may be judged hard measure to deny Zolkievius the Honour of having acquitted himself well in that particular since he had brought it within view of the Harbour but as the Honour of the Success had been intirely his if he had prospered so his memory must be patient of this Cloud drawn over the lustre of it by the failing of some mean Officer in omitting to give the Signal of his March But here did he fall and was laid upon the Bed of Honour in the extremity of his Age refusing to live when he could not do it gloriously Skinder Bassa either grown uneasie at the accession of this Victory or that some great ones at Court were unworthily emulous of his Glory had contracted many Enemies near the Grand Signior who upon all occasions did him ill Offices but finding that infection to work slowly they corrupted some of his nearest Servants who by the infusion of Poyson in his Drinks destroyed him suddenly so that he did not long survive the Unfortunate Zolkierius being in this more Unhappy That he expired in the quality of a Criminal and that no certain account can be given of him but that he Died in the year 1620. The Fiery Misfortune IN the year 1618. Dec. 28. I George Bonlekoe went Aboard the Ship Named the New Horn burthen eleven hundred Tun and two hundred and six Men and Sailed from the Texel in Holland bound for the East-Indies In three days we lost sight of the English Coasts the fourth so great a Storm arose that we were forced to let down our Top-Sails and increasing in the Night five great Waves rolled over our Vessel which filling our Deck with Water made our Men cry out We sink the Port-holes are open Hearing that I ran to the fore part of the Ship but found them all close and freed the Men from their fear I sent a Man into the Hold who found no Water there We drained our Deck with Buckets and threw over-board the Seamens Chests which by rolling about much incommoded us the Wind and Rain were so violent that the Sky and Sea seemed joined together and the Lightning made all appear like a Flame The Storm still continued when we perceived great Flocks of Sea-Gulls which made us think we were near the Isle of Bresil though we could not see it at length the fury of the Winds broke off our Main-Mast about five yards above Deck which put us in great fear but with much labour we made our Fore-mast to serve in the place The Tempest continued sixteen days and then the Wind ceased When having repaired our Tackle we pursued our Voyage steering our course to the Canary Islands and perceiving a Ship behind us we stopt our course expecting her and found it was the New Zealand who had suffered no dammage by the Storm Next day we met with another called the New Enchysen both bound for the East-Indies so we Sailed all three in company making merry every day Aboard of each other and passing by the Canaries came to the Isles of May and Fonges where the Mists and Rains were so thick that we lost sight of each other We sounded at Fonges but sound no bottom and sent our Long-Boat toward the shore but the Spaniards at Land shot at them with Muskets and would not suffer them to come ashore whereupon having taken a few Fish we weighed Anchor and Sail'd toward the Equinoctial Line Next morning we again discovered our two Companions and joyfully saluted each other who told us That Landing at the Isle of May to buy some Provisions the Spaniards opposed and killed two of their Men which made them return empty At length arriving under the Line the Weather calmed and the Winds were so uncertain sometimes turning all the Compass at once that we were obliged to stay there three Weeks The Sea was calm in the Day and rough at Night and the Waves that beat against our Vessel seemed like Flames of Fire We proceeded toward the Cape of Good Hope and saw Sea-Gulls chequer'd with black Spots on their Wings of which we took several with an Instrument whereto a little Bell was tyed These Fowls appear always near the Cape and guided us thither but the Wind blowing hard we passed it without Landing since all our people were in Health this being about the end of May five months after our departure from Holland We steered our course toward Madagascar and parted company with the two other Ships who both took a different course At this time several of our Men were Sick whereupon we endeavoured to Land perceiving several persons walking along the shore one of our Men got ashore and spoke to them but could not understand what they said only by signs perceived that they informed us there was a better Landing place a little lower Meeting with no fresh Provisions here to the great grief of the Sick people whose number daily increased and some of them dyed they came to the Captains Cabbin and desired him to seek Land affirming they should recover as soon as they came ashore by the help of the Air. The Captain hereupon resolved to Sail to the Isle of Mascarius but when he arrived there the Wind was so strong that Heyn Roll our Merchant would not consent they should venture to go ashore yet at length by the importunity of the Sick men they were put into a Shallop having a Sail to make a Tent with Oil Vinegar Kettles and other Utensils along with them and so were set ashore where they instantly threw themselves on the Grass and in a short time found much benefit from the sweetness of the Air. We discovered several Pidgeons and Ring-Doves on the Trees who suffered us to take them with our Hands of which we killed and wasted two hundred in one Day We found likewise store of Shell-fish which we Stewed with Damask-Prunes brought from Holland But this place being inconvenient I went in the Shallop vvith several others upon discovery and five Leagues further vve found Springs of Water near the shore but somevvhat brackish by communication vvith the Sea Here vvere Ring-Doves gray Parrots and other Fovvl vvith a great number of Tortoises 25 of them together sometimes shading themselves under a Tree vve took as many as vve pleased for they did not fear us There vvas likevvise a sort of Animals vvith small Wings but could not fly being so fat that they drevv their Tails after them on the ground and vvere scarce able to move It was pleasant to observe that when we made a Parrot or other Bird cry and make a noise all that heard it came to his relief and were thereby taken We then put our Sick men aboard the Ship and brought them to this place and then eight of our Seamen were sent to fetch in Provision and Fish in the Rivers where they catch'd store of excellent Fish some as big as Salmons Here was a little River of fresh Water on the brink whereof grew such
