Battle and retir'd to the Mountains from whence they descended not till they had seen the Spaniards under Sail who before their departure set the Tents on fire and rifled all that belong'd to the French so that they remain'd in the Isle without Beds Tents or Tools to Work with and led a very miserable Life for the space of three or four months Many died for want and the rest saw themselves in danger of perishing in the like misery when five of the most daring of them resolv'd to expose themselves to all sorts of perils rather than remain in this Isle They made a Pyperi or Canoa in which they determin'd to adventure to Sea to seek out for some Island Inhabited by Christians of whatsoever Nation they might be and one of them having happily found an Axe on the Trunk of an Acamas Tree they made choice of the Wood of the Mahot and Trumpet Tree which are the lightest in that Country and labour'd with so great diligence that in three days they join'd together some pieces of Wood and instead of Mortise and Nails they made use of great and strong cords and so fitted out their Pyperi It was eleven foot wide and fourteen long and that it might cut the Water more nimbly they made it sharp pointed and in the middle of it placed a Mast fifteen foot high Two of the five strip'd themselves to make Sails of their Shirts and having unript them they tied them together with great points of Mahot Bark and fasten'd to them two Sheets of the same Bark to Sail near the Wind or put out to the Main as they should see occasion Our five Adventurers having bid adieu to them that remain'd in the Isle rather with abundance of Tears than Words thrust their Pyperi into the Water where they seated themselves two in the Poop two in the Prow and one in the middle The two that were in the Poop held an Oar in form of a Rudder to conduct them whither soever Divine Providence should lead them the three others held each of them an Oar in form of a Battle-Door and rowing after the manner of the Savages that is to say before them They arriv'd extreamly fatigu'd at a little Isle call'd Virgine Gonarda where Landing with their Match which they carefully kept burning in their Pyperi they made a Fire upon a Bank of Sand to boil some Periwinkles and Cray-fishes that they found there Out afflicted Navigators leaving this Isle by force of Rowing gain'd that of St. Thomas where finding what refreshment they wanted as Oranges Citrons Lemons Gouyans Bananas and Figs they abode there five days From the Isle of St. Thomas they continu'd their course to the Southern Coast of Portrico where they went ashore upon a great Bank of Land After they had march'd about two hours within the Isle they knew by the great store of Beeves Cows and Hogs which were Wild that it was the Isle of St. John Portrico They return'd to their Pyperi which they trim'd a new to fetch up another little Island to the Windward of Portrico and distant from thence about two Leagues they Row'd three days without being able to get near the shore because the Tide still bore to the Main Land but after great toil they gain'd at last a little bank of white Sand where Landing they happily found two Wells dig'd there by Mariners the water of which was very good Here they also found Ring-Doves Hens and other Fowls in so great abundance and so tame that they kill'd them upon the Trees with great Poles towards Night All these supplies together with the footsteps of men that they observ'd made them believe that this place was frequented by some Fisher-Boats and that certainly it would not be long before some of them arriv'd in which they might obtain passage to some Christian Land For this Reason they erected a little Tent in which they abode near three months walking every day round the Island which is in circuit but two Leagues without seeing any person on Land or Ship in the Sea from whence they might hope for Succour In fine on Sunday morning as they were saying their usual Prayers perceiving a Bark which coming from the North Coasted the Isle they made a Sign to it with a Linnen Cloth fastned to the top of a long stick and the Captain mov'd by their reiterated cries commanded to furl the Main-sail and strike the Top-sail and bear straight to Land Seeing but five Naked men without Arms he sent five Mariners towards them in his Boat amongst whom was a Walloon who knowing by their Language that they were French cast by Shipwrack or some other accident upon the Coast of that Isle they charitably receiv'd them into their Boat and brought them to the Bark By means of this Walloon Interpreter they rehears'd unto the Governour the dreadful miseries they had endur'd So pitiful a recital touch'd him so sensibly that he gave them Shirts and Drawers furnish'd them with Bread Wine and Aqua-vitae and promis'd that within fifteen days his Fishing being ended he would return and take them along with him to St. John de Portrico He perform'd his promise and to preserve the memory of so strange an Adventure he caus'd their Pyperi to be made fast to the Prow of his Bark that he might shew it to Don Francisco Maldonado Governour of Portrico for his Catholick Majesty Having left the Island four or five Leagues behind them the Spanish Pilot looking from the Poop towards the Isle of Virgins descri'd a League off somewhat in the Sea moving upon a piece of Wood but the too great distance hindering him from discerning what it was as they approach'd nearer he perceiv'd that it was Men floating upon a Pyperi like to that which was fasten'd to the Prow of the Bark They were six men the remainder of those that staid in the Isle of Virgins who had built a Pyperi to carry them thence These poor French-men knowing their Comrades beseech'd the Captain to save their Lives as he had done theirs he took them into the Ship carry'd them to Portrico and presented them all to the Governour who receiv'd them courteously and order'd a Garment to be given to each of them making the Town their Prison with Liberty to earn their Bread therein They had no difficulty to subsist here every one look'd upon them as extraordinary persons and at first contended who should be most liberal to them Those that were skill'd in any Trade ply'd the same and one of them that could play exquisitely well on the Violin gain'd enough alone to assist the rest When they had gather'd a Sum of Money sufficient to pay for their passage into Europe they all embark'd in Spanish Vessels save one that Married in the Isle and return'd to their Native Country History of the Antilles The Brave Hollander IN the month of September 1641. five Gallies and two Brigantines commanded by Aly Pegelin General of
may be judged hard measure to deny Zolkievius the Honour of having acquitted himself well in that particular since he had brought it within view of the Harbour but as the Honour of the Success had been intirely his if he had prospered so his memory must be patient of this Cloud drawn over the lustre of it by the failing of some mean Officer in omitting to give the Signal of his March But here did he fall and was laid upon the Bed of Honour in the extremity of his Age refusing to live when he could not do it gloriously Skinder Bassa either grown uneasie at the accession of this Victory or that some great ones at Court were unworthily emulous of his Glory had contracted many Enemies near the Grand Signior who upon all occasions did him ill Offices but finding that infection to work slowly they corrupted some of his nearest Servants who by the infusion of Poyson in his Drinks destroyed him suddenly so that he did not long survive the Unfortunate Zolkierius being in this more Unhappy That he expired in the quality of a Criminal and that no certain account can be given of him but that he Died in the year 1620. The Fiery Misfortune IN the year 1618. Dec. 28. I George Bonlekoe went Aboard the Ship Named the New Horn burthen eleven hundred Tun and two hundred and six Men and Sailed from the Texel in Holland bound for the East-Indies In three days we lost sight of the English Coasts the fourth so great a Storm arose that we were forced to let down our Top-Sails and increasing in the Night five great Waves rolled over our Vessel which filling our Deck with Water made our Men cry out We sink the Port-holes are open Hearing that I ran to the fore part of the Ship but found them all