killed, but they seeme to bee white, as I conjectured by their skinnes, and somewhat lesse then ours.  Whether there bee any people in the Countrey I knowe not, neither haue I seene any to witnesse it.  And to say trueth, who can, when as it is not possible to passe any whither:  In like sort it is vnknowne, whither any mettals lye vnder the hilles:  the cause is all one, although the very colour and hue of the hilles seeme to haue some Mynes in them:  we mooued the Admirall to set the woods a fire, that so wee might haue space, and entrance to take view of the Countrey, which motion did nothing displease him, were it not for feare of great inconuenience that might thereof insue:  for it was reported and confirmed by very credible persons, that when the like happened by chance in another Port, the fish neuer came to the place about it, for the space of 7. whole yeeres after, by reason of the waters made bitter by the Turpentine, and Rosen of the trees, which ranne into the riuers vpon the firing of them.  The weather is so hote this time of the yeere, that except the very fish, which is layd out to be dryed by the sunne, be euery day turned, it cannot possibly bee preserued from burning; but how cold it is in the winter, the great heapes, and mountaines of yce, in the middest of the Sea haue taught vs:  some of our company report, that in May, they were sometimes kept in, with such huge yce, for 16. whole dayes together, as that the Islands thereof were threescore fathoms thicke, the sides whereof which were toward the Sunne, when they were melted, the whole masse or heape was so inuened and turned in maner of balancing, that that part which was before downeward rose vpward, to the great perill of those that are neere them, as by reason wee may gather.  The ayre vpon land is indifferent cleare, but at Sea towards the East there is nothing els but perpetuall mists, and in the Sea it selfe, about the Banke (for so they call the place where they find ground fourty leagues distant from the shore, and where they beginne to fish) there is no day without raine.  When we haue serued, and supplied our necessitie in this place, we purpose by the helpe of God to passe towards the South, with so much the more hope every day, by how much the greater the things are, that are reported of those Countreys, which we go to discouer.  Thus much touching our estate.

Now I desire to know somewhat concerning you, but I feare in vaine, but specially I desire out of measure to know how my Patrone master Henry Vmptom doth take my absence:  my obedience, and duetie shall alwayes bee ready toward him as long as I liue:  but in deede I hope, that this iourney of ours shalbe profitable to his intentions.  It remaineth that you thinke me to be still yours, and so yours as no mans more.  The sonne of God blesse all our labors, so farre, as that you your selfe may be partaker of our blessing.  Adieu, my most friendly, most sweete, most vertuous Hakluyt:  In Newfound land, at Saint Iohns Port, the 6. of August, 1583.