Page 118 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

118 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST

the seriousness of his outlook on life, for he was a man of
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deep piety as may be gathered from the records of the
voyage. His disposition is well reflected in the regula­
tions which he drew up for the conduct of the men under his
charge. In these the sternness of a rigid disciplinarian is
mingled with the finer qualities of a just and upright man.
Those found guilty of theft were for the first offence to be
“ grievously punished,” and if they offended a second time
they were to be liable to the death penalty. Every man
was “ to carry himself with sobriety and meekness towards
the people of the country that justly of our partes no offence
is given.” There were heavy penalties for swearing and
cursing. “ For the first oathe sworne or for the first time
cursing or baneninge (the offender) to receive three blows
from ye Master with the bole of his wissle, for the second
time six, for the third nine and for the fourth to stand for
24 hours in the bilbowes without either meat or drink and
for every time hereafter.” Fighting was strictly prohibited.
No challenge was to be given “ under paine of 40 strippes
upon the bare back, and to stand in the bilbowes at the !
discretion of the general.” Then, following upon other
articles, came this invocation as a final rule of conduct:
“ The God of Peace so order and guide us that we may con­
tinue in all piety and love each towards the other, accord­
ing to place and calling; that the end of this our voyage
may be with more glory to God and better reformation of
our sinful fives than the beginning thereof, and that by
our example other men may be encouraged and stirred up
to like laudable enterprises.”
A man of this character was not at all likely to be de­
terred from the pursuit of a purpose upon which he had
deliberately embarked, and so the sequel proved. As far

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