close and freed the Men from their fear I sent a Man into the Hold who found no Water there We drained our Deck with Buckets and threw over-board the Seamens Chests which by rolling about much incommoded us the Wind and Rain were so violent that the Sky and Sea seemed joined together and the Lightning made all appear like a Flame The Storm still continued when we perceived great Flocks of Sea-Gulls which made us think we were near the Isle of Bresil though we could not see it at length the fury of the Winds broke off our Main-Mast about five yards above Deck which put us in great fear but with much labour we made our Fore-mast to serve in the place The Tempest continued sixteen days and then the Wind ceased When having repaired our Tackle we pursued our Voyage steering our course to the Canary Islands and perceiving a Ship behind us we stopt our course expecting her and found it was the New Zealand who had suffered no dammage by the Storm Next day we met with another called the New Enchysen both bound for the East-Indies so we Sailed all three in company making merry every day Aboard of each other and passing by the Canaries came to the Isles of May and Fonges where the Mists and Rains were so thick that we lost sight of each other We sounded at Fonges but sound no bottom and sent our Long-Boat toward the shore but the Spaniards at Land shot at them with Muskets and would not suffer them to come ashore whereupon having taken a few Fish we weighed Anchor and Sail'd toward the Equinoctial Line Next morning we again discovered our two Companions and joyfully saluted each other who told us That Landing at the Isle of May to buy some Provisions the Spaniards opposed and killed two of their Men which made them return empty At length arriving under the Line the Weather calmed and the Winds were so uncertain sometimes turning all the Compass at once that we were obliged to stay there three Weeks The Sea was calm in the Day and rough at Night and the Waves that beat against our Vessel seemed like Flames of Fire We proceeded toward the Cape of Good Hope and saw Sea-Gulls chequer'd with black Spots on their Wings of which we took several with an Instrument whereto a little Bell was tyed These Fowls appear always near the Cape and guided us thither but the Wind blowing hard we passed it without Landing since all our people were in Health this being about the end of May five months after our departure from Holland We steered our course toward Madagascar and parted company with the two other Ships who both took a different course At this time several of our Men were Sick whereupon we endeavoured to Land perceiving several persons walking along the shore one of our Men got ashore and spoke to them but could not understand what they said only by signs perceived that they informed us there was a better Landing place a little lower Meeting with no fresh Provisions here to the great grief of the Sick people whose number daily increased and some of them dyed they came to the Captains Cabbin and desired him to seek Land affirming they should recover as soon as they came ashore by the help of the Air. The Captain hereupon resolved to Sail to the Isle of Mascarius but when he arrived there the Wind was so strong that Heyn Roll our Merchant would not consent they should venture to go ashore yet at length by the importunity of the Sick men they were put into a Shallop having a Sail to make a Tent with Oil Vinegar Kettles and other Utensils along with them and so were set ashore where they instantly threw themselves on the Grass and in a short time found much benefit from the sweetness of the Air. We discovered several Pidgeons and Ring-Doves on the Trees who suffered us to take them with our Hands of which we killed and wasted two hundred in one Day We found likewise store of Shell-fish which we Stewed with Damask-Prunes brought from Holland But this place being inconvenient I went in the Shallop vvith several others upon discovery and five Leagues further vve found Springs of Water near the shore but somevvhat brackish by communication vvith the Sea Here vvere Ring-Doves gray Parrots and other Fovvl vvith a great number of Tortoises 25 of them together sometimes shading themselves under a Tree vve took as many as vve pleased for they did not fear us There vvas likevvise a sort of Animals vvith small Wings but could not fly being so fat that they drevv their Tails after them on the ground and vvere scarce able to move It was pleasant to observe that when we made a Parrot or other Bird cry and make a noise all that heard it came to his relief and were thereby taken We then put our Sick men aboard the Ship and brought them to this place and then eight of our Seamen were sent to fetch in Provision and Fish in the Rivers where they catch'd store of excellent Fish some as big as Salmons Here was a little River of fresh Water on the brink whereof grew such
other Goods therefore I resolved to let in the Water five Foot deep to quench it and the Carpenter made several Holes to that purpose Nothing but Sighs and Weeping were now observed amongst us yet continuing vigorously to pour down Water the Fire seemed to abate but to check our hopes it soon after took hold of the Oyls which we had in great quantity aboard After which the more Water we threw the more the flame increased Then it was that our Ruin appeared to be without remedy and our Wailings and Lamentations grew greater all Succour failing and the devouring Ocean being ready to swallow us up and though we had thrown sixty Barrels of Powder over-board yet there remained at least three hundred still in the Ship which we could not get at so that at length the Fire reached them and immediately the Ship with one hundred and nineteen persons were blown up into the Air I with sixty five more were on the Deck expecting this fatal blow clinging to the Main-mast in hope to fall with it into the Water and save our selves but are all blown into the Air with the rest and I who was their Captain seeing nothing but Death before my Eyes cryed out O my God have pity upon me verily believing this was the last moment of my Life but although the blow did much astonish me yet I was not wholly senceless but retained some remains of Hope and Courage Thus I fell into the Water near the Wreck of the Ship which was shivered into a thousand pieces and taking breath a little looking about I perceived the Main-mast on one side of me and the Fore-mast on the other whereupon I got astride on the Main-mast and observing the dismal Ruins of the Ship I cryed out Good God! what a fine Vessel is perished and destroyed in a moment like Sodom and Gomorah In making these Reflexions I perceived a Young man Swimming who got hold of the Keel of our Ship saying I have caught it Good God! said I is there any one yet alive I observed a little Mast driven by the Waves toward him I desired him to thrust it toward me that whereon I was ballancing too much and I being unable without great pain to stir my self having two large Wounds in my Head and Back and my Arms and Thighs sorely bruised O God said I yet but a little while and I am a lost Man We got both on this Mast he before and I behind with each of us a Board in our Hands when the Young-man hoisting up himself discovered the Shallop but at so great a distance that he could not perceive whither the Poop or Prow were towards us The Sun was now setting which much afflicted us who had no hope but in Heaven to which we continually address'd our Prayers At length we were comfortably surprized with the sight both of the Shallop and Cock-Boat which came very near us I called out to them Save your Captain They answered me Is our Captain still alive I told them I am the Person The Young-man my Companion set himself couragiously to Swimming but I being disabled by my Wounds and Bruises cried out If they would have me they must come and fetch me Then they made up toward me and our Trumpeter threw out a Rope which I fastened about my middle and thus they drew me to them I had formerly made a little Lodge in my Shallop for two persons wherein I was laid it being thought I would soon expire Heyn Roll and others visited me whom I advised to keep all Night near the Wreck to see if they could find any Provisions or a Compass to find Land for they left the Ship in such haste that they took