were made to us, that we should send forth some to meet him upon the water, which we presently did in our ship-boat, sending the principal man amongst us, save one, and four of our number with him. When we were come within six yards of their boat, they called to us to stay, and not to approach farther, which we did. And thereupon the man, whom I before described, stood up, and with a loud voice in Spanish, asked, are ye Christians? We answered, we were; fearing the less, because of the cross we had seen in the subscription. At which answer the said person lift up his right hand towards heaven, and drew it softly to his mouth (which is the gesture they use when they thank God) and then said: if ye will swear (all of you) by the merits of the Saviour, that ye are no pirates nor have shed blood lawfully nor unlawfully within forty days past; you may have licence to come on land. We said, we were all ready to take that oath. Whereupon one of those that were with him, being (as it seemed) a notary, made an entry of this act. Which done, another of the attendants of the great person, which was with him in the same boat, after his lord had spoken a little to him, said aloud; My lord would have you know that it is not of pride, or greatness, that he cometh. not aboard your ship; but for that, in your answer, you declare, that you have many sick amongst you,

he was warned by the conservator of health of the city, that he should keep a distance. We bowed ourselves towards him, and answered we were his humble servants; and accounted for great honour, and singular humanity towards us, that which was already done; but hoped well, that the nature of the sickness of our men was not infectious. So he returned; and a while after came the notary to us aboard our ship; holding in his hand a fruit of that country, like an orange, but of colour between orange-tawny and scarlet, which cast a most excellent odour. He used it (as it seemeth) for a preservative against infection. He gave us our oath; by the name of Jesus, and his merits; and after told us, that the next day by six of the clock in the morning we should be sent to, and brought to the stranger's house, (so he called it,) where we should be accommodated of things, both for our whole, and for our sick. So he left us; and when we offered him some pistolets, he smiling said; he must not be twice paid for one labour meaning (as I take it) that he had a salary sufficient of the state for his service. For (as I after learned) they call an officer that taketh rewards, twice paid.

The next morning early, there came to us the same officer that came to us at first with his cane, and told us, he came to conduct us to the stranger's house; and that he had prevented the hour

because we might have the whole day before us, for our business. For, said he, if you will follow my advice, there shall first go with me some few of you, and see the place, and how it may be made convenient for you; and then you may send for your sick, and the rest of your number, which ye will bring on land. We thanked him, and said, that this care, which he took of desolate strangers, God would reward. And so six of us went ou land with him: and when we were on land, he went before us, and turned to us, and said, he was but our servant, and our guide. He led us through three fair streets; and all the way we went, there were gathered some people on both sides, standing in a row; but in so civil a fashion, as if it had been, not to wonder at us, but to welcome us and divers of them, as we passed by them, put their arms a little abroad; which is their gesture, when they bid any welcome. The stranger's house is a fair and spacious house, built of brick, of somewhat a bluer colour than our brick and with handsome windows, some of glass, some of a kind of cambrick oiléd. He brought us first into a fair parlour above stairs, and then asked us, what number of persons we were? And how many sick? We answered, we were in all, (sick and whole) one and fifty persons, whereof our sick were seventeen. He desired us to have patience

k;

a little, and to stay till he came back to us, which was about an hour after; and then he led us to see the chambers, which were provided for us, being in number nineteen: They having cast it (as it seemeth) that four of those chambers, which were better than the rest, might receive four of the principal men of our company, and lodge them alone by themselves; and the other fifteen chambers were to lodge us, two and two together. The chambers were handsome and chearful chambers, and furnished civilly. Then he led us to a long gallery, like a dorture, where he shewed us all along the one side (for the other side was but wall and window) seventeen cells, very neat ones, having partitions of cedar wood. Which gallery and cells, being in all forty, (many more than we needed,) were instituted as an infirmary for sick persons. And he told us withal, that as any of our sick waxed well, he might be removed from his cell to a chamber; for which purpose there were set forth ten spare chambers, besides the number we spake of before. This done, he brought us back to the parlour, and lifting up his cane a little, (as they do when they give any charge or command,) said to us, ye are to know that the custom of the land requireth, that after this day and to-morrow, (which we give you for removing your people from your ship,) you are to keep within

doors for three days. But let it not trouble you, nor do not think yourselves restrained, but rather left to your rest and ease. You shall want nothing, and there are six of our people appointed to attend you, for any business you may have abroad. We gave him thanks, with all affection and respect, and said; God surely is manifested in this land. We offered him twenty pistolets; but he smiled, and only said; what? twice paid! And so he left

us.

Soon after our dinner was served in; which was right good viands, both for bread and meat: better than any collegiate diet, that I have known in Europe. We had also drink of three sorts, all wholesome and good; wine of the grape ; a drink. of grain, such as is with us our ale, but more clear: and a kind of cyder made of a fruit of that country; a wonderful pleasing and refreshing drink. Besides, there were brought in to us great store of those scarlet oranges for our sick; which (they said) were an assured remedy for sickness taken at sea. There was given us also, a box of small grey or whitish pills, which they wished our sick should take, one of the pills every night before sleep; which (they said) would hasten their recovery. The next day, after that our trouble of carriage, and removing of our men, and goods out of our ship, was somewhat settled and quiet, I thought