full of starres. Then we tooke the height of ye right shoulder of the
Reus, [887] when it was south south-west and somewhat more westerly
(and then it was at the highest in our [common] compas), and it was
eleuated aboue the horison twenty degrees and eighteen [888] minutes,
his declination being six degrees and eighteene minuts on the north
side of the lyne, which declination being taken out of the height
aforesaid there rested fourteen degrees, which being taken out of 90
degrees, then the height of ye Pole was seuenty sixe degrees.
The 15 of December it was still faire [bright] weather, the wind east.
That day we tooke two foxes, and saw the moone rise east south-east,
when it was twenty-sixe daies old; [and it was] in the signe of
Scorpio.
The 16 of December it was faire cleare weather, the wind [north] east.
At that time we had no more wood in the house, but had burnt it all;
but round about our house there lay some couered ouer with snow, which
with great paine and labour we were forced to digge out and so shouell
away the snow, and so brought it into the house, which we did by turns,
two and two together, wherein we were forced to vse great speede, for
we could not long endure without the house, because of the extreame
cold, [889] although we ware [890] the foxes skinnes about our heads
and double apparell vpon our backs.
The 17 of December the wind still held north-east, with faire weather,
and so great frosts that we were of opinion that if there stood a
barrel full of water [891] without the doore, it would in one night
freeze from the top to the bottome.
The 18 of December the wind still held north-east, with faire wether.
Then seuen of vs went out vnto the ship to see how it lay; and being
vnder the decke, thinking to find a foxe there, we sought all the
holes, [892] but we found none: but when we entered into the caben,
[893] and had stricken fire to see in what case the ship was and
whether the water rose higher in it, there wee found a fox, which we
tooke and carried it home, and ate it, and then we found that in
eighteene dayes absence (for it was so long since we had beene there)
the water was risen about a finger high, but yet it was all ice, for it
froze as fast as it came in, and the vessels which we had brought with
vs full of fresh water out of Holland were frozen to the ground. [894]
The 19 of December it was faire wether, the wind being south. Then we
put each other in good comfort that the sun was then almost half ouer
and ready to come to vs againe, which we sore longed for, it being a
weary time for vs to be without the sunne, and to want the greatest
comfort that God sendeth vnto man here vpon the earth, and that which
reioiceth euery liuing thing.
The 20 of Dece[mber] before noone it was faire cleare wether, and then
we had taken a fox; but towards euening there rose such a [violent]
storm [and tempest] in the south-west, with so great a snow, that all
the house was inclosed therewith.
The 21 of December it was faire cleere wether, with a north-east wind.
Then we made our doore cleane againe and made a way to go out, and
clensed our traps for the foxes, which did vs great pleasure when we
tooke them, for they seemed as dainty as uenison unto vs.
The 22 of December it was foule wether with great store of snow, the
wind south-west, which stopt up our doore againe, and we were forced to
dig it open againe, which was almost euery day to do.
The 23 of December it was foule wether, the wind south-west with great
store of snow, but we were in good comfort that the sunne would come
againe to vs, for (as we gest [895]) that day he was in Tropicus
Capricorni, which is the furthest signe [896] that the sunne passeth on
the south side of the line, and from thence it turneth north-ward
againe. This Tropicus Capricorni lyeth on the south side of the
equinoctial line, in twenty-three degrees and twenty-eight [897]
minutes.
The 24 of December, being Christmas-euen, it was faire wether. Then we
opened our doore againe and saw much open water in the sea: for we had
heard the ice crack and driue, [and] although it was not day, [898] yet
we could see so farre. Towards euening it blew hard out of the
north-east, with great store of snow, so that all the passage that wee
had made open before was [immediately] stopt vp againe.
The 25 of December, being Christmas day, it was foule wether with a
north-west wind; and yet, though it was [very] foule wether, we hard
[899] the foxes run ouer our house, wherewith some of our men said it
was an ill signe; and while we sate disputing why it should be an ill
signe, some of our men made answere that it was an ill signe because we
could not take them, to put them into the pot to rost them, [900] for
that had been a very good signe for vs.
The 26 of December it was foule wether, the wind north-west, and it was
so [extraordinarily] cold that we could not warme vs, although we vsed
all the meanes we could, with greate fires, good store of clothes, and
with hot stones and billets [901] laid vpon our feete and vpon our
bodies as we lay in our cabens; [902] but notwithstanding all this, in
the morning our cabens were frozen [white], which made vs behold one
the other with sad countenance. But yet we comforted our selues againe
as well as we could, that the sunne was then as low as it could goe,
and that it now began to come to vs againe, [903] and we found it to be
true; for that the daies beginning to lengthen the cold began to
strengthen, but hope put vs in good comfort and eased our paine. [904]
The 27 of December it was still foule wether with a north-west wind, so
that as then we had not beene out in three daies together, nor durst
not thrust our heads out of doores; and within the house it was so
extreme cold, that as we sate [close] before a great fire, and seemed
to burne [905] [our shins] on the fore side, we froze behinde at our
backs, and were al white, as the country men [906] vse to be when they
come in at the gates of the towne in Holland with their sleads, [907]
and haue gone [908] all night.
The 28 of December it was still foule wether, with a west wind, but
about euening it began to cleare vp. At which time one of our men made
a hole open at one of our doores, and went [909] out to see what news
abroad, [910] but found it so hard wether that he stayed not long, and
told vs that it had snowed so much that the snow lay higher than our
house, and that if he had stayed out longer his eares would undoubtedly
haue been frozen off.
The 29 of December it was calme wether and a pleasant aire, [911] the
wind being southward. That day he whose turne it was opened the doore
and dig’d a hole through the snow, where wee went out of the house vpon
steps as if it had bin out of a seller, [912] at least seuen or eight
steps high, each step a foote from the other. And then we made cleane
our springes [or traps] for the foxes, whereof for certain [913] daies
we had not taken any; and as we made them cleane, one of our men found
a dead fox in one of them that was frozen as hard as a stone, which he
brought into the house and thawed it before the fire, and after fleaing
it some of our men ate it.
The 30 of December it was foule wether againe, with a storme out of the
west and great store of snow, so that all the labour and paine that we
had taken the day before, to make steps to go out of our house and to
clense our springes, [914] was al in vaine; for it was al couered over
wt snow againe higher then it was before.
The 31 of December it was still foule wether with a storme out of the
north-west, whereby we were so fast shut vp into the house as if we had
beene prisoners, and it was so extreame cold that the fire almost cast
no heate; for as we put our feete to the fire, we burnt our hose [915]
before we could feele the heate, so that we had [constantly] work
inough to do to patch our hose. And, which is more, if we had not
sooner smelt then felt them, we should haue burnt them [quite away] ere
we had knowne it.
[Anno 1597]
After that, with great cold, danger, and disease, [916] we had brought
the [917] yeare vnto an end, we entered into ye yeare of our Lord God
1597, ye beginning whereof was in ye same maner as ye end of anno 1596
had been; for the wether continued as cold, foule, [boisterous], and
snowy as it was before, so that vpon the first of January we were
inclosed in the house, ye wind then being west. At the same time we
agreed [918] to share our wine euery man a small measure full, and that
but once in two daies. And as we were in great care and feare that it
would [still] be long before we should get out from thence, and we
[sometimes] hauing but smal hope therein, some of vs spared to drink
wine as long as wee could, that if we should stay long there we might
drinke it at our neede.
The 2 of January it blew hard, with a west wind and a great storme,
with both snow and frost, so that in four or five daies we durst not
put our heads out of ye doores; and as then by reason of the great cold
we had almost burnt all our wood [that was in the house],
notwithstanding we durst not goe out to fetch more wood, because it
froze so hard and there was no being without the doore; but seeking
about we found some [superfluous] pieces of wood that lay ouer the
doore, which we [broke off and] cloue, and withall cloue the blocks
[919] whereon we vsed to beate our stock-fish, [920] and so holp our
selues so well as we could.
The 3 of January it was all one weather [constantly boisterous, with
snow and a north-west wind, and so exceedingly cold that we were forced
to remain close shut up in the house], and we had little wood to burne.
The 4 of January it was still foule stormie weather, with much snow and
great cold, the wind south-west, and we were forced to keepe
[constantly shut up] in the house. And to know where the wind blew, we
thrust a halfe pike out at ye chimney wt a little cloth or fether upon
it; but [we had to look at it immediately the wind caught it, for] as
soone as we thrust it out it was presently frozen as hard as a peece of
wood, and could not go about nor stirre with the wind [so that we said
to one another how tremendously cold it must be out of doors].
The 5 of January it was somewhat still and calme weather. [921] Then we
digd our doore open againe, that we might goe out and carry out all the
filth that had bin made during the time of our being shut in the house,
and made euery thing handsome, and fetched in wood, which we cleft; and
it was all our dayes worke to further our selues as much as we could,
fearing lest we should be shut up againe. And as there were three
doores in our portall, and for yt our house lay couered ouer in snow,
we took ye middle doore thereof away, and digged a great hole in the
snow that laie without the house, like to a side of a vault, [922]
wherein we might go to ease our selues and cast other filth into it.
