The sixteenth day, one of our small barques, named the _Gabriel_, was

sent by our general to bear in with the land, to descry it, where, being

on land, they met with the people of the country, which seemed very

humane and civilised, and offered to traffic with our men, proffering

them fowls and skins for knives and other trifles, whose courtesy caused

us to think that they had small conversation with the other of the

straits. Then we bare back again, to go with the Queen's Forehand, and

the 18th day we came by two islands, whereon we went on shore, and found

where the people had been, but we saw none of them. This day we were

again in the ice, and like to be in as great peril as we were at the

first. For through the darkness and obscurity of the foggy mist we were

almost run on rocks and islands before we saw them: but God (even

miraculously) provided for us, opening the fogs that we might see

clearly, both where and in what danger we presently were, and also the

way to escape; or else, without fail we had ruinously run upon the rocks.

When we knew perfectly our instant case, we cast about to get again on

sea board, which (God be thanked) by might we obtained, and praised God.

The clear continued scarce an hour, but the fog fell again as thick as

ever it was.

Then the _Rear-Admiral_ and the _Bear_ got themselves clear without

danger of ice and rocks, struck their sails and lay a hull, staying to

have the rest of the fleet come forth, which as yet had not found the

right way to clear themselves from the danger of rocks and ice, until the

next morning, at what time the _Rear-Admiral_ discharged certain warning

pieces, to give notice that she had escaped, and that the rest (by

following of her) might set themselves free, which they did that day.

Then having gathered ourselves together, we proceeded on our purposed

voyage, bearing off, and keeping ourselves distant from the coast, until

the 19th day of July, at which time the fogs brake up and dispersed, so

that we might plainly and clearly behold the pleasant air which had so

long been taken from us by the obscurity of the foggy mists; and, after

that time, we were not much encumbered therewith until we had left the

confines of the country.

Then we, espying a fair sound, supposed it to go into the straits,

between the Queen's Foreland and Jackman's Sound, which proved as we

imagined. For our general sent forth again the _Gabriel_ to discover it,

who passed through with much difficulty, for there ran such an extreme

current of a tide, with so horrible a gulf, that with a fresh gale of

wind they were scarce able to stem it, yet at the length with great

travel they passed it, and came to the straits, where they met with the

_Thomas Allen_, the _Thomas of Ipswich_, and the _Busse of Bridgewater_,

who all together adventured to bear into the ice again, to see if they

could obtain their wished port. But they were so encumbered, that with

much difficulty they were able to get out again, yet at the last they

escaping the _Thomas Allen_ and the _Gabriel_, bear in with the western

shore, where they found harbour, and they moored their ships until the

4th of August, at which time they came to us, in the Countess of

Warwick's Sound. The _Thomas of Ipswich_ caught a great leak, which

caused her to cast again to sea board, and so was mended.

We sailed along still by the coast until we came to the Queen's Forehand,

at the point whereof we met with part of the gulf aforesaid, which place

or gulf (as some of our masters do credibly report) doth flow nine hours

and ebbs but three. At that point we discovered certain lands southward,

which neither time nor opportunity would serve to search. Then being

come to the mouth of the straits, we met with the _Anne Francis_, who had

lain bulting up and down ever since her departure alone, never finding

any of her company. We met then also the _Francis of Foy_, with whom

again we intended to venture and get in, but the ice was yet so thick,

that we were compelled again to retire and get us on sea board.

There fell also the same day, being the 26th July, such a horrible snow,

that it lay a foot thick upon the hatches, which froze as fast as it

fell.

We had also at other times divers cruel storms, both snow and hail, which

manifestly declared the distemperature of the country: yet for all that

we were so many times repulsed and put back from our purpose, knowing

that lingering delay was not profitable for us, but hurtful to our

voyage, we mutually consented to our valiant general once again to give

the onset.

The 28th day, therefore, of the same July we assayed, and with little

trouble (God be praised) we passed the dangers by daylight. Then night

falling on the face of the earth, we hulled in the clear, till the

cheerful light of the day had chased away the noisome darkness of the

night, at which the we set forward toward our wished port; by the 30th

day we obtained our expected desire, where we found the _Judith_ and the

_Michael_, which brought no small joy unto the general, and great

consolation to the heavy hearts of those wearied wights.

The 30th day of July we brought our ships into the Countess of Warwick's

Sound, and moored them, namely these ships, the _Admiral_, the

_Rear-Admiral_, the _Francis of Foy_, the _Bear_, _Armenel_, the

_Salomon_, and the _Busse of Bridgewater_, which being done, our general

commanded us all to come ashore upon the Countess Island, where he set

his miners to work upon the mine, giving charge with expedition to

despatch with their lading.

Our general himself, accompanied with his gentleman, divers times made

roads into sundry parts of the country, as well to find new mines as also

to find out and see the people of the country. He found out one mine,

upon an island by Bear's Sound, and named it the Countess of Sussex

Island. One other was found in Winter's Fornace, with divers others, to

which the ships were sent sunderly to be laden. In the same roads he met

with divers of the people of the country at sundry times, as once at a

place called David's Sound, who shot at our men, and very desperately

gave them the onset, being not above three or four in number, there being

of our countrymen above a dozen; but seeing themselves not able to

prevail, they took themselves to flight, whom our men pursued, but being

not used to such craggy cliffs, they soon lost the sight of them, and so

in vain returned.

We also saw them at Bear's Sound, both by sea and land, in great

companies; but they would at all times keep the water between them and

us. And if any of our ships chanced to be in the sound (as they came

divers times), because the harbour was not very good, the ship laded, and

departed again; then so long as any ships were in sight, the people would

not be seen. But when as they perceived the ships to be gone, they would

not only show themselves standing upon high cliffs, and call us to come

over unto them, but also would come in their boats very near to us, as it

were to brag at us; whereof our general, having advertisement, sent for

the captain and gentlemen of the ships to accompany and attend upon him,

with the captain also of the _Anne Francis_, who was but the night before

come unto us. For they and the fleet-boat, having lost us the 26th day,

in the great snow, put into a harbour in the Queen's Forehand, where they

found good ore, wherewith they laded themselves, and came to seek the

general; so that now we had all our ships, saving one barque, which was

lost, and the _Thomas of Ipswich_ who (compelled by what fury I know not)

forsook our company, and returned home without lading.

Our general, accompanied with his gentlemen (of whom I spake), came

altogether to the Countess of Sussex Island, near to Bear's Sound, where

he manned out certain pinnaces and went over to the people, who,

perceiving his arrival, fled away with all speed, and in haste left

certain darts and other engines behind them which we found, but the

people we could not find.

The next morning our general, perceiving certain of them in boat upon the

sea, gave chase to them in a pinnace under sail, with a fresh gale of

wind, but could by no means come near unto them, for the longer he sailed

the farther off he was from them, which well showed their cunning and

activity. Thus time wearing away, and the day of our departure

approaching, our general commanded to lade with all expedition, that we

might be again on sea board with our ship; for whilst we were in the

country we were in continual danger of freezing in, for often snow and

hail, often the water was so much frozen and congealed in the night, that

in the morning we could scarce row our boats or pinnaces, especially in

Dier's Sound, which is a calm and still water, which caused our general

to make the more haste, so that by the 30th day of August we were all

laden, and made all things ready to depart. But before I proceed any

further herein, to show what fortune befell at our departure, I will turn

my pen a little to Master Captain Fenton, and those gentlemen which

should have inhabited all the year in those countries, whose valiant

minds were much to be commended, that neither fear of force, nor the

cruel nipping storms of the raging winter, neither the intemperature of

so unhealthful a country, neither the savageness of the people, neither

the sight and show of such and so many strange meteors, neither the

desire to return to their native soil, neither regard of friends, neither

care of possessions and inheritances, finally, not the love of life (a

thing of all other most sweet), neither the terror of dreadful death

itself, might seem to be of sufficient force to withdraw their prowess,

or to restrain from that purpose, thereby to have profited their country;

but that with most willing hearts, venturous minds, stout stomachs, and

singular manhood, they were content there to have tarried for the time,

among a barbarous and uncivilised people, infidels and miscreants, to

have made their dwelling, not terrified with the manifold and imminent

dangers which they were like to run into; and seeing before their eyes so

many casualties, whereto their life was subject, the least whereof would

have made a milksop Thersites astonished and utterly discomfited; being,

I say, thus minded and purposed, they deserved special commendation, for,

doubtless, they had done as they intended, if luck had not withstood

their willingness, and if that fortune had not so frowned upon their

intents.

For the bark _Dionyse_, which was lost, had in her much of their house,

which was prepared and should have been builded for them, with many other

implements. Also the _Thomas of Ipswich_, which had most of their

provision in her, came not into the straits at all, neither did we see

her since the day we were separated in the great snow (of which I spake

before). For these causes, having not their house nor yet provision,

they were disappointed of their pretence to tarry, and therefore laded

their ships and so came away with us.

But before we took shipping, we builded a little house in the Countess of

Warwick's Island, and garnished it with many kinds of trifles, as pins,

points, laces, glasses, combs, babes on horseback and on foot, with

innumerable other such fancies and toys, thereby to allure and entice the

people to some familiarity against other years.

Thus having finished all things we departed the country (as I said

before); but because the _Busse_ had not lading enough in her, she put

into Bear's Sound to take a little more. In the meanwhile, the

_Admiral_, and the rest without the sea, stayed for her. And that night

fell such an outrageous tempest, beating on our ships with such vehement

rigour that anchor and cable availed nought, for we were driven on rocks

and islands of ice, insomuch that had not the great goodness of God been

miraculously showed to us, we had been cast away every man. This danger

was more doubtful and terrible than any that preceded or went before, for

there was not any one ship (I think) that escaped without damage. Some

lost anchor, and also gables, some boats, some pinnaces, some anchor,

gables, boats, and pinnaces.