thick Trees and in so exact order as if they had been planted yielding a very fine prospect We found here a Plank wherein was cut in great Letters That Admiral Adrian Maerts standing into this Road with thirteen Sail of Ships and having sent some Shallops to Land they were all dashed in pieces by a furious Storm and all the Men drowned but during our stay the Sea was calm enough Our Men run over all the Island without meeting with any Humane Creature but found good store of Birds and another River full of Fish and pulling off their Shirts and spreading them on the Water catch'd several excellent Eeles Every morning we had the pleasure to see the Tortoises come out of the Sea to run upon the shore digging holes in the Sand wherein to lay their Eggs the number of which were sometimes two hundred and then covering up the holes that lay next the Sun they left them to be hatch'd by the heat thereof from whence we might see young Tortoises no bigger than Wallnuts running upon the Sand. In this place were many Palm-trees from whence we drew a very pleasant Liquor We saw several Deer but so Wild that we took only an old one whose Horns were Worm-eaten and the flesh unpleasant to eat We set up a Sun Dial to know how the time passed Our Sick being fully recovered and our Vessel trimmed and aired we beat a Drum for our people to bring aboard all the Provisions one of whom by shooting at a Fowl lost his Eye by the breaking of the Gun After we had Sojourned twenty one days in this small Island we Sailed for St. Marys near Madagascar the Water on the shore being clear like Chrystal so that we could discern the bottom the Inhabitants perceiving us came in their Canoa's made out of an hollow Tree to our Ships side bringing with them Apples Citurns Rice and Fowl but we could not understand them only they cried out Bonu Bee Cou Que Cicou signifying thereby that they had Cows Calves Sheep and Fowls and that what they brought was only a small sample We beheld them with much amazement and gave them a great Bowl of Wine into which putting their Heads they drunk like Beasts and the fumes of the Wine getting into their Brains made them shew a thousand Antick Tricks They vvere Naked only their Nuditives covered vvith a Skin their complexion yellovv inclining to brovvn by rubbing themselves vvith a certain Oyl to keep off the heat of the Sun We went daily on shore to exchange with them little Bells Spoons Knives and Coral for Calves Sheep Rice and Milk They brought Milk in Leaves made like a close Basket so that we were forced to pierce a hole to get it out After two or three days stay we Sailed three or four Leagues further where going on shore we met vvith nothing but Apples and Melons which we little valued The Ships Council ordered me to go ashore at Madagascar where we found little Fruit. We had a Musician in the Ship who playing before the Inhabitants they were so taken therewith that they stood amazed for some time admiring him and then fell a Dancing round him in several pleasant postures They seem ignorant of any God setting up before their Houses the Heads of Oxen on Spikes to whom they kneel and make Adoration we endeavoured to inform them better but to no purpose and returning aboard directed our course to the Streight of Sumda and arriving to the height thereof which was five Degrees and an half North Latitude Novemb. 19. the Steward after Dinner went down into the Hold with a Candle to fill his Runlet with Aqua Vitae that it might be ready next morning to distribute a Cup to every one according to Custom He strikes the sharp end of his Candlestick into an Hogshead above that he drew from and having finished his business endeavours to pluck it out again which he did with such force that a spark of the Light fell into the Hogshead of Aqua Vitae which instantly took Fire and put it all into a Flame I being on the Deck and hearing the Steward cry Fire look'd down through the Hatches and saw him throwing Water into it and running down could then perceive no Fire Nay I thrust my Arm into the Hogshead and could feel none the Water seeming to have extinguished it I went away but soon after the Fire increased so much that its violence caused the bottom of the Hogshead to fly out whereby the Flame dispersed it self on a heap of Sea-coal that lay underneath and set it on Fire which so much alarm'd us that we all run to quench it but found it difficult since three rows of Hogsheads lay one upon another and by throwing Water on the Coals so thick and sulphurous a smoak arose as almost stifled us I proposed to Heyn Roll our Merchant to throw the Gun-powder over-board but he absolutely refused to consent to it alledging It was still possible to quench the Fire If says he we throw our Powder away how shall we defend our selves if attack'd by an Enemy And if taken How shall we excuse our selves to our Owners So the Powder remained in the Ship The Fire still prevailing and none being able to stay in the Hold for the smoak we made divers holes in the Deck through which we threw down a great quantity of Water but all in vain The Shallop had been near three Weeks in the Water drawn after the Ship Some of the Men got into the Cock-boat to have more room to Work and our fear increasing seeing nothing but the Heavens and Water without hope of Succour others slid along down the Ships side into the Sea and Swam to the Shallop to secure themselves Heyn Roll being on the Fore-Deck wondred to see so many people in the two Boats they spying him called out they were ready to depart and if he would go along with them he must hasten down He accordingly consented and being come down desired them to give the Captain notice and take him in but they would not consent to it instantly cutting the Ropes and going off I knew nothing of this being very earnest in quenching the Flames when a Sailor surprized me saying Good Captain what shall we do since the Shallop and Long-Boat have left the Ship and are under Sail If they are gone said I They never design to return again and running up the Ropes I perceived them and thereupon caused all the Sails to be hoisted up and Sailed after them but coming within three Ships length they rowed up against the Wind and escaped Whereupon I incouraged the rest of my Men afresh saying Sirs next to God all our Help is in our own Hands let us every one fall to Work and try again what we can do go first and throw away the Powder Which was done but the Fire being got to the lowest part of the Hold we could not come near it because of the Iron and