And when we had taken paines [923] al day, we remembered our selues
that it was Twelf Even, [924] and then we prayed our maister [925] that
[in the midst of all our troubles] we might be merry that night, and
said that we were content to spend some of the wine that night which we
had spared and which was our share euery second day, and whereof for
certaine daies we had not drunke; and so that night we made merry and
drunke to the three kings. [926] And therewith we had two pound of
meale [which we had taken to make paste for the cartridges], whereof we
[now] made pancakes with oyle, and [we laid to] euery man a white
bisket [927] which we sopt in [the] wine. And so supposing that we were
[928] in our owne country and amongst our frends, it comforted vs as
well as if we had made a great banket [929] in our owne house. And we
also made [930] tickets, and our gunner was king of Noua Zembla, which
is at least two hundred [800] miles long [931] and lyeth betweene two
seas. [932]
The 6 of January it was faire weather, the wind north-east. Then we
went out and clensed our traps [and springes] to take foxes, which were
our uenison; and we digd a great hole in the snow where our fire-wood
lay, and left it close aboue like a vault [of a cellar], and from
thence fetcht out our wood as we needed it.
The 7 of January it was foule weather againe, with a north-west wind
and some snow, and very cold, which put vs in great feare to be shut up
in the house againe.
The 8 of January it was faire weather againe, the wind north. Then we
made our [traps and] springes ready to get more uenison, which we
longed for. And then we might [sometimes begin to] see and marke
day-light, which then began to increase, that the sunne as then began
to come towards vs againe, which thought put vs in no litle comfort.
The 9 of January it was foule wether, with a north-west wind, but not
so hard wether as it had bin before, so yt we might [933] go out of the
doore to make cleane our springes; but it was no need to bid vs go home
againe, for the cold taught vs by experience not to stay long out, for
it was not so warm to get any good by staying in the aire. [934]
The 10 of January it was faire weather, with a north wind. Then seuen
of vs went to our ship, well armed, which we found in the same state we
left it in, and [in] it we saw many footsteps of beares, both great and
small, whereby it seemed that there had bin more than one or two beares
therein. And as we went under hatches, we strooke fire and lighted a
candle, and found that the water was rysen a foote higher in the ship.
The 11 of January it was faire weather, the wind north-west [935] and
the cold began to be somewhat lesse, so that as then we were bold to
goe [now and then] out of the doores, and went about a quarter of a
mile [one mile] to a hill, from whence we fetched certaine stones,
which we layd in the fire, therewith to warme vs in our cabans.
The 12 of January it was faire cleare weather, the wind west. [936]
That euening it was very cleare, and the skie full of stars. Then we
tooke the height of Occulus Tauri, [937] which is a bright and well
knowne star, and we found it to be eleuated aboue ye horison twenty
nine degrees and fifty foure minutes, her declination being fifteene
degrees fifty foure minutes on the north side of the lyne. This
declination being substracted from the height aforesaid, then there
rested fourteene degrees; which substracted from ninety degrees, then
the height of the pole was seuenty sixe degrees. And so by measuring
the height of that starre and some others, we gest that ye sun was in
the like height, [938] and that we were there vnder seuenty sixe
degrees, and rather higher than lower.
The 13 of January it was faire still weather, the wind westerlie; and
then we perceaued that daylight began more and more to increase, and
wee went out and cast bullets at the bale of ye flag staffe, which
before we could not see when it turnd about. [939]
The 14 of January it was faire weather and a cleare light, [940] the
wind westerlie; and that day we tooke a fox. [941]
The 15 of January it was faire cleare weather, with a west wind; and
six of vs went aboord the ship, where we found the bolck-vanger, [942]
which the last time that we were in the ship we stucke in a hole in the
fore decke [943] to take foxes, puld out of the hole, and lay in the
middle of the ship, and al torne in peeces by the bears, as we
perceiued by their foote-steps.
The 16 of January it was faire weather, the wind northerly; and then we
went now and then out of the house to strech out our ioynts and our
limbs with going and running, [944] that we might not become lame; and
about noone time we saw a certaine rednes in the skie, as a shew or
messenger of the sunne that began to come towards vs.
The 17 of January it was cleare weather, with a north wind, and then
still more and more we perceiued that the sun began to come neerer vnto
vs; for the day was somewhat warmer, so that when wee had a good fire
there fell great peeces of ice downe from the walles [and roof] of our
house, and the ice melted in our cabens and the water dropt downe,
which was not so before how great soeuer our fire was; but that night
it was colde againe. [945]
The 18 of January it was faire cleare weather with a south-east wind.
Then our wood began to consume, [946] and so we agreed to burne some of
our sea-coles, and not to stop up the chimney, and then wee should not
neede to feare any hurt, [947] which wee did, and found no disease
thereby; but we thought it better for vs to keepe the coles and to
burne our wood more sparingly, for that the coles would serue vs better
when we should saile home in our open scute. [948]
The 19 of January it was faire weather, with a north wind. And then our
bread began to diminish, for that some of our barels were not full
waight, and so the diuision was lesse, and we were forced to mak our
allowance bigger with that which we had spared before. And then some of
vs went abord the ship, wherein there was halfe a barrell of bread,
which we thought to spare till the last, and there [quite] secretly
each of them tooke a bisket or two out of it.
The 20 of January the ayre was cleare, [949] and the wind south-west.
That day we staied in the house and cloue wood to burne, and brake some
of our emptie barrels, and cast the iron hoopes vpon the top of the
house.
The 21 of January it was faire [clear] weather, with a west wind. At
that time taking of foxes began to faile vs, which was a signe that the
beares would soone come againe, as not long after we found it to be
true; for as long as the beares stay[ed] away the foxes came abroad,
and not much before the beares came abroad the foxes were but little
seene.
The 22 of January it was faire wether with a west wind. Then we went
out againe to cast the bullet, [950] and perceiued that day light began
to appeare, whereby some of vs said that the sun would soon appeare
vnto vs, but William Barents to the contrary said that it was yet [more
than] two weeks too soone.
The 23 of January it was faire calme weather, with a south-west wind.
Then foure of vs went to the ship and comforted each other, giuing God
thankes that the hardest time of the winter was past, being in good
hope that we should liue to talke of those things at home in our owne
country; and when we were in the ship we found that the water rose
higher and higher in it, and so each of us taking a bisket or two with
us, we went home againe.
The 24 of January it was faire cleare weather, with a west wind. Then I
and Jacob Hermskercke, and another with vs, went to the sea-side on the
south side of Noua Zembla, where, contrary to our expectation, I [the]
first [of all] [951] saw the edge of the sun; [952] wherewith we went
speedily home againe, to tell William Barents and the rest of our
companions that joyfull newes. But William Barents, being a wise and
well experienced pilot, would not beleeve it, esteeming it to be about
fourteene daies too soone for the sunne to shin in that part of the
world; [953] but we earnestly affirmed the contrary and said we had
seene the sunne [whereupon divers wagers were laid].
The 20 and 26 of January it was misty and close [954] weather, so yt we
could not see anything. Then they that layd ye contrary wager wt vs,
thought that they had woon; but vpon the twenty seuen day it was cleare
[and bright] weather, and then [How the sun which they had lost the 4
of Nouember did appere to them again vpon the 24 of January, which was
very strange, and contrary to al learned mens opinions.] we [all] saw
the sunne in his full roundnesse aboue the horison, whereby it
manifestly appeared that we had seene it vpon the twenty foure day of
January. And as we were of diuers opinions touching the same, and that
we said it was cleane contrary to the opinions of all olde and newe
writers, yea and contrary to the nature and roundnesse both of heauen
and earth; some of vs said, that seeing in long time there had been no
day, that it might be that we had ouerslept our selues, whereof we were
better assured: [955] but concerning the thing in itselfe, seeing God
is wonderfull in all his workes, we wille referre that to his almightie
power, and leaue it vnto others to dispute of. But for that no man
shall thinke vs to be in doubt thereof, if we should let this passe
without discoursing vpon it, therefore we will make some declaration
thereof, whereby we may assure our selues that we kept good reckening.
You must vnderstand, that when we first saw the sunne, it was in the
fift degree and 25 minutes of Aquarius, [956] and it should haue
staied, according to our first gessing, [957] till it had entred into
the sixteenth degree and 27 minutes of Aquarius [958] before he should
haue shewed [959] there vnto vs in the high of 76 degrees.