not any Meat nor Drink with them They told me likewise that the Pilot had taken away the Compass out of his Lodge as foreseeing we must abandon the Ship That Night Heyn Roll made the Sea-men Row hard to try if they could perceive Land but at Day-break to their great trouble they could see none They came and asked my advice I told them they had done ill in not continuing near the Wreck last Night where they might have found store of Provisions since I had seen pieces of Flesh and Cheese swim in great quantities about our Legs so that we could scarce make way for them when we were on the Mast They desired me to rise a little which I did with much difficulty I demanded what Provisions they had they brought me two little Barrels with about eight pound of Bisket which was their whole Stock Comerades said I this will not do lay by your Oars for you do but weary your selves with Rowing take your Shirts and make Sails of them which they did I offered mine but they would not accept it desiring to preserve my life We were about forty six persons in the Shallop and twenty six in the small Boat in all seventy two There was a good Morning Gown and Cushion in the small Boat which were given me Our Surgeon having no Remedies left stop'd the two holes in my Head with chewed Bread which with Gods assistance cured them Our Sails being ready we steered by the course of the Stars though we could scarce discern their Rising and Sitting the Night was extream cold and the day very hot the Sun shining just over our Heads We invented an Instrument by the Coopers help to take the Suns height and afterwards with Chalk made a little Sun-Dial I cut on a Plank behind the Shallop a Chart in the best manner I could and there describing the Isles of Sumatra Java and the Streight of Sunda lying between these tvvo Islands That day the Ship vvas lost I had taken the height and found we were in five Degrees and half South Latitude and now found we were near ninety Leagues from Land I made likewise a Compass and directed our course seventy Leagues side-ways to get Land that we might the better know where to go I now distributed our small store of Bisket giving every man his allowance which was not much bigger than ones Finger this was soon gone and we had no Drink so that our thirst was insupportable but soon after it happened to Rain and we stretch'd out our Sails to receive it and wringing the Water into our little Barrels filled them therewith I made one of my Shooes serve for a Cup and caused every Man to take his turn in coming to the Barrel and having drank to give place to his companion They intreated me to Drink my fill which I would not contenting my self with the same portion as the rest And thus we kept together but the Shallop out-sailing the Cock-boat and there being none in it that understood Navigation they beg'd of me to be received into the Shallop but the Seamen opposed it saying That though the Shallop was large yet it could not hold so great a number and thereupon they cut the Ropes and left them Great was our calamity
the Negro's lay Dead and others Wounded on the Water The valiant Baker received a Wound in his Belly by an Invenomed Arrow of which he died We lost twelve Men in the Fight and four that were left ashore which we were very loth to depart without but having only eight Hens and a little Rice for fifty persons we Sailed along the Coasts near the Rocks and found store of small Oysters We left the Bay and Sailed upon the Main Sea to find out the Island of Java and went ashore again in another Island where we found some Bamboos and Palm-trees the tops whereof being very tender we eat Here from the top of an high Mountain I discovered the Streight of Sunda and the Isles of Java and Sumatra which was joyful news to us all being impatient to see some of our own Country-men once more who had a Factory there Sailing on we met with some Holland Ships and among others one of those who lost company of us near the Canary-Islands who at first did not know us but when we discovered our selves the Captain embraced us with Tears of Joy and we went aboard his Ship relating to him at large our woeful Misfortunes which he could not hear without much emotion He gave us a Yatch to go to Battavia where John Peter Koen kept his Court where being arrived we told the Guards we desired to speak with the Lord-General who having notice thereof commanded us to be brought into his presence After we had paid our respects to him we gave an account of our selves and of the fatal accident that had occasioned the burning of our Ship and all the sad Disasters attending us afterwards He replied It was indeed a miserable Accident but God said he has miraculously preserved you in all your Dangers He commanded his Attendants to bring some Canary My Lord Drank to me in a great Cup of Gold and said I was welcome and that we ought to consider our selves as Men that had once lost our Lives and now by Gods great Mercy had found them again adding I must be gone this Night to Bantam upon urgent occasions do you remain here and eat at my Table till my return Eight days after we were ordered to attend him at Bantam where he sent for me saying Captain Bontekoe go on Board the Shepherd Vessel till further Order I accepted this Commission with hearty thanks and Heyn Roll had likewise a Commission to exercise Merchandize Soon after my Ship with two others were sent toward the Coasts of China and coming to a Town called Laritoeken whose Inhabitants named Specks and Mestis much obstructed Trade thereupon our Council resolved that we should Attack and endeavour to Destroy them in pursuance whereof we put some Men ashore who set some Houses on Fire on purpose to divert the Inhabitants by quenching them to give â—s the better opportunity to Land our Forces which having done those in the Fort perceiving 〈◊〉 made two Sallies upon us and killed twenty 〈◊〉 on the place wounding several 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and forcing us to retreat Having taken in fresh Water we Sailed toward Amboina and parting with Heyn Roll not without much regret remembring the miseries we both jointly suffered we at length arrived at the famous City of Batavia where the Governour received me favourably and made me Captain of a better Ship newly arrived from Holland called the Groningen in which I Sailed to the Road of Jambay Our Pilot went in a Boat up the River to visit Captain Martes who entertained him very kindly departing from thence he found himself drowsie and reposed on an Hill near the Sea but in the Night fell into the Water and was Drowned Having passed two years in Voyaging I was sent in company with eight Ships more by order from General Koen to go to Piscadoris to oblige the Chinois to Trade either by fair means or foul and April 22. we cast Anchor before Macou being now fifteen Sail and next day we began to batter the City and in the mean time our Commander in chief took the opportunity of the great Fire we made to Land six hundred Men the Enemy endeavoured to hinder them but our men with their Swords in their Hands drove them out of the Trenches which they had made and we became Masters of the lower ground and pursued them vigorously when by accident the fire took our Powder which the Enemy understanding came upon us with such fury that we were wholly disordered and forced to fly towards our Shallops in great confusion with the loss of one hundred and thirty of our Men and near as many Wounded the Commander 〈◊〉 being slightly hurt in his Belly We Sailed from hence toward the Coast of China and met a Jonque richly Laden bound for the Manilles we took her and made two hundred and fifty Chinois Prisoners and fastening the Jonque behind our Ship we set fifteen of our Men to Guard thirty of them yet scarce thought our selves safe and therefore put them all down in the Hold and shut the Hatches upon them setting six men with their Swords drawn and Lamps burning all Night to Watch them making them come up one by one to Eat This caution caused them to have such awe of us that when I walk'd on the Deck they ranged themselves on both sides to make way falling on their Knees before me One of them told us That a Chinois Prophet predicted their Country should be invaded by Men with red Beards and because mine was so they were perswaded I was the chief Person