It is a ledge of rocks that defendeth the Northerly winds
from the place where they moare. When we came into the bay we saw there a
barke which was of Dronton [Marginal note: Or, Trondon], and three or foure
Norway yeaghes, belonging to Northberne: so when I came a shoare, I met
first with the Dutchmen, amongst whom was the Borrowmasters sonne of
Dronton, who tolde me that the Philip and Mary wintered at Dronton, and
departed from thence for England in March: and withall he shewed me that
the Confidence was lost, and that he had bought her sailes for his ship.
Then the Dutchmen caried me to their Boothe, and made me good cheere, where
I sawe the Lappians chepen of the said Dutchmen, both siluer platters and
dishes, spoones, gilt rings, ornaments for girdles of siluer and gilt, and
certaine things made to hang about the necke, with siluer chaines belonging
to them.
The Dutchmen bring hither mightie strong beere, I am certain that our
English double beere would not be liked of the Kerile and Llappians, as
long as that would last.
Here I sawe the Dutchmen also haue course cloth, both blew, greene, and
redde, and sad horseflesh colour. And hither they bring also Ottars cases
and foxe cases, both blacke and redde: our English foxe cases are but
counterfaits vnto them.
They would not let me vnderstand any of their prises, but as I otherwise
vnderstood they bartered 2. load of siluer for 100 of stockfish, and 2.
loade is a doller. And the Dutchmen told me, and they had made a notable
good yeere this present yeere 1557. They tolde me that they should be faine
to goe to Wardhouse with one lading, and lay it on land there, and so come
againe and fetch another. The Borrowmasters sonne told me, that he would go
to Amsterdam with his lading of stockfish, who gaue me a barrell of strong
beere, and brought it in aboord our ship himseelf.
After this I went among the Russes and Kerils, who offered me fish to sell,
and likewise the Lappians desired me to look vpon their fish. I made them
answere, that I had nowe no wares nor money to barter with them, and said
that I came only to see if I might meete with our English ships. Then they
desired me that I would come thither the next yeere: I said to them, If I
should come the next yeere, I think here would not be fish ynough to serue
the Dutch and vs also. They answered me, that if more ships did resort
thither, there would more people labour to kill and make fish: and further
they said, that some of them came thither a fishing 8 weekes iourney with
Deere, which Deere will trauaile more speedily then horses will.
As I was thus in talke with the Kerils and Lappians, the Emperour of Russia
his deputie (who was there to gather the tribute of the Lappians) sent for
me to come to his tent, who after familiar salutations, made me good
cheere. He demanded of me why none of our ships came thither. I answered
him, because we knew not the place before now, neither yet heard of any
faire that was kept there. Then said he, If you will come hither, here
would more people resort to kill fish, I think it good (said he) that you
make a beginning. I tolde him, that by the grace of God the next yeere, one
English ship should come thither.
Because I sawe the seruants of the King of Denmarke there also gathering
the tribute, I asked Vasilie Pheodoruich the Russie deputie, whether the
Denmarks would not be a let to vs, if we should come to this Kegor. And he
said no, they should not: for this land is my kings, and therefore be bolde
to come hither.
The Kerils and the Lappians solde no fish, vntil the said deputie had
looked upon it, and giuen them leaue to sell. I asked him what wares were
best for vs to bring thither, and he said, siluer, pearles, cloth, blewe,
red, and greene, meale, strong beere, wine, pewter, foxe cases, and gold.
The Lappians pay tribute to the Emperour of Russia, to the king of
Denmarke, and to the king of Sweden. He told me that the Riuer Cola is
little more then 20. leagues to the Southwards of Kegor, where we should
haue great plentie of salmon, if corne were any thing cheape in Russia: for
then poore men would resort thither to kill salmon.
The Dutchmen tolde me that they had made a good yeere of this, but the
Kerils complained of it because they could not sell all their fish, and
that which they sold was as pleased the Dutchmen, and at their own price. I
asked the Kerils at what price they sold their fish to the Russes, and they
said good cheape: wee sell 24. fishes for 4. altines. I thinke they solde
little aboue 20. pence, the 25. fishes this yeere.
The Dutchmen tolde me that the best stockfish is made at Kegor. I sawe at
Vasiltes tent 7. or 8. iauelins, and halfe a dozen of bowes bent, with
their budgets of arrowes, and likewise swords with other weapons: Otherwise
I sawe no weapons there.
I was also conueyed to their lodgings, which gathered tribute for the king
of Denmarke, where I sawe a pair of bilbowes: and I asked whether they were
for the Lappians (if neede were,) and they said no, but onely for their
owne company if they should chance to be vnruly.
The Kerils and the Lappians are not to be trusted, for they will steale as
well as the Russes, if they may conueniently come by any thing.
Concerning my voyage, because the winde was scant to goe backe againe to
Colmogro, I tarried to the Eastwards of the poynt Kegor, and sent to land,
and baked two batches of bread in the ouens that the Kerils haue for their
prouision.