so rudely that at last she open'd under the Gunners Room The Water then entring in abundance began to gain the first Deck and to fill the Gunners Room it advanced even to the great Cabbin and in a moment after it reach'd to their Girdles that were upon the second Deck and still ascending insensibly our ship at last sunk quite down into the Sea till the Keel reach'd the bottom the body of the Vessel remaining for some time immoveable It would be a hard task to represent the astonishment terror and consternation that seiz'd upon every Heart in the Ship Nothing now was heard but cries sighs and groans Some prostrate upon the Deck implor'd the assistance of Heaven Others were throwing into the Sea Barrels empty Casks Sail-yards and pieces of Boards to aid them in making their escape After the violence of the crying was over they that remain'd in the Vessel began to think of saving themselves They made several Rafts of the Boards and Masts of the Ship because they that first threw themselves into the Sea not having been cautious enough were drown'd being either swallow'd up or dash'd to pieces by the violence of the Waves which cast them upon the ledge of Rocks that run along the shore I was no less astonish'd than the rest but seeing that they assur'd me that there was probability of escaping I plac'd my self upon some boards ty'd together and by swimming gain'd the shore to which already some Portugals had escap'd When they saw that no more were to be expected than those already arriv'd they reckon'd up what were sav'd and were found to be near two hundred persons so that only seven or eight were drowned by endeavouring to save themselves too soon The second day after our Shipwrack we set forth all together The Captain and Pilots told us that we were not far from the Cape of Good Hope where the Hollanders have a very numerous Colony and that in a day or two at most we might be with them This assurance made most part of our company leave behind them the Victuals which they had sav'd out of the Vessel that so being free of all incumbrances they might perform their Journey with greater ease We march'd all that day without stopping but twice to repose a little about Four a Clock after Noon we found a great Marsh which comforted us not a little the Portugals were of opinion that we should pass no further but rest by this Ditch the approaching Night The next day we departed very early the Portugals got the start of us because we were oblig'd to stay for the first Ambassador who being very weak and languishing could not hold pace with the rest But seeing there was a necessity not to lose them we divided our selves into three companies whereof the first kept always the Portugals in sight and the two others observing the same distance were inform'd by Signals from the first Band when the Portugals stopt or alter'd their course In all this days Journey we found but one Well the Water whereof was so brackish that none of us could drink of it At the same time we took notice by the Signal that the Portugals had stop'd we doubted not but that they had found good Water and this hope made us redouble our pace nevertheless we could not bring the Ambassador thither till after Sun-set Our Men told us that the Portugals would not stay for us saying That it would avail us nothing to dye all together with hunger thirst and misery The first Ambassador hearing this told us He felt himself so feeble and fatigu'd that it was impossible for him to follow the Portugals and therefore desired us that were in health to make haste to fetch them up only he order'd us that seeing the Hollanders Habitation was not far off to send from thence a Horse and Victuals to bring him to the Cape if he were alive This separation was very sad but it was necessary There was a young man of about fifteen years a Mandarins Son that would not be perswaded to leave the Ambassador of whom he was very much belov'd and whom he also lov'd in a particular manner his Gratitude and Love made him resolve to live and dye with the Ambassador and one old Servant abode also with his Master The second Ambassador another Man darin and I bidding him adieu set forward and made so great haste that in the Evening we join'd the Portugals Continuing our March for some days we found a little Island cover'd almost over with Muscles and water'd with a Spring of running Water we went thither with a purpose to stay one Night but found our selves so well accommodated that we remain'd there all the next day and the following Night after which we set forwards in our Journey Before our departure we perceiv'd certain dry Trees of a considerable bigness pierc'd through both ends after the manner of Trumpets the thirst that had hitherto so cruelly tormented us made us bethink our selves of an Invention that was of great use to us in the rest of our Journey Every one provided himself of one of these long Tubes and having clos'd up the lower end fill'd it with Water for a days Provision We had lost some Siamois in our March so that there remain'd but ten of us in all reckoning the two Ambassadors This loss and the action of the Portugals who left us put us in a great consternation yet we took courage and resolv'd to follow them About Noon we arrived at the bank of a River about sixty foot broad and seven or eight deep we attempted to wade over but the current was so rapid that we were in danger of being carried away by it and forc'd to return to the bank therefore concluding that the Portugals had not past over this River but continued their march along the banks thereof following the same course we arrived at the foot of a Hill which was hollow below as if Nature had design'd to provide a Lodging for Travellers There was room enough here to contain us all and in it we abode all Night which was very cold My feet and legs had been for some days so swell'd that I could neither wear Stockings nor Shoes We coasted all the next day the banks of the River in hopes to overtake the Portugals whom we judg'd were not very far before us From time to time we saw marks of them one of our men found a Carbine with a Box full of Powder left without doubt by some Portugal unable to carry them further This fell into our hands very seasonably to kindle a fire withal and seeing my swelling render'd my Shoes useless to me I cutted them in pieces and being boil'd we eat them very greedily At last having endur'd all the miseries of hunger thirst cold and weariness the One and Thirtieth day after our Shipwrack we arriv'd at the Fort which the Hollanders have in the Road of the Cape of Good Hope The
