downe and tooke some six of our Men at the watring place Certaine of our Men were sent in Boats up the South side of the River where we found some more of their Carpenters tools This Harbour is very commodious for Shipping having a good anchoring place and ten or twelve fathome deep in water we landed great store of Spaniards and Negroes at this Island giving the Enemy to understand that he would use our Men well which they tooke prisoners comming from Panama and sent a Messenger not hearing any answer again yet at our departure the Governour was come down with many Souldiers with him who wrote to our Generall The eighth of February we came away from this Harbour of Porta Vella beating up to the height of Cartagena which was ten dayes after we tooke our course for Gemico North North and by West within seventeen or eighteen leagues of Cartagena there lyeth shoales â—en or twelve fathome deepe The second of February being Thursday we descried certaine Islands called the Gourdanes which is distant from Porta Vella two hundred leagues North North East and Gemica beareth from these Islands of Gourdanes towards the East they are very high land and to the West very low even land we sailed all along to the Cape Corenthus towards the West of this low Land is shoales sometimes three fathome which one of our Ships hardly escaped The twenty seventh of this moneth we passed these shoales by reason of a great gale of wind and tooke our course North North East The saturday being the one and thirtieth of February we espyed the Islands of the Pines West North west on the starbordside these Islands are without Inhabitants The first of March we espyed twenty saile of the Kings men of Warre we chased them and about three of the clocke in the afternoone we began to fight with them and continued three hours in fight the Viseadmirall gave us a shot then the Elizabeth Boneventure gave her a shot again then the Boneventure came in and gave him â— bravadoe with all her broad side that she shot through and through then came up our Generall and gave them a brave volley of shot next came the Defiance and she laid on most bravely next the Adventure she laid on that we could see through and through it was a most brave attempt but God be thanked we had the upper hand of them we plying the Viseadmirall so fast that if she had not born up from us she had sunke and another that was near her we drove them into such a puzell that with stopping their leakes as we judged their Powder being loose fired all the Ships as we did behold within two hours after we had done the fight The next day we sailed towards Cape S. Anthony there following us but thirteen of our gallants they kept their course and would not come at us but at length they came somewhat nigh us and the Defiance and the Adventure bore up to them but they made away as soone as ever they were able and so we were rid of our gallants The fourth of March we descried the Cape of S. Anthony it is distant from Cape Corents eighty leagues from thence to the Havana eighty leagues from thence to the Gulfe The same day we descried the Cape Florida which is low Land and did beare from us North West and by North our course being North East the same day we entred the Gulfe the wind being at East South East leaving the land on the larbordside the Gulfe is in length one hundred leagues from the Havano eighty league the next night we passed the Gulfe about twelve of the clocke in the night The ninth of March we passed the Barmothies we had mighty tempestuous weather The eighth of April 1596. we came to the Islands of Flowers and Cores It is inhabited with Potugals and such like where we staied and watred and traffiqued with them for Victuals or what we vvanted using us very kindly vvith fresh Fish Hens and Bacon and such like which refreshed us vvonderfull vvell and in short time after vve gained the English Coast FINIS May 24. 1572. June 3 June 28. June 29. Iuly 1. Iuly 6. Iuly 12. Iuly 13. Iuly 20 Iuly 2â— Iuly 28. July 29 Aug. 1. Aug 7. Aug. 13. Aug. 14. Aug. 15. Aug. 16. Aug. 21. Septem 5 Septem 8 Septe 9. Sept. 10. Sept. 11. Septe 14 Septe 16 Sept. 18. Sept. 19. Sept. 22. Sept. 23. Sept. 24. Octob. 7. Octo. 8. Octo. 9. Octo. 13. Oct. 14.15 Octo. 16. Octo. 17. Octo. 18. Octo. 19. Octo. 20. Octo. 21. Octo. 22. Octo. 27. Nove. 2. Nove. 3. Nove. 5. Nove. 13. Nove. 15. Nove. 22. Nove. 27. Janu. 3. Ianu. 30. Febr. 3. Febr. 7. Febr. 11. Febr. 13. Febr. 14 Febr. 22. Febr. 23. Marc. 20. Marc. 21. Marc. 13. April 1. Apr. 2.3 15â—â— Nov. 15. Nov. 16. Nov. 17 18. Nov. 2â— Dece 13. 1577 Dece 25. Deceâ—b Dec. 31. Ian. 7. Ian. 13. Ian. 15. Ian. 16. Ian 22. Ian. 28. Ian. 29. Ian. 30. Ian. 31. Feb. 1. Feb. 2. Feb. 17. 〈◊〉 Apr. 5. 1577. 1578. April 5. April 7. April 14 Apr. 16. April 1â— April 2â— April 27. April 27. May 13. May 14 May 15. May 17. May 18. Iune 3. Iune 12. Iune 14. Iune 17. Iune 18 Iune 19. Iune 20. June 22 Sept. 6. Sept. 7. Sept. 8 Sept. 30. 〈…〉 Octob. 8. Octo 28 Octo. 30. Nove. 1. Nov. 25 Sept. 30. Octob. 7 Nov. 30 Dece 4. Dece 5. Dece 19. Dece 20. Ian. 19 Ian 22. Ian. 26. Feb â— Feb. 9. Feb. 15. Feb. 16. Feb. 20. Febr. 24. Feb 28. March 1. 1579. March 7. Marc. 16. Marc. 24. April 15 Apr. 16. Iune â— Iune 17. Iune 18. Iâ—â—â— 21. 1578. Iune 26. Iuly 24. Iuly 25. Sept. 30. October 3 Octob. 16. Octob. 21 Octob. 22. Octob. 25. Octob. 30. Novem. 1 Novem. 3 Nov. 9. Nov. 14. Dec. 12. Dec. 16. Jan. 9. Jan. 10 Jan. 12. Jan. 14. Jan. 20. Jan. 26. Feb. 1. 〈…〉 Feb. 6. Feb. 8. Feb. 10. Feb. 12. Feb. 14. Feb. 16. Feb. 18 19 Feb. 22. Mar. 9. Mar. 10. Mar. 11. Mar. 12. Mar. 13. Mar. 14. Mar. 15. 1579. Mar. 21. 1580. Mar. 26. May 21. June 15. July 15. July 22. July 24. Aug. 15. Aug. 16. Sep. 26.