Which we striuing and contending about it amongst our selues, we could
not be satisfied, but wondred thereat, and amongst vs were of oppinion
that we had mistaken our selues, which neuerthelesse we could [not] be
persuaded vnto, for that euery day without faile we noted what had
past, and also had vsed our clocke continually, and when that was
frosen we vsed our houre-glasse of 12 houres long. Whereupon we argued
with our selues in diuers wise, to know how we should finde out that
difference, and learne [960] the truth of the time; which to trie we
agreed to looke into the Ephemerides made by Josephus Schala, [961]
printed in Venice, for the yeeres of our Lord 1589 till A. 1600, and we
found therein that vpon the 24 day of January, (when the sunne first
appeared vnto vs) that at Venice, the clocke being one in the night
time, [962] the moone and Jupiter were in coniunction. [963] Whereupon
we sought to knowe when the same coniunction should be ouer or about
the house where we then were; and at last we found, yt the 24 day of
January was the same day whereon the coniunction aforesaid happened in
Venice, at one of the clocke in the night, and with vs in the morning
when ye sun was in the east: [964] for we saw manifestly that the two
planets aforesaid aproached neere vnto each other, [965] vntill such
time as the moone and Jupiter stood iust ouer the other, [966] both in
the signe of Taurus, [967] and that was at six of the clocke in the
morning; [968] at which time the moone and Jupiter were found by our
compas to be in coniunction, ouer our house, in the north and by east
point, and the south part of the compass was south-south-west, and
there we had it right south, [969] the moone being eight daies old;
whereby it appeareth that the sunne and the moone were eight points
different, [970] and this was about sixe of the clocke in the morning:
[971] this place differeth from Venice fiue houres in longitude,
whereby we maye gesse [972] how much we were nearer east [973] then the
citie of Venice, which was fiue houres, each houre being 15 degrees,
which is in all 75 degrees that we were more easterly then Venice. By
all which it is manifestly to be seene that we had not failed in our
account, and that also we had found our right longitude by the two
planets aforesaid; for the towne of Venice lieth vnder 37 degrees and
25 minutes in longitude, and her declination [974] is 46 degrees and 5
minutes; [975] whereby it followeth that our place of Noua Zembla lieth
vnder 112 degrees and 25 minutes in longitude, and the high of the Pole
76 degrees; and so you haue the right longitude and latitude. But from
the vttermost [east] point of Noua Zembla to ye point of Cape de Tabin,
[976] the vttermost point of Tartaria, where it windeth southward, the
longitude differeth 60 degrees. [977] But you must vnderstand that the
degrees are not so great as they are vnder the equinoxial line; for
right vnder the line a degree is fifteene [60] miles; but when you
leaue the line, either northward or southward, then the degrees in
longitude do lessen, so that the neerer that a man is to the north or
south Pole, so much the degrees are lesse: so that vnder the 76 degrees
northward, where wee wintered, the degrees are but 3 miles and ⅔ parts
[14⅔ miles], [978] whereby it is to be marked [979] that we had but 60
degrees to saile to the said Cape de Tabin, which is 220 [880] miles,
so [980] the said cape lieth in 172 degrees in longitude as it is
thought: and being aboue it, [981] it seemeth that we should be in the
straight of Anian, [982] where we may saile bouldlie into the south, as
the land reacheth. Now what further instructions are to be had to know
where we lost the sun [983] vnder ye said 76 degrees upon the fourth of
Nouember, and saw it again vpon the 24 of January, I leaue that to be
described [984] by such as make profession thereof: it suffiseth vs to
haue shewed that it failed vs not to appeare at the ordinary time.
[985]
The 25 of January it was darke clowdy weather, the wind westerlie, so
that the seeing of the sunne the day before was againe doubted of; and
then many wagers were laid, and we still lookt out to see if the sunne
appeared. The same day we sawe a beare (which as long as the sunne
appeared not vnto vs we sawe not) comming out of the southwest towards
our house; but when we shouted at her she came no neerer, but went away
againe.
The 26 of Janurie it was faire cleere weather, but in the horrison
there hung a white or darke cloude, [986] whereby we could not see the
sun; whereupon the rest of our companions thought that we had mistaken
our selues upon the 24 day, and that the sunne appeared not vnto vs,
and mocked vs; but we were resolute in our former affirmation that we
had seene the sunne, but not in the full roundnesse. That euening the
sicke man that was amongst vs was very weake, and felt himselfe to be
extreame sick, for he had laine long time, [987] and we comforted him
as well as we might, and gaue him the best admonition yt we could,
[988] but he died not long after midnight.
The 27 of Januarie it was faire cleere weather, with a south-west
winde: then in the morning we digd a hole in the snowe, hard by the
house, but it was still so extreame cold that we could not stay long at
worke, and so we digd by turnes euery man a litle while, and then went
to the fire, and an other went and supplyed his place, till at last we
digd seauen foote depth, where we went to burie the dead man; after
that, when we had read certaine chapters and sung some psalmes, [989]
we all went out and buried the man; which done, we went in and brake
our fasts. [990] And while we were at meate, and discoursed amongst our
selues touching the great quantitie of snowe that continually fell in
that place, wee said that if it fell out that our house should be
closed vp againe with snowe, we would find the meanes to climbe out at
the chimney; whereupon our master [991] went to trie if he could clime
vp through the chimney and so get out, and while he was climbing one of
our men went forth of the doore to see if the master were out or not,
who, standing vpon the snowe, sawe the sunne, and called vs all out,
wherewith we all went forth and saw the sunne in his full roundnesse a
litle aboue the horrison, [992] and then it was without all doubt that
we had seene the sunne vpon the 24 of Januarie, which made vs all glad,
and we gaue God hearty thankes for his grace shewed vnto us, that that
glorious light appeared vnto vs againe.
The 28 of January it was faire [clear] weather, with a west wind; then
we went out many tymes to exercise our selues, by going, running,
casting of the ball (for then we might see a good way from vs), and to
refresh our ioynts, [993] for we had long time sitten dull, [994]
whereby many of vs were very loase. [995]
The 29 of January it was foule weather, with great store of snow, the
wind north-west, whereby the house was closed vp againe with snow.
The 30 of January it was darke weather, with an east-wind, and we made
a hole through the doore, but we shoueled not the snow very farre from
the portaile, [996] for that as soone as we saw what weather it was, we
had no desire to goe abroad.
The 31 of January it was faire calme weather, with an east-wind; then
we made the doore cleane, and shoueled away the snow, and threw it vpon
the house, and went out and saw [997] the sunne shine cleare, which
comforted vs; meane time we saw a beare, that came towards our house,
but we went softly in and watcht for her till she came neerer, and as
soone she was hard by we shot at her, but she ran away againe.
The 1 of February, being Candlemas eve, it was boisterous weather with
a great storme and good store of snow, whereby the house was closed vp
againe with snow, and we were constrained to stay within dores; the
wind then being north-west.
The 2 of February it was [still the same] foule weather, and as then
the sun had not rid vs of all the foule weather, whereby we were some
what discomforted, for that being in good hope of better weather we had
not made so great prouision of wood as wee did before.
The 3 of February it was faire weather with an east winde, but very
misty, whereby we could not see the sun, which made vs somewhat
melancholy to see so great a miste, and rather more then we had had in
the winter time; and then we digd our doore open againe and fetcht the
wood that lay without about the dore into the house, which we were
forced with great paine and labour to dig out of the snow.
The 4 of February it was [again] foule weather with great store of
snow, the wind being south-west, and then we were close up again with
snow; but then we tooke not so much paines as we did before to dig open
the doore, but when we had occasion to goe out we clome [998] out at
the chimney and eased our selues, and went in againe the same way.
The 5 of February it was still foule weather, the wind being east with
great store of snow, whereby we were shut vp againe into the house and
had no other way to get out but by the chimney, and those that could
not clime out were faine to helpe themselues within as well as they
could.
The 6 of February it was still foule stormie weather with store of
snow, and we still went out at the chimney, and troubled not ovr selues
with the doore, for some of vs made it an easie matter to clime out at
the chimney.
The 7 of February it was still foule weather with much snow and a
south-west wind, and we thereby forced to keepe the house, which griued
[999] vs more than when the sun shined not, for that hauing seen it and
felt the heat thereof, yet we were forced not to inioy [1000] it.
The 8 of February it began to be fairer weather, [the sky being bright
and clear, and] the wind being south-west; then we saw the sun rise
south south-east and went downe south south-west; [1001] [well
understood] by ye compas that we had made of lead and placed to the
right meridian of that place, but by our common compas according [1002]
it differed two points.
The 9 of February it was faire cleare weather, the wind south-west, but
as then we could not see the sunne, because it was close weather in the
south, where the sunne should goe downe. [1003]
The 10 of February it was faire cleare weather [and calm], so that we
could not tell where the wind blew, and then we began to feele some
heat of the sunne; but in the euening it began to blow somewhat cold
[1004] out of the west.
The 11 of February it was faire weather, the wind south; yt day about
noone there came a beare towards our house, and we watcht her with our
muskets, but she came not so neere that wee could reach her. The same
night we heard some foxes stirring, which since the beares began to
come abroad againe we had [not] much seen.
The 12 of February it was cleare weather and very calme, the wind
south-west. Then we made our traps [and springes] cleane againe;
meane-time there came a great beare towards our house, which made vs
all goe in, and we leauelled at her with our muskets, and as she came
right before our dore we shot her into the breast clean through the
heart, the bullet passing through her body and went out againe at her
tayle, and was as flat as a counter [1005] [that has been beaten out
with a hammer]. The beare feeling the blow, lept backwards, and ran
twenty or thirty foote from the house, and there lay downe, wherewith
we lept all out of the house and ran to her, and found her stil aliue;
and when she saw vs she reard vp her head, as if she would gladly haue
doone vs some mischefe; [1006] but we trusted her not, for that we had
tryed her strength sufficiently before, and therefore we shot her
[1007] twice into the body againe, and therewith she dyed. Then we ript
vp her belly, and taking out her guts, drew her home to the house,
where we flead her and tooke at least one hundred pound of fat out of
her belly, which we molt [1008] and burnt in our lampe. This grease did
vs great good seruice, for by that meanes we still kept a lampe burning
all night long, which before we could not doe for want of grease; and
[further] euery man had meanes to burne a lamp in his caban for such
necessaries as he had to doe. The beares skin was nine foote long and 7
foote broad.
The 13 of February it was faire cleare weather with a hard west wind,
at which time we had more light in our house by burning of lamps,
whereby we had meanes to passe the time away by reading and other
exercises, which before (when we could not distinguish day from night
by reason of the darknesse, and had not lamps continually burning) we
could not doe.
The 14th of February it was faire cleere weather with a hard west wind
before noone, but after noone it was still weather. Then fiue of vs
went to the ship to see how it laie, and found the water to encrease in
it, but not much.
The 15 of February it was foule weather, with a great storme out of the
south-west, with great store of snowe, whereby the house was closed vp
againe. That night the foxes came to deuoure the dead body of the
beare, whereby we were in great feare that all the beares thereabouts
would come theather, [1009] and therefore we agreed, as soone as we
could, to get out of the house, to bury the dead beare deepe vnder the
snowe.
