The next day being the 8 of February, there fell out many and diuers speeches on each part concerning the altering of our course, some would continue for the Streights, and other some would not. Whereupon a viewe was taken in both ships of victuals, and reasonable store was found for both companies: and the winde withall comming to the North, we determined to take out of the prizes the best necessaries that were in them, and and so cast them off, and to pile for the Streights.
They returne being in the latitude of 44 degrees. All this time we held on our course, and the 15 day wee found our selues in the height of 44 degrees, but then the winde came to the South with much raine, wind, cold, and other vntemperate weather, continuing in that sort fiue or sixe dayes, in which time we hulled backe againe in the height of 42 degrees.
Sunday being the 20 of February, our Admirall being something to the leeward of vs, and the storme somewhat ceased, put aboord his flag in the mizen shrowds, as a token that hee would speake with vs, and thereupon we bare roome with him, and hauing halled one another, captaine Withrington shewed the disposition of all his company, which was rather to goe roome with the coast of Brasil, then to lie after that sort in the sea with foule weather and contrary winds. Our captaine on the other side shewed the contrary disposition of his men, and company, willing notwithstanding to proceede: but in the ende, both the shippes fell asunder, and our captaine sayd, Seeing then there is no remedie, I must be content, though against my will.
The 21 day the weather grew faire, and the wind good at the South for the Streights, yet our Admirall bare roome still, we supposing hee would haue taken the benefit of the time: whereupon our whole company began to thinke of the inconueniences that would arise by deuiding our selues, and losing our Admirall, being very willing to continue their course, and yet not without the company of the Admiral. And then wee began to cast about after him, and at the last bare with him, and he tolde vs, that vpon a second viewe of the victuals, hee found their store so slender, and their want so great, that there was no remedy for them but to seeke some meanes to be relieued, which was the onely cause that hee bare Northward. This speech made vs of the barke to enter into a new consultation: and we found many of our men weake, and all our calieuers not seruiceable, and the Smiths that should mend them to be in the Admiral. We
