the Peace
the Port of Cauyete and the Iland of Mocha more to the South and the Port of Cauten which is that of the Imperiall and to the South the landing place and the Riuer of Tolten before the Port of Valdinia and past this the Point of the Galley and more to the South the great Bay or Port of Osorno in the Riuer de las Canoas and to the South of it about thirtie leagues to the Lake de los Coronados the broadest Riuer of this Realme and at the end of this Realme the Lake of Aucud HONDIVS his Map of the MAGELLAN Streight FRETUM Magellani The Ports Capes and Points of the Coast of the one and the other Sea vnto the Streighr although they be many and some are not pointed in the Cardes of Nauigation it appeareth not wholly neither is there any certaine relation of all And the most knowne of the Coast from Chile vnto the Streight which runneth from Valdinia about an hundred leagues to the West South-west are the Cape of Saint Andrew in seuen and fortie degrees from whence the Coast turneth directly to the South vnto the Streight by the Cape of Saint Roman in eight and fortie degrees and neere vnto it the Iland of Saint Catalina neere to the great Bay which they call Hartichoked and within it the Bay of our Lady and the Iland of Santa Barbara and more forward the Ports of Hernan Gallego in eight and fortie degrees two third parts and the Bay of The Kings eighteene leagues from the Port of Hernan Gallego and the Bay of Saint Iohn in fiftie degrees one third part the Cape of Saint Francisco in one and fiftie whereby some Channels doe enter into the Land and the Iland de la Campana or of the Bell eleuen leagues from Saint Francis also with some Channels which haue not beene nauigated within the Land and the Bay of Saint Lazarus in two and fiftie degrees with Channels on the sides which enter very broad and long to the one and the other parts which haue not beene nauigated and a great Sea of Ilands which alwayes was said to bee at the South side neere to the mouth of the Streight the which Sir Richard Hawkins denyeth for hee saith That at this mouth of the Streight on the South side he found no more then foure small Ilands and one in the middest like a Sugar loofe and that at the least they are distant from the mouth of the Streight sixe leagues and the great Sea is on the one side and he holdeth for certaine it is that which they say is the firme Land of the South side of the Streight and that there is no firme land The Streight though they haue past it from the South to the North side by order of the Vice-roy Don Franciscus of Toledo Peter Sarmiento and Antonie Pablo Corso and it is knowne it stands from 52. to 53. degrees of altitude where it draweth most to the South and that in length it hath one hundred and ten â—eagues or one hundred and fifteene little more or lesse and in breadth from one to tenne it hath neuer beene nauigated to an end from the South Sea to the North Sea nor the Pyrats that haue past it from the North to the South are vnderstood to haue returned by it The aboue said Sir Richard Hawkins saith that he sailed many dayes by the Straight and affirmeth that all the Countrie on the South side is no firme Land but many Ilands which reach to 56. degrees the which he might know because he sayled to the same 56. degrees through the middest of those Ilands and seeing he found nothing but Sea hee followed his course againe through by the Straight and that this cannot be so farre the differences of Seas which the many entrings doe cause that are among those Ilands and that the habiting of them is of people on the North side which doe passe to those Ilands to sustaine themselues of fishings and in their seasons returne to their Countries and that he comprehended this of many things especially of not hauing seene any seated inhabitating but some Cabbins which the Indians doe make for a time The same said Sir Francis Drake that it hapned him when he passed the Straight the yeare 1579. who after his comming out into the South Sea he ran along with tempests compassing this Sea vnto the mouth of the North Sea and by the same way he had runne he made sure his nauigation to the South Sea The parts most famous of the Straight at the entring of the South are the Cape Desseado or Desired in 53. degrees and the Channell of all Saints two and twentie leagues from the mouth very broad and large and past it the port of the Treason and afterward another great large Channell which runneth to the North-west and Rowlands Bell a great Rocke in the middest at the beginning of a Channell They gaue it this name of one of Magellanes fellowes called Rowland who went to reacknowledge it which was a Gunner the point of possession which is foure leagues from the Cape of Virgenes at the entring of the North Sea in 52. degrees and a halfe of altitude when Peter Sarmiento and Antonie Pablo Corso by order which they had to reknowledge the Straight for it had beene commanded long before for to see if it were a more easie nauigation to the South Sea then that of Panama they viewed the two narrow places that at the entrie of the North and it seemed to Peter Sarmiento that the one was so narrow that with Artillerie it might be kept and so much he perswaded it that although the Duke of Alua affirmed it was impossible the Armie which Iames Flower carried vnfruitfully was sent about it and in the end was knowne that that nauigation is dangerous and the flowing of two Seas which come to meete in the middest of the Straight doe withdraw themselues with such furie ebbing in some places more then sixtie fathoms that when the Shippes did carry nothing but Cables to preserue themselues from loosing that which they had sayled they would goe full froaghted In foure hundred leagues there is of Coast from the mouth of the Straight vnto the Riuer of Plate which runneth altogether North-east and South-west there is the Riuer of Saint Ilefonsus twelue leagues from the Cape of the Virgenes the a Gallizian Riuor and the Bay of Saint Iames foureteene leagues from the Riuer of Sancta Cruz in 50. degrees and at the mouth an Iland called of the Lyons and the Port of Saint Iulian in 49. degrees and the Riuer of Iohn Serrana to the South of the Ilands of Duckes in 47 degrees the Riuer of Cananor in 45. degrees the Cape of Saint Dominicke before the Cape of three Points and the Land de los Humos or of the Smoakes in 38. degrees the Point of Sancta Hellene and of Saint Apollonia in 37. degrees before the White
quantities and when they come out of the Sea and bring forth their egges and goe together by companies from the Sea to feede on the Land the Christians or Indians follow their steps which they finde in the Sand and soone ouertake them because they are very heauie and slow in going although they make all the haste they can to returne to the Sea assoone as they espy any body When they that pursue them haue ouertaken them they put a stake or staffe vnder their legs and ouerturne them on their backs as they are yet running so that they can goe no further nor yet rise againe or turne and thus they suffer them to lye still while they follow after the rest which they ouerturne in like manner and by this meanes take very many at such times as they come forth of the Sea as I haue said This fish is very excellent and wholesome to be eaten and of good taste The second of the three fishes whereof I haue spoken is the Tiburon this is a very great fish and very quick and swift in the water and a cruell Deuourer these are oftentimes taken aswell when the ships are vnder saile in the Ocean as also when they lye at anker or at any other time and especially the least kinde of these fishes When the ships are vnder saile the biggest sort are taken after this manner When the Tiburon seeth the ship sayling hee followeth it swimming behind the which things the Mariners seeing cast forth all the filth of the ship into the Sea for the fish to eate who neuerthelesse followeth them with equall pase although they make neuer such haste with full winde and sailes and walloweth on euery side and about the ship and thus followeth it sometime for the space of a hundred and fiftie leagues and more and when the Mariners are disposed to take them they cast