This boisterous storm so severed us one from another, that one ship knew

not what was become of another. The _Admiral_ knew not where to find the

_Vice-Admiral_ or _Rear-Admiral_, or any other ship of our company. Our

general, being on land in Bear's Sound, could not come to his ship, but

was compelled to go aboard the _Gabriel_, where he continued all the way

homewards, for the boisterous blasts continued so extremely, and so long

a time, that it sent us homeward (which was God's favour towards us),

will we, nill we, in such haste, as not any one of us were able to keep

in company of other, but were separated. And if by chance any one ship

did overtake other by swiftness of sail, or met (as they often did), yet

was the rigour of the wind so hideous, that they could not continue

company together the space of one whole night.

Thus our journey outward was not so pleasant, but our coming thither,

entering the coasts and country by narrow straits, perilous ice, and

swift tides, our times of abode there in snow and storms, and our

departure from thence, the 3rd of August, with dangerous blustering winds

and tempest's, which that night arose, was as uncomfortable, separating

us so, as we sailed, that not any of us met together until the 28th of

September, which day we fell on the English coasts, between Scilly and

the Land's End, and passed the Channel, until our arrival in the river

Thames.

THE REPORT OF THOMAS WIARS,

_Passenger in the_ "_Emmanuel_," _otherwise called the_ "_Busse of

Bridgewater_," _wherein James Leeche was Master_, _one of the ships in

the last voyage of Master Martin Frobisher_, 1578, _concerning the

discovery of the great island in their way homeward_, _the_ 12_th of

September_.

The _Busse of Bridgewater_ was left in Bear's Sound, at Meta Incognita,

the 2nd day of September, behind the fleet, in some distress, through

much wind riding near the lee shore, and forced there to ride it out upon

the hazard of her cables and anchors, which were all aground but two.

The 3rd of September being fair weather, and the wind north-north-west,

she set sail, and departed thence and fell with Friesland, on he 8th day

of September, at six of the clock at night, and then they set off from

the south-west point of Friesland, the wind being at east and

east-south-east; but that night the wind veered southerly, and shifted

oftentimes that night. But on the 10th day, in the morning, the wind at

west-north-west, fair weather, they steered south-east and by south, and

continued that course until the 12th day of September, when about 11

o'clock before noon they descried a land, which was from them about five

leagues, and the southernmost part of it was south-east-by-east from

them, and the northernmost next north-north-east, or north-east. The

master accounted that Friesland, the south-east point of it, was from him

at that instant, when he first descried this new island,

north-west-by-north fifty leagues. They account this island to be

twenty-five leagues long, and the longest way of it south-east and

north-west. The southern part of it is in the latitude of fifty-seven

degrees and one second part, or thereabout. They continued in sight of

it from the twelfth day at eleven of the clock till the thirteenth day

three of the clock in the afternoon, when they left it; and the last part

they saw of it bare from them north-west-by-north. There appeared two

harbours upon that coast, the greatest of them seven leagues to the

northwards of the southernmost point, the other but four leagues. There

was very much ice near the same land, and also twenty or thirty leagues

from it, for they were not clear of ice till the 15th day of September,

afternoon. They plied their voyage homeward, and fell with the west part

of Ireland, about Galway, and had first sight of it on the 25th day of

September.

THE FIRST VOYAGE OF MASTER JOHN DAVIS,

_Undertaken in June_, 1585, _for the discovery of the North-West

Passage_, _written by John James Marchant_, _servant to the Worshipful

Master William Sanderson_.

Certain honourable personages and worthy gentlemen of the Court and

country, with divers worshipful merchants of London and of the West

Countrie, moved with desire to advance God's glory, and to seek the good

of their native country, consulting together of the likelihood of the

discovery of the North-West Passage, which heretofore had been attempted,

but unhappily given over by accidents unlooked for, which turned the

enterprisers from their principal purpose, resolved, after good

deliberation, to put down their adventures, to provide for necessary

shipping, and a fit man to be chief conductor of this so hard an

enterprise. The setting forth of this action was committed by the

adventurers especially to the care of Master William Sanderson, merchant

of London, who was so forward therein, that besides his travel, which was

not small, he became the greatest adventurer with his purse, and

commended unto the rest of the company one Master John Davis, a man very

well grounded in the principles of the art of navigation, for captain and

chief pilot of this exploit.

Thus, therefore, all things being put in a readiness, we departed from

Dartmouth the 7th of June towards the discovery of the aforesaid

North-West Passage with two barques, the one being of fifty tons, named

the _Sunshine_, of London, and the other being thirty-five tons, named

the _Moonshine_, of Dartmouth. In the _Sunshine_ we had twenty-three

persons, whose names are these following: Master John Davis, captain;

William Eston, master; Richard Pope, master's mate; John Jane, merchant;

Henry Davie, gunner; William Crosse, boatswain; John Bagge, Walter

Arthur, Luke Adams, Robert Coxworthie, John Ellis, John Kelly, Edward

Helman, William Dicke, Andrew Maddocke, Thomas Hill, Robert Wats,

carpenter, William Russell, Christopher Gorney, boy; James Cole, Francis

Ridley, John Russel, Robert Cornish, musicians.

The _Moonshine_ had nineteen persons, William Bruton, captain; John

Ellis, master; the rest mariners.

The 7th of June the captain and the master drew out a proportion for the

continuance of our victuals.

The 8th day, the wind being at south-west and west-south-west, we put in

for Falmouth, where we remained until the 13th.

The 13th the wind blew at north, and being fair weather we departed.

The 14th, with contrary wind, we were forced to put into Scilly.

The 15th we departed thence, having the wind north and by east, moderate

and fair weather.

The 16th we were driven back again, and were constrained to arrive at New

Grimsby, at Scilly; here the wind remained contrary twelve days, and in

that space the captain, the master, and I went about all the islands, and

the captain did plan out and describe the situation of all the islands,

rocks, and harbours to the exact use of navigation, with lines and scale

thereunto convenient.

The 28th, in God's name, we departed, the wind being easterly, but calm.

The 29th very foggy.

The 30th foggy.

The 1st of July we saw great store of porpoises, the master called for a

harping-iron, and shot twice or thrice; sometimes he missed, and at last

shot one and struck him in the side, and wound him into the ship; when we

had him aboard, the master said it was a darley head.

The 2nd we had some of the fish boiled, and it did eat as sweet as any

mutton.

The 3rd we had more in sight, and the master went to shoot at them, but

they were so great, that they burst our irons, and we lost both fish,

irons, pastime, and all; yet, nevertheless, the master shot at them with

a pike, and had well-nigh gotten one, but he was so strong, that he burst

off the bars of the pike and went away. Then he took the boat-hook, and

hit one with that; but all would not prevail, so at length we let them

alone.

The 6th we saw a very great whale, and every day after we saw whales

continually.

The 16th, 17th, and 18th we saw great store of whales.

The 19th of July we fell into a great whirling and brustling of a tide,

setting to the northward; and sailing about half a league we came into a

very calm sea, which bent to the south-south-west. Here we heard a

mighty great roaring of the sea, as if it had been the breach of some

shore, the air being so foggy and full of thick mist, that we could not

see the one ship from the other, being a very small distance asunder; so

the captain and the master, being in distrust how the tide might set

them, caused the _Moonshine_ to hoist out her boat and to sound, but they

could not find ground in three hundred fathoms and better. Then the

captain, master, and I went towards the breach to see what it should be,

giving charge to our gunners that at every blast they should shoot off a

musket shot, to the intent we might keep ourselves from losing them; then

coming near to the breach, we met many islands of ice floating, which had

quickly compassed us about. Then we went upon some of them, and did

perceive that all the roaring which we heard was caused only by the

rolling of this ice together. Our company seeing us not to return

according to our appointment, left off shooting muskets and began to

shoot falconets, for they feared some mishap had befallen us; but before

night we came aboard again, with our boat laden with ice, which made very

good fresh water. Then we bent our course toward the north, hoping by

that means to double the land.

The 20th, as we sailed along the coast, the fog brake up, and we

discovered the land, which was the most deformed, rocky, and mountainous

land that ever we saw, the first sight whereof did show as if it had been

in form of a sugar loaf, standing to our sight above the clouds, for that

it did show over the fog like a white liste in the sky, the tops

altogether covered with snow, and the shore beset with ice a league off

into the sea, making such irksome noise as that it seemed to be the true

pattern of desolation, and after the same our captain named it the land

of desolation.

The 21st the wind came northerly and overblew, so that we were

constrained to bend our course south again, for we perceived that we were

run into a very deep bay, where we were almost compassed with ice, for we

saw very much towards the north-north-east, west, and south-west; and

this day and this night we cleared ourselves of the ice, running

south-south-west along the shore.

Upon Thursday, being the 22nd of this month, about three of the clock in

the morning, we hoisted out our boat, and the captain, with six sailors,

went towards the shore, thinking to find a landing-place, for the night

before we did perceive the coast to be void of ice to our judgment; and

the same night we were all persuaded that we had seen a canoe rowing

along the shore, but afterwards we fell in some doubt of it, but we had

no great reason so to do. The captain, rowing towards the shore, willed

the master to bear in with the land after him; and before he came near

the shore, by the space of a league, or about two miles, he found so much

ice that he could not get to land by any means. Here our mariners put to

their lines to see if they could get any fish, because there were so many

seals upon the coast, and the birds did beat upon the water, but all was

in vain: the water about this coast was very black and thick, like to a

filthy standing pool; we sounded, and had ground in 120 fathoms. While

the captain was rowing to the shore our men saw woods upon the rocks,

like to the rocks of Newfoundland, but I could not discern them; yet it

might be so very well, for we had wood floating upon the coast every day,

and the _Moonshine_ took up a tree at sea not far from the coast, being

sixty foot of length and fourteen handfuls about, having the root upon

it. After, the captain came aboard, the weather being very calm and

fair, we bent our course toward the south with intent to double the land.

