AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1539- 



and tempestuous with winde and raine, because we 

 thought we should have perished, being very neere the 

 shore, we prayed unto God that he would vouchsafe to 

 ayde and save us without calling our sinnes to remem- 

 brance. And straightway wee saw upon the shrowdes of 

 the Trinity as it were a candle, which of it selfe shined, 

 and gave a light, whereat all the company greatly rejoyced, 

 in such sort that wee ceased not to give thankes unto God. 

 Whereupon we assured our selves, that of his mercie 

 hee would guide and save us, and would not suffer us 

 to perish, as indeede it fell out ; for the next day wee 

 had good weather, and all the mariners sayd, that it 

 was the light of Saint Elmo which appeared on the 

 shrowdes, and they saluted it with their songs and 

 prayers. These stormes tooke us betweene the Isles of 

 Saint lago and Saint Philip, and the Isle called Isla de 

 perlas lying over against the point of California sup- 

 posed to be firme land. 



Chap. 7. 



Sayling on their way they discover a pleasant Countrey, 

 and in their judgement greatly inhabited, and finde 

 the Sea-coast very deepe. They went to discover or 

 viewe the Isle of perles. And by a current one of 

 their ships is separated from the other, and with great 

 joy after three dayes they had sight again of her, and 

 following their voyage they discover certaine great, 

 greene, and pleasant plaines. 



WE began to sayle along the coast the seventh or 

 eight of November, the land alwayes shewing very 

 greene with grasse pleasant to behold, and certaine plaines 

 neere the shore, and up within the countrey many 

 [III. 406.] pleasant hils replenished with wood, and certaine valleys, 

 so that wee were delighted above measure, and wondered 

 at the greatnes and goodly view of the countrey : & 

 every night we saw fires, which shewed that the countrey 

 is greatly inhabited. Thus we proceeded on our voyage 

 untill the tenth of the sayd moneth of November, having 



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