downe by the sterne of the ship a hooke of Iron as bigge as the biggest finger of a mans hand of three spans in length and crooked like a fish-hooke with beards according to the bignesse thereof and fastned to an Iron chaine of fiue or sixe linkes neere vnto the end and from thence tyed with a great rope fastning also on the hooke for a bait a piece of some fish or hogs flesh or some other flesh or the bowels and intrals of another Tiburon which they haue taken before which may easily be done for I haue seene nine taken in one day and if they would haue taken more they might also Thus when the Tiburon hath pleasantly followed the ship a long voyage at the length he swalloweth the bait with the hooke and aswell by his striuing to flee or escape as also by the swift passage of the ship the hooke ouerthwarteth and catcheth hold of his chaps the which fish when it is taken it is of such huge bignesse that twelue or fifteene men are scarsly able to draw it out of the water and lift it into the ship where one of the Mariners giueth it many knocks on the head with a club or beetle vntill he haue slaine it they are sometimes found of ten or twelue foote long and of fiue sixe or seuen spans in breadth where they are broadest they haue very great and wide mouthes to the proportion of the rest of their bodies and haue two rowes of teeth the one somewhat separate from the other of cruell shape and standing very thicke When they haue slaine this fish they cut the body thereof in small pieces and put it to drie hanging it three or foure dayes at the Cordes of the saile clothes to drie in the winde and then eate it It is doubtlesse a good fish and of great commoditie to serue the ships for victualls for many dayes the least of these fishes are most wholesome and tender it hath a skin much like to the skin of a Sole whereunto the said Tiburon is like in shape Which I say because Plinie hath made mention of none of these three fishes among the number of them whereof he writeth in his Naturall historie These Tiburons come forth of the Sea and enter into the Riuers where they are no lesse perillous then great Lizards or Crocodiles whereof I haue spoken largely before For they deuoure Men Kine and Horses euen as doe the Crocodiles they are very dangerous in certaine washing places or Pooles by the Riuers sides and where they haue deuoured at other times Diuers other fishes both great and small of sundrie sorts and kindes are accustomed to follow the ships going vnder saile of the which I will speake somewhat when I haue written of Manate which is the third of the three whereof I haue promised to entreat Manate therefore is a fish of the Sea of the biggest sort and much greater then the Tiburon in length and breadth and is very brutish and vile so that it appeareth in forme like vnto one of those great vessels made of Goats skins wherein they vse to carry new wine in Medina de Campo or in Areualo the head of this beast is like the head of an Oxe with also like eyes and hath in the place of armes two great stumps wherwith he swimmeth It is a very gentle and tame beast and commeth oftentimes out of the water to the next shoare where if he finde any herbes or grasse he feedeth thereof Our men are accustomed to kill many of these and diuers other good fishes with their Crosse-bowes pursuing them in Barkes or Canoas because they swim in manner aboue the water the which thing when they see they draw them with a hooke tyed at a small corde but somewhat strong As the fish fleeth away the Archer letteth goe and prolongeth the corde by little and little vntill he haue let it goe many fathoms at the end of the corde there is tyed a corke or a piece of light wood and when the fish is gone a little way and hath coloured the water with his bloud and feeleth himselfe to faint and draw toward the end of his life he resorteth to the shoare and the Archer followeth gathering vp his corde whereof while â—here yet remaine sixe or eight fathoms or somewhat more or lesse he draweth it toward the Land and draweth the fish therewith by little and little as the waues of the Sea helpe him to doe it the more easily then with the helpe of the rest of his companie he lifteth this great beast out of the Water to the Land being of such bignesse that to conuey it from thence to the Citie it shall be requisite to haue a Cart with a good yoke of Oxen and sometimes more according as these fishes are of bignesse some being much greater then other some in the same kinde as is seene of other beasts Sometimes they lift these fishes into the Canoa or Barke without drawing them to the Land as before for as soone as they are slaine they flote aboue the water And I beleeue verily
from place to place by the winde or course of the water Quintus Curtius writeth in his Historie that great Alexander came to the Citie of Memi where is a great Caue or Denne in the which is a Spring or Fountaine that continually auoideth a great quantitie of Bitumen in such sort that it is an easie thing to beleeue that the stones of the wals of Babylon might be laid therewith according as the said Author writeth I haue seene this Mine of Bitumen not onely in the Iland of Cuba but also such another in new Spaine in the Prouince of Panuco Thus farre I haue giuen you from Master Eden his Edition wherein because many things necessary to the naturall History of the Indies are in the Authors Summarie and in his 20. Books of a larger Historie I haue added hither such things as I thought fittest The Vâ—ias are like great Rats and the Cories like Conies of which the people in Hispaniola eate as also of the Yuanas Chemi and Mohni are little creatures also in that Iland which and their little mute Dogges were all the foure footed Beasts they had saue that of Rats there is some question The Indians of Iamaica and Cuba vse to catch fish with the fish Rouerso as Huntsmen or Falconers vse Hounds or Haukes in their game The Indians take it sometimes in their Nets of which I haue eaten and when they will bring vp one of them they feede it in the Sea and carrie it tied to their Canar by a strong line which when they see a fish fit for pray they loosen and vse words to excite courage and valour in this fish which presently flies like an arrow at that fish and fastens thereon and the Indian lets the line runne out at length being oiled of many fadomes and hauing a peece of wood at the end to buoy it till the fish be wearied this little fish little aboue a spanne long vnsightly to looke on still holding fast till the Indian gathering in his cord prepares to shoare to take the greater fish with much commendation and words of encouragement to this chase-fish perswading him to let goe his hold which otherwise should sooner by violence breake in peeces this Huntsman then force him to vnfasten Thus will he fasten on the belly of a Tortoise so great that two Indians and sometimes sixe haue enough to doe to carrie the same to their houses This fish Rouerso hath scailes Staire fashioned or like the roofe of a mans mouth and on them certain prickles very sharpe and strong whereby he fastens himselfe to what fish him pleaseth and these prickly scales he hath on the most part of his body They haue likewise a cunning wild-goose-chase in a great Lake casting in certaine great emptie Pompons in the season when Geese resort thither wherewith they being accustomed grow out of feare and will sit on them to bee carried Being thus acquainted the Indian puts one of these emptie Pompons on his head and with much dexteritie of swimming enters amongst the Geese and when one hath made him his Porter no part of his body being seene he swimmes from the rest and then with his hand pulls her in and hangs her thus strangled at his girdle and begins a fresh game When their Caciques are dead they lay them on a piece of wood or stone and make a fire about the same which may not burne them but by degrees draw forth all the moysture in sweat leauing onely the skin and bones and then in a place separate repose the same with the Ancestors which before had beene so dealt with this being their best Booke of Heraldrie to recount the Names and seuerall Descents in that Pedegree If any die in battell or so that they