The 16 of February it was still foule weather, with great store of snow
and a south-west wind. That day was Shroue Twesday; [1010] then wee
made our selues some what merry in our great griefe and trouble, and
euery one of vs dranke a draught of wine in remembrance that winter
began to weare away, and faire weather [1011] to aproache.
The 17 of February it was still foule weather and a darke sky, the wind
south. Then we opened our dore againe and swept away the snow, and then
we thrue [1012] the dead beare into the hoale where we had digd out
some wood, and stopt it vp, that the beares by smelling it should not
come thither to trouble vs, and we set vp our springs [1013] againe to
take foxes; and the same day fiue of us went to the ship to see how it
laie, which we found all after one sort; [1014] there we found
foote-steps of many beares, as though they had taken it vp for their
lodging when we had forsaken it.
The 18 of February it was foule weather with much snow and very cold,
the wind being south-west; and in the night time, as we burnt lampes
and some of our men laie [late] awake, we heard beasts runne vpon the
roofe of our house, which by reason of the snowe made the noise of
their feete sound more than otherwise it would haue done, the snow was
so hard [and cracked so much that it gave a great sound], whereby we
thought they had beene beares; but when it was day we sawe no footing
but of foxes, and we thought they had beene beares, for the night,
which of it selfe is solitarie and fearefull, made that which was
doubtfull to be more doubtfull and worse feared. [1015]
The 19 of February it was faire cleere weather with a south-west wind.
Then we tooke the hight of the sunne, which in long time before we
could not doe because the horizon was not cleere, as also for that it
mounted not so high nor gaue not so much shadowe as we were to haue
[1016] in our astrolabium, and therefore we made an instrument that was
halfe round, at the one end [1017] hauing 90 degrees marked thereon,
whereon we hung a third [1018] with a plumet of lead, as the water
compasses [1019] haue, and therewith we tooke the hight of the sunne
when it was at the highest and found that it was three degrees eleuated
aboue the horizon, his declination eleuenth degrees and sixteene
minutes, which beeing added to the height aforesaid made 14 degrees and
16 minutes, which substracted from 90 degrees, there rested 75 degrees
and 44 minutes for the higth of the Pole; but the aforesaid three
degrees of higth being taken at the lowest side of the sunne, the 16
minutes might well be added to the higth of the Pole, and so it was
just 76 degrees, as we had measured it before. [1020]
The 20 of February it was foule weather with great store of snow, the
wind south-west; whereby we were shut vp againe in the house, as we had
been often times before.
The 21 of February it was still foule weather, the wind north-west and
great store of snow, which made vs greiue more then it did before, for
we had no more wood, and so were forced to breake of [1021] some peeces
of wood in the house, and to gather vp some that lay troden vnder feet,
which had not bin cast out of the way, whereby for that day and the
next night we holp [1022] our selues indifferent well.
The 22 of February it was clere faire weather with a south-west wind.
Then we made ready a slead to fetch more wood, for need compelled vs
thereunto; for, as they say, hunger driueth the wolfe out of his den.
[1023] And eleuen of vs went together, all well appointed with our
armes; but coming to the place where wee should haue the wood, we could
not come by it by reason it laie so deepe vnder the snow, whereby of
necessitie we were compelled to goe further, where with great labour
and trouble we got some; but as we returned backe againe therewith, it
was so sore labour vnto vs that we were almost out of comfort, for that
by reason of the long cold [1024] and trouble that we had indured, we
were become so weake and feeble that we had little strength, and we
began to be in doubt that we should not recover our strengths againe
[1025] and should not be able to fetch any more wood, and so we should
haue died with cold; but the present necessitie and the hope we had of
better weather increased our forces, and made vs doe more then our
strengthes afforded. And when we came neere to our house, we saw much
open water in the sea, which in long time we had not seene, which also
put vs in good comfort that things would be better.
The 23 of February it was calme and faire weather, with a good aire,
[1026] the wind south-west, and then we tooke two foxes, that were as
good to vs as venison.
The 24 [1027] of February it was still weather, and a close aire,
[1028] the wind south-west. Then we drest our springes [and traps] in
good sort for the foxes, but tooke none.
The 25 of February it was foule weather againe and much snow, with a
north wind, whereby we were closed vp with snow againe, and could not
get out of our house.
The 26 of February it was darke weather, with a south-west wind, but
very calme: and then we opened our dore againe and exercised our selues
with going and running and to make our ioints supple, which were almost
clinged together. [1029]
The 27 of February it was calme weather, with a south wind, but very
cold. Then our wood began to lessen, which put vs in no small
discomfort to remember what trouble we had to drawe the last slead-full
home, and we must doe the like againe if we would not die with cold.
The 28 of February it was still weather with a south-west wind. Then
ten of vs went and fetcht an other slead-full of wood, with no lesse
paine and labor then we did before; for one of our companions could not
helpe vs, because that the first ioint of one of his great toes was
frozen of, and so he could doe nothing.
The first of March it was faire still weather, the wind west but very
cold, and we were forced to spare our wood, because it was so great
labor for vs to fetch it; so that when it was day we exercised our
selues as much as we might, with running, going and leaping; and to
them that laie in their cabins [1030] we gaue hote [1031] stones to
warme them, and towards night we made a good fire, which we were forced
to indure. [1032]
The 2 of Marche it was cold cleere weather, with a west wind. The same
day we tooke the higth of the sunne, and found that it was eleuated
aboue the horizon sixe degrees and 48 minutes, and his declination was
7 degrees and 12 minutes, which [1033] substracted from 90 degrees,
resteth 76 degrees for the higth of the Pole. [1034]
The 3 of March it was faire weather [and calm], with a [south-] west
wind; at which time our sickemen were somewhat better and sat vpright
in their cabins to doe some thing to passe the time awaie, but after
they found [1035] that they were too ready to stirre before their
times.
The 4 of March it was faire weather with a west wind. The same day
there came a beare to our house, whom we watcht with our peeces as we
did before, and shot at her and hit her, but she run away. At that time
fiue of us went to our ship, where we found that the beares had made
worke, and had opened our cookes cubberd, [1036] that was couered ouer
with snow, thinking to find some thing in it, and had drawne it [a good
way] out of the ship, where we found it.
The 5 of March it was foule weather againe, with a south-west wind: and
as in the euening we had digd open our dore and went out, when the
weather began to break vp, [1037] we saw much open water in the sea,
more then before which put vs in good comfort that in the end we should
get away from thence.
The 6 of March it was foule weather, with a great storme out of the
south-west and much snow. The same day some of vs climbed out of the
chimney, and perceaued that in the sea and about the land there was
much open water, but the ship lay fast still.
The 7 of March it was still foule weather and as great a wind, so that
we were shut vp in our house, and they that would goe out must clime vp
through the chimney, which was a common thing with vs, and still we
sawe more open water in the sea and about the land, whereby we were in
doubt [1038] that the ship, in that foule weather and driuing of the
ice, would be loose [1039] while we were shut vp in our house, and we
should haue no meanes to helpe it.
The 8 of Marche it was still foule weather, with a south-west storme
and great store of snow, whereby we could see no ice north-east nor
round about in the sea, whereby we were of opinion that north-east from
vs there was a great sea. [1040]
The 9 of March it was foule weather, but not so foule as the [two]
day[s] before, and lesse snow; and then we could see further from vs
and perceiue that the water was open in the north-east, but not from vs
towards Tartaria, for there we could still see ice in the Tartarian
Sea, otherwise called the Ice Sea, so that we were of opinion that
there it was not very wide; for, when it was cleere weather, we thought
many times that we saw the land, and showed it vnto our companions,
south and [south] south-east from our house, like a hilly land, as land
commonly showeth it selfe when we see it [from afar off]. [1041]
The 10 of March it was cleere weather, the wind north. Then we made our
house cleane, and digd our selues out and came forth; at which time we
saw [quite] an open sea, whereupon we said vnto each other that if the
ship were loose we might venture to saile awaie, for we were not of
opinion to doe it with our scutes, [1042] considering the great cold
that we found there. Towards euening, nine of vs went to the ship with
a slead to fetch wood, when al our wood was burnt; and found the ship
in the same order that it laie, and fast in the ice.
The 11 of March it was cold, but faire sunne-shine weather, the wind
north-east; then we tooke the higth of the sunne with our astrolabium,
and found it to be eleuated aboue the horizon ten degrees and 19
minutes, his declination was three degrees 41 minutes, which being
added to the higth aforesaid, made 14 degrees, which substracted from
90 degrees, there resteth 76 degrees for the higth of the Pole. [1043]
Then twelue of vs went to the place where we vsed to goe, to fetch a
slead of wood, but still we had more paine and labour therewith,
because we were weaker; and when we came home with it and were very
weary, we praid the master [1044] to giue either of vs a draught of
wine, which he did, wherewith we were somewhat releeued and comforted,
and after that were the willinger [1045] to labour, which was
vnsupportable for vs if mere extremitie had not compelled vs thereunto,
saying often times one vnto the other, that if the wood were to be
bought for mony, we would giue all our earnings or wages for it.
The 12 of March it was foule weather, ye wind north-east; then the ice
came mightily driuing in, which [by] the south-west winde had bin
driuen out, and it was then as could [1046] as it had bin before in the
coldest time of winter.
The 13 of March it was still foule weather, with a storme out of the
north-east and great store of snow, and the ice mightely driuing in
with a great noyse, the flakes rustling against each other fearfull to
heare.
