THE THIRD VOYAGE NORTH-WARD
TO THE KINGDOMES OF CATHAIA
and China, in Anno 1596.
After that the seuen shippes (as I saide before) were returned backe
againe from their north uoiage, with lesse benefit than was expected,
the Generall States of the United Prouinces consulted together to send
certaine ships thither againe a third time, [556] to see if they might
bring the sayd uoyage to a good end, if it were possible to be done:
but after much consultation had, they could not agree thereon; yet they
were content to cause a proclamation to be made, [557] that if any,
either townes or marchants, were disposed to venture to make further
search that way at their owne charges, if the uoyage were accomplished,
and that thereby it might bee made apparent that the sayd passage was
to be sayled, they were content to give them a good reward in the
countryes behalfe, naming a certaine summe [558] of money. Whereupon in
the beginning of this yeare, there was two shippes rigged and set
foorth by the towne of Amsterdam, to sayle that uoyage, the men therein
being taken vp vpon two conditions: viz., what they should have if the
uoyage were not accomplished, and what they should have if they got
through and brought the uoiage to an end, promising them a good reward
if they could effect it, thereby to incourage the men, taking vp as
many vnmarryed men as they could, that they might not bee disswaded by
means of their wiues and children, to leaue off the uoyage. Upon these
conditions, those two shippes were ready to set saile in the beginning
of May. In the one, Jacob Heemskerke Hendrickson was master and factor
for the wares and marchandise, [559] and William Barents chiefe pilote.
In the other, John Cornelison Rijp [560] was both master and factor for
the goods that the marchants had laden in her.
The 5 of May all the men in both the shippes were mustered, and vpon
the tenth of May they sayled from Amsterdam, and the 13 of May got to
the Vlie. [561] The sixteenth wee set saile out of the Vlie, but the
tyde being all most spent [562] and the winde north-east, we were
compelled to put in againe; at which time John Cornelisons ship fell on
ground, [563] but got off againe, and wee anchored at the east ende of
the Vlie. [564] The 18 of May wee put out of the Vlie againe with a
north-east winde, and sayled north north-west. The 22 of May wee saw
the islands of Hitland [565] and Feyerilland, the winde beeing
north-east. The 24 of May wee had a good winde, and sayled north-east
till the 29th of May; then the winde was against vs, and blewe
north-east in our top-sayle. [566] The 30 of May we had a good winde,
[567] and sailed north-east, and we tooke the height of the sunne with
our crosse-staffe, and found that it was eleuated aboue the horizon 47
degrees and 42 minutes, [568] his declination was 21 degrees and 42
minutes, so that the height of the Pole was 69 degrees and
twentie-foure minutes.
The first of June wee had no night, and the second of June wee had the
winde contrary; but vpon the fourth of June wee had a good winde out of
the west north-west, and sayled north-east.
And when the sunne was about south south-east [½ p. 9 A.M.], wee saw a
strange sight in the element: [569] for on each side of the sunne there
was another sunne, and two raine-bowes that past cleane through the
three sunnes, and then two raine-bowes more, the one compassing round
about the sunnes, [570] and the other crosse through the great rundle;
[571] the great rundle standing with the vttermost point [572] eleuated
aboue the horizon 28 degrees. At noone, the sunne being at the highest,
the height thereof was measured, and wee found by the astrolabium that
it was eleuated aboue the horizon 48 degrees and 43 minutes, [573] his
declination was 22 degrees and 17 minutes, the which beeing added to 48
degrees 43 minutes, it was found that wee were vnder 71 degrees of the
height of the Pole.
John Cornelis shippe held aloofe from vs and would not keepe with vs,
but wee made towards him, and sayled north-east, bating a point of our
compasse, [574] for wee thought that wee were too farre west-ward, as
after it appeared, otherwise wee should haue held our course
north-east. And in the euening when wee were together, [575] wee tolde
him that wee were best to keepe more easterly, because we were too
farre west-ward; but his pilote made answere that they desired not to
goe into the Straights of Weygates. There course was north-east and by
north, and wee were about 60 [240] miles to sea-warde in from the land,
[576] and were to sayle north-east [577] when wee had the North Cape in
sight, and therefore wee should rather haue sailed east north-east and
not north north-east, because wee were so farre west-ward, to put our
selues in our right course againe: and there wee tolde them that wee
should rather haue sayled east-ward, at the least for certaine miles,
vntill wee had gotten into our right course againe, which by meanes of
the contrary winde wee had lost, as also because it was north-east; but
whatsoeuer wee sayde and sought to councell them for the best, they
would holde no course but north north-east, for they alleaged that if
wee went any more easterly that then wee should enter into the
Wey-gates; but wee being not able [with many hard words] [578] to
perswade them, altered our course one point of the compasse, to meete
them, and sayled north-east and by north, and should otherwise haue
sayled north-east and somewhat [579] more east.
The fifth of June wee sawe the first ice, which wee wondered at, at the
first thinking that it had been white swannes, for one of our men
walking in the fore-decke, [580] on a suddaine beganne to cry out with
a loud voyce, and sayd that hee sawe white swans: which wee that were
vnder hatches [581] hearing, presently came vp, and perceiued that it
was ice that came driuing from the great heape, [582] showing like
swannes, it being then about euening: at mid-night wee sailed through
it, and the sunne was about a degree eleuated aboue the horizon in the
north.
The sixth of June, about foure of the clocke in the after-noone, wee
entred againe into the ice, which was so strong that wee could not
passe through it, and sayled south-west and by west, till eight glasses
were runne out; [583] after that wee kept on our course north
north-east, and sayled along by the ice.
The seuenth of June wee tooke the height of the sunne, and found that
it was eleuated aboue the horizon thirtie eight degrees and thirtie
eight minutes, his declination beeing twentie two degrees thirtie eight
minutes; which beeing taken from thirtie eight degrees thirty eight
minutes, wee found the Pole to bee seuentie foure degrees: there wee
found so great a store of ice, that it was admirable: and wee sayled
along through it, as if wee had past betweene two lands, the water
being as greene as grasse; and wee supposed that we were not farre from
Greene-land, and the longer wee sayled the more and thicker ice we
found.
The eight of June wee came to so great a heape of ice, that wee could
not saile through it, because it was so thicke, and therefore wee wound
about south-west and by west till two glasses were runne out, [584] and
after that three glasses [585] more south south-west, and then south
three glasses, to sayle to the island that wee saw, as also to shunne
the ice.
The ninth of June wee found the islande, that lay vnder 74 degrees and
30 minutes, [586] and (as wee gest) it was about fiue [20] miles long.
[587]
The tenth of June wee put out our boate, and therewith eight of our men
went on land; and as wee past by John Cornelisons shippe, eight of his
men also came into our boate, whereof one was the pilote. Then William
Barents [our pilot] asked him whether wee were not too much west-ward,
but hee would not acknowledge it: whereupon there passed many wordes
betweene them, for William Barents sayde hee would prooue it to bee so,
as in trueth it was.
The eleuenth of June, going on land, wee found great store of sea-mewes
egges vpon the shoare, and in that island wee were in great danger of
our liues: for that going vp a great hill of snowe, [588] when we
should come down againe, wee thought wee should all haue broken our
neckes, it was so slipperie [589] but we sate vpon the snowe [590] and
slidde downe, which was very dangerous for vs to breake both our armes
and legges, for that at the foote of the hill there was many rockes,
which wee were likely to haue fallen vpon, yet by Gods help wee got
safely downe againe.
Meane time William Barents sate in the boate, and sawe vs slide downe,
and was in greater feare then wee to behold vs in that danger. In the
sayd island we found the varying of our compasse, which was 13 degrees,
so that it differed a whole point at the least; after that wee rowed
aboard John Cornelisons shippe, and there wee eate our eggs.
The 12 of June in the morning, wee saw a white beare, which wee rowed
after with our boate, thinking to cast a roape about her necke; but
when we were neere her, shee was so great [591] that we durst not doe
it, but rowed backe again to our shippe to fetch more men and our
armes, and so made to her againe with muskets, hargubushes, halbertes,
and hatchets, John Cornellysons men comming also with their boate [592]
to helpe vs. And so beeing well furnished of men and weapons, wee rowed
with both our boates vnto the beare, and fought with her while foure
glasses were runne out, [593] for our weapons could doe her litle hurt;
and amongst the rest of the blowes that wee gaue her, one of our men
stroke her into the backe with an axe, which stucke fast in her backe,
and yet she swomme away with it; but wee rowed after her, and at last
wee cut her head in sunder with an axe, wherewith she dyed; and then we
brought her into John Cornelysons shippe, where wee fleaed her, and
found her skinne to bee twelue foote long: which done, wee eate some of
her flesh; but wee brookt it not well. [594] This island wee called the
Beare Island. [595]
The 13 of June we left the island, and sayled north and somewhat
easterly, the winde being west and south-west, and made good way; so
that when the sunne was north [¼ p. 11 P.M.], we gest that wee had
sayled 16 [64] miles north-ward from that island.
The 14 of June, when the sunne was north, wee cast out our lead 113
fadome deepe, but found no ground, and so sayled forward till the 15 of
June, when the sunne was south-east [½ p. 8 A.M.], with mistie and
drisling [596] weather, and sayled north and north and by east; about
euening it cleared up, and then wee saw a great thing driuing [597] in
the sea, which we thought had been a shippe, but passing along by it
wee perceiued it to be a dead whale, that stouncke monsterously; and on
it there sate a great number of sea meawes. At that time we had sayled
20 [80] miles.
