heir place of
rendezvous, about the thirtieth degree of south latitude, on the coast
of Peru.

For a whole month the two remaining ships, sorely battered by the
tempest, were out of sight of land, which at length regaining, on the
night of the 7th of October, they ran into a harbour to the southward.
They had not, however, long dropped their anchors before both ships were
again driven out to sea, and that of the Admiral left an anchor behind
her, but a sloop which had been put up at the entrance of the straits
soon regained the harbour. The _Elizabeth_ was lost sight of, while the
_Golden Hind_ was driven far away to the southward, where she lay
helplessly tossed about by the fury of the waves. Again, the storm
abating, she made sail, and sighted the utmost cape or headland of those
islands, about the fifty-sixth degree of south latitude, and since known
as Cape Horn.

On the 28th of October the _Golden Hind_ anchored within a creek of the
same island. Though people were seen on shore, no communication was
held with them. On the 30th of October, with a fair wind, Drake steered
to the north-west, and then north, in order not to lose sight of the
continent. The following day the explorers came off an island covered
so thickly with birds that they were able to obtain a plentiful supply;
indeed, the whole fleet might have been equally well furnished.

Coasting along in sight of land, they observed a lofty range of
mountains, but the country appeared barren, without water or wood,
except here and there, where Spanish settlements had been formed. There
being no possibility of obtaining information of the missing ships, they
again ran off towards an island called Mucho, on account of its large
size. Here they came to an anchor on the 25th, and found it a fertile
place, with an abundance of sheep, cattle, Indian corn, and potatoes.
The inhabitants were Indians, who had been driven off by the cruelty of
the Spaniards, and had here fortified themselves. On ascertaining that
the visitors were English, they came with great courtesy, bringing with
them various fruits and two fat sheep, which they presented to the
Admiral. He, in return, gave them a variety of useful articles, at
which they seemed greatly pleased, and signified that they would return
with further provisions.

Next day, therefore, at an early hour, the Admiral, with a number of
men, repaired to the beach, carrying articles for barter. He first put
two m