MARTIN FROBISHER a.d. 



1578. 



any Shippe or other vessell under them. Also I saw fresh 

 Rivers running amidst the salt Sea a hundred myle from 

 land, which if any man will not beleeve, let him knowe 

 that many of our company leapt out of their Shippe upon 

 Ilandes of yce, and running there up and downe, did 

 shoote at Buts upon the yce, and with their Calivers 

 did kill great Seales, which use to lye and sleepe upon 

 the yce, and this yce melting above at the toppe by 

 reflection of the Sunne, came downe in sundry streames, 

 which uniting together, made a pretie Brooke able to 

 drive a Mill. 



The sayde Captaine Fenton recovered his Port tenne 

 dayes before any man, and spent good tyme in searching 

 for Mine, and hee found good store thereof. He also 

 discovered about tenne Miles up into the Countrey, 

 where he perceived neither Towne, Village, nor likeli- 

 hoode of habitation, but it seemeth (as he sayeth) barren, 

 as the other parts which as yet we have entred upon : 

 but their victuals and provision went so scant with them, 

 that they had determined to returne homeward within 

 seven dayes after, if the Fleete had not then arrived. 



The Generall after his arrivall in the Countesses sound, 

 spent no time in vaine, but immediatly at his first landing 

 called the chiefe Captaines of his Councell together, and 

 consulted with them for the speedier execution of such 

 things as then they had in hand. As first, for searching 

 and finding out good Minerall for the Miners to be 

 occupyed on. Then to give good Orders to bee observed 

 of the whole company on shore. And lastly, to consider 

 for the erecting up of the Fort and House for the use 

 of them which were to abide there the whole yeere. For 

 the better handling of these, and all other like important 

 causes in this service, it was ordeined from her Majestie 

 and the Councell, that the Generall should call unto him 

 certaine of the chiefe Captaines and Gentlemen in 

 Councell, to conferre, consult and determine of all 

 occurrents in this service, whose names are as here they 

 follow. 



347 