The 23rd we coasted the land which did lie east-north-east and

west-south-west.

The 24th, the wind being very fair at east, we coasted the land, which

did lie east and west, not being able to come near the shore by reason of

the great quantity of ice. At this place, because the weather was

somewhat cold by reason of the ice, and the better to encourage our men,

their allowance was increased. The captain and the master took order

that every mess, being five persons, should have half a pound of bread

and a can of beer every morning to breakfast. The weather was not very

cold, but the air was moderate, like to our April weather in England.

When the wind came from the land or the ice it was somewhat cold, but

when it came off the sea it was very hot.

The 25th of this month we departed from sight of this land at six of the

clock in the morning, directing our course to the north-westward, hoping

in God's mercy to find our desired passage, and so continued above four

days.

The 29th of July we discovered land in 64 degrees 15 minutes of latitude,

bearing north-east from us. The wind being contrary to go to the

north-westward, we bear in with this land to take some view of it, being

utterly void of the pester of ice, and very temperate. Coming near the

coast we found many fair sounds and good roads for shipping, and many

great inlets into the land, whereby we judged this land to be a great

number of islands standing together. Here, having moored our barque in

good order, we went on shore upon a small island to seek for water and

wood. Upon this island we did perceive that there had been people, for

we found a small shoe and pieces of leather sewed with sinews and a piece

of fur, and wool like to beaver. Then we went upon another island on the

other side of our ships, and the captain, the master, and I, being got up

to the top of a high rock, the people of the country having espied us

made a lamentable noise, as we thought, with great outcries and

screechings; we, hearing them, thought it had been the howling of wolves.

At last I halloed again, and they likewise cried; then we, perceiving

where they stood--some on the shore, and one rowing in a canoe about a

small island fast by them--we made a great noise, partly to allure them

to us and partly to warn our company of them. Whereupon Master Bruton

and the master of his ship, with others of their company, made great

haste towards us, and brought our musicians with them from our ship,

purposing either by force to rescue us, if needs should so require, or

with courtesy to allure the people. When they came unto us we caused our

musicians to play, ourselves dancing and making many signs of friendship.

At length there came ten canoes from the other islands, and two of them

came so near the shore where we were that they talked with us, the other

being in their boats a pretty way off. Their pronunciation was very

hollow through the throat, and their speech such as we could not

understand, only we allured them by friendly embracings and signs of

courtesy. At length one of them, pointing up to the sun with his hand,

would presently strike his breast so hard that we might hear the blow.

This he did many times before he would any way trust us. Then John

Ellis, the master of the _Moonshine_, was appointed to use his best

policy to gain their friendship, who shook his breast and pointed to the

sun after their order, which when he had divers times done they began to

trust him, and one of them came on shore, to whom we threw our caps,

stockings, and gloves, and such other things as then we had about us,

playing with our music, and making signs of joy, and dancing. So the

night coming we bade them farewell, and went aboard our barques.

The next morning, being the 30th of July, there came thirty-seven canoes

rowing by our ships calling to us to come on shore; we not making any

great haste unto them, one of them went up to the top of the rock, and

leaped and danced as they had done the day before, showing us a seal

skin, and another thing made like a timbrel, which he did beat upon with

a stick, making a noise like a small drum. Whereupon we manned our boats

and came to them, they all staying in their canoes. We came to the

water's side, where they were, and after we had sworn by the sun after

their fashion they did trust us. So I shook hands with one of them, and

he kissed my hand, and we were very familiar with them. We were in so

great credit with them upon this single acquaintance that we could have

anything they had. We bought five canoes of them; we bought their

clothes from their backs, which were all made of seal skins and birds'

skins; their buskins, their hose, their gloves, all being commonly sewed

and well dressed, so that we were fully persuaded that they have divers

artificers among them. We had a pair of buskins of them full of fine

wool like beaver. Their apparel for heat was made of birds' skins with

their feathers on them. We saw among them leather dressed like glover's

leather, and thick thongs like white leather of good length. We had of

their darts and oars, and found in them that they would by no means

displease us, but would give us whatsoever we asked of them, and would be

satisfied with whatsoever we gave them. They took great care one of

another, for when we had bought their boats then two other would come,

and carry him away between them that had sold us his. They are a very

tractable people, void of craft or double dealing, and easy to be brought

to any civility or good order, but we judged them to be idolaters, and to

worship the sun.

During the time of our abode among these islands we found reasonable

quantity of wood, both fir, spruce, and juniper; which, whether it came

floating any great distance to these places where we found it, or whether

it grew in some great islands near the same place by us not yet

discovered, we know not. But we judge that it groweth there farther into

the land than we were, because the people had great store of darts and

oars which they made none account of, but gave them to us for small

trifles as points and pieces of paper. We saw about this coast

marvellous great abundance of seals sculling together like sculls of

small fish. We found no fresh water among these islands, but only

snow-water, whereof we found great pools. The cliffs were all of such

ore as Master Frobisher brought from Meta Incognita. We had divers

shewes of study or Moscovie glass, shining not altogether unlike to

crystal. We found an herb growing upon the rocks whose fruit was sweet,

full of red juice, and the ripe ones were like currants. We found also

birch and willow growing like shrubs low to the ground. These people

have great store of furs as we judged. They made shows unto us the 30th

of this present, which was the second time of our being with them, after

they perceived we would have skins and furs, that they would go into the

country and come again the next day with such things as they had; but

this night the wind coming fair the captain and the master would by no

means detract the purpose our discovery. And so the last of this month,

about four of the clock in the morning, in God's name we set sail, and

were all that day becalmed upon the coast.

The 1st of August we had a fair wind, and so proceeded towards the

north-west for our discovery.

The 6th of August we discovered land in 66 degrees 40 minutes of latitude

altogether void from the pester of ice; we anchored in a very fair road,

under a very brave mount, the cliffs whereof were as orient as gold.

This mount was named Mount Raleigh; the road where our ships lay at

anchor was called Totnes Road; the sound which did compass the mount was

named Exeter Sound; the foreland towards the north was called Dier's

Cape; the foreland towards the south was named Cape Walsingham. So soon

as we were come to an anchor in Totnes Road under Mount Raleigh we espied

four white bears at the foot of the mount. We, supposing them to be

goats or wolves, manned our boats and went towards them, but when we came

near the shore we found them to be white bears of a monstrous bigness;

we, being desirous of fresh victual and the sport, began to assault them,

and I being on land, one of them came down the hill right against me. My

piece was charged with hail-shot and a bullet; I discharged my piece and

shot him in the neck; he roared a little, and took the water straight,

making small account of his hurt. Then we followed him with our boat,

and killed him with boars' spears, and two more that night. We found

nothing in their maws, but we judged by their dung that they fed upon

grass, because it appeared in all respects like the dung of a horse,

wherein we might very plainly see the very straws.

The 7th we went on shore to another bear, which lay all night upon the

top of an island under Mount Raleigh, and when we came up to him he lay

fast asleep. I levelled at his head, and the stone of my piece gave no

fire; with that he looked up and laid down his head again; then I shot,

being charged with two bullets, and struck him in the head; he, being but

amazed, fell backwards, whereupon we ran all upon him with boar spears

and thrust him in the body, yet for all that he gripped away our boar

spears and went towards the water, and as he was going down he came back

again. Then our master shot his boar spear and struck him in the head,

and made him to take the water, and swim into a cove fast by, where we

killed him and brought him aboard. The breadth of his fore foot from one

side to the other was fourteen inches over. They were very fat, so as we

were constrained to cast the fat away. We saw a raven upon Mount

Raleigh. We found withies, also, growing low like shrubs, and flowers

like primroses in the said place. The coast is very mountainous,

altogether without wood, grass, or earth, and is only huge mountains of

stone, but the bravest stone that ever we saw. The air was very moderate

in this country.

The 8th we departed from Mount Raleigh, coasting along the shore which

lieth south-south-west and east-north-east.

The 9th our men fell in dislike of their allowance because it was so

small as they thought. Whereupon we made a new proportion, every mess,

being five to a mess, should have four pound of bread a day, twelve wine

quarts of beer, six new land fishes, and the flesh days a gin of pease

more; so we restrained them from their butter and cheese.

The 11th we came to the most southerly cape of this land, which we named

the Cape of God's Mercy, as being the place of our first entrance for the

discovery. The weather being very foggy we coasted this north land; at

length when it brake up we perceived that we were shot into a very fair

entrance or passage, being in some places twenty leagues broad and in

some thirty, altogether void of any pester of ice, the weather very

tolerable, and the water of the very colour, nature, and quality of the

main ocean, which gave us the greater hope of our passage. Having sailed

north-west sixty leagues in this entrance, we discovered certain islands

standing in the midst thereof, having open passages on both sides.

Whereupon our ships divided themselves, the one sailing on the north

side, the other on the south side of the said isles, where we stayed five

days, having the wind at south-east, very foggy, and foul weather.

The 14th we went on shore and found signs of people, for we found stones

laid up together like a wall, and saw the skull of a man or a woman.

The 15th we heard dogs howl on the shore, which we thought had been

wolves, and therefore we went on shore to kill them. When we came on

land the dogs came presently to our boat very gently, yet we thought they

came to prey upon us, and therefore we shot at them and killed two, and

about the neck of one of them we found a leathern collar, whereupon we

thought them to be tame dogs. There were twenty dogs like mastiffs, with

pricked ears and long bushed tails; we found a bone in the pizels of

their dogs. Then we went farther and found two sleds made like ours in

England. The one was made of fir, spruce, and oaken boards, sawn like

inch boards; the other was made all of whalebone, and there hung on the

tops of the sleds three heads of beasts which they had killed. We saw

here larks, ravens, and partridges.

The 17th we went on shore, and in a little thing made like an oven with

stones I found many small trifles, as a small canoe made of wood, a piece

of wood made like an image, a bird made of bone, beads having small holes

in one end of them to hang about their necks, and other small things.