The 16 of June, with the like speed wee sayled north and by east, with
mistie weather; and as wee sayled, wee heard the ice before wee saw it;
but after, when it cleared vp, wee saw it, and then wound off from it,
when as wee guest wee had sayled 30 [120] miles.
The 17 and 18 of June, wee saw great store of ice, and sayled along by
it vntill wee came to the poynt, which wee could not reach, [598] for
that the winde was south-east, which was right against vs, and the
point of ice lay south-ward from vs: yet we laueared [599] a great
while to get beyond it, but we could not do it.
The 19 of June we saw land againe. Then wee tooke the height of the
sunne, and found that it was eleuated aboue the horizon 33 degrees and
37 minutes, her declination being 23 degrees and 26 minutes; which
taken from the sayd 33 degrees and 37 minutes, we found that we were
vnder 80 degrees and 11 minutes, which was the height of the Pole
there. [600]
This land was very great, [601] and we sayled west-ward along by it
till wee were vnder 79 degrees and a halfe, where we found a good road,
and could not get neere to the land because the winde blew north-east,
which was right off from the land: the bay reacht right north and south
into the sea.
The 21 of June we cast out our anchor at 18 fadome before the land; and
then wee and John Cornelysons men rode on the west side of the land,
and there fetcht balast: and when wee got on board againe with our
balast, wee saw a white beare that swamme towardes our shippe;
wherevpon we left off our worke, and entering into the boate with John
Cornelisons men, rowed after her, and crossing her in the way, droue
her from the land; where-with shee swamme further into the sea, and wee
followed her; and for that our boate [602] could not make way after
her, we manned out our scute [603] also, the better to follow her: but
she swamme a mile [4 miles] into the sea; yet wee followed her with the
most part of all our men of both shippes in three boates, and stroke
often times at her, cutting and heawing her, so that all our armes were
most broken in peeces. During our fight with her, shee stroke her
clowes [604] so hard in our boate, that the signes thereof were seene
in it; but as hap was, it was in the forehead of our boate: [605] for
if it had been in the middle thereof, she had (peraduenture)
ouer-throwne it, they haue such force in their clawes. At last, after
we had fought long with her, and made her wearie with our three boates
that kept about her, we ouercame her and killed her: which done, we
brought her into our shippe and fleaed her, her skinne being 13 foote
long.
After that, we rowed with our scute about a mile [4 miles] inward to
the land, [606] where there was a good hauen and good anchor ground, on
the east-side being sandie: there wee cast out our leade, and found 16
fadome deepe, and after that 10 and 12 fadom; and rowing further, we
found that on the east-side there was two islands that reached
east-ward into the sea: on the west-side also there was a great creeke
or riuer, which shewed also like an island. Then we rowed to the island
that lay in the middle, and there we found many red geese-egges, [607]
which we saw sitting vpon their nests, and draue them from them, and
they flying away cryed red, red, red: [608] and as they sate we killed
one goose dead with a stone, which we drest and eate, and at least 60
egges, that we tooke with vs aboard the shippe; and vpon the 22 of June
wee went aboard our shippe againe.
Those geese were of a perfit red coulor, [609] such as come into
Holland about Weiringen, [610] and euery yeere are there taken [Red
geese breed their yong geese under 80 degrees in Green-land.] in
abundance, but till this time it was neuer knowne where they [laid and]
hatcht their egges; so that some men haue taken vpon them to write that
they sit vpon trees [611] in Scotland, that hang ouer the water, and
such egges as fall from them downe into the water [612] become yong
geese and swimme there out of the water; [613] but those that fall vpon
the land burst in sunnder and are lost: [614] but this is now found to
be contrary, and it is not to bee wondered at that no man could tell
where they breed [615] their egges, for that no man that euer we knew
had euer beene vnder 80 degrees, nor that land vnder 80 degrees was
neuer set downe in any card, [616] much lesse the red geese that breed
therein.
It is here also to be noted, that although that in this land, which we
esteeme to be Greene-land, lying vnder 80 degrees and more, there
groweth leaues and grasse, and that there are such beasts therein as
eat grasse, as harts, buckes, and such like beastes as liue thereon;
yet in Noua Zembla, under 76 degrees, there groweth neither leaues nor
grasse, nor any beasts that eate grasse or leaues liue therein, [617]
but such beastes as eate flesh, as beares and foxes: and yet this land
lyeth full 4 degrees [further] from the North Pole as Greeneland
aforesaid doth.
The 23 of June we hoysted anchor againe, and sayled north-west-ward
into the sea, but could get no further by reason of the ice; and so wee
came to the same place againe where wee had laine, and cast anchor at
18 fadome: and at euening [618] being at anchor, the sunne being
north-east and somewhat more east-warde, wee tooke the height thereof,
and found it to be eleuated above the horizon 13 degrees and 10
minutes, his declination being 23 degrees and 28 minutes; which
substracted from the height aforesaid, [619] resteth 10 degrees and 18
minutes, which being substracted from 90 degrees, then the height of
the Pole, there was 79 degrees and 42 minutes.
After that, we hoysted anchor againe, and sayled along by the west side
of the land, [620] and then our men went on land, to see how much the
needle of the compasse varyed. Mean time, there came a greate white
beare swimming towardes the shippe, and would haue climbed up into it
if we had not made a noyse, and with that we shot at her with a peece,
but she left the shippe and swam to the land, where our men were: which
wee perceiuing, sayled with our shippe towardes the land, and gaue a
great shoute; wherewith our men thought that wee had fallen on a rocke
with our shippe, which made them much abashed; and therewith the beare
also being afraide, swam off againe from the land and left our men,
which made vs gladde: for our men had no weapons about them.
Touching the varying of the compasse, for the which cause our men went
on land to try the certaintie thereof, it was found to differ 16
degrees.
The 24 of June we had a south-west winde, and could not get aboue the
island, [621] and therefore wee sayled backe againe, and found a hauen
that lay foure [16] miles from the other hauen, on the west side of the
great hauen, and there cast anchor at twelue fadome deepe. There wee
rowed a great way in, and went on land; and there wee founde two
sea-horses teeth that waighed sixe pound: wee also found many small
teeth, and so rowed on board againe.
The 25 of June we hoysted anchor againe, and sayled along by the land,
and went south and south south-west, with a north north-east winde,
vnder 79 degrees. There we found a great creeke or riuer, [622]
whereinto we sailed ten [40] miles at the least, holding our course
south-ward; but we perceiued that there wee could not get through:
there wee cast out our leade, and for the most part found ten fadome
deepe, but wee were constrained to lauere [623] out againe, for the
winde was northerly, and almost full north; [624] and wee perceaued
that it reached to the firm land, which we supposed to be low-land, for
that wee could not see it any thing farre, and therefore wee sailed so
neere vnto it till that wee might see it, and then we were forced to
lauere [back], and vpon the 27 of June we got out againe.
The twenty eight of June wee gate beyonde the point that lay on the
west-side, where there was so great a number of birds that they flew
against our sailes, and we sailed 10 [40] miles south-ward, and after
that west, to shun the ice.
The twenty nine of June wee sayled south-east, and somewhat more
easterly, along by the land, till wee were vnder 76 degrees and 50
minutes, for wee were forced to put off from the land, because of the
ice.
The thirteeth of June we sayled south and somewhat east, and then we
tooke the height of the sun, and found that it was eleuated aboue the
horizon 38 degrees and 20 minutes, his declination was 23 degrees and
20 minutes, which being taken from the former height, it was found that
wee were vnder 75 degrees. [625]
The first of July wee saw the Beare-Island [626] againe, and then John
Cornelison and his officers came aboard of our ship, to speak with vs
about altering of our course; but wee being of a contrary opinion, it
was agreed that wee should follow on our course and hee his: which was,
that hee (according to his desire) should saile vnto 80 degrees againe;
for hee was of opinion that there hee should finde a passage through,
on the east-side of the land that lay vnder 80 degrees. [627] And vpon
that agreement wee left each other, they sayling north-ward, and wee
south-ward because of the ice, the winde being east south-east.
The second of July wee sailed east-ward, and were vnder 74 degrees,
hauing the wind north north-west, and then wee wound ouer another bough
[628] with an east north-east winde, and sayled north-ward. In the
euening, the sunne beeing about north-west and by north [9 P.M.], wee
wound about againe (because of the ice) with an east winde, and sailed
south south-east; and about east south-east sun [629] [¼ p. 7 A.M.] we
wound about againe (because of the ice), and the sunne being south
south-west [½ p. 12 P.M.] we wound about againe, and sailed north-east.
The third of July wee were vnder 74 degrees, hauing a south-east and by
east wind, and sailed north-east and by north: after that we wound
about againe with a south wind and sayled east south-east till the
sunne was north-west [¼ p. 8 P.M.], then the wind began to be somewhat
larger. [630]
The fourth of July wee sailed east and by north, and found no ice,
which wee wondered at, because wee sailed so high; [631] but when the
sunne was almost south, we were forced to winde about againe by reason
of the ice, and sailed westward with a north-wind; after that, the
sunne being north [11 P.M.], wee sailed east south-east with a
north-east wind.
The fifth of July wee sailed north north-east till the sunne was south
[11 A.M.]: then wee wound about, and went east south-east with a
north-east winde. Then wee tooke the height of the sunne, and found it
to bee eleuated aboue the horizon 39 degrees and 27 minutes, his
declination being 22 degrees and 53 minutes, which taken from the high
aforesaid, we found that wee were under the height of the Poole
seuentie three degrees and 20 minutes. [632]
The seuenth of July wee cast out our whole lead-lyne, but found no
ground, and sailed east and by south, the wind being north-east and by
east, and were vnder 72 degrees and 12 minutes.