cannot recouer his body they compose Songs which the Children learne touching him and the manner of his death to supply that memoriall These Songs they call Areytos As for Letters they were so ignorant that seeing the intercourse of Spaniards by Letters they thought that Letters could speake and were very cautelous in their carriage of them lest the Letters might accuse them of ill demeanor by the way When they will disport themselues the Men and Women meet and take each other by the hand and one goeth before which is called Tequina or their Master with certaine paces measured to his singing in a low voice what commeth in his minde and after him all the multitude answereth in a higher voice with like measures proportioned to the tune and so continue they three or foure houres with Chicha or Mayz-wine among sometimes also changing the Tequina and taking another with a new tune and song Their Houses are commonly round like a Tent and sometimes with a double water passage which they call Buhio of good Timber thatched with Straw or long Grasse the Walls of Reed pitched into the ground In the Prouince of Abrayne in Golden Castile and thereabouts there are many Villages of Indians which dwell on the tops of Trees in Houses or Roomes there made to which they ascend by certaine staires of Besuco which growes about Trees and is vsed to binde their Walls and Timbers in their houses before mentioned Beneath the ground is fenny and couered with water not so high as a man and where it is deeper they vse Canoas and therewith passe to drie Land to sow their Mays and Iucca Battatas and Aies In those houses they are secured from wild Beasts Enemies and Fire They are not Archers and vse Clubs In the Gulfe of Vraba where Rio Grande enters the Sea are many Palme trees in the middest of the Riuer growing neere together on the tops whereof are houses made as the former and much bigger in which many Inhabitants dwell together and haue their beds tyed to the lower parts of the said Palme trees These beds they call Hamacas being couerlets of Cotten of good threed and well wouen of two or three braces long but narrower with cordes at the ends The cordes are of Cotton or of Henequen or Cabuya this the courser threed that the finer and able to cut Iron made of the leafe of a certaine herbe These Indians fight also with Clubs and did much harme to Captaine Vasco Nunes di Balboa his men which returned with losse not able to ouer-come them I haue also obserued that these Indians haue the bones of their skulls foure times as thicke as those of the Christians so that to strike them with a Sword must be warily done the Swords being thereby often broken Besides the Tigre and other beasts before mentioned in the firme Land are the Beori the Christians call them Dants not that they are such but for some resemblance as is also said of the Tigre of the bignesse of a meane Mule without hornes ash-coloured they know not to dresse and tanne their hides They take them with Dogs but if they take water they are fierce and
into New Spaine and with the second Armie of Grigialua and with the third of Cortese and with the fourth of Pamphilo di Narbaez all by order of Lieutenant Velasco whereby Cuba was in manner dispeopled and by the former causes mentioned of Hispaniola and by the contagion of the small Pockes which was vniuersall in all these Ilands So that the Great God hath in manner wholly extinguished them for their not without others sinnes They haue much Gold and Brasse vse to fish much with the Rouerso before mentioned as also that Wild-goose chase There are innumerable Cranes such as are in Spaine the Boyes take infinite Egges and young ones There are Turtles greater then in Spaine Euery yeare there passe from the end of Cuba infinite numbers of diuers sorts of Birds which come from the North of the firme Land and crosse ouer the Alacrain Ilands and Cuba and flye ouer the Gulfe Southwards I haue seene them passe ouer Darien and Nombre de dios and Panama in diuers yeeres in the Firme Land so many that they couer the Skie and this passage or march continueth a moneth or more about the moneth of March I thinke they flie round about the World for they neuer are seene to returne toward the West or North and we see them not euery yeere one after another from morning to night the aire is couered and some flie so high that they cannot bee seene others lower yet higher then the Mountaines tops They come from the North-west and North to the Southwards and then turne South-west occupying in length more then the eye can discerne and a great space in breadth The lowest are Eaglets and Eagles and all seeme Birds of prey of many kinds and plumes The higher cannot bee discerned in their plumes but in manner of flying and qâ—antâ—tie appeare of diuers sorts There haue beene Serpents killed in Cuba as bigge as a mans thigh and fiue and twentie or thirtie foot long and more They are tame and the Indians eate them and find sometimes in their bellies sixe or seuen creatures bigger then Conies which they swallow whole I am loth to lead you with this Author along with Grigialua in his long Expedition from hence to Iucatan and other parts Neere to Porto de termini he found two Trees seeming set by hand standing alone and fifteene paces off diuers Idols of Chalke They saw two Images made of the wood Copei in manner of Sodomiticall villenie ioyned together and another of Chalke with his circumcised member betwixt his hands Iamaica was in people vices creatures and other things like the former they were the Inuentors of the reuerso-fishing and Goose-catching with Gourds or Pompions aforesaid which sometimes they practised also with leaues and greene boughes on their heads and vsed that Garland as is before said of the Pompions Of Cubagua the Pearle Iland and of the Pearle-fishing is spoken before In Cubagua is a bituminous Fountayne hauing otherwise no water to drinke nor Hearbes nor Trees but a few of Guaiacan nor any liuing creatures though at first comming of the Christians there were a few Conies At the East point is the Fountayne running into the Sea with an Oily substance floating on it profitable for Medicine there called Deuils Dung They that liue there fetch their water seuen leagues off from Cumana on the firme Land and wood from Margarita The Kings fifth of the Pearle-fishing hath yeelded 15000. Duckets yeerly a thing not knowne that so many Pearles haue beene taken from so small a space the Iland of Cubagua not compassing aboue three leagues In the Gulfe of Orâ—tigâ—a and the Ilands therein in the Prouince of Nicaragua on the South Sea are many shel-fishes of a long forme some a Cubit long some lesse creased growing broader and broader to the end when they are opened they haue a fishie substance within them and shine within as the Pearle-oysters doe halfe their length thence by degrees loosing that shining toward the broader end The Pearles within them are not so fine as the other The Indians vse the shels to digge their loose ground fastning the shell to a handle of wood binding it fast and making a kind of Spade thereof In the yeare 1517. An Englishman vnder colour of Discouery came with a great ship towards Brasill on the Firme Land and thence trauersed to Hispaniola and came neere the Hauen of Saint Domingo and sent his Boat full of people on shoare and desired Trade But the Captaine of the Fort shot from the Castle at the Boate because shee came directly to the Port and thereupon they returned to their ship The English seeing this entertainment tooke their course towards the Iland of Saint Iohn and entred the Port of Saint German and there demanded victuals and prouisions for their ship complaining of the wrong done them at Saint Domingo comming thither for Trade to buy with their Mony and to barter Commodities There they got some victuals for which they paid in wrought pieces of Pewter and other things and so returned towards Europe where it is likely they came not for there was neuer any more heard of them The next yeare a French Pirat guided by a Spanish Pilot came to trade in the Iland of Pearles and a Portugall Carauell which he had taken on the Coast of Brasill and would haue landed his Boats full of men but was