orers sailed from this "Port Accursed," as some of the seamen called
it, on the 17th of August, and again steered southward.

On the 20th they came off the Cabo de las Virgines, as the Spaniards
called the entrance to the Magellan Straits. About four leagues off it
had the appearance of black rocks full of grey stars, against which the
sea beat like the spouting of whales. At this cape the Admiral ordered
the ships to lower their topsails on the bunt, in homage to the Queen's
Majesty; and he here changed the name of his ship, the _Pelican_, to
that of the _Golden Hind_, in compliment to his patron Sir Christopher
Hatton, whose coat of arms bore a golden hind. A sermon being preached
by the chaplain, Master Fletcher, and prayer being offered up, the
squadron entered the straits, passing along which, with land in sight on
both sides, they in a short time made their way through a narrow
channel, with a strong wind blowing astern. They then passed through a
broad expanse. The following night they saw a lofty island to the
southward, which appeared to burn like that of the island of Fogo. The
tides as they passed on rose and fell regularly, the difference between
high and low water being upwards of five fathoms.

On the 24th of August they came off a large and fruitful island, on
which, the weather being fine, the Admiral and some of his officers
landed, taking possession of it in the name of her Majesty, and calling
it Elizabeth Island. Some other islands close to it abounded with
strange--looking birds, somewhat in size less than a goose, and although
they could not fly, ran at a great rate. They were in reality penguins,
which abounded in those regions. In one day they killed no less than
three thousand. On another island they found the body of a man who had
been long dead. From these islands onwards the passage was so crooked
and narrow that they very frequently had to come to an anchor. They
found numerous harbours and abundance of fresh water. The mountains
here rose to a great height, their tops apparently lost in the sky, and
covered with ice and snow. On the low grounds many fine trees were
seen, with green grass and herbs, the temperature being very similar to
that of England.

The inhabitants made fires as they passed along, but did not come off to
them. As they drew near the western entrance of the straits, the
passage appeared so narrow, with so many broad channels opening to the
southward, that