Jonas out of the Whales belly and heareth all those that call upon him faithfully in their distres looked down from heaven beheld our tears and heard our humble petitions joyned with holy vows Even God whom not the winds and seas alone but even the Divels themselves and powers of hell obey did so wonderfully free us and make our way open before us as it were by his holy Angels stil guiding and conducting us that more then the affright and amaze of this estate we received no part of damage in all the things that belonged unto us But escaping from these straites and miseries as it were through the needlesey that God might have the greater glory in our delivery by the great and effectuall care and travell of our Generall the Lords instrument therein we could now no longer forbeare but must needs find some place of refuge aswell to provide water wood and other necessaries as to comfort our men thus worn and tyred out by so many and so long intollerable toyls the like whereof it to be supposed no traveller hath felt neither hath their ever been such a tempest that any records make mention of so violent and of such continuance since Noahs flood for as hath been said it lasted from September 7. to October 28. full 52. dayes Not many leagues therefore to the southwards of our former anchoring we ran in again among these Islands where we had once more better likelihood to rest in peace and so much the rather for that we found the people of the country travelling for their living from one Island to another in their canows both men women and young infants wrapt in skins and hanging at their mothers backs with whom he had trafique for such things as they had as chains of certain shels and such other trifles here the Lord gave us three days to breath our selves and to provide such things as we wanted albeit the same was with continuall care and troubles to avoid imminent dangers which the troubled seas and blustering winds did every hour threaten unto us But when we seemed to have stayed there too two long we more rigorously assaulted by the not formerly ended but now more violently renewed storm and driven them also with no small danger leaving behind us the greater part of our cable with the anchor being chased along by the winds and buffeted incessantly in each quarter by the seas which our Generall interpreted as though God had sent them of purpose to the end which ensued till at length we fell with the uttermost part of land towards the south pole and had certainly discovered how far the same doth reach southward from the coast of America aforenamed The uttermost Cape or hedland of all these Islands stands neere in the 56. deg without which there is no main nor Iland to be seen to the southwards but that the Atlantick Ocean and the south sea meet in a most large and free scope It hath been a dreame through many ages that these Islands have been a maine and that it hath been terra incognita wherein many strange monsters lived Indeed it might truly before this time be called incognota for howsoever the maps generall descriptions of Cosmographers either upon the deceiveable reports of other men or the deceitfull imaginations of themselves supposing never herein to be corrected have set it down yet it is true that before this time it was never discovered or certainly known by any traveller that we have heard of And here as in a fit place it shall not be a misse to remove that error in opinion which hath been held by many of the impossible return out of Mar del zur into the West Ocean by reason of the supposed Eastern current and leavant winds which say they speedily carry any thither but suffer no return They are herein likewise altogether deceived for neither did we meet with any such current neither had we any such certain winds with any such speed to carry us through but at all times in our passage there we found more opportunity to return back again into the west Ocean then to goe forward into Mar del zur by meanes either of current or winds to hinder us whereof we had experience more then we wished being glad oftentimes to alter our course and to fall a stern again with francke wind without any impediment of any such surmised current farther in one afternoon then we could fetch up or recover again in a whole day with a reasonable gale And in that they allege the narrownesse of the frete and want of sea-rome to be the cause of this violent current they are herein no lesse deceived then they were in the other without reason for besides that it cannot be said that there is one only passage but rather innumerable it is most certain that a sea-board all these Islands there is one large and main sea wherein if any will not be satisfied nor believe the report of our experience and eyesight he should be advised to suspend his judgment till he hath either tryed it himself by his own travell or shall understand by other travellers more particulars to confirm his mind therein Now as we were fallen to the uttermost part of these Ilands October 28. our troubles did make an end the storm ceased and all our calamities only the absence of our friends excepted were removed as if God all this while by his secret providence had led us to make his discouery which being made according to his will he stayed his hand as pleased his majesty therein and refreshed us as his servants At these Southerly parts we found the night in the latter end of October to be but 2. houres long the Sun being yet above 7. degrees distant from the Tropick so that it seemeth being in the Tropick to leave very little or no night at all in that place There be few of all these Islands but have some inhabitants whose manners apparel houses Cannows and meanes of livings is like unto those formerly spoken of a little before our departure out of the Straight To all these Islands did our Generall give one name to wit Elizabethides After two daies stay which we made in and about these Ilands the 30. of October we set saile shaping our course right Northwest to coast along the parts of Peru for so the generall maps set out the land to lie both for that we might wiâ—h convenient speed sal with the height of 30. deg being the place appointed for the rest of our fleet to re-assemble as also that no opportunity might be lost in the mean time to finde them out if it seemed good to God to direct them to us In this course we chanced the next day with two Islands being as it were store-houses of most liberall provision of victuals for us of birds yeiding not only sufficient and plentiful store for us who were present but enough to have served all the rest also which
