a.d. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1578. 



forth againe. The Michael set sayle to follow the 

 Generall, and could give the Busse no reliefe, although 

 they earnestly desired the same. And the Captaine of 

 the Anne Francis was left in hard election of two evils : 

 eyther to abide his fortune with the Busse of Bridgewater, 

 which was doubtfull of ever getting forth, or else to bee 

 towed in his small Pinnesse at the sterne of the Michael 

 thorow the raging Seas, for that the Barke was not able 

 to receive or relieve halfe his company, wherein his 

 danger was not a little perillous. 



So after hee resolved to commit himselfe with all his 

 company unto that fortune of God and Sea, and was 

 dangerously towed at the sterne of the Barke for many 

 miles, untill at length they espyed the Anne Francis under 

 sayle, hard under their Lee, which was no small comfort 

 unto them. For no doubt, both those and a great 

 number more had perished for lacke of victuals, and 

 convenient roome in the Barks without the helpe of 

 the sayd Ship. But the honest care that the Master of 

 the Anne Francis had of his Captaine, and the good 

 regarde of duetie towardes his Generall, suffered him not 

 to depart, but honestly abode to hazard a dangerous 

 roade all the night long, notwithstanding all the stormy 

 weather, when all the Fleete besides departed. And the 

 Pinnesse came no sooner aboord the shippe, and the 

 men entred, but shee presently shivered and fell in pieces 

 and sunke at the ships sterne, with all the poore mens 

 furniture : so weake was the boat with towing, and so 

 forcible was the sea to bruise her in pieces. But (as 

 God would) the men were all saved. 



At this present in this storme many of the Fleete 

 were dangerously distressed, and were severed almost all 

 asunder. Yet, thanks be to God, all the Fleete arrived 

 safely in England about the first of October, some in 

 one place and some in another. But amongst other, it 

 was most marveilous how the Busse of Bridgewater got 

 away, who being left behind the Fleete in great danger 

 of never getting forth, was forced to seeke a way North- 



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