The New Navigation and Discovery of the Kingdom of Muscovy | Page 8

intended course, but some were perforce driven
one way and some another way, to their great peril and hazard. The
General, with his loudest voice, cried out to Richard Chanceler and
earnestly requested him not to go far from him; but he neither would
nor could keep company with him if he sailed still so fast, for the
Admiral was of better sail than his ship. But the said Admiral (I know
not by what means), bearing all his sails, was carried away with so
great force and swiftness, that not long after he was quite out of sight,
and the third ship also, with the same storm and like rage, was
dispersed and lost us.
The ship-boat of the Admiral, striking against the ship, was
overwhelmed in the sight and view of the mariners of the Bonaventure;
and as for them that are already returned and arrived, they know
nothing of the rest of the ships what was become of them.
But if it be so that any miserable mishap have overtaken them, if the
rage and fury of the sea have devoured those good men, or if as yet
they live, and wander up and down in strange countries, I must needs
say they were men worthy of better fortune; and if they be living, let us
wish them safety and a good return, but if the cruelty of death hath
taken hold of them, God send them a Christian grave and sepulchre.
Now, Richard Chanceler with his ship and company being thus left
alone, and become very pensive, heavy, and sorrowful by this
dispersion of the fleet, he (according to the order before taken) shapeth
his course for Wardhouse, in Norway, there to expect and abide the
arrival of the rest of the ships. And being come thither, and having
stayed there the space of seven days, and looked in vain for their
coming, he determined at length to proceed alone in the purposed

voyage; and as he was preparing himself to the part, it happened that he
fell in company and speech with certain Scottish men, who having
understanding of his intention, and wishing well to his actions, began
earnestly to dissuade him from the further prosecution of the discovery
by amplifying the dangers which he was to fall into, and omitted no
reason that might serve to that purpose.
But he holding nothing so ignominious and reproachful as inconstancy
and levity of mind, and persuading himself that a man of valour could
not commit a more dishonourable part than for fear of danger to avoid
and shun great attempts, was nothing at all changed or discouraged
with the speeches and words of the Scots, remaining steadfast and
immutable in his first resolution; determining either to bring that to
pass which was intended or else to die the death.
And as for them which were with Master Chanceler in his ship,
although they had great cause of discomfort by the loss of their
company (whom the aforesaid tempest had separated from them), and
were not a little troubled with cogitations and perturbations of mind in
respect of their doubtful course, yet, notwithstanding, they were of such
content and agreement of mind with Master Chanceler, that they were
resolute and prepared under his direction and government to make
proof and trial of all adventures without all fear or mistrust of future
dangers. Which constancy of mind in all the company did exceedingly
increase their captain's carefulness; for he being swallowed up with like
goodwill and love towards them, feared lest, through any error of his,
the safety of the company should be endangered. To conclude, when
they saw their desire and hope of the arrival of the rest of the ships to
be every day more and more frustrated, they provided to sea again, and
Master Chanceler held on his course towards that unknown part of the
world, and sailed so far that he came at last to the place where he found
no night at all, but a continual light and brightness of the sun shining
clearly upon the huge and mighty sea. And having the benefit of this
perpetual light for certain days, at length it pleased God to bring them
into a certain great bay, which was of one hundred miles or thereabout
over. Whereinto they entered and somewhat far within it cast anchor,
and looking every way about them, it happened that they espied afar off
a certain fisher boat, which Master Chanceler, accompanied with a few
of his men, went towards to commune with the fishermen that were in

it, and to know of them what country it was, and what people, and of
what manner of living they were. But they being amazed with the
strange greatness of his ship (for in those