THE SECOND DUTCH EXPEDITION. 
243 
v.J 
been made was given in to Prince Maukice of Orange, Jan 
VAN Oldenbarnevelt, Advocate of Holland, and the other 
authorities at home. They were so convinced by this report 
that the sea route to China was actually discovered, that they 
'immediately made arrangements to send out the following year 
a flotilla of seven vessels, two from Amsterdam, two from 
Zeeland, two from Enkhuizen, and one from Rotterdam, with a 
view to open the new commercial communication. 
The commanders of the vessels were Cornelis Nay (Admiral), 
Brandt Tetgales (Second in Command), Barents, Lambert 
Gerritsz. Com, Thomas Willemsz., Harman Jansz., and 
Hendrik Hartman. The lieutenants were Linschoten, Jacob 
Heemskerk, Francoys de la Hale, Jan Cornelisz., Rijp, 
and N. Buys. Six of the vessels were laden with goods and 
coin; the seventh was to return home with news when the 
fleet had sailed through Yaygats Sound. The great prepara¬ 
tions, however, occupied so much time that it was not until the 
^ July that the voyage could be begun. On the August, 
Kegor on the Ribatschni peninsula was sighted, and on the 
f|th August the fleet arrived at the Sound between Vaygats 
and the mainland, and found a great deal of ice there. 
On the - the Hutch met with some Russians, who told 
them that the winter had been very severe, but that the ice 
would in a short time disappear, and that the summer would still 
last six weeks. They also stated that the land to the north¬ 
ward, which was called Vaygats, was an island, separated on its 
north side from Novaya Zemlya; that it was visited in summer 
by natives, who towards winter returned to the mainland ; that 
Russian vessels, laden with goods, yearly sailed through Vaygats 
Sound past the Obi to the river Gillissy (Yenisej), Avhere they 
passed the winter ; that the dwellers on the Yenisej were of the 
Greek-Christian religion, &c. 
On the the Hutch came in contact with the Samoyeds 
south of Vaygats Sound. Their “ king ” received the strangers 
