bring unto us books, instruments, and patterns in every kind: That the
ships, after they had landed the brethren, should return; and that the
brethren should stay abroad till the new mission. These ships are not
otherwise fraught, than with store of victuals, and good quantity of
treasure to remain with the brethren, for the buying of such things
and rewarding of such persons as they should think fit. Now for me to
tell you how the vulgar sort of mariners are contained from being
discovered at land; and how they that must be put on shore for any
time, color themselves under the names of other nations; and to what
places these voyages have been designed; and what places of rendezvous
are appointed for the new missions; and the like circumstances of the
practique; I may not do it: neither is it much to your desire. But
thus you see we maintain a trade not for gold, silver, or jewels; nor
for silks; nor for spices; nor any other commodity of matter; but only
for God's first creature, which was Light: to have light (I say) of
the growth of all parts of the world."

And when he had said this, he was silent; and so were we all. For
indeed we were all astonished to hear so strange things so probably
told. And he, perceiving that we were willing to say somewhat but had
it not ready in great courtesy took us off, and descended to ask us
questions of our voyage and fortunes and in the end concluded, that we
might do well to think with ourselves what time of stay we would
demand of the state; and bade us not to scant ourselves; for he would
procure such time as we desired: Whereupon we all rose up, and
presented ourselves to kiss the skirt of his tippet; but he would not
suffer us; and so took his leave. But when it came once amongst our
people that the state used to offer conditions to strangers that would
stay, we had work enough to get any of our men to look to our ship;
and to keep them from going presently to the governor to crave