inent into the South Sea, of the existence of
which passage he was fully persuaded. He was not aware how close he had
been to it in the last harbour where he had taken refuge.

On reaching latitude 52 degrees, an opening appearing in the rocky
mountainous-looking coast, the squadron sailed into it, having on one
side a cape, to which the Admiral gave the name of Cabo de los Virgines,
because it was discovered on the feast of Saint Ursula and the Eleven
Thousand Virgins. At first many supposed that it was merely a deep bay
or gulf, but as the ships proceeded on, the hopes of the Admiral that he
had at length discovered the long-sought-for channel increased. The
wind being fair, onwards they sailed, though when night came down upon
them they were compelled to anchor.

At this juncture the pilot Estevan Gomez proposed, as it was doubtful
whether they could get through, and as their provisions were running
short and their ships were unseaworthy, that they should return to
Spain. The Admiral listened to all that was said in silence, and then
declared that rather than fail in fulfilling his promise to the King of
Spain, he would endure far greater hardships than they had yet suffered,
and would eat the skins on the ship's yards and rigging; and he forbade
any one, on pain of death, to speak of turning back on account of want
of provisions, or their longing for home.

Anxiously they waited for the return of day, when the light would enable
them to see their way. The channel, as they proceeded from east to
west, varied greatly in its breadth, sometimes being several leagues
wide, and in others no more than half a league across. The land on both
sides was high, rugged, and uneven, the mountains capped with snow, in
some places barren, and in others covered with woods. Having sailed on
upwards of fifty leagues, a broad channel was seen opening out before
them. Two ships were sent to explore it, while the Admiral and others
came to an anchor. During their absence a violent storm arose, and
great fears were entertained that the ships were lost. For two days the
Admiral waited for their re-appearance, and, at length, a cloud of smoke
being seen rising to the southward, it was supposed that it was produced
from fires kindled by those of the ship wrecked crews who had escaped.

Now, more than ever, the people believed that the voyage had ended, and
were giving way to despair, when the two ships were seen approaching
under