being without Provisions and out of sight of Land yet I still incouraged them by saying they were not far from it but they murmured often crying out Our Captain tells us more than he knows since we every day seem to be at a greater distance from it But when it seemed impossible for us to subsist any longer it pleased God to send a great number of Sea-Gulls who flew about us as if they desired to to be taken we caught some of them but had not patience to pluck off the Feathers yet eat them with as good an Appetite as if they had been drest But still descrying no Land we began to despair those in the other Boat coming up again beg'd us to take them in which at length we did esteeming it better to dye all together since there was no sign of Relief being then in all seventy two Souls without either Meat or Drink or expectation of getting any Looking thus woefully upon each other by the goodness of Heaven a great quantity of flying Fish rose from the Water flying till their Wings were dry and then fell down into our Boat we immediately seized and divided them and eat them raw which comforted us and kept us from starving so that none dyed which was wonderful since many already drank Sea-Water notwithstanding all my Remonstrances others held Musket-bullets in their Mouths other again drunk their own Urine so long as it was good but at length it would not serve Our calamity still increasing we began to look upon one another with a cruel eye plainly discovering our design to feed upon each other At last it came almost to an open resolution that the Boys should be killed and eaten first and then they would cast Lots amongst themselves It is impossible to express the Horror which I had at this proposal perceiving their readiness to execute it I therefore earnestly begged of God to change their Minds and preserve them from this Cruelty and going to them said Friends I do assure you we are not far from Land for I know it by my Instruments hope in God and he will relieve us They replied I were used to entertain them with such discourses telling me plainly That if they diseerned no Land in such a time they would certainly begin to eat the Boys Considering their barbarous Resolution I reiterated my most earnest Prayers to the Almighty not to suffer us to be tempted beyond our power but to guide and direct us to some place of safety We were grown so lean and faint that we could scarce stand and our Merchant Heyn Roll was not able to rise from the ground so that my whole business was to go from Poop to Prow to comfort them though I wanted as much consolation my self We Sailed thus at all Adventures till Dec. 2. 1619. being the thirteenth day since we lost our Ship We had then some Rain which we greedily received and filled our two small Vessels and every Man at Night stood back to back against each other like Sheep against the cold Next morning the Weather cleared up and the Quarter-master being at the Helm hollowed out Land Land Land All our people extreamly rejoyced at the News and taking fresh strength and courage we hoisted up our Sails and got ashore that very Day where we praised God that had not suffered us to commit the crime we were about to perpetrate for this was the last Day prefixt for this cruel and barbarous Resolution of eating the Boys We forraged the Island and found abundance of Coco-Nuts but no fresh Water we drew a very pleasant Liquor from them and eat the Meat We could find no Man on the place though it seemed to have been Inhabited but saw a Serpent as big as our largest Barrels This Island is distant four or five Leagues from Sumatra we coasted Eastward as long as our Nuts lasted which being spent we kept near the Isle to find a conveniency to Land because the roughness of the Sea made it dangerous and likewise a Bank of Sand but at length we got ashore without any other dammage than being wet with the dashing of the Waves Here we found fresh Water and Beans amongst the Herbs and a little further Tobacco and a Fire which was very pleasing to us Since we knew the Island was Inhabited we kindled a Fire in six or seven places reposing our selves about it and at Night placed Sentinels to prevent surprizals from the Inhabitants In the Night we were as sick and griped with the Beans as we had been before with the Coco's and at the same time the Natives favoured by the darkness came upon us of which our Sentinels gave us notice and though we were Sick and had no other Weapons but two Hatchets and an old rusty Sword yet we resolved to sell our Lives as dear as possible and ranging our men in Battle vvith each a Fire brand stretch'd out at full length in his Hand and the sparkles flying in the Air vve approached the Barbarians vvho vvere much astonish'd not discerning vvhat Arms vve had and thereupon fled vvith all speed and vve returned to our Fires and stood upon our Guard In the morning vve saw three Men coming toward us and some of our Company spoke to them in the Malay Language and they asking who we were he told them Hollanders that had lost their Ship by Fire and desired Provisions which they soon after brought both of Rice and Fowl for which we paid eight Crowns and divided it betwixt us and met with a Liquor as strong as Wine in a small Village of which we drunk each his share The Natives set down by us but spake not a Word seeming amazed to see us After this I bought a Buffle of them for five Crowns but he was so Wild I could not take him so our Men staid ashore to catch him and I went in a Canoa with two Negro's to the Shallop who I suppose designed to do me a mischief if there had been opportunity but I used such rough Language toward them that they saw I did not fear them Next morning we saw two men bringing a Buffle which I perceiving not to be the same asked them why our Men did not return they said They had not yet caught the Buffle Well said I we will make sure of this and ordered the Serjeant to cut off his Legs at which the Buffle fell and the Negro's set up an horrid cry upon which two or three hundred more came out of a Wood upon us designing to surprize us by getting betwixt us and the Shallop but our three Sentinels gave notice of it and came to our assistance they approaching us with Swords and Javelins whereupon we made to our Shallop and they pursued us furiously to the side of it The Baker of our Ship wrought Wonders with our rusty Sword and two others did the same with the two Hatchets but finding our selves over-powered we cut our Cable and Sailed away some of
