1:2(3 THE SEA. 



On this expedition they had several altercations with the natives, and in one skirmish 

 in Yorke Sound killed five or six of them. It is said that they found here some of the 

 apparel of their five unfortunate companions who had been seized the previous year bv 

 the natives. By means of two captives they brought about some degree of intercourse 

 with the Esquimaux, and left a letter, understanding that their own sailors were still alive, 

 but they were never more seen. Having loaded with about 200 tons of the supposed gold 

 ore, they set sail for England, where they arrived safely, to the great delight of the queen 

 and court, who considered that there were now great hopes of riches and profit. It was 

 determined that a third expedition should be despatched the following year (1578). 



The fleet on this occasion consisted of no less than fifteen vessels. One hundred persons 

 were taken to form a settlement and remain there the complete year, keeping three of the 

 vessels for their own use; the others were to bring back cargoes of the ore. Frobisher 

 was appointed admiral and general. From first to last the voyage was disastrous. In the 

 straits named after Frobisher, one of their larger barques struck so violently on a mass of ice 

 that she sank in sight of the whole fleet, and although all the people on board were saved, 

 a part of the house intended for the settlers went down with the wreck. A violent storm 

 next ensued, which dispersed the fleet, some of the vessels being fixed in the ice of the 

 strait, others being swept away to sea. It was a severe season, and they were bewildered 

 by fogs, snow, and mist. After many perils, a large part of the fleet assembled in the 

 Countess of Warwick's Sound, when a council was held. It was at first determined to 

 plant the colony on the adjoining island, but on examination so much of the wooden house 

 was missing, and so great a quantity of the stores and provisions were on the ships 

 which had parted company, that the idea was abandoned. " A great black island/' where 

 so much black ore was found that it " might suffice all the gold gluttons of the world/' 

 was discovered by one of the captains, and was named after him, " Best's Blessing." It was 

 at length decided that each captain should load his ship with ore and set homewards. 

 The fleet arrived in England on or about October 1st, having lost some forty persons. The 

 ore being now carefully examined proved worthless pyrites; and the Arctic gold mines 

 seem to have proved a "fizzle" as great as any of the worst which have succeeded them. 

 One Michael Lok, who had advanced money and become security for Frobisher, was ruined, 

 and cast into the Fleet prison. One of the accounts mentions the fact that when the ore 

 was first examined, one of the assayers, "by coaxing nature, as he privately admitted to 

 Michael Lok," pretended to make the discovery of its precious qualities. It seems that the 

 Master of the Mint had reported on it adversely; but the favourable opinion of others 

 and the lust for wealth overcame all reason and judgment, until queen, courtiers, and 

 subjects were sobered by the complete disappointment, which ended all further search for the 

 time. Frobisher did good service for his country afterwards, and fought with such bravery 

 against the Spanish Armada that he was knighted. He died from the effect of a shot- 

 wound received at the assault of Croyson, during the war with Henry IV. of France. 



The disastrous voyage of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, with its melancholy termination, has been 

 already described ; but the merchants of London and elsewhere, being still persuaded " of the 

 likely hood of the discoverie of the north-west passage," only two years later subscribed for 

 fresh attempts. John Davis a name inseparably associated with arctic enterprise received 