resisted and a Battel betwixt both parts followed in which thirteene Frenchmen were slaine and two of ours Three or foure Nauarrois and Biskainers fled from them and said the French were Theeues and came to take the Iland whereupon they went with all their strength and tooke her Boat and the ship fled out of sight c. Ouiedos twentieth Booke is of shipwrackes and disaduentures which haue happened to the Spaniards in those parts One which happened 1514. is admirable the ship sinking and fiue and twentie persons escaping in the Boat hast forbidding prouision of Card Compasse or victuall to saue their liues Thus liued they twelue dayes at Sea neither had they any thing to eate or drinke only a young man had saued two pounds of Bisket which beeing diuided amongst them he which had most had not aboue an ounce and halfe Vrine or the Sea was their drinke In this case they made Vowes to our Lâ—die of Antica in Siuill and on the twelfth day hauing made a Saile of their shirts they came to Siluer-port in Hispaniola Their Pilot Aâ—to Caluo told me the Storie The same yeare in the Pleet of Pedrarias de Auilla a Portugal youth being scoffed at and flouted by the Spaniards leaped into the Sea in a fresh gale and not without the wonder of all men was taken vp by another ship aliue whom after I saw vaunting of this folly and saying that no Castilian durst haue done it which I easily beleeue as hauing more wit then this Foole. Yet will I imitate a little this foolish
fiue or ten dayes together before any of their great Feasts and they were vnto them as our foure Ember weekes they were so strict in continence that some of them not to fall into any sensualitie slit their members in the midst and did a thousand things to make themselues vnable lest they should offend their gods They drunke no Wine and slept little for that the greatest part of their exercises were by night committing great cruelties and martyring themselues for the Deuill and all to bee reputed great fasters and penitents They did vse to discipline themselues with cords full of knots and not they onely but the people also vsed this punishment and whipping in the procession and feast they made to the Idoll Tezcalipuca the which as I haue said before is the god of penance for then they all carried in their hands new cordes of the threed of Manguey a fadome long with a knot at the end and wherewish they whipped themselues giuing great lashes ouer their shoulders The Priests did fast fiue dayes before this Feast eating but once a day and they liued apart from their wiues not going out of the Temple during those fiue dayes they did whip themselues rigorously in the manner aforesaid In Peru to solemnize the feast of the Yta which was great all the people fasted two dayes during the which they did not accompanie with their Wiues neither did they eate any meate with Salt or Garleeke nor drinke Chica They did much vse this kinde of fasting for some sins and did penance whipping themselues with sharpe stinging Netâ—les and often they strooke themselues ouer the shoulders with certayne stones This blind Nation by the perswasion of the Deuill did transport themselues into craggie Mountaynes where sometimes they sacrificed themselues casting themselues downe from some high Rocke Wee may draw all the Sacrifices the Infidels vse into three kindes one of insensible things another of beasts and the third of men They did vse in Peru to sacrifice Coca which is an hearbe they esteeme much of Mays which is their Wheate of coloured feathers and of Chaquira which otherwise they call Mollo of shels or Oysters and sometime Gold and Siluer being in figures of little beasts Also of the fine stuffe of Cumbi of carued and sweet wood and most commonly Tallow burnt They made these Offerings or Sacrifices for a prosperous winde and faire weather or for their health and to be deliuered from some dangers and mishaps Of the second kind their ordinary Sacrifice was of Cuyes which are small beasts like Rabbets the which the Indians eate commonly And in matters of importance or when they were rich men they did offer Pacos or Indian sheepe bare or with Wooll obseruing curiously the numbers colours and times The manner of killing their Sacrifices great or small which the Indians did vse according to their ancient Ceremonies is the same the Moores vse at this day the which they call Alqulble hanging the beast by the right fore-legge turning his eyes towards the Sunne speaking certayne words according to the qualitie of the Sacrifice they slue for if it were of colour their words were directed to Chuquilla and to the Thunder that they might want no water if it were white and smoothe they did offer it to the Sunne with certaine words if it had a fleece they did likewise offer it him with some others that he might shine vpon them and fauour their generation If it were a Guanaco which is gray they directed their sacrifice to Viracocha In Cusco they did euery yeere kill and sacrifice with this Ceremony a shorne sheepe to the Sunne and did burne it clad in a red Waste-coate and when they did burne it they cast certayne small baskets of Coca into the fire which they call Vilcaronca for which Sacrifice they haue both men and beasts appointed which serue to no other vse They did likewise sacrifice small Birds although it were not so vsuall in Peru as in Mexico where the sacrificing of Quailes was very ordinary Those of Peru did sacrifice the Birds of Puna for so they call the Desart when they should goe to the Warres for to weaken the forces of their aduersaries Guacas They called these Sacrifices Cuzcouicca or Conteuicca or Huallauicca or Sophauicca and they did it in this manner they tooke many kinds of small Birds of the Desart and gathered a great deale of a thorny wood which they call Yanlli the which beeing kindled they gathered together these small Birds This assembly they called Quico then did they cast them into the fire about the which the Officers of the Sacrifice went with certayne round stones carued whereon were painted many Snakes Lions Toades and Tygres vttering this word Vsachum which signifies Let the victorie be giuen vnto vs with other words whereby they sayd the forces of their enemies Guacas were confounded And they drew forth certayne blacke sheepe which had beene kept close some dayes without meate the which they called Vrca and in killing them they spake these words As the hearts of these beasts bee weakened so let our enemies be weakned And if they found in these sheepe that a certayne piece of flesh behind the hear were not consumed by fasting and close keeping they then held it for an ill Augure They brought certayne blacke Dogges which they call Appuros and slue them casting them into a Playne with certayne Ceremonies causing some kinde of men to eate this flesh the which Sacrifices they did lest the Ingua should bee hurt by poyson and for this cause they fasted from morning vntill the starres were vp and then they did glut and defile themselues like to the Moores This Sacrifice was most fit for them to withstand their enemies Gods and although at this day a great part of these customes haue ceased the warres being ended yet remaynes there some Relikes by reason of the priuate or generall quarrels of the Indians or the Caciques or in their Cities They did likewise offer and sacrifice shels of the Sea which they call Mollo and they offered them to the Fountaynes and Springs saying that these shels were daughters of the Sea the mother of all waters They gaue vnto these shels sundry names according to the colour and also they vse them to diuers ends They vsed them in a manner in all kinde of Sacrifices and yet to this day they put beaten shels in their Chica for a superstition Finally they thought it conuenient to offer Sacrifices of euery thing they did sow or raise vp There were Indians appointed to doe these Sacrifices to the Fountayne Springs and Riuers which passed through the Townes or by the their Charcas which are their Farmes which they did after Seed time that they might not cease running but alwayes water their grounds The Sorcerers did conjure to know what time the Sacrifices should be made which beeing ended they did gather of the contribution of the people what should
