n and princess of the same, and after delivered
the same over to your use, according to her majesty's grant and
letters-patent, under her highness' great seal. Which being performed,
according to the ceremonies used in such enterprises, we viewed the land
about us, being, whereas we first landed, very sandy and low toward the
water's side, but so full of grapes as the very beating and surge of the
sea overflowed them. Of which we found such plenty, as well there as in
all places else, both on the sand and on the green soil on the hills as
in the plains, as well on every little shrub as also climbing toward the
tops of high cedars, that I think in all the world the like abundance is
not to be found: and myself having seen those parts of Europe that most
abound, find such difference as were incredible to be written.

We passed from the sea side toward the tops of those hills next
adjoining, being but of mean[1] height; and from thence we beheld the
sea on both sides, to the north and to the south, finding no end any of
both ways.[2] This land lay stretching itself to the west, which after
we found to be but an island of twenty miles long and not above six
miles broad. Under the bank or hill whereon we stood we beheld the
valleys replenished with goodly cedar-trees, and having discharged our
arquebuse-shot such a flock of cranes--the most part white--arose under
us, with such a cry redoubled by many echoes, as if an army of men had
shouted all together.

[1] Middle.

[2] Either way.

This island had many goodly woods full of deer, coneys, hares, and fowl,
even in the midst of summer, in incredible abundance. The woods were not
such as you find in Bohemia, Moscovia, or Hercynia, barren and
fruitless, but the highest and reddest cedars of the world, far
bettering the cedars of the Azores, of the Indies, or Libanus; pines,
cypress, sassafras, the lentisk, or the tree that beareth the mastic;
the tree that beareth the rind of black cinnamon, of which Master Winter
brought from the Straits of Magellan; and many other of excellent smell
and quality. We remained by the side of this island two whole days
before we saw any people of the country. The third day we espied one
small boat rowing toward us, having in it three persons. This boat came
to the island side, four arquebuse-shot from our ships; and there two of
the people remaining, the third came along the shore side toward us, and
we being then all within boar