meant by that Prophesie They came every morning above Deck to Comb themselves There was some among them whose Hair was so long that it come down to their Heels when they stood upright which they tyed in knots and fastened with a Bodkin behind We carried them to Piscadoris which was the General Rendevouz of all the Prisoners who were set to work on the Fortifications of the Fort. Having been so long absent from my Native Country I was now desirous to return home again and hearing that the Ship called the Good Hope was bound for Batavia I desired leave of the General to return to Holland which at length with some difficulty I obtained and set Sail with the first opportunity in company of two Ships more and coming toward the Cape of Good Hope a great Tempest arose so that I was forced to let down all my Sails and give way to the Wind which drove our Ship Southward the two other Vessels following our Example toward Midnight the Wind increased so violently that we could not see what course to hold for the Wind turned about the Compass Our Main-mast was broke off and thrown into the Sea This violent Storm or Hurricane continued about four hours the Sea being not much moved by it but the Wind a little abating it grew so rough and boisterous that we narrowly escaped being cast away Our Decks took in so much Water that we found
could never compose our selves securely to sleep and notwithstanding our tottering Limbs were hardly able to sustain our sinking Bodies we were forc'd to tug hard Night and Day both at Helm and Pump being at the same time almost frozen to Death with intolerable cold which was incomparably more grievous than that which to the admiration of all Men not many years ago cover'd all the Channels at Venice with thick and impenetrable Ice And now the compassionate Reader may consider how lamentable our case was we wanted Clothes to fence us from the pinching cold our Meat and Drink fail'd us and we remain'd amidst the Horrors of an unknown and stormy Ocean destitute not only of all comforts but even of necessaries to sustain our fainting Bodies and lest any thing should be wanting to compleat our Misery the Nights were twenty one hours long and very dark The growing cold now began to produce terrible effects of its cruelty among us we were all of a sudden seized with a certain numness which began at our Feet and then gradually ascending over-run our whole Bodies causing in us a disorder'd and raging appetite which was no small addition to our Sorrow for every Man endeavoured to filch what he could from his Neighbour and Ransacking every corner greedily devour'd all he could find Then did Death Tyrannize among us and you might see here one and there another breathe out a broken sigh shake his giddy Head and fall down dead on a sudden In which extremity of forty seven Men which made up our desolate Company twenty six gave up the Ghost and this was so far from being a Wonder considering our helpless condition that it was certainly a Miracle of Divine Bounty that any of us were preserv'd alive to Celebrate the never-failing goodness of our Almighty Deliverer and exalt the Glory of his power These twenty six died between the twenty third of December to the fifth of January and found their Graves in the bottom of the merciless Ocean And now the last day of this disastrous year presented us with a dismal prospect of unavoidable Ruine for our little stock of Wine was wholly exhausted and the sad experience of our dead and dying Companions taught us that the Sea-water with which we were wont to delude the intolerable fury of our Thirst did only hasten our approaching Death so that not knowing what to do we forc'd our own Water down our Throats How deplorable and heart-breaking an object was it to see some gasping Wretches whose parcht Entrails refus'd to furnish any moisture with dying groans and rueful looks imploring the favour of a small draught of the Urine of their Companions who either unwilling to part with what they fear'd would quickly be spent or rather unable to spare any from themselves refus'd to save the Lives of their dearest Friends at the expences of a small quantity of that unsavory Liquor which was the only means left to preserve their own 'T is true some of us had the prudence to temper it with a little Sirrup of Green Ginger and Lemons which by Providence was not yet consum'd At last when there was no hopes left when Despair and Paleness were painted on our hollow Cheeks and the Grim-King of Terrors in the most frightful shape star'd us in the Face then did our pitiful Redeemer stretch forth his helping Hand and on the third of January 1431. we descry'd Land afar off being a ledge of ragged Rocks cover'd to the top with huge Mountains of Snow and lying to the weather of us But it seems Fortune still ow'd us a spite for the Winds being contrary we durst not spread our Sails and our feeble Arms were altogether unable to manage the Oars so that a strong current driving us along we lost sight of Land and all our Hopes together But magnified be the wonderful Goodness of our God we escaped safe out of a Deluge of Dangers in which we were almost over-whelmed for having been long toss'd and batter'd by the Cruelty of outragious Gusts among the Death-threatning points of lurking Rocks which by reason of the horrible darkness of the tedious Night we could not avoid at last fear of Death and desire of Life inspiring us with unwonted Vigour we enter'd into a Bay between two steep Rocks No sooner did our Pinnace touch upon the Sand but five of our men made desperate by tormenting Thirst leap'd into the Sea without knowing the depth thereof which was considerable and making haste towards the Snow thrust such great quantities down their insatiable Throats that they seem'd to delight in glutting themselves therewith at length they return'd Laden with huge quantities thereof which we also gulp'd down very greedily Now from the time that we left the Ship until January 6. being eighteen days we made account according to our best Judgments that we had run two thousand five hundred miles at least without seeing Land for Sailing all that time between the East and North-east points of the Compass we never hand less Wind than after the rate of six miles in an hour On the forementioned day being the Feast of Epiphany Nineteen of us went ashore on this desolate and barren Island called the Isle of Saints which lies on the Coast of Norway and belongs to the King of Denmark leaving only two men to look to the Boat Being Landed we retired to a place that was cover'd from the fury of the piercing Winds and kindled a Fire by means of a Tinder-Box and an Oar the sight of which was very comfortable to us But perceiving that this Island was Uninhabited we resolved to go to another which we descry'd about five miles distant But alas our Pinnace was so Leaky that despairing to be ever able to fit her out for the Sea again we drew her not without great pain to Land and determin'd to make a little Hovel of her to shelter us from the violence of the Weather To accomplish which we divided her into two parts of the first and greater of which we made a Shed for Thirteen of us and of the lesser another for the rest covering them with part of our Sails and reserving the remainder with the Cordage for Fuel to comfort our frozen Limbs And now being utterly destitute of all Sustenance to preserve our wretched Lives we wander'd along the shore to gather some small quantity of Periwinkles and Barnackles which by chance we found there and removing the Snow in some places we found certain Herbs which we boiled with Snow in our Caldron and then eat them through extream Necessity Thus did we live for thirteen days together if I may call that Life which was spent in perpetual agonies and terrors and deserveth rather the Name of a lingring Death In the middle of these extremities four of our Companions of the greater Shed unable to hold out longer under the insupportable weight of misery that overwhelm'd us gave up the Ghost notwithstanding all the pains that
