boundless extent of the silent drifting ice, chilled the
hopes of the explorers. They turned towards the south.
Day after day, week after week, they skirted the coast
of North America. If we may believe Sebastian's friend,
they reached a point as far south as Gibraltar in Europe.
No more was there ice. The cold of Labrador changed to
soft breezes from the sanded coast of Carolina and from
the mild waters of the Gulf Stream. But of the fabled
empires of Cathay and Cipango, and the 'towns and castles'
over which the Great Admiral was to have dominion, they
saw no trace. Reluctantly the expedition turned again
towards Europe, and with its turning ends our knowledge
of what happened on the voyage.

That the ships came home either as a fleet, or at least
in part, we have certain proof. We know that John Cabot
returned to Bristol, for the ancient accounts of the port
show that he lived to draw at least one or two instalments
of his pension. But the sunlight of royal favour no longer
illumined his path. In the annals of English history the
name of John Cabot is never found again.

The son Sebastian survived to continue a life of maritime
adventure, to be counted one of the great sea-captains
of the day, and to enjoy an honourable old age. In the
year 1512 we hear of him in the service of Ferdinand of
Spain. He seems to have won great renown as a maker of
maps and charts. He still cherished the idea of reaching
Asia by way of the northern seas of America. A north-west
expedition with Sebastian in command had been decided