of July, 1576, to attempt a passage which has baffled all the skill, energy, and devotion of later times. After a stormy voyage Frobiser sighted high and rugged land, with great store of ice along the coast, which he judged to be the Friesland described by the Venetian brothers Zeni at the end of the fourteenth century. In reality it was the east coast of Greenland, near Cape Farewell. Here the pinnace was lost with four men. The Michael deserted her consort and went home; but Frobiser, in the little Gabriel, continued his westward course. He crossed what was afterwards called Davis' Strait, and sighted "Queen Elizabeth's Forlande" on the 20th of July. On this voyage Frobiser discovered the deep bay, long called a strait, which bears his name. He returned in August, 1596, bringing home a shining piece of stone, from which the gold-finders "promised great matters." This was fortunate, for it led to the dispatch of two more expeditions under Frobiser. It often happens that such searches for "El Dorado," Prester John, or even for ores existing only in the imaginations of assayers, lead to important geographical discoveries, or, at all events, to voyages being undertaken which form an admirable nursery for seamen; "which things," says Mr. George Best most truly, "are of so great importance as, being well wayed, may seem to countervail the adventurers' charges."
Frobiser's second expedition consisted of three vessels — the Aid of 200 tons, with the commander of the expedition himself on board; lieutenant, George Best; master, Christopher Hall; and mate, Charles Jackman. The Gabriel was commanded by Captain Edward Fenton, and the Michael by Gilbert Yorke. Sailing on the 26th of May, 1577, they anchored in Kirkwall Bay to send home letters, and sighted the coast supposed to be Friesland on the 4th of July. Proceeding onward to the land discovered in the previous year, a more careful survey was made of Frobiser's (Strait) Bay: the names of Yorke and Jackman were given to sounds, and that of the master, Christopher Hall, to an island. During this second voyage only one man was lost.
On Frobiser's return it was found that the assayers and goldsmiths had become more excited than ever over the worthless, though glittering, bits of mica, and adventurers were ready to equip a large fleet to seek for more. The queen named the country discovered by Frobiser "Meta Incognita," and, in the spring of 1578, that valorous commander found himself at the head of an