The 14 of March it was still foule weather with a great east north-east
wind, whereby the sea was [again] as close [1047] as it had bin before,
and it was extreame cold, whereby our sicke men were very ill, [1048]
who when it was faire weather were stirring too soone. [1049]
The 15 of March it was faire weather, the wind north. That day we
opened our dore to goe out, but the cold rather increased then
diminished, and was bitterer then before it had bin.
The 16 of March it was faire cleare weather, but extreame cold with a
north wind, which put vs to great extremity, for that we had almost
taken our leaues of the cold, and then it began to come againe.
The 17 of March it was faire cleare weather, with a north-wind, but
stil very cold, wherby wee were wholy out of comfort to see and feele
so great cold, and knew not what to thinke, for it was extreame cold.
The 18 of March it was foule cold weather with good store of snow, the
wind north-east, which shut vs vp in our house so that we could not get
out.
The 19 of March it was still foule and bitter cold weather, the wind
north-east, the ice in the sea cleauing [1050] faster and thicker
together, with great cracking and a hugh [1051] noyse, which we might
easily heare in our house, but we delighted not much in hearing
thereof.
The 20 of March it was foule weather, bitter cold, and a north-east
wind, then our wood began [by degrees] to consume, [1052] so that we
were forced to take counsell together; [1053] for without wood we could
not liue, and yet we began to be so weake that we could hardly endure
the labour to fetch it.
The 21 of March it was faire weather, but still very cold, the wind
north. The same day the sunne entred into Aries in the equinoxciall
lyne, and at noone we tooke the hight of the sunne and found it to be
eleuated 14 degrees aboue the horizon, but for that the sun was in the
middle lyne and of the like distance from both the tropiks, there was
no declination, neither on the south nor north side; and so the 14
degrees aforesaid being substracted from ninty degrees, there rested 76
degrees for the hight of the Pole. [1054] The same
day we made shooes of felt or rudg, [1055] which we drew vpon our feet,
[1056] for we could not goe in our shooes by reason of the great cold,
for the shooes on our feet were as hard as hornes; and then we fetcht a
slead-ful of wood home to our house, with sore and extreame labour and
with great extremity of cold, which we endured as if March [1057] went
to bid vs fare-well. But [1058] our hope and comfort was that the cold
could not still continue in that force, [1059] but that at length the
strength thereof [1060] would be broken.
The 22 of March it was cleere still weather, the wind north-east, but
very cold; whereupon some of vs were of advice, seeing that the
fetching of wood was so toylesome vnto vs, that euery day once we
should make a fire of coales.
The 23 of March it was very foule weather, with infernall bitter cold,
[1061] the wind north-east, so that we were forced to make more fire as
we had bin at other times, for then it was as cold as ever it had bin,
and it froze very hard in the flore and vpon the wales of our house.
[1062]
The 24 of March it was a like cold, with great store of snow and a
north wind, whereby we were once againe shut vp into the house, and
then the coales serued vs well, which before by reason of our bad vsing
of them we disliked of.
The 25 of March it was still foule weather, the wind west, the cold
still holding as strong as it was, which put vs in much discomfort.
The 26 of March it was faire cleere weather [with a west wind], and
very calme; then we digd our selues out of the house againe and went
out, and then we fetcht an other slead of wood, for the great cold had
made vs burne vp all that we had.
The 27 of March it was faire weather, the wind west and very calme;
then the ice began to driue away againe, but the ship lay fast and
stird not.
The 28 [1063] of March it was faire weather, the wind south-west,
whereby the ice draue away very fast [and we had much open water]. The
same day sixe of vs went abord the ship to see how it lay, and found it
still in one sort; but we perceiued that the beares had kept an euil
fauoured house therein. [1064]
The 29 of March it was faire cleere weather, with a north-east wind;
then the ice came driuing in againe. The same day we fetcht another
slead of wood, which we were euery day worse alike to doe [1065] by
reason of our weaknesse.
The 30 of March it was faire cleere weather, with an east wind,
wherewith the ice came driving in againe. After noone there came two
beares by our house, but they went along to the ship and let vs alone.
The 31 of March it was still faire weather, the wind north-east,
wherewith the ice came still more and more driuing in, and made high
[1066] hilles by sliding one vpon the other.
The 1 of Aprill it blew stil [1067] out of the east, with faire
weather, but very cold; and then we burnt some of our coales, for that
our wood was too troublesome for vs to fetch.
The 2 of Aprill it was faire weather, the wind north-east and very
calme. Then we tooke the higth of the sunne, and found it to eleuated
aboue the horizon 18 degrees and 40 minutes, his declination being
foure degrees and 40 minutes, which being substracted from the higth
aforesaid, there rested 14 degrees, which taken from 90 degrees, the
higth of the Pole was 76 degrees. [1068]
The 3 of Aprill it was faire cleere weather, with a north-east wind and
very calme; then we made a staffe to plaie at colfe, [1069] thereby to
stretch our jointes, which we sought by all the meanes we could to doe.
The 4 of Aprill it was faire weather, the wind variable. That daie we
went all to the ship, and put out [through the hawse] the cable that
was made fast to the [bower] anchor, to the end that if the ship
chanced to be loose [or to drift] it might hold fast thereby.
The 5 of Aprill it was foule weather with a hard north-east wind,
wherewith the ice came mightily in againe and slid in great peeces one
vpon the other; and then the ship laie faster then it did before.
The 6 of Aprill it was still foule weather, with a stiffe north-west
wind. That night there came a beare to our house, and we did the best
we could to shoot at her, but because it was moist weather and the
cocke foistie, [1070] our peece would not giue fire, wherewith the
beare came bouldly toward the house, and came downe the staires [1071]
close to the dore, [1072] seeking to breake into the house; but our
master held the dore fast to, and being in great haste and feare, could
not barre it with the peece of wood that we vsed thereunto; [1073] but
the beare seeing that the dore was shut, she went backe againe, and
within two houres after she came againe, and went round about and vpon
the top of the house, and made such a roaring that it was fearefull to
heare, and at last got to the chimney, and made such worke there that
we thought she would haue broken it downe, and tore the saile [1074]
that was made fast about it in many peeces with a great and fearefull
noise; but for that it was night we made no resistance against her,
because we could not see her. At last she went awaie and left vs.
The 7 of Aprill it was foule weather, the wind south-west. Then we made
our muskets ready, thinking the beare would haue come againe, but she
came not. Then we went up vpon the house, where we saw what force the
beare had vsed to teare away the saile, which was made so fast vnto the
chimney.
The 8 of Aprill it was still foule weather, the wind south-west,
whereby the ice draue away againe and the sea was open, which put vs in
some comfort that we should once get away out of that fearefull place.
The 9 of Aprill it was faire cleere weather, but towards euening it was
foule weather, the wind south-west, so that stil ye water became
opener, whereat we much reioysed, and gaue God thanks that he had saued
vs from the aforesaid [1075] cold, troublesome, hard, bitter, and
vnsupportable winter, hoping that time would giue vs a happy issue.
The 10 of Aprill it was foule weather, with a storme out of the
north-east, with great store of snowe; at which time the ice that draue
away came in againe and couered all the sea ouer. [1076]
The 11 of Aprill it was faire weather, with a great north-east wind,
wherewith the ice still draue one peece vpon another and lay in high
hilles.
The 12 [1077] of Aprill it was faire cleere weather, but still it blew
hard north-east as it had done two dayes before, so that the ice lay
like hilles one upon the other, and then was higher and harder then it
had bin before.
The 13 of Aprill it was faire cleere weather with a north wind. The
same day we fetcht a slead with wood, and euery man put on his shooes
that he had made of felt or rudg, [1078] which did vs great pleasure.
The 14 of Aprill it was faire cleare weather with a west wind; then we
saw greater hilles of ice round about the ship then euer we had seene
before, which was a fearefull thing to behold, and much to be wondred
at that the ship was not smitten in pieces.
The 15 of Aprill it was faire calme weather with a north wind; then
seauen of vs went aboard the ship, to see in what case it was, and
found it to be all in one sort; and as we came backe againe there came
a great beare towards vs, against whom we began to make defence, but
she perceauing that, made away from us, and we went to the place from
whence she came to see her den, [1079] where we found a great hole made
in ye ice, about a mans length in depth, the entry thereof being very
narrow, and within wide; there we thrust in our pickes [1080] to feele
if there was any thing within it, but perceauing it was emptie, one of
our men crept into it, but not too farre, for it was fearefull to
behold. After that we went along by the sea side, and there we saw that
in the end of March and the beginning of Aprill the ice was in such
wonderfull maner risen and piled vp one vpon the other that it was
wonderfull, in such manner as if there had bin whole townes made of
ice, with towres and bulwarkes round about them.
The 16 of Aprill it was foule weather, the wind north-west, whereby the
ice began some-what to breake. [1081]
The 17 of Aprill it was faire cleere weather with a south-west wind;
and then seauen of vs went to the ship, and there we saw open water in
the sea, and then we went ouer the ice hilles as well as we could to
the water, for in six or seauen monthes we had not gone so neare vnto
it; and when we got to ye water, there we saw a litle bird swiming
therein, but as soone as it espied vs it diued vnder the water, which
we tooke for a signe that there was more open water in the sea then
there had beene before, and that the time approached that the water
would [be] open.
The 18 of Aprill it was faire weather, the wind south-west. Then we
tooke the higth of the sunne, and it was eleuated aboue the horizon 25
degrees and 10 minutes, his declination 11 degrees and 12 minutes,
which being taken from the higth aforesaid, there rested 13 degrees and
68 minutes, which substracted from 90 degrees, the higth of the Pole
was found to be 75 degrees, 58 minutes. [1082] Then eleuen of vs went
with a slead to fetch more wood, and brought it to the house. In the
night there came an other beare vpon our house, which we hearing, went
all out with our armes, but [through the noise we made] the beare ranne
away.
