nte of their
brethern, they were contented to submite. And thus, like Gedions armie,
this small number was devided, as if y^e Lord by this worke of his
providence thought these few to many for y^e great worke he had to doe.
But here by the way let me show, how afterward it was found y^t the
leaknes of this ship was partly by being over masted, and too much
pressed with sayles; for after she was sould & put into her old trime,
she made many viages & performed her service very sufficiently, to y^e
great profite of her owners. But more espetially, by the cuning &
deceite of y^e m^r. & his company, who were hired to stay a whole year
in y^e cuntrie, and now fancying dislike & fearing wante of victeles,
they ploted this strategem to free them selves; as afterwards was
knowne, & by some of them confessed. For they apprehended y^t the
greater ship, being of force, & in whom most of y^e provissions were
stowed, she would retayne enough for her selfe, what soever became of
them or y^e passengers; & indeed shuch speeches had bene cast out by
some of them; and yet, besids other incouragments, y^e cheefe of them
that came from Leyden wente in this shipe to give y^e m^r. contente. But
so strong was self love & his fears, as he forgott all duty and [43]
former kindnesses, & delt thus falsly with them, though he pretended
otherwise. Amongest those that returned was M^r. Cushman & his familie,
whose hart & courage was gone from them before, as it seems, though his
body was with them till now he departed; as may appear by a passionate
letter he write to a freind in London from Dartmouth, whilst y^e ship
lay ther a mending; the which, besids y^e expressions of his owne fears,
it shows much of y^e providence of God working for their good beyonde
man's expectation, & other things concerning their condition in these
streats. I will hear relate it. And though it discover some infirmities
in him (as who under temtation is free), yet after this he continued to
be a spetiall instrumente for their good, and to doe y^e offices of a
loving freind & faithfull brother unto them, and pertaker of much
comforte with them.

The letter is as followth.

To his loving friend Ed: S.[Z] at Henige House in y^e Duks Place,
these, &c.

Dartmouth, Aug. 17.

Loving friend, my most kind remembrance to you & your wife, with
loving E. M. &c. whom in this world I never looke to see againe. For
besids y^e eminente dangers of this viage, which are no l