us In the Evening one of our Company that had lain long Sick felt himself extreamly ill and apprehended the near approach of Death we comforted him as well as we could but he died that Night Next morning we dig'd a hole by turns in the Snow hard by the House seven foot deep in which we Buried our Companion which done we went to Breakfast and while we were at Meat discours'd concerning the huge quantity of Snow that fell in this Icy Region At last we resolv'd if it fell out that we were again enclos'd we would endeavour to get out through the Chimney immediately our Master went to try vvhether he could climb up that vvay and vvhile he vvas scrambling up one of our Men vvent forth to see if he vvere out or not vvho descrying the Sun call'd us all out to behold that Glorious Light in his full roundness a little above the Horizon this put an end to our Controversie and evidently confirm'd our first Assertion hereupon vve all rejoyc'd and return'd humble and hearty thanks to our Almighty Protector January 28. vve spent in various kinds of exercise refreshing our dull and num'd Joints but tvvo days after vve vvere again clos'd up vvith a prodigious Storm of Snovv The last day of the Month vve made the Door clean and going out vvere comforted vvith a sight of the Sun in its full Lustre mean vvhile vve savv a Bear coming tovvards us but vvhen vve shot at her she ran avvay The first of February a boisterous Storm made us again Prisoners this discourag'd us again much for hoping that the Sun vvould have rid us of the foul VVeather vve had made no great Provision of VVood. The third vve dig'd our Door open but a thick and dark Mist cover'd the Sun this day vve brought in some VVood vvith great pain But the very next day vve vvere again shut up by the Snovv and so vvere forc'd to climb out at the Chimney to ease our selves VVe vvere much perplex'd that vve could not enjoy the comfortable heat of the Sun that we had lately felt and yet were forc'd to have patience till the eighth before the fury of the Storm was over and on the tenth we were sensible of that agreeable warmth we had so much long'd for The eleventh we saw a Bear but she came not vvithin the reach of our Muskets but the day following we shot one into the breast as she came right before our Door the bullet pass'd quite through her Heart and came out at her Tail as flat as a shilling the Beast feeling her self wounded leapt backwards and run some five or six paces from the House before she fell VVe coming up found her still alive and when she saw us she rear'd up her Head in a threatning manner and we shot her twice in the body again before we adventur'd to touch her Having drawn her home to the House we flay'd her and took at least one hundred pound of fat out of her belly which we melted to burn in our Lamp and every Man had enough to burn a Lamp in his Cabbin for Reading and other exercises which before we could not do This was a great comfort to us in our dismal Habitation Next day five of us went to the Ship and found that the VVater did not increase much The fifteenth we were again clos'd up and on the morrow being Shrove-Tuesday we made merry in the middle of our sorrow and anguish and every one of us drank a draught of VVine The twenty second being clear VVeather eleven of us well Arm'd for fear of the Bears went to the place where we usually had our VVood but not being able to dig it up by reason that it lay so deep in the Snow we were forc'd to go a little further where we toil'd hard to get some but returning home with the Sled our strength fail'd us for the long and sore misery that we had suffer'd had so enfeebled us and so much impair'd our bodies that we were quite dishearten'd and almost resolv'd to abandon our selves to the untimely Death that threatned us but unavoidable necessity at length compell'd us to make another effort to proceed and our hopes of better VVeather redoubled our fainting strength and when we drew near to the House we saw much open VVater in the Sea which increas'd our hopes and so at last vvith great difficulty we finish'd our irksom labour Next day we vvere again clos'd up yet vvere constrain'd to get out for more VVood which we brought home with no less difficulty than before for one of our Companions had one of his Toes frozen off VVe resolv'd to spare our Wood exercising our selves when it was day vvith running leaping and walking To them that lay in their Cabbins we gave hot stones to warm them and towards Night made a good Fire The fourth of March five of us going to the Ship found that the Bears had open'd our Cooks Cup-board that was cover'd over with Snow and had drawn it out of the Ship Three days after we were again shut up but we were now us'd to climb up through the Chimney The Storm continued two or three days and we perceiv'd still more open Water in the Sea Twelve of us went to fetch Wood our pain and labour still increasing because our strength decreas'd When we came home we intreated our Master to give each of us a Glass of Wine which he did and this not only comforted and reviv'd our drooping Spirits but made us more willing and cheerful in performing our Laborious Tasks Yet would we often say to one another That if Wood might be had for Money we would gladly part with all our Wages for it for the cold was as piercing as in the depth of Winter and daily increased rather than diminish'd and therefore we made Shooes of Felt for the Leather was frozen as hard as a Horn. The twenty first we brought home another Sled full of Wood yet the cold was insupportable and it froze very hard on the Roofs and Walls of our House and the day after a storm enclos'd us and then our Coals were very useful to us but we dig'd our selves out two days after and fetch'd home more Wood the pinching extremity of cold having forc'd us to burn up all that we had The twenty eighth six of us went aboard the Ship and found there many marks of the Ravenous Bears one of them coming to our House we attempted to shoot at her but the Weather being moist and the cock foisty the Piece would not give Fire mean while the Beast advanc'd boldly forwards and coming down the Stairs close to the Door endeavour'd to break into the House Our Master run to shut the Door but being in great haste and fear could not make fast the Bolt but it pleas'd God that the furious Creature seeing the Door shut retir'd yet within two hours after returning she got upon the top of the House and made such a hideous