The 19 of Aprill it was faire weather with a north wind. That day fiue
of vs went into the bath to bathe our selues, [1083] which did vs much
good and was a great refreshing vnto vs.
The 20 of Aprill it was faire weather with a west wind. The same day
five of vs went to the place where we fetcht wood, with a kettle and
other furniture [1084] vpon a slead, to wash our shirts in that place,
because the wood lay ready there, and for that we were to vse much wood
to melt the ice, to heate our water and to drie our shirtes, esteming
it a lesse labour then to bring the wood home to the house, which was
great trouble vnto vs.
The 21 of Aprill it [still] was faire weather with an east wind; and
the next day the like weather, but in the euening the wind blewe
northerly.
The 23 of Aprill it was faire [clear] weather [with a bright sky] and a
[strong] north-east wind; and the next day the like, with an east wind.
The 25 of Aprill it was faire [clear] weather, the wind easterly. The
same day there came a beare to our house, and we shoot her into the
skin, [1085] but she runne awaie, which another beare that was not
farre from vs perceauing [she came not nearer to us but] runne away
also.
The 26 and 27 of Aprill it was faire weather, but an extreeme great
north-east wind.
The 28 of Aprill it was faire weather with a north wind. Then we tooke
the higth of the sunne againe, and found it to be eleuated 28 degrees
and 8 minutes, his declination 14 degrees and 8 minutes, [1086] which
substracted from 90 degrees, there rested 76 degrees for the highth of
the Pole. [1087]
The 29 of Aprill it was faire weather with a south-west wind. Then we
plaid at colfe [1088] [and at ball], both to the ship and from thence
againe homeward, to exercise our selues.
The 30 of Aprill it was faire weather [with a bright sky], the wind
south-west; then in the night wee could see the sunne in the north,
when it was in the highest, [1089] iust aboue the horizon, so that from
that time we saw the sunne both night and day. [1090]
The 1 of May it was faire weather with a west wind; then we sod our
last flesh, [1091] which for a long time we had spared, and it was
still very good, and the last morsell tasted as well as the first, and
we found no fault therein but onely that it would last no longer.
[1092]
The 2 of May it was foule weather with a [seuere] storme out of the
south-west, whereby the sea was almost cleere of ice, and then we began
to speake about [1093] getting from thence, for we had kept house long
enough there.
The 3 of May it was still foule weather with a south-west wind, whereby
the ice began wholy to driue away, but it lay fast about the ship. And
when our best meate, as flesh and other things, began to faile vs,
[1094] which was our greatest sustenance, and that it behooued vs to be
somewhat strong, to sustaine the labour that we were to vndergoe when
we went from thence, the master shared the rest of the bacon [1095]
amongst vs, which was a small barrell with salt bacon in pickle, [1096]
whereof euery one of vs had two ounces a day, which continued for the
space of three weekes, and then it was eaten up. [1097]
The 4 of May it was indifferent faire weather, ye wind south-west. That
day fiue of vs went to the ship, and found it lying still as fast in
the ice as it did before; [1098] for about the midle of March it was
but 75 paces from the open water, and then [1099] it was 500 paces from
the water and inclosed round about with high hilles of ice, which put
vs in no small feare how we should bring our scute and our boate
through or ouer that way into the water when we went to leaue that
place. That night there came [again] a beare to our house, but as soone
as she heard vs make a noise she ranne away againe; one of our men that
climbed vp in the chimney saw when she ranne away, so that it seemed
that as then they were afraid of vs, and durst not be so bold to set
vpon vs as they were at the first.
The 5 of May it was faire weather with some snow, the wind east. That
euening and at night we saw the sunne, when it was at the lowest, a
good way aboue the earth.
The 6 of May it was faire cleere weather with a great south-west wind,
whereby we saw the sea open both in the east and in the west, which
made our men exceeding glad, longing sore to be gone from thence.
The 7 of May it was foule weather and snew hard, with a north wind,
whereby we were closed vp againe in our house, whereupon our men were
somewhat disquieted, saying that they thought they should neuer goe
from thence, [1100] and therefore, said they, it is best for vs as
soone as it is open water to be gone from hence.
The 8 of May it was foule weather with great store of snow, the wind
west; then some of our men agreed amongst themselues to speake vnto the
master, [1101] and to tell him that it was more then time for vs to be
gone from thence; [1102] but they could not agree vpon it who should
moue the same vnto him, [1103] because he had said that he would staie
[1104] vntill the end of June, which was the best of the sommer, to see
if the ship would then be loose.
The 9 of May it was faire cleere weather with an indifferent wind out
of the north-east; at which time the desire that our men had to be gone
from thence still more and more encreased, and then they agreed to
speake to William Barents to moue the master to goe from thence, but he
held them of with faire words [and quieted them]; and yet it was not
done to delay them, [1105] but to take the best counsell with reason
and good aduise, for he heard all what they could saie. [1106]
The 10 of May it was faire weather with a north-west wind; yt night,
the sun by our common compas being north north-east and at the lowest,
we tooke the higth thereof, and it was eleuated 3 degrees and 45
minutes, his declination was 17 degrees and 45 minuts, from whence
taking the higth aforesaid, there rested 14 degrees, which substracted
from 90 degrees, there rested 76 degrees for the higth of the Pole.
[1107]
The 11 of May it was faire weather, the wind south-west, and then
[1108] it was [quite] open water in the sea, when our men prayed
William Barents once againe to moue the maister to make preparation to
goe from thence, which he promised to do as soone as conuenient time
serued him.
The 12 of May it was foule weather, the wind north-west; and then the
water became still opener then it was, which put vs in good comfort.
The 13 of May it was still weather, but it snowed hard with a
north[-west] wind.
The 14 of May [it was fine clear weather with a north wind. Then] we
fetcht our last slead with fire wood, and stil ware [1109] our shooes
made of rugde [1110] on our feete, wherewith we did our selues much
pleasure, and they furthered vs much. At the same time we spake to
William Barents againe to mooue the maister about going from thence,
which he promised he would doe [on the following day].
The 15 of May it was faire weather with a west wind, and it was agreed
that all our men should go out to exercise their bodies with running,
goeing, [1111] playing at colfe [1112] and other exercises, thereby to
stirre their ioynts and make them nymble. Meane time [William] Barents
spake vnto the maister and showed him what the company had said, [1113]
who made him answeare that they should stay no longer than to the end
of that mounth, and that if then the ship could not be loosed, that
preparation should be made to goe away with the scute and the boate.
[1114]
The 16 of May it was faire weather with a west-wind; at which time the
company were glad of the answere that the maister had giuen, but they
thought the time too long, because they were to haue much time [1115]
to make the boate and the scute ready to put to sea with them, and
therefore some of them were of opinion that it would be best for them
to sawe the boate [1116] in the middle and to make it longer; which
opinion, though [1117] it was not amisse, neuerthelesse it would be ye
worse for vs, for that although it should be so much the better for the
sailing, it would be so much the vnfitter to be drawne ouer the ice,
which we were forced [afterwards] to doe.
The 17 and 18 of May it was faire cleere weather with a west wind, and
then we [almost] began to reconne [1118] the daies that were set downe
and appointed [1119] for vs to make preparation to be gone.
The 19 of May it was faire weather with an east wind; then foure of our
men went to the ship or to the sea side, to see what way we should
draue the scute into the water. [1120]
The 20 of May it was foule weather with a north-east wind, whereby the
ice began to come in [strongly] againe; and at noone we spake vnto the
maister, and told him that it was time to make preparation to be gon,
if he would euer get away from thence; [1121] whereunto he made
answeare that his owne life was as deere vnto him as any of ours vnto
vs, neuerthelesse he willed vs to make haste to prepare our clothes and
other things ready and fit for our voiage, and that in the meane time
we should patch and amend them, that after it might be no hinderance
vnto vs, and that we should stay till the mounth of May was past, and
then make ready the scute and the boate and al other things fit and
conuenient for our iourney.
The 21 of May it was faire weather with a north-east wind, so that the
ice came driuing in againe, yet we made preparation touching our things
that we should weare, that we might not be hindred thereby.
The 22 of May it was faire weather with a north-west wind; and for that
we had almost spent all our wood, we brake the portall of our dore
[1122] downe and burnt it.
The 23 of May it was faire weather with an east wind; then some of [us]
went againe to the place where the wood lay, to wash our sheets. [1123]
The 24 of May it was faire weather with a south-east wind, whereby
there was but little open water.
The 25 of May it was faire weather with an east wind. Then at noone
time we tooke the higth of the sunne, that was eleuated aboue the
horizon 34 degrees and 46 minutes, his declination 20 degrees and 46
minutes, which taken from the higth aforesaid, there rested 14 degrees,
which taken from 90 degrees [1124] resteth 76 degrees for the higth of
the Pole. [1125]
The 26 of May it was faire weather with a great north-east wind,
whereby the ice came [drifting] in againe [with great force].
The 27 of May it was foule weather with a great north-east wind, which
draue the ice mightely in againe, whereupon the maister, at the motion
[1126] of the company, willed vs [immediately to begin] to make
preparation to be gon.
