FRANCIS DE ULLOA a.d. 



1540. 

 Island we should meete with contrary winde at North 

 and Northwest. This day about evening when our ships 

 had discovered the point of this Isle of Cedars, wee 

 began to perceive those contrary windes, and the sea to 

 goe so loftily, that it was terrible to behold. And the 

 farther we went, the more the winds increased, so that 

 they put us to great distresse, sayling alwayes with the 

 sheates of our mainesaile and trinket warily in our hands, 

 and with great diligence we loosed the ties of all the 

 sailes, to save them the better, that the wind might not 

 charge them too vehemently. For all this the mariners 

 thought it best to returne backe, and that by no means 

 we should runne farre into the sea, because we were 

 in extreame danger. Whereupon wee followed their 

 counsel, turning backe almost to the place from whence 

 we departed, whereat we were al not a little grieved, 

 because we could not prosecute our voyage, and began 

 to want many things for the furniture of our ships. 

 The 8 of March being Munday about noone the Generall 

 commanded us to set saile, for a small gale of winde 

 blew from the West, which was the wind whereof we 

 had most need, to follow our voyage, whereat wee were 

 all glad for the great desire which we had to depart out 

 of that place. Therefore we began to set saile, & to 

 passe toward the point of the Island, and to shape our [III. 423.] 

 course toward the coast of the firme land, to view the 

 situation thereof. And as we passed the Island, and 

 were betwixt it and the maine, the Northwest being a 

 contrary wind began to blow, which increased so by 

 degrees, that we were constrained to let fall the bonets 

 of our sailes, to save them, striking them very low. 

 And the Trinitie seeing this bad weather returned forth- 

 with unto the place from whence we departed, and the 

 Admiral cast about all night in the sea, untill the morn- 

 ing ; and the chiefe Pilot considering that by no means 

 we could proceed farther without danger, if we should 

 continue at sea any longer, resolved that wee should 

 retire our selves againe to that shelter, where we rode at 

 IX 273 s 



