were within her: which sight so abashed the whole Fleete, that we thought
verily we should haue tasted of the same sauce. But neuerthelesse we seeing
them in such danger, manned our boates and saued all men in such wise, that
not one perished: God be thanked.

[Sidenote: Narow shifts for safetie.] The storme still increased and the
yce inclosed vs, so that we were faine to take downe top and top mastes:
for the yce had so inuironed vs, that we could see neither land nor sea, as
farre as we could kenne: so that we were faine to cut our cables to hang
ouer boord for fenders, somewhat to ease the ships sides from the great and
driry strokes of the yce: some with Capstan barres, some fending off with
oares, some with plancks of two ynches thicke, which were broken immediatly
with the force of the yce, some going out vpon the yce to beare it off with
their shoulders from the ship. But the rigorousnes of the tempest was such,
and the force of the yce so great, that not onely they burst and spoyled
the foresaid prouision, but likewise so raised the sides of the ships, that
it was pitifull to behold, and caused the hearts of many to faint.

[Sidenote: Gods prouidence.] Thus we continued all that dismall and
lamentable night plunged in this perplexity, looking for instant death: but
our God (who neuer leaueth them destitute which call vpon him, although he
often punisheth for amendements sake) in the morning caused the winds to
cease, and the fogge which all that night lay on the face of the water to
cleare: so that we might perceiue about a mile from vs, a certaine place
cleare from any yce, to the which with an easie breath of wind which our
God sent vs, we bent our selues. And furthermore, hee prouided better for
vs then we deserued or hoped for: for when we were in the foresaid cleare
place, he sent vs a fresh gale at West or at West Southwest, which set vs
cleare without all the yce. And further he added more: for he sent vs so
pleasant a day as the like we had not of a long time before, as after