There is also 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.