The coast was very barbarous, without wood or grass. The rocks were very

fair, like marble, full of veins of divers colours. We found a seal

which was killed not long before, being flayed and hid under stones.

Our captain and master searched still for probabilities of the passage,

and first found that this place was all islands with great sounds passing

between them.

Secondly, the water remained of one colour with the main ocean without

altering.

Thirdly, we saw to the west of those isles three or four whales in a

scull, which they judged to come from a westerly sea, because to the

eastward we saw not any whale.

Also, as we were rowing into a very great sound lying south-west from

whence these whales came, upon the sudden there came a violent

countercheck of a tide from the south-west against the flood which we

came with, not knowing from whence it was maintained.

Fifthly, in sailing 20 leagues within the mouth of this entrance we had

sounding in 90 fathoms, fair, grey, oozy sand, and the farther we run

into the westwards the deeper was the water, so that hard aboard the

shore among these isles we could not have ground in 330 fathoms.

Lastly, it did ebb and flow six or seven fathom up and down, the flood

coming from divers parts, so as we could not perceive the chief

maintenance thereof.

The 18th and 19th our captain and master determined what was best to do,

both for the safe guard of their credits and satisfy of the adventurers,

and resolved if the weather brake up to make further search.

The 20th, the wind came directly against us, so they altered their

purpose, and reasoned both for proceeding and returning.

The 21st, the wind being north-west, we departed from these islands, and

as we coasted the south shore we saw many fair sounds, whereby we were

persuaded that it was no firm land but islands.

The 23rd of this month the wind came south-east, very stormy and foul

weather. So we were constrained to seek harbour upon the south coast of

this entrance, where we fell into a very fair sound, and anchored in 25

fathoms of green, oozy sand, where we went on shore, where we had

manifest signs of people, where they had made their fire, and laid stones

like a wall. In this place we saw four very fair falcons, and Master

Bruton took from one of them his prey, which we judged by the wings and

legs to be a snipe, for the head was eaten off.

The 24th, in the afternoon, the wind coming somewhat fair, we departed

from this road, purposing by God's grace to return for England.

The 26th we departed from sight of the north land of this entrance,

directing our course homewards, until the 10th of the next month.

The 10th September we fell with the Land of Desolation, thinking to go on

shore, but we could get never a good harbour. That night we put to sea

again thinking to search it the next day; but this night arose a very

great storm, and separated our ships so that we lost the sight of the

_Moonshine_.

The 13th about noon (having tried all the night before with a goose wing)

we set sail, and within two hours after we had sight of the _Moonshine_

again. This day we departed from this land.

The 27th of this month we fell with sight of England. This night we had

a marvellous storm, and lost the _Moonshine_.

The 30th September we came into Dartmouth, where we found the

_Moonshine_, being come in not two hours before.

THE SECOND VOYAGE ATTEMPTED BY MASTER JOHN DAVIS,

_With others_, _for the discovery of the North-West Passage_, _in Anno_

1586.

The 7th day of May I departed from the port of Dartmouth for the

discovery of the North-West Passage with a ship of a 120 tons, named the

_Mermaid_; a barque of 60 tons, named the _Sunshine_; a barque of 35 tons

named the _Moonlight_; and a pinnace of 10 tons named the _North Star_.

And the 15th June I discovered land, in the latitude of 60 degrees, and

in longitude from the meridian of London westward 47 degrees, mightily

pestered with ice and snow, so that there was no hope of landing; the ice

lay in some places 10 leagues, in some 20, and in some 50 leagues off the

shore, so that we were constrained to bear into 57 degrees to double the

same, and to recover a free sea, which through God's favourable mercy we

at length obtained.

The nine-and-twentieth day of June, after many tempestuous storms, we

again discovered land in longitude from the meridian of London 58 degrees

30 minutes, and in latitude 64 being east from us, into which course,

since it pleased God by contrary winds to force us, I thought it very

necessary to bear in with it, and there to set up our pinnace, provided

in the _Mermaid_ to be our scout for this discovery, and so much the

rather, because the year before I had been in the same place and found it

very convenient for such a purpose, well stored with float wood, and

possessed by a people of tractable conversation; so that the

nine-and-twentieth of this month we arrived within the isles which lay

before this land, lying north-north-west and south-south-east we know not

how far. This land is very high and mountainous, having before it on the

west side a mighty company of isles full of fair sounds and harbours.

This land was very little troubled with snow, and the sea altogether void

of ice.

The ships being within the sounds we sent our boats to search for shallow

water, where we might anchor, which in this place is very hard to find;

and as the boat went sounding and searching, the people of the country

having espied them, came in their canoes towards them with many shouts

and cries; but after they had espied in the boat some of our company that

were the year before here with us, they presently rowed to the boat and

took hold in the oar, and hung about the boat with such comfortable joy

as would require a long discourse to be uttered; they came with the boats

to our ships, making signs that they knew all those that the year before

had been with them. After I perceived their joy and small fear of us,

myself with the merchants and others of the company went ashore, bearing

with me twenty knives. I had no sooner landed, but they leapt out of

their canoes and came running to me and the rest, and embraced us with

many signs of hearty welcome. At this present there were eighteen of

them, and to each of them I gave a knife; they offered skins to me for

reward, but I made signs that it was not sold, but given them of

courtesy, and so dismissed them for that time, with signs that they

should return again after certain hours.

The next day, with all possible speed, the pinnace was landed upon an

isle there to be finished to serve our purpose for the discovery, which

isle was so convenient for that purpose, as that we were very well able

to defend ourselves against many enemies. During the time that the

pinnace was there setting up, the people came continually unto us,

sometimes a hundred canoes at a time, sometimes forty, fifty, more and

less as occasion served. They brought with them seal skins, stags'

skins, white hares, seal fish, salmon peel, small cod, dry caplin, with

other fish and birds such as the country did yield.

Myself, still desirous to have a farther search of this place, sent one

of the ship boats to one part of the land, and myself went to another

part to search for the habitation of this people, with straight

commandment that there should be no injury offered to any of the people,

neither any one shot.

The boats that went from me found the tents of the people made with seal

skins set up upon timber, wherein they found great store of dried caplin,

being a little fish no bigger than a pilchard. They found bags of train

oil, many little images cut in wood, seal skins in tan tubs with many

other such trifles, whereof they diminished nothing.

They also found ten miles within the snowy mountains a plain champion

country, with earth and grass, such as our moory and waste grounds of

England are. They went up into a river (which in the narrowest place is

two leagues broad) about ten leagues, finding it still to continue they

knew not how far; but I with my company took another river, which

although at the first it offered a large inlet, yet it proved but a deep

bay, the end whereof in four hours I attained, and there leaving the boat

well manned, went with the rest of my company three or four miles into

the country, but found nothing, nor saw anything, save only gripes,

ravens, and small birds, as lark and linnet.

The 3rd of July I manned my boat, and went with fifty canoes attending

upon me up into another sound, where the people by signs willed me to go,

hoping to find their habitation; at length they made signs that I should

go into a warm place to sleep, at which place I went on shore, and

ascended the top of high hill to see into the country, but perceiving my

labour vain, I returned again to my boat, the people still following me

and my company very diligent to attend us, and to help us up the rocks,

and likewise down; at length I was desirous to have our men leap with

them, which was done, but our men did overleap them; from leaping they

went to wrestling; we found them strong and nimble, and to have skill in

wrestling, for they cast some of our men that were good wrestlers. The

4th of July we launched our pinnace, and had forty of the people to help

us, which they did very willingly. At this time our men again wrestled

with them, and found them as before, strong and skilful. This 4th of

July, the master of the _Mermaid_ went to certain islands to store

himself with wood, where he found a grave with divers buried in it, only

covered with seal skins, having a cross laid over them. The people are

of good stature, well in body proportioned, with small, slender hands and

feet, with broad visages, and small eyes, wide mouths, the most part

unbearded, great lips, and close toothed. Their custom is, as often as

they go from us, still at their return, to make a new truce, in this

sort: holding his hand up to the sun, with a loud voice crieth

"Ylyaoute," and striketh his breast, with like signs being promised

safety, he giveth credit. These people are much given to bleed, and

therefore stop their noses with deer hair or the hair of an elan. They

are idolaters, and have images great store, which they wear about them,

and in their boats, which we suppose they worship. They are witches, and

have many kinds of enchantments, which they often used, but to small

purpose, thanks be to God.

Being among them at shore, the 4th of July, one of them, making a long

oration, began to kindle a fire, in this manner: he took a piece of a

board, wherein was a hole half through; unto that hole he puts the end of

a round stick, like unto a bed staff, wetting the end thereof in train,

and in fashion of a turner, with a piece of leather, by his violent

motion doth very speedily produce fire; which done, with turfs he made a

fire, into which, with many words and strange gestures, he put divers

things which we suppose to be a sacrifice. Myself and divers of my

company standing by, they were desirous to have me go into the smoke; I

willed them likewise to stand in the smoke, in which they by no means

would do. I then took one of them, and thrust him into the smoke, and

willed one of my company to tread out the fire, and to spurn it into the

sea, which was done to show them that we did contemn their sorcery.

