We sailed from Peru, (where we had continued by the space of one whole year) for China and Iapan, by the South Sea; taking with us Victuals for twelve Months; and had good Winds from the East, though soft and weak, for five Months space and more. But then the Wind came about, and setled in the West for many daies, so as we could make little or no way, and were sometimes in purpose to turn back. But then again there arose Strong and Great VVinds from the South, with a Point East; which carried us up, (for all that we could do) towards the North: By which time our Victuals failed us, though we had made good spare of them. So that finding our selves, in the Midst of the greatest VVilderness of waters in the world, without Victuall, we gave our Selves for lost Men, and prepared for death. Yet we did lift up our Hearts and Voices to GOD above, who sheweth his Wonders in the Deep; Beseeching him of his Mercy, that as in the Beginning He discovered the Face of the Deep, and brought forth Drie-land: So he would now discover Land to us, that we might not perish. And it came to pass, that the next day about Evening, we saw within a Kenning before us, towards the North, as it were thicker Clouds, which did put us in some hope of Land: Knowing how that part of the South-Sea was utterly unknown: And might have islands or Continents, that hitherto were not come to light. VVherefore we bent our course thither, where we saw the appearance of Land, all that Night. And in the Dawning of the next Day, we might plainly discern that it was a Land Flat to our sight, and full of Boscage: which made it shew the more Dark. And after an Hour and a halfes Sayling, we entred into a good Haven, being the Port of a fair City. Not great indeed, but well built, and that gave a pleasant view from the Sea. And we thinking every minute long, till we were on Land, came close to the Shore, and offered to Land. But straight waies we saw divers of the People, with Bastons in their hands, (as it were) forbidding us to land: Yet without any Cries or Fiercenesse, but only as warning us off, by Signes that they made. Whereupon being not a little discomforted, we were advising with our selves, what we should do. During which time, there made forth to us a small Boat, with about eight Persons in it, whereof One of them had in his Hand a Tip-staffe of a yellow Cane, tipped at both ends with Blew, who made aboard our Ship, without any shew of Distrust at ally And when he saw one of our Number, present himself somewhat afore the rest, he drew forth a little Scroul of Parchment (somewhat yellower than our Parchment, and shining like the Leaves of VVriting Tables, but otherwise soft and flexible,) and delivered it to our formost man. In which Scroul were written in Antient Hebrew, and in Antient Greek, and in good Latine of the School, and in Spanish, these words; Land ye not, none of you; and provide to be gone from this Coast, within sixteen daies, except you have further time given you: Mean while, if you want Fresh Water, or Victual, or help for your Sick, or that your Ship needeth repair, write down your wants, and you shall have that which belongeth to Mercy. This Scroul was signed with a Stamp of Cherubims Wings, not spread but hanging downwards; And by them a Crosse. This being delivered, the Officer returned, and left only a Servant with us to receive our Answer. Consulting hereupon amongst our Selves, we were much perplexed. The Deniall of Landing, and Hasty VVarning us away, troubled us much: On the other side, to find that the People had Languages, and were so full of Humanity, did comfort us not a little. And above all, the Sign of the Crosse to that Instrument, was to us a great Rejoycing, and as it were a certain Presage of Good. Our Answer was in the Spanish tongue; That for our Ship, it was well; For we had rather met with Calmes and contrary winds, than any Tempests. For our Sick, they were many, and in very ill Case; So that if they were not permitted to Land, they ran in danger of their lives. Our other VVants wee let down in particular, adding; That we had some little store of Merchandize, which if it pleased them to deal for, it might supply our Wants, without being chargeable unto them. VVe offered some Reward in Pistolets unto the Servant, and a piece of Crimson Velvet to be presented to the Officer: But the Servant took them not, nor would scarce look upon them; And so left us, and went back in another little Boat which was sent for him.
About three Hours after we had dispatched our Answer, there came toward us, a Person (as it seemed,) of place. He had on him a Gown with wide Sleeves, of a kind of VVater Chamolet, of an excellent Azure Colour, far more glossy than ours: His under Apparell was green, and so was his Hat, being in the form of a Turban, daintily made, and not so huge as the Turkish Turbans; And the Locks of his Hair came down below the Brims of it. A Reverend Man was he to behold. He came in a Boat, gilt in some part of it, with four persons more onely in that Boat; And was followed by another Boat, wherein were some Twenty. VVhen he was come within a Flight-shot of our Ship, Signes were made to us, that we should send forth some to meet him upon the water, which we presently did in our Ship-Boat, sending the principal Man amongst us save one, and four of our Number with him. VVhen we were come within six yards of their Boat, they called to us to stay, and not to approach further, which we did. And thereupon the Man, whom I before described, stood up, and with a loud voyce in Spanish, asked, Are ye Christians? VVe answered, We were; fearing the lesse, because of the Crosse we had seen in the Subscription. At which Answer the said Person lift up his Right Hand towards Heaven, and drew it softly to his Mouth (which is the Gesture they use, when they thank GOD;) And then said: If you will swear, (all of you) by the merits of the SAVIOUR, that ye are no Pirates; Nor have shed bloud, lawfully, nor unlawfully, within forty daies past; you may have License to come on Land. We said, We were all ready to take that Oath. VVhereupon one of those that were with him, being (as it seemed) a Notary, made an Entry of this Act. Which done, another of the Attendants of the Great Person, which was with him in the same Boat, after his Lord had spoken a little to him, said aloud: My Lord would have you know, that it is not of Pride, or Greatnesse, that he commeth not aboard your Ship: But for that, in your Answer, you declare, that you have many Sick amongst you, he was warned by the Conservatour of Health, of the City, that he should keep a distance. VVe bowed our selves towards him, and answered: We were his humble Servants; And accounted for great Honour, and singular Humanity toward us, that which was already done: But hoped well, that the Nature of the Sicknesse, of our Men, was not infectious. So he returned; And a while after came the Notary to us aboard our Ship; Holding in his hand a Fruit of that Country, like an Orenge, but of colour between Orenge-tawny and Scarlet: which cast a most excellent Odour. He used it (as it seemeth) for a Preservative against Infection. He gave us our Oath; By the Name of Iesus and his Merits; And after told us, that the next day by six of the Clock in the Morning, we should be sent to, and brought to the Strangers House, (so he called it) where we should be accommodated of things, both for our VVhole, and for our Sick. So he left us; And when we offered him some Pistolets, he smiling, said: He must not be twice paid for one Labour: Meaning (as I take it) that he had Salary sufficient of the State for his Service. For (as I after learned) they call an Officer that taketh Rewards, Twice paid.