to see them before there was any extremity of danger whereby our men being warned had reasonable time to shift themselves as they could first from the main to a Rock within the sea and from thence into their boat which being ready to receive them conveighed them with expedition out of the reach of the Spaniards fury without the hurt of any man only one Richard Minivy being over bold and careless of his own safety would not be intreated by his friends nor feared by the multitude of his enemies to take the present benefit of his own delivery but chose either to make 300. men by outbraving of them to become afraid or else himselfe to dye in the place the latter of which indeed he did whose dead body being drawn by the Indians from the Rock to the shoare was there manfully by the Spaniards beheaded the right hand cut off the heart pluct out all which they carryed away in our sight and for the rest of his carkase they caused the Indians to shoot it ful of arrows made but the same day of green wood and so left it to be devoured of the beastts and foules but that we went a shoare againe and buried it wherein as there appeareth a most extream barbarous cruelty so doth it declare to the world in what miserable feare the Spaniard holdeth the government of those parts living in continuall dread of the forreign invasion by strangers or secret cutting of throats by those whom they kept under them in so shameful slavery I mean the Innocent and harmles Indians And therefore they make sure to murther what strangers soever they can come by and suffer the Indians by no means to have any weapon longer then they be in present service as appeared by their arrows cut from the tree the same day as also by the credâ—ble report of others who knew the matter to be true Yea they suppose they shew the wretches great favor when they do not for their pleasures whip them with cords and day by day drop tkeir naked bodies with burning bacon which is one of the least cruelties amongst many which they usually use against that Nation and people This being not the place we looked for nor the entertainment such as we desired we speedily got hence again and Decem. 20. the next day fell with a more convenient harbor in a bay somewhat to the Northward of the forenamed Cyppo lying in 27. deg 55. min. South the line In this place we spent some time in trimming of our ships and building of our pinnace as we desired but still the grief for the absence of our friends remained with us for the finding of whom our Generall having now fitted all things to his mind intended leaving his ship the mean while at anchor in the bay with his pinnace and some chosen men himself to return back to the Southwards again to see if happily he might either himself meet with them or find them in some harbor or creek or hear of them by any others whom he might meet with with this resolution he set on but after one dayes sayling the wind being contrary to his purpose he was forced whether he would or no to return again Within this bay during our abode there we had such abundance of fish not much unlike our Gurnard in England as no place had ever afforded us the like Cape blank only upon the coast of Barbary excepted since our first setting forth of Plymmouth untill this time the plenty whereof in this place was such that our gentlemen sporting themselves day by day with 4. or 5. hooks and lines in 2. or 3. hours would take sometimes 400. sometimes more at one time All our businesses being thus dispatched January 19. we set saile from hence and the next place that we fel withall Jan. 22. was an Island standing in the same height with the north cape of the province of Mormorena at this Island we found 4. Indians with their canows which took upon them to bring our men to a place of fresh water on the aforesaid cape in hope whereof our generall made them great cheare as his manner was to all strangers and set his course by their direction but when we came unto the place and had travelled up along way into the land we found fresh water indeed but scarce so much as they had drunk wine in their passage thither As we sayled along continually searching for fresh water we came to a place called Tarapaca and landing there we lighted on a Spaniard who lay asleep and had lying by him 13. bars of silver weighing in all about 4000. Spanish duccats we would not could we have chosen have awaked him of his nap but seeing we against our will did him that injury we freed him of his charg which otherwise perhaps would have kept him waking and so left him to take out if it pleased him the other part of his sleep in more security Our search for water still continuing as we landed again not far from thence we met a Spaniard with an Indian boy driving 8. Lambs or Peruvian sheep each sheep bare two leathern bags and in each bag was 50. pound weight of refined silver in the whole 800. weight we could not indure to see a gentleman Spaniard turnd Carrier so and therefore without intreaty we offered our service and became drovers only his directions was not so perfect that we could keep the way which he intended for almost as soon as he was parted from us we with our new kind of carriages were come unto our boats Farther beyond this cape fore-mentioned lie certain Indian towns from whence as we passed by came many of the people in certain bawses made of Seals skins of which two being joyned together of a just length and side by side resemble in fashion or form of a boat they have in either of them a small gut or some such thing blown ful of wind by reason whereof it floateth and is rowed very swiftly carrying in it no small burthen In these upon sight of our ship they brought store of fish of divers sorts to trafique with us for any trifles we would give them as knives margarites glasses and such like whereof men of 60. and 70. years old were as glad as if they had received some exceeding rich commodity being a most simple and plain dealing people Their resort unto us was such as considering the shortnesse of the time was wonderful to us to behold Nor far from this viz. in 22. deg 30. min. lay Mormorena another great town of the same people over whom 2. Spaniards held the government with these our generall thought meet to deale or at least to try their courtesie whether they would in way of traffique give us such things as we needed â—r no and therefore Jan. the 26. we cast anchor here we found them more for fear then for love somewhat tractable and received them by exchange many good
others as Hargabushes of crocke and Muskets and such like which played at us on both sides most valiantly in the time of this Incounter They had planted on this plot of great Ordnance one hundred and three score besides small shott as were to be numbred This assault although it brought unto us no great profit in respect of the losse of one of our Ships called the Little Francis which was taken by them before our approach which gave them intelligence of our comming also the losse of some of our Men at that time the which was a most valiant attempt and worthy to be Chronicled There was of the Enemy burned and slaine and drowned all the men in the great Ship but some three or foure that we tooke up out of the water to the intent that they should reveale somewhat unto us they informed us that they having intelligence of our comming by our Ship that was taken by them our end and intent was frustrated This Towne was of great force to the Spaniards and had in it three millions of Treasure of the King of Spaines which those five men of War came of purpose for it and they told us also that they kept our men at Portricho the which they tooke in the Ship called the Little Francis whereupon our Generall wrote unto the chiefe Governour of the Towne â—o be good unto our men and to deale with them as he should doe the like with their men and to send them for England again in safety Also we understood that there was three hundred Souldiers in this Towne of Saint John de Portrizo This towne standeth on a very small Island and is compassed with the Sea on the one side and a great River on the other side we could not come nigh the towne to view the proportion of it because it standeth in a Valley and hath a great Fort new built betwixt us and it We could not come within the sight of the maine Island which joyneth to the Towne so farre as we could discerne it seemeth to be of a vast longitude and latitude The fifteenth of November being saturday Sir John Hawkins and Sir Nicholas Clifford were