A.D. 



1556. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



we were fiftie leagues past the river de Sestos : notwith- 

 standing there was water enough to be had, and they 

 would helpe us to water with their owne boats because 

 they would have our companie. And told us further, 

 that they had bene sixe weekes upon the coast, and had 

 gotten but three tunnes of graines amongst them all : 

 and when wee had heard them, we made our reckoning 

 that although the Mina were cleare, yet if they did goe 

 before us, they would marre our market ; and if it were 

 not cleare, then if the Portugals were there and did take 

 them, they would understand that we were behind, and 

 They admit S o would waite for us. And further we made account 

 certaine t ^ at jf we went w j tn them we should doe as well as they, 

 into their ^ t ^ le coast were cleare : if it were not cleare, then by 

 companie. them we were assured to be the stronger. Therefore 

 having considered thus much of their gentle offers, wee 

 told them that the next day wee would conferre more 

 largely of the matter. Whereupon they desired me to 

 come the next day to dinner to them, and to bring the 

 masters of our ships with me, and such marchants as I 

 thought good, promising to give us water out of their 

 owne ships if we would take it, or els to tarie with 

 us and helpe us to water with their own boats and pin- 

 nasses. 



The 31 day in the morning the Admirall sent his 

 boat aboord for me, and I tooke our masters and cer- 

 taine of our marchants and went to him, who had 

 provided a notable banquet for us, and intreated us very 

 friendly, desiring us still to keepe his company, promising 

 that what victuals were in his ships, or other things that 

 might doe us pleasure untill the end, we should have 

 the one halfe of it, offering us if we would to furle 

 his Flags, and to bee at our commaundement in all 

 things. 



In the ende we agreed to come to an anker, and to 

 send our boat on shore with the Admirals boat, and one 

 of his pinnasses, and an Almaine which they had brought 

 out of France, to seeke water, as for our pinnasse she 



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