Memorable Accidents AND Unheard of Transactions CONTAINING An Account of several Strange Events As the Deposing of Tyrants Lamentable Shipwrecks Dismal Misfortunes Stratagems of War Perilous Adventures Happy Deliverances with other remarkable Occurrences and Select Historical Events which have happened in several Countries in this last Age. Translated from the French Printed at Brussels in 1691. and Dedicated to His present Majesty William King of England c. Published in English by R. B. LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside 1693. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO HIS Brittanick Majesty SIR THough Your Majesty be wholly busied in the greatest Affairs of State in the most Illustrious Assembly that was ever held I presume nevertheless to believe that You will not be offended that I take the liberty to interrupt You for a moment and offer unto Your Majesty this small Treatise the reading of which can only surprize those that are ignorant of Your Majesties Life for since this containeth the most celebrated Events of History extracted out of the Writings of the most famous Authors all the World will own that the Miracles which make Your Character surpass the greatest and most astonishing Exploits here related It is for this cause Sir that my silence will better express the profound Veneration that I have for the Grandeur of Your Majesties Actions than all the Elogies wherewith the ardor of my Zeal were able to Inspire me Nevertheless Sir if I may be perswaded to judge of Your Intentions by Your Proceedings all that Glory which shineth so bright in the Eyes of Men is not that which dost most affect You by so many Great and Heroick Actions You aspire to something yet greater You know Sir that Kings who are truly so esteem not Soveraign Power but as a thing ever ready to furnish them with opportunities of meriting the Love of Nations by being Authors of the Publick Happiness Your Majesty hath this Great Truth Ingraven upon Your Heart and if in the beginning of Your Reign we have admired in Your Majesty the Hero and the Conqueror we hope ever to Adore the Restorer of the Common Liberty of Europe I am with a profound respect SIR Your Majesties Most Humble and Most Obedient Servant T. LEONARD TO THE READER HOW great soever the Diversion and Pleasure be that we find in Reading Romances nevertheless true History hath all the advantage over it that Truth hath over a Fable If we search Books for Examples whereby to regulate our Behaviour those that we know to be false can they ever gain any Empire over our Minds For Example Can the Heroical Actions that we read in Cleopatra have so great Authority over us as to engage us to imitate them And shall we set imaginary Persons for a Model before us It is not so with History and the reading thereof produceth more certain Effects When a Man whose Inclinations are Warlike observeth there that a private Soldier hath by his Valour rais'd himself to the greatest Dignities he conceiveth as high an Idea of the Success as a great Merit is capable of he perswadeth himself that he may Atchieve the like Adventures since they have been before really perform'd and this thought authoriz'd by the Truth of History is able to determine him to the boldest Exploits This is it Reader which hath oblig'd me to publish this Collection the Events of which I have selected out of the General and Particular Histories Memoirs Voyages and other most famous Works that have lately appeared I hope it will meet with a favourable acceptation because it containeth Adventures as rare as any that are to be found in Romances here you are entertain'd with Shipwracks overthrown Fortunes Revolutions of Kingdoms and the surprizing Effects of the Commotions of all the Passions In fine this Collection evidenceth that Virtue is of both Sexes of all Ages Countries and Conditions Memorable Accidents AND Unheard of Transactions In several Nations in this last Age. The Shipwrack THE King of Portugal had sent to the King of Siam a very splendid Embassy To answer the civility of this European Prince the King deputed three great Mandarins in Quality of his Ambassadors with six other younger Mandarins and a considerable Retinue to go to the Court of Portugal We embark'd for Goa in the year 1684. where we abode eleven months and departed thence for Europe in a Portugal Vessel Jan. 27. 1686. but on the 27th of April we unhappily run aground on the Cape of the Needles and that in this manner That very day several Mariners were order'd to ascend the Masts to observe the Land that we descry'd a little towards the right hand by their relations the Captain and Pilot judg'd that it was the Cape of Good Hope so without observing themselves whether the Mariners spoke truth or not they continu'd their course till two or three hours after Sun-set when they believ'd they had already past the Land we had before discover'd then changing the course they bore a little more towards the North. I know not what presage of the misfortune that threatned us had so fill'd me with restless thoughts that I could not so much as close my eyes to sleep I then came out of my Cabbin and amus'd my self with beholding the Ship that seem'd to fly on the top of the waters Casting my eyes a little further I perceiv'd on a sudden a very dark shadow near our right side this sight struck me with terror and immediately I said to the Pilot Is it not the Land that I see As he approach'd to look we heard them crying out in the Fore-castle Land Land before us we are lost The Pilot run to the Helm to change the course but we were so near the shore that the Ship in veering struck thrice with her Poop upon a Rock which made her stand still without any manner of motion They run to the Poop but not one drop of water had yet enter'd Immediately they made all efforts possible to save themselves from Imminent ruine by felling the Masts by the board and unloading the Vessel but they had not time for the Wind drove the Ship upon the shore These Mountains of Water breaking into foamy Billows upon the points of the Rocks that jutted out into the Sea lifted up the Vessel to the Clouds letting her fall on a sudden upon the Cliffs with such violence that she could not hold out long You might have heard her already cracking on all sides some parts of her falling off from the rest and at last this great Mass of Wood being for a while thus dreadfully shaken and toss'd from Wave to Rock was dash'd to pieces with a horrible noise The Poop bore the first shock and accordingly was the first part that bulg'd To no purpose they cut down the Masts and threw over-board the Guns and all that lay in their way all their precautions were in vain for the ship struck upon the Rocks so often and