all such as had the vse of reason not to drinke any water which if they did the anger of God would come vpon them and they should die which they did obserue very carâ—fully and strictly The ceremonies dancing and sacrifice ended they went to vnclothe themselues and the Priests and Superiors of the Temple tooke the Idoll of paste which they spoyled of all the ornaments it had and made many pieces as well of the Idoll it selfe as of the Tronchons which were consecrated and then they gaue them to the Communion beginning with the greater and continuing vnto the rest both Men Women and little Children who receiued it with such teares feare and reuerence as it was an admirable thing saying that they did eate the flesh and bones of God wherewith they were grieued Such as had any sicke folkes demanded thereof for them and carried it with great reuerence and veneration All such as did communicate were bound to giue the tenth of this seede whereof the Idoll was made The solemnitie of the Idoll being ended an old man of great authoritie stept vp into a high place and with a loud voice preached their Law and Ceremonies THe father of lyes would like wise counterfait the Romish Sacrament of Confession and in his Idolatries seeke to be honored with ceremonies very like to the manner of Christians In Peru they held opinion that all diseases and aduersities came for the sinnes which they had committed for remedie whereof they vsed sacrifices moreouer they confessed themselues verbally almost in all Prouinces and had Confessors appointed by their Superiors to that end there were some sinnes reserued for the Superiors They receiued penance yea somtimes very sharply especially when the Offendor was a poore man and had nothing to giue his Confessor This office of Confessor was likewise exercised by Women The manner of these Confessors Sorcerers whom they call Ychuâ—ri or Ychuri hath beene most generall in the Prouinces of Collasuâ—â— They hold opinion that it is a haynous sinne to conceale any thing in confession The Ychuiri or Confessors discouered by lots or by the view of some beast Hides if any thing were concealed and punished them with many blowes with a stone vpon the shoulders vntill they had reuealed all then after they gaue him penance and did sacrifice They doe likewise vse this confession when their children wiues husbands or their Caciques be sicke or in any great exploit And when their Ingua was sicke all the Prouinces confessed themselues chiefly those of the Prouince of Collao The Confessor were bound to hold their Confessions secret but in certaine cases limited The sinnes that they chiefly confessed was first to kill one another out of warre then to steale to take another mans wife to giue poyson or sorcerie to doe any harme and they held it to be a grieuous sinne to be forgetfull in the reuerence of their Guacas or Oratories not to obserue the Feasts or to speake ill of the Ingua and to disobey him They accused not themselues of any secret acts and sinnes But according to the report of some Priests after the Christians came into that Country they accused themselues of their thoughts The Ingua confessed himselfe to no man but onely to the Sunne that hee might tell them to Virachoca and that hee might forgiue them After the Ingua had beene confessed he made a certaine bath to cleanse himselfe in a running Riuer saying these words I haue told my sinnes to the Sunne receiue them O thou Riuer and carry them to the Sea where they may neuer appeare more Others that confessed vsed likewise these baths with certaine ceremonies very like to those the Moores vse at this day which they call Guadoy and the Indians call them Opacuna When it chanced that any mans children dyed hee was held for a great sinner saying that it was for his sinnes that the sonne dyed before the father And therefore those to whom this had chanced after they were confessed were bathed in this bath called Opacuna as is said before Then some deâ—ormed Indian crooke-backt and counterfait by nature came to whip them with certaine Nettles If the Sorcerers or Inchanters by their lots and diuinations affirmed that any sicke body should die the sicke man makes no difficultie to kill his owne sonne though he had no other hoping by that meanes to escape death saying that in his place he offered his sonne in sacrifice And this crueltie hath beene practised in some places euen since the Christians came into that Country In truth it is strange that this custome of confessing their secret sinnes hath continued so long amongst them and to doe so strict penances as to fast to giue apparell gold and siluer to remaine in the Mountaynes and to receiue many stripes vpon the shoulders Our men say that in the Prouince of Chiquito euen at this day they meet with this plague of Confessors oâ— Ychuris where as many sicke persons repaire vnto them but now by the grace of God this people begins to see cleerly the effect and great benefit of our Confession whereunto they come with great deuotion I will report the manner of a strange confession the Deuill hath inuented at Iapon as appeares by a Letter that came from thence which saith thus There are in Ocaca very great and high and steepe Rocks which haue pricks or points on them aboue two hundred fathom high Amongst these Rocks there is one of these pikes or points so terribly high that when the Xamaâ—usis which be Pilgrimes doe but looke vp vnto it they tremble and their baire stares so fearfull and horrible is the place Vpon the top of this point there is a great rod of Iron of three fathom long placed there by a strange deuice at the end of this rod is a ballance â—yed whereof the scarles are so bigge as a man may sit in one of them and the Goquis which be Deuils in humane shape command these Pilgrimes to enter therein one after another not leauing one of them then with an engine or instrument which mooueth by meanes of a wheele they make this rod of Iron whereon the ballance is hanged to hang in the aire one of these Xamaâ—usis being set in one of the scales of the ballance And as that wherein the man is set hath no counterpoise on the other side it presently hangeth downe and the other riseth vntill it meets with and toucheth the rod then the Goquis telleth them from the Rocke that they must confesse themselues of all the sinnes they haue committed to their remembrance and that with a loud voyce to the end that all the rest may heare him Then presently hee beginneth to confesse whilest some of the standers by doe laugh at the sinnes they doe heare and others sigh and at euery sinne they confesse the other scale of the ballance falls a little vntill that hauing told all his sinnes it remaines equall with the other wherein the
answered to our Nouember they prepared what was necessary for the Children that should bee made Nouices the moneth following the Children with the old men made a certayne shew with rounds and turnings and this Feast was called Ituraymi which commonly they make when it raines too much or too little or when there is a plague Among the extraordinary Feasts which were very many the most famous was that which they called Ytu This Feast Ytu hath no prefixed time nor season but in time of necessitie To prepare themselues thereunto all the people fasted two dayes during the which they did neither company with their wiues nor eate any meate with Salt or Garlicke nor drinke any Chica All did assemble together in one place where no stranger was admitted nor any beast they had Garments and Ornaments which serued onely for this Feast They marched very quietly in Procession their heads couered with their Veâ—les sounding of Drummes without speaking one to another This continued a day and a night then the day following they danced and made good cheere for two dayes and two nights together saying that their Prayer was accepted And although that this Feast is not vsed at this day with all this ancient Ceremony yet commonly they make another which is very like which they call Ayma with Garments that serue onely to that end and they make this kinde of Procession with their Drummes hauing fasted before then after they make good cheere which they vsually