Memorable Accidents AND Unheard of Transactions CONTAINING An Account of several Strange Events As the Deposing of Tyrants Lamentable Shipwrecks Dismal Misfortunes Stratagems of War Perilous Adventures Happy Deliverances with other remarkable Occurrences and Select Historical Events which have happened in several Countries in this last Age. Translated from the French Printed at Brussels in 1691. and Dedicated to His present Majesty William King of England c. Published in English by R. B. LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside 1693. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO HIS Brittanick Majesty SIR THough Your Majesty be wholly busied in the greatest Affairs of State in the most Illustrious Assembly that was ever held I presume nevertheless to believe that You will not be offended that I take the liberty to interrupt You for a moment and offer unto Your Majesty this small Treatise the reading of which can only surprize those that are ignorant of Your Majesties Life for since this containeth the most celebrated Events of History extracted out of the Writings of the most famous Authors all the World will own that the Miracles which make Your Character surpass the greatest and most astonishing Exploits here related It is for this cause Sir that my silence will better express the profound Veneration that I have for the Grandeur of Your Majesties Actions than all the Elogies wherewith the ardor of my Zeal were able to Inspire me Nevertheless Sir if I may be perswaded to judge of Your Intentions by Your Proceedings all that Glory which shineth so bright in the Eyes of Men is not that which dost most affect You by so many Great and Heroick Actions You aspire to something yet greater You know Sir that Kings who are truly so esteem not Soveraign Power but as a thing ever ready to furnish them with opportunities of meriting the Love of Nations by being Authors of the Publick Happiness Your Majesty hath this Great Truth Ingraven upon Your Heart and if in the beginning of Your Reign we have admired in Your Majesty the Hero and the Conqueror we hope ever to Adore the Restorer of the Common Liberty of Europe I am with a profound respect SIR Your Majesties Most Humble and Most Obedient Servant T. LEONARD TO THE READER HOW great soever the Diversion and Pleasure be that we find in Reading Romances nevertheless true History hath all the advantage over it that Truth hath over a Fable If we search Books for Examples whereby to regulate our Behaviour those that we know to be false can they ever gain any Empire over our Minds For Example Can the Heroical Actions that we read in Cleopatra have so great Authority over us as to engage us to imitate them And shall we set imaginary Persons for a Model before us It is not so with History and the reading thereof produceth more certain Effects When a Man whose Inclinations are Warlike observeth there that a private Soldier hath by his Valour rais'd himself to the greatest Dignities he conceiveth as high an Idea of the Success as a great Merit is capable of he perswadeth himself that he may Atchieve the like Adventures since they have been before really perform'd and this thought authoriz'd by the Truth of History is able to determine him to the boldest Exploits This is it Reader which hath oblig'd me to publish this Collection the Events of which I have selected out of the General and Particular Histories Memoirs Voyages and other most famous Works that have lately appeared I hope it will meet with a favourable acceptation because it containeth Adventures as rare as any that are to be found in Romances here you are entertain'd with Shipwracks overthrown Fortunes Revolutions of Kingdoms and the surprizing Effects of the Commotions of all the Passions In fine this Collection evidenceth that Virtue is of both Sexes of all Ages Countries and Conditions Memorable Accidents AND Unheard of Transactions In several Nations in this last Age. The Shipwrack THE King of Portugal had sent to the King of Siam a very splendid Embassy To answer the civility of this European Prince the King deputed three great Mandarins in Quality of his Ambassadors with six other younger Mandarins and a considerable Retinue to go to the Court of Portugal We embark'd for Goa in the year 1684. where we abode eleven months and departed thence for Europe in a Portugal Vessel Jan. 27. 1686. but on the 27th of April we unhappily run aground on the Cape of the Needles and that in this manner That very day several Mariners were order'd to ascend the Masts to observe the Land that we descry'd a little towards the right hand by their relations the Captain and Pilot judg'd that it was the Cape of Good Hope so without observing themselves whether the Mariners spoke truth or not they continu'd their course till two or three hours after Sun-set when they believ'd they had already past the Land we had before discover'd then changing the course they bore a little more towards the North. I know not what presage of the misfortune that threatned us had so fill'd me with restless thoughts that I could not so much as close my eyes to sleep I then came out of my Cabbin and amus'd my self with beholding the Ship that seem'd to fly on the top of the waters Casting my eyes a little further I perceiv'd on a sudden a very dark shadow near our right side this sight struck me with terror and immediately I said to the Pilot Is it not the Land that I see As he approach'd to look we heard them crying out in the Fore-castle Land Land before us we are lost The Pilot run to the Helm to change the course but we were so near the shore that the Ship in veering struck thrice with her Poop upon a Rock which made her stand still without any manner of motion They run to the Poop but not one drop of water had yet enter'd Immediately they made all efforts possible to save themselves from Imminent ruine by felling the Masts by the board and unloading the Vessel but they had not time for the Wind drove the Ship upon the shore These Mountains of Water breaking into foamy Billows upon the points of the Rocks that jutted out into the Sea lifted up the Vessel to the Clouds letting her fall on a sudden upon the Cliffs with such violence that she could not hold out long You might have heard her already cracking on all sides some parts of her falling off from the rest and at last this great Mass of Wood being for a while thus dreadfully shaken and toss'd from Wave to Rock was dash'd to pieces with a horrible noise The Poop bore the first shock and accordingly was the first part that bulg'd To no purpose they cut down the Masts and threw over-board the Guns and all that lay in their way all their precautions were in vain for the ship struck upon the Rocks so often and
we then divided our selves equally into the Boats and recommending our safety to the abundant Mercies of our Heavenly Guide with a West North-west Wind and indifferent open Water we put to Sea on the thirteenth day of June The twentieth of the same month our Pilot Mr. Barents died the loss of whom dishearten'd us not a little as being the only Guide on whose Conduct next under the Providence of God we relied At last after innumerable dangers and as many miraculous deliverances having Sail'd almost four hundred Dutch miles along the Coast we enter'd the River of Coola in Lapland on the first of September and when the Flood was past we cast our Stones that serv'd us for Anchors aground till the Tyde came in again and then set Sail till Midnight and after that Anchor'd till morning There rowing up the River as we past along we saw some Trees which comforted us as much as if we had enter'd into a new World for all the time that we had been out we had seen none At length we got to a Dutch Ship which we had news of some days before little dreaming it was our Consort that the year before set out with us and left us about the Bear Island There we began to make merry with our old Companions and bid each other welcome then we rowed forward and Landed at Coola Here with the Governors leave we brought our Scute and Boat to the Merchants House and set them up for a Monument of our tedious and never before Sailed Voyage The seventeenth of September we set Sail from thence and on the twenty ninth of October arrived in the Maese and on the first of November got to Amsterdam in our Nova Zembla Clothes and Caps furr'd with white Foxes Skins and were received by our Friends as if we had come from the Dead they having given us over for lost a long while before Metallick History of the Netherlands De Veer's Relation The disastrous Voyage and miraculous Deliverance