482 THE PROGRESS OF MARITIME DISCOVERY. 



laid open to the mariners of England. It was about the begin- 

 ning of August, and the spiritless crew considering the passage 

 accomplished, urged an immediate return; but Hudson was 

 determined on completing the adventure, and wintering if pos- 

 sible on the sunny shores of India. 



Three months long he continued tracking the coasts of that 

 vast northern Mediterranean, now for the first time explored by 

 civilised man, vainly hoping to see a new channel opening to the 

 west, until at length November came and imprisoned his small 

 vessel in adamantine fetters. A long and dreary winter awaited 

 the ice-bound seamen, with almost exhausted provisions, and 

 unfortunately without that heroic patience and serene concord 

 which had sustained the sufferings of Barentz and his companions. 

 It must indeed have been a melancholy winter for poor Hudson, 

 solitary and friendless among scowling ruffians, hating him as 

 the cause of their bitter misery ; but spring came at last with its 

 consolatory sunshine, and hope once more dawned in his tortured 

 breast. The ship is again afloat, and on the 21st of June, 1611, 

 the captain comes forth from his cabin, refreshed by the sleep of 

 a quiet conscience, and strong in body and mind to meet the 

 duties of the day. But as he steps on deck his arms are sud- 

 denly pinioned, and he finds himself in the power of a mutinous 

 crew. He looks around for some trace of sympathy, but hatred 

 meets him in every eye. Inquiry, remonstrance, entreaty, 

 command, all alike fail to move their stubborn resolution, and 

 now Hudson resigns himself bravely to his fate, with all the 

 quiet dignity of a noble nature, and looks calmly at the ominous 

 preparations going forward. A small open boat is in waiting, 

 and into this he is lowered, some powder and shot and the car- 

 penter's box come next, followed by the carpenter himself, a 

 strong brave fellow, the captain's one devoted adherent among 

 the rebellious crew; the sick and infirm complete the unfor- 

 tunate cargo. A signal is given, the boat is cast adrift, and 

 soon the last faint cry for mercy expires in the breeze which 

 carries the vessel onwards on its homeward course. 



Thus perished the high-minded Hudson, without further 

 tiding or trace, on the scene of his glory ; but the vengeance of 

 heaven soon overtook the ringleaders of that dark conspiracy. 

 Some fell in a fight with the Eskimos, and others died on the 



