Now also I will not omit to relate something of a 
strange Creature that I first saw there in the yeere 1610, 
in a morning early as I was standing by the water side, in 
the Harbour of Saint Johns, which I espied verie swiftly 
to come swimming towards me, looking cheerefully, as 
it had beene a woman, by the Face, Eyes, Nose, Mouth, 
Chin, eares, Necke and Forehead: It seemed to be so 
beautifull, and in those parts so well proportioned, 
having round about upon the head, all blew strakes, 
resembling haire, downe to the Necke (but certainly it 
was haire) for I beheld it long, and another of my 
companie also, yet living, that was not then farre from 
me; and seeing the same comming so swiftly towards 
mee, I stepped backe, for it was come within the length 
of a long Pike. Which when this strange Creature saw 
that I went from it, it presently thereupon dived a little 
under water, and did swim to the place where before I 
landed...  ...  the same came shortly
after unto a Boat, wherein one William Hawkridge, then my servant, 
was,  ...  the same Creature did 
put both  ...  hands upon the side of the Boate, 
and did strive to come in to him and others then 
in the said Boate; whereat they were afraid; and one of them 
strooke it a full blow on the head; whereat it fell off from them: 
and afterwards it came to two other Boates in the Harbour; 
the men in them, for feare fled to land: This (I suppose) 
was a Mermaide.