These people are very simple in all their conversation, but marvellous

thievish, especially for iron, which they have in great account. They

began through our lenity to show their vile nature; they began to cut our

cables; they cut away the _Moonlight's_ boat from her stern; they cut our

cloth where it lay to air, though we did carefully look unto it, they

stole our oars, a calliver, a boat's spear, a sword, with divers other

things, whereat the company and masters being grieved, for our better

security desired me to dissolve this new friendship, and to leave the

company of these thievish miscreants; whereupon there was a calliver shot

among them, and immediately upon the same a falcon, which strange noise

did sore amaze them, so that with speed they departed; notwithstanding,

their simplicity is such, that within ten hours after they came again to

us to entreat peace; which, being promised, we again fell into a great

league. They brought us seal skins and salmon peel, but, seeing iron,

they could in nowise forbear stealing; which, when I perceived it, did

but minister unto me an occasion of laughter to see their simplicity, and

willed that in no case they should be any more hardly used, but that our

own company should be the more vigilant to keep their things, supposing

it to be very hard in so short time to make them know their evils. They

eat all their meat raw, they live most upon fish, they drink salt water,

and eat grass and ice with delight; they are never out of the water, but

live in the nature of fishes, but only when dead sleep taketh them, and

then under a warm rock, laying his boat upon the land, he lieth down to

sleep. Their weapons are all darts, but some of them have bow and arrows

and slings. They make nets to take their fish of the fin of a whale;

they do all their things very artfully, and it should seem that these

simple, thievish islanders have war with those of the main, for many of

them are sore wounded, which wounds they received upon the main land, as

by signs they gave us to understand. We had among them copper ore, black

copper, and red copper; they pronounce their language very hollow, and

deep in the throat; these words following we learned from them:--

Kesinyoh, eat some. Mysacoah, wash it.

Madlycoyte, music. Lethicksaneg, a seal-skin.

Aginyoh, go, fetch. Canyglow, kiss me.

Yliaoute, I mean no harm. Ugnera, my son.

Ponameg, a boat. Acu, shot.

Conah, leap. Aba, fallen down.

Maatuke, fish. Icune, come hither.

Sambah, below. Awennye, yonder.

Maconmeg, will you have this? Nugo, no.

Cocah, go to him. Tucktodo, a fog.

Paaotyck, an oar. Lechiksah, a skin.

Asanock, a dart. Maccoah, a dart.

Sawygmeg, a knife. Sugnacoon, a coat.

Uderah, a nose. Gounah, come down.

Aoh, iron. Sasobneg, a bracelet.

Blete, an eye. Ugnake, a tongue.

Unvicke, give it. Ataneg, a meal.

Tuckloak, a stag or elan. Macuah, a beard.

Panygmah, a needle. Pignagogah, a thread.

Aob, the sea. Quoysah, give it to me.

The 7th of July, being very desirous to search the habitation of this

country, I went myself with our new pinnace into the body of the land,

thinking it to be a firm continent, and passing up a very large river a

great flaw of wind took me, whereby we were constrained to seek succour

for that night, which being had, I landed with the most part of my

company, and went to the top of a high mountain, hoping from thence to

see into the country; but the mountains were so many and so mighty as

that my purpose prevailed not, whereupon I again returned to my pinnace,

and willing divers of my company to gather mussels for my supper, whereof

in this place there was great store, myself having espied a very strange

sight, especially to me, that never before saw the like, which was a

mighty whirlwind, taking up the water in very great quantity, furiously

mounting it into the air, which whirlwind was not for a puff or blast,

but continual for the space of three hours, with very little

intermission, which since it was in the course that I should pass, we

were constrained that night to take up our lodging under the rocks.

The next morning, the storm being broken up, we went forward in our

attempt, and sailed into a mighty great river, directly into the body of

the land, and in brief found it to be no firm land, but huge, waste, and

desert isles with mighty sounds and inlets passing between sea and sea.

Whereupon we returned towards our ships, and landing to stop a flood, we

found the burial of these miscreants; we found of their fish in bags,

plaices, and caplin dried, of which we took only one bag and departed.

The 9th of this month we came to our ships, where we found the people

desirous in their fashion of friendship and barter: our mariners

complained heavily against the people, and said that my lenity and

friendly using of them gave them stomach to mischief, for "they have

stolen an anchor from us. They have cut our cable very dangerously, they

have cut our boats from our stern, and now, since your departure, with

slings they spare us not with stones of half a pound weight. And will

you still endure these injuries? It is a shame to bear them." I desired

them to be content, and said I doubted not but all should be well. The

10th of this month I went to the shore, the people following me in their

canoes; I tolled them on shore, and used them with much courtesy, and

then departed aboard, they following me and my company. I gave some of

them bracelets, and caused seven or eight of them to come aboard, which

they did willingly; and some of them went into the top of our ship, and

thus courteously using them I let them depart. The sun was no sooner

down but they began to practise their devilish nature, and with slings

threw stones very fiercely into the _Moonlight_ and struck one of her

men, the boatswain, that he overthrew withal: whereat being moved, I

changed my courtesy and grew to hatred; myself in my own boat well manned

with shot, and the barques boat likewise pursued them, and gave them

divers shot, but to small purpose, by reason of their swift rowing; so

small content we returned.

The 11th of this month there came five of them to make a new truce; the

master of the _Admiral_ came to me to show me of their coming, and

desired to have them taken and kept as prisoners until we had his anchor

again; but when he saw that the chief ring-leader and master of mischief

was one of the five, then was vehement to execute his purpose, so it was

determined to take him; he came crying "Yliaout," and striking his breast

offered a pair of gloves to sell; the master offered him a knife for

them: so two of them came to us; the one was not touched, but the other

was soon captive among us; then we pointed to him and his fellows for our

anchor, which being had we made signs that he should he set at liberty

within one hour that he came aboard; the wind came fair, whereupon we

weighed and set sail, and so brought the fellow with us. One of his

fellows still following our ship close aboard, talked with him, and made

a kind of lamentation, we still using him well, with "Yliaout," which was

the common course of courtesy. At length this fellow aboard us spoke

four or five words unto the other and clapped his two hands upon his

face, whereupon the other doing the like, departed, as we supposed, with

heavy cheer. We judged the covering of his face with his hands, and

bowing of his body down, signified his death. At length he became a

pleasant companion among us. I gave him a new suit of frieze after the

English fashion, because I saw he could not endure the cold, of which he

was very joyful; he trimmed up his darts, and all his fishing tools, and

would make oakum, and set his hand to a rope's end upon occasion. He

lived with the dry caplin that I took when I was searching in the

pinnace, and did eat dry new land fish.

All this while, God be thanked, our people were in very good health, only

one young man excepted, who died at sea the 14th of this month, and the

15th, according to the order of the sea, with praise given to God by

service, was cast overboard.

The 17th of this month, being in the latitude of 63 degrees 8 minutes, we

fell upon a most mighty and strange quantity of ice, in one entire mass,

so big as that we knew not the limits thereof, and being withal so very

high, in form of a land, with bays and capes, and like high cliff land as

that we supposed it to be land, and therefore sent our pinnace off to

discover it; but at her return we were certainly informed that it was

only ice, which bred great admiration to us all, considering the huge

quantity thereof incredible to be reported in truth as it was, and

therefore I omit to speak any further thereof. This only, I think that

the like before was never seen, and in this place we had very stickle and

strong currents.

We coasted this mighty mass of ice until the 30th of July, finding it a

mighty bar to our purpose: the air in this time was so contagious, and

the sea so pestered with ice, as that all hope was banished of

proceeding; for the 24th of July all our shrouds, ropes, and sails were

so frozen, and encompassed with ice, only by a gross fog, as seemed to be

more than strange, since the last year I found this sea free and

navigable, without impediments.

Our men through this extremity began to grow sick and feeble, and withal

hopeless of good success; whereupon, very orderly, with good discretion

they entreated me to regard the state of this business, and withal

advised me that in conscience I ought to regard the safety of mine own

life with the preservation of theirs, and that I should not, through my

overboldness, leave their widows and fatherless children to give me

bitter curses. This matter in conscience did greatly move me to regard

their estates, yet considering the excellency of the business, if it

might be obtained, the great hope of certainty by the last year's

discovery, and that there was yet a third way not put in practice, I

thought it would grow to my disgrace if this action by my negligence

should grow into discredit: whereupon seeking help from God, the fountain

of all mercies, it pleased His Divine Majesty to move my heart to

prosecute that which I hope shall be to His glory, and to the

contentation of every Christian mind. Whereupon, falling into

consideration that the _Mermaid_, albeit a very strong and sufficient

ship, yet by reason of her burden not so convenient and nimble as a

smaller barque, especially in such desperate hazards; further, having in

account how great charge to the adventurers, being at 100 livres the

month, and that in doubtful service, all the premises considered, with

divers other things, I determined to furnish the _Moonlight_ with

revictualing and sufficient men, and to proceed in this action as God

should direct me; whereupon I altered our course from the ice, and bore

east-south-east to the cover of the next shore, where this thing might be

performed; so with favourable wind it pleased God that the 1st of August

we discovered the land in latitude 66 degrees 33 minutes, and in

longitude from the meridian of London 70 degrees, void of trouble,

without snow or ice.

The 2nd of August we harboured ourselves in a very excellent good road,

where with all speed we graved the _Moonlight_, and revictualled her; we

searched this country with our pinnace while the barque was trimming,

which William Eston did: he found all this land to be only islands, with

a sea on the east, a sea on the west, and a sea on the north. In this

place we found it very hot, and we were very much troubled with a fly

which is called mosquito, for they did sting grievously. The people of

this place at our first coming in caught a seal, and, with bladders fast

tied to him sent him in to us with the flood, so as he came right with

our ships, which we took as a friendly present from them.

The 5th of August I went with the two masters and others to the top of a

hill, and by the way William Eston espied three canoes lying under a

rock, and went unto them: there were in them skins, darts, with divers

superstitious toys, whereof we diminished no thing, but left upon every

boat a silk point, a bullet of lead, and a pin. The next day, being the

6th of August, the people came unto us without fear, and did barter with

us for skins, as the other people did: they differ not from the other,

neither in their canoes nor apparel, yet is their pronunciation more

plain than the others, and nothing hollow in the throat. Our miscreant

aboard of us kept himself close, and made show that he would fain have

another companion. Thus being provided, I departed from this land the

12th of August at six of the clock in the morning, where I left the

_Mermaid_ at anchor; the 14th sailing west about 50 leagues we discovered

land, being in latitude 66 degrees 19 minutes: this land is 70 leagues

from the other from whence we came. This 14th day, from nine o'clock at

night till three o'clock in the morning, we anchored by an island of ice

12 leagues off the shore, being moored to the ice.