The 28 of May it was foule weather with a north-west wind; after noone
it began to be somewhat better. Then seuen of vs went vnto the ship,
and fetcht such things from thence as should serue vs for the
furnishing of our scute and our boate, as the old fock sayle [1127] to
make a sayle [1128] for our boate and our scute, and some tackles and
other things necessarie for vs. [1129]
The 29 of May in the morning it was reasonable fair weather with a west
wind; then ten of vs went vnto the scute to bring it to the house to
dresse it and make it ready to sayle, [1130] but [on coming to it] we
found it deepe hidden vnder ye snow, and were faine with great paine
and labour to dig it out, but when we had gotten it out of the snow,
and thought to draw it to the house, we could not doe it, because we
were too weake, wherewith we became wholely out of heart, doubting that
we should not be able to goe forwarde with our labour; but the maister
encouraging vs bad vs striue to do more then we were able, saying that
both our liues and our wellfare consisted therein, and that if we could
not get the scute from thence and make it ready, then he said we must
dwell there as burgers [1131] of Noua Zembla, and make our graues in
that place. But there wanted no good will in vs, but onely strength,
which made vs for that time to leaue of worke and let the scute lye
stil, which was no small greefe unto vs and trouble to thinke what were
best for vs to doe. But after noone, being thus comfortlesse come home,
wee tooke hearts againe, and determined to tourne the boate [1132] that
lay by the house with her keale vpwards, and [we began] to amend it
[and to heighten the gunwales, so] that it might be ye fitter to carry
vs ouer the sea, for we made full account yt we had a long troublesom
voiage in hand, wherin we might haue many crosses, and wherin we should
not be sufficiently prouided for all things necessarie, although we
tooke neuer so much care; and while we were busy about our worke, there
came a great [1133] beare vnto vs, wherewith we went into our house and
stood to watch her in our three dores with harquebushes, and one stood
in the chimney with a musket. This beare came boldlyer [1134] vnto vs
than euer any had done before, for she came to the neather [1135] step
yt went to one of our doores, and the man that stood in the doore saw
her not because he lookt towards the other doore, but they that stood
within saw her and in great feare called to him, wherewith he turned
about, and although he was in a maze he shot at her, and the bullet
past cleane through her body, whereupon she ran away. Yet it was a
fearfull thing to see, for the beare was almost vpon him before he saw
her, so that if the peece had failed to giue fire, (as often times they
doe) it had cost him his life, and it may be yt the beare would haue
gotten into ye house. The beare being gone somewhat from the house, lay
downe, wherewith we went all armed [with guns, muskets, and half-pikes]
and killed her outright, and when we had ript open her belly we found a
peece of a bucke therein, with haire, skin and all, [1136] which not
long before she had towrne [1137] and deuoured.
The 30 of May it was indifferent faire weather, but very cold and close
aire, [1138] the wind west; then we began [again with all our men that
were fit for it] to set our selues to worke about the boate [1139] to
amend it, the rest staying in the house to make the sailes and all
other things ready that were necessarie for vs. But while we were busie
working at our boate, there came [again] a beare vnto vs, wherewith we
were forced to leaue worke, but she was shot by our men. Then we brake
downe the plankes of the rooffe of our house, to amend our boate
withall, [1140] and so proceeded in our worke as well as we could; for
every man was willing to labour, for we had sore longed for it, and did
more then we were able to doe.
The 31 of May it was faire weather, but somewhat colder then before,
the wind being south-west, whereby the ice draue away, and we wrought
hard about our boate; but when [we] were in the chiefest part of worke,
there came an other beare, as if they had smelt that we would be gone,
and that therefore they desired to tast a peece of some of vs, [1141]
for that was the third day, one after the other, that they set so
fiercely vpon vs; so that we were forced to leaue our worke and goe
into the house, and she followed vs, but we stood with our peeces to
watch her, and shot three peeces at her, two from our dores and one out
of the chimney, which all three hit her, whereby she fared as the dogge
did with the pudding; [1142] but her death did vs more hurt then her
life, for after we ript her belly we drest her liuer and eate it, which
in the taste liked vs well, but it made vs all sicke, specially three
that were exceeding sicke, and we verily thought that we should haue
lost them, for all their skins came of from the foote to the head, but
yet they recouered againe, for the which we gave God heartie thankes,
for if as then we had lost these three men, it was a hundred to one
[1143] that we should neuer haue gotten from thence, because we should
haue had too few men to draw and lift at our neede.
[June, 1597.]
The 1 of June it was faire [beautiful] weather, and then our men were
for the most part sicke with eating the liuer of a [1144] beare, as it
is said before, whereby that day there was nothing done about the
boate; and then there hung a pot still ouer the fire with some of the
liuer in it, but the master tooke it and cast it out of the dore, for
we had enough of the sawce thereof. [1145] That day foure of our men
that were the best in health went to the ship, to see if there was any
thing in it that would serue vs in our voiage, and there found a
barrell with geep, [1146] which we shared amongst our men, whereof
every one had two, and it did vs great pleasure.
The 2 of June, in the morning, it was faire weather with a south-west
wind; and then sixe of vs went to see and finde out the best way for vs
to bring our boate and our scute to the water side, for as then the ice
laie so high and so thicke one vpon the other, that it seemed [almost]
unpossible to draw or get our boate and the scute ouer the ice, and the
shortest and best way that we could find was straight from the ship to
the water side, [1147] although it was full of hilles and altogether
vneuen and would be great labour and trouble vnto vs, but because of
the shortnesse we esteemed it to be the best way for vs.
The 3 of June, in the morning, it was faire cleare [sunny] weather, the
wind west; and then we were [again become] somewhat [stronger and]
better [of our sickness], and tooke great paines with the boate, [1148]
that at last we got it ready after we had wrought sixe daies vpon it.
About euening it began to blow hard, and therewith the water was very
open, which put vs in good comfort that our deliuerance would soone
follow, and that we should once get out of that desolate and fearefulle
place.
The 4 of June it was faire cleere [sunny] weather and indifferent
warme; [1149] and about ye south-east sun [½ p. 7 A.M.] eleuen of vs
went to our scute [on the beach] where it then lay, and drew it
to[wards] the ship, at which time the labour seemed lighter vnto vs
then it did before when we tooke it in hand and were forced to leaue it
off againe. The reason thereof was the opinion that we had that the
snow as then lay harder vpon the ground and so was become stronger, and
it may be that our courages were better to see that the time gaue vs
open water, and that our hope was that we should get from thence; and
so three of our men stayd by the scute to build her to our mindes, and
for that it was a herring scute, which are made narrow behind,
therefore they sawed it [a little] of behinde, and made it a broad
stearne and better to broke the seas; [1150] they built it also
somewhat higher, and drest it vp as well they could. [1151] The rest of
our men were busy in the house to make all other things ready for our
voiage, and that day drew two sleads with victuals and other goods
[from the house] vnto the ship, that lay about halfe way betweene the
house and the open water, [so] that after they might haue so much ye
shorter way to carry the goods vnto ye water side, when we should goe
away. At which time al the labour and paines that we tooke seemed light
and easie vnto vs, because of the hope that we had to get out of that
wild, desart, irkesome, fearefull, and cold country.
The 5 of June it was foule [uncomfortable] weather with great store of
haile and snow, the wind west, which made an open water; but as then we
could doe nothing without the house, but within we made all things
ready, as sailes, oares, mastes, sprit, rother, swerd, [1152] and all
other necessarie things.
The 6 of June in the morning it was faire weather, the wind north-east.
Then we went with our carpenters to the ship to build vp our scute, and
carried two sleades-full of goods into the ship, both victualles and
marchandise, with other things, which we ment to take with vs. After
that there rose very foul weather in the south-west, with snow, haile,
and [also] raine, which we in long time had not had, whereby the
carpenters were forced to leaue their worke and goe home to the house
with vs, where also we could not be drie, [for] because we had taken of
the deales [from the house], therewith to amend our boate and our
scute; there laie but a saile ouer it, which would not hold out the
water, and the way that laie full of snow began to be soft, so that we
left of our shoes made of rugge and felt [1153], and [again] put on our
leather shoes.
The 7 of June there blew a great north-east wind, whereby we saw the
ice come driuing in againe; but the sunne being south-east [½ p. 7
A.M.] it was faire weather againe, and then the carpenters went to the
scute againe to make an end of their worke, and we packed the marchants
goods that we ment to take with vs [the best and most valuable goods],
and made defences for our selues of the said packes to saue vs from the
sea [1154] [as we had to carry them] in the open scute.
The 8 of June it was faire weather, and we drew the wares to the ship
which we had packed and made ready; and the carpenters made ready the
scute, so that the same euening it was almost done. The same day all
our men went to draw our boate [1155] to the ship, and made ropes to
draw withall, such as we vse to draw with in scutes, [1156] which we
cast ouer our shoulders and held fast with all our hands, [1157] and so
drew both with our hands and our shoulders, which gaue vs more force,
and specially the desire and great pleasure we tooke to worke at that
time made vs stronger, so that we did more then then at other times we
should haue done, for that good will on the one side and hope on the
other side encreased our strenght.
The 9 of June it was faire weather with variable windes. Then we washt
our shirts and all our linnen against we should be ready to saile away,
and the carpenters were still busie to make an end of the boate and the
scute. [1158]
The 10 of June we carried foure sleades of goods into the ship, the
wind then being variable; and at euening it was northerly, and we were
busie in the house to make all things ready. The wine that was left we
put into litle vessels, [1159] that so we might deuide it into both our
vessels, [1160] and that as we were inclosed by the ice, [1161] (which
we well knew would happen vnto vs) we might the easelier cast the goods
vpon the ice, both out and into the scutes, as time and place serued
vs.