throwne over-boord the same day we espyed a Spanish Carvill coming towards Saint John de Portricho but from what place we knew not our Generall sent with all speed and imbarked some Men in Pinnaces with all haste to meet with him but when the men in the Castle of Portricho espied it they shot off a great peece of Ordnance as a warning to them not to approach any neerer the Carvill perceiving ran himselfe on the breach and ashore and saved their men which fled away into the Mountaines so that we could not come to them The sixteenth being Sunday we departed from Saint John de Portricho at which place we Mustered all our Men and every Captaine knew his Men in more ample manner then they did before The same day we imbarked our selves in our Ships againe and with all speed we sailed to a place called Saint John Jermans Bay there we landed it is distant from Portricho thirty six leagues there we landed certain of our Companies to guard our Carpenters that did build our Pinnaces not far from this place is a House called an Ingeneroide where is great store of Sugar made it is inhabited with Spaniards The same day Master Brut Browne dyed On Saturday the three and tvventieth of November our Generall held a Court Marshall to which John Standley was called to answer to some matters objected against him The two and twentieth Sir Thomas Baskerfield tooke two men of this Island a Negroe and a Clemeronne The twenty fourth day being Munday the Ship called John of Trollony of Plimmouth was burned in the same Bay of Saint John Jermans the same day we sailed to another Island called Crusao The five and twentieth being Tuesday vve sailed South and by East and South and by West on Wednesday the twentieth six vve sailed South and by West in which course standeth Hispaniola and an Island called Mono did beare from us West and by North. The twenty seven being thursday vve sailed South and by West The twenty ninth being Saturday vve came to the Island called Crusao which is distant from the Bay of Saint Jermans about one hundered and fifty leagues from Portricho we sayled South South East at this place we stayed three or foure houres because we could get no good Harbour to anchor at by reason we were constrained to depart Our Generall did suppose this Island to be another Island called Arewha The twenty ninth of November on the Larbordside it beareth South South East it is distant some eight or nine leagues the same day we espyed the maine land called the West Indies which bore from us North North East and it is a very high land vve sailed along this Coast to a certaine towne called River Della Hatch the same day at night we anchored within nine or ten leagues of the â—owne of River Della Hatch The second of December being Munday all our Soldiers being imbarked in Boats and Pinnaces we sailed to the towne all that day about one of the clocke in the night vve entred the towne the Enemy fled into the Country before leaving some of their Soldiers in the towne to the number of ten or twelve which gave us a volley of shot and two of them were taken prisoners the rest fled away We found nothing in the towne of any account they had carried all away into the Woods and hid them there neither was there any Victuals but what we went into the Country for our selves for they had droven all their Cattle away because they heard of our commming a weeke before we came thither December the third being tuesday the Spaniards came to parley with us for a certain sum of Treasure for ransome for the said towne The fourth of December they brought Pearle c. but lesse in value then was compounded for which our Generall Sir Francis Drake refused and thereupon ordered that it should be set on Fire and burned which accordingly was done at our departure The fifteenth of December being Friday the Enemy made faire promises to our Generall which was onely to have us to stay as we supposed till they had sent word to other places as afterwards the Governour confessed The sixteenth of December the Governour came to parley and to tell us his determined purpose of his delay which was as aforesaid our companies marched divers times for Victuals and so met with the Governour We tooke some more of their men prisoners and found some of their Goods afterward which we carried away But when we saw that they would not come to any faire correspondence or agreement our Generall commanded us to burne all places where ever we came The day before our departure we left the towne of a light Fire unlesse it was a new Religious house not finished and another house that they use to bring
at what time we arrived at a little Island to the Southward of Celebes standing in 1. deg 40. min. towards the pole antarticke which being without Inhabitants gave us the better hope of quiet abode We anchored and finding the place convenient for our purposes there wanting nothing here which we stood in need of but onely water which we were faine to fetch from another Island somewhat farther to the South made our abode here for six and twenty whole dayes together The first thing we did we pitched our Tents and intrenched our selves as strongly as we could upon the shoare least at any time perhaps we might have been disturbed by the Inhabitants of the greater Island which lay not far to the Westward of us after we had provided thus for our security we landed our Goods and had a Smiths Forge set up both for the making of some necessary Shipworke and for the repairing of some Iron-hooped Caskes without which they could not long have served our use and for that our Smiths Coals were all spent long before this time there was order given and followed for the burning of Charcoale by which that want might be supplyed We trimd our Ship and performed our other businesses to our content The place affording us not onely all necessaries which we had not of our owne before thereunto but also wonderfull refreshing to our wearied bodies by the comfortable reliefe and excellent provision that here we found whereby of sickly weake and decayed as many of us seemed to be before our comming hither we in short space grew all of us to be strong lusty and healthfull persons Besides this we had rare experience of Gods wonderfull wisedome in many rare and admirable creatures which here we saw The whole Island is a through grown wood the trees for the most part are of large and high stature very straight and clean without bowes save onely in the very top The leaves whereof are not much unlike our Brooms in England Among these Trees night by night did shew themselves an infinite swarme of Firie-seeming wormes flying in the aire whose bodies no bigger then an ordinary Flye did make a shew and give such light as if every twig on every Tree had been a lighted Candle or as if that place had beene the Starry Sphear To these we may adde the relation of another almost as strange a creature which here we saw and that was an innumerable multitude of huge Bats or Reare-mice equalling or rather exceeding a good Hen in bignesse They flie with marvelous swiftnesse but their flight is very short and when they light they hang onely by the bowes with their backs downeward Neither may we without ingratitude by reason of the special use we made of them omit to speak of the huge multitude of a certaine kind of Crayfish of such a size that one was sufficient to satisfie four hungry men at a dinner being a very good and restorative meat the speciall means as we conceived it of ouâ— increase of health They are as farre as we could perceive utter strangers to the Sea living