The 15th day, at three o'clock in the morning, we departed from this land

to the south, and the 18th of August we discovered land north-west from

us in the morning, being a very fair promontory, in latitude 65 degrees,

having no land on the south. Here we had great hope of a through

passage.

This day, at three o'clock in the afternoon, we again discovered land

south-west and by south from us, where at night we were becalmed. The

19th of this month at noon, by observation, we were in 64 degrees 20

minutes. From the 18th day at noon until the 19th at noon, by precise

ordinary care, we had sailed fifteen leagues south and by west, yet by

art and more exact observation we found our course to be south-west, so

that we plainly perceived a great current striking to the west.

This land is nothing in sight but isles, which increaseth our hope. This

19th of August, at six o'clock in the afternoon, it began to snow, and so

continued all night, with foul weather and much wind, so that we were

constrained to lie at hull all night, five leagues off the shore: in the

morning, being the 20th of August, the fog and storm breaking up, we bore

in with the land, and at nine o'clock in the morning we anchored in a

very fair and safe road and locket for all weathers. At ten o'clock I

went on shore to the top of a very high hill, where I perceived that this

land was islands; at four o'clock in the afternoon we weighed anchor,

having a fair north-north-east wind, with very fair weather; at six

o'clock we were clear without the land, and so shaped our course to the

south, to discover the coast whereby the passage may be through God's

mercy found.

We coasted this land till the 28th day of August, finding it still to

continue towards the south, from the latitude of 67 to 57 degrees; we

found marvellous great store of birds, gulls and mews, incredible to be

reported, whereupon being calm weather we lay one glass upon the lee to

prove for fish, in which space we caught one hundred of cod, although we

were but badly provided for fishing, not being our purpose. This 28th,

having great distrust of the weather, we arrived in a very fair harbour

in the latitude of 56 degrees, and sailed ten leagues in the same, being

two leagues broad, with very fair woods on both sides; in this place we

continued until the 1st of September, in which time we had two very great

storms. I landed, and went six miles by guess into the country, and

found that the woods were fir, pine-apple, alder, yew, withy, and birch;

here we saw a black bear; this place yieldeth great store of birds, as

pheasant, partridge, Barbary hens, or the like, wild geese, ducks,

blackbirds, jays, thrushes, with other kinds of small birds. Of the

partridge and pheasant we killed great store with bow and arrows in this

place; at the harbour-mouth we found great store of cod.

The 1st of September at ten o'clock we set sail, and coasted the shore

with very fair weather. The third day being calm, at noon we struck

sail, and let fall a cadge anchor to prove whether we could take any

fish, being in latitude 54 degrees 30 minutes, in which place we found

great abundance of cod, so that the hook was no sooner overboard but

presently a fish was taken. It was the largest and best refet fish that

ever I saw, and divers fishermen that were with me said that they never

saw a more suaule, or better skull of fish in their lives, yet had they

seen great abundance.

The 4th of September, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, we anchored in a

very good road among great store of isles, the country low land,

pleasant, and very full of fair woods. To the north of this place eight

leagues we had a perfect hope of the passage, finding a mighty great sea

passing between two lands west. The south land to our judgment being

nothing but isles, we greatly desired to go into this sea, but the wind

was directly against us. We anchored in four fathom fine sand.

In this place is fowl and fish mighty store.

The 6th of September, having a fair north-north-west wind, having trimmed

our barque, we purposed to depart, and sent five of our sailors, young

men, ashore to an island to fetch certain fish which we purposed to

weather, and therefore left it all night covered upon the isle; the

brutish people of this country lay secretly lurking in the wood, and upon

the sudden assaulted our men, which when we perceived, we presently let

slip our cables upon the halse, and under our foresail bore into the

shore, and with all expedition discharged a double musket upon them

twice, at the noise whereof they fled; notwithstanding, to our very great

grief, two of our men were slain with their arrows, and two grievously

wounded, of whom, at this present, we stand in very great doubt; only one

escaped by swimming, with an arrow shot through his arm. These wicked

miscreants never offered parley or speech, but presently executed their

cursed fury. This present evening it pleased God farther to increase our

sorrows with a mighty tempestuous storm, the wind being north-north-east,

which lasted unto the 10th of this month very extreme. We unrigged our

ship, and purposed to cut-down our masts; the cable of our shut anchor

broke, so that we only expected to be driven on shore amongst these

cannibals for their prey. Yet in this deep distress the mighty mercy of

God, when hope was past, gave us succour, and sent us a fair lee, so as

we recovered our anchor again, and new-moored our ship; where we saw that

God manifestly delivered us, for the strains of one of our cables were

broken; we only rode by an old junk. Thus being freshly moored, a new

storm arose, the wind being west-north-west, very forcible, which lasted

unto the 10th day at night.

The 11th day, with a fair west-north-west wind, we departed with trust in

God's mercy, shaping our course for England, and arrived in the West

Country in the beginning of October.

* * * * *

_Master Davis being arrived_, _wrote his letter to Master William

Sanderson of London_, _concerning his voyage_, _as followeth_.

Sir,--The _Sunshine_ came into Dartmouth the 4th of this month: she

hath been at Iceland, and from thence to Greenland, and so to

Estotiland, from thence to Desolation, and to our merchants, where

she made trade with the people, staying in the country twenty days.

They have brought home 500 seal-skins, and 140 half skins and pieces

of skins. I stand in great doubt of the pinnace; God be merciful

unto the poor men and preserve them if it be His blessed will.

I have now full experience of much of the north-west part of the

world, and have brought the passage to that certainty, as that I am

sure it must be in one of four places, or else not at all. And

further, I can assure you upon the peril of my life, that this voyage

may be performed without further charge, nay, with certain profit to

the adventurers, if I may have but your favour in the action. Surely

it shall cost me all my hope of welfare and my portion of Sandridge,

but I will, by God's mercy, see an end of these businesses. I hope I

shall find favour with you to see your card. I pray God it be so

true as the card shall be which I will bring to you, and I hope in

God that your skill in navigation shall be gainful unto you, although

at the first it hath not proved so. And thus with my most humble

commendations I commit you to God, desiring no longer to live than I

shall be yours most faithfully to command. From this 14th of

October, 1586.

Yours with my heart, body and life to command,

JOHN DAVIS.

* * * * *

_The relation of the course which the_ "_Sunshine_," _a barque of fifty

tons_, _and the_ "_North Star_," _a small pinnace_, _being two vessels of

the fleet of Master John Davis_, _held after he had sent them from him to

discover the passage between Greenland and Iceland_. _Written by Henry

Morgan_, _servant to Master William Sanderson of London_.

The 7th day of May, 1586, we departed out of Dartmouth Haven four sails,

to wit, the _Mermaid_, the _Sunshine_, the _Moonshine_, and the _North

Star_. In the _Sunshine_ were sixteen men, whose names were these:

Richard Pope, master; Mark Carter, master's mate; Henry Morgan, purser;

George Draward, John Mandie, Hugh Broken, Philip Jane, Hugh Hempson,

Richard Borden, John Filpe, Andrew Madocke, William Wolcome, Robert

Wagge, carpenter, John Bruskome, William Ashe, Simon Ellis.

Our course was west-north-west the 7th and 8th days; and the ninth day in

the morning we were on head of the Tarrose of Scilly. Thus coasting

along the south part of Ireland, the 11th day we were on the head of the

Dorses, and our course was south-south-west until six of the clock the

12th day. The 13th day our course was north-west. We remained in the

company of the _Mermaid_ and the _Moonshine_ until we came to the

latitude of 60 degrees, and there it seemed best to our general, Master

Davis, to divide his fleet, himself sailing to the north-west, and to

direct the _Sunshine_, wherein I was, and the pinnace called the _North

Star_, to seek a passage northward between Greenland and Iceland to the

latitude of 80 degrees, if land did not let us. So the 7th day of June

we departed from them, and the 9th of the same we came to a firm land of

ice, which we coasted along the 9th, the 10th, and the 11th days of June;

and the 11th day at six of the clock at night we saw land, which was very

high, which afterwards we knew to be Iceland, and the 12th day we

harboured there, and found many people; the land lieth east and by north

in 66 degrees.

Their commodities were green fish and Iceland lings and stock fish, and a

fish which is called catfish, of all which they had great store. They

had also kine, sheep, and horses, and hay for their cattle and for their

horses. We saw also of their dogs. Their dwelling-houses were made on

both sides with stones, and wood laid across over them, which was covered

over with turfs of earth, and they are flat on the tops, and many of

these stood hard by the shore. Their boats were made with wood, and iron

all along the keel like our English boats; and they had nails for to nail

them withal, and fish-hooks, and other things for to catch fish as we

have here in England. They had also brazen kettles, and girdles and

purses made of leather, and knops on them of copper, and hatchets, and

other small tools as necessary as we have. They dry their fish in the

sun; and when they are dry they pack them up in the top of their houses.

If we would go thither to fishing more than we do, we should make it a

very good voyage, for we got a hundred green fishes in one morning. We

found here two Englishmen with a ship, which came out of England about

Easter Day of this present year, 1586; and one of them came aboard of us

and brought us two lambs. The Englishman's name was Master John Royden,

of Ipswich, merchant; he was bound for London with his ship. And this is

the sum of that which I observed in Iceland. We departed from Iceland

the 16th day of June, in the morning, and our course was north-west; and

saw on the coast two small barques going to a harbour; we went not to

them, but saw them afar off. Thus we continued our course unto the end

of this month.