of P. Quirini a Venetian A Venetian Ship in which were above seven hundred Buts of Wine Spices and other Merchandizes of great value with sixty eight Men set Sail from Candia the Master Piero Quirini on the sixth of November we came by chance into the Mouth of the Channels of Flanders and were driven by a storm from the South towards the North-west The fury of the Winds was so great that it broke five of the Hinges off our Rudder and the storm hourly increasing beat upon our feeble Rudder with such violence that it hung on the one side wherefore for the last Remedy we fasten'd a great Cable to it with which we drew it after us three days in which time in our judgment we had run above two hundred Miles against our wills Afterwards with many pieces of Timber we made a shadow of another and fitted it to the Ship but this also was carried away by the breaking Surges on the twenty sixth of this month so that then we lost all hopes of directing our Ship On the fourth of December the Winds grew so outragious that they carried away our third Sail and so we wander'd at adventure not knowing by what means to provide for our safety Afterwards the rage and violence of the Winds increasing the Sea began to swell so high that the Waves seem'd Mountains and our Terror was augmented by the darkness of the extream long Nights so that we seem'd to be swallow'd up in the bottomless Depths of the Abyss It 's hard to imagine how great the anguish and trembling of our hearts was living in a continual expectation of Death In the middle of this horrible darkness we sometimes saw the Heavens as it were open'd with sudden flashes of dazling Lightning Sometimes we seem'd to touch the Stars and at other times saw our selves buried in Hell insomuch that we lost both Strength Whilst we remain'd useless Spectators of this woeful Tragedy pitifully beholding one another a rolling Billow came over the Ship with so great fury that it was fill'd almost half full of Water so that she turn'd up her Keel and lay as if she had been ready to sink But Heaven forsaketh not them that Religiously call upon him and strengthen'd our sorrowful hearts We cut down the Main-mast and threw it over-board together with the Main-yard and Tackling which eased the Ship very much so that we began to cast out the Water which at last we over-came though not without great difficulty and pain The day appearing we agreed to make ready the Boat and Skiff and parted equally our small remainder of Provisions forty two persons were willing to enter into the Skiff and therefore we were forc'd to cast Lots who should go therein it being capable only of one and twenty The Master and forty seven more enter'd the Boat unto whom ratably fell their proportion of Victuals We were in our judgment distant from the nearest Land or Island above five hundred miles and then came to Sail in a quiet Sea for some time but a dark Mist arising in the Night we lost sight of the Skiff and never saw it more The Morning appearing we were much troubled that we could see no tokens of the Skiff which made us fear the worst and suspect what had befaln them for the Storm was so furious that an impetuous Billow rushed into the Pinnace behind the Poop where I was with so great violence that two Stays were batter'd and bent by the vehemency of the Shock which filled our hearts with consternation and terror for now was the Pinnace more charged with the weight of the Water than with her own burthen but Necessity set us all a working and fear of so imminent a danger made the feeblest of us bestir themselves and fall to lading it out with their hands and being in a dreadful hurry we threw over-board all that lay in our way As soon as we had drain'd the Pinnace the Storm continuing we agreed to cast out some Casks of Wine to lighten her which we did with so great haste and precipitancy that we had soon reduc'd our selves to such extremity that if we desir'd to taste of that chearing Liquor to restore our drooping Spirits we were forc'd to content our selves with one Goblet apiece every day which was all that could be allowed to each of us and if any could not satisfie his parch'd Throat with this he was constrain'd to have recourse to the brackish Liquor that threaten'd to swallow us up every moment But all this was Luxury in respect of what our cruel Destinies reserv'd for us this Measure of Wine held out only a Week with us at the end of which our tormenting fears quite exhausting our small store constrain'd us to diminish our proportion to half a Goblet a day each Man Thirst was not the only nor greatest Misery that attended our deplorable and forlorn Company perpetual Terror and distracting Doubts did so disturb our afflicted Minds that we
Journey by Land but first we took our final leave of our bountiful and charitable Patron and Host and his Company instead of rewards offering him only our sincere thanks and hearty prayers to God for him The ninth of June we departed from Tronden Traveiling on foot towards Vastena a Town within the limits of Sweden but under the Dominion of the King of Denmark where we understood by two of our Country-men whom to our great joy and comfort we found there that the Inhabitants for the reverend respect they bore to the memory of their Glorious Monarch St. Olaus unto whom as they well knew the Republick of Venice shewed extraordinary Favour and Courtesie when he past through that City in his Voyage to and Return from Palestine were affectionately dispos'd to assist us both with Counsel and Money And indeed we were not frustrated of our Hopes receiving very loving Entertainment among them and were inform'd that if we continued our Journey directly forwards we should expose our selves to infinite dangers and the continual assaults of Wild Beasts and therefore they advised us to go to Stichimborgi although it would be no less than thirty days Journey out of our way where we should find a Valiant and Noble Venetian Cavalier M. Giovanni Franco who would not fail to receive us graciously and assist us plentifully with all Necessaries for our Journey Following this Advice we set forwards and on the eighteenth day arriv'd at the Court of that Honourable and Valorous Baron who being inform'd of us came to receive us with a chearful Countenance and shewed us so great favour that we soon perceived his Noble Heart was full of Love to his Country We had no sooner in an humble manner acquainted him with all our Calamities and present Necessitous condition but he bid us be of good Comfort for he was abundantly able to relieve us and indeed he could not satisfie himself with heaping honours and benefits upon us and entertaining us splendidly He also fill'd our Purses with Money and furnish'd us with good Horses yea in his own proper person together with M. Mapheo his only Son and one hundred and twenty Horsemen of his Domestick Servants he brought us on our way for several days Journeys through his Territories Travelling always with all this great Company at his own Charge Being come to the Confines of his Land we took our leave to depart yielding him our most humble and hearty thanks for his unparallel'd bounty to us At his departure he left his Son to be our Guide with an Attendance of twenty Horsemen who kept us company all the way to Vastena from whence we came about forty days before and where we arrived on the thirtieth of July We abode here till the second of August maintain'd at free-cost by M. Mapheo and then humbly taking our leaves of him and presenting him with our ordinary Retribution for received benefits Thanks we set forwards on our Journey directing our Course to Ladese where we arrived on the eleventh Here we found opportunity of passage in two Vessels one bound for England and the other for the Low-Countries and agreed for the greater conveniency to divide our selves into two Companies in the latter Ship went Christophoro Floravante one of the Council of our Unfortunate Vessel Girardo da Lione the Sewer Nicolo de Michiel a Venetian Notary and Writer of one of the two Relations out of which this Account is compiled who Landing at Rostoch after many troublesome and dangerous Adventures Travelling sometimes on Foot and sometimes on Horseback by the merciful Providence of Almighty God arrived at Venice in good Health leaving Girardo da Lione at Vasenech from thence