Page:A Description of New England - Smith (1616).djvu/78

 houres, when many ships were driuen a shore, and diuerse split (and being with sculling & bayling the water tired, I expected each minute would sinke mee) at last I arriued in an oazie Ile by Charowne; where certaine fowlers found mee neere drowned, and halfe dead, with water, colde, and hunger. By those, I sound meanes to gette to Rochell; where I vnderstood the man of warre which we left at Sea, and the rich prize was split, the Captaine drowned and halfe his companie the same night, within seauen leagues of that place, from whence I escaped alone, in the little boate, by the mercy of God; far beyond all mens reason, or my expectation. Arriuing at Rochell, vpon my complaint to the Iudge of the Admiralitie, I founde many good words, and faire promises; and ere long many of them that escaped drowning, tolde mee the newes they heard of my owne death: these I arresting, their seuerall examinations did so confirme my complaint, it was held proofe sufficient. All which being performed according to the order of iustice, from vnder the iudges hand; I presented it to the English Ambassador then at Burdeaux, where it was my chance to see the arriuall of the Kings great mariage brought from Spaine. Of the wrack of the rich prize some 36000. crownes worth of goods came a shore & was saued with the Caruell, which I did my best to arrest: the Iudge did promise me I shold haue justice; what will bee the conclusion as yet, I know not. But vnder the colour to take Pirats and West-Indie men (because the Spanyards will not