The
Weather Growing Fine, And The People Being Reduced To Obedience,
Magellan Set Sail From Port St Julian, And Pursued His Course To The
Latitude Of 51 Deg.
40' S. where finding a convenient port, with abundance
of fuel, water, and fish, he remained for two months longer.
SECTION III.
Prosecution of the Voyage, till the Death of Magellan.
Again resuming the voyage, they proceeded along the eastern shore of
Patagonia to the latitude of 52 deg. S. when the entrance into the famous
straits still known under the name of Magellan were discovered, through
which the squadron continued its voyage, finding these straits about 110
leagues in length, from east to west, with varying breadths, in some
places very wide, and in others not more than half a league across; the
land on both sides being high, rugged, and uneven, and the mountains
covered with snow. On reaching the western end of these straits, an open
passage was found into the great South Sea, which sight gave Magellan
the most unbounded joy, as having discovered that for which he had gone
in quest, and that he was now able practicably to demonstrate what he
had advanced, that it was possible to sail to the East Indies by way of
the West. To the point of land from which he first saw this
so-long-desired prospect, he gave the name of Cape Desiderato. This
prospect was not, however, so desirable to some of his followers; for
here one of his ships stole away, and sailed homewards alone.
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