20. we had a calme with a Southern aire.

The 21. the ayre comming Southwest, we held our course Northwest: and were
vnder 17. degrees and 2/3 partes: There we found the compasse to decline
three quarters of a strike or line North eastward, after noone we had a
Southeast wind, and our course West Northwest.

The 22. of May we had still a Southeast winde, and were vnder the height of
16. degrees and 40. minutes, holding our course West Northwest.

The 23. of May, by reason of the cloudy sky, about noone we could not take
the height of the Sunne, but as we gest we had the height of the Island of
S. Helena, and held our course West and by South to keepe vnder that
height, for there the compasses decline a whole strike or line: in the
euening we found that we were vnder 16. degrees.

The 24. of May in the morning wee discouered a Portingall ship, that stayed
for vs, and put out a flagge of truce, and because our flagge of truce was
not so readie as theirs, and we hauing the wind of him, therefore he shot
two shootes at vs, and put forth a flagge out of his maine top, and we shot
5 or 6. times at him, and so held on our course without speaking to him,
hauing a South East winde, holding our course West and by South to find the
Island of S. Helena, which the Portugal likewise sought.

The 25. of May we discouered the Island of S. Helena, but we could not see
the Portingal ship, still sayling with a stiffe Southeast wind, and about
euening we were vnder the Island, which is very high lande, and may be
seene at the least 14. or 15. miles off, and as we sayled about the North
point, there lay three other great Portingal ships, we being not aboue half
a mile from them, wherevpon wee helde in the weather and to seawarde
Northeast as much as we might. The Portingalles perceyuing vs, the Admiral
of their fleet shot off a peece to call their men that were on land to come
aborde, [Sidenote: Foure Portingal ships richly laden.] and then wee saw
foure of their shippes together, that were worth a great summe of money, at
the least 300. tunnes of gold, for they were all laden with spices,
precious stones, and other rich wares, and therefore wee durst not anker
vnder the Island, but lay all night Northeastwarde, staying for our
company.

The 26. of May in the morning wee made towardes the Island againe, with a
good Southeast winde, and about noone or somewhat past we discried two
shippes, and about euening as we made towards them, we kn