August.The 1st, having coasted a bank of ice which was driven out at the mouth of this gulf, we fell in with the southernmost cape of the gulf, which we named Chidlie's Cape, which lay in 6 degrees and 10 minutes of latitude.The 2nd and 3rd were calm and foggy, so were the 4th, 5th, and 6th.The 7th was fair and calm, so was the 8th, with a little gale in the morning.The 9th was fair, and we had a little gale at night.The 10th we had a frisking gale at west-north-west; the 11th fair.The 12th we saw five deer on the top of an island, called by us Darcie's Island.And we hoisted out our boat, and went ashore to them, thinking to have killed some of them.But when we came on shore and had coursed them twice about the island they took the sea, and swain towards islands distant from that three leagues.When we perceived that they had taken the sea, we gave them over, because our boat was so small that it could not carry us and row after them, they swam so fast; but one of them was as big as a good pretty cow, and very fat; their feet as big as ox-feet.Here upon this island I killed with my piece a grey hare.
The 13th in the morning we saw three or four white bears, but durst not go on shore unto them for lack of a good boat.This day we struck a rock seeking for a harbour, and received a leak, and this day we were in 54 degrees of latitude.The 14th we stopped our leak in a storm not very outrageous at noon.
The 15th, being almost in 51 degrees of latitude, and not finding our ships, nor (according to their promise) being any mark, token, or beacon, which we willed to set up, and they protested to do so upon every headland, sea, island, or cape, within 20 leagues every way off from their fishing place, which our captain appointed to be between 54 and 55 degreesthis 15th, I say, we shaped our course homeward for England, having in our ship but little wood, and half a hogshead of fresh water.Our men were very willing to depart, and no man more forward than Peerson, for he feared to be put out of his office of stewardship; he was so insatiate that the allowance of two men was scant sufficient to fill his greedy appetite; but because every man was so willing to depart, and considering our want, Idoubted the matter very much, fearing that the seething of our men's victuals in salt water would breed diseases, and being but few (yet too many for the room, if any should be sick), and likely that all the rest might be infected therewith, we consented to return for our own country, and so we had the 16th there with the wind at south-west.
The 17th we met a ship at sea, and as far as we could judge it was a Biscayan; we thought she went a-fishing for whales, for in 52degrees or thereabout we saw very many.
The 18th was fair with a good gale at west.
The 19th fair also, but with much wind at west and by south.
And thus, after much variable weather and change of winds, we arrived the 15th of September in Dartmouth, Anno 1587, giving thanks to God for our safe arrival.
A letter of the said Master John Davis, written to Master Sanderson of London, concerning his fore-written voyage.
Good Master Sanderson,With God's great mercy I have made my safe return in health with all my company, and have sailed 60 leagues farther than my determination at my departure.I have been in 73degrees, finding the sea all open, and 40 leagues between laud and land; the passage is most certain, the execution most easy, as at my coming you shall fully know.Yesterday, the 15th of September, Ilanded all weary, therefore I pray you pardon my shortness.
Sandridge, this 16th of September, Anno 1587.
Yours equal as mine own, which by trial you shall best know, JOHN DAVIS.
Endd