The 11 of June it was foule weather and it blew hard north north-west,
so that all day we could doe nothing, and we were in great feare least
the storme would carry the ice and the ship both away together (which
might well haue come to passe); then we should haue beene in greater
miserie than ever we were, for that our goods, both victualles and
others, were then all in the ship; but God prouided so well for vs that
it fell not out so unfortunatly.
The 12 of June it was indifferent faire weather; then we went with
hatchets, halberds, [1162] shouels and others instruments, to make the
way plaine where we should draw the scute and the boate to the water
side, along the way that lay full of knobbes and hilles of ice, [1163]
where we wrought sore with our hatchets and other instruments. [1164]
And while we were in the chiefest of our worke, there came a great
leane beare out of the sea vpon the ice towards vs, which we iudged to
come out of Tartaria, for we had [before] seene of them twenty or
thirty [80 or 120] miles within the sea; and for that we had no muskets
but only one which our surgian [1165] carried, I ran in great haste
towards the ship to fetch one or two, which the beare perceiuing ran
[quickly and boldly] after me, and was very likely to haue ouer taken
me, but our company seeing that, left their worke and ran [quickly]
after her, which made the beare turn towards them and left me; but when
she ran towards them, she was shot into the body by the surgian, and
ran away, but because the ice was so uneuen and hilly she could not go
farre, but being by vs ouer taken we killed her out right, and smot
[1166] her teeth out of her head while she was yet liuing.
The 13 of June it was faire weather; then the maister and the
carpenters went to the ship, and there made the scute and the boate
ready, so that there rested nothing as then but onely to bring it downe
to the water side. The maister and those that were with him, seeing
that it was open water and a good west wind, came back to the house
againe, and there he spake vnto William Barents (that had bin long
sicke), and shewed him that he thought it good (seeing it was a fit
time) to goe from thence, and so willed the company [1167] to driue
[1168] the boate and the scute downe to the water side, and in the name
of God to begin our voiage to saile from Noua Zembla. Then William
Barents wrote a letter, which he put into a muskets charge [1169] and
hanged it vp in the chimney, shewing how we [1170] came out of Holland
to saile to the kingdome of China, and what had happened vnto vs being
there on land, with all our crosses, that if any man chanced to come
thither, they might know what had happened vnto vs [how we had fared],
and how we had bin forced in our extremity to make that house, and had
dwelt 10 mounthes therein. And for that we were [now forced] to put to
sea in two small open boates and to vndertake a dangerous and
aduenterous voiage in hand, the maister [also] wrote two letters, which
most of vs subscribed vnto, signifying how we had stayed there vpon the
land in great trouble and miserie, in hope that our ship would be freed
from the ice and that we should saile away with it againe, and how it
fell out to the contrary, and that the ship lay fast in the ice; so
that in the end, the time passing away and our victuals beginning to
faile vs, we were forced, for the sauing of our owne liues, to leaue
[1171] the ship and to saile away in our open boates, and so to commit
our selues into the hands of God. Which done, he put into each of our
scutes a letter, [1172] yt if we chanced to loose one another or yt by
stormes or any other misaduenture we hapened to be cast away, that then
by the scute that escaped men might know how we left each other. And
so, hauing finished all things as we determined, we drew the boate
[1173] to the water side and left a man in it, and went and fetcht the
scute, [1174] and after that eleuen sleads with goods, as victuals and
some wine that yet remained, and the marchants goods which we preserued
as wel as we could, [1175] viz., 6 packs with [the] fine[st] wollen
cloth, a chest with linnen, two packets wt ueluet, two smal chests with
mony, two drifats [1176] with the mens clothes [such as shirts], and
other things, 13 barrels of bread, a barrell of cheese, [1177] a fletch
of bacon, two runlets of oyle, 6 small runlets of wine, two runlets of
vinegar, with other packs [and clothes] belonging to ye sailers [and
many other things]; so that when they lay altogether upon a heape, a
man would haue iudged that they would not haue gone into the scutes.
Which being all put into them, we went to the house, and first drew
William Barents vpon a slead to the place where our scutes lay, and
after that we fetcht Claes Adrianson, [1178] both of them hauing bin
long sicke. And so we [being] entred into the scutes and deuided our
selues into each of them alike, and put into either of them a sicke
man, then the maister caused both the scutes to ly close one by the
other, and there we subscribed to the letters which he had written [as
is above mentioned], the coppie whereof hereafter ensueth. And so
committing our selues to the will and mercie of God, with a west
north-west wind and an endifferent open water, we set saile and put to
sea.
The Coppie of their Letter.
Hauing till this day stayd for the time and opportunity, in hope to get
our ship loose, and now are cleane out of hope thereof, [1179] for that
it lyeth fast shut vp and inclosed in the ice, and in the last [1180]
of March and the first [1181] of April the ice did so mightily gather
together in great hils, that we could not deuise [1182] how to get our
scute and boate into the water and [1183] where to find a conuenient
place for it. And for that it seemed almost impossible to get the ship
out of the ice, therefore I and William Barents our pilot, [1184] and
other the officers and company of sailors thereunto belonging,
considering with our selues which would be the best course for vs to
saue our owne liues and some wares belonging to the marchants, we could
find no better meanes then to mend our boate and scute, and to prouide
our selues as well as we could of all things necessarie, that being
ready we might not loose or ouerslip any fit time and opportunity that
God should send vs; for that it stood us vpon [1185] to take the
fittest time, otherwise we should surely haue perished with hunger and
cold, which as yet is to be feared will goe hard inough with vs, for
that there are three or foure of vs that are not able to stirre to doe
any thinge, [1186] and the best and strongest of us are so weake with
the great cold and diseases that we haue so long time endured, that we
haue but halfe a mans strength; and it is to be feared that it will
rather be worse then better, in regard of the long voiage that we haue
in hand, and our bread wil not last vs longer then to the end of the
mounth of August, and it may easily fal out, that the voiage being
contrary and crosse vnto vs, that before that time we shall not be able
to get to any land, where we may procure any victuals or other
prouisions for our selues, as we haue hitherto done our best; [1187]
therefore we thought it our best course not to stay any longer here,
for by nature we are bound to seeke our owne good and securities. And
so we determined hereupon, and haue vnder written this present letter
with our owne hands, [1188] vpon the first of June 1597. And while vpon
the same day we were ready and had a west wind [with an easy breeze]
and an indifferent open sea, we did in Gods name prepare our selues and
entred into our voiage, the ship lying as fast as euer it did inclosed
in the ice, notwithstanding that while we were making ready to be gon,
we had great wind out of the west, north, and north-west, and yet find
no alteration nor bettering in the weather, and therefore in the last
extremity we left it. [1189] [Dated] vpon the 13 of June [and signed
by] Jacob Hemskerke, Peter Peterson Vos, Mr. Hans Vos, [1190] Laurence
Willinsō, Peter Cornelison, Iohn Remarson, William Barēts, Gerrat de
Veer, Leonard Hendrickson, Iacob Ionson Scheadam, Iacob Ionsō
Sterrenburg. [1191]
The 14 of June in the morning, the sunne easterly [½ p. 4 A.M.], we [by
God’s mercy] put of from the land of Noua Zembla and the fast ice
therevnto adioyning, with our boate and our scute, [1192] hauing a west
wind, and sailed east north-east all that day to the Ilands Point,
[1193] which was fiue [20] miles; but our first beginning was not very
good, for we entered fast into the ice againe, which there laie very
hard and fast, which put vs into no smal feare and trouble; and being
there, foure of us went on land, to know the scituation thereof, and
there we tooke many [1194] birds, which we kild with stones vpon the
cliftes. [1195]
The 15 of June the ice began to goe away; then we put to saile againe
with a south wind, and past along by the Head Point [1196] and the
Flushingers Point, [1197] streaching most north-east, and after that
north, to the Point of Desire, [1198] which is about 13 [52] miles, and
there we laie till the 16 of June.
The 16 of June we set saile againe, and got to the Island[s] of Orange
[1199] with a south wind, which is 8 [32] miles distant from the Point
of Desire; there we went one land with two small barrels and a kettle,
to melt snow and to put ye water into ye barrels, as also to seeke for
birds and egges to make meate for our sicke men; and being there we
made fire with such wood as wee found there, and melted the snowe, but
found no birds; but three of our men went ouer the ice to the other
island, and got three birds, and as we came backe againe, our maister
(which was one of the three) fell into the ice, where he was in great
danger of his life, for in that place there ran a great streame; [1200]
but by Gods helpe he got out againe and came to vs, and there dryed
himselfe by the fire that we had made, at which fire we drest the
birds, and carried them to the scute to our sicke men, and filled our
two runlets with water that held about eight gallons [1201] a peece;
which done, we put to the sea againe with a south-east wind and drowsie
miseling weather, [1202] whereby we were al dankish [1203] and wet, for
we had no shelter in our open scutes, and sailed west and west and by
south to [opposite] the Ice Point. [1204] And being there, both our
scutes lying hard by each other, the maister [1205] called to William
Barents to know how he did, and William Barents made answeare and said,
Well, God be thanked, and I hope before we get to Warehouse to be able
to goe. [1206] Then he spake to me and said, Gerrit, are we about the
Ice Point? If we be, then I pray you lift me vp, for I must veiw it
once againe; [1207] at which time we had sailed from the Island[s] of
Orange to the Ice Points about fiue [20] miles; and then the wind was
[1208] westerly, and we made our scuts fast to a great peece of ice
[1209] and there eate somewhat; but the weather was still fouler and
fouler, so that we were once againe inclosed with ice and forced to
stay there.