ht,
and on the 27th put into Plymouth, where a carpenter, Maydenblick, was
engaged.

Sailing thence on the 28th of June, with fine weather and a fair breeze,
they proceeded on their voyage. The strictest rules were laid down for
the government of officers and men. When a boat went on shore where any
hostility was to be expected, one of the commanders was always to be in
charge. The supercargo was to have the exclusive management of all
commercial dealings. The officers were warned against holding
conversations with the men in regard to the objects of the voyage; and
while they were to be strict in the execution of their duty, they were
not to subject the crews to unnecessary toil.

Touching at various places, they cast anchor off Sierra Leone on the
30th of August. The village at that time consisted only of eight or
nine poor thatched huts. The native inhabitants declined to come off
until a hostage was left for their security, because a French ship had
lately perfidiously carried off two of their number. The water which
poured down from every hill was to be had in abundance, and the casks
could be filled by placing them under the falls. Lemons were so cheap
that ten thousand could have been obtained for a few knives. Each man
purchased one hundred and fifty for sea store.

After leaving Sierra Leone, as they were gliding over the smooth sea, a
sudden shock was felt on board the _Horn_, as if she had struck on a
rock, and, as the crew looked over her side, they saw the water change
to a crimson hue. The cause was not known until the ship was afterwards
laid on shore, when a large horn, of a substance resembling ivory, was
found sticking into her bottom, it having pierced through three stout
planks. The Line was crossed on the 25th of October, after which
Captain Schouten informed the ships' companies of the object of the
voyage. At this they exhibited their satisfaction, hoping to discover
some gold countries, to make amends for their toils.

On the 3rd of November they were off the island of Ascension or Martin
Vaz. Standing on, they came in sight on the 6th of December of the
mainland of South America. It was of no great height, and had a white
appearance. The same night they dropped anchor in ten fathoms, at a
short distance from Port Desire. Next morning, standing on to the
southward, they saw before them a line of cliffs, which they understood
marked the entrance to the channel. They, however,