The eight of July we had a good north [by] west wind, and sailed east
and by north, with an indifferent cold gale of wind, [633] and got
vnder 72 degrees and 15 minutes. The ninth of July we went east and by
north, the wind being west. The tenth of July, the sunne being south
south-west [9 A.M.], we cast out our lead and had ground at 160 fadome,
the winde being north-east and by north, and we sailed east and by
south vnder 72 degrees.
The 11 of July we found 70 fadome deepe, and saw no ice; then we gest
that we were right south and north from Dandinaes, [634] that is the
east point of the White-Sea, that lay southward from vs, and had sandy
ground, and the bancke stretched north-ward into the sea, so that wee
were out of doubt that we were vpon the bancke of the White Sea, for
wee had found no sandy ground all the coast along, but onely that
bancke. Then the winde being east and by south, we sayled south and
south and by east, vnder 72 degrees, and after that we had a south
south-east winde, and sayled north-east to get ouer the bancke.
In the morning wee draue forward with a calme, [635] and found that we
were vnder 72 degrees, and then againe wee had an east south-east
winde, the sunne being about south-west [2 P.M.], and sayled
north-east; and casting out our lead found 150 fadome deepe, clay
ground, and then we were ouer the bancke, which was very narrow, for
wee sailed but 14 glasses, [636] and gate ouer it when the sunne was
about north north-east [¼ p. 12 A.M.].
The twelfth of July wee sayled north and by east, the winde being east;
and at euening, [637] the sunne being north north-east, we wound about
againe, hauing the winde north north-east, and sayled east and by south
till our first quarter [638] was out.
The thirteenth of July wee sayled east, with a north north-east wind:
then we tooke the height of the sunne and found it to bee eleuated
aboue the horizon 54 degrees and 38 minutes, [639] his declination was
21 degrees and 54 minutes, which taken from the height aforesaid, the
height of the Pole was found to be 73 degrees; and then againe wee
found ice, but not very much, and wee were of opinion that wee were by
Willoughbies-land. [640]
The fourteenth of July wee sailed north-east, the winde being north
north-west, and in that sort sayled about a dinner time [641] along
through the ice, and in the middle thereof wee cast out our leade, and
had 90 fadome deepe; in the next quarter wee cast out the lead againe
and had 100 fadome deepe, and we sayled so farre into the ice that wee
could goe no further: for we could see no place where it opened, but
were forced (with great labour and paine) to lauere out of it againe,
the winde blowing west, and wee were then vnder seuentie foure degrees
and tenne minutes.
The fifteenth of July wee draue through the middle of the ice with a
calme, [642] and casting out our leade had 100 fadome deepe, at which
time the winde being east, wee sayled [south-] west.
The sixteenth of July wee got out of the ice, and sawe a great beare
lying vpon it, that leaped into the water when shee saw vs. Wee made
towards her with our shippe; which shee perceiuing, gotte vp vpon the
ice againe, wherewith wee shot once at her.
Then we sailed east south-east and saw no ice, gessing that wee were
not farre from Noua Zembla, because wee sawe the beare there vpon the
ice, at which time we cast out the lead and found 100 fadome deepe.
The seuenteenth of July we tooke the height of the sunne, and it was
eleuated aboue the horizon 37 degrees and 55 minutes; his declination
was 21 degrees and 15 minutes, which taken from the height aforesaid,
the height of the Pole was 74 degrees and 40 minutes: [643] and when
the sunne was in the south [11 A.M.], wee saw the land of Noua Zembla,
which was about Lomsbay. [644] I was the first that espied it. Then wee
altered our course, and sayled north-east and by north, and hoysed vp
all our sailes except the fore-saile and the lesien. [645]
The eighteenth of July wee saw the land againe, beeing vnder 75
degrees, and sayled north-east and by north with a north-west winde,
and wee gate aboue the point of the Admirals Island, [646] and sayled
east north-east with a west winde, the land reaching north-east and by
north.
The nineteenth of July wee came to the Crosse-Island, [647] and could
then get no further by reason of the ice, for there the ice lay still
close vpon the land, at which time the winde was west and blewe right
vpon the land, and it lay vnder 76 degrees and 20 minutes. There stood
2 crosses vpon the land, whereof it had the name.
The twenteeth of July wee anchored vnder the island, for wee could get
no further for the ice. There wee put out our boate, and with eight men
rowed on land, and went to one of the crosses, where we rested vs
awhile, to goe to the next crosse, but beeing in the way we saw two
beares by the other crosse, at which time wee had no weapons at all
about vs. The beares rose vp vpon their hinder feete to see vs (for
they smell further than they see), and for that they smelt us,
therefore they rose vpright and came towards vs, wherewith we were not
a little abashed, in such sort that wee had little lust [648] to laugh,
and in all haste went to our boate againe, still looking behinde vs to
see if they followed vs, thinking to get into the boate and so put off
from the land: but the master [649] stayed us, saying, hee that first
beginnes to runne away, I will thrust this hake-staffe [650] (which hee
then held in his hand) into his ribs, [651] for it is better for vs
(sayd hee) to stay altogether, and see if we can make them afraid with
whooping and hallowing; and so we went softly towards the boate, and
gote away glad that wee had escaped their clawes, and that wee had the
leysure to tell our fellowes thereof.
The one and twenteeth of July wee tooke the height of the sunne, and
found that it was eleuated aboue the horizon thirtie fiue degrees and
fifteene minutes; his declination was one and twentie degrees, which
being taken from the height aforesaide, there rested fourteene degrees,
which substracted from ninetie degrees, then the height of the Pole was
found to be seuentie sixe degrees and fifteene minutes: [652] then wee
found the variation of the compasse to be iust twentie sixe degrees.
The same daye two of our men went againe to the crosse, and found no
beares to trouble vs, and wee followed them with our armes, fearing
lest wee might meet any by chance; and when we came to the second
crosse, wee found the foote-steps of 2 beares, and saw how long they
had followed vs, which was an hundreth foote-steps at the least, that
way that wee had beene the day before.
The two and twentie of July, being Monday, wee set vp another crosse
and made our marke[s] thereon, and lay there before the Cross Island
till the fourth of August; meane time we washt and whited [653] our
linnen on the shoare.
The thirtie of July, the sunne being north [½ p. 10 P.M.], there came a
beare so neere to our shippe that wee might hit her with a stone, and
wee shot her into the foote with a peece, wherewith shee ranne halting
away.
The one and thirteeth of July, the sunne being east north-east [¾ p. 2
A.M.], seuen of our men killed a beare, and fleaed her, and cast her
body into the sea. The same day at noone (by our instrument) wee found
the variation of the nedle of the compasse to be 17 degrees. [654]
The first of August wee saw a white beare, but shee ranne away from vs.
The fourth of August wee got out of the ice to the other side of the
island, and anchored there: where, with great labour and much paine,
wee fetched a boate full of stones from the land.
The fifth of August wee set saile againe towardes Ice-point [655] with
an east wind, and sailed south south-east, and then north north-east,
and saw no ice by the land, by the which wee lauered. [656]
The sixth of August we gate about the point of Nassawe, [657] and
sayled forward east and east and by south, along by the land.
The seuenth of August wee had a west south-west wind, and sayled along
by the land, south-east and south-east and by east, and saw but a
little ice, and then past by the Trust-point, [658] which wee had much
longed for. At euening we had an east wind, with mistie weather, so
that wee were forced to make our ship fast to a peece of ice, that was
at least 36 fadome deep vnder the water, and more than 16 fadome aboue
the water; which in all was 52 fadome thick, for it lay fast vpon
ground the which was 36 fadome deepe. The eight of August in the
morning wee had an east wind with mistie weather.
The 9 of August, lying still fast to the great peece of ice, it snowed
hard, and it was misty weather, and when the sunne was south [¾ p. 10
A.M.] we went vpon the hatches [659] (for we alwayes held watch):
where, as the master walked along the ship, he heard a beast snuffe
with his nose, and looking ouer-bord he saw a great beare hard by the
ship, wherewith he cryed out, a beare, a beare; and with that all our
men came vp from vnder hatches, [660] and saw a great beare hard by our
boat, seeking to get into it, but wee giuing a great shoute, shee was
afrayd and swamme away, but presently came backe againe, and went
behinde a great peece of ice, whereunto wee had made our shippe fast,
and climbed vpon it, and boldly came towardes our shippe to enter into
it: [661] but wee had torne our scute sayle in the shippe, [662] and
lay with foure peeces before at the bootesprit, [663] and shotte her
into the body, and with that, shee ranne away; but it snowed so fast
that wee could not see whither shee went, but wee guest that she lay
behinde a high hoouell, [664] whereof there was many vpon the peece of
ice.
The tenth of August, being Saterday, the ice began mightily to breake,
[665] and then wee first perceiued that the great peece of ice
wherevnto wee had made our shippe fast, lay on the ground; for the rest
of the ice draue along by it, wherewith wee were in great feare that
wee should be compassed about with the ice, [666] and therefore wee
vsed all the diligence and meanes that wee could to get from thence,
for wee were in great doubt: [667] and being vnder sayle, wee sayled
vpon the ice, because it was all broken vnder us, [668] and got to
another peece of ice, wherevnto wee made our shippe faste againe with
our sheate anchor, [669] which wee made fast vpon it, and there wee lay
till euening. And when wee had supped, in the first quarter [670] the
sayd peece of ice began on a sodaine to burst and rende in peeces, so
fearefully that it was admirable; for with one great cracke it burst
into foure hundred peeces at the least: wee lying fast to it, [671]
weied our cable and got off from it. Vnder the water it was ten fadome
deepe and lay vpon the ground, and two fadome above the water: and it
made a fearefull noyse both vnder and aboue the water when it burst,
and spread it selfe abroad on all sides.