alwayes on the Land where they worke themselves earths as doe the conies or rather they dig great and huge caves under the rootes of the most huge and monstrous Trees where they lodge themselves by companies together Of the same sort and kind we found in other places about the Iland Celebes some that for want of other refuge when we came to take them did clime up into trees to hide themselves whether we were enforced to climb after them if we would have them which we would not stick to do rather then to be without them this Island we called Crab-Island All necessary causes of our staying longer in this place being at last finished our Generall prepared to be in a readinesse to take the first advantage of the comming of the brize or winde which we expected and having the day before furnished our selves with fresh water from the other Island and taken in provision of Wood and the like December 12. we put to Sea directing our course toward the West the 16. day we had sight of the Island Celebes or Silebis but having a bad wind and being intangled among many Ilands incumbred also with many other difficulties some dangers at last meeting with a deep Bay out of which we could not in three dayes turne out againe we could not by any meanes recover the North of Silebis or continue on our course farther West but were inforced to alter the same toward the South finding that course also to be both difficult and very dangerous by reason of many shoales which lay far off here and there among the Islands insomuch that in all our passages from England hitherto we had never more care to keepe our selves a float and from sticking on them thus were we forced to beat up and downe with extraordinary care and circumspection till January 9. at which time we supposed that we had at last attained a free passage the land turning evidently in our sight about to Westward and the Winde being enlarged followed us as we desired with a reasonable Gale When loe on a sudden when we least suspected no shew or suspition of danger appearing to us and we were now sailing onward with full sails in the beginning of the first watch of the said day at night even in a moment our ship was laid up fast upon a desperate shoal with no other likelihood in appearance but that we with her must there presently perish there being no probability how any thing could be saved or any Person sâ—â—pe alive The unexpectednesse of so extreame a danger presently roused us up to looke about us but the more we looked the lesse hope we had of getting clear of it againe so that nothing now presenting it selfe to our mindes but the ghastly appearance of instant death affording no respite or time pausing called upon us to turne our thoughts another way to renounce the World to deny our selves and to commend our selves into the mercifull hands of our most gracious God to this purpose we presently fell prostrate and with joyned prayers sent up unto the throne of grace humbly be sought Almighty God to extend his mercy unto us in his Son Christ Jesus and so preparing as it were our necks unto the blocke we every minute expected the finall stroke to be given unto us Notwithstanding that we expected nothing but iminent death yet that we might not seeme to tempt God by leaving any second meanes unattempted which he afforded presently as soon as prayers were ended our General exhorting us to have the especiallest care of the better part to wit the Soule and adding many comfortable speeches of the joyes of that other life which we now alone looked for incouraged us all to bestirre our selves shewing us the way thereto by his owne example and first of all the Pump being wel plyed and the ship
reasonable quantity in bignesse forme and huske much like a bay-berry hard in substance but pleasant in tast which being sod becometh soft and is a most profitable and nourishing meat of each of these we received of them whatsoever we desired for our need insomuch that such was Gods gracious goodnesse to us the old Proverbe was verified with us After a storme commeth a calme after warre peace after scarcity followeth plenty so that in all our Voyage Terenate onely excepted from our departure out of our owne Country hitherto we found not any where greater comfort and refreshing then we did it this time in this place in refreshing and furnishing our selves here we spent two dayes and departed hence February 10. When we were come into the height of 8. deg 4. min. Feb. 12. in the morning we espied a green Island to the Southward not long after two other Islands on the same side and a great one more towards the North they seemed all to be well inhabited but we had neither need nor desire to goe to visit them and so we past by them The 14. day we saw some other reasonable big Islands and February 16. we past betweene foure or five big Islands more which lay in the height 9. deg 40. min. The 18. we cast anchor under a little Island whence we departed againe the day following we wooded here but other relief except two Turtles we received none The 22. day we lost sight of three Islands on our Starboard side which lay in ten deg and some odde minutes After this we past on to the Westward without stay or any thing to be taken notice of till the ninth of March when in the morning we espyed land some part therof very high in 8. d. 20. m. South latitude here we anchored that night the next day weighed againe and bearing farther North and neerer the shoar we came to anchor the second time The eleventh of March we first tooke in water and after sent our Boat againe to shoare where we had Traffique with the people of the Country whereupon the same day we brought our Ship more neere the Towne and having setled our selves there that night the next day our General sent his man a shoar to preset the King with certain Cloth both Linnen and Woollen besides some Silkes which he gladly and thankfully received and rerurned Rice Cocoes Hennes and other Victuals in way of recompence This Island we found to be the Island Java the middle whereof stands in 7. deg and 30. min. beyond the Equator The 13 of March our General himself with many of his gentlemen and others went to shoare and presented the King of whom he was joyfully and lovingly received with his musicke and shewed him the manner of our use of Arms by training his men with their Pikes and other weapons which they had before him for the present we were entertained as we desired and at last dismissed with a promise of more Victuals to be shortly sent us In this Island there is one chiefe but many under-governors or petty kings whom they call Raias who live in great familiarity and friendship one with another The 14. day we received Victuals from two of them and the day after that to wit the 15 three of these Kings in their owne Persons came aboard to see our Generall and to view our ship and warlike munition They were well pleased with what they saw and with the entertainment which we gave them And after these had been with us and on their returne had as it seemes related what they found Raia Donan the chief King of the whole land bringing Victuals with him for our relief he also the next day after came aboard us Few were the dayes that one or more of these kings did misse to visit us insomuch that we grew acquainted with the names of many of them as of Raia Pataira Raia Cabocapalla Raia Mangbango Raia Bocabarra Raia Timbanton whom our Generall alwayes entertained with the best cheere that we could make and shewed them all the commodities of our Ship with our Ordnance and other Arms and