ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1589. 



his clearks (rockes that lye to the Westwards from Sylly, 

 and the Westerne parts of England :) For soone after 

 the wind scanting came about to the Eastwards (the 

 worst part of the heavens for us, from which the winde 

 could blow) in such sort, that we could not fetch any 

 part of England. And hereupon also our allowance of 

 drinke, which was scant ynough before, was yet more 

 more scanted, because of the scarcitie thereof in the 

 shippe. So that now a man was allowed but halfe a 

 pinte at a meale, and that many times colde water, and 

 scarce sweete. Notwithstanding this was an happie estate 

 in comparison of that which followed : For from halfe 

 a pinte we came to a quarter, and that lasted not long 

 neither, so that by reason of this great scarcitie of drinke, 

 and contrarietie of winde, we thought to put into Ireland, 

 there to relieve our wants. But when wee came neere 

 thither, lying at hull all night (tarrying for the daylight 

 of the next morning, whereby we might the safelyer 

 bring our ship into some convenient harbour there) 

 we were driven so farre to lee-ward, that we could fetch 

 no part of Ireland, so as with heavie hearts and sad 

 cheare, wee were constreined to returne backe againe, and 

 expect till it should please God to send us a faire winde 

 either for England or Ireland. In the meane time we 

 were allowed every man three or foure spoones full of 

 vineger to drinke at a meale : for other drinke we had 

 none, saving onely at two or three meales, when we had 

 in stead hereof as much wine, which was wringed out 

 of Wine-lees that remained. With this hard fare (for by 

 reason of our great want of drinke, wee durst eate but 

 very litle) wee continued for the space of a fourtnight 

 or thereabouts : Saving that now and then wee feasted 

 for it in the meane time : And that was when there fell 

 any haile or raine : the haile-stones wee gathered up and 

 did eate them more pleasantly then if they had bene 

 the sweetest Comfits in the world ; The raine-drops were 

 so carefully saved, that so neere as wee coulde, not one 

 was lost in all our shippe. Some hanged up sheetes tied 



