46

After we were cleere of these Ilands, which lie out with two points,
one to the South-east, and the other to the North,
making a Bay to the sight as if there were no way through,
we continued our course East South-east, and South and by East,
to raise the Desolations, from thence to shape our course for Ireland.
Thus we continued divers dayes : but the wind comming against us,
made us to alter our course,
and by the meanes of Robert Juet who perswaded the company,
that they should find great reliefe in Newfound Land,
if our Country-men were there, and if they were gone before we came,
yet should we find great store of bread and fish left ashoare by them :
but how true, I give God thankes, we did not trie.
Yet we stood to the South-west, and to the West,
almost to fiftie seven degrees :
when (by the will of God) the winde came up at South-west.
Then the Master asked me, if he should take the benefit of this wind,
and shape his course for Ireland.
I said it was best to goe, where we knew Corne grew, and not to seeke it,
where it was cast away, and not to be found.
Towards Ireland now wee stood,
with prosperous winds for many dayes together :
then was all our Meale spent, and our Fowle restie and dry :
but (being no remedie) we were content with the Salt broth for Dinner,
and the halfe Fowle for Supper.
Now went our Candles to wracke, and Bennet our Cooke
made a nesse of meate of the bones of the Fowle,
frying them with Candle-grease, till they were crispe,
and with Vineger put to them, made a good dish of meate.
Our Vineger was shared,
and every man a pound of Candles delivered for a weeke,
as a great daintie.
Now Robert Juet (by his reckoning) saith,
wee were within sixtie or seventie leagues of Ireland,
when wee had two hundred thither.
And sure our course was so much the longer, through our evill steeredge :
for, our men became so weake, that they could not stand at the Helme,
but were saine to sit.