We found a seal which was killed not long before,
being flayed and hid under stones.
Our captain and master searched still for probabilities of the
passage, and first found that this place was all islands with great
sounds passing between them.
Secondly, the water remained of one colour with the main ocean
without altering.
Thirdly, we saw to the west of those isles three or four whales in a
scull, which they judged to come from a westerly sea, because to the
eastward we saw not any whale.
Also, as we were rowing into a very great sound lying south-west
from whence these whales came, upon the sudden there came a violent
countercheck of a tide from the south-west against the flood which
we came with, not knowing from whence it was maintained.
Fifthly, in sailing 20 leagues within the mouth of this entrance we
had sounding in 90 fathoms, fair, grey, oozy sand, and the farther
we run into the westwards the deeper was the water, so that hard
aboard the shore among these isles we could not have ground in 330
fathoms.
Lastly, it did ebb and flow six or seven fathom up and down, the
flood coming from divers parts, so as we could not perceive the
chief maintenance thereof.
The 18th and 19th our captain and master determined what was best to
do, both for the safe guard of their credits and satisfy of the
adventurers, and resolved if the weather brake up to make further
search.
The 20th, the wind came directly against us, so they altered their
purpose, and reasoned both for proceeding and returning.
The 21st, the wind being north-west, we departed from these islands,
and as we coasted the south shore we saw many fair sounds, whereby
we were persuaded that it was no firm land but islands.
The 23rd of this month the wind came south-east, very stormy and
foul weather. So we were constrained to seek harbour upon the south
coast of this entrance, where we fell into a very fair sound, and
anchored in 25 fathoms of green, oozy sand, where we went on shore,
where we had manifest signs of people, where they had made their
fire, and laid stones like a wall. In this place we saw four very
fair falcons, and Master Bruton took from one of them his prey,
which we judged by the wings and legs to be a snipe, for the head
was eaten off.
The 24th, in the afternoon, the wind coming somewhat fair, we
departed from this road, purposing by God's grace to return for
England.
The 26th we departed from sight of the north land of this entrance,
directing our course homewards, until the 10th of the next month.
The 10th September we fell with the Land of Desolation, thinking to
go on shore, but we could get never a good harbour.