And being with great feare [672] gotten from that peece of ice, we came
to an other peece, that was size fadome deepe vnder the water, to the
which we made a rope fast on both sides.
Then wee saw an other great peece of ice not farre from vs, lying fast
in the sea, that was as sharp aboue as it had been a tower; whereunto
wee rowed, and casting out our lead, wee found that it lay 20 fadome
deepe, fast on the ground vnder the water, and 12 fadome aboue the
water.
The 11 of August, being Sunday, wee rowed to another peece of ice, and
cast out our lead, and found that it lay 18 fadom deepe, fast to the
ground vnder the water, and 10 fadome aboue the water. The 12 of August
we sailed neere [673] vnder the land, ye better to shun ye ice, for yt
the great flakes that draue in the sea [674] were many fadome deepe
under the water, and we were better defended from them being at 4 and 5
fadome water; and there ran a great current of water from the hill[s].
There we made our ship fast againe to a peece of ice, and called that
point the small Ice Point. [675]
The 13 of August in the morning, there came a beare from [676] the east
point of the land, close to our ship, and one of our men with a peece
shot at her and brake one of her legs, but she crept [677] vp the hill
with her three feet, and wee following her killed her, and hauing
fleaed her brought the skinne aboard the ship. From thence we set saile
with a little gale of winde, [678] and were forced to lauere, but after
that it began to blow more [679] out of the south and south south-east.
The 15 of August we came to the Island of Orange, [680] where we were
inclosed with the ice hard by a great peece of ice where we were in
great danger to loose our ship, but with great labour and much paine we
got to the island, the winde being south-east, whereby we were
constrained to turne our ship; [681] and while we were busied
thereabouts and made much noise, a beare that lay there and slept,
awaked and came towards vs to the ship, so that we were forced to leaue
our worke about turning of the ship, and to defend our selues against
the beare, and shot her into the body, wherewith she ran away to the
other side of the island, and swam into the water, and got vp vpon a
peece of ice, where shee lay still; but we comming after her to the
peece of ice where shee lay, when she saw vs she leapt into the water
and swam to the land, but we got betweene her and the land, and stroke
her on the head with a hatchet, but as often as we stroke at her with
the hatchet, she duckt vnder the water, whereby we had much to do
before we could kill her: after she was dead we fleaed her on the land,
and tooke the skin on board with vs, and after that turned [682] our
ship to a great peece of ice, and made it fast thereunto.
The 16 of August ten of our men entring into one boat, rowed to the
firm land at Noua Zembla, and drew the boate vp vpon the ice; which
done, we went vp a high hill to see the cituation of the land, and
found that it reached south-east and south south-east, and then againe
south, which we disliked, for that it lay so much southward: but when
we saw open water south-east and east south-east, we were much
comforted againe, thinking yt wee had woon our voyage, [683] and knew
not how we should get soone inough on boord to certifie William Barents
thereof.
The 18 of August we made preparation to set saile, but it was all in
vaine; for we had almost lost our sheat anchor [684] and two new ropes,
and with much lost labour got to the place againe from whence we came:
for the streame ran with a mighty current, and the ice drave very
strongly vpon the cables along by the shippe, so that we were in fear
that we should loose all the cable that was without the ship, which was
200 fadome at the least; but God prouided well for vs, so that in the
end wee got to the place againe from whence we put out.
The 19 of August it was indifferent good weather, the winde blowing
south-west, the ice still driuing, and we set saile with an indifferent
gale of wind, [685] and past by ye Point of Desire, [686] whereby we
were once againe in good hope. And when we had gotten aboue the point,
[687] we sailed south-east into the sea-ward 4 [16] miles, but then
againe we entred into more ice, whereby we were constrained to turn
back againe, and sailed north-west vntil we came to ye land againe,
which reacheth frō the Point of Desire to the Head Point, [688] south
and by west, 6 [24] miles: from the Head Point to Flushingers Head,
[689] it reacheth south-west, which are 3 [12] miles one from the
other; from the Flushingers Head, it reacheth into the sea east
south-east, and from Flushingers Head to the Point of the Island [690]
it reacheth south-west and by south and south-west 3 [12] miles; and
from the Island Point to the Point of the Ice Hauen, [691] the land
reacheth west south-west 4 [16] miles: from the Ice Hauens Point to the
fall of water or the Streame Bay [692] and the low land, it reacheth
west and by south and east and by north, 7 [28] miles: from thence the
land reacheth east and west.
The 21 of August we sailed a great way into the Ice Hauen, and that
night ankored therein: next day, the streame [693] going extreame hard
eastward, we haled out againe from thence, and sailed againe to the
Island Point; but for that it was misty weather, comming to a peece of
ice, we made the ship fast thereunto, because the winde began to blow
hard south-west and south south-west. There we went [694] vp vpon the
ice, and wondred much thereat, it was such manner of ice: for on the
top it was ful of earth, and there we found aboue 40 egges, and it was
not like other ice, for it was of a perfect azure coloure, like to the
skies, whereby there grew great contentiō in words amongst our men,
some saying that it was ice, others that it was frozen land; for it lay
vnreasonable high aboue the water, it was at least 18 fadome vnder the
water close to the ground, and 10 fadome aboue the water: there we
stayed all that storme, the winde being south-west and by west.
The 23 of August we sailed againe from the ice south-eastward into the
sea, but entred presently into it againe, and wound about [695] to the
Ice Hauen. The next day it blew hard north north-west, and the ice came
mightily driuing in, whereby we were in a manner compassed about
therewith, and withall the winde began more and more to rise, and the
ice still draue harder and harder, so that the pin of the rother [696]
and the rother were shorne in peeces, [697] and our boate was shorne in
peeces [698] betweene the ship and the ice, we expecting nothing else
but that the ship also would be prest and crusht in peeces with the
ice.
The 25 of August the weather began to be better, and we tooke great
paines and bestowed much labour to get the ice, wherewith we were so
inclosed, to go from vs, but what meanes soeuer we vsed it was all in
vaine. But when the sun was south-west [½ p. 2 P.M.] the ice began to
driue out againe with the streame, [699] and we thought to saile
southward about Noua Zembla, [and so westwards] to the Straites of
Mergates. [700] For that seeing we could there find no passage, we
hauing past [701] Noua Zembla, [we] were of opinion that our labour was
all in vaine and that we could not get through, and so agreed to go
that way home againe; but comming to the Streame Bay, we were forced to
go back againe, because of the ice which lay so fast thereabouts; and
the same night also it froze, that we could hardly get through there
with the little wind that we had, the winde then being north.
The 26 of August there blew a reasonable gale of winde, at which time
we determined to saile back to the Point of Desire, and so home againe,
seeing yt we could not get through [by the way towards] ye Wergats,
[702] although we vsed al the meanes and industry we could to get
forward; but whē we had past by ye Ice Hauen ye ice began to driue wt
such force, yt we were inclosed round about therewith, and yet we
sought al the meanes we could to get out, but it was all in vaine. And
at that time we had like to haue lost three men that were vpon the ice
to make way for the ship, if the ice had held ye course it went; but as
we draue back againe, and that the ice also whereon our men stood in
like sort draue, they being nimble, as ye ship draue by thē, one of
them caught hould of the beake head, another vpon the shroudes, [703]
and the third vpon the great brase [704] that hung out behind, and so
by great aduenture by the hold that they took they got safe into the
shippe againe, for which they thanked God with all their hearts: for it
was much liklier that they should rather haue beene carried away with
the ice, but God, by the nimbleness of their hands, deliuered them out
of that danger, which was a pittifull thing to behold, although it fell
out for the best, for if they had not beene nimble they had surely dyed
for it.
The same day in the euening we got to the west side of the Ice Hauen,
where we were forced, in great cold, pouerty, misery, and griefe, to
stay all that winter; the winde then being east north-east.
The 27 of August the ice draue round about the ship, and yet it was
good wether; at which time we went on land, and being there it began to
blow south-east with a reasonable gale, and then the ice came with
great force before the bough, [705] and draue the ship vp foure foote
high before, and behind it seemed as if the keele lay on the ground, so
that it seemed that the ship would be ouerthrowne in the place;
whereupon they that were in the ship put out the boate, [706] therewith
to saue their liues, and withall put out a flagge to make a signe to vs
to come on board: which we perceiuing, and beholding the ship to be
lifted vp in that sort, made all the haste we could to get on board,
thinking that the ship was burst in peeces, but comming vnto it we
found it to be in better case than we thought it had beene.
The 28 of August wee gat some of the ice from it, [707] and the ship
began to sit vpright againe; but before it was fully vpright, as
William Barents and the other pilot went forward to the bough, [708] to
see how the ship lay and how much it was risen, and while they were
busie vpon their knees and elbowes to measure how much it was, the ship
burst out of the ice with such a noyse and so great a crack, that they
thought verily that they were all cast away, knowing not how to saue
themselues.
The 29 of August, the ship lying vpright againe, we vsed all the meanes
we could, with yron hookes [709] and other instruments, to breake the
flakes of ice that lay one heap’d vpō the other, but al in vaine; so
that we determined to commit our selues to the mercie of God, and to
attend ayde from him, for that the ice draue not away in any such sort
that it could helpe vs.
The 30 of August the ice began to driue together one vpon the other
with greater force than before, and bare against the ship wh a
boystrous south [by] west wind and a great snowe, so that all the whole
ship was borne vp and inclosed, [710] whereby all that was both about
and in it began to crack, so that it seemed to burst in a 100 peeces,
which was most fearfull both to see and heare, and made all ye haire of
our heads to rise vpright with feare; and after yt, the ship (by the
ice on both sides that joined and got vnder the same) was driued so
vpright, in such sort as if it had bin lifted vp with a wrench or vice.