Weapons and the severall furnitures belonging to each and the uses for which they served His musick also and all things else whereby he might doe them pleasure wherin they tooke exceeding great delight with admiration One day amongst the rest viz. March 21. Raia Donan comming aboard us in requitall of our musicke which was made to him presented our Generall with his Country musicke which though it were of a very strange kind yet the sound was pleasant and delightfull the same day he caused an Oxe also to be brought to the waters side and delivered to us for which he was to his content rewarded by our Generall with divers sorts of very costly Silkes which he held in great esteeme Though our often giving entertainment in this manner did hinder us much in the speedy dispatching of our businesses and made us spend the more dayes about them yet here we found all such convenient helpes that to our contents we at last ended them the matter of great Importance which we did besides Victualling was the new trimming and washing of our Ship which by reason of our long Voyage was so overgrowne with a kind of a shell-fish sticking fast unto her that it hindred exceedingly and was a great trouble to her sayling The People as are their Kings are a loving a very true and just dealing People We traffiqued with them for Hens Goats Cocoes Plantons and other kind of Victuals which they offered us in such plenty that we might have laden our Ship if we had needed We tooke our leaves and departed from them the 26. of March and set our course West South West directly towards the cape of good hope or Bon Esperance and continued without touch of ought but aire and water till the 21. of May when we espied land to wit a part of the maine Africa in some places very high under the latitude of 31. deg and halfe We coasted along till June 15. on which day having very faire weather and the Wind at Southeast we past the Cape it selfe so neere in sight that we had beene able with our pieces to have shot to land July 15. we fell with the land againe about Rio de sesto where we saw many Negroes in their Boats a fishing wherof two came very neer us but we cared not to stay nor had any talke or dealing with them The 22. of the same moneth we came to Sierra Leona and spent two dayes for watering in the mouth of Tagoine and then put to Sea again here also we had Oisters and plenty of Lemmons which gave us good refreshing We found our selves under the Tropick of Cancer August 15. having the winde at north-Northeast and we 50 leagues off from the neerest land The 22. day we were in the
28 degrees and are distant one from the other 4 or 5 leagues Inhabited only by a savage people These Islands from the Grand Canadoes are distant ten leagues The twenty sixt of September we anchored in the aforesaid port of Canadoes otherwise called S. John Decrus and about ten of the clock in the forenoone we were imbarked into Boats and Pinnaces endeavoring with the greatest celerity to attain to land but were frustrated of our intentions by the Enemies vigilancy who waiting our comming had intrenched themselves in the very place where we should have put to shore who upon our approach plyed us so fast with great and small shot both from the Castle and towne and from the other side of us that we were constrained to retire with the losse of some few men unto our Ships againe The Enemy were in number betweene three or foure hundred strong The same day being all imbarked in our Ships againe we departed to a certaine place where we watered it lyeth West and by North from the towne and was in times past a great and famous River But now it is overgrown with grasse it commeth from the Rocks and runneth to the Sea The people of this Island being a barbarous people and Mountaneers vve had slaine at this watering place by them of our men which stragled into the Countrey amongst whom vvas Captaine Grinston and foure more with him the which were wounded very sore and torne with dogges which they keepe of purpose to destroy our men when any of them come there to water This Iland yeeldeth much Wine as Canadoe Wine and divers kind of graine as Wheat and such like great store of Conies and Partredges and Tresse which have a joyce like Milk but rank poyson This Iland hath many mighty Rocks in it there is about twenty leagues distant from this Island another Island called the Tenereffe or Peak of Tenereffe It is a mighty high land Sunday the twenty eight of September a little before night we departed from the aforesaid watering place towards the Orientall Indies we tooke our course South West and by West Septemb. 29 being Michaelmas day we sayled South west and by South the thirtieth we sayled South vvest the first of October we sayled West and by South the thirteenth we sayled West in the height of sixteenth degr the fourteenth the wind was southernly the five and twentieth of this Moneth the Hope and the Adventure fell foule on one another about ten of the clocke in the night so that they of the Adventure were constrained to cut downe their Nisson Maste and to fling it overboord The night being very darke and there arising a great tempest of Haile and Raine at the same time they were in extream Jeopardy of their lives which caused in them a very great terror The twenty seventh of October we espyed the Island of Martinino which lay from us towards the West This Island is inhabited by a Barbarous people called Canibals We vvere thirty dayes sayling between the Canadoes and Martinino From this Island we sayled towards an Island called Dominica where is great store of Tobacco It is distant from Martinino about ten or twelve of our English miles and beareth West and by North. The people of this Island be not altogether so rude as other peopl are for they would traffick with us for hatched Knives such like Commodities in exchange for their Tobacco which is the chiefest commodity this Island yeeldeth The Weapons used by these people are Bowes and Arrowes made of a Reed with a sharp peece of Braseilon the end thereof they to use wear their haire very long cut round by their shoulders The thirtieth of this instant October we came to another Island called Gordelowpa which is distant from that of Dominica ten leagues we went unto a certaine River of that Island on the West side there be many Rivers issuing out of the Mountaines with great force into the Sea This Island is not inhabited but is a very Wildernesse wherein are many wilde Beasts amongst the rest there is one worthy of your observation in shape of a Serpent We continued there from the thirtieth of October to the fourth of November From thence we sayled towards the River della hatch and struke our course North West and by North. The seventh of November vve descried three Islands of the Trigonies vvhich lyeth between Gordelowpa and Saint John de Portrizo the first is called Mononalla the second Rotmido the third Savoa we sayled within three or four leagues of them vvhere vve found it in depth sometimes five otherwhiles eight fathome the shoal beareth from us North east The eight of November our Generall set on shoar all the Land-men to the end that every Captaine might know his owne men The tenth of November vve departed from that Harbour to another three or four English miles distant vvhere vve continued untill tuesday the eleventh of November and then set sayle for Saint John de Portrizo West and by North. These Islands belonging to Virginia be many in number vve cannot name them because they be without Inhabitants there are many faire Harbours in them