full sail, with flags flying. As they drew near the crew shouted
with joy and fired salutes from their guns. The captains of the
exploring vessels reported that a passage had been seen ahead, but that
they deemed it wise to return and announce their discovery. From the
circumstance of the smoke rising in the south, to the country on which
it was seen was given the name of "Tierra del Fuego," or the Land of
Fire.

On this the squadron again got under weigh and sailed forward; but
another passage appearing, opening out to the south-east, the two ships
which had been before sent away were again dispatched to ascertain in
what direction it led. One of them returned, but the crew of the other,
instigated by the traitor Estevan Gomez, finding themselves away from
the Admiral, rose on their captain and officers, and, confining them
below, insisted on returning homewards. In vain the Admiral looked out,
expecting her to rejoin him. Day after day the rest of the squadron
pressed on, their gallant commander anticipating the realisation of his
long-cherished hopes. We may picture him, as he stood on the forecastle
of the _Trinidada_, leading the way, eagerly looking out ahead. How
anxious he must have felt when the channel narrowed, and it became
possible that some rocky barrier might impede his progress! Then, as he
saw it again stretching out into a broad, lake-like expanse, how he must
have rejoiced, while seamen in the chains on either side kept heaving
the lead and announcing the depth of water. On and on the explorers
pushed their way under all sail. If they saw the natives in their tiny
canoes, darting out from behind some rocky point, they were too eager to
stop and communicate with them.

Above their heads rose the lofty snow-capped mountains, their outlines
reflected in the calm waters, often producing scenes of much grandeur,
though the barren and rugged rocks offered no temptation to the voyagers
to land.

A hundred leagues had been passed over, and, unless the land should
extend much farther west, according to the theory held by the Admiral,
the termination of the channel must be reached. What must have been his
joy, when about ten leagues more had been made good, on the 28th of
November, 1520, as rounding a point to which he gave the name of Cape
Deseado, he saw the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean spreading out to
the westward. From the topmast-head not a speck of land could be seen,
to denote that