IN NORTHERN MISTS 



sailed for four months at a stretch always with the same wind, and towards 

 the same pole, and in all that time they never saw anything. When they had 

 entered the fifth month and still wished to proceed, they say that they en- 

 countered immense masses of snow frozen together, floating on the sea and 

 moving under the influence of the waves. On the top of these [ice-masses] 

 clear, fresh water was formed by the power of the sun, and ran down through 

 little channels hollowed out by itself, wearing away the foot [of the ice] where 

 it fell. As the ships were already in want of water they approached in boats, 



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Portion of the Cantino map of 1502, preserved at 



and took as much as they required; and for fear of staying in that place on 

 account of the danger, they were about to turn back, but impelled by hope 

 they consulted as to what they could best do, and determined to proceed for 

 a few days yet, and they resumed their voyage. On the second day they found 

 the sea frozen, and being obliged to abandon their purpose, they began to 

 steer to the north-west and west, and they continued on this course for three 

 months, always with fair weather. And on the first day of the fourth month 

 they sighted between these two points of the compass a very great land, which 

 they approached with the greatest joy; and many great rivers of fresh water 

 ran through this region into the sea, and on one of them they traveled for a 

 legha [= about three geographical miles] inland; and when they went ashore 



