GEORGE BEST'S DISCOURSE a. 



1578. 

 was a thing of no account in the judgement of the 

 captaine at the first sight ; and yet for novelty it was 

 kept in respect of the place from whence it came. 



After his arrivall in London, being demanded of 

 sundry his friends what thing he had brought them 

 home out of that countrey, he had nothing left to 

 present them withall but a piece of this blacke stone. [III. 60.] 

 And it fortuned a gentlewoman one of the adventurers 

 wives to have a piece therof, which by chance she threw 

 and burned in the fire, so long, that at the length being 

 taken forth, and quenched in a litle vineger, it glistered 

 with a bright marquesset of golde. Whereupon the 

 matter being called in some question, it was brought to 

 certaine Goldfiners in London to make assay thereof, 

 who gave out that it held golde, and that very richly 

 for the quantity. Afterwards, the same Goldfiners pro- Many adven- 

 mised great matters thereof if there were any store to turers - 

 be found, and offered themselves to adventure for the 

 searching of those parts from whence the same was 

 brought. Some that had great hope of the matter 

 sought secretly to have a lease at her Majesties hands 

 of those places, whereby to injoy the masse of so great 

 a publike profit unto their owne private gaines. 



In conclusion, the hope of more of the same golde 



ore to be found kindled a greater opinion in the hearts 



of many to advance the voyage againe. Whereupon 



preparation was made for a new voyage against the yere 



following, and the captaine more specially directed by 



commission for the searching more of this golde ore I* tfie second 



then for the searching: aiw further discoverv of the v °y a & com - 

 AJL . ,9 J ...... J . mission was 



passage. And being well accompanied with divers resolute - n one j„ 



and forward gentlemen, her Majesty then lying at the for the bring- 



right honourable the lord of Warwicks house in Essex, ingofore. 



he came to take his leave, and kissing her hignesse 



hands, with gracious countenance & comfortable words 



departed toward his charge. 



[A true 

 283 