doe in their vrgent necessities And although the Indians forbeare to sacrifice beasts or other things publikely which cannot be hidden from the Spaniards yet doe they still vse many Ceremonies that haue their beginnings from these Feasts and ancient Superstitions for at this day they doe couertly make this Feast of Ytu at the dances of the Feast of the Sacrament in making the dances of Lyamallama and of Guacon and of others according to their ancient Ceremonies THe Mexicans haue beene no lesse curious in their Feasts and Solemnities which were of small charge but of great effusion of mans bloud We haue before spoken of the principall Feast of Vitziliputzli after the which the Feast of Tezcalipuca was most solemnized This Feast fell in May and in their Kalender they called it Tozcolt it fell euery foure yeere with the feast of Penance where there was giuen full indulgence and remission of sinnes In this day they did sacrifice a Captiue which resembled the Idoll Tezcalipuca it was the nineteenth day of May vpon the Euen of this Feast the Noblemen came to the Temple bringing a new Garment like vnto that of the Idoll the which the Priest put vpon him hauing first taken off his other Garments which they kept with as much or more reuerence then wee doe our Ornaments There were in the Coffers of the Idoll many Ornaments Iewels Earerings and other Riches as Bracelets and precious Feathers which serued to no other vse but to be there and was worshipped as their God it selfe Besides the Garment wherewith they worshipped the Idoll that day they put vpon him certayne ensignes of Feathers with fannes shadowes and other things being thus attired and furnished they drew the Curtayn or Veile from before the doore to the end he might be seene of all men then came forth one of the chiefe of the Temple attyred like to the Idoll carrying flowres in his hand and a Flute of earth hauing a very sharpe sound and turning towards the East he sounded it and then looking to the West North and South he did the like And after he had thus sounded towards the foure parts of the World shewing that both they that were present and absent did heare him he put his finger into the Aiâ—e and then gathered vp earth which hee put in his mouth and did eate it in signe of adoration The like did all they that were present and weeping they fell flat to the ground inuocating the darknesse of the night and the winds intreating them not to leaue them nor to forget them or else to take away their liues and free them from the labours they endured therein Theeues Adulterers and Murtherers and all other offenders had great feare and heauinesse whilest this Flute sounded so as some could not dissemble nor hide their offences By this meanes they all demanded no other thing of their God but to haue their offences concealed powring forth many teares with great repentance and sorrow offering great store of Incense to appease their Gods The couragious and valiant men and all the old Souldiers that followed the art of Warre hearing this Flute demanded with great deuotion of God the Creator of the Lord for whom we liue of the Sun and of other their Gods that they would giue them victory against their enemies strength to take many Captiues there with to honour their Sacrifices This Ceremony was done ten dayes before the Feast During which ten dayes the Priest did sound this Flute to the end that all might doe this worship in eating of earth and demand of their Idoll what they pleased they euery day made their Prayers with their eyes lift vp to Heauen and with sighs and groanings as men that were grieued for their sinnes and offences Although this contrition was onely for feare of the corporall punishment that was giuen them and not for any feare of the eternall for they certainly beleeued there was no such seuere punishment in the other life And therefore they offered themselues voluntarily to death holding opinion that it is to all men an assured rest The first day of the Feast of this Idoll Tezcalipuca beeing come all they of the Citie assembled together in a Court to celebrate likewise the Feast of the Kalender whereof we haue already spoken which was called Toxcoalth which signifies A dry thing which Feast was not made to any other end but to demand raine in the same manner that wee solemnize the Rogations and this Feast was alwayes in May which is the time that they haue most need of raine in those Countreyes They beganne to celebrate it the ninth of May ending the nineteenth The last day of the Feast the Priests drew forth a Litter well furnished with Curtaynes and Pendants of diuers fashions This Litter had so many armes to hold by as there were Ministers to carrie it All which came forth besmeered with blacke and long haire halfe in tresses with white strings and attyred in the liuery of the Idoll Vpon this Litter they set the personage of the Idoll appointed for this Feast which they called the resemblance of their God Tezcalipuca and taking it vpon their shoulders they brought it openly to the foot of the staires then came forth the young men and Maydens of the Temple carrying a great coard wreathed of chaines of roasted Mays with the which they enuironed the Litter and putting a chaine of the same about the Idols necke and a Garland vpon his head They called the coard Toxcalt
signifying the drought and barrennesse of the time The young men came wrapped in red Curtaines with Garlands and chaines of roasted Mays The Maydes were clothed in new Garments wearing chaines about theirs neckes of roasted Mays and vpon their heads Mytres made of rods couered with this Mays they had their feet couered with feathers and their armes and cheekes painted They brought much of this roasted Mays and the chiefe men put it vpon their heads and about their neckes taking flowres in their hands The Idoll being placed in his Litter they strewed round about a great quantitie of the boughes of Manguey the leaues whereof are large and pricking This Litter being set vpon the religious mens shoulders they carried it in Procession within the circuit of the Court two Priests marching before with Censors giuing often Incense to the Idoll and euery time they gaue Incense they lifted vp their armes as high as they could to the Idoll and to the Sunne saying that they lifted vp their Prayers to Heauen euen as the smoke ascended on high Then all the people in the Court turned round to the place whither the Idoll went euery one carrying in his hand new coards of the threed of the Manguey a fadome long with a knot at the end and with them they whipped themselues vpon the shoulders euen as they doe here vpon holy Thursday All the wals of the Court and Battlements were full of boughes and flowres so fresh and pleasant as it did giue a great contentment This Procession being ended they brought the Idoll to his vsuall place of abode Then came a great multitude of people with flowres dressed in diuers sorts wherewith they filled the Temple and all the Court so as it seemed the ornament of an Oratory All this was put in order by the Priests the young men administring these things vnto them from without The Chappell or Chamber where the Idoll remayned was all this day open without any Veile This done euery one came and offered Curtines and pendants of Sandally precious Stones Iewels Incence sweet wood Grapes or eares of Mays Quailes and finally all they were accustomed to offer in such solemnities When as they offered Quailes which was the poore mans offering they vsed this ceremonie they deliuered them to the Priests who taking them pulled off their heads and cast them at the foote of the Altar where they lost their bloud and so they did of all other things which were offered Euery one did offer meate and fruite according to their power the which was laid at the foote of the Altar and the Ministers gathered them vp and carried them to their Chambers This solemne offering done the people went to dinner euery one to his village or house leauing the feast suspended vntill after dinner In the meane time the yong Men and Maidens of the Temple with their ornaments were busied to serue the Idoll with all that was appointed for him to eate which meate was prepared by other