ce of the
whiteness of the cliffs, which resembled those of England, and because
his native land was so-called.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, CONTINUED--A.D. 1579-80.

Search of passage to north-east abandoned--Passage across the Pacific--A
group of islands made--Thievish practices of the natives--Called the
Carolines--The Moluccas reached--Friendly reception by the King of
Ternate--Comes off in his state barge--His magnificent jewels--The
_Hind_ sails--Careened at an island near Celebes--Gigantic trees,
fire-flies, crabs--Gets among reefs and shoals--Strikes on a rock--
Perilous position of the ship--Gets off--A heavy gale--Runs under bare
poles--Anchors off Baratira--Natives friendly--Sails on to Java--The
Rajah treats them well--The _Golden Hind_ sails across the Indian
Ocean--Rounds the Cape of Good Hope--Touches at Sierra Leone--Enters the
Channel--Plymouth reached the 25th of September, 1580--Received by the
Queen--The Queen visits the _Golden Hind_--Drake knighted--His
subsequent enterprises against the Spaniards--In command of the
_Bonaventura_ attacks the Spanish Armada--His last expedition to the
West Indies, and death at sea.

After touching at some islands which lie about a day's sail to the
westward of California, where there was a large supply of seals and
aquatic birds, the _Golden Hind_ continued her course. In consequence
of the increased cold, all idea of finding a passage round the north of
America, by the consent of every officer on board, was abandoned, and a
course was steered which, it was hoped, would enable them to reach the
Moluccas.

For full sixty-eight days the voyagers sailed on, their view during the
whole of that period being bounded by sky and sea. As far as their
experience went, it was to them a Pacific Ocean, for they had smooth
water and favouring breezes. They fell in with the usual sights,
flying-fish endeavouring to escape from their foes the bonitos; huge
whales showing their presence by spouting clouds of mist into the air;
while now and then a strong-winged bird passed in their sight.

Good fellowship prevailed amongst them, no words of discontent escaped
from their lips. They had confidence in their leader, and, above all,
reliance on God's good providence. They were men pious after a manner.
The robberies they committed did not trouble their consciences, for they
considered that they had lawfully despoiled the Spaniards of their
unlawfully