CHAPTER XII.

THE FIRST ARCTIC VOYAGES. Early History of Arctic Discovery—The Hardy Norseman—Accidental 115 Discovery of Iceland—Colony Formed—A Fisherman Drifted to Greenland—Eric the Red Head—Rapid Colonisation—Early Intercourse with America—Voyages of the _Zeni_—Cabot’s Attempt at a North-West Passage—Maritime Enterprise of this Epoch—Voyage of the _Dominus Vobiscum_—Of the _Trinitie_ and _Minion_—Starvation and Cannibalism—A High-handed Proceeding—Company of the Merchant Adventurers—Attempts at the North-East—Fate of Willoughby—Chancelor, and our First Intercourse with Russia