DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0314
£88 MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION.
bold spirits; yet had the action of wintering in those
parts, never by any been hitherto undertaken. This also
had we heard, how that the company of Muscovie
merchants, having once procured the reprieve of some
malefactors, that had at home been convicted by
Jaw, for some heinous crimes committed ; and that both
promise of pardon for their faults, with addition of re-
wards also, if so be they would undertake to remain in
Greenland but one whole year, and that every way pro-
vided for too, both of clothes, victuals, and all things
else, that might be any way needful for their preserva-
tion. These poor wretches hearing of this large proffer,
and fearing present execution at home, resolved to make
trial of the adventure. The time of the year being
come, and the ships ready to depart, these condemned
creatures were embarked, who, after a certain space ar-
riving, and taking a view of the desolateness of the
place, they conceived such a horror and inward fear in
their hearts, that they resolved rather to return to
England to make satisfaction with their lives, for their
former faults committed, than there to remain, though
with assured hope of pardon. Insomuch as the time of
year being come that the ships were to depart from these
barren shores, they made known their full intent to the
Captain; who being a pitying and merciful gentleman,
would not by force constrain them to stay in that place,
which was contrary to their minds; but having made
his voyage and the time expired, he again embarked and
brought them over with him to England; where, through
the intercession and means of the worshipful company
of Muscovie Merchants, they escaped that death, which
they had before been condemned unto. The remembrance
of these two stories, as also a third, (more terrible than,
both the former), for that was likely to be our own case,
more
bold spirits; yet had the action of wintering in those
parts, never by any been hitherto undertaken. This also
had we heard, how that the company of Muscovie
merchants, having once procured the reprieve of some
malefactors, that had at home been convicted by
Jaw, for some heinous crimes committed ; and that both
promise of pardon for their faults, with addition of re-
wards also, if so be they would undertake to remain in
Greenland but one whole year, and that every way pro-
vided for too, both of clothes, victuals, and all things
else, that might be any way needful for their preserva-
tion. These poor wretches hearing of this large proffer,
and fearing present execution at home, resolved to make
trial of the adventure. The time of the year being
come, and the ships ready to depart, these condemned
creatures were embarked, who, after a certain space ar-
riving, and taking a view of the desolateness of the
place, they conceived such a horror and inward fear in
their hearts, that they resolved rather to return to
England to make satisfaction with their lives, for their
former faults committed, than there to remain, though
with assured hope of pardon. Insomuch as the time of
year being come that the ships were to depart from these
barren shores, they made known their full intent to the
Captain; who being a pitying and merciful gentleman,
would not by force constrain them to stay in that place,
which was contrary to their minds; but having made
his voyage and the time expired, he again embarked and
brought them over with him to England; where, through
the intercession and means of the worshipful company
of Muscovie Merchants, they escaped that death, which
they had before been condemned unto. The remembrance
of these two stories, as also a third, (more terrible than,
both the former), for that was likely to be our own case,
more