so a beast called Asinus Indicus (whose horn most like it
was), which hath but one horn like an unicorn in his forehead, whereof
there is great plenty in all the north parts thereunto adjoining, as in
Lapland, Norway, Finmark, etc., as Jocobus Zeiglerus writeth in his
history of Scondia.

And as Albertus saith, there is a fish which hath but one horn in his
forehead like to an unicorn, and therefore it seemeth very doubtful both
from whence it came, and whether it were an unicorn's horn, yea or no.

His third and last reason was, that there came a continual stream or
current through the Frozen Sea of such swiftness, as a Colmax told him,
that if you cast anything therein, it would presently be carried out of
sight towards the west.

Whereunto I answered, that there doth the like from Palus Maeotis, by the
Euxine, the Bosphorus, and along the coast of Greece, etc., as it is
affirmed by Contarenus, and divers others that have had experience of the
same; and yet that sea lieth not open to any main sea that way, but is
maintained by freshets, as by the Don, the Danube, etc.

In like manner is this current in the Frozen Sea increased and maintained
by the Dwina, the river Ob, etc.

Now as I have here briefly recited the reasons alleged to prove a passage
to Cathay by the north-east with my several answers thereunto, so will I
leave it unto your judgment, to hope or despair of either at your
pleasure.

CHAPTER IX.
HOW THAT THE PASSAGE BY THE NORTH-WEST IS MORE COMMODIOUS FOR OUR TRAFFIC
THAN THE OTHER BY THE EAST, IF THERE WERE ANY SUCH.

1. By the north-east, if your winds do not give you a marvellous speedy
and lucky passage, you are in danger (of being so near the Pole) to be
benighted almost the one half of the year, and what danger that were, to
live so long comfortless, void of light (if the cold killed you not),
each man of reason or understanding may judge.

2. Also Mangia, Quinzai, and the Moluccas, are nearer unto us by the
north-west than by the north-east more than two-fifths, which is almost
by the half.

3. Also we may have by the rest a yearly return, it being at all times
navigable, whereas you have but four months in the whole year to go by
the north-east, the passage being at such elevation as it is formerly
expressed, for it cannot be any nearer the south.

4. Furthermore, it cannot be finished without divers winterings by the
way, having no havens in any temperate climate to harbour i