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which Barentz was stopped to the north-west A.D. of Nova Zembla; but, instead of adopting this prudent line of conduct, they returned to give information to their countrymen of their supposed fortunate discovery.

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CHAPTER II.

BARENTZ' THIRD VOYAGE.

The States General of Holland offer a reward for the discovery of a northern passage to China.-Two vessels are equipped by the merchants. -William Barentz and Cornelison Ryp appointed to command them. Make Cherie Island.-Discover Spitzbergen.-Mildness of its climate.— Barentz and Ryp differ in opinion.-Separate.-Barentz reaches Nova Zembla.- Annoyed by bears. Pass the northeast point of the Island.-Cheering prospect.- Disappointment.-Dangerous situation.-Endeavours to return. -Prevented and compelled to winter.-Builds a house.— Death of the carpenter.-Bears become voracious, and endanger the party.-Intense cold.-Sufferings of the party.Cheerfulness under their misfortunes.-Twelfth day.-Reappearance of the sun.-Extraordinary refraction.- Ice breaks up. Ship rendered unserviceable. Abandoned. -Two boats prepared.-Party embark on their return home.- Death of Barentz.- Reach Cola. Meet with Cornelison Ryp.- His unsuccessful voyage. Return to Holland. - Hudson proceeds on a Polar voyage.—Traces the coast of Greenland to 73° N.-Visits Spitzbergen and tries to pass to the north of it.-Repulsed.-Returns by the west side of the Island.-Proceeds again towards Greenland. -Imminent peril.-Finding no passage, returns, by Cherie Island, to England.

THE mortification which was occasioned by the unsuccessful issue of the last expedition

determined the States General not to send out any more vessels on account of the States; but, as an encouragement to individuals who might feel disposed to follow up the attempt, they offered a reward to any person or persons who should effect the northern passage to China, provided that passage "could be sayled." This encouragement had its desired effect, and two vessels were equipped by the merchants, who appointed Jacob Hemskirke Hendrickson master and factor for the wares and merchandise, and Barentz chief pilot of one of the vessels, and John Cornelison Ryp master and factor in the other. Here we find the first encouragement which was held out to the seamen to persevere in the voyage by the promise of additional wages in the event of success; a judicious act, which, had it been more frequently adopted in those days, would probably have rendered several of the early voyages more successful than they

were.

On the 10th of May the ships quitted Amsterdam, and on the 4th June reached the latitude of 71° N., when they observed one of those remarkable phenomena of the heavens so rarely seen in low latitudes. It consisted of two parhelia and four circles, two of which passed through the sun and its parhelia; the third en

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A.D. compassed them, and the fourth passed vertically through the centre.

1596.

There was here a difference of opinion as to the course which ought to be steered; Cornelison maintaining, that if they kept to the eastward of N.N.E., they would fall in with Waigatz Strait; Barentz, on the contrary, affirming that they ought to steer to the eastward of N.E. : the matter was, however, compromised by both yielding a point, and steering N.E. by N. In this Cornelison was clearly in the wrong, as the result soon proved; for, instead of making the coast of Nova Zembla, as was intended, they fell in with Cherie Island, and some angry words passed in consequence between the pilots of the ships when they met. A party landed upon the island, and procured a quantity of eggs; and as they were returning they encountered a large white bear, which fought with them while "four glasses ranne out," and swam away with a hatchet which had been "struck into her back;" the ferocious animal was, however, killed at last, and was found to be thirteen feet in length.

In consequence of this formidable encounter the island was named Bear Island; but this was, a few years afterwards, changed to Cherie Island, as will be seen in advance.

The island was found to be encumbered with ice on all sides, so that there was no possibility of proceeding to the eastward; and, indeed, they had been obliged to pass through a great deal of it before they arrived at the place where they anchored. They therefore determined to stand along this frozen barrier to the northward; in doing which, they discovered high land on the 19th; and, by an observation of the sun, found their latitude to be 80° 11' N. The land lay to the east of them, and they had some difficulty in approaching it in consequence of a strong north-easterly wind which was then blowing. This is the first authenticated discovery of Spitzbergen, for Purchas's argument, in favour of Sir Hugh Willoughby having seen it, is not borne out by Sir Hugh's journal, as has already been shown; and that is the only instance in which any doubt could possibly arise.

Our navigators entered a bay, running north and south, and then came to an anchor. The latitude of this place was 79° 42′ N., which corresponds with the situation of Fair Haven; to which their description of the port they entered will also correctly apply.

They saw many "harts and bucks" (rein-deer) upon the land; and upon a small island in the centre of the bay there were a great number

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