Note 1026 — THE THIRD VOYAGE NORTH-WARD TO THE KINGDOMES OF CATHAIA and China, in Anno 1596.

The 29 of August it was indifferent faire weather, and we were still in good hope1026 to heare some good newes from Coola, and alwaies looked vp towards the hill to see if our man and the Lapelander came; but seeing they came not1027 we went to the Russians againe, and there drest our meate [at their fire], and then ment1028 to goe to our scutes to lodge in them all night. In the meane time we spied the Laplander [upon the hill] comming alone without our man, whereat we wondred and were some what in doubt;1029 but when he came vnto vs, he shewed vs a letter that was written vnto our maister, which he opened before vs, the contents thereof being that he that had written the letter wondred much at our arriuall in that place, and that long since he verily thought that we had beene all cast away,1030 being exceeding glad of our happy fortune,1031 and how that he would presently come vnto vs with victuales and all other necessaries to succour vs withall. We being in no small admiration who it might be that shewed vs so great fauour and friendship, could not imagine what he was, for it appeared by the letter that he knew vs well. And although the letter was subscribed “by me John Cornelison Rip,”1032 yet we could not be perswaded that it was the same John Cornelison, who the yeere before had beene set out in the other ship [at the same time] with vs, and left vs about the Beare Iland.1033 For those goode newes we paid the Lapelander his hier,1034 and beside that gaue him hoase, breeches and other furniture,1035 so that he was apparelled like a Hollander; for as then we thought our selues to be wholy out of danger,1036 and so being of good comfort, we laid vs downe to rest. Here I cannot chuse but shew you how fast the Lapelander went: for when hee went to Coola, as our companion told vs, they were two dayes and two nights on the way, and yet went a pace, and when he came backe againe he was but a day and a night comming to vs, which was wonderful, it being but halfe ye time, so that we said, and verily thought, that he was halfe a coniurer;1037 and he brought vs a partridge, which he had killed by the way as he went.