The 3rd day of July we were in between two firm lands of ice, and passed

in between them all that day until it was night, and then the master

turned back again, and so away we went towards Greenland. And the 7th

day of July we did see Greenland, and it was very high, and it looked

very blue; but we could not come to harbour in the land because we were

hindered by a firm land, as it were, of ice, which was along the shore's

side; but we were within three leagues of the land, coasting the same

divers days together. The 17th day of July we saw the place which our

captain, Master John Davis, the year before had named the Land of

Desolation, where we could not go on shore for ice. The 18th day we were

likewise troubled with ice, and went in amongst it at three of the clock

in the morning. After we had cleared ourselves thereof we ranged all

along the coast of Desolation until the end of the aforesaid month.

The 3rd day of August we came in sight of Gilbert's Sound in the latitude

of 64 degrees 15 minutes, which was the place where we were appointed to

meet our general and the rest of our fleet. Here we came to a harbour at

six of the clock at night.

The 4th day, in the morning, the master went on shore with ten of his

men, and they brought us four of the people rowing in their boats, aboard

of the ship. And in the afternoon I went on shore with six of our men,

and there came to us seven of them when we were on land. We found on

shore three dead people, and two of them had their staves lying by them,

and their old skins wrapped about them, and the other had nothing lying

by, wherefore we thought it was a woman. We also saw their houses, near

the seaside, which were made with pieces of wood on both sides, and

crossed over with poles and then covered over with earth. We found foxes

running upon the hills. As for the place, it is broken land all the way

that we went, and full of broken islands. The 21st of August the master

sent the boat on shore for wood, with six of his men, and there were

one-and-thirty of the people of the country, which went on shore to them,

and they went about to kill them as we thought, for they shot their darts

towards them, and we that were aboard the ship did see them go on shore

to our men, whereupon the master sent the pinnace after them; and when

they saw the pinnace coming towards them they turned back, and the master

of the pinnace did shoot off a culliver to them the same time, but hurt

none of them, for his meaning was only to put them in fear. Divers times

they did wave us on shore to play with them at the football, and some of

our company went on shore to play with them, and our men did cast them

down as soon as they did come to strike the ball. And thus much of that

which we did see and do in that harbour where we arrived first.

The 23rd day we departed from the merchants where we had been first, and

our course from thence was south and by west, and the wind was

north-east, and we ran that day and night about five or six leagues until

we came to another harbour.

The 24th, about eleven of the clock in the forenoon, we entered into the

aforesaid new harbour, and as we came in we did see dogs running upon the

islands. When we were come in, there came to us four of the people which

were with us before in the other harbour; and where we rowed we had sandy

ground. We saw no wood growing, but found small pieces of wood upon the

islands, and some small pieces of sweet wood among the same. We found

great harts' horns, but could see none of the stags where we went, but we

found their footings. As for the bones which we received of the savages,

I cannot tell of what beasts they be. The stones that we found in the

country were black, and some white; as I think, they be of no value;

nevertheless I have brought examples of them to you.

The 30th of August we departed from this harbour towards England, and the

wind took us contrary, so that we were fain to go to another harbour the

same day at eleven of the clock. And there came to us thirty-nine of the

people and brought us thirteen seal-skins, and after we received these

skins of them the master sent the carpenter to change one of our boats

which we had bought of them before; and they would have taken the boat

from him perforce, and when they saw they could not take it from us they

shot with their darts at us, and struck one of our men with one of their

darts, and John Filpe shot one of them in the breast with an arrow. And

they came to us again, and four of our men went into the ship boat, and

they shot with their darts at our men; but our men took one of their

people in his boat, into the ship boat, and he hurt one of them with his

knife, but we killed three of them in their boats, two of them were hurt

with arrows in the breast, and he that was aboard our boat was shot with

an arrow, and hurt with a sword, and beaten with staves, whom our men

cast overboard; but the people caught him and carried him on shore upon

their boats, and the other two also, and so departed from us. And three

of them went on shore hard by us where they had their dogs, and those

three came away from their dogs, and presently one of their dogs came

swimming towards us hard aboard the ship, whereupon our master caused the

gunner to shoot off one of the great pieces--towards the people, and so

the dog turned back to land, and within an hour after there came of the

people hard aboard the ship, but they would not come to us as they did

before.

The 31st of August we departed from Gilbert's Sound for England, and when

we came out of the harbour there came after us seventeen of the people

looking which way we went.

The 2nd of September we lost sight of the land at twelve of the clock at

noon.

The 3rd day at night we lost sight of the _North Star_, our pinnace, in a

very great storm, and lay a-hull tarrying for them the 4th day, but could

hear no more of them. Thus we shaped our course the 5th day

south-south-east, and sailing unto the 27th of the said month, we came in

sight of Cape Clear in Ireland.

The 30th day we entered into our own Channel.

The 2nd of October we had sight of the Isle of Wight.

The 3rd we coasted all along the shore, and the 4th and 5th.

The 6th of the said month of October we came into the River of Thames as

high as Ratcliffe in safety, God be thanked!

THE THIRD VOYAGE NORTH-WESTWARD, MADE BY JOHN DAVIS,

_Gentleman_, _as chief captain and pilot general for the discovery of a

passage to the Isles of the Molucca_, _or the coast of China_, _in the

year_ 1587. _Written by John Janes_, _servant to the aforesaid Master

William Sanderson_.

May.--The 19th of this present month, about midnight, we weighed our

anchors, set sail and departed from Dartmouth with two barques and a

clincher, the one named the _Elizabeth_, of Dartmouth, the other the

_Sunshine_, of London, and the clincher called the _Ellin_, of London;

thus, in God's name, we set forwards with wind at north-east, a good

fresh gale. About three hours after our departure, the night being

somewhat thick with darkness, we had lost the pinnace. The captain,

imagining that the men had run away with her, willed the master of the

_Sunshine_ to stand to seawards and see if we could descry them, we

bearing in with the shore for Plymouth. At length we descried her, bore

with her, and demanded what the cause was; they answered that the tiller

of their helm was burst, so shaping our course west-south-west, we went

forward, hoping that a hard beginning would make a good ending; yet some

of us were doubtful of it, failing in reckoning that she was a clincher;

nevertheless, we put our trust in God.

The 21st we met with the _Red Lion_ of London, which came from the coast

of Spain, which was afraid that we had been men-of-war; but we hailed

them, and after a little conference we desired the master to carry our

letters for London, directed to my uncle Sanderson, who promised us safe

delivery. And after we had heaved them a lead and a line, whereunto we

had made fast our letters, before they could get them into the ship they

fell into the sea, and so all our labour and theirs also was lost;

notwithstanding, they promised to certify our departure at London, and so

we departed, and the same day we had sight of Scilly. The 22nd the wind

was at north-east by east, with fair weather, and so the 23rd and 24th

the like. The 25th we laid our ships on the lee for the _Sunshine_, who

was a-rummaging for a leak; they had 500 strokes at the pump in a watch,

with the wind at north-west.

The 26th and 27th we had fair weather, but this 27th the pinnace's

foremast was blown overboard. The 28th the _Elizabeth_ towed the

pinnace, which was so much bragged of by the owner's report before we

came out of England, but at sea she was like a cart drawn with oxen.

Sometimes we towed her, because she could not sail for scant wind.

The 31st day our captain asked if the pinnace were staunch. Peerson

answered that she was as sound and staunch as a cup. This made us

something glad when we saw she would brook the sea, and was not leaky.

_June_.--The first six days we had fair weather; after that for five days

we had fog and rain, the wind being south.

The 12th we had clear weather. The mariners in the _Sunshine_ and the

master could not agree; the mariners would go on their voyage a-fishing,

because the year began to waste; the master would not depart till he had

the company of the _Elizabeth_, whereupon the master told our captain

that he was afraid his men would shape some contrary course while he was

asleep, and so he should lose us. At length, after much talk and many

threatenings, they were content to bring us to the land which we looked

for daily.

The 13th we had fog and rain.

The 14th day we discovered land at five of the clock in the morning,

being very great and high mountains, the tops of the hills being covered

with snow. Here the wind was variable, sometimes north-east,

east-north-east, and east by north; but we imagined ourselves to be 16 or

17 leagues off from the shore.

The 15th we had reasonably clear weather.

The 16th we came to an anchor about four or five of the clock in the

afternoon. The people came presently to us, after the old manner, with

crying "Il y a oute," and showed us seal-skins.

The 17th we began to set up the pinnace that Peerson framed at Dartmouth,

with the boards which he brought from London.

The 18th, Peerson and the carpenters of the ships began to set on the

planks.

The 19th, as we went about an island, were found black pumice stones, and

salt kerned on the rocks, very white and glistering. This day, also, the

master of the _Sunshine_ took one of the people, a very strong, lusty

young fellow.

The 20th, about two of the clock in the morning, the savages came to the

island where our pinnace was built ready to be launched, and tore the two

upper strakes and carried them away, only for the love of the iron in the

boards. While they were about this practice, we manned the _Elizabeth's_

boat to go ashore to them. Our men, being either afraid or amazed, were

so long before they came to shore, that our captain willed them to stay,

and made the gunner give fire to a saker, and laid the piece level with

the boat, which the savages had turned on the one side because we could

not hurt them with our arrows, and made the boat their bulwark against

the arrows which we shot at them. Our gunner, having made all things

ready, gave fire to the piece, and fearing to hurt any of the people, and

regarding the owner's profit, thought belike he would save a saker's

shot, doubting we should have occasion to fight with men-of-war, and so

shot off the saker without a bullet, we looking still when the savages

that were hurt should run away without legs; at length we could perceive

never a man hurt, but all having their legs, could carry away their

bodies. We had no sooner shot off the piece but the master of the

_Sunshine_ manned his boat, and came rowing towards the island, the very

sight of whom made each of them take that he had gotten, and fly away as

fast as they could to another island about two miles off, where they took

the nails out of the timber, and left the wood on the isle. When we came

on shore, and saw how they had spoiled the boat, after much debating of

the matter, we agreed that the _Elizabeth_ should have her to fish

withal; whereupon she was presently carried aboard and stowed. Now after

this trouble, being resolved to depart with the first wind, there fell

out another matter worse than all the rest, and that was in this manner:

John Churchyard, one whom our captain had appointed as pilot in the

pinnace, came to our captain and Master Bruton, and told them that the

good ship which we must all hazard our lives in had three hundred strokes

at one time as she rode in the harbour. This disquieted us all greatly,

and many doubted to go in her. At length our captain, by whom we were

all to be governed, determined rather to end his life with credit than to

return with infamy and disgrace; and so, being all agreed, we purposed to

live and die together, and committed ourselves to the ship.

