Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/43

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After the said days were expired, I weighed and set sail for the island of Scio; with which place I fell in in the afternoon: whereupon I cast [tacked] to seaward again to come with the island in the morning betimes. The foresaid small vessels which came in my company, departed from me to win the shore to get in during the night: but upon a sudden they espied three foists [light galleys] of Turks coming upon them to spoil them. My pilot, having a son in one of those small vessels, entreated me to cast about [wear] towards them; which at his request I did: and being somewhat far from them, I caused my gunner to shoot a demi-culverin at a foist that was ready to enter one of the boats. This was so happy a shot that it made the Turk to fall astern of the boat and to leave him: by the which means he escaped.

Then they all came to me, and requested that they might hang at my stern until daylight: by which time, I came before the mole of Scio, and sent my boat on land to the merchants of that place to send for their goods out of hand [immediately] or else I would return back with all to Candia, and they should fetch their goods from there. But in fine, by what persuasion of my merchants, Englishmen, and of those of Scio: I was entreated to come into the harbour: and had a safe assurance for twenty days against the Turk's army, with a bond of the city in the sum of 12,000 ducats. So I made haste and sold such goods as I had to the Turks that came thither; and put all in order with as much speed as I could: fearing the coming of the Turk's navy; of the which, the chief of the city knew right well.

So upon the sudden, they called me of great friendship and in secret told me, I had no way to save myself but to be gone; for said they, "We are not able to defend you that are not able to help ourselves. For the Turk, where he cometh, taketh what he will and leaveth what he lists: but the chief of the Turks set order that none shall do any harm to the people or to their goods." This was such news to me, that indeed I was at my wits' end; and was brought into many imaginations what to do: for the wind was contrary. In fine, I determined to go forth.

But the merchants, Englishmen, and others, regarding more their gains than the ship, hindered me very much in my purpose of going forth: and made the manners to