in some whereof one thousand Ships may ride at anchor on every side the Mountaines are very high Thence we went to some passages not farre of The twelfth of November being Wednesday we anchored within three or foure English miles of the Towne of Portricho against a great Fort where was placed a great peece of Ordnance which plyed us with shot divers times The same day Sir John Hawkins dyed at the place aforesaid whose death in regard that he was one of our chiefe Commanders a wise discreet and carefull Man for his Company was no little griefâ— unto us all The same day also was Sir Nicholas Clifford Captaine Stratford Master Brutt Browne were wounded with the same peece of Ordnance from the said Fort all at one time sitting at Supper with our Generall Sir Francis Drake and Sir Thomas Baskerfield the stoole that Sir Francis Drake sat on was struke from under him as he was drinking of a cup of Beere yet by Gods providence he escaped with all the rest but onely them three before mentioned the same night Sir Nicholas Clifford dyed of the same wound and the same night we went against the Towne where we anchored The next day which was thursday the 13. of November our Generall called a Councell The night following about nine of the clocke in the night certaine shott being appointed to be imbarked in our Pinnaces and Boats with Gunners and Fire-workes there were to the number of five hundred Men which went within the Harbour to burne the five Men of Warre which rode within the Harbour one of them was of the burthen of foure hundred tunne the rest not so big in this Ship was planted great store of great Ordnance which played upon our Men exceedingly besides great store of small shott likewise great store of great shott from the shore with
which from this Cape of Saint Anthony we intended to finish by sayling the directest and speediest way homeward and accordingly even beyond our owne expectation most happily performed For whereas our Captaine had purposed to touch at New-found-land and there to have watred which would have been some let unto us though we stood in great want of Water yet God Almighty so provided for us by giving us good store of Raine-water that we were sufficiently furnished and within twenty three dayes we past from the Cape of Florida to the Iles of Silley and so arrived at Plimouth on Sunday about Sermon-time August the ninth 1573. at what time the newes of our Captaines return brought unto his did so speedily passe over all the Church and surpasse their minds with desire and delight to see him that very few or none remained with the Preacher all hastning to see the evidence of Gods love and blessing towards our Gracious Queene and Country by the fruit of our Captaines labour and successe Soli Deo Gloria FINIS THE WORLD ENCOMPASSED BY SIR FRANCIS DRAKE Offered now at last to Publique view both for the honour of the Actor but especially for the stirring up of heroicke Spirits to benefit their Countrey and eternize their Names by like noble attempts Collected out of the Notes of Master Francis Fletcher Preacher in this imployment and compared with divers others Notes that went in the same VOYAGE Printed at London for Nicholas Bourne dwelling at the South entrance of the royall Exchange 1652. SIR FRANCIS DRAKE his Voyage about the WORLD EVer since Almighty God commanded Adam to subdue the Earth there hath not wanted in all Ages some heroicall Spirits which in obedience to that high mandate either from manifest reason alluring them or by secret instinct inforcing them thereunto have expended their wealth imployed their times and adventured their Persons to finde out the true circuit of the World Of these some have endeavored to effect this their purpose by conclusion and consequence drawn from the proportion of the higher Circles to this nethermost Globe being the Center of the rest Others not contented with Schoole Points such demonstrations for that a small error in the beginning groweth in the progresse to a great inconvenience have added therunto their own History and experience All of them in reason have deserved great commendation of their owne Ages and purchased a just renowne with all posterity For if a Surveyor of some few Lordships wherof the bounds and limits were before known worthily deserve his reward not only for his travell but for his skill also in measuring the whol and every part thereof how much more above comparison are their famous Travels by all means possible to be eternized who have bestowed their studies and indeavour to survey measure this Globe almost unmeasurable Neither is here that difference to be objected which in private Possessions is of value Whose Land Survey you forasmuch as the main Ocean by right is the Lords alone and by nature left free for all men to deal withal as very sufficient for all mens use larg enough for al mens industry And therefore that valiant enterprise accompanied with happy successe which that right rare and thrice worthy Captain Francis Drake atchieved in first turning up a furrow about the whole world doth not onely overmatch the ancient Argonauts but also outreacheth in many respects that noble Mariner Magellanus and by far surpasseth his crowned Victory But hereof let Posterity judge It shall for the present be deemed a sufficient discharge of duty to register the true and whole history of that his Voyage with as great indifferency of affection as a history doth require and with the plain evidence of truth as it was left recorded by some of the chiefe and divers other Actors in that Action The said Captain Francis Drake having in a former voyoge in the years 72 and 73 the description whereof is already imparted to the view of the world had a sight and onely a sight of the south Atlantik and thereupon either conceiving a new or renewing a former desire of sailing on the same in an English bottom he so cherished thenceforward this his noble desire and resolution in himselfe that notwithstanding he was hindred for some years partly by secret envy at home and partly by publicke service for his Prince and Country abroad wherof Ireland under Walter Earl of Essex gives honorable testimony yet against the yeare 1577. by gracious commission from his Soveraigne and with the helpe of divers friends Adventurers he had fitted himselfe with five Ships 1. The Pellican Admirall burthen 100. tons Captaine generall Francis Drake 2. The Elizabeth Vice admirall burthen 80. tonnes Captaine Iohn Winter 3. The Marigold a Bark of 30. tons Captain Iohn Thomas 4. The Swan a Fliboat of 50. tons Captaine Iohn Chester 5. The Christopher a Pinnace of fifteene tonnes Captaine Thomas Moone These Ships he mand with 164. able and sufficient men and furnished them also with such plentifull provision of all things necessary as so long and dangerous a Voyage did seem to require and amongst the rest with certaine Pinnaces ready framed but carried aboard in peices to be new set up in smoother water when occasion served Neither had he omitted to make provision also for ornament and delight carrying to this purpose with him expert Musitians rich furniture all the vessels for his Table yea many belonging even to the Cooke-roome being of pure Silver and divers shewes of all sorts of curious Workmanship whereby the civility and magnificence of his native Country might amongst all Nations whithersoever he should come be the more admired Being thus appointed we set saile out of the sound of Plimmouth about five of the Clocke in the afternoon November 15. of the same yeare and running all that night Southwest by the morning were come as far as the Lyzard where meeting the wind at Southwest quite contrary to our intended course we were forced with our whole Fleet to put in to Falmouth The next day towards evening there arose a storme continuing all that night and the day following especially betweene ten of the Clocke in the forenoone and five in the afternoone with such violence that though it were in a very good Harbor yet two of our Ships viz. the Admirall wherein our Generall himselfe went and the Marigold were fain to cut their maine Masts by board and for the repairing of them and many other dammages in the tempest sustained as soone as the Weather would give leave to beare back to Plimmouth again where we all arrived the thirteenth day after our first departure thence Whence having in few dayes supplied all defects with happier sailes we once more put to Sea December 13. 1577. As soon as we were out of sight of Land our Generall gave us occasion to conjecture in part whither he intended both by the directing of his course and
