1578. MARTIN FKOBISHER. 03 



when a council was held on the 1st August, at 

 which it was determined to send all persons and 

 things on shore upon Countess of Warwick's island; 

 and on the 2d August, orders were proclaimed 

 by sound of trumpet for the guidance of the com- 

 pany during their abode thereon. It was found 

 however, on examining the bills of lading, that the 

 east side and the south side only of the house were 

 saved, and those not perfect, many pieces having 

 been destroyed when used as fenders against the 

 Ice. There was also a want of drink and fuel for a 

 hundred men, the greatest store being in the miss- 

 ing ships. For these and sundry good and sufficient 

 reasons, it was determined in council " that no 

 habitation should be there this yeer." 



Captain Best of the Ann Francis, one of the 

 missing ships, discovered " a great black island," 

 where such plenty of black ore was found '^ as 

 might reasonably suffice all the gold gluttons of 

 the world," which island, "for cause of his good 

 luck," the captain called after his own name, 

 Besfs Blessing. He also ascended a high hill 

 called Hattons Headland, where he erected a co- 

 lumn or cross of stone in token of Christian pos- 

 session ; " here also he found plentee of blackc 

 ore, and divers pretie stones." 



The 30th August, having arrived and all hands 

 evidently disheartened with the extreme cold and 

 tempestuous weather, a council was again held, 

 at which it was determined, for divers good and 

 substantial reasons, that each captain and gentle- 