we then divided our selves equally into the Boats and recommending our safety to the abundant Mercies of our Heavenly Guide with a West North-west Wind and indifferent open Water we put to Sea on the thirteenth day of June The twentieth of the same month our Pilot Mr. Barents died the loss of whom dishearten'd us not a little as being the only Guide on whose Conduct next under the Providence of God we relied At last after innumerable dangers and as many miraculous deliverances having Sail'd almost four hundred Dutch miles along the Coast we enter'd the River of Coola in Lapland on the first of September and when the Flood was past we cast our Stones that serv'd us for Anchors aground till the Tyde came in again and then set Sail till Midnight and after that Anchor'd till morning There rowing up the River as we past along we saw some Trees which comforted us as much as if we had enter'd into a new World for all the time that we had been out we had seen none At length we got to a Dutch Ship which we had news of some days before little dreaming it was our Consort that the year before set out with us and left us about the Bear Island There we began to make merry with our old Companions and bid each other welcome then we rowed forward and Landed at Coola Here with the Governors leave we brought our Scute and Boat to the Merchants House and set them up for a Monument of our tedious and never before Sailed Voyage The seventeenth of September we set Sail from thence and on the twenty ninth of October arrived in the Maese and on the first of November got to Amsterdam in our Nova Zembla Clothes and Caps furr'd with white Foxes Skins and were received by our Friends as if we had come from the Dead they having given us over for lost a long while before Metallick History of the Netherlands De Veer's Relation The disastrous Voyage and miraculous Deliverance of P. Quirini a Venetian A Venetian Ship in which were above seven hundred Buts of Wine Spices and other Merchandizes of great value with sixty eight Men set Sail from Candia the Master Piero Quirini on the sixth of November we came by chance into the Mouth of the Channels of Flanders and were driven by a storm from the South towards the North-west The fury of the Winds was so great that it broke five of the Hinges off our Rudder and the storm hourly increasing beat upon our feeble Rudder with such violence that it hung on the one side wherefore for the last Remedy we fasten'd a great Cable to it with which we drew it after us three days in which time in our judgment we had run above two hundred Miles against our wills Afterwards with many pieces of Timber we made a shadow of another and fitted it to the Ship but this also was carried away by the breaking Surges on the twenty sixth of this month so that then we lost all hopes of directing our Ship On the fourth of December the Winds grew so outragious that they carried away our third Sail and so we wander'd at adventure not knowing by what means to provide for our safety Afterwards the rage and violence of the Winds increasing the Sea began to swell so high that the Waves seem'd Mountains and our Terror was augmented by the darkness of the extream long Nights so that we seem'd to be swallow'd up in the bottomless Depths of the Abyss It 's hard to imagine how great the anguish and trembling of our hearts was living in a continual expectation of Death In the middle of this horrible darkness we sometimes saw the Heavens as it were open'd with sudden flashes of dazling Lightning Sometimes we seem'd to touch the Stars and at other times saw our selves buried in Hell insomuch that we lost both Strength Whilst we remain'd useless Spectators of this woeful Tragedy pitifully beholding one another a rolling Billow came over the Ship with so great fury that it was fill'd almost half full of Water so that she turn'd up her Keel and lay as if she had been ready to sink But Heaven forsaketh not them that Religiously call upon him and strengthen'd our sorrowful hearts We cut down the Main-mast and threw it over-board together with the Main-yard and Tackling which eased the Ship very much so that we began to cast out the Water which at last we over-came though not without great difficulty and pain The day appearing we agreed to make ready the Boat and Skiff and parted equally our small remainder of Provisions forty two persons were willing to enter into the Skiff and therefore we were forc'd to cast Lots who should go therein it being capable only of one and twenty The Master and forty seven more enter'd the Boat unto whom ratably fell their proportion of Victuals We were in our judgment distant from the nearest Land or Island above five hundred miles and then came to Sail in a quiet Sea for some time but a dark Mist arising in the Night we lost sight of the Skiff and never saw it more The Morning appearing we were much troubled that we could see no tokens of the Skiff which made us fear the worst and suspect what had befaln them for the Storm was so furious that an impetuous Billow rushed into the Pinnace behind the Poop where I was with so great violence that two Stays were batter'd and bent by the vehemency of the Shock which filled our hearts with consternation and terror for now was the Pinnace more charged with the weight of the Water than with her own burthen but Necessity set us all a working and fear of so imminent a danger made the feeblest of us bestir themselves and fall to lading it out with their hands and being in a dreadful hurry we threw over-board all that lay in our way As soon as we had drain'd the Pinnace the Storm continuing we agreed to cast out some Casks of Wine to lighten her which we did with so great haste and precipitancy that we had soon reduc'd our selves to such extremity that if we desir'd to taste of that chearing Liquor to restore our drooping Spirits we were forc'd to content our selves with one Goblet apiece every day which was all that could be allowed to each of us and if any could not satisfie his parch'd Throat with this he was constrain'd to have recourse to the brackish Liquor that threaten'd to swallow us up every moment But all this was Luxury in respect of what our cruel Destinies reserv'd for us this Measure of Wine held out only a Week with us at the end of which our tormenting fears quite exhausting our small store constrain'd us to diminish our proportion to half a Goblet a day each Man Thirst was not the only nor greatest Misery that attended our deplorable and forlorn Company perpetual Terror and distracting Doubts did so disturb our afflicted Minds that we