appointing the Randevous if any should be severed from the Fleet to be the Island Mogadore And so sailing with favorable winds the first Land that we had sight of was Cape Cantine in Barbary December 25. Christmas day in the morning The shoare is faire white Sand and the inland country very high and mountainous it lyeth in 32. deg 30. min. North latitude and so coasting from hence Southward about 18 leagues we arrived the same day at Mogadore the Island before named This Mogadore lies under the dominion of the King of Fesse in 31. deg 40. m. about a mile of from the shoar by this means making a good harbor between the Land and it It is uninhabited of about a league in circuit not very high Land all overgrowne with a kinde of shrub Brest high not much unlike our privet very full of Doves and therefore much frequented of Gosh â—ukes and such like Birds of prey besides divers sorts of Sea-foul very plenty At the South side of this Island are three hollow Rocks under which are great store of very wholesome but very ugly fish to looke to Lying here about a mile from the mâ—ine a Boat was sent to sound the Harbor and finding it safe and in the very entrance on the north side about five or six fathome water but at the Souther side it is very dangerous we brought in our whole Fleet December 27. and continued there till the last day of the same Month imploying our leasure the meane while in setting up a Pinnace one of the foure brought from home in peeces with us Our abode here was soon perceived by the Inhabitants of the country who coming to the shoar by signes and cries made shew that they desired to be fetched a board to whom our Generall sent a Boat in which two of the chiefest of the Moores were presently received and one man of ours in exchange left a land as a pledge for their returne They that came aboard were right courteously entertained with a dainty banquet and such gifts as they seemed to be most glad of that they might thereby understand that this Fleet came in peace and friendship offering to Traffique with them for such commodities as their country yeilded to their own content This offer they seemed most gladly to accept and promised the next day to resort again with such things as they had to exchange for ours It is a law amongst them to drink no wine notwithstanding by stealth it pleaseth them well to have it abundantly as here was experience At their return ashoare they quietly restored the pledge which they had stayed and the next day at the hour appointed returning again brought with them Camels in shew loaden with wares to be exchanged for our commodities and calling for a boat in hast had one sent them according to order with our Generall being at this present absent had given before his departure to the Island Our boat coming to the place of landing which was among the rocks one of our men called John Fry mistrusting no danger nor fearing any harm pretended by them and therefore intending to become a pledge according to the order used the day before readily stept out of the boat and ran a land which opportunity being that which the Moores did look for they took the advantage of and not only they which were in sight layed hands on him to carry him away with them but a number more which lay secretly hidden did forthwith break forth from behind the rock whether they had conveyed themselves as seemeth the night before forcing our men to leave the rescuing of him that was taken as captive and with speed to shift for themselves The cause of this violence was a desire which the King of Fesse had to understand what this fleet was whether any forerunner of the Kings of Portugall or no and what newes of certainty the fleet might give him And therefore after that he was brought to the K. presence had reported that they were English men bound for the Straights under the conduct of generall Drake he was sent back again with a present to his captain and offer of great courtesie and friendship if he would use his country But in this mean time the generall being grieved with this shew of injury and intending if he might to recover or redeem his man his pinnace being ready landed his company and marched somewhat into the countrey without any resistance made against him neither would the Moores by any meanes come nigh our Men to deale with them any way wherefore having made provision of wood as also visited an old for t built sometime by the King of Portugall but now ruined by the King of Fesse we departed December 31. towards Cape Blank in such sort that when Fry returned he found to his great grief that the fleet was gone but yet by the Kings favor he was sent home into England not long after in an English Merchants ship Shortly after our putting forth of this harbor we were met with contrary winds and foule weather which continued till the fourth of January yet we still held on our course and the third day after fell with cape De Guerre in 30. deg minutes where we lighted on 3. Spanish fishermen called Caunters whom we took with our new pinnace and carried along with us till we came to Rio Del Oro just under the Tropick of Cancer where with our pinnace also we took a carvell From hence till the 15. day we sailed on towards cape Barbas where the Marigold took a carvill more and so onward to cape Blanck till the next day at night This cape lyeth in 20. deg 30. min. sheweth it self upright like the corner of a wall to them that come towards it from the North having between it and cape Barbas low sandy and very white land all the way Here we observed the south Guards called the Crosiers 9. deg 30. min. above the Horizon Wherein the cape we took one Spanish ship more riding at anchor all her men being fled ashoare in the boat save two which with all the rest we have formerly taken we carried into che harbor 3. leagues within the cape Here our Generall determined for certain dayes to make his abode both for that the place afforded plenty of fresh victuals for the present refreshing of our men for their future supply at sea by reason of the infinite store of divers sorts of good fish which are there easie to be taken even within the harbor the like whereof is hardly to be found again in any part of the world as also because it served very fitly for the dispatching of some other businesses that we had During the time of our abode in this place our generall being a shoare was visited by certain of the people of the country who brought down with them a woman a Moore with her little babe hanging upon her dry dug