[711]
The 31 of August, by the force of the ice, the ship was driuen vp 4 or
5 foote high at the beake head, [712] and the hinder part thereof lay
in a clift [713] of ice, whereby we thought that the ruther would be
freed from the force of the flakes of ice, [714] but, notwithstanding,
it brake in peeces staffe [715] and all: and if that the hinder part of
the ship had bin in the ice that draue as well as the fore part was,
then all the ship [716] would haue bin driuen wholly vpon the ice, or
possibly haue ran on groūd, [717] and for that cause wee were in great
feare, and set our scutes and our boate [718] out vpon the ice, if
neede were, to saue our selues. But within 4 houres after, the ice
draue awaye of it selfe, wherewith we were exceeding glad, as if we had
saued our liues, for that the ship was then on float againe; and vpon
that we made a new ruther and a staffe, [719] and hung the ruther out
vpon the hooks, that if we chanced to be born [720] vpon the ice
againe, as we had bin, it might so be freed from it.
The 1 of September, being Sunday, while we were at praier, the ice
began to gather together againe, so that the ship was lifted vp
[bodily] two foote at the least, but the ice brake not. [721] The same
euening [722] the ice continued in yt sort still driuing and gathering
together, so that we made preparation to draw our scute and the boate
ouer the ice vpon the land, the wind then blowing south-east.
The 2 of September it snowed hard with a north-east wind, and the ship
began to rise vp higher vpō the ice, [723] at which time the ice burst
and crakt with great force, so that we were of opinion to carry our
scute on land in that fowle weather, with 13 barrels of bread and two
hogsheads [724] of wine to sustaine our selues if need were.
The 3 of September it blew [just as] hard, but snowed not so much, ye
wind being north north-east; at which time we began to be loose from
the ice whereunto we lay fast, so that the scheck brake from the
steuen, [725] but the planks wherewith the ship was lyned held the
scheck fast and made it hang on; [726] but the boutloofe and a new
cable, if we had falled vpon the ice, brake by the forcible pressing of
the ice, [727] but held fast againe in the ice; and yet the ship was
staunch, which was wonder, in regard yt ye ice draue so hard and in
great heapes as big as the salt hills that are in Spaine, [728] and
within a harquebus shot of the ship, betweene the which we lay in great
feare and anguishe.
The 4 of September the weather began to cleare vp and we sawe the
sunne, but it was very cold, the wind being north-east, we being forced
to lye still.
The 5 of September it was faire sunshine weather and very calme; and at
euening, when we had supt, the ice compassed about us againe, and we
were hard inclosed therewith, the ship beginning to lye upon the one
side and leakt sore, [729] but by Gods grace it became staunch againe,
[730] wherewith [731] we were wholly in feare to loose the ship, it was
in so great danger. At which time we tooke counsell together and caried
our old sock saile, [732] with pouder, lead, peeces, muskets, and other
furniture on land, to make a tent [or hut] about our scute yt we had
drawē vpon the land; and at that time we carried some bread and wine on
land also, with some timber, [733] therewith to mend our boate, that it
might serve vs in time of neede.
The 6 of September it was indifferent faire sea-wether [734] and
sun-shine, the wind being west, whereby we were somewhat comforted,
hoping that the ice would driue away and that we might get from thence
againe.
The 7 of September it was indifferent wether againe, but we perceiued
no opening of the water, but to the contrary it [735] lay hard inclosed
with ice, and no water at all about the ship, no not so much as a
bucket full. The same day 5 of our men went on land, but 2 of them came
back againe; the other three went forward about 2 [8] miles into the
land, and there found a riuer of sweet water, where also they found
great store of wood that had bin driuen thither, and there they foūd
the foote-steps of harts and hinds, [736] as they thought, for they
were clouen footed, some greater footed than others, which made them
iudge them to be so.
The 8 of September it blew hard east north-east, which was a right
contrary wind to doe vs any good touching the carrying away of the ice,
so that we were stil faster in the ice, which put vs in no small
discomfort.
The 9 of September it blew [strongly from the] north-east, with a
little snowe, whereby our ship was wholly inclosed with ice, for ye
wind draue the ice hard against it, so that we lay 3 or 4 foote deepe
in the ice, and our sheck in the after-steuer brake in peeces [737] and
the ship began to be somewhat loose before, but yet it was not much
hurt.
In the night time two beares came close to our ship side, but we
sounded our trumpet and shot at them, but hit them not because it was
darke, and they ran away.
The 10 of September the wether was somewhat better, because the wind
blew not so hard, and yet all one wind.
The 11 of September it was calme wether, and 8 of vs went on land,
euery man armed, to see if that were true as our other three companions
had said, that there lay wood about the riuer; for that seeing we had
so long wound and turned about, sometime in the ice, and then againe
got out, and thereby were compelled to alter our course, and at last
sawe that we could not get out of the ice but rather became faster, and
could not loose our ship as at other times we had done, as also that it
began to be [near autumn and] winter, we tooke counsell together what
we were best to doe according to the [circumstances of the] time, [in
order] that we might winter there and attend such aduenture as God
would send vs: and after we had debated vpon the matter, to keepe and
defend ourselues both from the cold and the wild beastes, we determined
to build a [shed or] house vpon the land, to keep vs therein as well as
we could, and so to commit ourselves vnto the tuition of God. And to
that end we went further into the land, to find out [How God in our
extremest need, when we were forced to live all the winter upon the
land, sent vs wood to make vs a house and to serue vs to burne in the
cold winter.] the conuenientest place in our opinions to raise our
house vpon, and yet we had not much stuffe to make it withall, in
regard that there grew no trees, nor any other thing in that country
convenient to build it withall. But we leauing no occasion unsought, as
our men went abroad to view the country, and to see what good fortune
might happen unto vs, at last we found an unexpected comfort in our
need, which was that we found certaine trees roots and all, (as our
three companions had said before), which had been driuen vpon the
shoare, either from Tartaria, Muscouia, or elsewhere, for there was
none growing vpon that land; wherewith (as if God had purposely sent
them vnto vs) we were much comforted, being in good hope that God would
shew us some further fauour; for that wood served vs not onely to build
our house, but also to burne and serve vs all the winter long;
otherwise without all doubt we had died there miserably with extreme
cold.
The 12 of September it was calme wether, and then our men went vnto the
other side of the land, to see if they could finde any wood neerer vnto
vs, but there was none. [738]
The 13 of September it was calme but very mistie wether, so that we
could doe nothing, because it was dangerous for vs to go into the land,
in regard that we could not see the wild beares; and yet they could
smell vs, for they smell better than they see.
The 14 of September it was cleere sunshine wether, but very cold; and
then we went into the land, and laid the wood in heapes one vpō the
other, that it might not be couered over with ye snow, and from thence
ment [739] to carry it to the place where we intended to builde our
house.
The 15 of September in the morning, as one of our men held watch, wee
saw three beares, whereof the one lay still behind a piece of ice [and]
the other two came close to the ship, which we perceiuing, made our
peeces ready to shoote at them; at which time there stod a tob full of
beefe [740] vpon the ice, which lay in the water to be seasoned, [741]
for that close by the ship there was no water; one of the beares went
vnto it, and put in his head [into the tub] to take out a peece of the
beefe, but she fared therewith as the dog did with ye pudding; [742]
for as she was snatching at the beefe, she was shot into the head,
wherewith she fell downe dead and neuer stir’d. [There we saw a curious
sight]: the other beare stood still, and lokt vpon her fellow [as if
wondering why she remained so motionless]; and when she had stood a
good while she smelt her fellow, and perceiuing that she [lay still
and] was dead, she ran away, but we tooke halberts and other armes with
vs and followed her. [743] And at last she came againe towardes us, and
we prepared our selues to withstand her, wherewith she rose vp vpon her
hinder feet, thinking to rampe at vs; but while she reared herselfe vp,
one of our men shot her into the belly, and with that she fell vpon her
fore-feet again, and roaring as loud as she could, ran away. Then we
tooke the dead beare, and ript her belly open; and taking out her guts
we set her vpon her fore-feet, so that she might freeze as she stood,
intending to carry her wt vs into Holland if we might get our ship
loose: and when we had set ye beare vpon her foure feet, we began to
make a slead, thereon to drawe the wood to the place where we ment
[744] to build our house. At that time it froze two fingers thicke in
the salt water [of the sea], and it was exceeding cold, the wind
blowing north-east.
The 16 of September the sunne shone, but towardes the euening it was
misty, the wind being easterly; at which time we went [for the first
time] to fetch wood with our sleads, and then we drew foure beames
aboue [745] a mile [4 miles] vpon the ice and the snow. That night
againe it frose aboue two fingers thicke.
The 17 of September thirteene of vs went where the wood lay with our
sleads, and so drew fiue and fiue in a slead, and the other three
helped to lift the wood behind, to make vs draw the better and with
more ease; [746] and in that manner we drew wood twice a day, and laid
it on a heape by the place where we ment to build our house.
The 18 of September the wind blew west, but it snowed hard, and we went
on land againe to continue our labour to draw wood to our place
appointed, and after dinner the sun shone and it was calme wether.
The 19 of September it was calme sunshine wether, and we drew two
sleads full of wood sixe thousand paces long, [747] and that we did
twice a day.
[The 20 of September we again made two journeys with the sledges, and
it was misty and still weather.]