when by the glimmering light of the Morning they discover'd that Land which they endeavour'd to shun but half a League distant This oblig'd them to retire into the Island of Birds a Desart place and of difficult access At Sun-set our dismay'd Company put to Sea again endeavouring to double the East point of the Isle of Antego that they might afterwards gain that of Guadeloup but they were astonish'd to find next morning that all their Efforts had been in vain against the strength of the Current and that they were not advanc'd above a League Their weariness and fear of being discover'd by those that were upon the Watch on the rising Grounds of Antego which was in possession of the English oblig ' them to Land in a place that was over-grown with Trees amongst which having hid their Boat they search'd all around for fresh Water and Herbs though with little success for the Sea swelling mightily in the Night had dash'd against their Boat and so wet their Cassave Bread that it was altogether unfit to be eaten so that they had nothing left to feed upon but a little Salt Pork and only one Pot of Water to Drink with a little Aqua-vitae made of Sugar Canes At Night they put to Sea again steering the same course that they held the foregoing Night but had not got above a League from the shore when they found themselves in the middle of several Rocks lurking under Water upon which they struck so dangerously that it was a Miracle they were not buried in the Waves Want of Water and Victuals and the breaking of their Rudder constrained them to go ashore on an Uninhabited Isolet where they found some Fruits of the Country and enough fresh Water to fill one of their Barrels They found also the Wrecks of a Boat that had been cast away there of which they made a new Rudder or else they could not have possibly gain'd any of the French Isles In the beginning of the Night they left this Green Rock and steered towards Guadeloup hoping to touch there in the Morning but the day surpriz'd them again on the Coast of Antego but the Tide was so strong that the Boat had like to have been driven forcibly upon the North-weâ—t side of the Island where were the principal Fortresses of their Enemies and therefore they labour'd with all their might to save themselves from falling into their dreaded hands When they saw themselves at a reasonable distance from the shore they began to consult about their Affairs Water and Victuals fail'd them their Strength was also much lessen'd and their Spirits almost Exhausted by the Fatigues which they had undergone Therefore Grand-Maison was of opinion that it would be their best course to endeavour to gain the Island of St. Christopher which lay to the Lee-ward whither they might easily go with full Sails This Advice was unanimously followed but having no Sails they were at a stand what to do when Necessity the Mother of Invention taught them to make use of a Hammock or Cotton-Bed which they had in the Shallop and the Carpenter made a little Mast to which they fasten'd it In this condition they coasted the Isle of Antego two Leagues from the shore and towards Night they began to lose sight of it directing their course towards St. Christophers By break of day they found themselves so near the shore of the Isle of Nevis which also belongeth to the English that they were constrained to labour hard to pass to the Wind-wards of that Island thereby to gain the Salt-pits of St. Christophers Their Efforts were not altogether vain for they doubled Nevis but withal were forc'd to run so near the shore that they look'd every moment for the appearing of some Barks from thence to seise their Vessel and Persons In the mean time they pass'd the Streight between Nevis and St. Christophers and finding themselves over against the Salt-pits of this last Island they endeavour'd in vain to get to Land for when they were come within half a League of the shore they were suddenly engaged among hidden Rocks and breaking Waves where they were toss'd with such violence that the Boat dashing against one of the Rocks they had much ado to bring her off being much weakned by hard Labour and want of Sustenance nevertheless they were so happy as to get clear of all these dangers and held out one Night more with Hunger Thirst and Toil. Finding themselves at the dawning of the day over against the Head land of St. Christophers Island and knowing that they might easily aad safely Land there they took Courage Fear and Sadness being banish'd out of their Hearts and Joy succeeding in their Room so that forthwith one of them tore his Shirt of which he made two Flags and another tied his Cravat to the top of the Mast to serve for a Streamer In this manner they drew near to shore which was cover'd with French who came running from all parts of the Island to behold the wonderful Boat The Sieur Sannois Captain of that Quarter being there also gave them notice by a Signal of the right Landing place at length they came ashore with glad Hearts and were received by their Country-men with a great deal of Humanity The Generous Relations FRancis Lord of Noue Sir-named Iron-Hand had a Sister called Margaret Marry'd to the Lord de Vezins of an illustrious House in Anjou Of this Marriage were Born a Son and two Daughters Vezins being a Widower Married his Ladies Waiting-maid she desiring that her Children might be the only Heirs of that rich Man caused the three Infants of the last Marriage to be secretly carried to Pardic in low Bretagne a House seated upon the Sea-shore and pertaining to the Lord de Vezins There they were put into the Hands of an English Pilot who had agreed to throw them into the Sea but touched with compassion he contented himself to leave them with a Peasant on the Coast of England to be by him Educated as Children of mean Birth and without giving them the least knowledge of their Extraction for they were as yet so young that he did not think they could remember it Then were they carried to the Isle of Guernsey and with a little Money committed to certain Persons in that Isle to be there brought up In the mean time Reports were spread abroad from time to time that the Children died one after the other in their Fathers House and counterfeit Funerals were Solemniz'd The Daughters did not intirely lose the memory of their Birth and being somewhat grown up they heard of the Lord de la Noue and remember'd that he was their Unkle and that they had heard him so call'd in their Fathers House they wrote unto him and he did all that he could to hasten their Return into France and to discover the Truth The Father who was suspected to have been privy to the Mother in-Laws Plot at first resisted his endeavours but at