TASMAN'S VOYAGE OF 1642 255 



able. Landings had so far been disappointing ; but the 

 early landings of Columbus had also been disappointing. 

 Here in the South was Marco Polo's land of " Beach," 

 and any moment you might sail into a rich and civilised 

 Kingdom, abounding in spices, in elephants, and in 

 gold. 



Van Diemen instructed Pool to sail from Banda to Pool is to 

 Arnhem Land. Then he was to cross to Nova Guinea, 

 and to sail down its coast to 17 8', the furthest South to Cape 

 of the voyage of 1623, and then beyond ! Van Diemen Leeuwin - 

 believed that this land of Nova Guinea joined the land 

 of D'Eendracht by an unbroken coastline, though no 

 doubt this was an uncertain speculation. Pool was there- 

 fore instructed to attempt to follow the coast from 17 8' 

 to " as far as Houtman's Abrolhos in 28 and 29, and 

 further still, if your provisions hold out, if the condition 

 of your crews will allow it, and if your yachts are proof 

 against the rough seas that prevail in the Southern Ocean 

 in 33 and 34 degrees." Thence he was to return to Batavia, 

 and to try, in passing, " to touch at the Trials, that further 

 information about this rock, and its situation may be 

 obtained." 



Everywhere, and especially in the Northern part of the Is the Gulf 

 voyage, Pool was to keep a sharp look out for the discovery 

 of channels or openings that might give passage into the 

 South Sea, or prove that the South-land consisted of 

 islands. Such channels, if found, were to be explored. 

 In case it is found that the Gulf of Carpentaria is no gulf 

 but an opening of a great Ocean passage, Pool is to sail 

 the whole length of that passage along its Eastern side 

 till he reaches the islands of St. Peter and St. Francis, 

 discovered by the Zeepaart in 1627. Thence he is to sail 

 back Northwards along the Western side of the passage 

 to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and thence proceed on the 

 route previously prescribed, Westward and Southward 

 to 33 or 34 degrees. 



Pool is to look for the " Dutch delinquents " marooned 

 by Pelsart in 1629, and is to grant them a passage 

 " if they should be alive to show themselves, and should 