The 21 of September it was misty wether, but towards euening it cleared
vp, and the ice still draue in the sea, but not so strongly as it did
before, but yet it was very cold, [so that we were forced to bring our
caboose [748] below, because everything froze above.]
The 22 of September it was faire still weather, but very cold, the wind
being west.
The 23 of September we fetcht more wood to build our house, which we
did twice a day, but it grew to be misty and still weather againe, the
wind blowing east and east-north-east. That day our carpentur (being of
Purmecaet [749]) dyed as we came aboord about euening.
The 24 of September we buryed him vnder the sieges [750] in the clift
of a hill, hard by the water, [751] for we could not dig vp the earth
by reason of the great frost and cold; and that day we went twice with
our sleads to fetch wood.
The 25 of September it was darke weather, the wind blowing west and
west south-west and south-west, and the ice begā somewhat to open and
driue away; but it continued not long, for that hauing driuen about the
length of the shott of a great peece, [752] it lay three fadomes deepe
vpon the ground: and where we lay the ice draue not, for we lay in the
middle of the ice; but if we had layne in the [open or] maine sea, we
would haue hoysed sayle, although it was thē late in the yeare. The
same day we raised up the principles [753] of our house, and began to
worke hard thereon; but if the ship had bin loose we would haue left
our building and haue made our after steuen of our ship, [754] that we
might haue bin ready to saile away if it had bin possible; for that it
grieued vs much to lye there all that cold winter, which we knew would
fall out to be extreame bitter; but being bereaued of all hope, we were
compelled to make necessity a vertue, and with patience to attend what
issue God would send vs.
The 26 of September we had a west wind and an open sea, but our ship
lay fast, wherewith we were not a little greeued; but it was God’s
will, which we most [755] patiently bare, [756] and we began to make up
our house: [757] part of our men fetch’d wood to burne, the rest played
the carpenters and were busie aboute the house. As then we were
sixteene men in all, for our carpenter was dead, and of our sixteene
men there was still one or other sicke.
The 27th of September it blew hard north-east, and it frose so hard
that as we put a nayle into our mouths (as when men worke carpenters
worke they vse to doe), there would ice hang thereon when we tooke it
out againe, and made the blood follow. The same day there came an old
beare and a yong one towards vs as we were going to our house, beeing
altogether (for we durst not go alone), which we thought to shoot at,
but she ran away. At which time the ice came forcibly driuing in, and
it was faire sunshine weather, but so extreame cold that we could
hardly worke, but extremity forced vs thereunto.
The 28 of September it was faire weather and the sun shon, the wind
being west and very calme, the sea as then being open, but our ship lay
fast in the ice and stirred not. The same day there came a beare to the
ship, but when she espied vs she ran away, and we made as much hast as
we could [758] to build our house.
The 29 of September in the morning, the wind was west, and after-noone
it [again] blew east, [759] and then we saw three beares betweene vs
and the house, an old one and two yong; but we notwithstanding drew our
goods from the ship to the house, and so got before ye beares, and yet
they followed vs: neuertheless we would not shun the way for them, but
hollowed out as loud as we could, thinking that they would haue gone
away; but they would not once go out of their foote-path, but got
before vs, wherewith we and they that were at the house made a great
noise, which made the beares runne away, and we were not a little glad
thereof.
The 30 of September the wind was east and east south-east, and all that
night and the next day it snowed so fast that our men could fetch no
wood, it lay so close and high one vpon the other. Then we made a great
fire without the house, therewith to thaw the ground, that so we might
lay it about the house that it might be the closer; but it was all lost
labour, for the earth was so hard and frozen so deep into the ground,
that we could not thaw it, and it would haue cost vs too much wood, and
therefore we were forced to leaue off that labour.
The first of October the winde blew stiffe north-east, and after noone
it blew north with a great storme and drift of snow, whereby we could
hardly go in [760] the winde, and a man could hardly draw his breath,
the snowe draue so hard in our faces; at which time wee could not see
two [or three] ships length from vs.
The 2 of October before noone the sun shone, and after noone it was
cloudy againe and it snew, but the weather was still, the winde being
north and then south, and we set vp our house [761] and vpon it we
placed a may-pole [762] made of frozen snowe.
The 3 of October before noone it was a calme son-shine weather, but so
cold that it was hard to be endured; and after noone it blew hard out
of the west, with so great and extreame cold, that if it had continued
we should haue beene forced to leaue our worke.
The fourth of October the winde was west, and after noone north with
great store of snow, whereby we could not worke; at that time we
brought our [bower] ankor vpon the ice to lye the faster, when we lay
[763] but an arrow shot from the [open] water, the ice was so much
driuen away.
The 5 of October it blew hard north-west, and the sea was very open
[764] and without ice as farre as we could discerne; but we lay still
frozen as we did before, and our ship lay two or three foote deepe in
the ice, and we could not perceiue otherwise but that we lay fast vpon
the ground, [765] and there [766] it was three fadome and a halfe
deepe. The same day we brake vp the lower deck of the fore-part [767]
of our ship, and with those deales [768] we couered our house, and made
it slope ouer head [769] that the water might run off; at which time it
was very cold.
The 6 of October it blew hard west [and] south-west, but towardes
euening west north-west, with a great snow [so] that we could hardly
thrust our heads out of the dore by reason of ye great cold.
The 7 of October it was indifferent good wether, but yet very cold, and
we calk’t our house, and brake the ground about it at the foote
thereof: [770] that day the winde went round about the compasse.
The 8 of October, all the night before it blew so hard and the same day
also, and snowed so fast that we should haue smothered if we had gone
out into the aire; and to speake truth, it had not beene possible for
any man to haue gone one ships length, though his life had laine
thereon; for it was not possible for vs to goe out of the house or
ship.
The 9 of October the winde still continued north, and blew and snowed
hard all that day, the wind as then blowing from the land; so that all
that day we were forced to stay in the ship, the wether was so foule.
The 10 of October the weather was somewhat fairer and the winde calmer,
and [it] blew south-west and west southwest; [771] and that time the
water flowed two foote higher then ordinary, which wee gest to proceede
from the strong [772] north wind which as then had blowne. The same day
the wether began to be somewhat better, so that we began to go out of
our ship againe; and as one of our men went out, he chaunced to meete a
beare, and was almost at him before he knew it, but presently he ranne
backe againe towards the ship and the beare after him: but the beare
comming to the place where before that we killed another beare and set
her vpright and there let her freeze, which after was couered ouer with
ice [773] and yet one of her pawes reached aboue it, shee stood still,
whereby our man got before her and clome [774] vp into the ship in
great feare, crying, a beare, a beare; which we hearing came aboue
hatches [775] to looke on her and to shoote at her, but we could not
see her by meanes of the exceeding great smoake that had so sore
termented vs while we lay vnder hatches in the foule wether, which we
would not haue indured for any money; but by reason of the cold and
snowy wether we were constrained to do it if we would saue our liues,
for aloft in the ship [776] we must vndoubtedly haue dyed. The beare
staied not long there, but run away, the wind then being north-east.
The same day about euening it was faire wether, and we went out of our
ship to the house, and carryed the greatest part of our bread thither.
The 11 of October it was calme wether, the wind being south and
somewhat warme, and then we carryed our wine and other victuals on
land; and as we were hoysing the wine ouer-boord, there came a beare
towards our ship that had laine behinde a peece of ice, and it seemed
that we had waked her with the noise we made; for we had seene her lye
there, but we thought her to be a peece of ice; but as she came neere
vs we shot at her, and shee ran away, so we proceeded in our worke.
The 12 of October it blew north and [at times] somewhat westerly, and
then halfe of our men [went and] slept [777] in the house, and that was
the first time that we lay in it; but we indured great cold because our
cabins were not made, and besides that we had not clothes inough, and
we could keepe no fire because our chimney was not made, whereby it
smoaked exceedingly.
The 13 of October the wind was north and north-west, and it began
againe to blow hard, and then three of vs went a boord the ship and
laded a slead with beere; but when we had laden it, thinking to go to
our house with it, sodainly there rose such a wind and so great a
storme and cold, that we were forced to go into the ship againe,
because we were not able to stay without; and we could not get the
beere into the ship againe, but were forced to let it stand without
vpon the sleade. Being in the ship, we indured extreame cold because we
had but a few clothes in it.
The 14 of October, as we came out of the ship, we found the barrell of
beere standing [in the open air] vpon the sleade, but it was fast
frozen at the heads, [778] yet by reason of the great cold the beere
that purged out [779] frose as hard vpon the side [780] of the barrel
as if it had bin glewed thereon, and in that sort we drew it to our
house and set the barrel an end, and dranke it first vp; but we were
forced to melt the beere, for there was scant [781] any vnfrozen beere
in the barrell, but in that thicke yeast that was vnfrozen lay the
strength of the beere, [782] so that it was too strong to drinke alone,
and that which was frozen tasted like water; and being melted we mixt
one with the other, and so dranke it, but it had neither strength nor
tast.
The 15 of October the wind blew north and [also] east and east
south-east [and it was still weather]. That day we made place to set vp
our dore, and shouled [783] the snowe away.
The 16 of October the wind blew south-east and south, [784] with faire
calme weather. The same night there had bin a beare in our ship, but in
the morning she went out againe when she saw our men. At the same time
we brake vp another peece of our ship, [785] to vse the deales about
the protall, [786] which as then we began to make.
The 17 of October the wind was south and south-east, calme weather, but
very cold; and that day we were busied about our portaile.
The 18 of October the wind blew hard east [and] south-east, and then we
fetched our bread out of the scute which we had drawne vp vpon the
land, and the wine also, which as then was not much frozen, and yet it
had layne sixe weeks therein, and notwithstanding that it had often
times frozen very hard. The same day we saw an other beare, and then
the sea was so couered ouer with ice that we could see no open water.
