God's permission, to proceed into the south, not omitting
any river or bay which in all that large tract of land appeared to our
view worthy of search. Immediately we agreed upon the manner of our
course and orders to be observed in our voyage; which were delivered
in writing, unto the captains and masters of every ship a copy, in
manner following.
Every ship had delivered two bullets or scrolls, the one sealed up in
wax, the other left open; in both which were included several
watchwords. That open, serving upon our own coast or the coast of
Ireland; the other sealed, was promised on all hands not to be broken
up until we should be clear of the Irish coast; which from thenceforth
did serve until we arrived and met all together in such harbours of
the Newfoundland as were agreed for our rendezvous. The said
watchwords being requisite to know our consorts whensoever by night,
either by fortune of weather, our fleet dispersed should come together
again; or one should hail another; or if by ill watch and steerage one
ship should chance to fall aboard of another in the dark.
The reason of the bullet sealed was to keep secret that watchword
while we were upon our own coast, lest any of the company stealing
from the fleet might bewray the same; which known to an enemy, he
might board us by night without mistrust, having our own watchword.
Orders agreed upon by the Captains and Masters to be observed by the
fleet of Sir Humfrey Gilbert.
First, The Admiral to carry his flag by day, and his light by
night.
2. Item, if the Admiral shall shorten his sail by night, then to
shew two lights until he be answered again by every ship shewing
one light for a short time.
3. Item, if the Admiral after his shortening of sail, as
aforesaid, shall make more sail again; then he to shew three
lights one above another.
4. Item, if the Admiral shall happen to hull in the night, then to
make a wavering light over his other light, wavering the light
upon a pole.
5. Item, if the fleet should happen to be scattered by weather, or
other mishap, then so soon as one shall descry another, to hoise
both topsails twice, if the weather will serve, and to strike them
twice again; but if the weather serve not, then to hoise the
maintopsail twice, and forthwith to strike it twice again.
6. Item, if it shall happen a great fog to fall, then presently
every ship to bear up with the Admiral, if there be wind; but if
it be a calm, then every ship to hull, and so to lie at hull till
it clear.