to continue his Journey to his own Native Country Among these who embark'd in the Ship bound for England being in all eight persons were the Sieur Quirini Son of Mr. Jacomo a Venetian Gentleman Master of the unhappy Ship who said that when he set foot on the English shore it seem'd unto him that he receiv'd new Life and that he was come out of Hell he visited Cambridge where a charitable person gave him sixteen Crowns and abode two months in London In the same Ship went M Piero Gradenico Son of M. Andrea a young Merchant of the Age of eighteen years and Bernardo de Caghire our Pilot whose Wife being young hearing no News of her Husband in so long time believ'd certainly that he was Dead and without mature deliberation Married another Husband at Treviso but hearing of our arrival and being inform'd that her former Husband was still alive she immediately dissolv'd the Bond of her second Marriage and retir'd into a Nunnery to testifie the honesty of her Intentions where she expected the return of her true Husband who about three months after arriv'd at Venice and receiv'd her again for his Wife The Perilous Adventure THE News of the War that was declared between France and England in the year 1666. coming to the West-Indies the English being Masters of the Isle of Antego issued out Orders forbidding under pain of Death some French that lived among them to go out of the Limits of their Habitations notwithstanding which prohibition Vrban de Frecide Lord of Grand Maison resolved to hazard his Life to regain his Liberty The Attempt was very bold and he expos'd himself to a thousand dangers for there was an absolute Necessity to find out some resolute Companions to carry off a Boat and make Provision of Victuals and all this in a place where the French were look'd upon as Enemies and as such diligently observ'd but the desire of Liberty made this daring person over-look all those difficulties which in themselves appear'd unsurmountable He pitch'd upon two of his own Nation to be his Companions of whom one was a Carpenter and with joint-consent they determin'd to carry off a small Shallop which was Chain'd to a Stake within sight of an English Corps du Guard And because they us'd to Lock up the Oars every Night the Carpenter undertook to make new ones and Grand-Maison took upon himself the care of making necessary Provisions The Night appointed for the Execution of the Enterprize being come out three Fugitives and two Negro's whom they had gain'd carried their Provisions to the Sea side to the place whither they had resolv'd to bring the Shallop About Mid-night the bold Chirurgion accompanied with the Carpenter and a Negro who carried the Oars came to the place where the Boat lay and the Carpenter having saw'd asunder the Post to which it was fasten'd they carry'd it off with so little noise that they were not heard by the Centry and without any molestation brought it to the place of Rendevouz Most part of the Night was employed in this Work and in carrying on Board the slender Provision of Victuals that Grand-Maison was able to furnish so that having Embark'd themselves and endeavouring by force of Rowing to get clear of the hated shore they were surpriz'd
when by the glimmering light of the Morning they discover'd that Land which they endeavour'd to shun but half a League distant This oblig'd them to retire into the Island of Birds a Desart place and of difficult access At Sun-set our dismay'd Company put to Sea again endeavouring to double the East point of the Isle of Antego that they might afterwards gain that of Guadeloup but they were astonish'd to find next morning that all their Efforts had been in vain against the strength of the Current and that they were not advanc'd above a League Their weariness and fear of being discover'd by those that were upon the Watch on the rising Grounds of Antego which was in possession of the English oblig ' them to Land in a place that was over-grown with Trees amongst which having hid their Boat they search'd all around for fresh Water and Herbs though with little success for the Sea swelling mightily in the Night had dash'd against their Boat and so wet their Cassave Bread that it was altogether unfit to be eaten so that they had nothing left to feed upon but a little Salt Pork and only one Pot of Water to Drink with a little Aqua-vitae made of Sugar Canes At Night they put to Sea again steering the same course that they held the foregoing Night but had not got above a League from the shore when they found themselves in the middle of several Rocks lurking under Water upon which they struck so dangerously that it was a Miracle they were not buried in the Waves Want of Water and Victuals and the breaking of their Rudder constrained them to go ashore on an Uninhabited Isolet where they found some Fruits of the Country and enough fresh Water to fill one of their Barrels They found also the Wrecks of a Boat that had been cast away there of which they made a new Rudder or else they could not have possibly gain'd any of the French Isles In the beginning of the Night they left this Green Rock and steered towards Guadeloup hoping to touch there in the Morning but the day surpriz'd them again on the Coast of Antego but the Tide was so strong that the Boat had like to have been driven forcibly upon the North-weâ—t side of the Island where were the principal Fortresses of their Enemies and therefore they labour'd with all their might to save themselves from falling into their dreaded hands When they saw themselves at a reasonable distance from the shore they began to consult about their Affairs Water and Victuals fail'd them their Strength was also much lessen'd and their Spirits almost Exhausted by the Fatigues which they had undergone Therefore Grand-Maison was of opinion that it would be their best course to endeavour to gain the Island of St. Christopher which lay to the Lee-ward whither they might easily go with full Sails This Advice was unanimously followed but having no Sails they were at a stand what to do when Necessity the Mother of Invention taught them to make use of a Hammock or Cotton-Bed which they had in the Shallop and the Carpenter made a little Mast to which they fasten'd it In this condition they coasted the Isle of Antego two Leagues from the shore and towards Night they began to lose sight of it directing their course towards St. Christophers By break of day they found themselves so near the shore of the Isle of Nevis which also belongeth to the English that they were constrained to labour hard to pass to the Wind-wards of that Island thereby to gain the Salt-pits of St. Christophers Their Efforts were not altogether vain for they doubled Nevis but withal were forc'd to run so near the shore that they look'd every moment for the appearing of some Barks from thence to seise their Vessel and Persons In the mean time they pass'd the Streight between Nevis and St. Christophers and finding themselves over against the Salt-pits of this last Island they endeavour'd in vain to get to Land for when they were come within half a League of the shore they were suddenly engaged among hidden Rocks and breaking Waves where they were toss'd with such violence that the Boat dashing against one of the Rocks they had much ado to bring her off being much weakned by hard Labour and want of Sustenance nevertheless they were so happy as to get clear of all these dangers and held out one Night more with Hunger Thirst and Toil. Finding themselves at the dawning of the day over against the Head land of St. Christophers Island and knowing that they might easily aad safely Land there they took Courage Fear and Sadness being banish'd out of their Hearts and Joy succeeding in their Room so that forthwith one of them tore his Shirt of which he made two Flags and another tied his Cravat to the top of the Mast to serve for a Streamer In this manner they drew near to shore which was cover'd with French who came running from all parts of the Island to behold the wonderful Boat The Sieur Sannois Captain of that Quarter being there also gave them notice by a Signal of the right Landing place at length they came ashore with glad Hearts and were received by their Country-men with a great deal of Humanity The Generous Relations FRancis Lord of Noue Sir-named Iron-Hand had a Sister called Margaret