women who had made a vow that day to serue the Idoll And therefore such as had made this vow came by the point of day offering themselues to the Deputies of the Temple that they might command them what they would haue done the which they did carefully performe They did prepare such variety of meates as it was admirable This meate being ready and the houre of dinner come all these Virgins went out of the Temple in procession euery one carrying a little basket of bread in her hand and in the other a dish of these meates before them marched an old man like to a steward with a pleasant habit he was cloathed in a white Surples downe to the calues of his legges vpon a doublet without sleeues of red leather like to a iacket he carried wings instead of sleeues from the which hung broad ribbands at the which did hang a small Calibasse or pumpion which was couered with flowers by little holes that were made in it and within it were many superstitious things This old man thus attyred marched very humbly and heauily before the preparation with his head declining and comming neere the foote of the staires he made a great obeisance and reuerence Then going on the one side the Virgins drew neere with the meate presenting it in order one after another with great reuerence This seruice presented the old man returned as before leading the Virgins into their conuent This done the yong men and ministers of the Temple came forth and gathered vp this meate the which they carried to the Chambers of the chiefe Priests of the Temple who had fasted fiue dayes eating onely once a day and they had also abstained from their wiues not once going out of the Temple in these fiue dayes During the which they did whip themselues rigorously with cords they did eate of this diuine meate for so they called it what they could was it Lawfull for any other to eate thereof All the people hauing dined they assembled againe in the court to see the end of the feast whither they brought a captiue which by the space of a whole yeare had represented the Idoll being attired decked and honoured as the Idoll it selfe and doing all reuerence vnto him they deliuered him into the hands of the sacrificers who at that instant presented themselues taking him by the feete and hands The Pope did open his stomacke and pull out his heart then did he lift vp his hand as high as he could shewing it to the Sunne and to the Idoll as hath beene said Hauing thus sacrificed him that represented the Idoll they went into a holy place appointed for this purpose whither came the yong Men and Virgins of the Temple with their ornaments the which being put in order they danced and sung with Drummes and other instruments on the which the chiefe Priests did play and sound Then came all the Noblemen with ensignes and ornaments like to the yong men who danced round about them They did not vsually kill any other men that day but him that was sacrificed yet euery fourth yeare they had others with him which was in the yeare of Iubile and full pardons After Sunne set euery one being satisfied with sounding eating and drinking the Virgins went all to their conuent they tooke great dishes of earth full of bread mixt with hony couered with small panniers wrought and fashioned with dead mens heads and bones and they carried the collation to the Idoll mounting vp to the Court which was before the doore of the Oratorie and hauing set them downe they retired in the same order as they came the steward going still before Presently came forth all the yong men in order with canes or reedes in their hands who began to runne as fast as they could to the top of the staires of the Temple who should come first to the dishes of the collation The Elders or chiefe Priests obserued him that came first second third and fourth without regarding the
same day wee stood for Cherie Iland but meeting with contrary winds and foule weather we bare backe againe for the Cape and fell with the Land the fourth day The fift day in the morning we put the second time from the North Cape and the eight day wee anchored at Cherie Iland It did freeze very hard but we found no Ice about the Iland saue that which claue to the Rockes We went into the Coue with our Shallop and found eight Morses on the Ice hard by the shoares side And we also found all the beasts that were killed the last yeere not washed away with the Sea couered ouer with Snow and Ice Wee thought to haue gotten abundance of Fowle as wee had done in the yeeres before but they would not sit the reason was because they were but new come to the Iland and not setled as then yet some Fowle we got and came aboord And because the wind was Northerly that we could not conueniently goe to the North side with the ship we determined to send some men ouer Land to see if there were any Morses on shoare vpon that side The ninth day I prepared to goe ouer Land to the North side about a North-east Sunne with three men in my companie I my selfe had a Musket and about a quarter of a pound of Powder and sixe Bullets an Halfe-pike in mine hand and an Hatchet at my backe One of the men had a birding Peece the other two had each of them a Iauelin Wee went ouer the Snow and Ice apace outward but came wearily homeward by reason we rested not any where And when we were within a mile of the other side one of my companie said he saw a Beare whereupon we looked vp and saw three great ones Whereupon I made a stand and gaue each of my companie some Aqua vitae and a little Bread and told them that wee must not in any case seeme fearefull because the nature of them is such that whosoeuer seemeth fearefull or offereth to runne away they will seize vpon him In this time I made my Musket readie and the Beares seeing vs to come toward them stood vpon their feet and two of them went toward the Sea The third stood still champing and foming as though hee would haue eaten vs. When I was within shot of him he beganne to follow his fellowes still looking behind him with his former gesture In the meane while I got ground of him the three men following mee with their weapons In the end the angry deuill turned backe and came directly toward mee I let him come within two long Pikes lengths and gaue him such a welcome that hee fell downe stone dead The company that were with me were glad as well as I yet I had beene at the killing of Beares before After this Beare was slayne we told seuenteene more whereof three were young ones This done we went on to the Sea side where we found the Shallop which we left the yeere before Wee were no sooner set to eate a little food but there came a Beare with two young ones as big as Lambes of a moneth old they skipped about their dams necke and played with one another very wantonly The dame came so neere that I shot at her and being loth to hurt the young ones being playing about her fore-parts I shot her through the top of the shoulder then she went away Immediatly we saw another Beare comming toward vs which before he came to vs stood vpon his hinder feet twice or thrice vsing the same countenance that the first did which I slue I let him come very neere and thinking to giue him his pasport the flint of my Musket was broken which made him come very neere vs. Then the fellow that had the birding piece shot him into the foot whereupon he ran away faster then wee could follow him Wee seeing so many Beares and hauing no store of Powder nor Shot bent our iourney toward our ship againe Wee had not come a quarter of a mile but wee saw a huge Beare fast a sleepe on the Snow I went softly toward him and gaue him such a filip that he neuer rose out of the place where he lay His skin when he was flayed was thirteene foot long A neere neighbour of his hearing the report of my Peece came toward me and him I slue also Now hauing but one shot left I thought it not best to bestow it there although I saw another lie vpon the Snow hard by While we sate downe to rest vs in the mid-way there came toward vs another Beare with one young one they came almost within shot and went backe againe presently shee turned againe and came within shot of me and stood on her hinder legs directly vpright and so did the young one I made account they would haue come neerer but