AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1592. 



called in question, those two most murtherous fellowes 

 were found out, whose names were Charles Parker and 

 Edward Smith. 



The Captaine being thus hardly beset in peril! of 

 famine, and in danger of murthering, was constrained to 

 use lenitie, and by courteous meanes to pacifie this furie: 

 shewing, that to doe the Generall service, unto whom he 

 had vowed faith in this action, was the cause why hee 

 purposed to goe unto him in the pinnesse, considering, 

 that the pinnesse was so necessary a thing for him, as that 

 hee could not bee without her, because hee was fearefull 

 of the shore in so great shippes. Whereupon all cried 

 out with cursing and swearing, that the pinnesse should 

 not goe unlesse the shippe went. Then the Captaine 

 desired them to shewe themselves Christians, and not so 

 blasphemously to behave themselves, without regard or 

 thankesgiving to God for their great deliverance, and 

 present sustenance bestowed upon them, alleaging many 

 examples of Gods sharpe punishment for such ingratitude; 

 and withall promised to doe any thing that might stand 

 with their good liking. By which gentle speaches the 

 matter was pacified, and the Captaine and Master at the 

 request of the company were content to forgive this great 

 treachery of Parker and Smith, who after many admoni- 

 tions concluded in these wordes : The Lord judge be- 

 [III. 845.] tweene you and mee : which after came to a most sharpe 

 revenge even by the punishment of the Almightie. Thus 

 by a generall consent it was concluded not to depart, 

 but there to stay for the Generals returne. Then our 

 Captaine and Master, seeing that they could not doe the 

 Generall that service which they desired, made a motion 

 to the companie, that they would lay downe under their 

 handes the losing of the Generall, with the extremities 

 wherein we then stoode : whereunto they consented, and 

 wrote under their hands as followeth. 



396 



