All through the month of January, 1609, the expeditiou was heing titd out in the Thames. Each ship xas provided with twelve streamers, two flags, and an ensign. Stores and provisions of all kinds were stowed in the holds, as well as merehamlise; and merchants were appointed to each ship to superintend the trading operations. The queen prepared letters to the Princes of India, including one to the Sultan of Aeheen; and suitable prents accompanied them. Mr. Richard Hakluyt compiled much useful information respecting the commodities of the different countries, instructions "touching the preparing of the voyage," and several maps. The officers aml others reived "bills of adxenture" on the gains of the voyage--that is to say, each was to receive reward on a fixed scale with reference to the yivld of the return ctrg().

The fleet sailed from XVoolwich on the 13th of l:ebruary, 1(;00, but it was long delayed in the ])ovns hy calms, and the ships had to put into ])artmouth to complete their stores; so that it was the grid of April herore they finally sailed for the ('amu%s. The usual fatal sickncss brt,ke out while the fleet was detained by equatorial calms. Captain Lancaster, however, captured a Portuese shi 1) and got out of her 14; casks of wine, 171; casks of olive oil, md a quantity of meal, which proved a great addition to the supply of proisious. The victuallet Guest was emptied aml ttu'ned adrift. The expedition crossed the line on the last day of June.

The ravages of scurvy continued, so that when Table lay was reached on the 9th of Septcmhcr, ('aptdn Lancaster had tirst to anchor his own ship, and then to send his boats away, with working parties, to perform the same office for his consorts, whose crews were too weak to hring their ships to. The Dr, g,m's workiu parties also hoisted out the iats for the rest ot' the 11eet. The reason why the men in Lancaster's ship were so much healthier than the others was that he took the precautiou of providing a supply of lemon-juice. lie gave three spoonfuls to each man every morning fasting, h)' which means he cured many of his sailors kept the rest h)m scurvy. The sick were landed and put undc canvas ou shore. Vev good aa'angements were made for the traffic with natives. cattle and sheep were purchased, and the sick soon hegan to gain strength on a diet of fresh mea and vegetables. Iut the terrihie disease had carried off one hundred ami five men before any effective remedy could be applied.