For amongst other charges giuen to inquire but the singularities of this countrey, the Generall was most curious in the search of mettals, commanding the minerall man and refiner, especially to be diligent.  The same was a Saxon borne, honest and religious, named Daniel.  Who after search brought at first some sort of Ore, seeming rather to be yron then other mettal. [Sidenote:  Siluer Ore brought vnto the Generall.] The next time he found Ore, which with no small shew of contentment he deliuered vnto the General, vsing prostestation, that if siluer were the thing which might satisfie the Generall and his followers, there it was, aduising him to seeke no further:  the perill whereof he vndertooke vpon his life (as deare vnto him as the Crowne of England vnto her Maiestie, that I may vse his owne words) if it fell not out accordingly.

My selfe at this instant liker to die then to liue, by a mischance, could not follow this confident opinion of our refiner to my owne satisfaction:  but afterward demanding our Generals opinion therein, and to haue some part of the Ore, he replied:  Content your selfe, I haue seene ynough, and were it but to satisfie my priuate humor, I would proceede no further. [Sidenote:  Reasons why no further search was made for the siluer mine.] The promise vnto my friends, and necessitie to bring also the South countries within compasse of my Patent neere expired, as we haue alreadie done these North parts, do only perswade me further.  And touching the Ore, I haue sent it aboord, whereof I would haue no speech to be made so long as we remaine within harbor:  here being both Portugals, Biscains, and Frenchmen not farre off, from whom must be kept any bruit or muttering of such matter.  When we are at sea proofe shalbe made:  if it be to our desire, we may returne the sooner hither againe.  Whose answere I iudged reasonable, and contenting me well:  wherewith will I conclude this narration and description of the Newfound land, and proceede to the rest of our voyage, which ended tragically.[103]

[Sidenote:  Misdemeanour in our companie.] While the better sort of vs were seriously occupied in repairing our wants, and continuing of matters for the commoditie of our voyage:  others of another sort and disposition were plotting of mischiefe.  Some casting to steale away our shipping by night, watching opportunitie by the Generals and Captaines lying on the shore:  whose conspiracies discouered, they were preuented.  Others drew togither in company, and carried away out of the harbors adioyning, a ship laden with fish, setting the poore men on shore.  A great many more of our people stole into the woods to hide themselues, attending time and meanes to returne home by such shipping as daily departed from the coast.  Some were sicke of fluxes, and many dead:  and in briefe, by one meanes or other our company was diminished, and many by the Generall licenced to returne home.  Insomuch as after we had reuiewed our people, resolued to see an end of our voyage, we grewe scant of men to furnish all our shipping:  it seemed good therefore vnto the Generall to leaue the Swallowe with such provision as might be spared for transporting home the sicke people.