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 letters patent to found a colony in Newfoundland, and for the discovery of Norumbega. His training had been rather in the war against Spaniards in the Low Countries than at sea; but he was a man of far-seeing views, a patriotic and high-minded gentleman. He made one disastrous voyage with his half-brother, Walter Ralegh, in 1579, and in 1583 he equipped a more important expedition.

Five vessels left Cawsand Bay on the 11th of June; but the largest, named the Ralegh, put back owing to the outbreak of a mortal sickness. The others were the Delight, of 120 tons, the Swallow and Golden Hind, each of 40 tons, and the little Squirrel, of 10 tons. On the 30th of July they had crossed the Atlantic and sighted land, visiting the island where the Bretons were accustomed to salt down quantities of great auks in casks. At St. John's, Newfoundland, Sir Humphrey Gilbert found thirty-six sail of vessels of all nations, and, in accordance with his orders, he took possession in the name of the queen. On the 4th of August he landed, and was entertained by the English merchants. Leaving St. John's on the 20th of August, the ships were steered in the direction of the Isle of Sables, and on the 29th the Delight ran on shore and became a total wreck. Among those who perished were Stephanus Parmenius of Buda, who was to have been the historian of the expedition, the captain, and many others. The master, Richard Clarke, got away in a small boat, which was dangerously overcrowded. One of the party, named Hedley, proposed that they should draw lots for four to be thrown overboard. But Clarke said, "No! We will live or die together!" After having been four days without food they succeeded in landing, and relieved their hunger by eating berries. Finally, they were taken on board a vessel belonging to St. Jean de Luz, and were landed at Pasajes in Spain, whence they found their way home.

These disasters induced Sir Humphrey Gilbert to resolve upon returning to England, with the intention of continuing the enterprise in the ensuing spring. He was urged to go on board the Hind; but as the Squirrel, owing to her small size, would be exposed to the greatest danger in crossing the Atlantic, he chose to go in her, and his resolution could not be shaken. On the evening of the 9th of September he was seen sitting with a book in his hand, and he cried out to those on board the Hind, when within hailing distance, "We are as near to heaven by sea as by land."