At the end of foureteene dayes, one evening, being calme, and a goodly
cleare in the easter-boord, I willed our anchor to be weyed,[170] and
determined to goe into the channell, [Backwardness in the
company,] whereof ensued a murmuring amongst my company, who were
desirous to see the winde setled before we put out of the harbour: and
in part they had reason, considering how wee had beene canvased from
place to place; yet on the other side, if wee went not out before night,
wee should loose the whole nights sayling, and all the time which we
should spend in warping out; which would be, doubtles, a great part of
the fore-noone. And although the master signified unto mee the
disposition of my people, and master Henry Courton (a discreete and
vertuous gentlemen, and my good friend, who in all the voyage was ever
an especial furtherer of all that ever I ordained or proposed), in this
occasion sought to divert me, that all but my selfe were [and
the consequences thereof.] contrarily inclined to that which I thought
fit: and though the common saying be, that it is better to erre with
many, then, all contradicting, alone to hit the right way, yet truth
told mee this proverbe to bee falsely founded; for that it was not to
bee understood, that for erring it is better, but because it is supposed
that by hitting a man shall get emulation of the contradictors: I
encountered it with another, that sayth, better to be envied then
pittied; and well considering, that being out of the harbour, if the
winde took us contrary, to go to Elizabeth bay was better then to bee in
the port; for a man must of force warpe in and out of it, and in the
time that the shippe could be brought foorth into the channell, the
winde being good, a man might come from Elizabeth bay to the port, and
that there we should have the wind first, being more to the east-wardes,
and in an open bay, and moreover might set sayle in the night, if the
wind should rise in the evening or in the night; whereas, in the port,
of force, we must waite the light of the day. I made my selfe deafe to
all murmurings, and caused my commaund to be put in execution, and,
doubtlesse, it was Gods gracious inspiration, as by the event was seene;
for being gotten into the channell, within an houre, the winde came
good, and we sayled merrily on our voyage; and by the breake of the day,
wee had the mouth of the straites open, and about foure of the clocke in
the afternoone, wee were thwart of Cape Desire;[171] which is the
westermost part of the land on the souther side of the straites.