MARTIN FROBISHER a.d. 



1578. 



place. The Fleet now being in some good readinesse for 

 their lading, the Generall calling together the Gentlemen 

 and Captaines to consult, told them that he was very 

 desirous that some further discovery should be attempted, 

 and that he would not onely by Gods helpe bring home 

 his Ships laden with Ore, but also meant to bring some 

 certificate of a further discovery of the Countrey, which 

 thing to bring to passe (having sometime therein con- 

 sulted) they found very hard, and almost invincible. 

 And considering that already they had spent sometime in Consultation 

 searching out the trending and fashion of the mistaken f°l' a f urther 

 straites, therefore it could not be sayd, but that by this 

 voyage they have notice of a further discovery, and that 

 the hope of the passage thereby is much furthered and 

 encreased, as appeared before in the discourse thereof. 

 Yet notwithstanding if any meanes might be further 

 devised, the Captaines were contented and willing, as 

 the Generall shoulde appoynt and commaund, to take any 

 enterprise in hand. Which after long debating was 

 found a thing very impossible, and that rather consulta- 

 tion was to be had of returning homeward, especially for 

 these causes following. First the darke foggy mists, the 

 continuall falling snowe and stormy weather which they 

 commonly were vexed with, and now daily ever more and 

 more increased, have no small argument of the Winters 

 drawing neere. And also the frost every night was so 

 hard congealed within the sound, that if by evill hap they 

 should bee long kept in with contrary winds, it was 

 greatly to be feared, that they should be shut up there 

 fast the whole yeere, which being utterly unprovided, 

 would be their utter destruction. Againe, drinke was so 

 scant throughout all the Fleet by meanes of the great 

 leakage, that not onely the provision which was layd 

 in for the habitation was wanting and wasted, but also 

 each shippes severall provision spent and lost, which 

 many of our company to their great griefe found in their 

 returne since, for all the way homewards they dranke 

 nothing but water. And the great cause of this leakage 



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