Marry'd to the Lord de Vezins of an illustrious House in Anjou Of this Marriage were Born a Son and two Daughters Vezins being a Widower Married his Ladies Waiting-maid she desiring that her Children might be the only Heirs of that rich Man caused the three Infants of the last Marriage to be secretly carried to Pardic in low Bretagne a House seated upon the Sea-shore and pertaining to the Lord de Vezins There they were put into the Hands of an English Pilot who had agreed to throw them into the Sea but touched with compassion he contented himself to leave them with a Peasant on the Coast of England to be by him Educated as Children of mean Birth and without giving them the least knowledge of their Extraction for they were as yet so young that he did not think they could remember it Then were they carried to the Isle of Guernsey and with a little Money committed to certain Persons in that Isle to be there brought up In the mean time Reports were spread abroad from time to time that the Children died one after the other in their Fathers House and counterfeit Funerals were Solemniz'd The Daughters did not intirely lose the memory of their Birth and being somewhat grown up they heard of the Lord de la Noue and remember'd that he was their Unkle and that they had heard him so call'd in their Fathers House they wrote unto him and he did all that he could to hasten their Return into France and to discover the Truth The Father who was suspected to have been privy to the Mother in-Laws Plot at first resisted his endeavours but at
fleeting resolutions were suggested to our Minds and we were perplexed with a thousand doubts Sometimes we determin'd to detain one or both of them but soon forsook that rash resolution not knowing with whom nor how many we had to do Then we advised together whether one or more of us should venture to go along with them and this determination also was not without its difficulties for we were afraid to hazard our selves among strangers whose Language we were ignorant of and they of ours At last casting off all fear and committing our selves to the gracious protection of God we went down to their Boat in the most amicable manner possible and in friendly and humble wise saluted the Old man who stood there expecting his Sons and was no less astonish'd to see us than they had been In the mean time our hunger was so pressing that we could not forbear to search in the Boat whether happily we might find any thing to relieve our necessity but to no purpose for we could meet with nothing The pitiful strangers perceiving by our actions and the signs we made that we were almost starv'd for want of sustenance were moved to compassion and chearfully agreed to carry along with them two of our Company Ghirardo di Lione a Sewer and Cola di Otrunto a Mariner who spoke French and High-Dutch leaving us in great hopes of speedy assistance As they drew near to Rusten the amazed people came running to the Sea-side gazing upon the strange Countenances and unusual Garb of our Companions and questioning one another how and from whence they were come thither To satisfie their curiosity they attempted to discourse with them in sundry Languages but at last a German Priest of the Order of the Praedicators spoke to one of them in High-Dutch by whom they were certified who we were from whence we came and how we were cast upon the Desart Island and all this the Priest published to the people next morning earnestly exhorting them to have compassion on our necessitous condition and relieve us according to their Abilities Which had so good effect and found the Spirits of the people so much dispos'd to pity that the day following being the third of February the kind Rusteners came to us that were left in Courteous manner bringing along with them plenty of Provisions to refresh our feeble bodies and very affectionately invited us to their Habitations We embraced their offer'd kindness with a thankful willingness and with glad Hearts accompanied them to their Hospitable Island where we were receiv'd with unaffected Sincerity and entertained with great plenty of Restorative Food the exceeding abundance whereof had like to have prov'd fatal to us for we could not restrain our selves from obeying our craving Appetites neither could we ever satiate our selves with seeding but neither were our weak Stomachs able to concoct nor decay'd Nature to bear so unusual a Load of Meat so that what we eat to sustain Life had almost brought us to an untimely Death There were yet remaining two of our Company in the Isle of Saints whom we had left in the greater of our Cottages and who were ignorant of our miraculous Succour wherefore we inform'd our kind Friends of their helpless condition and likewise of our eight deceased Companions who lay rotting above ground Whereupon they assembled themselves together and went with the Priest Singing Psalms and Hymns as well to Bury the Dead as to rescue the Living when they were arriv'd at the desolate Island they Interr'd the Bodies of the eight deceased persons to which number one of the two remaining was now added whom they likewise buried And you may easily imagine in how sad a plight they found the other poor Wretch who had been thus utterly depriv'd both of Humane Society and Sustenance yet he was brought to Rusten with some little remainders of Life where at the end of two days he found an end of his miseries in Death Eleven of all our numerous Company were saved and came alive into this Island among vvhom vvas our Master Piero Quirini a person of consummate prudence and discreet humility of vvhich he gave a notable instance vvhen he enter'd into the House of our affectionate and charitable Host for seeing his Wife in testimony that he acknovvledg'd her to be Mistriss of that Life vvhich her Husband had preserv'd he cast himself dovvn at her Feet but she refusing so great submission Courteously lifted him up from the ground and kindly embracing him vvith her ovvn Hand gave him somevvhat to Eat With these loving and Hospitable people vve abode three months and eleven days expecting to have passage into Sweden vvith our Host vvhither he intended to go vvith his usual Fraight of Stock-fish for every year in the month of May the people of this Island Travel to Sweden vvith mighty plenty of that Commodity vvith vvhich they furnish a great part of that Kings Dominions At last on the fourteenth of May 1432. came the happy Hour in vvhich after so tedious and lamentable an Exile vve set our Faces homevvards and began our Journey tovvards our beloved Native Country So vve took our leave of our Charitable Hostess and all our other affectionate Friends leaving vvith her for a Token of our Love not vvhat her kindness deserv'd or vvhat Justice and Gratitude oblig'd us to have given but vvhat the merciless Sea had left us which was only a few Trifles as Cups Girdles and some small Rings and express'd the grateful sense we had of so many and so signal Favours with the best and most hearty Eloquence we were Masters of to the Priest our Interpreter by Words and to the people by Signs Having thus perform'd all due Salutations we Embarked in a small Vessel of the burthen of twenty Tuns Laden with Fish in which our Host went also Master and Pilot and the Ships Crew consisted of his Sons and other Kindred We set Sail then on the fore-mentioned Day directing our course towards Bergen which was the first convenient Haven for Unlading and Vending our Fish and distant from Rusten about a thousand miles These Fisher-men conducted the Bark safely and with great ease through various Channels with which and all the Currents in them they were perfectly acquainted so that our Voyage prov'd very commodious to us When we were about two hundred miles off Rusten we found certain Relicks of the Wreck of our Skiff which certify'd us of the sad Fate of our Companions that were aboard her and we concluded they perished the first Night we lost sight of them The twenty ninth of May 1432. we arriv'd at Tronden a Town upon the Coast of Norway and the Royal Seat of the King of Denmark when he resides in those parts and the Burial place of the famous Saint and King Olaus Here we abode ten days waiting for some conveniency to continue our Voyage but finding none were unwilling to lose more time and therefore determin'd to proceed on our