The 19 of October ye wind blew north-east, and then there was but two
men and a boy in the ship, at which time there came a beare that sought
forcibly to get into the ship, although the two men shot at her with
peeces of wood, [787] and yet she ventured vpon them, [788] whereby
they were in an extreame feare; [and] each of them seeking to saue them
selues, the two men leapt into the balust, [789] and the boy clomed
into the foot mast top [790] to saue their liues; meane time some of
our men shot at her with a musket, and then shee ran away.
The 20 of October it was calme sunshine weather, and then againe we saw
the sea open, [791] at which time we went on bord to fetch the rest of
our beere out of the ship, where we found some of the barrels frozen in
peeces, and the iron heapes [792] that were vpon the josam barrels
[793] were also frozen in peeces.
The 21 of October it was calme sunshine wether, and then we had almost
fetched all our victuals out of the ship [to the house].
The 22 of October the wind blew coldly and very stiff north-east, with
so great a snow that we could not get out of our dores.
The 23 of October it was calme weather, and the wind blew north-east.
Then we went aboord our ship to see if the rest of our men would come
home to the house; but wee feared yt it would blow hard againe, and
therefore durst not stirre with the sicke man, but let him ly still
that day, for he was very weake.
The 24 of October the rest of our men, being 8 persons, came to the
house, and drew the sicke man vpon a slead, and then with great labour
and paine vve drew our boate [794] home to our house, and turned the
bottome thereof vpwards, that when time serued vs (if God saued our
liues in the winter time) wee might vse it. And after that perceiuing
that the ship lay fast and that there was nothing lesse to be expected
then the opening of the water, we put our [kedge-]anchor into the ship
againe, because it should not be couered ouer and lost in the snow,
that in the spring time [795] we might vse it: for we alwaies trusted
in God that hee would deliuer vs from thence towards sommer time either
one way or other.
Things standing at this point with vs, as the sunne (when wee might see
it best and highest) began to be very low, [796] we vsed all the speede
we could to fetch all things with sleades out of our ship into our
house, not onely meate and drinke but all other necessaries; at which
time the winde was north.
The 26 of October we fetcht all things that were necessary for the
furnishing of our scute and our boate: [797] and when we had laden the
last slead, and stood [in the track-ropes] ready to draw it to the
house, our maister looked about him and saw three beares behind the
ship that were comming towards vs, whereupon he cryed out aloud to
feare [798] them away, and we presently leaped forth [from the
track-ropes] to defend our selues as well as we could. And as good
fortune was, there lay two halberds vpon the slead, whereof the master
tooke one and I the other, and made resistance against them as well as
we could; but the rest of our men ran to saue themselues in the ship,
and as they ran one of them fell into a clift of ice, [799] which
greeued vs much, for we thought verily that the beares would haue ran
vnto him to deuoure him; but God defended him, for the beares still
made towards the ship after the men yt ran thither to saue themselues.
Meane time we and the man that fel into the clift of ice tooke our
aduantage, and got into the ship on the other side; which the beares
perceiuing, they came fiercely towards vs, that had no other armes to
defend vs withall but onely the two halberds, which wee doubting would
not be sufficient, wee still gaue them worke to do by throwing billets
[of fire-wood] and other things at them, and euery time we threw they
ran after them, as a dogge vseth to doe at a stone that is cast at him.
Meane time we sent a man down vnder hatches [800] [into the caboose] to
strike fire, and another to fetch pikes; but wee could get no fire, and
so we had no meanes to shoote. [801] At the last, as the beares came
fiercely vpon vs, we stroke one of them with a halberd vpon the snoute,
wherewith she gaue back when shee felt her selfe hurt, and went away,
which the other two yt were not so great as she perceiuing, ran away;
and we thanked God that wee were so well deliuered from them, and so
drew our slead quietly to our house, and there shewed our men what had
happened vnto vs.
The 26 of October the wind was north and north north-west, with
indifferent faire wether. Then we saw [much] open water hard by the
land, but we perceiued the ice to driue in the sea still towards the
ship. [802]
The 27 of October the wind blew north-east, and it snowed so fast that
we could not worke without the doore. That day our men kil’d a white
fox, which they flead, and after they had rosted it ate thereof, which
tasted like connies [803] flesh. The same day we set vp our diall and
made the clock strike, [804] and we hung vp a lamp to burne in the
night time, wherein we vsed the fat of the beare, which we molt [805]
and burnt in the lampe.
The 28 of October wee had the wind north-east, and then our men went
out to fetch wood; but there fell so stormy wether and so great a snow,
that they were forced to come home againe. About euening the wether
began to breake vp, [806] at which time three of our men went to the
place where we had set the beare vpright and there stood frozen,
thinking to pull out her teeth, but it was cleane couered ouer with
snow. And while they were there it began to snow so fast againe [with
rough weather], that they were glad to come home as fast as they could;
but the snow beat so sore vpon them that they could hardly see their
way [807] and had almost lost their right way, whereby they had like to
haue laine all that night out of the house [in the cold].
The 29 of October the wind still blew north-east, and then we fetch’d
segges [808] from the sea side and laid them vpon the saile that was
spread vpon our house, that it might be so much the closer and warmer:
for the deales were not driuen close together, and the foule wether
would not permit vs to do it.
The 30 of October the wind yet continued north-east, and the sunne was
full aboue the earth a little aboue the horizon. [809]
The 31 of October the wind still blew north-east wt great store of
snow, whereby we durst not looke out of doores. [810]
The first of Nouember the wind still continued north-east, and then we
saw the moone rise in the east when it began to be darke, and the sunne
was no higher aboue the horizon than wee could well see it, and yet
that day we saw it not, because of the close [811] wether and the great
snow that fell; and it was extreame cold, so that we could not go out
of the house.
The 2 of November [812] the wind blew west and somewhat south, but in
the euening it blew north with calme wether; and that day we saw the
sunne rise south south-east, and it went downe [about] south
south-west, but it was not full aboue the earth, [813] but passed in
the horizon along by the earth. And the same day one of our men killed
a fox with a hatchet, which was flead, rosted, and eaten. Before the
sunne began to decline wee saw no foxes, and then the beares vsed to go
from vs. [814]
The 3 of Nouember the wind blew north-west wt calme wether, and the
sunne rose south and by east and somewhat more southerly, and went
downe south and by west and somewhat more southerly; and then we could
see nothing but the upper part [815] of the sun above the horizon, and
yet the land where we were was as high as the mast [816] of our ship.
[817] Then we tooke the height of the sunne, [818] it being in the
eleuenth degree and 41 minutes of [819] Scorpio, [820] his declination
being 15 degrees and 24 minutes on the south side of the equinoctiall
line.
The 4 of Nouember it was calme wether, but then we saw the sunne no
more, for it was no longer aboue the horizon. Then our chirurgien [821]
[prescribed and] made a bath, to bathe [822] vs in, of a wine pipe,
wherein we entred one after the other, and it did vs much good and was
a great meanes of our health. The same day we tooke a white fox, that
often times came abroad, not as they vsed at other times; for that when
the beares left vs at the setting of the sunne, [823] and came not
againe before it rose, [824] the fox[es] to the contrary came abroad
when they were gone.
The 5 of Nouember the wind was north and somewhat west, and then we saw
[much] open water vpon the sea, but our ship lay still fast in the ice;
and when the sunne had left vs we saw ye moone continually both day and
night, and [it] neuer went downe when it was in the highest degree.
[825]
The 6 of Nouember the wind was north-west, still wether, and then our
men fetcht a slead full of fire-wood, but by reason that the son was
not seene it was very dark wether.
The 7 of Nouember it was darke wether and very still, the wind west; at
which time we could hardly discerne the day from the night, specially
because at that time our clock stood still, and by that meanes we knew
not when it was day although it was day: [826] and our men rose not out
of their cabens all that day [827] but onely to make water, and
therefore they knew not [very well] whether the light they saw was the
light of the day or of the moone, wherevpon they were of seueral
opinions, some saying it was the light of the day, the others of the
night; but as we tooke good regard therevnto, we found it to be the
light of the day, about twelue of the clock at noone. [828]
The 8 of Nouember it was still wether, the wind blowing south and
south-west. The same day our men fetcht another slead of firewood, and
then also we tooke a white fox, and saw [much] open water in the sea.
The same day we shared our bread amongst vs, each man hauing foure
pound and ten ounces [829] for his allowance in eight daies; so that
then we were eight daies eating a barrell of bread, whereas before we
ate it vp in fiue or sixe daies. [As yet] we had no need to share our
flesh and fish, for we had more store thereof; but our drinke failed
vs, and therefore we were forced to share that also: but our best beere
was for the most part wholly without any strength, [830] so that it had
no sauour at all, and besides all this there was a great deale of it
spilt.
The 9 of Nouember the wind blew north-east and somewhat more northerly,
and then we had not much day-light, but it was altogether darke.
The 10 of Nouember it was calme wether, the wind north-west; and then
our men went into the ship to see how it lay, and wee saw that there
was a great deale of water in it, so that the balast was couered ouer
with water, but it was frozen, and so might not be pump’t out.
The 11 of Nouember it was indifferent wether, the wind north-west. The
same day we made a round thing [831] of cable yearn and [knitted] like
to a net, [and set it] to catch foxes withall, that we might get them
into the house, and it was made like a trap, which fell vpon the foxes
as they came vnder it; [832] and that day we caught one.
The 12 of Nouember the wind blew east, with a little [833] light. That
day we began to share our wine, euery man had two glasses [834] a day,
but commonly our drink was water which we molt [835] out of snow which
we gathered without the house.