Now the 21st, having brought all our things aboard, about eleven or

twelve of the clock at night we set sail and departed from those isles,

which lie in 64 degrees of latitude, our ships being now all at sea, and

we shaping our course to go coasting the land to the northwards, upon the

eastern shore, which we called the shore of our merchants, because there

we met with people which traffic with us; but here we were not without

doubt of our ship.

The 22nd and 23rd we had close fog and rain.

The 24th, being in 67 degrees and 40 minutes, we had great store of

whales, and a kind of sea-birds which the mariners call cortinous. This

day, about six of the clock at night, we espied two of the country people

at sea, thinking at the first they had been two great seals, until we saw

their oars, glistering with the sun. They came rowing towards us as fast

as they could, and when they came within hearing they held up their oars

and cried "Il y a oute," making many signs, and at last they came to us,

giving us birds for bracelets, and of them I had a dart with a bone in

it, or a piece of unicorn's horn, as I did judge. This dart he made

store of, but when he saw a knife he let it go, being more desirous of

the knife than of his dart. These people continued rowing after our ship

the space of three hours.

The 25th, in the morning, at seven of the clock, we descried thirty

savages rowing after us, being by judgment ten leagues off from the

shore. They brought us salmon peels, birds, and caplin, and we gave them

pins, needles, bracelets, nails, knives, bells, looking-glasses, and

other small trifles; and for a knife, a nail, or a bracelet, which they

call ponigmah, they would sell their boat, coats, or anything they had,

although they were far from the shore. We had but few skins of them,

about twenty; but they made signs to us that if we would go to the shore,

we should have more store of chicsanege. They stayed with us till eleven

of the clock, at which time we went to prayer, and they departed from us.

The 26th was cloudy, the wind being at south.

The 27th fair, with the same wind.

The 28th and 29th were foggy, with clouds.

The 30th day we took the height, and found ourselves in 72 degrees and 12

minutes of latitude, both at noon and at night, the sun being five

degrees above the horizon. At midnight the compass set to the variation

of 28 degrees to the westward. Now having coasted the land which we

called London Coast from the 21st of this present till the 30th, the sea

open all to the westwards and northwards, the land on starboard side east

from us, the wind shifted to the north, whereupon we left that shore,

naming the same Hope Sanderson, and shaped our course west, and ran forty

leagues and better without the sight of any land.

_July_.--The 2nd we fell in with a mighty bank of ice west from us, lying

north and south, which bank we would gladly have doubled out to the

northwards, but the wind would not suffer us, so that we were fain to

coast it to the southwards, hoping to double it out that we might have

run so far west till we had found land, or else to have been thoroughly

resolved of our pretended purpose.

The 3rd we fell in with the ice again, and putting off from it we sought

to the northwards, but the wind crossed us.

The 4th was foggy, so was the 5th; also with much wind at north.

The 6th being very clear, we put our barque with oars through a gap in

the ice, seeing the sea free on the west side, as we thought, which

falling out otherwise, caused us to return after we had stayed there

between the ice.

The 7th and the 8th, about midnight, by God's help we recovered the open

sea, the weather being fair and calm; and so was the 9th.

The 10th we coasted the ice.

The 11th was foggy, but calm.

The 12th we coasted again the ice, having the wind at west-north-west.

The 13th, bearing off from the ice, we determined to go with the shore,

and come to an anchor, and to stay five or six days for the dissolving of

the ice, hoping that the sea from continually beating it, and the sun

with the extreme force of heat, which it had always shining upon it,

would make a quick despatch, that we might have a further search upon the

western shore. Now when we were come to the eastern coast, the water

something deep, and some of our company fearful withal, we durst not come

to an anchor, but bore off into sea again. The poor people, seeing us go

away again, came rowing after us into the sea, the waves being somewhat

lofty. We trucked with them for a few skins and darts, and gave them

beads, nails, needles, and cards, they pointing to the shore as though

they would show us great friendship; but we, little regarding their

courtesy, gave them the gentle farewell, and so departed.

The 14th we had the wind at south. The 15th there was some fault either

in the barque or the set of some current, for we were driven six points

out of our course. The 16th we fell in with the bank of ice, west from

us. The 17th and 18th were foggy. The 19th, at one o'clock afternoon,

we had sight of the land which we called Mount Raleigh, and at twelve of

the clock at night we were athwart the straits which we discovered the

first year. The 20th we traversed in the mouth of the strait, the wind

being at west with fair and clear weather. The 21st and 22nd we coasted

the northern coast of the straits. The 23rd, having sailed 60 leagues

north-west into the straits at two o'clock afternoon, we anchored among

many isles in the bottom of the gulf, naming the same the Earl of

Cumberland's Isles, where, riding at anchor, a whale passed by our ship

and went west in among the isles. Here the compass set at 30 degrees

westward variation. The 24th we departed, shaping our course south-east

to recover the sea. The 25th we were becalmed in the bottom of the gulf,

the air being extremely hot. Master Bruton and some of the mariners went

on shore to course dogs, where they found many graves, and trains spilt

on the ground, the dogs being so fat that they were scant able to run.

The 26th we had a pretty storm, the wind being at south-east. The 27th

and 28th were fair. The 29th we were clear out of the straits, having

coasted the south shore, and this day at noon we were in 64 degrees of

latitude. The 30th in the afternoon we coasted a bank of ice which lay

on the shore, and passed by a great bank or inlet which lay between 63

and 62 degrees of latitude, which we called Lumley's Inlet. We had

oftentimes, as we sailed along the coast, great roots, the water as it

were whirling and overfalling, as if it were the fall of some great water

through a bridge. The 31st as we sailed by a headland, which we named

Warwick's Forehand, we fell into one of those overfalls with a fresh gale

of wind, and bearing all our sails, we looking upon an island of ice

between us and the shore, had thought that our barque did make no way,

which caused us to take marks on the shore. At length we perceived

ourselves to go very fast, and the island of ice which we saw before was

carried very forcibly with the set of the current faster than our ship

went. This day and night we passed by a very great gulf, the water

whirling and roaring as it were the meeting of tides.

_August_.--The 1st, having coasted a bank of ice which was driven out at

the mouth of this gulf, we fell in with the southernmost cape of the

gulf, which we named Chidlie's Cape, which lay in 6 degrees and 10

minutes of latitude. The 2nd and 3rd were calm and foggy, so were the

4th, 5th, and 6th. The 7th was fair and calm, so was the 8th, with a

little gale in the morning. The 9th was fair, and we had a little gale

at night. The 10th we had a frisking gale at west-north-west; the 11th

fair. The 12th we saw five deer on the top of an island, called by us

Darcie's Island. And we hoisted out our boat, and went ashore to them,

thinking to have killed some of them. But when we came on shore and had

coursed them twice about the island they took the sea, and swain towards

islands distant from that three leagues. When we perceived that they had

taken the sea, we gave them over, because our boat was so small that it

could not carry us and row after them, they swam so fast; but one of them

was as big as a good pretty cow, and very fat; their feet as big as

ox-feet. Here upon this island I killed with my piece a grey hare.

The 13th in the morning we saw three or four white bears, but durst not

go on shore unto them for lack of a good boat. This day we struck a rock

seeking for a harbour, and received a leak, and this day we were in 54

degrees of latitude. The 14th we stopped our leak in a storm not very

outrageous at noon.

The 15th, being almost in 51 degrees of latitude, and not finding our

ships, nor (according to their promise) being any mark, token, or beacon,

which we willed to set up, and they protested to do so upon every

headland, sea, island, or cape, within 20 leagues every way off from

their fishing place, which our captain appointed to be between 54 and 55

degrees--this 15th, I say, we shaped our course homeward for England,

having in our ship but little wood, and half a hogshead of fresh water.

Our men were very willing to depart, and no man more forward than

Peerson, for he feared to be put out of his office of stewardship; he was

so insatiate that the allowance of two men was scant sufficient to fill

his greedy appetite; but because every man was so willing to depart, and

considering our want, I doubted the matter very much, fearing that the

seething of our men's victuals in salt water would breed diseases, and

being but few (yet too many for the room, if any should be sick), and

likely that all the rest might be infected therewith, we consented to

return for our own country, and so we had the 16th there with the wind at

south-west.

The 17th we met a ship at sea, and as far as we could judge it was a

Biscayan; we thought she went a-fishing for whales, for in 52 degrees or

thereabout we saw very many.

The 18th was fair with a good gale at west.

The 19th fair also, but with much wind at west and by south.

And thus, after much variable weather and change of winds, we arrived the

15th of September in Dartmouth, Anno 1587, giving thanks to God for our

safe arrival.

* * * * *

_A letter of the said Master John Davis_, _written to Master Sanderson of

London_, _concerning his fore-written voyage_.

GOOD MASTER SANDERSON,--With God's great mercy I have made my safe

return in health with all my company, and have sailed 60 leagues

farther than my determination at my departure. I have been in 73

degrees, finding the sea all open, and 40 leagues between laud and

land; the passage is most certain, the execution most easy, as at my

coming you shall fully know. Yesterday, the 15th of September, I

landed all weary, therefore I pray you pardon my shortness.

Sandridge, this 16th of September, Anno 1587.

Yours equal as mine own, which

by trial you shall best know,

JOHN DAVIS.