Aucher was a Merchant Stranger called ANSELM SALVAGO; and because the time was then very dangerous, and that there was no going into the Levant—especially to Scio—without a safeconduct from the Turk: the said ANSELM promised the owner Sir ANTHONY AUCHER that we should receive the same at Messina. But I was posted from thence to Candia: and there I was answered that I should send to Scio, and there I should have my safeconduct. I was forced to send one, and he had his answer "that the Turk would give none, willing me to look what was best for me to do:" which was no small trouble to me, considering that I was bound to deliver the goods that were in the ship at Scio or send them at my adventure [risk]. The merchants [supercargoes], without care of the loss of the ship, would have compelled me to go or send their goods at mine adventure. The which I denied, and said plainly I would not go, because the Turk's galleys were come forth to go against Malta. But by the French king's means, he was persuaded to leave Malta, and to go to Tripoli in Barbary: which by means of the French, he wan.
In this time there were in Candia certain Turkish vessels called skyrasas, which had brought wheat thither to sell; and were ready to depart for Turkey. And they departed in the morning betimes; carrying news that I would not go forth. That same night I had prepared beforehand what I thought good, without making any man privy to it until I saw time. Then I had no small business to cause my mariners to venture with the ship in such a manifest danger. Nevertheless I wan them all to go with me, except three which I set on land; and with all diligence I was ready to set forth about eight o'clock at night, being a fair moonshine night, and went out. Then my three mariners made such requests unto the rest of my men to come aboard, that I was constrained to take them in.
So with a good wind we put into the Archipelago, and being among the islands, the wind scanted [fell away], and I was forced to anchor at an island called Micone; where I tarried ten or twelve days; having a Greek pilot to carry the ship to Scio. In this mean season, there came many small boats with mysson [mizen] sails to go for Scio, with divers goods to sell; and the pilot requested me that I would let them go in my company, to which I yielded.