they to the contrarie ran away Wee came being very wearie aboord our ship about a North-west Sunne Then wee weighed and stood to the Northward hauing the wind at South and by three of the clocke the next morning wee came to the North-east Point with the ship There wee manned our Shallop and Master Thomas Welden and I went on shoare where hee slue fiue Beares and I one and I wounded two more very sore And before a North Sunne our men had fleyed them all both them that I slue the day before and them that wee slue this last time for they were all together The eleuenth day we went on Land and washed some old fleyed Morses skinnes which had lyen there two yeeres but they will hardly proue good The twelfth day we rid at the West side and got some Fowle with shot and there we rid till the thirteenth The thirteenth wee saw very much Ice to the Southwards and Westwards wich came driuing so fast toward the shoare where wee rid that wee were forced to weigh and stood to the North side of the Iland The Ice followed vs still then wee stood to the East side of the Iland and there wee found both the Iland and our selues encompassed round with Ice But the winde being Westerly and a good stiffe gale it blew the Ice about a mile and an halfe from the Eastern side by which meanes wee got betwixt the Ice and the Iland and stood to the Southward but saw not any thing in all the Sea saue Ice sauing close by the Land a little open Sea trending to the South-westward That way wee stood with our fore top-sayle and stood one while one way and another while another way and could not see open Sea till the fifteenth of the same moneth at a North-west Sunne wee saw the open Sea onely a ledge of Ice which began to part insunder was betwixt vs and it Toward that place we stood and intending by Gods helpe to get through we made prouision to defend the ship from the Ice by hanging Cables ends and Plankes and
Capstan barres about the bowes of our ship But for all our fendors our ship had a great knocke vpon a piece of Ice About a North Sunne we got out into the open Sea with humble thankes to God for our deliuerance The sixteenth day the Iland did beare North-east and by North eight leagues from vs and it did freeze all that day the wind being at North which was almost calme The seuenteenth at noone the Iland did beare North-east and by North about nine leagues off the wind Southerly snowy weather The same day we saw a sayle bearing East North-east off vs about 5. leagues The eighteenth the Iland did beare North about 15. leagues off the wind being at East and by North Snow and frosty weather The nineteenth at twelue of the clocke at noone the Iland bare North and by East and we finding the Ice somewhat scattered and the wind Southerly put roome toward the Iland and vpon one piece of Ice we saw fiue Seales one I killed and one I tooke aliue and brought it aboord our ship But wee could not come neere the Iland by sixe leagues The wind came to the West with thicke weather and Snow The twentieth at twelue at noone the Iland beare North North-west about twelue leagues off We sounded and had 100. fathoms greenish Oze faire weather but cold The one and twentieth we saw the ship that wee had seene the seuenteenth day wee spake with them about 12. at noone The Master told vs he was of Hull Wee demanded whether he was bound He told vs to Cherie Iland and that there he would make his Voyage The Iland at this time did beare North and by East about nine leagues off and it was faire but cold frostie weather The 22.23.24 and 25. dayes we did beate vp and downe in the Ice The 26.27 and 28. dayes likewise wee sayled vp and downe in the Ice hauing the wind Northerly and the Iland bearing betweene the North and the North North-east cold weather The nine and twentieth the Iland beare North nine leagues off the wind at North-east snowy weather and Frost The thirtieth day we slue 26. Seales and espied three white Beares wee went aboord for Shot and Powder and comming to the Ice againe we found a shee-Beare and two young ones Master Thomas Welden shot and killed her after shee was slayne wee got the young ones and brought them home into England where they are aliue in Paris Garden The one and thirtieth we beate vp and downe in the Ice but could not come neere the Land for Ice the winde was Northerly The first of Iune we got within fiue or sixe miles of the Iland but finding very much Ice close by the Land we stood off againe the wind being at North-east cold weather The second day we got within three leagues of the Iland but finding exceeding much Ice round about vs we stood off againe the wind at North-east cold frostie weather From the second day to the fift wee sayled first one way and then another as the wind and Ice would giue vs leaue The wind being at North and by East and the Iland being betweene the North-west and by North within sixe leagues and lesse The sixth day we spake with the Hull man who told vs that he was put twentie leagues to the North-west of the Iland being fast in the Ice We had the wind Northerly and frosty weather the Land bearing North North-west The seuenth and eight we beate vp and downe in the Ice the Iland did beare North-west eight leagues off The winde was Northerly with cold and frostie weather The ninth the Land beare North-west off vs about six leagues off That day we had the first fogge since the time of our arriuall which was the eight of May. Neither lost wee the sight of the Iland aboue eighteene houres in all this time This day about a North-east Sunne it began to thaw and in sixe houres the snow was melted which lay vpon the Ice aboue sixe inches thicke which put vs in good hope that the Ice was almost past The tenth we got within sixe miles of the shoare where I made an attempt to haue got to the land with the Shallop but comming within three miles of the shoare I could get no farther the Ice was so thicke and such foggy weather I made another attempt the same day and got within one mile of the Land but the Ice was so thicke that I could get no farther The same day wee saw good store of Morses on the Ice and in the Sea The eleuenth and twelfth we plyed vp and downe fayre by the Iland to see if wee could get on Land with our Shallop but the Ice was so close about the Land that wee could not by any meanes This day the wind was at South-east thicke foggie weather The thirteenth we had thicke fogge and calme weather and when it began to cleere wee had sight of the Souther part of the Iland bearing East South-east about sixe miles off but it fell thicke suddenly againe There wee anchored in fortie fathoms white shelly ground and rid till ten of the clocke at night at what time I prepared to goe on shoare as fast as I could with a Shallop and sixe men About eleuen of the clocke we put from the Ship and with great labour got through the Ice to the Iland by a North-east Sunne The fourteenth day I landed on the Wester side of the Iland and determined to goe from thence to the North side where wee slew the Beares The ninth of May I left three men with the Shallop and tooke three men with me In my iourney I found such bad way that I had no stomacke to goe through for where there was no snow the ground was so soft and without grasse that we went vp to the anckles in dirt and where the snow lay which was in some holes three or foure fathoms thicke it was so soft that we slipt each step vp to the twist so that wee were aboue three houres in going scarce two miles Whereupon considering it would bee long before I should get ten miles and backe againe I returned to our Shallop and found that the men which I left had killed some fowle which wee sod and when wee had eaten them I prepared to goe in the Shallop to the North side I went close by the shoare for the Sea was full of Ice As wee went along by the Cliffes we got good store of Fowle which made vs glad and ioyfull because there was no hope to get aboord the Ship that day nor the next About a North-west Sun wee got to the place abouesaid and found nine Beares three of them I slew the other tooke the Sea Those three that were slaine we flead and tooke their flesh and salted it in their skinnes which I stowed in the Shallop for feare of a dearth I had