Note 904 — THE THIRD VOYAGE NORTH-WARD TO THE KINGDOMES OF CATHAIA and China, in Anno 1596.

The 9 of August it was all one weather, so that the wind blowing contrary we were forced to lye still and could goe no further, our greefe still increasing more and more. At last, two of our men went out of the scute wherein the maister was, which we perceiuing two of our men also landed, and went altogether about a mile [4 miles] into the countrie,904 and at last saw a banke, by the which there issued a great streame of water,905 which we thought to be the way from whence the Russians came betweene Candinaes and the firme land of Russia.906 And as our men came backe againe, in the way as they went along they found a dead sea-horse907 that stanke exceedingly, which they drew with them to our scute,908 thinking that they should haue a dainty morsell909 out of it, because they endured so great hunger; but we [dissuaded them from it, and] told them that without doubt it would kil us, and that it were better for vs to endure pouerty and hunger for a time, then to venture vpon it; saying, that seeing God, who910 in so many great extremitys had sent vs a happy issue, stil liued and was exceeding powerfull, we hoped and nothing doubting that he would not altogether forsake vs, but rather helpe vs when we were most in dispaire.911