The 13 of Nouember it was foule wether, with great snow, the wind east.
The 14 of Nouember it was faire cleare wether, with a cleare sky full
of starres and an east-wind.
The 15 of November it was darke wether, the wind north-east, with a
vading light. [836]
The 16 of Nouember it was [still] wether, with a temperate aire [837]
and an east-wind.
The 17 of Nouember it was darke wether and a close aire, [838] the wind
east.
The 18 of Nouember it was foule wether, the wind south-east. Then the
maister cut vp a packe of course [woollen] clothes, [839] and divided
it amongst the men that needed it, therewith to defend vs better from
the cold.
The 19 of Nouember it was foule wether, with an east wind; and then the
chest with linnin was opened and deuided amongst the men for shift,
[840] for they had need of them, for then our onely care was to find
all the means we could to defend our body from the cold.
The 20 of Nouember it was faire stil weather, the wind easterly. Then
we washt our sheets, [841] but it was so cold that when we had washt
and wroong [842] them, they presently froze so stiffe [out of the warm
water], that, although we lay’d them by a great fire, the side that lay
next the fire thawed, but the other side was hard frozen; so that we
should sooner haue torne them in sunder [843] than haue opened them,
whereby we were forced to put them into the seething [844] water again
to thaw them, it was so exceeding cold.
The 21 of Nouember it was indifferent [845] wether with a north-east
wind. Then wee agreed that euery man should take his turne to cleaue
wood, thereby to ease our cooke, that had more than work inough to doe
twice a day to dresse meat and to melt snowe for our drinke; but our
master and the pilot [846] were exempted from yt work.
The 22 of Nouember the wind was south-est, [and] it was faire wether,
then we had but [847] seuenteene cheeses, [848] whereof one we ate
amonst vs and the rest were deuided to euery man one for his portion,
which they might eate when he list.
The 23 of Nouember it was indifferent good weather, the wind
south-east, and as we perceiued that the fox[es] vsed to come oftener
and more than they were woont, to take them the better we made certaine
traps of thicke plancks, wheron we laid stones, and round about them
placed peeces of shards [849] fast in the ground, that they might not
dig vnder them; and so [we occasionally] got some of the foxes.
The 24 of Nouember it was foule wether, and the winde north-west, [850]
and then we [again] prepared our selues to go into the bath, for some
of vs were not very well at ease; and so foure of vs went into it, and
when we came out our surgion [851] gave us a purgation, which did vs
much good; and that day we took foure foxes.
The 25 of Nouember it was faire cleare wether, the winde west; and that
day we tooke two foxes with a springe that we had purposely set vp.
The 26 of Nouember it was foule weather, and a great storme with a
south-west wind and great store of snowe, whereby we were so closed vp
in the house that we could not goe out, but were forced to ease
ourselues within the house.
The 27 of Nouember it was faire cleare weather, the wind south-west;
and then we made more springes to get foxs; for it stood vs vpon to doe
it, [852] because they served vs for meat, as if God had sent them
purposely for vs, for wee had not much meate.
The 28 of Nouember it was foule stormie weather, and the wind blew hard
out of the north, and it snew hard, whereby we were shut vp againe in
our house, the snow lay so closed before the doores. [853]
The 29 of Nouember it was faire cleare wether and a good aire, [854] ye
wind northerly; and we found meanes to open our doore by shoueling away
the snowe, whereby we got one of our dores open; and going out we found
al our traps and springes cleane [855] couered ouer with snow, which we
made cleane, and set them vp again to take foxes; and that day we tooke
one, which as then serued vs not onely for meat, but of the skins we
made caps to were [856] vpon our heads, therewith to keep them warm
from the extreame cold.
The 30 of Nouember it was faire cleare weather, the wind west, and
[when the watchers [857] were about south-west, which according to our
calculation was about midday,] sixe of vs went to the ship, all wel
prouided of arms, to see how it lay; and when we went vnder the fore
decke, [858] we tooke a foxe aliue in the ship.
The 1 of December it was foule weather, with a south-west wind and
great stoare of snow, whereby we were once againe stopt vp in the
house, and by that meanes there was so great a smoke in the house that
we could hardly make fire, and so were forced to lye all day in our
cabens, but the cooke was forced to make fire to dresse our meat.
The 2 of December it was still foule weather, whereby we were forced to
keep stil in the house, and yet we could hardly sit by the fire because
of the smoake, and therefore stayed still [for the most part] in our
cabens; and then we heated stones, which we put into our cabens to warm
our feet, for that both the cold and the smoke were vnsupportable.
The 3 of December we had the like weather, at which times as we lay in
our cabans we might heare the ice crack in the sea, and yet it was at
the least halfe a mile [two miles] from vs, which made a hugh noyse [of
bursting and cracking], and we were of oppinion that as then the great
hils of ice [859] which wee had seene in the sea in summer time [lying
so many fathoms thick] brake one from the other. [860] And for that
during those 2 or 3 days, because of the extream smoake, we made not so
much fire as we commonly vsed to doe, it froze so sore within the house
that the wals and the roofe thereof were frozen two fingers thicke with
ice, and also in our cabans [861] where we lay. All those three daies,
while we could not go out by reason of the foule weather, we set vp the
[sand-]glas of 12 houres, and when it was run out we set it vp againe,
stil watching it lest we should misse our time. For the cold was so
great that our clock was frozen, and might [862] not goe although we
hung more waight on it then before.
The 4 of December it was faire cleare weather, the wind north, [863]
and then we began euery man by turne to dig open our dores that were
closed vp with snow; for we saw that it would be often to doe, and
therefore we agreed to work by turns, no man excepted but the maister
and the pilot.
The 5 of December it was faire weather with an east wind, and then we
made our springes [864] cleane againe to take foxes.
The 6 of December it was foule weather againe, with an easterly wind
and extreame cold, almost not to be indured; whereupon wee lookt
pittifully one vpon the other, being in great feare, that if the
extremity of ye cold grew to be more and more we should all die there
with cold, for that what fire soeuer we made it would not warme vs:
yea, and our sack, [865] which is so hotte, [866] was frozen very hard,
so that when [at noon] we were euery man to haue his part, we were
forced to melt it in [867] the fire, which we shared euery second day
about halfe a pint for a man, wherewith we were forced to sustain our
selues, and at other times we drank water, which agreed not well with
the cold, and we needed not to coole it with snowe or ice, [868] but we
were forced to melt it out of the snow.
The 7 of December it was still foule weather, and we had a great storme
with a north-east wind, [869] which brought an extreme cold with it; at
which time we knew not what to do, and while we sate consulting
together what were best for vs to do, one of our companions gaue vs
counsell to burne some of the sea-coles [870] that we had brought out
of the ship, which would cast a great heat and continue long; and so at
euening we made a great fire thereof, which cast a great heat. At which
time we were very careful to keepe it in, [871] for that the heat being
so great a comfort vnto vs, we tooke care how to make it continue long;
whereupon we agreed to stop vp all the doores and the chimney, thereby
to keepe in the heate, and so went into our cabans [872] to sleepe,
well comforted with the heat, and so lay a great while talking
together; but at last we were taken with a great swounding and daseling
in our heads, [873] yet some more then other some, which we first
perceiued by a sick man and therefore the lesse able to beare it, and
found our selues to be very ill at ease, so that some of vs that were
strongest start [874] out of their cabans, and first opened the chimney
and then the doores, but he that opened the doore fell downe in a
swound [875] [with much groaning] vppon the snow; which I hearing, as
lying in my caban [876] next to the doore, start vp [877] [and there
saw him lying in a swoon], and casting vinegar in his face [878]
recouered him againe, and so he rose vp. And when the doores were open,
we all recouered our healthes againe by reason of the cold aire; and so
the cold, which before had beene so great an enemy vnto vs, was then
the onely reliefe that we had, otherwise without doubt we had [all]
died in a sodaine swound. [879] After yt, the master, when we were come
to our selues againe, gaue euery one of vs a little wine to comfort our
hearts.
The 8 of December it was foule weather, the wind northerly, very sharpe
and cold, but we durst lay no more coles on as we did the day before,
for that our misfortune had taught vs that to shun one danger we should
not run into an other [still greater].
The 9 of December it was faire cleare weather, the skie full of
starres; then we set our doore wide open, which before was fast closed
vp with snowe, and made our springes ready to take foxes.
The 10 of December it was still faire star-light weather, the wind
north-west. [880] Then we tooke two foxes, which were good meate for
vs, for as then our victuals began to be scant and the cold still
increased, whereunto their skins serued vs for a good defence.
The 11 of December it was faire weather and a clear aire, [881] but
very cold, which he that felt not would not beleeue, for our shoos
[882] froze as hard as hornes vpon our feet, and within they were white
frozen, so that we could not weare our shooes, but were forced to make
great pattens, [883] ye vpper part being ship [884] skins, which we put
on ouer three or foure paire of socks, and so went in them to keepe our
feet warme.
The 12 of December it was faire cleare weather, with [a bright sky and]
a north-west wind, but extreame cold, so that our house walles and
cabans where [885] frozen a finger thicke, yea and the clothes vpon our
backs were white ouer with frost [and icicles]; and although some of vs
were of opinion that we should lay more coles vpon the fire to warme
vs, and that we should let the chimney stand open, yet we durst not do
it, fearing the like danger we had escaped.
The 13 of December it was faire cleare wether, with an east wind. Then
we tooke another foxe, and took great paines about preparing and
dressing of our springes, with no small trouble, for that if we staied
too long without the doores, there arose blisters [886] vpon our faces
and our eares.